1SOW
Member
Ding, Ding, Ding me too.
Also needed to add: So I can "TUNE" the ammo to the way my pistol is set up.
Also needed to add: So I can "TUNE" the ammo to the way my pistol is set up.
Why do you reload?
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codefour
Member
Newbie chiming in
A little over a year ago, I originally got into reloading just to be able to shoot more frequently. I started out by hoarding brass where ever I could.
I thought I would save money... Yeah, that did not happen. In fact, I spent a whole bunch more when it was all said and done. Both on equipment and now on components. I probably easily shoot ten times as many rounds a month now.
Learning to reload resparked an interest in shooting for me because I have these nice, huge ammo cans that are always full.
Today, my custom .357 with Hornady XTP was shooting under an inch at 35 yards. Factory ammo could never touch that.
I enjoy it as a hobby mostly. I like the mechanical process and spending time in the man cave. It clears the head..
A little over a year ago, I originally got into reloading just to be able to shoot more frequently. I started out by hoarding brass where ever I could.
I thought I would save money... Yeah, that did not happen. In fact, I spent a whole bunch more when it was all said and done. Both on equipment and now on components. I probably easily shoot ten times as many rounds a month now.
Learning to reload resparked an interest in shooting for me because I have these nice, huge ammo cans that are always full.
Today, my custom .357 with Hornady XTP was shooting under an inch at 35 yards. Factory ammo could never touch that.
I enjoy it as a hobby mostly. I like the mechanical process and spending time in the man cave. It clears the head..
gunsablazin
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There is no way I could afford to shoot as much as I do without reloading. I'm by nature a cheap skate anyway, I cast my own bullets from wheel weights, and the company I work for has an account with a wholesaler that carries powder, primers etc. I have two Dillon 550s, and they are used every week.
ForumSurfer
Member
The bulk of my shooting is 9mm, 22lr and 223. I get conflicting results about actual money being saved. I shoot often (and it really hurts my wallet), so I think I would need a progressive press to keep up with myself. My time is a precious commodity split between kids, dating, staying fit, keeping up to date on my education and working. I've been reluctant to get into reloading simply for the time vs rewards perspective. While I would definitely love to spend 2-4 hours reloading some rounds I cooked up, at this point in my life I would be stressed because of all of the other activities I just missed out on because I spent 4 hours hunkered down. I really want to give reloading a shot, but it is going to be a slow process that I can't devote more than an hour or so to at first, so it would be more of a new hobby at first. One of these days I'll get around to it.
FROGO207
Member
I enjoy reloading for it's many benefits and the relaxation it gives me every day.
If I won the lottery there would be so many toys in my reloading room that I would have to hire helpers to reload what I would use up.
If I won the lottery there would be so many toys in my reloading room that I would have to hire helpers to reload what I would use up.
mokin
Member
I started reloading to save money on .303 British ammunition. I found it was easy and economical and bought dies for other calibers I shot a lot of like 9mm and the 7.62x39. The 9mm doesn't save me much money but I noticed I do make better 7.62x39 than Wolf or whoever (though still not cheaper) but it is a nice way to relax and increase my ammunition supply. I have added to my gun collection and, as my experience has increased I have learned that I can make custom ammo for each gun.
AK_Maine_iac
Member
I am getting back into reloading for a few reasons. (1) I have a 35Whelen that is one of my best guns to go when hunting. But it was getting very hard to find ammo here in Fairbanks. Which is sad because it is a fine caliber for big and small game. Load it light with 357 bullets and go plinking. My 338 Win Mag and my 375H&H have become safe queens. The four i use most of the time are 35Whelen, 30.06 308 and 45/70.
(2) It is relaxing and gives me something to do when it is dark all winter and 40 to 60 below 0.
(3) no more cabin fever and my wife can relax without me driving her crazy. We're both happy now.
(2) It is relaxing and gives me something to do when it is dark all winter and 40 to 60 below 0.
(3) no more cabin fever and my wife can relax without me driving her crazy. We're both happy now.
Hondo 60
Member
My vote?
I enjoy reloading but do it mainly to save money over factory ammo
The way I see it, I have X amount of money that I can spend on my hobbies.
With .38 spl & .357 mag I save about 50% by reloading vs factory ammo.
With 45 Colt I save about 75% vs factory ammo.
That means I can shoot twice as much 38/357 & 3 or 4 times as much 45 Colt.
And still spend the same amount of money.
I enjoy reloading but do it mainly to save money over factory ammo
The way I see it, I have X amount of money that I can spend on my hobbies.
With .38 spl & .357 mag I save about 50% by reloading vs factory ammo.
With 45 Colt I save about 75% vs factory ammo.
That means I can shoot twice as much 38/357 & 3 or 4 times as much 45 Colt.
And still spend the same amount of money.
spartan00054
Member
I enjoy reloading in and of itself, but there is a cost savings (however slight) and performance increase when you reload.
Moreover, if you think of your firearm as a part of system, the other major component is the ammunition. Maybe it's a little too new-age hippy-Jedi idea, but I feel like I am more in tune with my weapon if I know exactly what I am feeding it.
Also, it's a really gratifying feeling to pull the trigger on a rifle you assembled, loaded with ammunition you made in your garage, and have it send a piece of lead downrange at better than Mach 3. It's even better when nothing blows up, especially when it loads the next cartridge on it's own.
Moreover, if you think of your firearm as a part of system, the other major component is the ammunition. Maybe it's a little too new-age hippy-Jedi idea, but I feel like I am more in tune with my weapon if I know exactly what I am feeding it.
