Sven
Senior Member
Curious what got y'all into reloading. Economics? Self-reliance?
Thanks,
-sven
Thanks,
-sven
what got you into reloading?
- Thread starter Sven
- Start date
- Status
TrapperReady
Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2003
- Messages
- 2,732
It's all about the Benjamins.
Trap league on Tuesdays and sporting clays and/or hunting on the weekends. When my wife shoots with me, we go through several hundred shells per week.
I just got a used MEC 9000G and can reload a case in about the amount of time it would take me to drive to the sporting goods store, buy one and bring it home. Also, it cuts down on the likelyhood that I'll see some new gun that I've "GOT to have".
Since I'm just starting to get into highpower shooting, I've not yet begun reloading rifle cartridges, but that may very well be next. If so, that will probably be for accuracy more than anything.
Trap league on Tuesdays and sporting clays and/or hunting on the weekends. When my wife shoots with me, we go through several hundred shells per week.
I just got a used MEC 9000G and can reload a case in about the amount of time it would take me to drive to the sporting goods store, buy one and bring it home. Also, it cuts down on the likelyhood that I'll see some new gun that I've "GOT to have".
Since I'm just starting to get into highpower shooting, I've not yet begun reloading rifle cartridges, but that may very well be next. If so, that will probably be for accuracy more than anything.
Shweboner
Member
One thing got me into reloading, Several reason keep me into it.
First, I started reloading 9x18 rounds. Because I was only 18 at the time and couldn't buy handgun ammo... but reloading supplies are OK at 18. So I just made my own
Why I still do it? Accuracy, economics, For the makarov I can make cleaner stuff than whats on the market ( ie that russian crap ) And mostly just to expand my hobby, to better understand adn appreciate my firearms. So when its sunny I shoot, when it rains, I handload
~brian
First, I started reloading 9x18 rounds. Because I was only 18 at the time and couldn't buy handgun ammo... but reloading supplies are OK at 18. So I just made my own
Why I still do it? Accuracy, economics, For the makarov I can make cleaner stuff than whats on the market ( ie that russian crap ) And mostly just to expand my hobby, to better understand adn appreciate my firearms. So when its sunny I shoot, when it rains, I handload
~brian
Cheapness.
Thought I'd save money shooting IPSC. Wound up shooting waaay more. Lost money. Good trade.
What really got me going was the purchase of a .44Mag. I've developed loads from 180WC@600fps (Newbie Special ) to 240JHP@I'd-rather-not-admit (Blast Master ). WW231-fueled 240SWC@1000fps has accompanied me to a lot of shooting ranges, with great success.
Thought I'd save money shooting IPSC. Wound up shooting waaay more. Lost money. Good trade.
What really got me going was the purchase of a .44Mag. I've developed loads from 180WC@600fps (Newbie Special
) to 240JHP@I'd-rather-not-admit (Blast Master ). WW231-fueled 240SWC@1000fps has accompanied me to a lot of shooting ranges, with great success.i started loading so that my cost per shot would be less, and i was disappointed w/ the accuracy of my rifles w/ factory loads and hoped that hand loading would fix that.
i was right on both counts, plus i also get more velocity than a comparable factory load, and i can shoot whatever weight bullet i want - no longer am i restricted to just one or two weights for a given caliber.
now, i only shoot my own hand loads. i'm done shooting factory stuff. since i started loading my own, every deer that has fallen to one of my rifles, my brother's rifles, or in-law's rifles has fallen to a tuned handload for that rifle...
i was right on both counts, plus i also get more velocity than a comparable factory load, and i can shoot whatever weight bullet i want - no longer am i restricted to just one or two weights for a given caliber.
now, i only shoot my own hand loads. i'm done shooting factory stuff. since i started loading my own, every deer that has fallen to one of my rifles, my brother's rifles, or in-law's rifles has fallen to a tuned handload for that rifle...
Hkmp5sd
Member
I'm one of those people that can't stop tinkering with something. Gotta see what happens if I change this or that little component. What's the velocity change it I add a little bit more powder? How about a lighter bullet? Maybe a different brand of powder?
To quote the bankrobber at the start of Dirty Harry, "I gots'ta know."
To quote the bankrobber at the start of Dirty Harry, "I gots'ta know."
44and45
Member In Memoriam
Why reload?
