Holiday reloading and returning from a long break

S

styles

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Joined
Apr 11, 2007
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246
I’m sure I’m not the only one that can’t yet enjoy shooting and reloading all year or as much as he would like to because of work and other commitments - or lack of components.

Today starts my holiday stretch and I’m getting back in action.

I can’t be the only one super excited to crank some rounds. It’s also fun to go back to setup procedures and recheck all specs like I was unboxing. I guess this is what final retirement will feel like too!

Actually, my APP has not gotten a real workout yet. I’m looking forward to that this season.

Checking some saved posts / tips / and some of Walkalong’s pictures is all part of the season ritual too! Couldn’t do it or wouldn’t have as much fun and success without all you guys sharing your years of wisdom.

Anyone else doing this? What’s your latest toy, tip, technique that you have been waiting for vacation time to try out?

I’m still buying 5.56 and 7.62 nato until retirement, but I’m looking forward to that day coming too when I have the time to roll my own.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
 
Last edited:
styles said:
I’m sure I’m not the only one that can’t yet enjoy shooting and reloading all year or as much as he would like to because of work and other commitments - or lack of components.

Today starts my holiday stretch and I’m getting back in action.

I can’t be the only one super excited to crank some rounds. It’s also fun to go back to setup procedures and recheck all specs like I was unboxing. I guess this is what final retirement will feel like too!

Actually, my APP has not gotten a real workout yet. I’m looking forward to that this season.

Checking some saved posts / tips / and some of Walkalong’s pictures is all part of the season ritual too! Couldn’t do it or wouldn’t have as much fun and success without all you guys sharing your years of wisdom.

Anyone else doing this? What’s your latest toy, tip, technique that you have been waiting for vacation time to try out?

I’m still buying 5.56 and 7.62 nato until retirement, but I’m looking forward to that day coming too when I have the time to roll my own.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Click to expand...
Yeah, I totally understand your situation. I too still work full time as a commercial diver from April through December. So my heavy reloading and shooting is still limited to late fall through early spring.
Right now I’m reloading and testing 30-30 non gas checked boolits in Marlin micro groove (what a ride), 7.62x54R, 30 carbine, Garand, and soon 6.5 Carcano and 30 Govt!
I have even looked at 7.65x53 Mauser, 7mm Mauser and .43 Spanish lately.
My slogan is “If I own it, I’m going safely reload it and shoot it”
Happy reloading ahead friend!!!!!!
 
styles said:
Checking some saved posts / tips / and some of Walkalong’s pictures is all part of the season ritual too! Couldn’t do it or wouldn’t have as much fun and success without all you guys sharing your years of wisdom.
Click to expand...

Don't think we don't learn things from you newer guys. I've been loading for over 50 yrs now and some of the things you new guys say make me think sometimes and explore something I may not have thought about before reading it.
We never stop learning, no matter how long we have be at it.

styles said:
Anyone else doing this? What’s your latest toy, tip, technique that you have been waiting for vacation time to try out?
Click to expand...

My latest toy was Lee's new 6 station press, but I had to send it back, it had too many problems, including the entire carrier assy falling off it when I tried to use it. That didn't turn me off of it or Lee for that matter. I broke my own rule, letting someone else be the Guinee pig, and took a chance at it.
Lee is wringing it out now with LiveLife and some other members.
I hope to see a really good press when they are done. I'm an eternal optimist,
When I got the refund I used the money for reloading components. I'll wait and watch. I am a patient man when it's something I'm interested in.

Merry Christmas everyone and have a safe, happy New Year.
 
Yup, still fully employed (can’t really say “gainfully” anymore) and still trying to keep up with new projects aside from reloading. We’re having a hard year and my inventory has had to be moved a couple of times. Last several experiments are still bagged up waiting for testing. I can definitely empathize.
Like @tightgroup tiger said, I may have been doing this longer but that doesn’t mean better. I have been learning a lot reading some new-to-the-hobby posts. Some guys/gals really push the envelope - sometimes too far for me - and that makes me get out of my comfort zone. That’s a good thing. :thumbup: If somebody learns from my experience, okie dokey, but I’m hardly the example anyone would want to follow. :neener:
Good luck and have a great holiday, what there is of it.
 
tightgroup tiger said:
Don't think we don't learn things from you newer guys. I've been loading for over 50 yrs now and some of the things you new guys say make me think sometimes and explore something I may not have thought about before reading it.
We never stop learning, no matter how long we have be at it.



