mstreddy
Member
I got interested in reloading when I sat and watched one of my shop NCOs doing it. He explained to this young guy what it was all about. How he could customize ammo for his guns. One thing we would do is load pointy tips in 30-30 ammo as the first round in the mag in his lever, and IIRC he had a TC pistol with the 30-30 barrel as well. I was intrigued by it all.
A few years later I find myself shooting almost every week with some buddies, so I got a press, dies, components and got started. I was only loading 9MM at the time, but got dies for 40 and 45 ACP and started saving my brass. This was in 1988-89.
Hurricane Andrew came, I moved, but with life, etc., the press stayed put away until 2005. I brought it out, started loading. Life -- again -- got deployed, got back, got married, moved again, then I got it all going again after seeing the Banic in 09. Oh, yeah deployed again!
By 2011 I was zooming along, and then I got the LNL AP and I haven't looked back. Of course the Banic hit in 2012 and by then I can say I was glad to have everything set up and components to boot!
Since October 2012 I can say that except for 22 LR, of course, and some odd balls or smoking deals, I have barely bought or shot very much of any factory ammo. And I shoot almost every week.
I've gotten several folks interested in reloading and have mentored a few, both young and old. When someone expresses interest I always ask them about what volume they shoot, or how much they would like to shoot. And, I ask them about how good they are at following directions and paying attention to details. When asked, I provide guidance on getting started, gear, components, etc. I also point them to THR's reloading section as it is easily one of the most comprehensive resource for the hobby. I've also lent out my Lyman's 49th edition a few times. I ask them to read the applicable chapters and then come back with questions. If they don't read the material, then I know their interest is not quite there and I move on, and get my book back.
So, yeah, listen to us "old folk" and learn to reload.
A few years later I find myself shooting almost every week with some buddies, so I got a press, dies, components and got started. I was only loading 9MM at the time, but got dies for 40 and 45 ACP and started saving my brass. This was in 1988-89.
Hurricane Andrew came, I moved, but with life, etc., the press stayed put away until 2005. I brought it out, started loading. Life -- again -- got deployed, got back, got married, moved again, then I got it all going again after seeing the Banic in 09. Oh, yeah deployed again!
By 2011 I was zooming along, and then I got the LNL AP and I haven't looked back. Of course the Banic hit in 2012 and by then I can say I was glad to have everything set up and components to boot!
Since October 2012 I can say that except for 22 LR, of course, and some odd balls or smoking deals, I have barely bought or shot very much of any factory ammo. And I shoot almost every week.
I've gotten several folks interested in reloading and have mentored a few, both young and old. When someone expresses interest I always ask them about what volume they shoot, or how much they would like to shoot. And, I ask them about how good they are at following directions and paying attention to details. When asked, I provide guidance on getting started, gear, components, etc. I also point them to THR's reloading section as it is easily one of the most comprehensive resource for the hobby. I've also lent out my Lyman's 49th edition a few times. I ask them to read the applicable chapters and then come back with questions. If they don't read the material, then I know their interest is not quite there and I move on, and get my book back.
So, yeah, listen to us "old folk" and learn to reload.