Old Question - New Poll

[Pottimus]

At some point you are just pulling a handle, pouring lead or some other mundane, repetitive action. It is what we call consistency. But the unfinished pile becomes your gleaming finished product.
I am an 80% shooter with a solid 96% brass recovery. I am thinking if I practice, I can get my recovery percent higher.

 

[Jim Watson]

While I consider reloading to be something to do to get ready to go shooting, sometimes like now, I get an itchy hand and think "Why am I not loading ammo today?" Well, right now it is because I have plenty on hand and some components in low stock. I figure I will wait until after the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Pre Christmas, Post Christmas, New Years sales to order bullets.

If I won the lottery, I would probably keep loading to use up components on hand, then keep ammo on order from a reputable source.

 

[bigpower491]

Been a rewarding hobby for more than 3 decades. I can see where it would be a chore, especially when things don't go right. But a little patience usually puts the chore part to rest. Like anything else, you'll run into issues here and there

 

[starnbar]

Been reloading since early 70s I was fortunate to have a neighbor who was friends with Charlie Askins man he had some wild stories.

 

[mdi]

I handload because I enjoy it. All aspects. I'm retired, so, I have plenty of time. I'm never in a rush. Certainly not a chore.

Me too. All of it from research to boxing handloads and recording load.

Hint; "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time". If I had 500 cases to prime, I certainly wouldn't try to do it all at one time. I pulled about 100 or so bullets from some HXP I had, but I broke it up in "comfortable" steps. I would pull as many as I felt like doing at one time and I did not count the cartridges processed. Don't remember how long it took, but I was in my shop playing "Mr Reloader" having fun. I'm a batch loader and never in a hurry, so if I prime 20 or do 50+ it's all good (and by batch reloading until I "done enuf" I rarely make mistakes)...

 

[Bazoo]

I trimmed 450 pieces of 44 mag brass down to 44 special. Took me a year... I ain’t in a hurry. Going to anneal them next, as they let soot to the heads.

About the most I’ve primed at once is 300.

I generally load 100-200 at a time.

 

[Buzznrose]

I’ve gotten back into it these last few years to see if it was a hobby I’d enjoy in my latter years (turn 60 soon). I will retire from working full time in a few years and figured it might be something I’d want to do. My plan was by the time I retired I did not want to buy range ammo anymore, and have it stacked deep enough to shoot as much as I want, to include bringing friends and family. I do not let anyone shoot my reloads, but having them allows me to save my commercial ammo when I shoot.

After a few years of learning and getting proficient with it, I’m leaning towards hanging it up. I have other things I’ve committed to and getting more involved with.

My current plan is to use up my on-hand reloading supplies over the winter by loading several thousand 9MM, 10MM, and .38/.357 rounds to add to the cache and reevaluate.

May sell my gear, may not. But I’m definitely a “reload to shoot” kinda guy.

 

[Buzznrose]

Also want to add…y’all on this forum have been so helpful and supportive of my questions and comments. I really have learned a LOT from you guys.
THANKS!!!!

Buzz

 

[Electrod47]

Loading for me started as a necessity. Discovered I really enjoyed it. Now after nearly 50 years I recognize it for what it really was to me. Genuine Therapy.
All of life's ups and downs through the decades were flattened out tinkering at the bench for a couple hours.

 

[CQB45ACP]

While I consider reloading to be something to do to get ready to go shooting, sometimes like now, I get an itchy hand and think "Why am I not loading ammo today?" Well, right now it is because I have plenty on hand and some components in low stock. I figure I will wait until after the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Pre Christmas, Post Christmas, New Years sales to order bullets.

If I won the lottery, I would probably keep loading to use up components on hand, then keep ammo on order from a reputable source.

Didn’t realize you were disreputable!

 

[Hangingrock]

Reloading is a necessary chore. I do it in order to shoot. There is no pleasure in the process of doing it.

 

[crestoncowboy]

I started (trying) to reload in 2020, as a hobby. Extra ammo for shooting was a partial motivation, but mostly something to do. I answered hobby with some strain primarily because of the component shortage. I enjoy the process but would like to have more opportunity to try different stuff versus just what's available.

Well.....I have only reloaded for a bit over 20 years but I can tell you that you picked the sorriest time in at least 20 some years to start. Lol. Most of that time primers were all stocked and 39.99/1000 for win/cci/fed was the standard high price. Cheaper at many places. Even at Walmart. Powder was completely stocked too but the prices I paid over 20 years ago were in the 20s a lb. So it's not quadrupled at least. I believe my first lb was 4895 in a metal container for 20 bucks.

 

[.38 Special]

In my competition days it was a chore. I need xxxx number of rounds so I've got to pull the lever xxxx times - and clean up spilled powder and fix the jammed primer feed and...

Now I might spend a day busting pinecones and burn through fifty rounds of .44 Special. Reloading those empties on a single stage - or even a Lyman 310, sitting by the fireplace - is a pleasure.

