quote:

Originally posted by Hipshoot:

quote:

Originally posted by Kolo-Pan:
seems like reloading isn't the money saving activity that it once was.

It was never a money saver----it just let you shoot more for less money!

The average reloader keeps and keeps on spending more money!

Hip

I thought it let's you shoot more for the same amount of money.

Looks like I'm not the only one who started loading (1962) with a Lee Loader for my 94 30-30.

Lee loader is what I started with too.

Originally in 222 Remington.

Then many other calibers.

Well, okay. I started in 1956, I believe, and used an old Lyman 310 tool. At the time, I had one .22 rifle, an old octagon barrel .32-40 Model 94 Win. and an 8mm Mauser "sporter." I only loaded for the 8mm.

I still have the .22 (a Mossberg 152) and the 310 Tool.

I used to reload for the calibers I used, plus 2 that I didn't for a couple buddies. I stopped when I got older & worried a tad bit about making mistakes because I got interrupted so often. I gave loader & dies, Lee based, to a kid starting out, except for a couple of dies & some powder went to another reloader. I gave a fair number of random bullets, cases, & primers to somebody on AR, but I can't remember who it was.

Ray, pull them up online. I think it is listed as Dillonprecision.com. Once you buy anything from them you'll get their monthly catalog from now on.

wymple, I agree with the reloading for others. I used to do it a lot for most folks, now only close friends. My wake up call was when I loaded about 6-8 boxes of 25-06 for this guy I didn't know. About 3 months later he calls me up + says that there is something wrong with this ammo, one just went off all by itself. I told him to bring me EVERYTHING back brass, unfired, etc. + I would give him ALL of his money back. Well, of course he had shot up all but half a box but I learned my lesson. Besides if worse came to worse + one had to go to a jury trial; what are the odds of truly finding 12 reloaders as my peers?

I started reloading in 1970. I started with a Lyman C press and Lyman dies for a 22-250. Today I use an RCBS Rock Chucker press, a Dillon 550B, RCBS AmmoMaster press and a Mec 9000 gn.

I still have the 22-250 that I started loading for. The barrel was replaced years ago.

yep been loading 40 years, nothing real major. just mostly hunting loads for the family.
but I do enjoy it

I started in 1967 on my BIL's single stage press so I never got into the lee loader thing.
2 years later I had my own basic single stage press and I've never looked back.
Honestly, I cannot remember ever shooting a factory round of ammo since then.... I take that back, my buddy gave me a 50 pack of 223 factory and I blasted it away in the AR a couple years ago.
I'd reload even if it cost way more money because it gives me satisfaction and I have the ability to tailor the load to the intended purpose.
I've probably taken it the the extreme because it's now a sport unto itself. haha

Zeke

Been reloading since the early 80's. Own about 20 rifles from the 222 Rem to the 30/378 Weatherby and load for them all. The only one I don't load for is my old Win 1892 44 WCF. Not so sure how strong the action is so I will stick with loads that are pressure tested. ( factory)

Vines, I enjoy it as well. I actually think that sometimes the reloading is even more enjoyable than the shooting. We can call it a 'hobby' with results.

I reload for all center fire rifles and shotgun if have.

I started reloading so I could feed all the Euro calibers I brought back when I came home in 1986. When I found out how much fun it is and how inexpensive it can be, I reload everything now. There are 22 sets of dies in the cabinet.

No factory ammo since the mid 1970's , until the house burned fifteen years ago , I had more money in reloading gear than firearms

I started with a sporterized Model 98 Mauser from WW-2. I used a Lyman 310 tool which I still have. I'm not going to tell you when, but I think I was 12 years old and it was before 1960.

I load for all my calibers, including .380.

Started reloading shotguns in 1966, metallic in 1974. Doubt I’ve fired 100 factory center fire metallic cartridges in my life and I shoot many hundred rounds a year. I do buy factory 410 shot shells, other than those and an occasional box of non lead for waterfowl, I load all my shot shells.
I enjoy reloading and shooting my own ammo.

I do buy some factory ammo now and then.

Rimfire- pretty much the only game in town.

Shotgun- I don’t care for reloading slugs, or buckshot. Buying them for 3 gun is less hassle. If I have to use shotgun slugs for hunting, it’s a commercial product as well, but I have loaded a little buck and slug ammo to play with it.

Otherwise to get some things I couldn’t buy as components- like tungsten polymer shot.

If I’m traveling, shotgun ammo is too heavy to bring enough for good wing shooting.

Rifle- I do get some factory and milsurp ammo from time to time- it’s a source of brass, and typically it’s cheap blasting ammo, while my loads are optimized for some reason.

If I can’t find components, I will buy premium hunting loads at times, and then reload them after use.

I also have a supply of factory ammo for comparison sake to reloads.

Finally, for self defense ammo, I buy what the local police use to avoid potential legal issues- it may be a nonissue, but I have heard of it being a bone of contention in court, so it’s cheap insurance.

That being said, I shoot at least 5 shotshell reloads per factory shell.

Handgun- probably closer to 500 to one.

Rifle maybe 10:1.
I guess I just don’t fit any one group that well.

The only centerfire rounds I shoot that I have not reloaded are .25 and .32 pistol and .50 BMG (don’t have the big press).

I started in 1970 with a Lyman press. I started out just loading 22-250's. Now it's 38 super to 500 NE and 12ga shotgun shells.

I started in 1973 loading for a .300 Win Mag using a RCBS Rock Chucker press that I still use. Loaded many chamberings from .223 Rem up to .416 Rigby. I shoot all reloads as does my son, six grandsons a great grandson and all their buddies. If we shoot something new we get a box of factory rounds to shoot in tHe barrel then reload the once fired brass. I have spent a lot of money for equipment and components to insure those that follow me will not have to spend a penny. I have accumulated enough to last them their lifetimes and spent a fraction of todays prices. They are debating who will get to use all the equipment when I am gone along with all my targets and load info and I am enjoying every minute of it. Good Shooting.

I started reloading in 1972. I many different cartridges over the years but currently reload for 10 rifle cartridges (.222 to .458), shotgun (12 and .410) and handgun (9mm and .44 RM).

I bought a complete and very lightly used RCBS Rock Chucker Master Reloading Kit from a pawn shop buddy of mine back in the mid 80's that he had taken in.....still using it to this day.

I reload for several handgun and rifle calibers, but…not for 5.56x45mm or 7.62x39mm. Just buy cases of ammo for practice and training. Not looking for max accuracy, but save the time spent reloading for the other calibers.

When I started reloading the scribes in the gun magazines were saying, "Reloads are OK for practice but not for hunting".

I started handloading in my mid 20's. My decision to start was based mainly on Aussie gun magazine writers saying it was the way to go to save money on ammo. I can definitely say handloading allowed me to shoot more but far from saving money I ended up spending a small fortune on tools and components as a love of handloading developed and I wanted to learn how to make better loads. Now I hardly shoot any factory ammo. Handloading is endlessly fascinating. I love trying new and different powders and spending time at the range load testing to get the best from my rifles. Then, I take them hunting and enjoy huge satisfaction culling animals or shooting selected game for home consumption. I guess I'm a hunter.