I wanted to shoot more, and shooting more would cost more money than I could spend. I needed to cut costs, and ammo was a major expenditure. I crunched numbers for a couple weeks, and found out if I did not make the wife and 1 kid at the time move out I would need to start reloading. I bought a press, preserved matrimonial harmony and the family unit, and all is peachy since. 2 more kids, and 4 or 5 more presses of various types, and I load everything I shoot now while keeping the family unit intact. Reloading has never saved me a damn dime, I just shoot more, but at least that was my intention.
I wanted to shoot more, and shooting more would cost more money than I could spend. I needed to cut costs, and ammo was a major expenditure. I crunched numbers for a couple weeks, and found out if I did not make the wife and 1 kid at the time move out I would need to start reloading. I bought a press, preserved matrimonial harmony and the family unit, and all is peachy since. 2 more kids, and 4 or 5 more presses of various types, and I load everything I shoot now while keeping the family unit intact. Reloading has never saved me a damn dime, I just shoot more, but at least that was my intention.
Trsnrtr
Member
I started reloading because I needed something to do with my time between trips to the range. Seriously, I reload to be one step closer to the "system" of firearms, provide myself with quality ammo, and give myself a rewarding hobby that's related to my hobby of firearm shooting and ownership.
Also, anybody can go to WallyWorld and buy ammo for plinking and that's fine if that suits their purpose. But, I shoot gun games and WalMart doesn't stock a lot of .38 Super in light IDPA ESP loads or 200g .45 plated SWC for USPSA.
The main reason I reload, however, is because I enjoy it. It's a hobby. Everybody asks over and over "How much money do you save?" Nobody ever asks "How less stressful is your life since you spend your evenings working with a hobby you enjoy?"
Seriously, I reload to be one step closer to the "system" of firearms, provide myself with quality ammo, and give myself a rewarding hobby that's related to my hobby of firearm shooting and ownership. Also, anybody can go to WallyWorld and buy ammo for plinking and that's fine if that suits their purpose. But, I shoot gun games and WalMart doesn't stock a lot of .38 Super in light IDPA ESP loads or 200g .45 plated SWC for USPSA.
The main reason I reload, however, is because I enjoy it. It's a hobby. Everybody asks over and over "How much money do you save?" Nobody ever asks "How less stressful is your life since you spend your evenings working with a hobby you enjoy?"
I started out because shooting 2K rounds of factory 45 per month is economically unsustainable. Then I discovered I can tune a load for a specific purpose. Want a light target load? No problem. Hand and mind numbing 44Mag? Ditto.
Shortly after that I came across the stunning revelation that I can get my stock hunting rifles to outshoot some real expensive customs just by taking the time to tailor the load to the gun. An ultra light 30-06 that never put three rounds into less than a 3" group suddenly became a MOA tack driver, and box stock 223 bolt guns started putting ten rounds into a 1/2 MOA hole. Now, THAT'S fun!!
So, economics are a big part of it for me, but my greatest source of pleasure from reloading is the flexibility and accuracy that comes with properly worked up loads.
Shortly after that I came across the stunning revelation that I can get my stock hunting rifles to outshoot some real expensive customs just by taking the time to tailor the load to the gun. An ultra light 30-06 that never put three rounds into less than a 3" group suddenly became a MOA tack driver, and box stock 223 bolt guns started putting ten rounds into a 1/2 MOA hole. Now, THAT'S fun!!
So, economics are a big part of it for me, but my greatest source of pleasure from reloading is the flexibility and accuracy that comes with properly worked up loads.
cheygriz
member
CO$T!!!
Same thing got me into casting!
Same thing got me into casting!
Arub
Member
I started out as a way to get some quiet time and reduce stress. My wife is afraid of gun powder sooooo, I just go back into the back den and reload when I want some peace and quiet. She stays up in the front of the house.
As a stress reducer, reloading is great. I concentrate so much on the reloading, I tune out and forget about everything else. Great therapy.
On the plus side, although it doesn't save me any money, I shoot a whole lot more for the same money. Great economy.
Last, I'm addicted. I think I enjoy the reloading as much, or more, than the shooting.
As a stress reducer, reloading is great. I concentrate so much on the reloading, I tune out and forget about everything else. Great therapy.
On the plus side, although it doesn't save me any money, I shoot a whole lot more for the same money. Great economy.
