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Thinkin' about Reloading?

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RanchRoper
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Thinkin' about Reloading?

Post by RanchRoper » Sun Mar 31, 2019 2:22 pm

...If you are I will share my thoughts & it may help you.

I was a holdout for quite some time. Very nervous about it. Part of the reason is I am the least mechanically inclined guy on the Forum likely. Didn't take shop in school, don't work on cars, I had a Meccano set as a kid and built a robot once but that's about it. Frankly, if it doesn't have a mane & tail, or go moo, I am not interested. Even popping the side plate on my Henry to clean the guts is anxiety inducing for me. I just don't like to fix stuff if it goes wrong.

So the thought of a press, dies, powder measures, calipers, etc is something I would normally avoid like a straw cowboy hat. Not to mention playing with explosive stuff. Already lost a finger roping a big 'ol cow one time, not fun.
But I love to shoot, and after hearing all of the people on here who reload and the pleasure they seem to take in it I started researching. I had been saving my brass for quite awhile so I have lots. Seemed like a waste to just keep it and not do anything with it. I checked out selling it but most ammo outlets want it for nothing and I won't give it away. More and more I read and watched reloading info. Many of the people on here were encouraging. Factory ammo here in Canada is $.70 to $1.00 a round, and local supply is not good. I bought lots online. Just saw some Winchester 45 Colt in town yesterday for $41.99 for a box of 20! Not cool. Plus I live in a gun unfriendly country (no politics please) so ammo supply can dry up at any time. It's just a fact.

I have only loaded 100 rounds so far so LOTS to learn along the way. BUT....if I can do it, anybody can. If you are considering it but not sure whether to jump in, all I can say is do your homework. I am a very cautious guy with this stuff, so much so that I loaded a primer in a case and shot it so I could hear it and know what to expect if one goes off in the press. Seated a few bullets with no powder or primers so I could play around with the dies, depths and crimps safely. Chambered a few of these dummy rounds and ejected them a few times. Bought digital calipers so I don't have to think too hard, and measure, measure, measure. Drove to the range with only 8 rounds loaded because I wanted to see how they shot before going any further with powder load, etc.

Cost savings? Remains to be seen. I have a lot of factory ammo stashed away, so I won't need brass for years. I don't shoot competitively so 50-100 or so rounds a week should be an easy manage for this old cowboy reloader. With the proper setup it does not take much room either.
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My $.02 worth, whatever you decide to do, keep it safe folks.
RR
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Re: Thinkin' about Reloading?

Post by ESquared » Sun Mar 31, 2019 2:36 pm

Nice job, RR! Hopefully you just opened some eyes and that will open some doors for others to become involved. It wasn't that long ago that I was listening to a buddy of mine describe it, and all I could do was shake my head and say "No way..."
I got my courage up by reading a lot here, talking to guys offline, doing my research, and, before I knew it, I was committed.
Slow and steady is the thing, you're 1,000% right.
Great note of encouragement and shows that you've rounded the bend yourself!
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Re: Thinkin' about Reloading?

Post by BigAl52 » Sun Mar 31, 2019 2:39 pm

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RanchRoper
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Re: Thinkin' about Reloading?

Post by RanchRoper » Sun Mar 31, 2019 2:41 pm

RIP Chris Ledoux. Spent many hours goin' down the road to and from rodeos with Chris in the cassette player...
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Re: Thinkin' about Reloading?

Post by RanchRoper » Sun Mar 31, 2019 2:52 pm

Ps...be careful with youtube or google. Lots of crap out there. Again, do some serious homework and listen to folks on this forum who have forgotten more about reloading than I'll ever know. Like some have said, it's a long winter depending where you live. Good time to ammo-up. ;)
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1860 Colt SA Richards Conversion Revolver .45C
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Re: Thinkin' about Reloading?

Post by JEBar » Sun Mar 31, 2019 4:15 pm

thanks for posting this recap .... as ESquared said, following your experience will help many folks who are considering reloading
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Re: Thinkin' about Reloading?

Post by Rifletom » Sun Mar 31, 2019 5:22 pm

Excellent summary RR. You're going about learning the ropes of handloading the way it should be. I am personally glad you enjoy it and encouraging others to give it a whirl. Your targets show your loads work. That is ALWAYS a good thing. Lots of credit to you for going forward. Enjoy.
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Re: Thinkin' about Reloading?

Post by RanchRoper » Sun Mar 31, 2019 6:08 pm

Thank you. Just finished my 300th round. As long as I pay attention and double check, it's all good.
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1860 Henry .45C
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Re: Thinkin' about Reloading?

Post by wingnut » Mon Apr 01, 2019 9:49 am

RanchRoper wrote:Thank you. Just finished my 300th round. As long as I pay attention and double check, it's all good.
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Re: Thinkin' about Reloading?

Post by Me78569 » Sat Apr 13, 2019 1:35 pm

Another thing worth noting is reloading isn't only about cost saving or very accurate ammo. I was always on the side of " I don't want to learn another skill or have another hobby". However I found that I really enjoy reloading for just the relaxation quality.

It took 2 weeks from when I got my press to actually making a bullet as I was double and triple checking everything. Now I can throw some tunes out and relax for an hour while I prep cases or throw powder charges.

Now I just have to get out to the range so I have an excuse to relax some more.
Last edited by Me78569 on Sat Apr 13, 2019 5:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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