Why do or why would you reload?

[kellyj00]

I'm doing a little research. As I've recently gotten into reloading to keep my costs to shoot down, I'm wondering how many other folks are reloading the cheapest possible way.

I don't buy new brass, I shoot the cheapest cast bullets I can find, I'm using Wolf brand primers and I drive down to winfield kansas every now and again to get components from Powder Valley Inc. My total cost per 50 rds of 45acp and 9mm is about $8 per 100 rds because I'm using free brass.

Please select your PRIMARY reasons only, not all the secondary benefits of reloading. I'm using this information to gather market data for my future gun shop. ;-)

 

[W.E.G.]

all above

 

[Steel Talon]

Same here

"All The Above"

Peace
Steel Talon

 

[MCgunner]

Uh, all of the above.

 

[Neophyte1]

Seems all the good/best answers are taken:

 

[GRIZ22]

me too

 

[harbinger_j]

Yes.

 

[Walkalong]

Started out to reload as cheap as possable. It does not stay that way.

 

[Sistema1927]

All of the above, and I find it to be fun and relaxing.

 

[BBQJOE]

This is just plain silly..............

 

[kellyj00]

What is your PRIMARY reason for reloading.
I know that all these are BENEFITS of reloading, but most folks shouldn't checkbox them ALL as the REASON why they STARTED RELOADING in the first place.

I'm Not yelling....just emphasizing.

 

[BigSoundRacing]

All of the above!

Too many good reasons:

To learn and experience. Costs. Making rounds is very peaceful. Technical and applicable science as well as "old school" ways to make something better than the lowest bidder.

Primary Reason:
I enjoy it!

Be safe, BSR
Dillon 650xl for Win .308

 

[nitesite]

Okay, I'll play.

I don't buy the cheapest gasoline and I don't buy cheap components for any of my reloads (all nine chamberings). I also pay extra to purchase Remington Hard Magnum shot and Remington Fig-8 wads rather than cheaper chilled shot and knockoff wads when I make my shotshells.

I want to have high quality ammunition but at a cost far less than what's available commercially.

 

[ArmedBear]

With shotshells, I like to mix and match.

Remington's hulls and their STS shot are great stuff. But Winchester's primers have never failed me. I like Claybuster 1 oz. wads, even if they are "knockoffs", and I started using Windjammer 1 1/8 oz. again for handicap loads and they just powdered the birds from 25 yards back, really nice.

I can't buy those loads anywhere, at any price. The money I save is a bonus; it's probably not "worth" the time it takes. The good feeling I get from shooting what I loaded myself helps my score. I can't say that the loads I've worked up really work better than off-the-shelf STS's, but trap is a mental game. Loading them myself helps me focus, somehow.

 

[xjer]

None of the above.

I am just getting started on reloading. I just think it might be
something good to know. It may come in handy sometime down the road.

Mike

 

[nitesite]

With shotshells, I like to mix and match.

Remington's hulls and their STS shot are great stuff. But Winchester's primers have never failed me. I like Claybuster 1 oz. wads, even if they are "knockoffs", and I started using Windjammer 1 1/8 oz. again for handicap loads and they just powdered the birds from 25 yards back, really nice.

I can't buy those loads anywhere, at any price. The money I save is a bonus; it's probably not "worth" the time it takes. The good feeling I get from shooting what I loaded myself helps my score. I can't say that the loads I've worked up really work better than off-the-shelf STS's, but trap is a mental game. Loading them myself helps me focus, somehow.

You're right, ArmedBear. While STS hard magnum shot is about as good as it gets, and Remington wads are pretty good, I use other brands like Winchester and Federal primers. I could save money with Cheddite or some other cheaper primer and Promo Powder. But for the same price of a box of cheap-cheap Rio or Fed or Win shotshells I have the same ammo as $7/box Nitro Golds or STS Premiers!

I don't want to shoot the lowest grade shells I can get away with.

So therin lies one of my motivations for handloading. I get more psyched by paying a little bit more and and making up a load that is maybe even a little bit better than what's on the shelf.

Or getting satisfaction by making premium hunting ammo that has the same components for ⅓ the price. Like my pet .243 loads... Hornady V-Max 58-gr Moly bullets over Varget that would cost me $30 per twenty but only cost me $9; Combined Technology 95-gr Ballistic Silvertips over H4350 and Win primers cost me under $10/box but are over $30 at Wal-Mart!

I would rather spend more money to make a standard pressure .38-Spl hard-cast BBDEWC that has a MAX powder charge than get cheaper hollow-base WCs and load 'em real wimpy!

(And by the way, when the Remington wads dry up I will be getting the same wads you are now using to try out. I know they are outstanding as well.)

 

[Otto]

As much money as I have invested in equipment, components and accessories it's almost mandatory that I reload.

 

[koja48]

All of the above.

 

[Hawk]

I'll give ya something other than "all the above".

Number 2.

But for several revolvers that followed me home, I wouldn't have bothered with metallic reloading. One needn't even bargain hunt components in .41 mag: virgin Starline and Hornady XTP still saves 60%.

I haven't yet found a point in reloading for the semis - I recover about 2 cases out of 50 and virgin Starline that would only get loaded once doesn't make a lot of sense - especially since I don't have any interest (yet) in un-jacketed bullets in the self-stuffers.

However, there's a 45-70 / .457 WWMag on its way down from Alaska at the moment so the single stage showed up just in time to be put to use.

Dang addicting.

 

[jmorris]

when I first started out it was because I was a kid and could make ammo I couldn't buy much less afford to buy (pistol). Later it was for the accuracy end with rifles. Now I mostly reload because no factory ammo exists for my needs (IDPA, USPSA, 7mmBR, etc.) It's certainly not because it's any cheaper.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Primary reasons for reloading are.....

1) Cost reduction...I'm saving 60% on my 40 S&W ammo. Factory ammo = ~ $13-$16/50. My reloads = $5.25/50. Same thing with the 357 mag, even bigger savings. Factory Rem soft point ammo, 158 grain = $30/50. My 357 reloads, using Rem SJHP's, 125 grain = $250/2000 or 12.5 cents/round, or $6.25/50 with equals an 80% savings!

2) I can put together better high performance ammo in 40 S&W, using Hornady XTP's and Speer Gold Dot's.

3) The simple enjoyment of it, its a great, relaxing, rewarding hobby.

 

[Valkman]

I started to save money but it turned into a great hobby!

 

[Jim_M]

More bang for my buck.

 

[Bitswap]

None of the above. I reload so I can put a unique serial number on each and every bullet I seat. Just getting ahead of the curve here for new liberal regulations

But seriously, all of the above, with a focus on accuracy and economics.

 

[mc223]

My original thought for reason for reloading was to save money. Now i find myself searching for the magic load. Have not realized much saving yet.