Why I reload

[SFreed]

First nice day outside in awhile, so I met a friend at an outdoor range for some shooting. I have been using SR4756 for my 40 S&W, but recently picked up some Longshot to try. Loaded 7 rounds each starting at 6.2gr up to 7.0, in .10 grain increments. Berrys 180gr plated FP, 1.126 oal, .421 crimp, Ruger SR40c. Was going through each batch, seeing how they grouped, gauging recoil and how they ejected. Shot the 6.7 grains and I heard my friend say "I think that's the one". Group was pretty good (for me), brass was ejected about 5' back and 2' right, and looks pretty clean.
I had originally thought that I would save money reloading. But then I kept buying different powders to try. Then it was because I would always have access to ammo (which is partly true). Turns out it's because I can find loads that work best in MY pistol. And for me, that's about as good as it gets. I like tinkering, trying to get things perfect, trying to find the best combination of powder and bullet. That's why I reload.

 

[jwrowland77]

I reload to save money of course like everyone else..........

I also have some ocean front property in Arizona I'd like to sell as well. Lol.

I originally ended up starting out to save money, but quickly realized it awesome and a great feeling to make accurate ammo for my rifles. Plus it just plain relaxing to reload.

 

[Conservidave]

It's cool how you know when it's right, everything sounds and feels right.
Just like 5.4 grn of unique under a 230grn RN, I knew it right after I pulled the trigger, this is it. Good shooting BTW!

 

[SFreed]

I wonder how many people thought they would save money reloading, but ended up just being better shots because they were constantly trying to find THE load?
And you're right about it just being relaxing. Ended up being as much a hobby as shooting.

 

[Belmont148]

It was apparent to me this weekend a good reason why I reload. My wife started shooting her brand new Ruger LCR and after 10 shots developed a bruise.

I told her, here take my 1911 and give your hand a break for a little while. She laughed and said no thanks. That gun is bigger and way louder, it'll kick worse. I handed her my special load of 6.0 g Universal behind a 185 gr lead pill. She was shocked. She not only liked the feel, which was way softer than her gun, she out shot me. Problem is I now won't get as much range time with my favorite gun. However, watching her shoot my guns, and my 7 year old shooting his 22 for the first time was way more rewarding than me shooting. I'll take that any day.

 

[wlkjr]

I bought a used Dillon 650 to relieve the expense of my wife and I both shooting. We were buying cans of 1000 when we could find them. I can save about .15 each on 9mm, .30 each on 10mm, and about.20 on .380 ammo. I have a .40S&W but don't shoot it much. I have a bucket of .45ACP brass and toolhead with dies set up, but don't have a .45-----yet. I've probably spent close to $3000 or more since October on components and related stuff. I can't afford to save much more but we are really enjoying the shooting.

 

[SFreed]

My wife started shooting her brand new Ruger LCR......

Yep.....had one of those. Awesome for concealed carry, not so much for a fun range gun!

 

[Drail]

Don't you just hate it when you hand your favorite pistol to your wife and she outshoots you with it and grins and gives you that look? And all your buddies are standing behind you trying really hard not to laugh? And then she won't give it back to you? Been there- done that.

 

[Lj1941]

Save $?

I started loading originally to save money. I really haven't saved any money but I like the option of going shooting and not have to worry about buying ammo and what to buy. I have over the years added calibers and dies and components for each caliber. I currently load 8 handgun and 5 rifle calibers.The only caliber that I own and don't load for is the 762x38R Nagant.

 

[mstreddy]

Belmont, if you don't do so already, you should reload the 38s for her LCR. I'm loading some 158 LSWC over 3.4 grs of WST and they are down right pleasant to shoot, even out of snubbies. I've also loaded them over Win231 and they are fun.
I load my 380s so they are functional and don't kick as heavy as factory. Makes it where I can shoot 30-50 of them at a range session out of my LCP.
That's part of why I load -- able to make my bunnyfart loads for my 38s and 380. Oh, and to save money
And, like Lou above, I also don't have to worry about ammo these days. And I also make it a point to pick up dies for whatever caliber I own/get.
It sure is a hobby in itself.

 

[WestKentucky]

I load 120gr lead over 4 gr 231 in 38spl. Very soft and very accurate. Works very well in scandium frame so should be good in lcr. It saved my buddy's wife from hating that beast.