Last, I'm addicted. I think I enjoy the reloading as much, or more, than the shooting.
sctman800
Member
Cost per round, I don't really save money in the long run but I get to shoot a lot more, .41mag is pricey. I also like the way I can load to the level of bang I want, around here about all anyone stocks is 210gr Remington soft points so reloading gives me a lot bigger choice. Jim.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I told myself I was going to save money. I'm not sure I've ever saved a shiny Truman dime, since reloading gadgetry and manuals and components aren't free, but early on, I was bitten by the accuracy bug, and soon dropped the thought of saving money.
Stephen A. Camp
Moderator In Memoriam
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 2,430
Hello. When I first got into shooting, I couldn't afford to shoot much factory ammo at all. I kind of liked it, too. There was no Winchester USA ball or other generic factory ammo then.
Best.
Best.
Control
Reloading presented challenges that I want in a hobby:
1. Requires basic understanding of subject matter.
2. End product is good measure of application of #1.
3. Products produced may not be available pre-fabricated.
4. Always learning .. until something goes kaboom..
5. Provides me with a 12' x 12' room that my wife allows me to keep messy.
It will take me many years to recover from my four presses and a great deal of supporting equipment and supplies.
Reloading presented challenges that I want in a hobby:
1. Requires basic understanding of subject matter.
2. End product is good measure of application of #1.
3. Products produced may not be available pre-fabricated.
4. Always learning .. until something goes kaboom..
5. Provides me with a 12' x 12' room that my wife allows me to keep messy.
It will take me many years to recover from my four presses and a great deal of supporting equipment and supplies.
Neal Bloom
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 334
Got into it to save money. Yeah Right! Started buying more guns to load in different calibers, more equipment to load for different calibers, different powders, different bullet weights, ... etc. Really bad habit but it keeps me out of trouble.
I like reloading almost as much as shooting. To me it sort of completes a cycle. Something very Zen about reloading.
I like reloading almost as much as shooting. To me it sort of completes a cycle. Something very Zen about reloading.
braindead0
Member
My dad got me into it..for the longest time I didn't know you could buy ammo! He has several guns that are difficult to find ammo for, old damascus barrel shotgun that used brass cartridges (shorter than standard 12qa, and of course had to load blackpowder)...original Peacemaker...stuff like that.
I think he did it for economy as well, also cast all of our bullets.. don't think he ever purchased any
I think he did it for economy as well, also cast all of our bullets.. don't think he ever purchased any
dongun
Member
Accuracy got me into it. I used the cost angle to persuade the wife, but after I spent $300 for a Rock Chucker start up kit, $20 each for several dies, $15 a pound for several different powders, and $15 a box for a variety of bullets, she missed the point.
The first time I used a handload to take a whitetail, I was as proud as a new papa. Now I reload just because I like it. There is just something satisfying (may be self reliance) about doing it yourself. I like to tinker with loads, even ones that shoot well.
The first time I used a handload to take a whitetail, I was as proud as a new papa. Now I reload just because I like it. There is just something satisfying (may be self reliance) about doing it yourself. I like to tinker with loads, even ones that shoot well.
Desert Dog
Member
I got into reloading because the factories did not offer the choice of heavy bullets and stiff loadings for .45 Colt, and the specialty shops (Garrett, Corbon, etc...) wanted an arm and a leg for them...
It wasn't until I started reloading that I realized how relaxing it is.
The other reason I noticed after the fact is the amount of rounds you can load for the same money a box of 50 commercial would cost (over twice).
The impressive accuracy is another...
YMMV,
Mike
It wasn't until I started reloading that I realized how relaxing it is.
The other reason I noticed after the fact is the amount of rounds you can load for the same money a box of 50 commercial would cost (over twice).
The impressive accuracy is another...
YMMV,
Mike
Poohgyrr
Member
At one time I was single and shot twice weekly. After a while, I worked out the cost, just for the ammo alone. Then I figured out the cost for handloads. At 15 to 20 cents apiece (factory) vs 6 cents maximum (handloads), I soon bought reloading equipment for my .357's. Been smiling all the way to the range ever since.
Poodleshooter
Member
My grandfather did it, and my dad taught me to do it. I continue to do it for reasons of economy.
Gunner45
Member
I started because my little brother bought me a Dillon Square Deal B for christmas. I shoot IDPA stuff twice a month and .45s were getting kind of pricey.
So far I have really enjoyed reloading.
Gunner45
So far I have really enjoyed reloading.
Gunner45
- Status
