Handloading - How Many and How Long?

[sturner]

That's my next loading adventure. I've never got into shotshell loading but wanna give it shot.

I will save you some trouble go the gas check route and not the plastic container route

 

[Comanche41]

Started with a 12 gauge Lee Loader around '65 or '66. Over the years have loaded 20 gauge, 22-250, 270, 30-06, 243, 38 Spl. Currently loading for 6.5 CM, 300 BLK, 38 Spl. Also have set up for 308 and 243 for the kids and grandkids.

 

[Comanche41]

Started with a 12 gauge Lee Loader around '65 or '66. Over the years have loaded 20 gauge, 22-250, 270, 30-06, 243, 38 Spl. Currently loading for 6.5 CM, 300 BLK, 38 Spl. Also have set up for 308 and 243 for the kids and grandkids.

 

[emp1953]

Just a simple poll on the number of cartridges you currently load for, when you began, and what was the first cartridge/shell you began loading?

If you once did but no longer load for a specific cartridge/s, tell us why you stopped.

Currently, I load for 52 cartridges, and I began in 1973 with 12ga shells then moved up to 357/38 pistol and 30-06 rifle.

started with 12ga on a Lee Load All at age 18 in 1970. A local gunshop talked me into an RCBS reloading kit when I bought my 30-06 from him. I still have and use that same Lee Load All except that I put powder in using my Uniflow. I still have and use that same RCBS loading kit except that I bought a replacement RCBS balance scale and I still hunt with that first 30-06.... I load for 12ga, 20ga, 410ga, 30-06, 30-30, .308, .270win, .243win, 8mm Mauser, .44mag, .357/.28, .45acp, 9mm. I stopped loading 10ga and now occasionally buy a factory box. That side by side is too heavy to carry around.

 

[FEENIX]

I have been reloading for nearly 5 decades. Some of the cartridges I load are:

- 9MM
- 10MM
- 44 RM
- .223/556
- 257 WBY
- 6.5 CM. 6.5x55, .264 WM
- .270 Win, 270 AI
- 7MM SAUM (I have dies for 7MM RM, 7MM STW)
- 7.62x39, .30 M1, .30-30, .30-06, .30 Gibbs, .300 WSM, .300 WM, .30 LARA (I have dies for .308 Win, .300 WBY )
- .338 WM, .338 Thor (I have dies for .338 NM)
- I have dies for .35 Whelen

 

[baldhunter]

I load for:
7mag
7STW
308 Win
30-06
300WSM
308 Norma Mag
300 Win Mag
338-06
338 Win Mag
35 Whelen
My Dad was reloading in the 60's and I was always looking over his shoulder and loved to help him.I find it nice to be able to pick a cartridge and load for it,especially when you look at today's ammo prices and you've been doing it a long time and you bought your stuff at yesteryear's prices.I'd hate to have to be just getting into reloading.It has become way more expensive in just a few short years.

 

[justinp61]

I checked the 1-5, as I only load 5 metallic cartridges, two rifle calibers and 3 pistol calibers, I also load 4 gauges of shot shells. My brother started loading 12 gauge when I was 11 or 12 so I got a Lee loader for my 410, then when I was 15 or 16, I picked up a lee loader for my 30-06, I'm 62 now. About 50 years, where does time go?

 

[stevencraig]

Started in '77 with 25-06, have added 224 valk., 257wby, 270wsm, 300wby, 338win mag, 416 rigby. Just finished 6000rds 556 over the summer

 

[lancetkenyon]

I started hand loading about 25 years ago. I now load for about 45 different CF cartridges.

I do not load for my shotguns (20, 16, 12ga), .22LR, or my pistols (9mm & .45ACP).
I trade my brother for those. I load for his .223 AR and his hunting rifles (.270Win and 6.5PRC), and he loads for my pistols. Shotguns I buy cases at a time.

 

[Moondoggie]

View attachment 493883
LOL...
I know, I know... I'm a "conspiracy theorist". With all the new talk about regulating and tracking smokeless powder stored in homes, I'm certainly not going to make it easier for them to "find a reason" to come looking. I'm also the kind of guy that photoshops out the serial numbers in all my gun pictures just because it's nobodies business but my own.

Definitely another rabbit hole. I can't even go to the 'local' 11miles dollar general and buy a carton of beer without them scanning my D.L. Can you imagine what 'they' can track with global currency? I'd much rather be a wolf than a sheep…

 

[lyotehunter]

After getting out of the army I started in 1973. Ammunition was cheap so I bought factory ammunition and then used the brass to reload. At the time I used Winchester ammo just because the brass was good. 22-250 ammo was 2.98 a box.

 

[wirehead]

Have been reloading 12 and 20 gauge for 30+ years. My dad taught me - I can still remember hammering out shells the night before dove season… I would load the wads on the MEC.
Now I'm all in loading for my and my dad's (and daughter's) rifles.

20 ga
12 ga
7 mag
30-06 (2 rifles)
300 wsm
6.5 grendel
6.5 creedmor
22-250
220 swift

Been a ton of fun.

 

[pgothro]

Started back in 1970, at least that is the date on my first manual Sierra. Yes, things have really changed, many presses, case cleaning major prepping, and automated powder dispenser. Started also with a Lee hand loader that I still have as well as my dads Lyman hand presses.

 

[Moondoggie]

I started learning shotshell back in early 70's on a lee press, was friends Dad. Spent many an afternoon after school pulling that lever. Lot's of dove and quail back then. Since then I always wanted to get back into handloading. 4 years ago I bought a MEC, and while looking for components, saw a RCBS rebel and took it home. Currently building a 16 x 24 climate controlled 'doghouse' to house it all, so wife can have the spare bedroom back.
12 gauge
9mm
45acp
44 mag
5.56
220 swift
25-06
6.5 cm
30-30
30-06

what's next? Some more calibers that my 3 sons and I have. And, I really want to start casting bullets and buckshot.