Do you remember your first handload firing?

[Peter M. Eick]

Not really. I know it was with my 30/30 using a lee loading kit and I am vaguely remembering it was with winchester 748 or 760 powder but beyond that it did not make an impression on me.

It was nearly 40 years ago, and I was dumb enough to just expect it to work. I had no idea that it might not and there was any unreasonable risk. Just follow the instructions and shoot the load.

Interesting how the perspective of the hobby has changed over the last 4 decades.

 

[brainwake]

My first load was a 270 ladder that I made after advice from this forum.

Actually, every load I have ever loaded was founded in advice from this forum. You guys have always steered me to success....so thank you.

 

[ldlfh7]

My first load was for my 308 rifle. I was scared it would blow up in my face so I set the rifle in a gun vice and tied a string to the trigger. Pulled it from 10 yards back and it went boom and the spent case looked good, showing no signs of over pressure. Since that first shot I have become more than addicted to hand loading.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Yep. They were .308 rounds with 165 grain SSTs. They actually shot very well.
Now I have guns that have never fired a factory round.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Heck, it was over 50 years ago, and you're expecting me to remember it?? It had to be a .30-06, in an M1 Garand, since that's what I started with, but as far as remembering the first one, the answer is no.

Fred

 

[tomrkba]

Yes, 45 ACP: 230 grain FMJ over 3.6 grains of Clays.

 

[pleopard]

Well it's now history. I fired off my first ever handloaded 40 rounds yesterday afternoon. Yeah, I was afraid to pull the trigger on the first one. I thought about tossing a thick blanket over it then slipping my hand underneath it to pull the trigger but ... I manned up and did it the right way. I was relieved as I noticed absolutely nothing different from firing manufacturers lead EXCEPT that my patterns were tighter ... YAY!

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I was relieved as I noticed absolutely nothing different from firing manufacturers lead EXCEPT that my patterns were tighter ... YAY!

Yeah, your quality control is probably more stringent than factories'. As handloaders, we inspect every single round (or we should). How many do you think get hand inspected at the Remington or Winchester etc plants?

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Yes I remember. It was 1976. My first reloads where 160 gr Lee cast bullets for my 1903A3. Very mild loads, like 16 gr 4198. Fired my first 2-3 shots from the hip with my eyes shut tight, Well that worked[still had 5 fingers] so I did some normal shooting. As luck would nave it, that old two groove A3 barrel loved cast bullets and I was soon shooting 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards. Thus the reloading addiction began.

 

[brainwake]

Yeah, your quality control is probably more stringent than factories'. As handloaders, we inspect every single round (or we should). How many do you think get hand inspected at the Remington or Winchester etc plants?

trickle trickle...oops...one too many grains...scoop....trickle trickle....

 

[dagger dog]

There must have been a bunch of butterflies that I didn't see packaged along with that 357 Magnum $9.50 Lee Loader, they didn't fly out until I snapped the cylinder shut on 6 of my first handloads took aim and started the squeeze on the trigger.

 

[Hondo 60]

My first was a .38 Spl.
4.4 gr of Tite Group, under a 125 gr Hornady XTP

I prayed all the way to the range

 

[wolfe]

I had loaded 9mm and went to the gun club with my 10 year old daughter. I handed her my phone and said"if this turns out bad call for help". The look on her face was priceless..


Every shot fired without incident but funny feeling.....

 

[punk427]

I remember it well. I'm sure not many 27 year olds can say they've been reloading for almost 15 years...My parents bought me a Lee single stage press kit (which I still have) a RCBS digital scale, tumbler, one shot and a couple of RCBS loading blocks for my 14th birthday. Then over the next month I acquired more stuff on my own and loaded 100 223, and 100 30-30s. I shot the 30-30s first and didn't bat an eye about slinging the lever on my win 94 an pulling the trigger. They shot great and its been an addiction sence. I load a HUGE range of rifle and pistol calibers anywhere from 10-15k a year.

 

[jwrowland77]

I had loaded 9mm and went to the gun club with my 10 year old daughter. I handed her my phone and said"if this turns out bad call for help". The look on her face was priceless..


Every shot fired without incident but funny feeling.....

It's funny you say that...because I did the same thing when I did my first range trip on loading rifle. I quizzed her on numbers to call "just in case" all the way to the range. LOL

 

[Yarddog]

Yes, Late '90s. I was loading 357 mag with H110 no tumbler. I had to use water salution. Loaded 18 rounds went to range & all went Bang, With a big fireball ; ) I was hooked..
Y/D

 

[lastofthebreed]

Yep, 243 Winchester, Revelation bolt action rifle, Lee Loader, IMR 3031, Large Rifle Primers, Sierra 100 grain bullets. My dad was convinced I was going to blow myself up so he hid behind the car when I touched the first one off.

That was over 50 years ago and I am still reloading and I still have all my fingers, God really does look after the ignorant don't he?

 

[Broken Bottles]

I should, it was only a few months ago, lol.
It was a 125g LSWC or 125g LTC over IMR 700-X and a Remington Small Pistol Magnum Primer in a .357 Remington Nickel case out of Rossi R92 lever action rifle that only 50 rounds of .38 Special through it.

I remember being so scared that I only loaded one round in the tube, I was so careful moving the action because I was worried something my go wrong. I aimed and pulled the trigger VERY slowly. BANG! The next 9 rounds were just like that. I loved hearing those bangs, it was like a giant "good job" for my ego, lol.

 

[Duckdog]

Not really, because it was a long time ago, but I sure am glad I did it. Ammo was cheap and plentiful, but I needed something to do besides sitting in front of the 3 channels we got on the tube. Also , it was a pain in the arse to get up and change the channel and adjust the rabbit ears. Man, how things have changes.

 

[JSmith]

Started reloading just over a year ago. I wanted a reduced-power target load for .44 magnum. I didn't have any butterflies about pulling the trigger because I was far below max load (according to Hodgdon's tables.) It worked so well that I'm now loading for the other 3 handgun calibers we shoot.

 

[Reefinmike]

ABSOLUTELY! that was the first day I became eligible for prosthetic fingers

actually, lots of anticipation, but after I pulled the trigger, I thought wow, that was it? and wow, I actually hit the paper!

 

[cal01]

My first reloads were 38 Specials that I loaded with my Lee Loader hand loading kit and a rubber mallet. I was all over the place as far as accuracy until I got a powder scale and quit using the powder scoop in the kit.

I still have several of those hand loading kits from Lee. I loaded more cartridges that way than I care to remember, but it worked and it kept me shooting!

Cal in TX

 

[wgaynor]

My first was .44 mag (taurus tracker). I think I held my breath and counted my fingers afterwards.

 

[hAkron]

My first was on my RCBS rock chucker. I had my expander die set way too deep and ruined my first piece of 38 special brass.

After that things went a lot better.

When I shot those first loads I closed my eyes and held my breath!

 

[deadeye dick]

The year was 1965 yup, 12 gauge with a Lee 3 piece hand loader, a bathroom scale for wad pressure and red dot powder in low brass paper first fires for trap,1 1/8 oz 7 1/2 shot. Still have the loader in the box but can't find any paper hulls. 1/2 in. nitro card 5/8 filler wad 50 lbs. wad pressure. at 75 yrs old can't remember what I had for dinner but first reload is burned in