To Reload or Sell Everything?

[sargenv]

When I started reloading.. I did it completely on my own.. this was pre-internet in the mid-late 80's. Books were all that I had.. I had no one to consult except the Speer, Hodgdon, and Sierra manuals. I subscribed at the time to Shooting times and Handloader magazines.. That was about it.. Now it's 28 years later and I still have my old Rock Chucker and a 650 that wife bought me 18 years ago (Still have the wife too).

I say forge ahead.. there are lots of willing people here ready to answer your questions.. There is lots of data available online.. and you no longer have to depend on manuals that are out of date as soon as they are published.. what's not to like?

[CGT80]

Try the reloading again!

I would be willing to give you advice or pointers if you needed a local reloading buddy. I live in Fontana and have a membership at West End Gun Club (2 miles from the 15 and Sierra Ave.), and can shoot for free whenever I want.

I have been shooting and reloading for 20+ years. My presses include a cheap lee single stage, Hollywood 12 position Universal turret, dillon 550 and casefeeder, dillon 1050 and bullet feeder (for 9mm).

For casting boolits, I use a lee 20 pound bottom pour and a home built PID control box for the temp control. I started with lee molds and now use custom made molds. This year, I got into powder coating my pistol boolits.

My favorite shooting is action pistol matches, 3 gun matches, and lever action silhouette matches, which all take place at WEGC. Sometimes I will go and just try out different loads or just plink and target shoot. 30-30 ammo costs me around 7 cents per round to reload and it is good enough to win the lever action matches, if I do my part. Next weekend is 3 gun and lever action (spectators welcome, and it is open for the public to shoot the matches). Today was LESA (basically 3 gun) but I was too lazy to get up early.

The OCD can help in shooting and reloading. I am not into trying to get the smallest groups, but I am about making good ammo that gets me results and I like to load efficiently, without spending a fortune. My 550 is converted to be able to feed rifle brass. I fabricated my own trimmer motor base and use a $43 trimmer tool. It is quick to use, but costs far less than the top end trimmers on the market. Four and five cavity molds are my favorites for making boolits and I can do 800 bullets in an evening when I get on a roll, then I won't need to cast that boolit again for a long time. Reloading is fun, but boring at the same time.

I don't have a reloading buddy right now. I was hanging out with another guy that I was teaching (he didn't have any of his own gear), but I felt our interests were too different and I didn't enjoy hanging out with him all that much (although he was a good person and tried to make sure I was compensated for taking the time to teach him). I taught a roommate/family friend to do some reloading and we used to shoot together, but they became a leach and we had to send them packing. My brother hasn't gone shooting since Jan 1st, but he reloads at my place as needed.

I would be willing to hang out at the range (you get to shoot for free as my guest) with you OP, and if I get a good vibe (safe shooter, get along well enough) I would be willing to help you get back into reloading.

[SuperSet]

I know some people love reloading and for sure, definitely do it.
I've reloaded 10s of thousands of rounds and hated it so sold all of my equipment a couple years back. Buying reloads now and love the time savings.

[Cdcrofficer]

I'm the same way. Don't have too much time on my hands so I'm currently trying to sell my brand new hornady lock n load press. It's worth reloading if you actually have time.

[pacrat]

Not sure about the progressive. But a Rock Chucker is a big chunk of steel. Other than making it real ugly, I don't see a house fire doing damage some elbow grease with oil and steel wool and a paint job couldn't fix.

But then again, look at my handle, I don't throw anything usefull away.

JM2c

[Sunday]

Buy a Dillon press

A 550 Dillon press.

[uhlan1]

Reloading is a great hedge against the dimwits in DC and Sacramento. It gives you independence.
It is enjoyable.
Quality is greater.
You will save money, or in my case, be able to afford to shoot more.

I just don't see a down side.

[8mmFMJ]

Reloading is a great hedge against the dimwits in DC and Sacramento. It gives you independence.
It is enjoyable.
Quality is greater.
You will save money, or in my case, be able to afford to shoot more.

I just don't see a down side.

Less components for me!

[bohoki]

what calibers you want to load right now?

i'm a cheapskate so i even cast and reload for 9mm

if you have the 300 win mag all that stuff is paid for in like 10 boxes of ammo

you have a good itrader sell off what you don't want

if i were you i would not reload for 9,40,45acp

i would for 44mag 45colt

keep the dies for any rifles you have and single stage it

[orangeusa]

what calibers you want to load right now?

i'm a cheapskate so i even cast and reload for 9mm

if you have the 300 win mag all that stuff is paid for in like 10 boxes of ammo

you have a good itrader sell off what you don't want

if i were you i would not reload for 9,40,45acp

i would for 44mag 45colt

keep the dies for any rifles you have and single stage it

I started that way 45colt, 44remmag. Hmm. Lets try 357. Hmm lets try 45acp. 9mm and finally 40.

Lee Classic Turret works well for my needs. I don't shoot enough to keep up with the number of loads I make. And I do enjoy loading probably more than shooting. As an Engineer - we are almost forced to act OCD to design reliable products. Same for loading.

Others have different needs.
.

[uhlan1]

Less components for me!

Hmmm...you got a point.