Has anyone here quit reloading? Why?

[d33pt]

I decided reloading 223 is not worth it at the prices ammo is at right now. It takes way too long to do rifle calibers with my single stage. But I don't mind reloading pistol calibers because the brass prep is much faster.

[NiteQwill]

Never quit.

I do it in batches, an hour at a time, over the course of month.

After I'm done I'm usually set to shoot a couple month's worth of ammo (1000's of rounds).

[CodyGT46]

I started a few years ago with a simple Lee Loader since its easily portable and forces me to go slow and pay attention. I've got three of those now since I can easily take it to the range and load ammo on the fly if need be. I now have 3 of them, one for 9mm, .38 Special/.357 Magnum, and .45 Auto.

The .357 Mag and .45 Auto have saved me a lot of money just loading pleasant shooting rounds with them. The 9mm and .38 I end up just making up really hot loads or just to see what I can do.

I doubt I would ever quit. Sure life gets in the way and gets busy, but I like setting aside a little bit of time whenever I can since I find the reloading process pretty relaxing.

[Kmai24]

Never quit.

I do it in batches, an hour at a time, over the course of month.

After I'm done I'm usually set to shoot a couple month's worth of ammo (1000's of rounds).

Man, I'm not alone!! Instead of batches I call them sessions. I'll do a process a night throughout the week (clean/prep brass and everything in between). When the weekend comes I'm ready to just crank away. I only reload how much I'll shoot that weekend so anywhere from 2-400 rounds. By the way, full time job, full time father to a 1-1/2 son with a 6 month pregnant wife with 2-3 days workout sessions as well..while building other firearms to add to the mix. If you really want it that bad you'll do what it takes to make it happen. That was the point I was trying to make and not boosting. Of course a supportive wife helps a lot!!

[MarikinaMan]

The thread answers are getting better in how some have dealt with time issues. I may still do it. Thanks!

[V8MERC124]

I only load for my odd expensive stuff. 45-70 and 458 win mag and 357 mag. I only load 50 -100 at a time cause Im doing it on a single stage. I also hand load for my 7.62x39 AR.
I also cast my 45-70 bullets to get my round cost down to $0.20 per. Buying bullets can double that or at least add $0.13. Casting is the only thing I may get out of, I got maybe 20lbs of lead that I will cast into a 3 weight sizes with my double molds (modified 300gr lee mold, 405gr and 500gr spire). Then once its all casted Ill put away the tools for good probably. Casting is too time consuming and dangerous, I also do mine in a pot over propane. (Im not married and want kids some day and be there for them). But I want to shoot my 45-70 BFR for as cheap as possible!

I have been collecting all my brass 9mm shells (over 1k now) and got a set of rcbs dies for free.....but I dont want to do that on a single stage! Plus I can shoot steel case for around $0.18 - $0.21 per a round. And I think 9mm cost about $0.13 - $0.15 a round to reload (plated bullets). So a couple few pennies savings?? If I get a good deal on a second hand progressive, I might. But Ill shoot it faster than I can reload!

[Spyder]

Cheap Lee Pro 1000. Morning routine is to wake up, go hit the button on the coffee maker to start it, take a leak, and sit down and load 50 rounds while it's brewing. It adds up. Any time I've got 5 minutes of downtime, I'll pull the handle a bunch of times and just let it pile up.

Common calibers are down to a cost now where for people with careers, as opposed to just a job, the time probably isn't worth it...but if you find a way to scrape those few minutes here or there, or you need special ammo (lead free, oddball calibers), it can save a decent amount of cash.

Space and mess are significant though.

[MontClaire]

I bought table from cabelas, Hornady kit, tumbler and bullets. Never got around to even open it. No time. If anybody is interested in equipment - pm me.

[NoHeavyHitter]

I didn't quit. I went on hiatus. The first time, back in the day, .308 was so cheap it wasn't worth my time to reload. Other times, I just got bored with it. But no, I have never quit.

This^

I started reloading in 1981 and have had many instances where I was totally involved with other hobbies. That said, reloading is always a hobby that I came back to.

And yeah - to this day I've never reloaded a 7.62x39mm as it's just too cheap to buy them. However, other calibers make it totally worthwhile.

[codypaint77]

I just started

I just started reloading. I reload; 45-70, 338-06, .300 win mag, 270 wsm, soon 9.3x62.

I like it because I can precisely measure every grain of powder for accuracy. Store bought ammo is not consistent. I have removed store bought bullets and replaced them with barnes copper bullets. I removed the powder and weighed it, finding inconsistencies in grain weight.
I use the powder specific to barnes reloading.

If you do much shooting, it could save you money in the long run. Otherwise, it's cool knowing you built the cartridge.

[russ69]

Accuracy requires that you reload. That is the only reason I reload (OK it's fun also).

[dominic]

Yes, I quit relaoding when I had a very scary squib load I made. Never again.

[Paperchasin]

Many people quit different hobbies for different reasons. Reloading is a hobby by itself and isn't for everyone.

This.....

[Beelzy]

Once a Handloader, always a Handloader.

[desertjosh]

A few years back I got a hornady single stage kit. Loaded up a lot of .357 and .38spl. Then I got rid of my revolver in one of the best trades I've ever made. So I stopped reloading. I never stopped buying components though. Then I made some extra cash and bought myself a hornady lnl ap and a powered case trimmer recently. I've been slowly working through the brass prep, and haven't even cranked out one completed round yet.
If nothing else, the reloading press is like extra insurance for me. I like to know that if I needed or wanted to, I have supplies to make 1000s of rounds at will. With the political climate here in cali, I'd suggest every shooter be self-sufficient at loading. Good luck OP.
Oh ya, i have a busy life too. 2 kids 4 and 1, I work full time and have a home business as well. Reloading is cool though, I just spend an hour or so when I can sorting and prepping brass. One day I'll crank out ammo again.

One more thing, with a big American reloading ord3r my cost of reloading 9mm is down under .07/Rd using plated bullet! Hard to beat that!