What Direction Is The Trend Headed For Reloading?

[hambam105]

I think the hobbyist trend for assembling reloading components into cartridges is on the decline.

What say you?

[Dreamsinger]

I think the hobbyist trend for assembling reloading components into cartridges is on the decline.



What say you?

Unlikely. Factory ammo is junk. Anyone who takes their shooting seriously can't help but reload. The best AR clambering I've found, 300HAMR, leaves me no choice but to reload. No, reloading will be with us for quite a while.

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[NapalmCheese]

I think the hobbyist trend for assembling reloading components into cartridges is on the decline.

What say you?

Only in California, and not enough to be statistically relevant.

I think for the most part reloaders are hobbyists that enjoy reloading. I think only in CA do you find reloaders that want to make ammo without having to submit to superfluous screening. I think even in CA the vast majority of reloaders are in it for the hobby or at least to keep their less popular guns shooting.

I would think very few people would take up reloading just to bypass regulation. It's easier to just make a straw purchase or run across the border.

Otherwise, nationwide, I'd guess the number of people that are interested in reloading is remaining pretty steady, maybe a slight decline just from the small percentage of DIYers dying off compared to competition shooters that practically HAVE to reload.

[the_tunaman]

Don’t know about any “trends”, but in my household it is reloads or bust. I haven’t bought anything since the new laws went into effect, and aside from stocking up on some discounted Eagle 5.7 and a case of .223 I haven’t bought any ammo in several years.

I know that there are many who have recently gotten into the game, so it doesn’t appear to be an area of decline from my observations.

[Milsurp1]

Reloading is very popular with some circles, especially those who are into long range competition and tune a load to their exact rifle. There are still quite a few people reloading 257
Roberts and other hunting cartridges up here in the PNW.

[TrappedinCalifornia]

When I started reloading about 35 years ago, it was much easier to obtain components (bullets, primers, 8 lb. powder kegs, etc.) in person, for decent prices; whether at a LGS or a gun show. Likewise, hanging out at that LGS, the gun shows, and the range, you could learn things all those years ago. In fact, that's exactly how I learned reloading. It's not as 'easy' or 'reliable' anymore and, contrary to what is claimed on this site, online buying is still not attractive to 'everyone.'

I don't know that it's led to a 'decline' so much as it is forcing people to not only be more circumspect in their buying and the available knowledge base, but many are now forced into biding their time until they can make larger, single purchases when they do gain access to a shop with stock. Even worse, people are often hesitant to foray into 'other calibers.'

I started reloading when I was shooting competition. It was the only way I could afford to get any kind of practice in. Over time, it allowed me to tailor loads to specific firearms and, overall, create more consistent and accurate ammunition. But, as with any such do-it-yourself approach, there's more of an 'up front' cost that a lot of individuals can't get past; particularly with the comparatively low price of ammunition right now.

I'm not just talking about the several hundred dollars for the basic equipment. Let's say I'm a normal duffer and want 100 rounds of .223. According to their website, I can go to the nearest Sportsman's Warehouse and pay $7 for a box of 20 in Winchester White Box .223; i.e., $35 plus tax and background check for 100 rounds. Call it a little under $40.

OR...

Assuming I have the equipment at home already, I can buy 100 Hornady 55 gr. FMJ bullets from the same place for $10.99. I can spend $32 on a pound of powder, $3.69 for primers, plus tax... Call it roughly $50. Now, add in my time to actually load them. (Yes. I will have enough powder for more than 100 rounds, but I'll have to purchase the additional bullets and primers.)

Over time, I'll actually save money by reloading; but, I have to be willing and able to pony up the extra $10 and the time to generate that first 100 rounds. Again, that is assuming I already have the basic equipment and a place I can dedicate to setting it up.

Not everyone has a Sportsman's Warehouse locally available or its equivalent; thus, the relative costs could be even higher. Few of the big box stores have people behind the counter you can rely on to ask questions of and I'd be cautious with even LGS employees anymore. While there are a plethora of YouTube videos and numerous online forums, I'm not sure that's the place I'd want to 'learn' from or rely on for answers either.

It used to be that local clubs would have reloading nights and group buys. I haven't seen as much of that in recent years. In other words, it seems to me that, in many respects, at least in this State, it comes down to similar lamentations we've seen/heard related to hunting...

There isn't (or doesn't seem to be) as much of an old guard passing on the knowledge and, as with everything else, money and relative value play essential roles.

[AGGRO]

Ditto here

I've personally shown at least 5 people how to reload recently and many more with the interest. The common theme is sick of Govt telling us what we can or cannot do. Second is cost of ammo or availibility.

[edgerly779]

I doubt OP is a reloader by the way he phrased question. I think it is increasing here in ca. I have introduced more people to reloading in last couple years than ever before.

[rcslotcar]

With the high cost of factory ammo I reload,cast and swage. I've only bought .22lr ammo in the last 8 years. I have plenty of everything to last for many years. I don't think reloading is on a decline,but buying factory is.

[NATO762]

OP, the trend is to reload as quickly as possible. As soon as the slide or bolt is locked back, press the magazine release, let the empty mag fall, and insert a full one as quickly as you can. Practice helps reduce the overall time it takes.

[champu]

But, as with any such do-it-yourself approach, there's more of an 'up front' cost that a lot of individuals can't get past; particularly with the comparatively low price of ammunition right now.

I'm not just talking about the several hundred dollars for the basic equipment. Let's say I'm a normal duffer and want 100 rounds of .223. According to their website, I can go to the nearest Sportsman's Warehouse and pay $7 for a box of 20 in Winchester White Box .223; i.e., $35 plus tax and background check for 100 rounds. Call it a little under $40.

OR...

Assuming I have the equipment at home already, I can buy 100 Hornady 55 gr. FMJ bullets from the same place for $10.99. I can spend $32 on a pound of powder, $3.69 for primers, plus tax... Call it roughly $50. Now, add in my time to actually load them. (Yes. I will have enough powder for more than 100 rounds, but I'll have to purchase the additional bullets and primers.)

Over time, I'll actually save money by reloading; but, I have to be willing and able to pony up the extra $10 and the time to generate that first 100 rounds. Again, that is assuming I already have the basic equipment and a place I can dedicate to setting it up.

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

I’m getting into it. I’ve been slowly buying equip for awhile now. I know about 3 other people personally starting up as well

[Jimi Jah]

Time is money. Cheaper ammo has gotten me off the press. Bring back one dollar .223 and I'm back on it.

I do save the brass for those occasions.

[tomk556]

I’m getting back into it after twenty years. Nice to see that primers aren’t a ton more than they were (used to be like 20 bucks for a case), nor has the price of a pound of powder gone up a ton. I will say, I feel like the cost of bullets has gone up? Maybe I’m not remembering, but when I see 40 bucks for 100 Sierra 165 grain bullets it seems high. Idk. I doubt I’ll bother with .223 or 9mm, but for revolver loads and 10mm it’s definitely worth it.

[200Apples]

I load for stuff not commonly available, like Heavy .44 Special and .41 Mag for wheelguns, .44 Mag and .45-70 for lever carbines and for specific velocities ...and to reduce the overall cost of ammo.

Soon I’ll be loading non-lead in X39 and .308, using BARNES TSX spitzers.

Add these latest, egregious ammo laws and I would think the trend in handloading would be on the rise.

I don’t load for .45 auto because the brass flies too fast and too far to pick it all up. I prob would if I started shooting competitively.