- Thread starter fmillik
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I think you will find that most consider reloading a neccesary evil.
There is however the small group of people in the glutton for punishment segment that actually enjoy reloading.
I have been been reloading since the early 90's and it started as a way to shoot more 44mag handgun ammo without wiping out my bank account and getting more performance out the round but obviously has grown exponentially from there.
If you enjoy it it is a money pitt but definitely worth the effort.
There is however the small group of people in the glutton for punishment segment that actually enjoy reloading.
I have been been reloading since the early 90's and it started as a way to shoot more 44mag handgun ammo without wiping out my bank account and getting more performance out the round but obviously has grown exponentially from there.
If you enjoy it it is a money pitt but definitely worth the effort.
Heyyyyy a fellow person who enjoys reloading lol... thought I might be the only one.
I'm not sure if you'll understand my analogy here but I'll give it a go:
I get the same feeling when I reload that I do when I solve a math equation. My mind tends to thrive when there is a bit of challenge, and I can complete, create, and/or solve something. Reloading gives me a feeling of small success and productivity, as well as feeds my prepper/hoarding side of my brain that for obvious reasons, I don't indulge much lol. For me, its a completely different feeling than when I get to shoot guns.
Shooting guns gives me the same feeling I got when I was a kid and broke a board. More of an adrenaline/"thats cool" feeling.
I suppose most of you guys compete.
Mostly I work on a load until I can get 1/2 MOA, then shoot at a gong up to 1000 meters. If I can hit a gong consistently, it gets pretty dull hitting it over and over again, so I choose a different bullet and start the process over again.
I also have three kids under 7, so I can work on reloading after they are in bed. In the other instance, I have to leave the wife to fend for herself whenever I go out to shoot, which tends to make it a somewhat rushed affair.
Mostly I work on a load until I can get 1/2 MOA, then shoot at a gong up to 1000 meters. If I can hit a gong consistently, it gets pretty dull hitting it over and over again, so I choose a different bullet and start the process over again.
I also have three kids under 7, so I can work on reloading after they are in bed. In the other instance, I have to leave the wife to fend for herself whenever I go out to shoot, which tends to make it a somewhat rushed affair.
I don’t compete.
I just shoot steel in the woods as far as I can.
Also I’m a retard and shoot cartridges that Remington abandoned so I’m forced to reload.
I just shoot steel in the woods as far as I can.
Also I’m a retard and shoot cartridges that Remington abandoned so I’m forced to reload.
@fmillik Any time you want do my reloading for me, You’re welcome. You can even do the test firing for me. The test range is about 6 feet away.
FWIW, your priorities are backwards.
FWIW, your priorities are backwards.
Brutal, agonizing, a time suck. But better than paying 60 bucks a box for6.5x47 rounds
I kind of like that they each do something different for me. When I'm bored but don't want to watch tv or be lazy, I got load .38spl or 9mm.. When I'm feeling all Mathy, I review my load books and either load precision rounds or play with variables....
Of course, lets be honest here... I'm still a shooter first. So obviously thats my favorite part. Plus it doesn't hurt to have a 200yd range in my backyard. I shoot my .22 out of my 2nd story office window when I need a break from working on the computer.
I was rearranging a storage room today and ran across all my obsolete cartridge stuff. I waxed poetic about the bag of lapua 260 brass just sitting there all by its lonesome. Maybe I’ll load A few up and cap them into some distant hillside.
- Mar 15, 2018
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Yup, we're out here. Reloading is my passion; I shoot mostly just to validate my work. Science, chemistry, engineering, math, ballistics and little bit of fairy dust thrown in. Making each round identical to the next, for me, that's the fun part.
@powerspc Reloading without shooting would be pretty pointless, but I am 37 and have been shooting guns since I was 5. I only got really interested in shooting when I got a reloading press, and now I try to shoot at least 50 rounds a week.
I am currently in the process of putting a switch barrel-type rifle together on a long action so I will have nearly unlimited ability to try out different calibers and cartridges, & all the required reloading work to go along with it.
I am currently in the process of putting a switch barrel-type rifle together on a long action so I will have nearly unlimited ability to try out different calibers and cartridges, & all the required reloading work to go along with it.
I'm in between on this one! When I was competing in BR, I found reloading to be a drag. That said, I love reloading to find the sweet spot for a new rifle or barrel.
I’ve know a few people who preferred tying flies than going fishing with them.@powerspc Reloading without shooting would be pretty pointless, but I am 37 and have been shooting guns since I was 5. I only got really interested in shooting when I got a reloading press, and now I try to shoot at least 50 rounds a week.
I am currently in the process of putting a switch barrel-type rifle together on a long action so I will have nearly unlimited ability to try out different calibers and cartridges, & all the required reloading work to go along with it.
I absolutely dread tying flies but do it because store bought stuff is $$$$$ and I have a few patterns that I’ve found effective that aren’t commercially made.
- Mar 15, 2018
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@powerspc Reloading without shooting would be pretty pointless, but I am 37 and have been shooting guns since I was 5. I only got really interested in shooting when I got a reloading press, and now I try to shoot at least 50 rounds a week.
I am currently in the process of putting a switch barrel-type rifle together on a long action so I will have nearly unlimited ability to try out different calibers and cartridges, & all the required reloading work to go along with it.
