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Post by RAF on Dec 26, 2004 10:43:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the new forum. I asked for it and let Rifleman beat me to the punch.
About 10 years ago I knew little or nothing about hand loading. I still don't know that much and want to learn. Didn’t know what a die was or what it was for. The only press I was familiar with was the ones used to squeeze juice out of grapes to make wine. Any ammunition around my place came out of boxes bought at the gun shop. My son always wanted to hunt but because of the gun laws he had to take hunter and firearm safety courses before he could hunt or have a firearm. He was playing hockey at the time and never had time in the evenings to take the courses. Finally when his career ended he took the courses. They were offered by the local wildlife federation and a few private and qualified people. He was fortunate to find a retired teacher and avid hunter. A couple times a week he head over to the teachers home for his lessons. During these sessions his instructor would do some loading and my son got interested. He went out and got himself a Lee starter kit and I helped him set it up in my workshop. His interest declined soon after and everything just sat there. I started thinking about it and asked some questions of some people I knew that did some loading. The first advice I got was to get a good reloading manual, and read it through before I tried anything. Looking back this was probably the best advice I got. I bought a Lyman’s 48th addition manual and started reading. I learned things I didn’t know. I read it several times and things I had seen in shooting started to make sense. My first effort was to make some ammunition for my 30-30 Winchester. I was a little nervous the first time I took it to the range and fired that first bullet. It was a success. The gun went BOOM and the bullet hit the target. I’m not the greatest shot with open sights and I never used that rifle to hunt. I kept it at my cabin in case I was bothered by a nuisance bear, which never happened. I’ve loaded for my son’s 30-06, my 243 and a friends 30-06. I tried to make ammunition for my 30-06 with no luck. My Remington Model 4 is too fussy. Primarily I load for my 22-250 and have had several successful combinations. Since the beginning I have replaced the press with an RCBS Rockchucker press. I’ve replaced the scale with a better one that the original Lee. I’ve bought different tools that work well for me. I'm always on the lookout for a tool that is better than what I've got or preform a task more efficiently. The one thing that I strive for is consistency when loading. I try to do everything the same way and in the same order. I’m also cautious. I follow my manuals and don’t exceed maximum loads. I do believe that the authors of the manual are cautious about their maximum loads, probably for liability reasons, but I don’t know how much I can safely exceed those maximums, so I don’t. I derive a lot of pleasure out of working up a loads that can almost drive tacks at the range.
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Post by Rifleman on Dec 26, 2004 17:16:44 GMT -5
I got started at the ripe old age of 15. My Grandma was an inspector at an ammo plant during WW 2. One day on a car ride I was telling my grandad what I had read about the different parts of a shotgun shell. My Grandma turned in her seat and asked me how I knew all that. I told her I read it in the outdoor magazines Grandad was always buying me. She said that was right and told my Grandad to buy me some equipment. Well that was it ! Next day Grandad took me to the local store and bought me a MEC 600 JR in 20 gauge, a manual, a bag of wads, some primers, a bag of shot, and 8lb's of Herco. I was in business ! Since then I have loaded well over 100K rounds of ammo, from the 50 BMG on down. I have so much stuff it is really pitiful. I am gonna give it up soon and sell out. I have plenty of ammo to last me a long long time and am just tired of pullin that handle. I never regret doing it and as I have learned so much. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa, I wish you were still around.
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Post by E.T. on Dec 26, 2004 21:02:35 GMT -5
Started reloading over 20 years ago and enjoy doing it with rewards of shrinking that group size for better accuracy. With some of today’s ammo (not 20 years ago) that performs almost as well as reloads today a lot of the boys have gotten away from reloading. I guess I am still a die hard that wants to keep tinkering just for that little extra group size shrinkage that can be attained. And there is still a cost saving for rifle reloads.
And like RAF the apprehension of pulling the trigger on your first reload was present wondering if you did everything correct. After getting off that first shot for a reload it was back to the reloading manuals and other sources for information for finding the load your rifle really would shine with. As time went by I began to learn about the importance of removing the burr of the primer flash hole inside the cartridge, neck turning cases, weighing cases with usually same batch number from same make and consistent length trimming of cases. Next came bullet-seating depth for a specific distance from the lands of the bore for YOUR RIFLE ONLY. At this point I decided I had gone far enough for being able to produce good hunting loads.
Rifleman – my first shotgun reloading press was also a MEC 600 Jr. in 12Ga. Model. Don’t even want to account for the number of shells for hunting and skeet range activities. Once non-toxic shot came on the scene my current MEC press does a little less loading activity but it still is rewarding producing good patterning loads for other small game, skeet range and soon to be used for producing a good Turkey load. Reloading has always been a part of hunting for me now and imagine it will remain that way.
