Thinkin' about Reloading?

[RanchRoper]

...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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[ESquared]

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!

[BigAl52]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQPRFqWPWgE. Heres to ya RR

[RanchRoper]

RIP Chris Ledoux. Spent many hours goin' down the road to and from rodeos with Chris in the cassette player...

[RanchRoper]

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.

[JEBar]

thanks for posting this recap .... as ESquared said, following your experience will help many folks who are considering reloading

[Rifletom]

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.

[RanchRoper]

Thank you. Just finished my 300th round. As long as I pay attention and double check, it's all good.

[wingnut]

Thank you. Just finished my 300th round. As long as I pay attention and double check, it's all good.

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[Me78569]

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.

[Mistered]

However I found that I really enjoy reloading for just the relaxation quality.

40+ years and STILL enjoying it!

[RanchRoper]

It is more relaxing than I imagined. Quite nice to just sit there and lose oneself in it. You can't really think about other stuff while doing it.

[Cofisher]

Kind of like fly fishing. Easy way to get out of your mind.

[Rifletom]

However I found that I really enjoy reloading for just the relaxation quality.

40+ years and STILL enjoying it!

Yep. 43 years of enjoyment. Doing more enjoying Monday morning. .357 and .45 Colt.

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

I've thought about reloading off an on over the last 30 years. First gun I ever bought with my own money was a lever action marlin 336er (tube magazine) in 356 win (308 necked up to 35 with a rim An a flat nose - 307 was its sister round) Carried over 1500 lbs energy a little ways beyond 200 yrs - elk power. I put an 1.5 to 5 power simmons whitetail scope on it using weaver see thru mounts. Close use the iron sights farther use the scope. I luv that combo - still do.

Wonder if Henry would ever make a lever gun in those calibers?

Anyway factory ammo was about a dollar 20 a shot in 1990! So I did actually buy dies and was going to buy a rockchucker as I recall but that rifle and a marrochi arms 12 gauge over under shotgun of mine were stolen. I later sold the dies and learned my lesson - only go with commonly available calibres hence a 30-06 BLR and later a 7mm-08 BLR. And when I got the 7mm-08 I was worried about it being rare with respect to ammo - it isn't.

Now toying with the idea of a pistol calibre lever gun if I can get one with near the power of that marlin. Don't know if one exists for reasonable dollars. Probably lead to reloading to obtain velocity and energy I might be looking for I'm guessing. I don't know if the economics of reloading make sense for 30-06 or 7mm-08 - I do sympathize with RR on ammo costs as I'm in Canada too. I've never got an RPAL just a PAL as restrictions on handguns are so restrictive that I'm not convinced matching rifle with handgun makes any sense. If I want to shoot handguns I just need to go visit family in the US and shoot theirs with them. Sad state of affairs but reality.

Anyway if the right powered carbine is out there anywhere I may be game and up for reloading.

-Ed-

[Mistered]

Well, you are not going to find a pistol caliber carbine with anywhere near the power of the .356. If you really need that kind of power you'll need to stick with a rifle cartridge however for just fun and economical shooting you can't beat a pistol caliber carbine and some can offer short range, medium sized game capability.

[Mgderf]

I've been a shooter for more than 50 years.
I started reloading my own two years ago.
I have yet to load a bunch, and I know I have not yet recouped my cost of set-up and supply stocking, but I will never again get caught short of center-fire pistol ammunition.

I did save money on at least one flavor by starting to load for the .327Federal magnum.
Factory offerings weren't outrageous, but rather unobtainable in most local markets, and slim pickings online.
It is getting better, but I now have powders, primers, brass, and projectiles, that I won't need to buy anything for .327's for years to come.
I'm also pretty well covered for popular calibers like .45acp, .40S&W, .38spl/.357mag, .44spl/.44mag, .45Colt/.454Casull...

Since I started loading, I've found a friend who is casting projectiles.
I take him lead when I run across it, and take home bullets in return.

I would highly suggest you jump in now.
Don't wait until another mass shooting, when cries will rise again to "do something...".

