Un-loading

[North Country Gal]

Turned a corner

Been kind of boxed into a corner these last few years with the reloading. We shoot a lot, so we really should reload, but we also have a lot of other activities that demand a lot of time (shooting is actually one of them), so finding the time to sit down at the bench for an uninterrupted hour or two is now almost impossible and we all know how important it is to give full attention to the task when at the bench.

Decision time, then. We sold off all of our loading equipment and supplies. Gone, done, no more reloading. Not an easy decision, because I've been reloading almost as long as I've been shooting. Still, I felt it was time.

To keep ammo costs at least a bit reasonable, we’ve put a self-imposed limit of 50 cents a round, and preferably, 30 cents a round, for factory ammo. This is within our budget, given the amount of shooting we do, but we've also been drifting more and more to rimfire shooting, anyway. That, and we also do a lot of air gun shooting, so we're covered in the case of another run on ammo, anyway. Lastly, I have access to locals who sell recycled ammo at only nominally more than I can reload it, cost-wise.

Have also trimmed down our collection of guns to reflect this, though we have made some exceptions for certain guns, even if they are more expensive to shoot. No more guns in expensive to shoot calibers. (Contenders are an exception, because i can always swap barrels. Have friends that also shoot Contenders and we do a lot of barrel trading.)

Not that any of this is headline news. The reason I post this is for folks in a similar situation and for folks who assume that reloading is an absolute must if you shoot a lot. It's not. I still strongly believe that reloading is the smart way to go, but only IF it works for your situation. It's not an absolute must for a diehard shooter, though it may take an adjustment in the cartridges and guns you shoot. I'm proof of that.

Thanks for letting me share this.

[Sir Henry]

I kept all my reloading supplies and equipment but haven't reloaded in years. Shooting rimfire has a lot to do with that. I do need to thin out my herd of rifles though. I think I have enough .22 ammo to last me the rest of my life.

[clovishound]

I shot nothing but rimfire for decades. I also didn't shoot much. When I finally got into centerfire, I found that I really enjoyed it. I still like rimfire, but the .38s, .357s and .45s are so much more fun IMO. Now that my daughter has gotten into the sport, it would be difficult for me to afford us shooting at anything near the volume we both want to. A typical day at the range involves around 450 rounds, 350 of that centerfire. It would cost me just a little shy of $100 to purchase factory ammo in this quantity. I might be able to save some by researching and quantity purchasing, but it would still be a good bit more that I could justify spending. I currently spend about $50 or less for the same ammo.

Fortunately, I have the time to reload the ammo required. I also have more disposable income the last few years, although I'm not swimming in it. I still drive a 25 year old vehicle.

Sorry that you had to give up on reloading. I do understand that not everyone's situation is the same, and the solutions that are a good fit for me are not necessarily a good fit for others.

I sincerely hope you are able to continue to enjoy the hobby.

[North Country Gal]

Thanks, Clovis. Oh, I'll never stop shooting, even if it's just a BB gun or a slingshot.

We are able buy 9mm for the same price as 17 HMR and even cheaper than 22 mag. If I shoot the aluminum case 45 auto, only a little more. No problem, then, keeping the 1911s fed. Really can't justify taking the time to load these two cartridges, then.

357/38 we can buy locally in bulk for only a little more than 45 auto, so those are also in our budget.

The ones that hurt are the 44 mag and the 45 Colt, but I'll still shoot them on an every now and then basis in the Contenders. I can justify keeping these two cartridges in the Contender because I'm only investing in a barrel, not an entire gun.

In centerfire rifle, 223 is doable for us. We also shoot in our Contenders, both rifle and pistol. 7.62x39 is also doable and we may get one of those in a CZ, again. Really don't shoot other centerfire rifle rounds enough to miss them.

[CT_Shooter]

I haven't been able to shoot for the last six months. Before that, it was pretty much once a week, mostly my Henry .357 BBB and SmokeWagon SA revolver. I miss it, but an occasional hour of reloading helps to keep me in the sport and I enjoy it. It's the only centerfire caliber I shoot (with the exception of its little brother, the .38 special). I believe I have enough brass, powder, primers, and bullets to carry me to the final roundup for both of them. I'm certain that I have enough 22 LRs to last that long, too.

[RanchRoper]

I just keep trying stockpile my 45c. Looked at reloading but just no time. Maybe in a couple of years will see.

[North Country Gal]

Still plan to shoot 45 Colt, too. Just no way will I part with my USFA Colts in 45 Colt. Finest revolvers I've ever owned. Also shoot 45 Colt in the Contender. Sold the Marlin 1894 in 45 Colt, though. Great gun, but WAY too easy to blow though a box of 45 Colt ammo in short order.

Did sell off both Ruger No. 1s in 44 mag and 243. Hated to let them go, but I have Encore/Contender barrels in those cartridges and the TCs actually shoot every bit as well or better than as the Rugers. Could justify keeping the TCs, because don't have much money wrapped up in the barrels. They're there when I feel like spending the money on 44 mag and 243 ammo. Not so with the Rugers. Way too much money tied up in guns that I wouldn't shoot much. Got an excellent price on the 44 mag and actually made a little on the 243, though.

