frankmako
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1973 on a single stage press that i still have. started bullet casting in 1983.
When did you start reloading ?
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35 Whelen
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Shotgun in about 1976, when I was 13 years old. I was on the 4-H trap team and dad said if I wanted to compete, I'd have load my shells! Started metallic 5 or so years later.
35W
35W
George P
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Not at all; at least the ones in northern NV...........
Hugger-4641
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Started in 1983 when I started deer hunting with my grandad's 30-30 wcf and Springfield 30-06. I started by measuring powder for him using Redding scale and was reloading my own by the end of that winter. Mostly 3031 and 4064 with 170fn for the 30-30 and 180 Spitzer for the '06.
I bought my first rifle the next year, model 94 with angle eject. Our last entry in his reload journal was for my rifle in 1987. He got prostrate cancer next year and died in 1989. A couple months later I ended up with his reloading equipment because I was the only one knew how to use it. I packed it all up in storage tubs and hauled them around until this year when I finally got a place to set it up. Everything still works and my first loads were for my model 94, which still looks and shoots good as when it was new.
I bought my first rifle the next year, model 94 with angle eject. Our last entry in his reload journal was for my rifle in 1987. He got prostrate cancer next year and died in 1989. A couple months later I ended up with his reloading equipment because I was the only one knew how to use it. I packed it all up in storage tubs and hauled them around until this year when I finally got a place to set it up. Everything still works and my first loads were for my model 94, which still looks and shoots good as when it was new.
Jeff62
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1983 Lee whack-a-mole for 12 ga. I had a good bird dog and a Remington 870. I was usually broke after filling up my Dodge Powerwagon so I carefully recovered my hulls after busting up a covey. When the hulls got tattered around the crimp I used scotch tape to get one more shot out of it. The 870 never complained.
Things will settle down again, probably on nearer the summer. The new normal will not be the old normal, prices will be higher. Some people will refuse to pay the new prices and will not get to play, others will take the adjustment in stride and carry on. It will not be the old good old days, it will be the new good old days. Live in the world we have and learn to make do or sit in a recliner and b---h. I prefer the former to the later, in fact, I have no recliner. It is hardly never to late to get started on something you want to do, if you really want to do that something.
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George P
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Back in the early 80s,min ND, we were getting $55 for every coyote pelt. Many new guns were bought by me and friends with that money.
rocirish
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yeah, we made some money on fox too, before the coyotes took over. What part of ND were you at?
Reloadron
Contributing Member
1958 I was 8 years old and given my first 22 rifle, I still have it. By 1968 and several rifles and a revolver or two the draft was looming. I ended up in the Marine Corps. and While in Vietnam in 72 I took an interest in snipers and really accurate ammunition. I always enjoyed Marine Corps Marksmanship. Never even met a sniper or saw a sniper rig. When I returned in 72 I started with reloading and enjoyed it and have enjoyed it ever since, For many it's an 8 hour day or more on a golf course, for me it's about the same but a range. Just something I really enjoy. The challenge of how well can I roll my own. I enjoy my guns and my motorcycle as my main hobbies, 
Ron
Ron
Bcwitt
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Lee rocks!!! Lol
Bcwitt
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1988. Lee 762x39.
George P
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Beautiful Beulah; located between the thriving towns of Zap and Hazen.....................
May 2020 was when I bought my press. When I had to drive to the next state to get it, I knew it was now or never. Then I started scavenging supplies and have had a steady ammo supply since. I shoot my reloads for fun and save my factory ammo for later. I didn't actually start until August unless you count the multi-state scavenger hunt for dies, powder, bullets and primers.
FROGO207
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In 1968 I was reloading on my own at 10 under the watchful eye of my grandfather. 30-30, 12 GA, and 38 SPL. He said if I wanted to shoot that much ammo he would buy the supplies but I had to make my own. Had my own Lee press and setup at home by 1972.
2013.....
