WHY DO YOU HANDLOAD?

5knives · 03-26-2006, 08:32 PM

Personally, I've been handloading and reloading for just over 50 years.

Originally because I simply could not afford enough "store bought" ammiuinition to do as much shooting as I wanted to.

Later because I could put together a more accurate round than I could buy.
A round tailored as best I could to my specific Rifle, Handgun or Shotgun.

Today it's a little of both.

Because there's still something mighty satisfying about sitting down to that roast venison dinner when you know you not only hunted well but made the round that harvested the dinner.

Why do YOU Handload?

Regards,

Preacher · 03-26-2006, 08:39 PM

Like you said, mostly for the accuracy. Cost does come into play also. Especially for my 300 Win Mag.

ptannjr · 03-26-2006, 08:43 PM

I have not yet but will eventually for the $ aspect and the pride of the hobbie, and control i guess

wc846 · 03-26-2006, 09:58 PM

I love the smell of a freshly opened 25 lb keg of powder..

5knives · 03-26-2006, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wc846

I love the smell of a freshly opened 25 lb keg of powder..:

Well Said!

But careful, we don't want these other guys to find out about the habit forming part!

Ahh! the smell of fresh nitro fumes in the early morning hours!

And 25 pound kegs are no joke to a shotgunner (or a 45/70 shooter)!

Pogo knows!

Regards,

Bradrock · 03-26-2006, 11:50 PM

I started around 1970 because the first custom Mauser I built was in 458 American & you HAD to roll your own. I sold my reloading stuff when I got married, but I'm ready to start up again. Just can't decide whether to get RCBS equiptment like I had before, or Go with Dillon? I've been getting the " Blue Press" flyers for awhile. I don't quite understand the tool holders or whatever they call them? They have some nice looking gals in there though!

wc846 · 03-27-2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradrock

I started around 1970 because the first custom Mauser I built was in 458 American & you HAD to roll your own. I sold my reloading stuff when I got married, but I'm ready to start up again. Just can't decide whether to get RCBS equiptment like I had before, or Go with Dillon? I've been getting the " Blue Press" flyers for awhile. I don't quite understand the tool holders or whatever they call them? They have some nice looking gals in there though!

i would get both, the rcbs for the calibers you only load a hundred or so of and the dillon for the mass production. i use the rcbs for all my target and deer rifle loads, and the dillon for all the handgun and .223's. you can really pump out the shells with the dillon..

WFO2 · 03-27-2006, 12:40 AM

I got into it this year because it is a skil I thought I should have.......I have also found that it takes enough of my attention to push out stressful thoughts and help me to relax...........

Rew · 03-27-2006, 02:01 AM

Few reasons, with some calibers like the .357, .44mag or 30-06, to name only a few, reloading saves money. In the 10mm or 8mm Mauser not only does it save money, it is hard to find factory full power loads. The .223/5.56 is cheap with surplus. But I build a match grade varmint rifle that I want to ring every bit of accuracy from. I have a load just for that rifle and the brass is kept separate from the brass used for the other 3 rifles of that caliber. Really not much reason to load shotgun ammo, but I do it anyway just because. I also cast most of the bullets I reload, both rifle and handgun, except in caliber's like 30-06 and .223. However I do have a cast bullet load for the .308, 30-30 and all my handguns. If I could figure out a way to build a short shot tower I would cast for my shotguns.

5knives you have been busy, I'm a little embarrassed.

03-26-2006, 08:32 PM	#1
5knives KaBoom Kontrol Modulator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado, Western Slope Posts: 16,229	WHY DO YOU HANDLOAD? Personally, I've been handloading and reloading for just over 50 years. Originally because I simply could not afford enough "store bought" ammiuinition to do as much shooting as I wanted to. Later because I could put together a more accurate round than I could buy. A round tailored as best I could to my specific Rifle, Handgun or Shotgun. Today it's a little of both. Because there's still something mighty satisfying about sitting down to that roast venison dinner when you know you not only hunted well but made the round that harvested the dinner. Why do YOU Handload? Regards,

03-26-2006, 08:39 PM	#2
Preacher Chaplain/Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 11,321	Like you said, mostly for the accuracy. Cost does come into play also. Especially for my 300 Win Mag. __________________ You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done. Ronald Reagan - 1964 ------------------------------------- Bunker Member #4.

03-27-2006, 02:01 AM	#9
Rew Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 9,710	Why do I handload? Few reasons, with some calibers like the .357, .44mag or 30-06, to name only a few, reloading saves money. In the 10mm or 8mm Mauser not only does it save money, it is hard to find factory full power loads. The .223/5.56 is cheap with surplus. But I build a match grade varmint rifle that I want to ring every bit of accuracy from. I have a load just for that rifle and the brass is kept separate from the brass used for the other 3 rifles of that caliber. Really not much reason to load shotgun ammo, but I do it anyway just because. I also cast most of the bullets I reload, both rifle and handgun, except in caliber's like 30-06 and .223. However I do have a cast bullet load for the .308, 30-30 and all my handguns. If I could figure out a way to build a short shot tower I would cast for my shotguns. 5knives you have been busy, I'm a little embarrassed. Last edited by Rew; 03-27-2006 at 02:03 AM.

03-26-2006, 08:43 PM	#3
ptannjr Just a dude! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ocala, Fl Posts: 6,059	I have not yet but will eventually for the $ aspect and the pride of the hobbie, and control i guess

03-26-2006, 09:58 PM	#4
wc846 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: 50 mi east of picsburg Posts: 1,418	I love the smell of a freshly opened 25 lb keg of powder..

03-26-2006, 11:50 PM	#6
Bradrock Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mo./ Ark. line Posts: 88	I started around 1970 because the first custom Mauser I built was in 458 American & you HAD to roll your own. I sold my reloading stuff when I got married, but I'm ready to start up again. Just can't decide whether to get RCBS equiptment like I had before, or Go with Dillon? I've been getting the " Blue Press" flyers for awhile. I don't quite understand the tool holders or whatever they call them? They have some nice looking gals in there though!

03-27-2006, 12:40 AM	#8
WFO2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Heart Of Texas Posts: 2,187	I got into it this year because it is a skil I thought I should have.......I have also found that it takes enough of my attention to push out stressful thoughts and help me to relax...........