to reload or not to reload
- Thread starter scott585
- Start date
True, I was given a box of Norma 308WIN brass at the range, which is a somewhat decent ammunition (pricetag said 46.50$ for that box of 20). Went home and measured them before sizing, 3 were sub 2.000'' (minimum brass lenght for 308win is 2.005'' according to my data) 2 were over 2.015'' (max lenght being 2.015)
For the first 6 years of my shooting career I was predominantly concerned with my shotguns. My then only centre fire rifle (7600 pump 308) getting only limited use. Quite often during those years I'd look at centre fire reloading equipment and wonder why in creation would anyone bother. The idea of reloading for shotgun was instantly appealing but centre fire with all the little bits of kit and processes that went with it, I just could'nt get it. 
Then a couple of years ago I decided I would start shooting more centre fire. I spontaneously bought a press plus accoutrements and discovered a wonderful hobby.
Reloading has encouraged me to invest a lot more cash and time into my rifle shooting and I am no longer sure if I reload to shoot or shoot to reload.
Warning: reloading is addictive and is not cheap.
Then a couple of years ago I decided I would start shooting more centre fire. I spontaneously bought a press plus accoutrements and discovered a wonderful hobby.
Reloading has encouraged me to invest a lot more cash and time into my rifle shooting and I am no longer sure if I reload to shoot or shoot to reload.
Warning: reloading is addictive and is not cheap.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I reload for everything. I suppose if I had a M94 in 30-30 I wouldn't bother, but for everything else you're better off reloading. I can't imagine shooting factory.
So, any one of the 10 guys who don't reload want to chime in.
I barely touch my centrefire rifles, and hardly would qualify as any kind of precision shooter, but I only shoot my own reloads. I wish I could find the time to shoot alot more though, my percision would certainly increase
I barely touch my centrefire rifles, and hardly would qualify as any kind of precision shooter, but I only shoot my own reloads. I wish I could find the time to shoot alot more though, my percision would certainly increase
Reloading will cut your group size in half, if not a quarter. I'm not so concerned with price savings in reloading, and in any case I think I just shoot more with reloads. I'm sure I've paid for all my reloading gear several times over though.
The only thing I don't reload is 22lr, but even then I buy decent ammo (eley or lapua).
The only thing I don't reload is 22lr, but even then I buy decent ammo (eley or lapua).
Ill chime in as i don't reload personally, and shoot 1000+ rounds a month, I dont reload myself but i have a guy who loads most of my handgun rounds for me/ i give a deposit for brass. As far as rifles, i shoot and save the brass for when i have more time to reload in the future. Even if you never intend on reloading i sure as hope people are not throwing away the brass!
Thousand_Master
Regular
Reloading is the only way I go. I shoot factory ammo for the brass.
I also enjoy reloading much more than shooting. I like to spend so much time getting the ammunition perfect, that I can often spend an hour reloading just 5 rounds right down to each individual grain of powder with extremely small tweezers and down to the 0.0001" in case length and bullet seating (I love calipers). I know it won't make a huge difference, but its the only time I'm not bothered and just get to sit, reload, and relax.
My sister thinks it's creepy that I'll spend 15 minutes on a single round though.
I also enjoy reloading much more than shooting. I like to spend so much time getting the ammunition perfect, that I can often spend an hour reloading just 5 rounds right down to each individual grain of powder with extremely small tweezers and down to the 0.0001" in case length and bullet seating (I love calipers). I know it won't make a huge difference, but its the only time I'm not bothered and just get to sit, reload, and relax.
My sister thinks it's creepy that I'll spend 15 minutes on a single round though.
Sure, so do I. I also enjoy exercise- but it sure isn't the same kinda enjoyment as when it snows and I get the day off work.
Reloading is the only way I go. I shoot factory ammo for the brass.
I also enjoy reloading much more than shooting. I like to spend so much time getting the ammunition perfect, that I can often spend an hour reloading just 5 rounds right down to each individual grain of powder with extremely small tweezers and down to the 0.0001" in case length and bullet seating (I love calipers). I know it won't make a huge difference, but its the only time I'm not bothered and just get to sit, reload, and relax.
My sister thinks it's creepy that I'll spend 15 minutes on a single round though.
if your using calipers, your wasting alot of your time trying to get to within a ten thousandth of an inch, a really good dial or digital caliper is only accurate to about .001" where as even pretty cheap micrometers are accurate to within .0005 also, by handling the brass, your changing its length due to temperature
I don't reload yet, but now that I have been collecting firearms, shooting, and hunting for quite a few years now, it is the next thing on my list to start doing.
I am about to start getting involved in shooting handguns in a league, and possibly getting my black badge and doing IPSC. Once I do that, it really is a cost effective way to shoot every week.
I am about to start getting involved in shooting handguns in a league, and possibly getting my black badge and doing IPSC. Once I do that, it really is a cost effective way to shoot every week.
