Author Topic: Huh?!? Handloading as a sport? (Read 717 times)

Questor · « **on:** May 25, 2005, 05:41:16 AM »

I've read several references to handloading as a "sport". I've always thought of it as a diversion at best or a chore at worst. What kind of thinking justifies it as a sport? I can't see any sporting aspect to it at all.

Of course if a good argument can be made, it won't be long until Nike and FUBU are manufacturing athletic reloading shoes, clothes and fashion accessories.

skb2706 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2005, 07:04:47 AM »

I kinda see it as a "means to an end" . Although I am not particularly enthralled with the idea of loading several hundred rounds for a prairie dog shoot...I do it. For hunting loads its entirely different as a few boxes will suffice for load testing and actual hunting.
If given half a chance I would like to "go pro"......with endorsements and ad campaigns I could make enough to afford to "go full time".

longwinters · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2005, 11:44:39 AM »

Today everything is a sport. Chess, poker and a host of other games/hobbies that people try to make into something other than they are. I just shake my head. Maybe trimming bushes will become a sport or cooking. If I could get lawn mowing as a sport maybe I could get my boys to mow the lawn with some gusto

Of course we live in a society where it has become common place to re-define everything. Morals, Christianity, murder, the constitution, sportsmanship etc...so why not reloading? Someone quick . . . get me a soapbox to stand on :roll:

Long

jerkface11 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2005, 12:04:32 PM »

I don't see reloading as a chore it can be as fun as shooting. And it's always satisfying to shoot a good group or kill a critter with a handload.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2005, 01:13:41 PM »

I would rather shoot than reload.

Gregory · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2005, 01:30:58 PM »

I consider reloading a hobby, not a sport. I enjoy reloading in small quantities for accuracy and hunting (about 1,000 rounds per year). For high volume then it can be a chore.

Racepres · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2005, 03:53:47 PM »

Got to go along w/ the "Hobby" ... I ain't into sports... My shooting and hunting is not a sport (Fishin' either) for me they are "diversions" ... I have fun w/ them and can enjoy them all by myself, (you know alone!!!) Sports seem to be becoming something that others "watch" , or worse yet "compete" in... Kinda like "Life" or better yet "strife" as in .... reality TV.... Not for me. I got into Handloading because I like to work with my hands and as someone (forgot who) said,,, it allows me to relax and enjoy a mindless repetitive process! Oh, and anyone who does not extract a tremendous amount of satisfaction from a great group, or a well harvested head of "fair chase" game, should just go on a TV reality show!!!!
Marty

warf73 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2005, 10:19:48 PM »

Reloading as a sport? You guys didnt know that.

Several years ago I started out reloading as a novice worked my up the ranks.

I'm now a full time professional reloader with 5 National Championships under my belt.

I would like to thank my dad for getting me started all so many years ago, my wife for letting me pursue my dream of being a professional reloader.

Also I would like to thank my fine sponsors: Dillon press, Remington bullet division , Hodgon Powder Co. , CCI primer division, Hornady brass division, RCBS Co., Big Grip Glove Co., Sure Bit Shoe Co., Easy Chair Co., and the rest of my fine sponsors that I dont have time to mention.

:-D :-D :-D

I can see it now on ESPN

Warf

Mikey · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2005, 02:52:37 AM »

Questor - gotta agree with you buddy. I don't consider reloading a sport, just a necessity.

Hay Longwinters - I don't know about things up in Michigan but here in upstate NY we have lawnmower races at the end of the summers and the gusto is everpresent (LOL). Maybe you could get your boys interested in that end of the lawmowing business - ya know, the one who does the best job gets to compete in the lawnmower races.................. Just a thought. Mikey.

Questor · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2005, 04:10:05 AM »

There may be a sporting aspect to it. I remember reading Handloading for Handgunners by Nonte. The productivity he stated was nothing short of astonishing. He said he could load as much ammo in an hour with his single stage press as I can with a progressive. Of course, he has been known to avoid factoring in some realities on occasion. When I read his section on productivity I imagined a maniac raining sweat and toiling like Haephestus on benzedrine (while making lots of mistakes). Maybe his section on productivity was directly related to his chapter on blown up guns.

I figure that if there really are people that can load that fast, then they should be wearing white jumpsuits with sponsor patches all over them. The only thing left to do then is to figure out what kind of quirky affectation needs to be applied. I remember reading about the pro bass fishing tournaments and learned that there were a number of people, including one English professor, who affected a southern accent while in character as a bass pro.

mountainview · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2005, 05:00:54 AM »

Yup, handloading can be downright tedious during the nice weather when any civilized shooter worth his or her salt would be at the range. On those days when I can't get to the range or during the winter, reloading can be a sport of sorts I 'spose as it can be enjoyable and daresay even relaxing at times (this does not include cleaning powder spills or looking for thoae primers that grow legs).

longwinters · « **Reply #11 on:** May 26, 2005, 11:19:01 AM »

Mikey,

I have heard of lawnmower races, but my boys would not appreciate competing with a push mower.

Long

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2005, 01:56:44 PM »

Quote from: longwinters

If I could get lawn mowing as a sport maybe I could get my boys to mow the lawn with some gusto

Already is. They have contests, races and all. I about dropped my six remaining teeth when a guy said to me, "I'm a grass man." Turned out that what he meant was that he approached having the perfect lawn with a lot more seriousness than I devote to my vegetable garden, and I'm a hearty eater.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2005, 05:05:20 PM »

I don't care if its shooting polywogs with a bb gun, there is always gonna be someone trying to make a contest out of it. (the old, mines bigger than yours routine).
I can hear Brent Mushberger now: "Look folks, Joe is going straight to his bullet bowl without checking his powder depth. This may cost him later when they run the cartridges thru the uniformity check." And, of course, at a tension charged moment like that, they would cut to a Viagra commercial.

FYI, its a hobby, like painting by numbers, not a sport.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2005, 06:01:24 PM »

Agreed on not a sport.
Might be able to call it a hobby but it is more of an enabler as it saves
$$$.
I like to refer to it more as case preparation than reloading.
It is hardly a chore, is more like a science.
Paying attention to detail seems to pay off well at the range or while hunting.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2005, 06:09:23 PM »

and i thought i had lost my mind till i read this / now i know that i am just as normal as the rest of you

Robert · « **Reply #16 on:** May 26, 2005, 06:32:31 PM »

Ah....nothing like the great smell of Nitrocellulose from a freshly opened new jug of powder....or opening a brand new box of dies for a new caliber that you haven't ever loaded before, and setting the lock-ring for the very first time on the sizing die.

wolfpack · « **Reply #17 on:** May 26, 2005, 07:22:46 PM »

I DON'T KNOW SOMETIMES WHEN I SET AND LOAD FOR A FEW HOURS MY BACK HURTS MORE THAN IF I PLAY FOOTBALL OR BASKETBALL FOR A THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME. I MEAN COME ON ESPN IS ALL OVER WORLD POKER CHAMPIONSHIP LOL

. ITS MORE LIKE A PASSION OR EVEN AN OBSESION, WHEN I SHOOT AT THE RANGE AND SOMEBODY SAYS "HEY NICE GROUP OR YOU SHOOT A RUNNING DEER AND YOUR BUDDY SAYS "NICE SHOT" IT BUILD THAT PRIDE. IT ALL STARTS AT THE BENCH. IM DAMN PROUD OF ROLLIN MY OWN AND BEING ABLE TO GET THE BEST OUT OF MY GUNS.