Good deal, that‘s more or less how I started with a Cadex Kraken in .338LM, .300WM, .308 Win and 6.5CM. Each round presents it own unique set of challenges. Since then I’ve also moved into pistol rounds; 9mm, .45ACP, .45Colt, .357 Mag and .50AE. I just recently added .223 Rem to the mix as well. I agree though, the shooting and chronographing of each shot is essential to the process.
- Mar 15, 2018
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Makes sense to me; think about the guys that tune Indy and Formula 1 cars. They don’t drive them, but I’ll bet they get a huge amount of satisfaction in what they do.
I like reloading as much as I like shooting. I loaded up my rounds at the range this morning and shot them. It was a blast.
Ha ha that's funny
I do. I find it to be very relaxing. Also, the wife leaves me alone when I am in my gun room
Hahaha yes.
I have like 5 different 6.5 CM powders and at least as many different bullets.
Bored now...
let's try another caliber and build a new rifle.
That’s all wrong. Once you hit it consistently, you need to move to a new firing position, or change your level of support, or both. Then maybe time yourself for the engagement. Be a good rifleman first.
Or shoot smaller calibers in worse conditions. Or smaller targets
Supposed to be sustained winds of 20+ tomorrow. Make it happen
For the record, I enjoy reloading.
For the record, I enjoy reloading.
No really, I did load up my rounds at the range. I brought my arbor press, Wilson seater die, powder, primers...
Actually considering this as its a 2hr drive for me to to test a load at distance.
@fmillik thats an awfully small beard for up nort
Wut?!
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I enjoy reloading and shooting. They're great hobbies. I don't compete, but I am a hunter.
Looks like you found a good WA clear-cut to shoot at. It can be a challenge to find a perfect shooting spot.
I think we may be a small group amongst a small group.
I still love shooting Don’t get me wrong. But as I’m getting older I am actually having more fun tuning ammo for people and spotting.
it’s like being the crew chief of a race team. Wish I could turn this into a career
I still love shooting Don’t get me wrong. But as I’m getting older I am actually having more fun tuning ammo for people and spotting.
it’s like being the crew chief of a race team. Wish I could turn this into a career
I reload for my brother-in-law, my father, and I may have got my nephew a rifle in a new caliber . . . for very good reasons beyond tinkering with a different cartridge.
It takes all kinds.
I enjoy it. My reloading room has always been my man cave so naturally I gravitate there. It’s relaxing. Years ago I got into the terminal performance aspect of it because I was deer hunting a lot. So reloading became more interesting from a different approach. And it does save money. Right.
But I’d much rather be shooting or hunting if given the choice.
I enjoy it. My reloading room has always been my man cave so naturally I gravitate there. It’s relaxing. Years ago I got into the terminal performance aspect of it because I was deer hunting a lot. So reloading became more interesting from a different approach. And it does save money. Right.
But I’d much rather be shooting or hunting if given the choice.
No doubt it saves money for the amount I shoot since I started reloading years ago. It would cost a bigger fortune to shoot the same amount buying ammo... or so I tell myself
I enjoy it about 50/50. Testing the third 10 shot ladder load just pulling the trigger for the Chrono? Not so much.
3gun or shooting a long range challenge is way more fun.
3gun or shooting a long range challenge is way more fun.
I enjoy working up loads, but it’s the mass production of said loads that I could do without.
Of course I’m a single stage guy that weighs every charge and measure every round after seating. That gets old with pistol ammo, but my ocd won’t let me stop.
Of course I’m a single stage guy that weighs every charge and measure every round after seating. That gets old with pistol ammo, but my ocd won’t let me stop.
I not only reload but cast lead as well. I find the both very therapeutic.
I find that reloading is a great way to "decompress" and just slow down a bit. I don't do huge batches at a time, and I only do it when I feel like it, so yes, I enjoy it. If I had to do it all the time, well, maybe that would be a different story. But the way I do it now, it's enjoyable.
Brotherrrrrr you gotta get a Dillon 550 or 750.... they're a godsend for Pistol ammo.
Took me 15 mins last night to change shellplates, toolheads, check all dies for measurement, and swap powder and get my desired charge down for 9mm. Then loaded 200 primers into my primer tubes, and went to town. Loaded 200 rounds in about 30 minutes casually. I check every case for powder, and check 5-10 rounds out of my 100-200 rounds for OAL. 1.125" +/- 0.0015. I'm using 5.0gr of Unique for these. Great shooters, very close to factory loads.
I have a 650. Similar setup for me. I actually load all the primer tubes in front of the TV or something before I start loading. Usually load 500-1000 at a time. I have the toolheads setup with the dies and powder drop already setup. Like you said, takes 10 min or so for me to get the press ready for a run.
One thing about reloading, there is an opportunity cost to it. But for 9mm specifically, I can't get 147 gr factory ammo with the same recoil impulse as my reloads.
I currently only have one Lee auto drum so I switch it back and forth between .38spl and 9mm... but I'm getting tired of that so for $45 or whatever they are new, I'll prolly pick up a 2nd soon.
I just bought ~2400 Hi-Tek coated 125grainers for my .38 the other day. $0.05 a bullet from Brazos precision. Wanting to try their 9mm bullets next go round.
What powder and charge are you using for your 147's?
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