Author Topic: Chicken or egg question (Read 794 times)

Questor · « **on:** September 29, 2006, 01:22:34 AM »

Did you start reloading for economy reasons and then discover that you could make ammo that is not generally available in factory loads? Or did you take up reloading to make special loads?

I took it up to duplicate factory loads but soon found myself making target loads.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2006, 01:56:59 AM »

I did it for economy with a Lee Loader on the kitchen table to feed my 7X57 Mauser as a poor high school student.

roper · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2006, 02:03:04 AM »

I think I told my wife "look at all the money we can save" that was in 1965 and I still remind her of that and for some reason she just laughs?

beemanbeme · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2006, 02:27:56 AM »

When I first started reloading, I discovered I could reload 100 rounds of 30-06 ammo (using range pick-ups) for the price of one box of store bought. I told my wife this, closed the books, and have been saving money every since. I have even bought several rifles with all the money I've saved.
To properly answer your question, I started reloading so I could shoot more for the same money.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** September 29, 2006, 02:52:31 AM »

I took up reloading first for economy reasons. I worked through college as a contracted hunter to cull herds and needed to feed guns in 45 acp, 38 Super, 357 Mag, 6.5 Italian, 303 British and 30-06. Economy of scale was a necessity then but now I reload in search of the perfect, caliber specific, load............................This be Mikey.

Chuck White · « **Reply #5 on:** September 29, 2006, 03:12:03 AM »

Quote from: beemanbeme on September 29, 2006, 02:27:56 AM

To properly answer your question, I started reloading so I could shoot more for the same money.

I guess my reason is the same as beemanbeme stated!

Other than this reason, I guess it's the time spent alone at the reloading bench!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 29, 2006, 03:26:05 AM »

I started because I wanted to make custom loads for all my guns.

Questor · « **Reply #7 on:** September 29, 2006, 04:31:21 AM »

Come to think of it, I find reloading very liberating because I can pick the right bullet for the job, and then simply start making cartridges with it.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #8 on:** September 29, 2006, 06:44:28 AM »

Why Reload?

If you would have asked me that in the 1960's, I would have replied,
"It's cheaper than factory ammo."

If you would have asked me that in the 1970's, I would have replied,
"It's faster than factory ammo."

If you would have asked me that in the 1980's, I would have replied,
"It's more accurate than factory ammo."

If you would have asked me that in the 1990's, I would have replied,
"It's more reliable than factory ammo."

If you would ask me now that we are in the 2000's, I would reply,
"It's just a hell of a lot of fun!"

Questor · « **Reply #9 on:** September 29, 2006, 07:47:36 AM »

Ricciardelli:

At least it's adapted to your interests. For me, it's still a detestable chore that I need to perform to get the ammo I need to enjoy shooting centerfire.

jhalcott · « **Reply #10 on:** September 29, 2006, 08:24:11 AM »

HMMM? Well I certainly understand Steves reply and agree with it, But I'm confused with Questor's comments! DETESTABLE ? CHORE? HMMM, I dunno? Does the Army still shoot center fire?
JUST kidding! we all look at things differently!!

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 29, 2006, 02:59:58 PM »

I still do it today for the same reason that i started to do it 25 years ago , it helps me relax , i have to block out the rest of the world and focus on the task at hand 100% . that and its FUN

PaulS · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2006, 08:44:17 PM »

When I began it was because I needed special loads I couldn't get from the market place.
Today I do it to get the most accurate loads for my weapons and to save money over the store bought ammo.

dw06 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2006, 01:50:47 AM »

Quote from: ricciardelli on September 29, 2006, 06:44:28 AM

Why Reload?

If you would have asked me that in the 1960's, I would have replied,
"It's cheaper than factory ammo."

If you would have asked me that in the 1970's, I would have replied,
"It's faster than factory ammo."

If you would have asked me that in the 1980's, I would have replied,
"It's more accurate than factory ammo."

If you would have asked me that in the 1990's, I would have replied,
"It's more reliable than factory ammo."

If you would ask me now that we are in the 2000's, I would reply,
"It's just a hell of a lot of fun!"