I also believe reloading triggered my interest in muzzle loading and my desire for owning a Smokeless Savage 10ML-II. Talk about powder variables and bullets to play with for looking for that one sweet load. Anyway I have rambled enough and look forward to visiting this section along with other sections of the board instead of just the Savage board.
Ed T
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Post by TKO on Dec 27, 2004 9:26:00 GMT -5
34 years ago for me.
Started with a Lyman hand held tool. Helped develop my awesome grip, LOL.
Then went to an RCBS Rockchucker added a Dillon and then the big money came in making shells for Big Betty.
Both my kids reload, too.
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Post by scott41069 on Dec 28, 2004 18:57:31 GMT -5
I have been loading my own for just over a year now. I had always wanted to try reloading but never bothered to buy the equipment. Then one day i met a feller that had been reloading for quite some time but was selling all his hunting,reloading,fishing stuff and whatever he could find to help pay for some emergency bills.He offered me his collection of reloading equip for $250.00 so i decided it was time to start. The equipment was mostly RCBS and it took about 6 milk crates full to get all the stuff loaded up. We had everything including various dies to get started. First thing we did was to drive over to a friends house about 1/1/2 hrs away.This friend had been reloading for a long time and we thought it would be best to learn from someone that knew what he was doing before jumping into it head first. Next we did a lot of reading.The first manual we concentrated on was a Nosler but we also read from several others including a Hornady and Seirra manual. Almost immediately after testing a few rounds i could see a difference in my groups. Seeing how different powder and charge levels and bullets and weights affected preformance was a major selling factor to me.Now it is a hobby that i enjoy as much as any. My 8yr old son helps me on the bench sometimes also. I call that good family time...
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Post by HighTeckRedneck on Jan 3, 2005 19:24:07 GMT -5
I started reloading shotgun shells before I even had my own shotgun. I would estimate that I was 7 or 8 when I started helping my father with them. Up until about 3 years ago all I reloaded was shotgun shells. Now at age 26 I have equipment to reload for every weapon (except .22 rim fire) that anyone in my family owns.
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Post by JeffinNZ on Jan 4, 2005 15:46:45 GMT -5
I got into reloading when I decided that I needed more power than my .22 rimfire was providing for those bunnies out of range. I bought a CZ hornet and with factory ammo at a buck a round took up reloading straight away. I load/have loaded hornet, .223, .32-20, .30-30. 308, .303 Brit, 7.62x39, 8x57, .38 BPCR, .38/.357 Being 'frugal' I gravitated towards cast bullets too and have become very proficient in this area.
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Post by RAF on Jan 5, 2005 9:47:23 GMT -5
I guess another reason I got into handloading was cost. Around here a box of factory ammunition is around $20 Canadian. Premium ammunition is a lot higher. The last time I did some figuring, I was making them for about 30 cents a shot. This converts into doing a lot more shooting. I have to admit that the cost of the equipment was factored in. The toys are part of and the cost of the hobby.
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Post by TSK on Jan 5, 2005 13:46:34 GMT -5
I think it was about 1974 when I made my first reload for my new Rem 788 .222. I used a Lee Loader and altho quite slow, it made some good ammo and I sure had a lot of fun. Then I got busy with the big things in life, work, getting married, raising kids, house payments, etc., and the reloading sat on the back burner until 1999 when I began loading smokeless and black powder ammo for my .44WCF cowboy guns and black powder loads for my Sharps rifle. I find reloading to be a relaxing hobby and a good way to spend a cold MN winter day.
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Post by ourway7 on Jan 16, 2005 7:39:26 GMT -5
I have numerous Dillon Reloaders, got the Square deal setup for differnt pistol calibers, rather than retooling. I recently sent them back to Dillon for reconditioning and too my amazement they were returned completly refurbished and there was no charge, anyone reloading pistol or rifle I highly recommend them. their no fault guarantee is terrific, one of the reloaders was damage due to my son using it, still didn't matter they repaired it at no charge. Lou
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Post by bubba on Jan 24, 2005 7:36:27 GMT -5
I started about 25 years ago..... a lee turret press, I aint proud of that judgement, but that press is still working on my co-workers bench !
I was loading for 223 for a rem 788, that gun shot, paid $160 brand new. That gun would shoot 5 shot dime sized groups with a very poor rest and a weaver K12 all day long using the very first load I tried (IMR3031).
I since have progressed to a dillon 550 and SDB and a MEC 9000G - I have more money than time, so it only makes sense to me to use a progressive, and Lou, I agree, you cant beat a dillon machines warrenty.
-bubba
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Post by TKO on Jan 24, 2005 8:57:37 GMT -5
bubba,
Those 788's were legendary for out of the box accuracy. Most said it was because of the rear locking lugs on the bolt.