Turned right around, of course, and used the money from the Rugers to buy other single shots in more affordable to shoot chamberings.

[JEBar]

the time may come when we stop reloading but I sure hope it doesn't .... for us doing so would probably indicate that we aren't able to spend much time on the range .... that said it seems like we don't have as much time to spend loading as we used to .... picking up a Hornady progressive press has really increased the number of rounds we turn out in a short period of time so even with reduced time we are able to stay ahead

[tx gunrunner]

I could NEVER do the Cowboy Action for 18 yrs if I didn't reload . A match is over 100 rounds and do that twice a month that is 200 rounds a month . Practice is over 300 rounds a month . So 500 rounds a month would be way out of my budget plus the match fees . I sit in ft of the TV it this setup and load for over 30 yrs .







I can make 500 rds of custom ammo 500 rds for under $70 . Bullets cost $53 for 500 rds ..PRIMERS cost me under $8.00 for 500 rds.... Powder cost for 500 rds maybe $8. total cost for 10 boxes of ammo under $70 . The cheapest 38 spec ammo loaded cost over $180 for 500 rds .

[Estacado]

Sorry to hear you are getting out of reloading. A persons gotta do what a persons gotta do. I have down sized on a lot of things, but not reloading. I get as much pleasure from reloading as I do shooting. It is like meditation to me. It is very soothing for me to go to my reloading room and crank out a few shells. It relieves the daily stress.

[Bugs]

Well I took a different route. I shoot and reload a lot. I have used a single stage press (RockChucker) for a long time but the reloading process was just eating up too much time and cutting into fishing and other activities. So I broke down and finally bought a Dillon 550. Best money I ever spent. Makes reloading enjoyable again as it was becoming a chore with the single stage.

[PT7]

I'm not a reloader, but have thought a lot about doing that part of the shooting sports. Especially after reading many of the Henry posts----how much everyone does with reloading, and how much it is enjoyed, too.

This is an interesting thread with a lot of twists and turns. As I've been reading it, I think I will start digging out the info I have already gathered on reloading and study it again. My biggest challenge is the space factor. I live in a 740 sq. ft. apartment, and there is very little room here for any reloading space. But I'm now thinking I can maybe build a solid reload bench, make it out of CCW wood, and just set it up on my patio. Of course, reloading time would then depend on the weather. Anyway, space is the initial hurdle.

What I've always wanted to reload is shotgun slugs. I do shoot both centerfire ammo, and mostly rimfire ammo. Of all ammo I use, my need is not to make a lot of ammo because I don't use that much. And since I don't shoot a lot, I don't consider reloading to be a cost-saving venture either. Building a good shotgun slug is just plain 'ole fascinating to me. And I bet it would be a fun challenge, as well.

I may not get passed that initial hurdle of enough space; but at least it will be fun to consider this project once more. Thanks all for the many interesting comments!

[North Country Gal]

We picked up some 9mm aluminum case ammo at Wal-mart, this morning, for 19 cents a round. That's cheaper than 22 mag or even 17HMR. In fact, that's in the better grade of 22 LR target ammo category. Aluminum case, so no brass to chase, either. Be tough to justify reloading 9mm at this price. The stuff shoots pretty dang good out of our 9mm 1911s.

[tx gunrunner]

Great shooting NCG

I just did the math on my 40 SW . The bullets cost me 2.6 cents each [ free if I cast them ] The primers are 1.6 cents each . The powder cost me 1.5 cent each . Which is a little over a nickle [.052 ] each . I can make 100 rds in a hour with a single stage press . It normally takes me 3 hrs with all the extra steps I take .

I even run factory ammo in my taper crimp die and or cartridge checker . I check ALL ammo fit in my barrel before I load it in my gun or mag I carry .
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/58205 ... 40-s-and-w




My ammo matches my high dollar Winc 180 HP FBI loads in speed , recoil , POA and POI . Just $30. a box cheaper .

[Squatch]

This is one of the reasons I'm a shooter and not a collector. It's also one of the reasons I have limited my guns to just a few calibers.

44 mag and special

22lr

45/70

45 acp

The more calibers you reload the more time it takes and the more the set up costs. I have the stuff to reload 45 acp but so far have just bought bulk ammo. It's so common the costs are low. and round counts can be high at times. That's a lot of time at the bench to keep up.

44 mag and 45/70 are not cheap. Reloading does keep those costs down and allows me to load low recoil stuff I'd have a hard time buying.

I do understand the lack of time. We are getting older and have spent a lot of time cleaning out the properties of an ageing relative that was somewhat of a hoarder. It really makes one step back and take a hard look at your own self and stuff and how much BS you may leave behind for someone else to deal with. The older I get the more I'm getting rid of and simplifying. I want to own my stuff. I don't like being owned by it. Which is what happens when you have too much stuff. Too much time spent maintaining and not enough using. We all have to find the balance in life that works for us!

[North Country Gal]

Good points, guys.

