What's with handloading?

[arman_Ayes]

Shooting used to be all about spending time at the range, but now I'm really getting into the technical aspects. I'm thinking about starting to load my own ammo to see if all the buzz is justified. Are there any seasoned veterans here who can share their thoughts on the handloading experience?

 

[CTom]

If you think you'll save money, not likely. BUT!!!! In loading your own, you have complete control over the making of loads that work the absolute best in your gun. Many calibers have a lot of factory ammo choices but what I have found in every gun I have loaded for, trying different powders, charge levels and far more bullet options, there is going to be a load that is amazing beyond anything factory fodder offers.


I'm one of these "what it" or "I wonder" type of guys that asks myself all the time if maybe there isn't something else that will let me pare another 1/16" off the group size, so I'm always on the hunt for components. I really don't like to settle on one single load.... always snooping for more.


The initial cost of the equipment can be a bit of a shock, but I suggest getting the best you can afford. Not go into hock with the absolute best, the best YOU can afford. Buy a couple reloading manuals and spend lots of time online studying reloading tables that are available for free. Set yourself up where you are comfortable and it's QUIET. Distractions can be costly. Keep a clean work space and by all means do not hurry yourself. Personally I find my time at the reloading bench to be settling and almost soothing. Relaxing is maybe a better term. And like so many things in life, reloading is personal so the only one you need to impress is yourself and in the end, when you see groups come together that factory food can't deliver you'll reap the satisfaction of having done this all on your own. Nothing at all like that feeling.

 

[Rifflelord]

Reloading pulled me deeper into shooting than just buying guns ever did. My RCBS Rock Chucker probably taught me more patience than anything else I own.

 

[d2wing]

Ctom pretty well covered it. If range time is your interest, reloading is a good fit. When I did it, it was more economical, Those days are gone. But the satisfaction of building your own pet loads remains. Like he said, be patient and don't allow distractions. It's about perfection, not volume.

 

[Mini me]

The first batch of ammo I ever loaded felt like cracking a secret code. I took forever, cost more than buying it factory-made but I loved every minute. That obsession is real.

 

[CTom]

Reloading may not be for everyone simply due to the cost to set up and then the components. Add in the time obligation and reloading may not fit. I think a big mistake some make by starting out with reloading is that they haven't asked themselves a couple important questions: #1 what do I want to get out of reloading and #2 what do I want to get out of my gun by reloading.

If the answer to #1 or #2 is simply to make a load that gets shot with relative accuracy three or four times a year, then it is not a very cost effective venture. There are likely factory loads that will suffice and for far less money.

Now, if a person wants to become a seriously better shooter, not only with his gun but in understanding how he can manipulate things to do wonderful things downrange or on an animal, then reloading may be for him. If the shooter want to really understand his gun, then reloading may be for him. I think a person who is serious about his reloading is a person on an unending quest and one who is continually asking himself if there is something better.

At one time when I was much, much younger I reloaded for 4 handguns, 7 rifles and had two Mec loaders, one set up to load for trap and one for hunting loads. Today I load for one CF, a 22-250, but I have used the reloading experience of the past in all of my current muzzleloading as well. Charges are weighed, not measured. Primers are measured for length and bullets are weighed to eliminate any that may fall too far outside of acceptable variables. Whether its reloading for a center fire whatever or being fussy about muzzleloading needs, its all about consistency.... something that is often lacking in factory fodder. So if a person is considering reloading, I'd say to ask himself what he is looking to get out of it and what he is expecting of his gun by reloading, because the two questions go hand in hand.