How to tell a potential reloader about reloading?

[mark501w]

Start with a teaching aid , your favorite loading manual of the shelf. Go through the steps with the visual aid you should be able to refine your plan quickly if they buy the book they are interested.

[tahoetarga]

30,572 to 5,429?

[ElDub1950]

Some of the publishers, or some of the talented people here should create a "So You're Thinking About Reloading" pamphlet and sell it at the gun counter for $1.95.

Just cover the things a noob should think about before starting:
Reasons people reload
Why some people shouldn't reload
Real benefits and hazards
Space & storage requirements
Basic skills: patience, minor mechanical, organization, detail oriented
Advantages/disadvantages of starting with basic equipment
Reloading rifle vs pistol cartridges
Glossary of common terms
Startup equipment check list
First step - reloading manual

Skip details, just give them the food for thought they need to consider and the questions they need to ask themselves.

[Capybara]

I write treatments for television pitches. These can be anywhere from one to twenty pages long and are a blueprint for what a show will look and feel like. At the top of the document, we include what is known as a logline. That is a one or two sentence synopsis of the treatment and the concept of the show. You need a logline or elevator pitch for reloading. Something you can get out in less than a minute. If it were me, I ask many more questions than talk.

1. Would you describe yourself as detail oriented? Are you patient? Can you concentrate for long periods of time?
2. Why are you interested in reloading? What have you heard or been told about it?
3. Would you describe yourself as having perseverance, do you stick with things until you master them?

I have told plenty of people, "Based upon what I know about you, reloading is not the hobby for you." If someone doesn't have the qualities listed above, they are a danger to themselves and others when it comes to reloading.

[NapalmCheese]

The 1 - 5 minute version:
"Reloading can be a fun and rewarding experience allowing you to tailor ammunition to just about any specific gun or situation. In short, you take your brass, pop out the old primer, put in a new primer, pour in a measured powder charge, seat a bullet and your ready to fire (with a few more details). The specifics can be found this book (choose your favorite loading manual) and you can get into a serviceable reloading setup with new equipment for a couple of hundred bucks, less if you shop around and pick up used equipment."

Then don't tell them about the countless amount of money they'll spend on one off components that they just had to try but ultimately didn't work.

[TimRB]

I think I will put together a creative drawing for a shopping list for beginners and make it into a PDF with some nice pics or artwork...

This is probably your best bet, except forget the artwork--you don't have room for that. Make up a ONE PAGE sheet that shows the major (absolutely required) reloading items. Add a sentence or two saying what each item is and why it is needed. Make a zillion copies and keep a stack on the countertop. When someone inquires, hand him one and say "Here's a good place to start."

Tim

[someoneeasy]

Just give them the basics and then ask them questions before trying to overload them with too much information. You should try to read them to see what direction you need to continue. If they have that glazed over look, take a different approach and simplify it, if it seems like they are tracking, then you could offer more.

I know we all get excited when asked about something we're interested in, but doing so could overwhelm and turn them off from reloading.

[someoneeasy]

Plus, I don't think you need to try too hard to persuade them about reloading, they're already interested, that's why they're there and asking for information.

[Twystd1]

Stilly,
For you to take the time to even try to explain the way of the "RELOADER" is laudable.

We need more peeps like you.

-T

[peacedivision]

Randall has an excellent shopping list sticky for first time reloaders

Yup, that damn match ammo is too expensive thread cost me a lot of money this year

[CSACANNONEER]

First off, I tell people that reloading is a hobby unto itself. If one doesn't want to treat it as a hobby, they are not going to continue to reload. Then, I suggest taking any reloading clinic that can be found in this forum and/or a different reloading class PRIOR to buying anything. For the old guy who wants to reload .243, it really depends on why he wants to reload. If he is going to be shooting it for. If he is shooting it for precision at 1000 yards, he might want to spend the cash on a high end press and high end dies. If he just wants it for 2moa plinking at 100 yards, a set of Lee dies and a Lee handpress should do him fine.

[1bulletBarney]

Randall has an excellent shopping list sticky for first time reloaders

[Jimi Jah]

10,000 hours. That's what I tell anyone that wants to master any subject.

[firebert]

I tell them to stay away. It's hard enough finding powders without competition from these newbies

[bubbala]

i have on occasion let people shoot my rifle with my loads. if they shoot mine better they're usually interested.