is reloading worth it for the average hunter?

[medicstimpy]

..... But, RELOADING in itself, is a fun activity/hobby/pursuit etc. particularly for those times when you can't hit the Range ! .... David K

Well said.

I reload for guns/calibers I don't shoot often. Just because it was fun building up a load for those guns and it is relaxing time well spent instead of just sitting in front of the boobtube when you have some free time.

Now that I have my loads, I made up a couple boxes for those guns that don't get shot much, just to say I have them on hand.

As for saving $$$... as we reloaders know.... you don't save a dime reloading. Sure, per round may be cheaper but overall savings??? That's because we are forever buying more equipment and supplies! And also because we end up shooting a lot more than our buddies who only buy ammo...

 

[Onagoth]

I just started into reloading and the initial one time costs are fairly steep, even with a Lee starter kit.

I think if you're gonna reload, you'll probably want to have it as a hobby, the costs savings are probably offset by other factors, ie, shooting more, stockpiling components, buying more guns with the money saved, at least thats what I'll probably do.

 

[Boomer]

Just to add something to what Boomer wrote, I was thinking of the old time hunter, Grancel Fritz.
Between 1926 and 1955, he shot a specimen of every one of the 24 different classes of big game in North America. Thirteen of those species were record book class. He has printed books of his own, but I have read in other places that he used only one rifle in all of that hunting, a 30-06. I forget the make of the rifle, but it is said that he considered a rifle just a tool, and he said that was all he needed. he never reloaded and shot all factory ammunition.
I have one of his books, North American Head Hunting.

http://www.wildsheep.org/magazines/article_true_1948.htm

He doesn't refer to the make of his rifle in the article, but there is a picture of it. I suspect its a Remington 30 Express or a custom rifle built on a M-17 Enfield.

 

[H4831]

I think the rifle in the picture is a Remington 30 Express, also. Here is the 30 Ex that has been in the family since 1929, when it was brought from Detroit. The checkering is well worn, but not bad for a rifle that kept many people in meat, 12 months of the year, throughout the great depression.
Note the low comb, just like in the picture.
The front sight is original, but in this case, on a replaced barrel. This too, looks like the front sight on the Fitz rifle.

 

[rookie wildcat]

Agreed.
My mom used to say me: Always respect your opponent. She told me that more then 45 years ago and I follow her advise.
It's very nice to hear the histories of hunters born and shot 80-70 years ago. I have always respected their experience. But I was told that world has changed And new premium bullets have arrived on the market. And serious hunters tried them. And they reloaded and shot it. They reloaded to shoot on short distances making their bullets fly @ velocities equal to about like that from factory ammunition @ 150 to 200 yards to have penetration and expansion the bullet was designed for. They printed a lot of books and articles. They suggest to use the bullets on the distances it was designed for. Or reload to adjust for your shooting distances. I didn't know it was a crap. It was only my fault to follow their advice. And I will follow. It's my IMHO.
My respect to any opinion.
Good Luck.

Everything is relative. I only wish to hunt therefore I only need to make my ammo/guns shoot for that. others want to drive tacks @ 1000 yds, I'll never be a benchrest shooter, but then, I never wanted to be. Every person on here has read, talked, argued, formulated their own opinions based on their experience. Someone on here, can't remember who, has a tagline that says, "Learn from experience, you won't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself".
I am not ever saying that anyone's opinions are wrong, but they (especially mine) can be refuted. No one here can express an opinion with absolute impunity. There are too many shooters, with a too varied field of experience and someone, somewhere has done the "impossible" once or twice...