Started with helping my Dad load for a 30 carbine and lee loader and 270 Win at the neighbor's. This was back in the 70's. We did it simply for economics.
But I went just a little looney. not as bad as some on here.
Gave up handloading for shotgun many years ago - my Honey Bair is deep in dust! Just a few pistol rounds 32/20, 380, 38 spl, 357, 44 mag, 45 acp, and 45 Colt
And a few rifles 17 Rem, 204 Ruger, 22 K-Hornet, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22-250, 220 Swift, 243 Win, 250-3000, 7mm Mauser, 30-30, 308, 30-06 (6 rifles), 32-20, 375 H&H. Trying to get my 219 Donaldson Wasp (short) up & running, but logistical problems and lack oh time are conspiring against me. I know there are a couple I'm forgetting.
Last edited by mark shubert; 07/26/22.
I've always been a curmudgeon - now I'm an old curmudgeon. ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
I've become a lot less looney and more practical with age. Pared my collection way back several years ago, and keep it pretty small these days, but I've wheeled and dealed a lot in the past, and loaded for a bunch of stuff I no longer have.
Present cartridges I'm loading for
222 Rem 32 S&W Long 32 H&R Mag 327 Federal 45 Colt 250 Savage 300 Savage 303 Savage 308 Win
Cartridges I've had/loaded for in the past that I can recall off the top of my head.
Started in, I think, 1982. It was out of necessity. I bought a 6.5x257 Arisaka from a guy at work. That's what started the descent into madness. Who in their right mind buys a wildcat rifle & doesn't reload? The collection of rifles improved over time as did the collection of dies & other various tools. It even turned into a small part-time business evenings & weekends for a few FFL cycles.
Some more extensively than others. Some were once & done. From memory... maybe forgotten a few.
.380 ACP .32 Long .32 Colt .41 Colt .38 Special .357 Magnum .357 Maximum 7.62X39 7.62X25 .310 Cadet 30-30 .243 7.5 Swiss .308 .223 .44 Special .44 Magnum .45 ACP .303 British 7.65X53
Load 45 Colt and 45 ACP for pistols. I do not load for my 9mm or 380 ACP handguns.
I do cast bullets for 6.5x55, 30-30 and all the 45s. _____________________ Forgot - 270 & 303 British.
Compared to a number of y'all, I am not only NOT a looney, I am just barely a rookie!
Last edited by Otter; 07/26/22. Reason: Missed a couple.
Someday I hope to be the person my dogs think I am . . . The only true cost of having a dog is its death. Someone once said "a nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves." Shiloh Sharps . . . there is no substitute. NRA Endowment Member
.30-06 is the only CF I have that I don't load for as I have so much on hand. I also don't load any shotgun shells. I load the 9mm Makarov, .45 Colt, and 6mm Remington for a friend that otherwise cannot find ammo for them.
"...why, land is the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for,... because it is the only thing that lasts."
Got my first reloading kit, RCBS Rockchucker in 75-76. I think Jim Carmichael once said that Angels look after fools and handloaders. Looking back when I first started there has to be some truth to that. .223 .243 .257 Roberts 25-06 .260 Rem 6.5x55 Swede 6.5x47 Lapua 6.5x.284 6.5 Creed 6.5 PRC .270 Win .270 WSM 7-08 Rem .280 Rem 7mm Rem Mag 30-30 .308 Win 30-06 .300 Win Mag 9mm Luger 45 ACP 45 LC .357 Mag 12 Gauge
. . . not all that extensive a list, but keeps me busy enough. I can say that I've not shot a factory round at a deer in over two decades.
I started bullet casting about midway through. My initial goal was to cast for all the 35-cals, both pistol and rifle. I now cast for everything except some of the deer rifles.
Shot a box of 12 gage trap loads last night I loaded, about 35 years ago! Don't load shotgun any more. Sold my mec 600 jr 5-6 years ago. Do load rifle and pistol, been loading for the 50 Beowulf lately.
About 1977 I began loading my own 12 gauge and 38 Special / 357 Magnum rounds. Soon thereafter I started into 380 ACP, 44 Special/Magnum, 22 K-Hornet and 30-06.
After those, in no particular order, I've loaded 45 ACP 45 Colt 40 S&W 41 Magnum 223 22-250 243 250 Savage 260 Rem 6.5 Creedmoor 264 Win 270 Win 257 Wby 7mm08 7mm Wby 300 Savage 300 Wby 300 Win 338 Win 308 Win 30 Herrett
I'm sure I'll have to add to the list, I've already recalled a couple more just before I hit the post reply button.
