When Did You Start: Handloading and Shooting LR

[AkleyFan]

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

I "helped" my dad load for his Winchester Model 88 in 243 - it has a high class tiger striped walnut stock from the factory, it's gorgeous. My brother has it now. Then loading for the '03A3, the 30/40 Krag and the 12 gauge. Long Range back then was to the limits of our ability and then a tad beyond. Still is for me.

 

[ARlife4me]

plenty of shooters in my family, but no reloaders to learn from. wasn't until my dad started a horse breeding business that a vet (animal) was fresh out of vet college that was an avid hunter like his whole family. i started with 44mag and 264wm in '84 (18 at the time) and reloaded only those 2 until 2 years later for my dad and his 270win. wasn't until '14 before going deep into the reloading rabbit hole that added many calibers and cartridges in the last 10 years (5.7x28fn, 9mm, 357sig, 40s/w, 10mm, 45acp, 50ae then 5.56, 243win, 6.5gren, 6.5creed, 260rem, 6.5prc, 6.8spc, 7-08rem, 7saum 300bo, 308win, 300wm, 338lm, 45-70modern lever pressures).

future cartridges will be 6dash/6br, 22creed/22-250ai, 6.8w/270wsm, 300saum/300wsm, 338-300wsm/458-300wsm, 375/408ct, 416barr and/or 50dtc/bmg. probably can't find and dtc brass or ammo? what would be awesome is 12.7x 108 or 12.7x114!

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

Early 70's while still in grade school. Now loading over 20 calibers including 5.7x28.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

Started helping my dad and granddad in the mid seventies loading shotgun shells for a Trap Shooting club, they supplied most of the shooter's with shells.
And they shot Br 600yds, using 270cal.
1.250 str. Douglas barrels, Rem and Win.
Actions, Ulnertil scopes fixed 16power.
In 1980 I moved to Texas from Pa till 1988, moved back home my granddad wasn't doing well. And this horrible sport started all over with some of my granddad's guns and reloading equipment.

 

[Greatgrandad]

plenty of shooters in my family, but no reloaders to learn from. wasn't until my dad started a horse breeding business that a vet (animal) was fresh out of vet college that was an avid hunter like his whole family. i started with 44mag and 264wm in '84 (18 at the time) and reloaded only those 2 until 2 years later for my dad and his 270win. wasn't until '14 before going deep into the reloading rabbit hole that added many calibers and cartridges in the last 10 years (5.7x28fn, 9mm, 357sig, 40s/w, 10mm, 45acp, 50ae then 5.56, 243win, 6.5gren, 6.5creed, 260rem, 6.5prc, 6.8spc, 7-08rem, 7saum 300bo, 308win, 300wm, 338lm, 45-70modern lever pressures).

future cartridges will be 6dash/6br, 22creed/22-250ai, 6.8w/270wsm, 300saum/300wsm, 338-300wsm/458-300wsm, 375/408ct, 416barr and/or 50dtc/bmg. probably can't find and dtc brass or ammo? what would be awesome is 12.7x 108 or 12.7x114!

I know the feeling. Let me just say that currently I handload for well over 50 cartridges, and it could be close to 60 by now. Usually, I'll added one or two a year, but I have slowed since Covid hit.

 

[ARlife4me]

I know the feeling. Let me just say that currently I handload for well over 50 cartridges, and it could be close to 60 by now. Usually, I'll added one or two a year, but I have slowed since Covid hit.

covid caused many things...........availability and prices.