My latest toy was Lee's new 6 station press, but I had to send it back, it had too many problems, including the entire carrier assy falling off it when I tried to use it. That didn't turn me off of it or Lee for that matter. I broke my own rule, letting someone else be the Guinee pig, and took a chance at it.
Lee is wringing it out now with LiveLife and some other members.
I hope to see a really good press when they are done. I'm an eternal optimist,
When I got the refund I used the money for reloading components. I'll wait and watch. I am a patient man when it's something I'm interested in.

Merry Christmas everyone and have a safe, happy New Year.
Click to expand...

I’m sticking with the LCT for now.
 
Spent some time reloading for the first time in 6 months. Lack of components, having a large supply of ammo on hand and the loss of interest from friends that used to shoot with me, has led to me just not needing to reload. -40 wind chill and blizzard conditions, means nuttin' to do but sit inside and watch Christmas movies, so I opted to reload some more .44 mag hunting ammo. I discovered, like many other skills with hobbies, you don't use it, you lose it. Started out fine, but then forgot how fast the flare increases with small increments of adjustment and had to resize a case because it looked like a trumpet. Then I tried to load the primer tubes for my bench primer backwards.....I was so sure I was right, even tho they did not want to cooperate. In the end, I did end up with some nice 240gr Nosler JSPs over H110 and by digging thru my stock, realized I have a lot more components on hand than I remember(even primers!) and rediscovered the new Frankfort arsenal Platinum Series powder measure I forgot I bought on sale. Don't even remember buying it since I have two RCBS Uniflows already. Maybe it was a gift?
 
I had an extended break from hand loading, unfortunately non voluntary.
Feels great to get back to it.
After loading everything on a T7, it’s fun to get my relatively new Dillon BL 550 fired up, even if it’s just 9mm.
Too many components sitting on the shelf, need to thin things out.
 
I hadn't loaded in years but loaded 100 44 magnum.....I learned one thing. I still don't like handloading. Maybe next time

Id rather watch Christmas movies.... and I hate tv, especially Christmas movies (except for lampoons and Ralphie, and peanuts). Temp was 0 today and the tractor almost said "screw you" this morning. It did relent and start though, so it will sleep in my shop tonight. Supposed to be -18 tomorrow.
 
Well… at least I’m consistent. Merry Christmas reloaders!
I actually tried to quit working (semi-retired to do some consulting) but that lasted 5 months and I took a new FT gig in October.

I would love to hear an update on the 30-30 no GC loads. @Catpop
 
Right there with you. Plenty of non-reloading things to do, but some reloading is on the list. Was scrounging for ammo before the last range trip, and came to the realization that it's been way too long since the last time the handle on the press has been pulled.
 
PO2Hammer said:
After loading everything on a T7, it’s fun to get my relatively new Dillon BL 550 fired up, even if it’s just 9mm.
Click to expand...

Some people used to scoff at reloading 9mm, saying it wasn't worth the time, ammo is cheap, etc. But they were pretty quiet when it was unavailable or very expensive. I like the fact that you can tune it to your favorite unloader, and if you have components from a few years ago, you are saving $.
 
I just started the holiday stretch, next week I'm working 2 days, then retiring on the 29th. I finished some 358Win loads last night, and will prep some brass this evening.

Plenty of reloading chores to get done, but before that there's late doe season, another couple bird hunts, then squirrels and off to OK for pigs.

I'm also afraid that my wife has a list I haven't seen yet.. she'll probably spring it on me New Year's Day. New boss, same as the old boss, sort of deal...
 
Chuck R. said:
I just started the holiday stretch, next week I'm working 2 days, then retiring on the 29th. I finished some 358Win loads last night, and will prep some brass this evening.

Plenty of reloading chores to get done, but before that there's late doe season, another couple bird hunts, then squirrels and off to OK for pigs.

I'm also afraid that my wife has a list I haven't seen yet.. she'll probably spring it on me New Year's Day. New boss, same as the old boss, sort of deal...
Click to expand...
Congrats!!!!
 
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