When Did You Start: Handloading and Shooting LR

[Greatgrandad]

Just out of curiosity, when did you start:

1) Handloading - Mine was 1964

2) LR shooting (beyond 600 yards) - Early 1970's. A friend invited me to my first 800 yard shoot where I handled my first ever Palma rifle, and I've been hooked ever since.

 

[Bob Wright]

I got started late at age 44. The 22-250 then 30-06 and 7RM. After those, other cartridges like 243 and 270 for grandkids. 24 years later its winding down for me. Not as much hunting opportunity where I live but still kill lots of little orange dots running around out there. Not much meat on them.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I started handloading in 1978. I just recently threw out my original log books.

 

[dmj]

Been reloading for approximately 60 years, look in a reloading manual for the powder I was using and bullet. Pick a middle of the road load and load it to the coal they suggested. Then about 2010 found this sight and started reading and realized I didn't know squat about reloading for good enough accuracy for long range. Didn't join until 2013. Have purchased a lot of items to help improve my reloading skills. Am I a professional. No. But I have made progress. It's a deep rabbit hole but it's been an enjoyable trip and I continue to try and improve. Thank you to all the members that share and help with various issues. Have a nice day everyone and be safe.

 

[Tiny Tim]

Started when I was 12, some 46 years ago. Started with shots shells and moved into brass cartridge reloading. Didn't really have anyone to help me so I book learned. Like @dmj , this sight has helped me grow and learn as well as given me another place to put something back into.

Always greatful for the help and the laughs.

 

[ATH]

I started long range while I was in college in the late 90s with an inline muzzleloader. I tweaked it until I could shoot roughly MOA groups and hunted out to 300 yards with it, which is pretty long range with a ML given the trajectory with Pyrodex or 777. Later extended target shooting to 500 yards when the 325 FTX came out.

I started reloading at the same time I got my first centerfire rifle (300WM) in 2001. The rifle has never fired a round of factory ammo to this day.

 

[Ol' Red]

I started reloading for shotguns in high-school. Then borrowed a press and dies from a friend after I got out of the army in the early eighties. When I lived in Alaska in the mid eighties I got serious about reloading and shooting at longer distances. It's been down the rabbit hole every since. I have picked up a lot of good tips from this forum and add new and better gear all the time.

 

[str8meat]

Started when a buddy of mine put a 28" hart barrel 1.25 straight no taper on his 7 stw. First 700 yard shot I ever made then we dialed a grand and hit 5 out of 6 rounds. I probably could have retired by now if I would have just stayed home that day . It's been an expensive habit ever since 2005.

 

[speedgun]

Just out of curiosity, when did you start:

1) Handloading - Mine was 1964

2) LR shooting (beyond 600 yards) - Early 1970's. A friend invited me to my first 800 yard shoot where I handled my first ever Palma rifle, and I've been hooked ever since.

I started in 1974. I paid $75.00 for a beautiful Remington 600 in .222. It came with a soft case, a private label scope, and a little Lee Loader, with a box of premeasured scoops. Great fun! I purchased a RCBS Rockchucker press in '79, it's served me well!

 

[AkleyFan]

I started reloading with my dad in the late 60's. I started shooting long range about 1969 when I started streching the limits of my Red Ryder BB gun on sparrows (sputzies) @ 75 feet. Good times!

 

[memtb]

Just out of curiosity, when did you start:

1) Handloading - Mine was 1964

2) LR shooting (beyond 600 yards) - Early 1970's. A friend invited me to my first 800 yard shoot where I handled my first ever Palma rifle, and I've been hooked ever since.

I started hand loading in 67 (as best I can remember) @ age 15, using a Lee Loader for my .308 Winchester (Model 88 Winchester) that I bought when I was 14. I picked up a lot of pecans and mowed a few lawns, and worked at a country grocery store to get the cash.

I didn't have any mentors, just some hunting magazines and a burning desire to reload and shoot.

As far as long range hunting…..I haven't arrived there yet! memtb

 

[MagnumManiac]

Handloading shotgun only first in 1980, age 10.
Handloading rifles for targets in 1986, 1988 for everything else and comp shooting with 6.5x55 Swede and 300WM.
First LR shooting was at the same time, Military Silhouette comp, max distance was 900.

Cheers.

 

[waspocrew]

Handloading - about 12 years ago
LR shooting - probably 8 years ago.

I spent 9 years out east for medical training, so that definitely took a toll on my free time and access to ranges. Now that I'm in Montana and not in residency/fellowship anymore, the amount of shooting I do has increased quite a bit.

 

[Recon$$]

18 years old. Taught myself from books and the internet.