Also, it's a really gratifying feeling to pull the trigger on a rifle you assembled, loaded with ammunition you made in your garage, and have it send a piece of lead downrange at better than Mach 3. It's even better when nothing blows up, especially when it loads the next cartridge on it's own.
zxcvbob
Member
I enjoy reloading, but cost is one of the main reasons I do it; I shoot some cartridges where factory ammo is so expensive it sucks all the joy out of shooting. It's like "Bang!" (cheeseburger), "Bang!" (cheeseburger), etc.
Also I have a pretty good stockpile of components that I add to whenever I find something useful or interesting at a good price. So when the ammo supply suddenly dries up for months at a time (remember .380's last year?), it doesn't affect me much.
I also like to tinker.
Also I have a pretty good stockpile of components that I add to whenever I find something useful or interesting at a good price. So when the ammo supply suddenly dries up for months at a time (remember .380's last year?), it doesn't affect me much.
I also like to tinker.
slowbutsure
Member
I find that reloading seems to satisfy some need I didn't know I had. I do most of my reloading in the winter. And, alot of shooting in the spring and summer. Loading in the winter gives me something to do when I can't get out. sbs
Jimfern
Member
I enjoy tinkering with the presses. I spent 2 hours today replacing worn parts on a RCBS Ammomaster progressive and then doing a run of 45 ACP with 200 grain SWCs to make sure it worked.
FirinFlatTop
Member
I for one like to change things up. How light can I go, how heavy can I get. The guy next door reloads as well, and we are the complete opposite. He finds one load and sticks with it. I have a go to load, but keep tryin different powders and bullets.
Keeps me busy, I like busy.
RC
Keeps me busy, I like busy.
RC
zxcvbob
Member
So how many different powders do you have, and do you ever buy a 8 pounds of a new powder instead of a 1 pound can just because there's a special on the 8's?
(raises hand meekly and says "about 20")
GW Staar
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Because.
I think for many of us the poll is too over simplified. For me there are so many reasons....and, it depends: On the time of the year, the weather, the mood, the price of components vs. factory......and I like to tinker. Never being totally satisfied with anything factory straight, I love to tinker with loads, reloading processes, and equipment. The tinkering mood comes especially during bad weather or when the days are short and cold.
If people check out most of the threads I start here....they are mostly the result of time on my hands to share the result of tinkering.
When I retire, I'll probably take up bullet casting too.
I think for many of us the poll is too over simplified. For me there are so many reasons....and, it depends: On the time of the year, the weather, the mood, the price of components vs. factory......and I like to tinker.
Never being totally satisfied with anything factory straight, I love to tinker with loads, reloading processes, and equipment. The tinkering mood comes especially during bad weather or when the days are short and cold.If people check out most of the threads I start here....they are mostly the result of time on my hands to share the result of tinkering.
When I retire, I'll probably take up bullet casting too.
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Jasper1573
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I really enjoy going out to my shed and experimenting with powder, primers, brass and bullets. It's like I'm a kid again working with my chemistry set, except I actually have some guide lines to follow now so it's safer!
I find reloading relaxing and challenging and a cost saver...I can reload match grade ammunition for about half cost and know exactly how it will perform each and every time...no guesses, always within a few fps and very consistent.
I have been reloading for almost a year now and added up the reloaded cartridges the other day out of curiosity...over 2500...at about half price or so, that paid for my reloading equipment within one year.
I find reloading relaxing and challenging and a cost saver...I can reload match grade ammunition for about half cost and know exactly how it will perform each and every time...no guesses, always within a few fps and very consistent.
I have been reloading for almost a year now and added up the reloaded cartridges the other day out of curiosity...over 2500...at about half price or so, that paid for my reloading equipment within one year.
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floydster
Member
I like to reload, because I like to unload
Holystone
Member
I started reloading after I purchased a Smith & Wesson 460 XVR and a Ruger #1 in 458 Lott. The cost of the ammo made me do it but it is real satisfying and now I reload for everything else i shoot and it is a blast. Very therapuetic and it does save money
mgmorden
Member
Mine appears to be nearly the least popular choice, but truthfully I only really reload to save money. Sure, once you factor in time it's not as lucrative etc,etc, but as my grandmother always said: "I've got more time on my hands than I do money.".
With range-pickup brass - which the local public range provides a virtually infinite supply of - 9mm Luger using plated (or even FMJ depending on how good of a deal I find) tends to run about about $120 per 1000. That's barely over half what factory rounds cost, and that's the cheapest centerfire round out there. Your savings are even greater on just about everything else. Hopefully as I get into casting my own bullets my costs will come down even further.
The only other real benefit I have is that when I stockpile components rather than ammo, I can load it up and shoot it how I want. If I decide that I want to shoot the .380 this weekend, I can dedicate the components to that. If I want to shoot my .30-30's instead of my .30-06's, I can use the components there too. Whatever catches my fancy I can use up more resources in a more specific manner.
Don't get me wrong there is SOME level of satisfaction to loading my own, but for me by and large it really is just about being able to shoot more rounds for the same amount of money.
With range-pickup brass - which the local public range provides a virtually infinite supply of - 9mm Luger using plated (or even FMJ depending on how good of a deal I find) tends to run about about $120 per 1000. That's barely over half what factory rounds cost, and that's the cheapest centerfire round out there. Your savings are even greater on just about everything else. Hopefully as I get into casting my own bullets my costs will come down even further.
The only other real benefit I have is that when I stockpile components rather than ammo, I can load it up and shoot it how I want. If I decide that I want to shoot the .380 this weekend, I can dedicate the components to that. If I want to shoot my .30-30's instead of my .30-06's, I can use the components there too. Whatever catches my fancy I can use up more resources in a more specific manner.
Don't get me wrong there is SOME level of satisfaction to loading my own, but for me by and large it really is just about being able to shoot more rounds for the same amount of money.
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