A friend of mine’s uncle passed away and he didn’t want his reloading stuff. Asked me if I wanted to buy it. I asked how much he wanted. $150 I think is what he said. Talked it over with dad and he said to see what all he had. Thought it’s would be fun. He used to reload back in the 70’s for 38/357 and 41 Mag. So it would be a way to spend some quality time together. Well he just shows up with the stuff one day. He had a Nissan Frontier bed full of boxes. 14lbs of powder (not including the 8-9lbs of 777, Goex FFG, and Jim Shockey) Dies for 9mm, 38/357, 44, 270, 300WM, 444 and a few others, all kinds of brass and bullets, a few thousand Winchester, Federal, and CCI rifle and pistol primers, 3-3’x3’x3’ boxes of high brass, primed, shotgun hulls (12, 20, 410). 3 more big boxes of wads. 40-50 pounds of shot. Couple thousand 209 primers. Everything (and I mean everything) to load a 50 and 45 cal cap’n ball muzzleloader, some Lee handloader sets, a full progressive station for shotguns, a full Lee setup for rifle and pistols, And boxes and boxes of loaded ammunition. Easily a few thousand rounds. He said I could just have it. Well that just wasn’t going to work for me. So I gave him what he ask originally plus $100. He was ecstatic. Took dad and I a solid 4 days to sort everything. A solid week to pull all the loaded rounds. We guessed we ended up with about $2k worth.
We sold and traded a bunch of the stuff we weren’t going to use (mainly everything for shotgun and both Lee presses). That paid for a RockChucker Supreme kit and 2-3 more die sets. And then, we went kinda crazy. One of best investments we’ve ever made.
A friend of mine’s uncle passed away and he didn’t want his reloading stuff. Asked me if I wanted to buy it. I asked how much he wanted. $150 I think is what he said. Talked it over with dad and he said to see what all he had. Thought it’s would be fun. He used to reload back in the 70’s for 38/357 and 41 Mag. So it would be a way to spend some quality time together. Well he just shows up with the stuff one day. He had a Nissan Frontier bed full of boxes. 14lbs of powder (not including the 8-9lbs of 777, Goex FFG, and Jim Shockey) Dies for 9mm, 38/357, 44, 270, 300WM, 444 and a few others, all kinds of brass and bullets, a few thousand Winchester, Federal, and CCI rifle and pistol primers, 3-3’x3’x3’ boxes of high brass, primed, shotgun hulls (12, 20, 410). 3 more big boxes of wads. 40-50 pounds of shot. Couple thousand 209 primers. Everything (and I mean everything) to load a 50 and 45 cal cap’n ball muzzleloader, some Lee handloader sets, a full progressive station for shotguns, a full Lee setup for rifle and pistols, And boxes and boxes of loaded ammunition. Easily a few thousand rounds. He said I could just have it. Well that just wasn’t going to work for me. So I gave him what he ask originally plus $100. He was ecstatic. Took dad and I a solid 4 days to sort everything. A solid week to pull all the loaded rounds. We guessed we ended up with about $2k worth.
We sold and traded a bunch of the stuff we weren’t going to use (mainly everything for shotgun and both Lee presses). That paid for a RockChucker Supreme kit and 2-3 more die sets. And then, we went kinda crazy. One of best investments we’ve ever made.
Mark_Mark
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great story!
Mark_Mark
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with the 2020 lockdowns, that must have been fun! I know I use to just go to cabelas to watch the fish! I was so bored
A big part of the reason I bought the press was to get out of the house. I drove to the Academy so I could sit in the parking lot and wait for the non-contact delivery to my trunk. It was about an hour one way. I have to say I've driven farther for less return.
tightgroup tiger
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I started reloading for myself in 1972. 30-30, 32 spl, 243 win on a lyman Jr turret press and a Redding jr.
Hey all.. Unbiased and unafraid.. I started 6 mos. ago, but have not produced a single round yet. No primers... Maybe that's good, because I am learning a lot along the way, especially from here. been lurking for months
I have 2 presses now, an ABLP and a Challenger. Finding some dies, and accessories has been a chore. I refuse to buy anything with jacked prices.
2-1/2 five gallon buckets full of decapped and cleaned 9mm, 308, and processed 223/556 range brass, and some 762x39 await the powder I have found.
Still have a nice stash of factory ammo bought 2 and 3 years ago. I had some... foresight.
So, I started, but I haven't.
This is my first post to this forum, and I'm stickin' to it. Now, back to sit back and learn mode. Thanks everyone-
I have 2 presses now, an ABLP and a Challenger. Finding some dies, and accessories has been a chore. I refuse to buy anything with jacked prices.
2-1/2 five gallon buckets full of decapped and cleaned 9mm, 308, and processed 223/556 range brass, and some 762x39 await the powder I have found.
Still have a nice stash of factory ammo bought 2 and 3 years ago. I had some... foresight.
So, I started, but I haven't.
This is my first post to this forum, and I'm stickin' to it. Now, back to sit back and learn mode. Thanks everyone-
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