After Sandy Hook, it took me months to find ammo for quite a few of my guns.
That will not happen again.

Buy SEVERAL manuals, AND READ THEM!
Understand the principals of loading BEFORE you start.
Once you do get started, you'll wonder why you waited so long.

[RanchRoper]

All I can say is my 45 Colt packs a whollup. As I am sure the 44 Mag does too.

[RanchRoper]

Hey All,

I've thought about reloading off an on over the last 30 years. First gun I ever bought with my own money was a lever action marlin 336er (tube magazine) in 356 win (308 necked up to 35 with a rim An a flat nose - 307 was its sister round) Carried over 1500 lbs energy a little ways beyond 200 yrs - elk power. I put an 1.5 to 5 power simmons whitetail scope on it using weaver see thru mounts. Close use the iron sights farther use the scope. I luv that combo - still do.

Wonder if Henry would ever make a lever gun in those calibers?

Anyway factory ammo was about a dollar 20 a shot in 1990! So I did actually buy dies and was going to buy a rockchucker as I recall but that rifle and a marrochi arms 12 gauge over under shotgun of mine were stolen. I later sold the dies and learned my lesson - only go with commonly available calibres hence a 30-06 BLR and later a 7mm-08 BLR. And when I got the 7mm-08 I was worried about it being rare with respect to ammo - it isn't.

Now toying with the idea of a pistol calibre lever gun if I can get one with near the power of that marlin. Don't know if one exists for reasonable dollars. Probably lead to reloading to obtain velocity and energy I might be looking for I'm guessing. I don't know if the economics of reloading make sense for 30-06 or 7mm-08 - I do sympathize with RR on ammo costs as I'm in Canada too. I've never got an RPAL just a PAL as restrictions on handguns are so restrictive that I'm not convinced matching rifle with handgun makes any sense. If I want to shoot handguns I just need to go visit family in the US and shoot theirs with them. Sad state of affairs but reality.

Anyway if the right powered carbine is out there anywhere I may be game and up for reloading.

-Ed-

Just for info, after much research I went with the Lee Classic Turret press and the stand for it. Very compact and fits well into a small area (see photo). This press is not as basic as the single stage, and not as advanced as a full blown progressive one. I can very comfortably do 50 rounds in an hour, and that is double checking every case for powder load (not 1 gets by without a visual check), measuring every 8 or 10 powder drops for accuracy, and checking OAL every couple of dozen. I don't use the auto prime, and place every primer in the cup by hand. That way I know it's right side up every time. Whatever you decide, be safe and do lots of research to see what might work best for you. Good luck. RR

[BrokenolMarine]

I have been reloading since the mid 80s, starting on a single stage lee press. I moved up to the Dillon Progressive when I started shooting competition and was shooting ten thousand plus rounds a year. As I was loading thirty eight, nine mil, forty, and forty five, the interchangeable tool heads were a blessing.

As I stopped competing and slowed down on shooting, I certainly needed to load less. Then three or four major surgeries affected my memory. As RR has mentioned, there are critical areas that need attention while loading. Overall length, powder weights, crimp, primers, etc. There are a couple things I do these days to insure I am safely reloading. First, I called Dillon, and got a dvd for my press. It explains the setup. I watch it every time after a long break in loading, this refreshes my memory, so I have the press set up correctly and don't miss a step. I also Use the References for load data.

Second, like RR, I measure powder drops every ten rounds to be safe. My powder drops are accurate, but better safe than sorry.

Third, no distractions in the loading room, and good lighting. No tv, no one chatting away while I'm loading, and my bench and my press are well lit.

Last.. I use a caliber specific bullet case checker to check every round before it goes in the bin.
https://www.dillonprecision.com/dillon- ... 25548.html
Simple to use, drop the loaded round in, if it goes in flush, it will fit factory chambers. If not, crimp is off, bullet not correctly seated, short stroked on your sizing die.. There is a problem. Takes a couple minutes to do a hundred rounds, and you don't run into problems on the range.

Yes, I have decades of experience behind me, but I recognise my new limitations, and the very real hazards of not respecting the task at hand.