Teaching reloading...

[375supermag]

Hi...
The title says it all...
I have been trying to get my son involved in reloading(he is 24 years old) for some time.
He has always declined because he believed that I would always be there to do it for him. My recent health issues have obviously made him rethink that position.
He decided he wanted to learn how to reload, so I tore my Hornady LNL progressive down and he put it back into working order. I merely watched and answered his questions.
He made all the die adjustments, set up the case feeder, primer feed system and adjusted the case activated powder measure. He loaded 250 rounds of .45ACP yesterday which we promptly shot out of four different handguns today.
This afternoon he reloaded another couple hundred rounds until he ran out of bullets.

He is absolutely hooked!
Next weekend he wants to mount my other LNL to the bench and set it up for .357Magnum reloading. We agreed that we will leave the original set up permanently in .45ACP with the large primer feed and my second LNL permanently set up in .357Mag with the small primer feed. Those are two of the cartridges we shoot almost every range trip.
Our plan going forward is to acquire a Dillon 650 and set it up initially in 10mm, which he shoots extensively. Then acquire additional toolheads for 9mm and .40 S&W.
I think I will continue to reload the other revolver calibers on my RockChucker, but it is possible we will get additional toolheads for the Dillon going forward.
I usually load .44Spl., .45Colt, .41Mag and .44Mag once or twice a year in batches of 500 except for a hundred here and there for testing and/or hunting purposes. The other few handgun calibers I load are usually only a few hundred per year.

Anyway...he caught on very quickly and is thoroughly hooked. He is very pleased with what he has learned and is confident he totally understands the LNL press. To say that I am proud of what he has accomplished over the last few weeks as regards reloading is an understatement.

 

[cheygriz]

Good on ya!

It's great to bring another person, especially family, into the addiction!

 

[Ks5shooter]

Got a 22 and 29 year old boys that have no interest in guns,reloading or hunting. You are fortunate enjoy the time.

 

[ontarget]

I have only just begun reloading. It is very interesting so far. I started with a single stage press so I can just work on some accuracy loads for my target rifle but I can see a progressive in my future for range ammo. Once I get it all figured out I hope my son wants to give it a try.
Good times OP. Good for you, and your son.

 

[FROGO207]

I teach reloading at the local private range. There is never a shortage of people wanting to learn. The key is the wanting to learn part. Then you get the message you are not wasting your breath.

 

[HOWARD J]

All my kids are gun nuts but only the oldest has any interest in reloading. I took him 50 +years to finally come around.
I set him up( his house) with a very full set of reloading equipment but only a set of 9MM dies & brass & bullet & powder----I told him he would have to wait a little longer & he would never have to buy anything.
I tried to eliminate as many caps as possible to make everyone happy.
Have a fun Christmas & a half way sober New years Eve.
HJ

 

[entropy]

I made sure both my boys knew how to do it, but neither has taken it up.

 

[frankmako]

My kids know how but don't. When they shoot they buy ammo or get some of my stuff.

 

[entropy]

Sounds familiar.

 

[Hondo 60]

Another reason for father/son time.
I remember VERY fondly the time I spent with my dad.

When I was between the ages of 5 & 12 he drove a small truck & I got to go with him on Sat/Sun trips.
As an adult I thoroughly enjoyed John Wayne movies with him

 

[Sniper66]

I would have taken one look at the torn down reloader and headed to the ammo store. Glad you have smart kid.

 

[santacruzdave]

Great story. Thanks for sharing it with us. Some traditions get passed down some don't. I cherish time with my adult kids!

 

[Big Wes]

I have a son who really enjoys shooting, I wish he would take the time to learn how to reload. I have 3 Dillons, SDB, 550 & 650 and lots of reloading tools and accessories. I'm not going to be around for ever, he needs to realize that health wise. I'm on the front door of 70 here. I hope he comes around. He's seen the difference in factory vs reloads.

 

[daboone]

I've been told one of my sons inherits all my reloading stuff. All 3 sons pay for all the components. All 3 started their handloading education before they were 8yo just like my dad with me. Now I am enjoying having my grandsons help me in this adventure.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Good on you for teaching the practice. Sorry health issues. The nice part is years down the line reloadung will always make him think of you.

I have no kids and am not likely to. I'm really hoping my nephew takes an interest, but his liberal parents aren't likely to allow that seed to grow.

Hoping I can pass on what I've learned and enjoyed so much.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I appreciate the responses...
I tried to interest my son in reloading for years before he was willing to learn. He always assumed that he could depend on me reloading for him.
We actually split the cost for my first Hornady LNL a few years ago because I told him that I couldn't continue to do all the reloading myself on my RockChucker. He offered to pay half the cost of the basic press but when we got to Cabela's he said he would split the cost of the case and bullet feeders as well.
I bought my second LNL a couple months ago at an auction...it appears to be unused.
We are going to buy a case feeder for it after the holiday season.

Probably be at least February before we split the cost of a Dillon 650. In the meantime, I hope to convince him to consider setting up the LNL with the small primer feed in 9mm as well. He shoots thousands of those through his handguns and I am pretty sure that I have convinced him that he can reload for 9mm and save money and have fun as well. The biggest issue will be buying another powder measure so we don't have to constantly adjust the measure every time we switch calibers. I want to be able to have each measure set up to dispense our preferred load for each caliber at all times. I think that would reduce the set up time for each caliber greatly...just pop in the LNL bushing and start loading.

 

[Blue68f100]

You don't need the need the whole dispenser. All you need is the adj insert/piston std ($8) or micrometer. I have some of the std inserts preset to specific loads. All you have to do is push the button to release the old and in with the new. Just make sure you have it in a position were you want dump powder.

If your using the PTX just buy the powder die/base then everything is pre set. To do this right you set the ptx stop and never adj it again, and do all of the adj non the die body. If you don't you will be adj every time you change.

 

[Olon]

That's good to hear!

Getting other folks into shooting/reloading is something special, that's for sure.

I think I've got my roommate half-hooked on shooting. He wants to go with me but hasn't shown much interest in getting a fun of his own.

Wish I could get my younger brother into it, it'd be some good quality time.

You can't make a horse drink, but you can sure ride him around until he's a thirstin!

 

[Scooter22]

My 27 yo son has been helping me reload since about 7 or 8. Now he's grown up and got himself a house last year. This year he wants reloading equipment from Santa. I talked to all the elves. He's got a bunch coming.

 

[rfwobbly]

Necessity is the mother of invention reloading !

 

[tightgroup tiger]

My son also doesn't have much of an interest in reloading, but he sure doesn't shy away from shooting mine. Unfortunately he likes "instant gratification" so I doubt he will ever want to learn. I would be amazed if he did.
I am so glad you have been able to share that experience with your son as I fear I will never have that pleasure.
Good for you and good luck.