What Got You Into Reloading?

[Thomasss]

First started loading 20 gauge trap loads on my uncle's MEC Junior to save money on trap shooting. After college I would visit my bother's house and load rifle for deer hunting in either 30,06 or ,270 Win. And after 25 years of marriage, start loading pistol. 9mm, 38 Special and .357 mag. Maybe I should rephrase that and say my children took interest in target pistol shooting. The only cartridges I purchase now is 12 gauge steel and .22LR.

 

[Steve51]

My reloading beginnings were 20 & 12 gauge shotshells on a MEC 600 Jr. to lower the cost of shooting clay pigeons.
Expanded to .32 H & R magnum a few years later - hard to find and expensive factory ammo. Just kept expanding from there.
Now the only factory ammo I purchase is rimfire and .410 shot shells.

 

[CavalierLeif]

Appreciate all the replies. It's great to hear your stories.

 

[cfullgraf]

I got into reloading around 1980. Mostly, it was to reduce the cost of ammunition. I could load 38 Special or 380 ACP for a lower cost per round as 22LR.

I learned that I liked reloading and I could keep supplies on hand and rarely suffer a shortage of ammunition.

Time spent reloading was enjoyable.

Also, I have enjoyed working with obsolete cartridges (6.5x54 Kurz Mauser) and some wildcat cartridges (38/45 Clerke, 7mm International Rimmed, 22x6.8 SPC, 22 BR, 300 BO back when it was new).

 

[Nasty Canasta]

45 Colt & a Lee nutcracker got it started

 

[jmorris]

Changed over my Dillion SDB, from .357 to .45 ACP, it comes with a Flat seater, should work great for LSWC 200 grainers

Zombie Kid Likes Turtles

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[tygranch]

A friend convinced me to give high power a try in the early 90's (I was around 33) and I was hooked. He was kind enough to loan me an extra M1A and some ammo to practice a little and shoot my first match. Afterwards, he told me unless I had barrels of money laying around I needed to start loading my own. He let me use his old Hollywood press, with supervision, to load until he felt I was safe to load on my own. An RCBS Rockchucker kit, a case of WLR, a couple thousand LC once fired cases, 1000 Sierra 168 MK's and an 8 pound jug of IMR 4895 and was on my way. These days I load almost all my centerfire. No shotgun, don't shoot enough, and of course rimfire.

 

[GW Staar]

Just got married, bought my first deer rifle, (.243W Remington 600 Mohawk carbine for $105), bought my first box of ammo at the outrageous price of 5 dollars. Got my first Gander Mountain catalog in the mail......bought a Target Lee Loader for $18.95. After the first box loaded with that, boxed it up and bought an RCBS RockChucker press, from the same Gander Mountain catalog........Boy I'm old...... One year later, bought a Ruger .45 long barrel convertible.....so I could reload .45acp and .45colt.

 

[Pottimus]

A generous bore in my .303 got me into casting.

 

[HowardC]

In 1972 bought a Win M64A 30-30 and a Ruger .357 Blackhawk. A co-worker showed me how to load at his house and soon I had a pretty complete Herter's setup. I was loading 30-30 and 38 spl for a $53 investment. Press, scale, dies and a cartridge length gauge. Powder was ~$ 4.50 a lb, bullets around 6-7 bucks a hundred, and I don't remember how much primers were, maybe 1-2 cents. I trimmed cases with a file (not too square.....) I was never a big volume reloader but got to point where I keep 8 rifles fed, and 4 pistols running. Set up an operation at home and one at the old home ranch so I could load and test immediately. I still run the Herter's equipment; the Model 5 torsion wire scale is my main scale. Added a Rockchucker at home and at ranch, along wlth various trimmers, powder dispensers and the usual accoutrements. It's been a good run.
-West out

 

[Mercy Me]

Learned from my grandpa as well as hunting and fishing.

 

[Mercy Me]

Bill Clinton, Dianne Feinstein and Sarah Brady provided all the motivation I needed in ‘94.

That’s another great way to explain it.

 

[nhcruffler]

Back in 1980 a friend (later becomes bro in law) owed me $120. I realized that he would never come up with the cash. I accepted an odd looking rifle of unknown caliber in lieu of the cash. It took me quite some time before I figured out that it was a SanteFe sporterized MAS Mdl 36 in 7.5x54. Saw an add in Shotgun News and had a fellow send me some necked up 6.5x55 swiss . Ammo was not exactly available at my local GS. After that I bought a lee single stage press that I use to this day.

 

[Mercy Me]

I was a 15 y/o skeet shooter back in the late 70's/early 80's. 100 to 150 12 ga. shells a week adds up fast. Got a deal on a used Mec 600 Jr. from an old fellow who'd had to give up the game (got his Japanese made Winchester 101 Skeet gun as well).

About this same time Dad acquired a Rock Chucker to load for his Super Blackhawk.

I spent lots of time with both presses.

 

[sparkyv]

Curiosity, a new challenge and a Prepper mentality.

 

[zeke]

Wanting to shoot more, then wanting to reload for expensive caliber, then wanting loads tailored to needs, then wanting to shoot during shortages. While components re expensive now, at least most are available. As some often say, we are only ever an election away from being able to even find factory rounds and reloading supplies.