What six months' time has brought me...

[Corner Pocket]

About the middle of January, this year, I decided to try out a range that I'd never been to. (Turned out that I really liked it, but it's about 40 miles from me.) As it happened, I was shooting close to a fellow who has been reloading for more than 20 years. We struck up a conversation about guns and stuff. (He had several with him that he let me handle, and I shot a couple of them.)

It's no secret that ammo costs a lot of bread these days, and reloading had been something that I had pondered on, though I knew absolutely nothing about it. He offered to let me come by and see how he reloaded his ammo. That turned into me going over there three or four times, and using his press (with me providing my own components), I cranked out several hundred rounds.

Not long after that, I ran into another like-minded reloader at the range just a few miles from me. He also offered to tutor me, and I subsequently made a few visits to his house...

<fast forward> I've since purchased a single stage setup and have loaded just over 3, 300 rounds. </fast forward> For me, this is one of the most fascinating things I've ever done. Heck, it's almost as much fun for me to load 'em as it is to shoot 'em. This just goes to show you that you never know what kind of fun and excitement you might run into when you're out there at the range.

I'm indebted to these two gentlemen and I hope to someday be able to help someone get started in something that is really rewarding. My sincere thanks goes not only to them, but to you on this board who are quick to reply with helpful insights and valuable suggestions. What a great place this is! Pardon me while I finish loading this 100 rounds that I'm about to go shoot in a few minutes.

Corner Pocket

 

[res45]

Heck, it's almost as much fun for me to load 'em as it is to shoot 'em.

I hear allot of people who reload complain about how much time it takes and they have to do this and that and it's to much trouble to do this step. Reloading for me is a hobby,whether I save money or not it's my time away from the busy world,when it become more like a job than a pastime and an enjoyment for me than its time to quit. I'm glad you enjoy the experience CP it's one of the most fun things I have ever done.

 

[Walkalong]

Reloading is enjoyable and relaxing. "Time out" time.

 

[presspuller]

Welcome to the club.
Its a very enjoyable hobby for me. You know you are more of a reloader than a shooter when you look to see where the brass landed before you look to see where the bullet went.

 

[res45]

You know you are more of a reloader than a shooter when you look to see where the brass landed before you look to see where the bullet went.

Good to know I'm not the only one that does that.

 

[lordgroom]

Reloading for me is just as enjoyable and is an activity I can do at home, after the family goes to sleep. This hobby does not cut into family time which I like. I recent began casting and this is really enjoyable too. There are frustrations but that is part of a good hobby. The costs are crazy, I always seem to want more stuff.

I love almost all of the steps of reloading, except trimming and chamfering. Boy that part sure is a PITB. I know I could buy an expensive trimmer to make the process more fun, but some many other things are higher on the list (i.e., a Star Lubrisizer)

I look forward to introducing someone else to the hobby. Wish i knew someone to mentor me like you had. I learned from this site, books, and trips to sporting store many miles from my house.

 

[SSN Vet]

it used to be that I had to reload more so I could shoot more...

now, I have to shoot more so I don't run out of brass to reload

 

[RustyFN]

it's almost as much fun for me to load 'em as it is to shoot 'em.

I find that to be true for me also. Wait until you start casting. I started not too long ago and am having a lot of fun with it also. Beside the fun it brings the price of my reloads down to $3 per 100. Welcome to reloading, I'm glad you are enjoying it.
Rusty

 

[Dirtypacman]

I truely enjoy it but find my time is limited as to when I can get around to doing it. Sometimes its between going to the range or sitting down for the reloading.

Nothing helps more then having a progressive as it speeds up the amount of time necessary and you can enjoy both shooting and reloading a bit more.

 

[M47 Dragon]

I just recently started reloading and I love it!
One thing I find interesting about reloaders is that they are so willing to convince non-reloaders to get into it... like the two gentlemen that helped the OP - that is pretty cool. It is similar with shooting to some degree, but reloaders really like to pass the addiction on to others for some reason.