Yeah, the irony of having to choose between reloading time and shooting time still floors me, but there's no escaping it, especially when I find myself shooting air guns on an almost daily basis. Let's see, sit at the bench or shoot one of our many excellent air guns, which I can do right at home for literally pennies a shot? Not even close for me. Shooting wins every time.

We all know that reloading time is also more than just cranking out ammo. As mentioned, there's setup time. There's also the hassle of finding and buying components. We don't have a good local source, so it's mostly online for us. That eats up more time, waiting for components to arrive and that's assuming you can get exactly what you want. We all know how that goes.

[DAVIDF]

Great shooting NCG

I just did the math on my 40 SW . The bullets cost me 2.6 cents each [ free if I cast them ] The primers are 1.6 cents each . The powder cost me 1.5 cent each . Which is a little over a nickle [.052 ] each . I can make 100 rds in a hour with a single stage press . It normally takes me 3 hrs with all the extra steps I take .

I even run factory ammo in my taper crimp die and or cartridge checker . I check ALL ammo fit in my barrel before I load it in my gun or mag I carry .
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/58205 ... 40-s-and-w




My ammo matches my high dollar Winc 180 HP FBI loads in speed , recoil , POA and POI . Just $30. a box cheaper .

Where are you finding bullets for $0.026 & primers at $0.016 each? That is $13.00 for 500 bullets & $16.00 for 1000 primers. Haven't seen those prices in a while.

[tx gunrunner]

Here is where I get the bullets , they are free if I cast my own . These are not the cheap one but these are the best . 38 and 9MM bullets are a lot cheaper to buy . I wait for deals on primers , I got over 30,000 Fed primes a few year back with free shipping & Hazmat at $16/1000 . I buy Unique powder $103 / 8lbs [ 7000 grain in a lbs x 8 is 56,000 gr ] that is near 10,000 rds at 5.6 grs most of my pistol loads are between 3.5 and 6.0 grs of Unique . You do the math . My math is not my strong point . So you post the correct numbers I never do the per round stuff I get confused in the math .

[tx gunrunner]

Sorry to hear you are getting out of reloading. A persons gotta do what a persons gotta do. I have down sized on a lot of things, but not reloading. I get as much pleasure from reloading as I do shooting. It is like meditation to me. It is very soothing for me to go to my reloading room and crank out a few shells. It relieves the daily stress.

I live near Ft Hood Tx and I got Tons of stuff to sell at a super deal package deal on guns or powder , primers or reloading stuff . Since your not that far from me bring LOTS of money for a super package deal . I'm not going piece this stuff out and my health would let be sell at gun shows . The more you buy the better the deal gets .

[Catherine]

NCG,

Good posts and thank you for being on this forum. I enjoy your posts as I do the other people here.

There is nothing wrong if you stopped reloading after many years for any reason or even if you never reloaded to begin with in my opinion.

Do what suits YOU and/or your husband.

My late husband and I never reloaded. He shot far less than I did and owned only a few guns in his life. I shot a LOT and often as most of you know in the past. I owned more guns that he did from the 90's and on.

I would have still bought factory ammunition for myself even if I continued to shoot a lot... back east or out west. I would continue to watch my budget as I always did. I always bought common caliber firearms shy of my former Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Long Colt which cost more money to buy ammo wise but IT was worth every cent to me. My firearms could share the same ammo too. ALL but the 9mm and 45Long Colt back east - I only owned one of each of them but I had duplicate caliber firearms in 22lr, 22wmr-cylinder which I rarely used, 357Magnum and 38Special. I only owned 3 RF rifles back east. Former guns now.

Out west... surprise gifts of 44 Magnum handguns - Smith and Wesson Model 29-2 and -3. Ammo was reloaded for those former handguns but I did have one box of 44 Special factory ammo for it. One Marlin 336C in 30-30 which was the first CF rifle that I owned. I had reloaded AND factory ammo for the former 30-30 rifle.

My MT husband did reload for me as I have mentioned in the past when I used to own and shoot my former CF handguns. He reloaded for a couple of CF rifles for me too. Now, if he did not choose or like to reload for any reason... he would have bought factory ammo as I did for many years in the past. (He couldn't reload for a few years due to his crazy 24/7 work schedule and space. He did have his 'competition', hunting and self defense reloaded ammo on hand in his ammo boxes and he had some factory ammo too.)

A friend of ours said he feels funny when asked if he reloads and he says that he does not. I told him not to feel funny about it because it does NOT interest him. I was going to learn how to reload with my late husband, back east, but after he got cancer and died... I had NO interest in doing this. However with that said, I do encourage my husband on his reloading since it IS a big part of his life. I have helped our friends FIND reloading products when the fake/real 'shortages' were going on too.

I only shoot 22lr rifles now and not that often. I have not shot a CF rifle for some time now.

Air guns are fun to shoot. I have seen some people practice for competition shoots with them, back east. Some fancy rifles that I never saw before in my life and that was many years ago.

I always thought that my former RED RYDER 1938 Replica rifle was FUN and cool to shoot. I used to shoot that a LOT in my driveway at my former house that I built with my late husband back east. Rural area - I had a nice simple set up. I did not set up a air gun range in my full basement but I could have done that too.

Take care and good shooting to you and your husband!

Cate