Hand Loading ammo

[Buckrun]

I am surprised at the number of shooters there are out there that are not reloaders. Out of all my friends I am the only one who reloads their own rifle and handgun ammo.

I got started in 1978 I was 18 years old. I went to the Kenton coon chase and bought a Winchester model 94 in .32 Winchester Special. When I went to the local gun shop in Lima nobody had any ammo for it. I had to order a couple boxed. I thought if this was the way it was going to be I just bought all the reloading equipment. This was when I was single and still living at home. I was working full time as a carpenter so I could pretty much spend my money on what ever I wanted. I think it would be a little harder to get started today with a wife and 3 kids.

When I first started collecting all my equipment and components I would write it down in a notebook. I would keep track of what I bought and how much it cost. When I loaded up anything I would figure how much it cost for the reloads. After I had been hand loading for about 6 years I had moved up to loading for, .32WS, 30-30, .44 mag, .221FB, .22-250 and 12 ga. One day I added up how much I had spent on all my equipment and supplies. Then I added all the ammo I had loaded and figured how much I would have spent to buy that ammo. After all the figures were tallied I was way on the plus side. Meaning my reloading had paid for the equipment and all the supplies by a long shot. Of course I would have never shot as much as I had been if I hadn’t been reloading. But isn’t that the point!

For the cost of one rifle you could get started in reloading and tailor your ammo to the gun you shoot. I hesitate to list all the different cases I reload now. I quit keeping track of all the equipment cost years ago. I figure it has paid for itself. Every since I moved up to the Dillon the time it takes to load the pistol ammo has been cut down to next to nothing. When I was shooting competition with the Gov. model .45 I could load around 500 in 1 hr.

I also cast a lot of the bullets I shoot in my handguns. But that could be another story sometime. As I have rambled on long enough.

How many other reloaders are out there and how did you decide to take the plunge.

Steve

[lakota]

When I turned 21, I bought my first handgun- a .41 Magnum Ruger Blackhawk. I bought one box of ammo too:eek: It was the last box of factory ammo I ever bought other than rimfire. I refuse to pay those exorbitant ammo prices when I can handload superior ammo for a fraction of the cost!

Scott

[Basementdweller]

I reload for the same reason handgun cartridges 10mm, 9mm, 44 mag, 357 mag, 45 colt. Rifle cartridges 17 ackley hornet, 223, 22-250.

I am a short timer....only been doing it for bout 5 years.

[Buckrun]

I wrote the above letter from work yesterday. I went and checked my dies and made a list. Here is the list I load for.
.17 Rem, .22 Hornet, .221 Fire Ball, .223, .22-250, .270 Win., .30 Herrett, .30-30, .30-06, .32 ACP, .32 H&R Mag., .32-20, .32 Winchester Special, 9mm, .357, .41 Mag., ..44 Mag., .45 ACP, .45 Long Colt.

I just bought a CZ .22 hornet that will be my new project. It will be a .17 Ackley Hornet. So there is another set of dies I will be getting. I think these will cost a little more than the normal dies.:confused:

Here are some die sets that I have duplicated. If anybody wants a set I’ll sell them for $10.00 a set. The Lee dies are like new. The .32 H&R have a price tag on them they were over $20.00. I got these die sets from a friends estate.

Lyman .270 Win. I got these off ebay. They were used when I got them but I never used them. They come with a shell holder. I thought they were going to cheep on ebay. Couldn’t let them go. I think after shipping I paid more than $10.00. :rolleyes:

Lee Carbide pistol dies with shell holder for single stage press.
.32 H&R Mag.
.38 Special
.357 Mag.
.44 Mag.
The Lee dies, if they have been used it is very little.

Steve

[countyroad320]

My dad bought a die set and reloader last summer for his .22-250 and they shoot way better than store bought for a fraction of the price. He got me a die set for my .223 for my birthday last saturday and I cannot wait to start reloading. My .223 was already accurate, but I'm sure I'll be able to shoot a freckle off a flea's butt now.

[Star1pup]

I bought the Lee Anniversay kit and have loaded 30-06 and .222 with it. I also have .38 special dies and will be getting .357 dies.

I also load shotgun with MEC Sizemaster loaders. I have one each for 12, 28 & .410.