 

[Bazoo]

In my competition days it was a chore. I need xxxx number of rounds so I've got to pull the level xxxx times - and clean up spilled powder and fix the jammed primer feed and...

Now I might spend a day busting pinecones and burn through fifty rounds of .44 Special. Reloading those empties on a single stage - or even a Lyman 310, sitting by the fireplace - is a pleasure.

Wish I had some conifer forests to prowl. Man, loading by the fire sounds good though. I’ve never done that. Closest I get is the wood stove, and I don’t load by it. Have processed brass some with the hand press. Maybe I should setup on a stump outside and have a campfire.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Ha! I'm itching to do that very thing!

Got my hands on 150 new Starline .45 colt then loaded and shot em for my 1st time with this caliber.

Loaded them back up and can't wait to empty them again so I can start all over![

I trimmed 450 pieces of 44 mag brass down to 44 special. Took me a year... I ain’t in a hurry. Going to anneal them next, as they let soot to the heads.

About the most I’ve primed at once is 300.

I generally load 100-200 at a time.

lol! I would have traded you .44 S for mags!

 

[ballman6711]

Reloading those empties on a single stage - or even a Lyman 310, sitting by the fireplace - is a pleasure.

Man, loading by the fire sounds good though

I have an electric wood stove (fake fire wood stove) in my reloading room. Not a real fire, but it puts out heat and has a "feel" that makes reloading enjoyable when the weather is cold. I really like it when it's snowing, I have the "fireplace" going and the window is right there, just kind of magical.

AND therapeutic!!!

chris

 

[.38 Special]

I have some fine memories of sitting by the fireplace (or the campfire) and loading rounds one at a time, just like Elmer and Skeeter. Honestly, twenty-four rounds is plenty on the tong tool - and takes about as long as several hundred on the progressive - but it's a fine way to pass the time and refill the belt loops.

 

[Bazoo]

lol! I would have traded you .44 S for mags!

This was all hornady short brass, I figured nobody would want it anyways. I bought it and was told sure it’s all regular length. Nope. About 2 pieces was regular length and all the rest was short by .020. I used it in magnum a while until I switched to my Blackhawk in 44 special. Then I decided to trim it since things were scarce at the time.

 

[AJC1]

This was all hornady short brass, I figured. I body would want it anyways. I bought it and was told sure it’s all regular length. Nope. About 2 pieces was regular length and all the rest was short by .020. I used it in magnum a while until I switched to my Blackhawk in 44 special. Then I decided to trim it since things were scarce at the time.

That's about what good the lever revolution cases are. No special in 45-70 so I give those away....

 

[Bazoo]

That's about what good the lever revolution cases are. No special in 45-70 so I give those away....

I believe of I was blessed to have a 45/70, and I happened into some short hornady brass, I’d keep and load it. And I’d just get a second set of dies die it. I dealt with the same with the 44 mag short brass. It wasn’t too big of a pain. I needed the brass though.

 

[dcarr]

love to shoot
love to reload
live in fear that my wife, who i also love, will discover what this is costing

 

[BushMaster-15]

Cheapest foreign primers at a gun show--------to--------most expensive rifle magnums on Gunbroker.......!!!!

C'mon man, not really comparing apples to apples with that statement.
I don't doubt the cheap Tula's at $15/k 5 years ago, but the current prices are much less than $150/k....they are listed on the forum's component thread at $75/k

Reloading Primers – Reloading Unlimited

NO : I was paying under $15.00 per K , for Fed Regular 210 LRP ,hence $75.50 Per 5 Thousand after taxes . I've Never bought anything other than Win. CCI , Federal , and S&B ,although just recently purchased 1 1/2 Remington SPP's for $5.20 per Hundred at Sportsman's . I compared what I PAID ,not what anyone else or retail pricing was and currently what's listed on Bruno Supply ; although Now I see NO 5K lots listed period . You check the link and do the math and show all of us where I'm mistaken Please .

FYI : Magnum primers were + $2.50 per 5K as were Match upon MY last major purchase .

https://www.brunoshooters.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=primers

 

[Soonerpesek]

You check the link and do the math and show all of us where I'm mistaken Please .

You stated that primers now are $750/5k in your post…….If that’s true, I will consider driving to your house and deliver 20,000 to you at the steal deal of $125/k…..
If you can’t find primers for much less than $150/k……..you aren’t even trying…!
Look again at the link I provided….$72.99/k….still high priced, but nothing compared to what you state so firmly….

 

[Soonerpesek]

Primers are I believe EVERY RE-LOADERS nightmare . #5 years ago $75.50 per 5K ,Now $750.00 per 5K What went south !.

Here is your post again…. Just in case you forgot…

 

[Catpop]

It’s the age old question, which came first the chicken or the egg (biblically I know the answer)

Do I shoot to reload or do I reload to shoot.

I enjoy reloading and I enjoy shooting.

But which do I enjoy more?

That’s the question I’ve never been able to nail down.

It appears much more testing in in order!
And the quest continues!