That about covers it for me too.Plus I always enjoyed reloading and and working up loads for a given firearm.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2006, 02:44:10 AM »

Quote from: Grumulkin on September 29, 2006, 01:56:59 AM

I did it for economy with a Lee Loader on the kitchen table to feed my 7X57 Mauser as a poor high school student.

Exactly the same......couldn't afford very many 7X57 rounds for my spanish mauser.......I think I was 14 when I got the lee loader.....

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2006, 12:34:30 PM »

I started so I could develop custom loads for my rifles that would be more accurate than factory ammo. My component costs are cheaper than factory ammo, but when you add in all the tools and equipment I've purchased, I've got a lot more shooting to do before I start saving money (and I'll probably add more "toys" to the reloading bench to negate any future savings).

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2006, 01:07:48 PM »

I just started because Dad did it. Its something we did together. He got me started and with in a couple years, he didn't need to do it. i was loading everything. Simple as that. I grew up reloading. To this day, he calls me up and "orders" his favorite recipe when he starts getting low!

I really enjoy it, i enjoy getting others involved in something I enjoy so much, that's why I began teaching. Same reason I became a Pistol instructor and a coach and a shotgun instructor and..well you get the idea

I like the better than factory accuracy and ballistics I get. Cheaper...that's a HOOT!!! If I added up all the coin I dropped on presses, bullets powder primers...I could have SAVED a bundle just buying a box or so as I needed!!!

CW

Lead pot · « **Reply #17 on:** October 05, 2006, 04:09:49 PM »

I guess why I load is all my life I been shooting what other people call odd ball calibers so I had to manufacture my own cases and loads.

Kurt

Don Fischer · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2006, 04:11:57 PM »

It was probally the excuse of saving money. Must have been because I also used the Lee hand set's. Used the cheapest bullets I could find also, Herter's Model Perfect!

Lou270 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2006, 04:58:47 PM »

I took up reloading to make ammo that was tailored to my individual gun for hunting. Truth be told, I could happily hunt with factory loads forever (even the plain jane ones) and not be able to tell the difference, but reloading my own ammo adds to the satisfaction of my hunt. What I did find, was that I shoot a lot more because I do reload. I can't say it saves me money as I end up spending a lot of money tinkering with stuff I don't really need.

-Lou

jerkface11 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 07, 2006, 12:17:57 PM »

I started reloading because I've never had the habit of buying guns that anyone locally carries ammo for. Or if they do have it they only have one load and it's expensive.

tallyho · « **Reply #21 on:** October 07, 2006, 01:21:56 PM »

I started loading in the early '80s with a Lee Loader in 30/30 for a H&R Topper 158. Back then I lived in the boonies, and shot regularly on our property, and it was a hassle to go to town and to spend money for ammo. After moving from the 'boonies' toward civilization, I've loaded lots with a Lee Hand Press on the kitchen table, then managed to establish a purpose built reloading/gun room in the basement with bench mounted presses of various kinds.

For awhile, when more active in Cowboy Action Shooting, I dabbled in bullet casting and shotgun reloading, but now I'm just doing pistol and rifle reloads for target and hunting.

Since then I have come to enjoy reloading for its own sake; and this summer I introduced it to my current wife and my kids.

In fact, in a moment I will return to the garage (the aforementioned reloading/gun room were in another house, which was taken over by a previous wife) to set up the Lee Classic Turret Press I just bought (My rechargable drill needed recharging and I couldn't drill the holes it needs to be mounted, so I came in to have a snack and surf the net.

Cheers
Kerry

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 07, 2006, 01:58:02 PM »

I started reloading while I was under the impression that there was a ton of money to be saved. When you break it down to a cost per round, it is cheaper than factory ammo. The problem is that where I was satisfied with 100 rounds before I started loading, afterwards, I started shooting 200-400 in a shooting session. That sort of stuff negates the cost advantage of handloading. Even with cheap cast lead bullets and light powder charges, 400 rounds every weekend gets costly.

Fortunately for my handloading budget, I have 2 kids and just don't have the time to burn through hundreds of rounds every weekend. Now, I'm more interested in how long the components will last on the shelf than in how much they cost.