 

[presspuller]

It is similar with shooting to some degree, but reloaders really like to pass the addiction on to others for some reason.

Its because we are sick and we want everybody else infected too.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

it used to be that I had to reload more so I could shoot more...

now, I have to shoot more so I don't run out of brass to reload

This is down right SICK SSN Vet sad thing is you and I both are in the same shape we need help.

Hello group I am Mr.Revolverguy and I am a reloadaholic.

I think most of the fun is finding what load is right for you. I have 40, 45acp, 45Colt down to a science and shooting clover leafs at 25yards. I am now working on getting 44mag that way.

 

[scrat]

Ya you know your addicted when you start scrounging for brass and you can wait to shoot so you have more brass to reload. After a while though it does get old. i have a 5 gallon jug filled with once fired 30-30 shells. 1 gallon jug of once fired 9mm. Of course i still reload. I find that i limit myself on how much i reload as i dont consider it a chore i do it for the hobby. its relaxing. same time i equal my time out. cant spend all day and night on guns. You have to have family time, dad time, wife time. Then when time permits i get reloading time. Whats cool that i sometimes do. Is i take a couple of days off from work. a few vacation days. On one day i will spend the whole day casting bullets and sizing bullets. The whole entire day. if i do that a couple times a year i wount have to cast anymore for the year. But im talking 8-10 hours straight. Then when i can i take a another vacation day and just spend the time to reload as much as i can for a couple of calibers.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I'll tell you what's nuts. A few years ago I saved up and went on a Stone sheep hunt in Canada, I shot a really nice ram and instead of getting to the sheep I crawled around looking for the spent case, and yes, the guide thought I was crazy.

 

[scrat]

hahahahahaha now i have heard everything


thanks bush pilot

 

[tiger rag]

I have been reloading for about 30 yrs. Casting almost as long. I was introduced to the hobby by a good friend.Purchased the equipment over many years. I am always looking for new caliber chalenges . Like you guys I enjoy it almost as much as shooting.Over the years I have mentored my share of newcomers to our sport.

 

[BullsEye10x]

I've only been reloading for a few months, in one caliber (.38 Special). I'm definitely hooked and save all the brass from everything I shoot though (several calibers), just because I know I'll need it someday

A few weeks back, I met another board member at the local reloading store, to show him around, because he was interested in finding out more about it. I think he'll be on his way soon enough. It's downright contagious I tell ya!

 

[jeepmor]

It's a worthwhile hobby and I concur with the satisfaction of rolling your own.

And, obsessing over finding all my spent cases at the range, hunting grounds, and what have you.

 

[345 DeSoto]

It's AWFULLY gratifying, after all the pains I take reloading, to have my reloads outshoot Factory ammo. And I'll be da**ned, PRESSPULLER!...I DO look for where the spent case landed before I look to see where the round hit...

 

[dagger dog]

A co worker was responsable for transmitting the bug to me, the Lee Loader really drove the bug in deep.

How can you have anymore fun than pounding bullets into loaded and primed brass?

 

[PecosRiverM]

I feel the pain. I just ordered a turret press to replace my dad's 30+ yr old Herter setup he's been using.

I'll use it when I visit.. Now my next choice which rifle to buy..Humm .338 sound like a possiability

 

[VegasOPM]

Reloading is a great passtime when it is too cold (or in Vegas- too hot) to shoot. I can tinker and fiddle with coming up with loads on the single stage press, then set up the Dillon and kick them out by the thousands.

Be warned though, this hobby ain't cheap. The ammo savings quickly get eaten up by new "must have" gadgets. Remember to buy high quality stuff and it will last forever. I still use a set of machinist gauges that my Grandpa bought 13 years before I was born. Barring a major drop, a quality bar scale will never wear out. Carbide dies will go for hundreds of thousands of rounds as long as they are cared for.