Not the fanciest rifles (actually pretty darn unfancy), but man what shooters.
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Post by Rifleman on Jan 24, 2005 10:52:50 GMT -5
TKO that and they have a very fast lock time.
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Post by bubba on Jan 24, 2005 12:52:50 GMT -5
they did stretch cases alot tho - I had to trim every firing in that sloopy bolt - sure did shoot tho.
what great plain birch stock it had tho - butt ugly, made the plain jane savages look great !
-bubba
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Post by ourway7 on May 9, 2005 3:35:40 GMT -5
Got into reloading so far back I can't remember, but the main reason wasn't the cost of ammo. It was for the accuracy. Ammo way back then didn't cost an arm and a leg. Use to be a time I couild remember every load that I loaded and quote to someone. Now I have to look up my notes, and even then if I don't write it down I forget, boy age is really a bummer. Still reload, Cast all kinds of bullets, have several reloaders, from pistol to shotgun. Being retired I had all the time in the world to cast bullets, I have enough lead to start world war 3,4,5 ;D ;D ;D ;D. My son in law worked in radiology and would save all the viles of lead and I would melt them down, the lead was very hard must of had some other alloy in them. that has made for some outstanding pistol bullet, Never had a leading problem with them. But I'm sure at night I may give off a glow, May never get cancer with all that radiation. ;D ;D ;D Lou
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Post by RAF on May 9, 2005 9:31:22 GMT -5
Ourway. Couple things you said hit home. Making notes is important. Usually make a bunch of ammo and takes a while to use it up. When time comes to make another batch it's nice to know what you did the last time that worked. If something doesn't work, it's nice to know so you don't do it again and waste time and components. The accuracy thing was another reason I reload. Granted some of the new premium ammunition is very accurate but it's very satisfying to make your own accurate loads.
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Post by herman on May 9, 2005 12:17:41 GMT -5
Its been so long ago that I have really forgotten too,but I am going to say since 1950,and still love doing it today I guess because I am never satisfied with a good load,all ways looking for one better.Remember when I started I got a lee reloading kit,the one you use a hammer with.It was for a 30/30 win.Back then my brothers and I dug roots and herbs to sell to make a little spending money,and I loved to hunt and shoot so you can see where my money went. Today I shoot at the range at least one day a week and sometimes 2or 3 days a week so I have to reload because ammo cost so much.I have so many calibers that I do shoot it would break the bank to buy loaded ammo for them. Its a great hobby for some but I guess it has been a way of life for me. That reminds me I went to the range this morning and shot my savage muzzle loader now I have to reload some bullets for a 243 and 25/06 for tomorrow morning.
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Post by RAF on May 9, 2005 13:19:44 GMT -5
Since 1950? Wow!. In 1950 I was just learning not to pee in my diaper and do it standing up ;D. I wish I could shoot as much as you but there just doesn't seem to be time .
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Post by bubba on May 10, 2005 12:25:36 GMT -5
what RAF said, ditto on the time thing -bubba
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Post by ourway7 on May 22, 2005 7:47:33 GMT -5
Everyone we must make the time to do these things. We are put here only so long, No return trips. I really don't know where I'm going but I hope it has a nice range, and good friendship as we have here. ;D Lou
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Post by herman on May 23, 2005 19:43:53 GMT -5
I'll second that ourway7 Great bunch of hunters and shooters here.
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Post by DannoBoone on Jun 17, 2005 12:36:59 GMT -5
Started out in my mid-teens by reloading .22-250's for my Dad's Rem 788. Although "Pop" furnished the supplies, he told my brother and me that if we were going to use it for P-dog hunting, we would have to reload. I found reloading to be a very relaxing and rewarding hobby. It was fun to shoot even more accurate reloaded rounds than could be bought. This was over 35 years ago.
Like Ed, I have since learned the importance of removing the burr from the flash hole, neck turning, case length trimming, etc., for accuracy.
My reloading equipment is relatively cheap (except for the Lyman 1200 DPS II I just got) with a Lee bench press, an old Herter's Rifleman press, and a Lee hand press. My dies range from cheap (but good) to pretty expensive. I believe it is just as important to make every round as identical as possible as it is to have the "best" equipment.
One of my best "friends" in the reloading equipment area is a good set of calipers. They are an exceptional tool for making certain all necks and case lengths are identical.
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Post by DannoBoone on Jun 17, 2005 12:44:02 GMT -5
Since 1950? Wow!. In 1950 I was just learning not to pee in my diaper and do it standing up ;D. I wish I could shoot as much as you but there just doesn't seem to be time . ...........and I was just beginning to form in Mom's "boiler room"!! ;D
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