 

[HOWARD J]

I originally started reloading to save money & be able to shoot more.
Over the years it became an addictive hobby.
Today it is a necessity as I can't find any ammo for sale but I can reload a lot of my own brass.
Have fun
H

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

I don't save a dime reloading, I just shoot more rounds! For that it is worth it alone. Also I like tinkering with some loads to get them accurate. I have managed to Outperform factory PMC bronze with a load I developed using WSF and some plated bullets from www.thebulletworks.com .

 

[Belmont148]

Yeah, getting setup for .38 spl is on the list. Just can't make the $100 plus investment yet as I have many other reloading projects on the table ahead of it. Soon though.

 

[stavman11]

I originaly did start Loading to save Money:banghead:

ya Right

2x a week 45min Drive $$$$$
200-400 rds a week $$$$$
Scowering Cabela's 1 mile from my house weekly $$$$$
On every forum getting new ideas and stuff ta buy $$$$
Going from 2 guns to 8 guns $$$$$
Stocking up on components $$$$$


I cant imagine and dont wanna know what I have spent in the last 12 months... But as Most of us.... the Reloading is relaxing and Fun
Yes i am now a Much better shot... respect and understand Guns and ammo 1000% more


So i wouldnt change any of it

 

[mstreddy]

Belmont,
Which press do you have? Wondering on the $100 for a caliber set up. Ck the Buy/Sell section here for dies. You may be able to get a set for around $20-30.
Components will cost you, but that's the price of the loads.
I'm buying the 158 gr LSWC from Missouri Bullets.
Since I started loading the 38s, I find myself shooting much more of it than I did in the past, and they are probably my cheape$t to load for.
EM

 

[hartcreek]

For .380, .38 S&W, .38 Special and .357 magnum I cast using a Lee 105 grain coned/ wadcutter. For the magnums I just place the gascheck in the case upside down and then place the bullet on top. seems to work just fine.

As to saving money.....nope I just have ammo and more guns.

 

[Rico567]

When I started to reload, it was saving money, pure & simple. This was in more halcyon days, pre-1968 gun law days, and I was one of those struggling students who wanted to shoot 20 ga. shotgun, but didn't have the cash to shoot very much. So I got together the money for a MEC 600 jr. (and was given basically an unlimited supply of hulls), and for several years I loaded Herco under an ounce of shot, which killed lots of dove and broke a bunch of clays. Then my brother came through on his way to a new job after the Navy, where he had taken up reloading. I became the beneficiary of his RCBS jr. press, some .30-30 and .38/.357 dies, and the rest is history. Close to 50 years of history now. In that time, I've gone down the garden path of most. Shoot more, sure, save money? Not hardly.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Yep, its a slippery slope.
The best thing about handloading is that when everyone was whining about not having any ammo to shoot, I never changed my shooting habits. I could have continued for several years, and I don't stockpile to nearly the extent as some of my friends. That's the best part.

 

[ldlfh7]

I got into reloading because I liked the idea of being able to make my own ammunition for specific purposes. Told the wife it was a good way to save money... Not sure I saved any money but like others, I do shoot a lot more now. I had an "ah ha" moment when I got 4 shots from a 308 bolt rifle to touch on paper at 150 yards. That felt pretty good. I couldn't believe I could ever shoot this accurate. It has become my favorite hobby these days. I just put on a little bluegrass or old time country and load load load.

 

[PJSprog]

Yep, all of the above. I really did start out saving some money, but somewhere along the line I crossed over that slippery slope. I also wouldn't have it any other way.

Last fall I was shooting with my wife and stepson, and finally convinced her to shoot my 1911. I let her shoot a few factory ball rounds, then loaded a magazine of my pet 185gr XTP loads so she could experience the difference. She was sold, and even loaded another mag for herself. That look of "Oh, now I get it!" was priceless.

 

[THe Dove]

I am guilty of shooting to reload!

The Dove

 

[readyeddy]

Tinkering with various components would be expensive.

My process is to search on the net for other people's favorite recipes. If they work, then I stop searching and then buy the components in bulk.

My shooting frequency never changed as a result of hand loading, so it has been a money saver for me.

 

[SFreed]

Tinkering with various components would be expensive.

It can add up. Part of the reason why I don't save much money with reloading. But with components being hard to come by, I like knowing that I can utilize several different brands of powder and still get good results. But, that's just me. Nothing wrong with sticking to one brand of powder!

 

[sgte5]

why I started reloading

As many of us have, I started reloading to save money. At the time I had four or five weapons. Now, a few decades later I have over 50 because I like working up loads for all the different calibers. I do shoot every piece sometime through the year. I don't believe in just letting them sit in the safes. Since retiring, I try to make it out shooting 3 or 4 times a week, when weather permits. I too, like reloading as much as shooting.