How many are handloaders?

[Sourdough]

I started reloading for my dad.(He must of had a death wish) He would have his 1917 Enfield aimed out of the right hand back seat of our 34 ford and I would be reloading with a lyman tong tool and a old powder measure he inherited from his dad from the left hand seat. I thought the car had blown up the first time he fired! No hearing protection in those days. That was some time in the late 40s.

 

[wrtanker]

My buddy and I used to reload back in our teens and early 20's. We loaded pistol and .30 carbine. We shared an RCBS Jr (now Partner) single stage press. One would work the press for awhile while the other read Micky Spillane novels aloud, then we would switch. Those were good times. We still supplemented our reloads with new ammo just to keep getting fresh brass. I still have the dies but he has the press and we haven't seen each other in many years. I'm still saving brass and will be getting back into reloading soon (I hope!).

 

[whuggins]

I started reloading back in 1968, Shotgun 12 guage with a Texan reloader, pistol 38 special and 357 magnum RCBS single stage press. Later moving on to adding in 1976 .223, 30-30, 243, 300 Savage, 308, 30-06, 270 Winchester, 45 ACP, 45 Long Colt, 44 Magnum. A few years back also added 40 S&W. I now have and still use the old Texan reloader for my 12 guage. They don't build shotgun presses like they did back in the 60s. RCBS single stage press and Dillon 550. I reload more for my 2 AR-15s then anything else. With about 5000 rounds each in stock. Around 1000 rounds each for all my hand guns. All the rest of my rifles I have about 500 rounds each. Shotgun, I do most of my reloading for it just before dove season. Big here in West Texas. I waiting for my new AR-15 setup for the new 6.8 SPC. I have the reloading parts for 6.8 SPC but still waiting for the weapon. Vender said it should be here this week.

 

[aerod1]

I'm loading 38/357, 44 magnum, 45 acp, 223 and 12 ga. shotshells. I just started reloading about a year ago because I am retired and don't care for Jerry Springer or Oprah Winfrey.

 

[tumblebug]

I'm loading 38/357, 44 magnum, 45 acp, 223 and 12 ga. shotshells. I just started reloading about a year ago because I am retired and don't care for Jerry Springer or Oprah Winfrey.

Yep---BOTH are scary. What's your favorite load for the .44 magnum and .357 magnum?

 

[captain-03]

Can't exacty remember when I loaded my first .45acp round. I do remember it was on one of those handloaders - must have been in the early to mid 70's. Shortly after, I got my first press (Still have it) and dies for the 45acp and 38/357. Added a Mech 600JR in 12, 20, and 16 guage and dies for the 9mm. Even started casting for my 45acp and 9mm. Loaded and shot frequently until around 1987 when my job changed and I was transfered to another state. Then the family came along and shooting was on the back burner. All my old reloading stuff was boxed up long ago and stored. It actually stayed in the same boxes over four different moves within and outside the state.

A couple years ago, I decided I would retire and start living the "good life" - and that included getting back into shooting. I have a range exactly 3 miles from my driveway. Pulled out the old boxes of reloading stuff and got it all cleaned up. Purchased a couple new presses and some other goodies and started back at it.

My reloading has reached new heights -- I frequently load for:

PISTOL/REVOLVER
45acp 9mm 38/357 40S&W 44spec/Mag 500S&W Mag

RIFLE
30Carbine 30.06 (Garand/M1903/M1917) 308 (M1A) .223 (ARs/Mini-14)
7.62x39 (SKS/AK) 7mmRemMag 9mm(UZI Carbine)

Just got a set of dies for the 7.62x54R.

Have added 25 different boolit moulds to the inventory and a couple melting pots. I really enjoy casting boolits. My current project is cast for ARs.

When people asking me how I like retirement, I can not help but to smile. I love to cast, love to load, and love to shoot.

 

[Texas_George]

The post about "trusting reloads" started me to wondering, just how many here are handloaders? Doesn't seem to be a majority, based on the "I saw ammunition at Walmart" type threads.
Just curious. Do you handload, how long, and what calibers?

Been hanloading 46 years since I was 13 years old. Currently I load 38, 357, 9mm, 41mag, 44 spl, 44mag, 45lc, 45acp,.30carb, 30-30, 308, 30-06, 50bmg, 22 hornet. I also load shotgun, mostly 12 ga.

 

[T's C6]

20 years, rifle and pistol

 

[endersgame]

I started reloading in 1980 for 38 Super and 223.
Took a break from it for several years but for the last four years I have been reloading 9mm, 10mm and 223 with a Dillon 550b.

 

[accumack]

Started reloading about 30 yrs ago mainly .357. now 9mm, .223, 7.62x39, 7.65x53 all on RCBS rock chucker single stage press.
i still enjoy reloading almost as much as shooting.

 

[Duman44]

Too lazy to type them all, here is a picture. Not included are 500 S&W and 12 gauge.

 

[ForneyRider]

.223 Rem, .22-250 Rem, .270 Win, Rem 7mm Mag, 30-30 Win, 308 Win, 8x57, 375H&H

Rem 41 Mag, 38 Spl/357Mag, 45 ACP

 

[JesseCJC]

just started in april/may this year and load .40/9mm/.45acp/ .223 with a hornady LNL set up. Loaded up over 1k round and have shot off 1/2 of them and still have all my fingers in tact! lol