1. Started into reloading in 1975. Tried it out at the home of another member of the gun club, and then bought a used turret (!) press from him. I still have that press, still has dies in it actually, and even occasionally still use it.
2. The goal of reloading for me was to save money, although we all know it doesn't work that way. It just lets you shoot more for that same money spent, or at least it did back in the day. So my favourite or most satisfying cartridges to reload were the ones I enjoyed shooting a lot since I could now shoot even more. Back in the day, that essentially meant .38Special, .44Magnum and .45-70. I've gotten into and eventually gotten out of a bunch of other cartridges since then, but I still appreciate the fact that reloading ensures that I can always have on hand some of the cartridges I enjoy using that can't typically be found on the shelf at the local farm supply store where I buy much of my ammo. Things like 7x65R, 9.3x74R, .375H&H and others. Same goes for specialized stuff like ultralight plinking loads for .45-70 or others; if you don't make 'em yourself, there is no other option.
3. Biggest regrets? Three of them. First, the obvious one mentioned many times by others, i.e. the failure to stock up big time back when stuff was cheap (but we didn't know it was cheap...).
Second, moving away from a nearby friend who far preferred reloading to shooting. I'd provide him with components, and a recipe that I had either worked up myself or, more likely, gotten elsewhere and safety tested for my guns. Then he'd merrily assemble as many as I wanted and I could enjoy the fun part...shooting! After I moved, I had to do the drudgery myself.
And that's the third and biggest regret...the simple fact that, unlike most other shooters, I simply never have enjoyed reloading for its own sake. There's nothing I find relaxing or pleasurable about it. I envy you guys who seem to find it fun, but I never have and very much doubt I'll change my feelings about it now. It's boring to me. There...I said it.
Lots of these silly threads by newbs asking for useless information lately. If not harvesting personal info, then what is the purpose?
I just assume that a lot of them are desperate for topics for discussion, since they must have a certain number of posts before they can get into the EE. I think that explains a large percentage of these threads; pretty much useless, often silly but hopefully harmless.
Not sure what RJ's excuse is...