[MadCatter]

I used to watch my dad load .243s 257robers 30-06 for deer hunting in PA ... I think I started in the 70s or so.. I have many firearms that have never seen a factory round.. I don't really think it is all that much cheaper in the long run to handload .. by the time you buy everything you need .. work up loads ect .. but to me it makes the sport much more enjoyable ... rifles I load 243 win. 308 win, 30-30, 257robers,30-06. 7mm rem mag .. Handguns which is much cheaper to handload than factory .. 38spl. 9mm, 44mag

dave

[Basementdweller]

Yep the 17 ackely dies are way more expensive.....They are custom dies. I have a redding die. Go ahead and get the case forming die too. I tried to just fire form them and it was terrible. Ruined more cases than I made. Now you still have to fire form them but it is easier on the case if you use the forming dies first. I had a little problem with the cases stretching after a couple of reloads. I just trimmed them back with no problem.

[7th]

Dad was a Green Beret Weapons man and then went to Sniper school back in the late '50s to '69 and had a very good friend that was one of the best gunsmiths in the states. With Dad gone most of my early years I spent most of my time growing up at Grandma's or Charly's gunshop (yes I even cut my first tooth there!!!!) and even had a job there by the time I was 5.
I was 5 years old and helping Dad load up some 222 Rem's when I bumped him and he was checking a powder charge. I had put the primer in upside down and was trying to get it right side up when I bumped Dad, that was his sign to push the handel down because I was not big enough to pull it down then. Well I had my finger in there (it was a old Lee Turet press) and there went my finger nail!
Dad got me into Trap shooting at 10 and I was in comp by the time I was 12. Loading for the 12 ga and 16 ga for hunting too.
I don't know the last time that I used store ammo in a rifle or handgun and will get new ammo to shoot and load for the shotguns.
I load for the .222 Rem, .223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, .243 Win, .257 Rob, 7mm-08 Rem, .280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .300 WSM, .41 Rem Mag and .44 Rem Mag. For a shotgun I do the 12 ga and 16 ga but with 4 boys that like to shot I will be getting a .410 and 20 ga loader soon.
I do have a Q for the loaders, is anyone using the 7-30 Walters? I have been looking for one for my 9 year old to deer hunt with.

[Bertke Mt. Cur]

If anyone will load .270win for me cheaper than factory ammo, I'll be a happy man! I've got a pile of once fired brass, and will buy all the bullets and powder/primers myself. I thought about reloading myself, but I don't have anyone to teach me, and don't want to blow up myself or my house!

[Star1pup]

Mt. Cur: You won't blow yourself up if you follow directions. I would recomment one of the LEE anniversary kits for less than $70. It has about everything but bullets, powder & primers. I bought one and have been loading 30-06 and .222 with no problems. I'm sure there is someone in your area who will be happy to pass on their knowledge. I think I'm too far away over here on the eastern border of Ohio.

[Bertke Mt. Cur]

Star1pup - I'll check it out. At $70 that sounds like a deal. I've shot up more than $70 worth of rounds in one afternoon!

[vvarmitr]

Buckrun: I hardly know anyone that shoots that doesn't reload. Go figure?:confused:

Bertke Mtn Cur: I have the Lee Ann' kit also. You also will need reloading manuals. Start w/ the Hornady & the Hodgen manuals plus Lees book on reloading will help too.;)

[Piebald]

to:7th,
What ya want to know about the 7-30 Waters?
I've got one in a T/C contender super 14" SS. It's a shooter! Only killed groundhogs with it. I make my own brass out of 30-30 and reload what factory casings I've picked up.

Been reloading since I was 7-8 yrs old. Born and raised in Penna on a farm and had the fortune of some on the finest firearms guys xperts living in the neighborhood. Spent many a rainy day up in top of an old barn(belonged to good family friend) reloading and shooting out of the top door at up to 300yds finding the right loads for every gun in the county(or it seemed like it) Moved to Ohio in 1979. I load for my own toys now.

Contenders:
.223
6.5JDJ#2
7-30 Waters
30/40 Krag
357 Max & mag
375JDJ
44mag
45 Colt
45/70
32-20
357 Herret
Rifles:
243
22-250
270
280(aka7mm xpress)
30/40 Krag
7.65 Argn.
30-06
7mm Mag
300 win mag
Shotguns:
20ga
12ga
10ga

I spend alot of time down in my basement!( 2 much says the wife)