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Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,096 |
I reload, haven’t fired a factory center fire in 40 years, maybe 45.
Last edited by hanco; 02/21/23.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I always bought factory shotgun slugs/sabots. I don't shoot enough shotgun to make it worth the expense to get myself setup to load them.
For centerfires I'll buy some factory to plink and burn up for the brass once in a blue moon if I find a deal, but anything I use to hunt or do any kind of serious shooting is handloaded.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
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As a rule I roll my own. Have bought some factory ammo here and there when it was an exceptional buy.
Heaven has a wall, a gate and strict immigration policy.
Hell has open borders.
Let that sink in.....
I Live for Opening Day!
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Loading all my own as far as metallic cartridges
I never got set up for shotshells
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
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Oh mercy, handloads all the way, for about the last 50 years. I honestly can't remember the last box of factory deer rifle ammo I bought. Heck, half of my hunting during that time period was with cast bullets too, and you surely won't find that stuff on the LGS shelves.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz
"Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Handloads since about 1976. At least for rifles, I haven’t hunted with slugs in a long time but those were factory.
Dale
This space for rent
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
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Handloads, always. Heck, I even load steel shot for my shotguns.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad."
----------------------------------------------
"Jimmy, some of it's magic,
Some of it's tragic,
But I had a good life all the way."
(Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I reload, haven’t fired a factory center fire in 40 years, maybe 45. Hand load for the most part. If I'm not dedicated to a rifle/cartridge enough to hand load for them I'm not dedicated enough to them to waste a day hunting with them .. and it would be WASTE .. that could be SPENT hunting with something I do indeed care about enough to load for. I can't swear to it but as I look back, I can't think of the last deer I killed with factory ammo, it'd have to be over 30 years and maybe over 40. Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2006
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I reload, haven’t fired a factory center fire in 40 years, maybe 45. Other than a half a box of 375 H&H I haven't shot a factory CF round since 1991.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2009
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I load for the rifles and shotguns.
I do shoot factory at times just to test back when i worked on rifles.
It's fun when you make your own.
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Joined: Dec 2015
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2015
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handload all my centerfire ammo for the family and myself for around 40 years , i load most of my trap and sporting clays ammo .also always built my own arrows for myself and family .
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
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Factory. Buy/shoot. Sold all my loading equipment and set myself free. I love running a bolt gun and not gaf were the brass goes.
"The world breaks everyone,and afterward, some are strong at the broken places"
Hemingway
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I hand load everything , always have
Cat
scopes are cool, but slings 'n' irons RULE!
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Reload rifle and handgun, buy shot, wads and primers, and a friend loads shot gun for me. My buddy is a sporting clays nut, and is always pumping out shotgun ammo!
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Hand load for all my bolt guns
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 18,999 |
Factory.
Im lazy. Ive got all the stuff ( press, dies, primers, powder, brass, bullets) to load me own..
Just havent got around to it.
Dave
�The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.� Lou Holtz
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I reload all my center fire rifle cartridges now; not shotgun shells and not all handgun cartridges. I learned a few years ago to buy some factory ammo before committing to reloading for a new to me cartridge. I wasted a lot of money getting set up for new guns that I didn’t keep (.500 mag, .300 saum, etc).
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Downsized from a big rambling Victorian house to a much smaller place. I now have problems finding places to neatly store my factory ammo. I’m not sure where I would put the equipment to load my own. Besides I already have too many other projects & pastimes. Factory is more than adequate for my modest needs. Having said that, I think I would enjoy reloading & one of my hunting buddies does have a press.
Last edited by odonata; 02/21/23.
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Campfire Tracker
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Depends on the gun. Loading is a chore to me, so I have no issues with factory. Some of the sh*t I shoot I have to load for.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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.223 is a mix because before I had dies I bought a lot of factory match ammo. Now I hand load for varmints and use factory black hills 62 TSX for my son to use on deer.
6mm Creed I started buying ammo before I had the gun. Bought all kinds and hunted with Hornady Precision Hunter this year. Have 50 left of that and about another 50 of HSM and Gold Medal 107 Matchkings. I have powder dies and bullets.
7 Rem Mag, .30-06, and .300 are all reloads.
.25-06 is using Hornady American Whitetail I bought for my son to practice. Gun shot so well I bought 3 more boxes as soon as I could find them. This was also during Covid when you couldn’t find anything. Got lots of brass and planning on loading the Barnes 101 LRX for him this year.
Isaiah 6:8
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Have not shot a a factory load on a animal since 1993. Enjoy the load development and field testing of bullets.
GreggH
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Only rifle I have that I don't have any plans to reload for is my 30-30. Tried several handloads and nothing shot that well. Had a couple of boxes of factory stuff loaded with Barnes bullets that I'd traded into. Decided to try them and got a perfect 3/4 inch triangle at 100yds. Caught a few more boxes on clearance and bought enough to last me at least the rest of my life, considering how little I use that rifle.
Got a couple of others that came with some factory ammo when I bought them. The factory stuff shoots so well in those two that I plan to hunt with it until it's gone, then reload at that point.
Everything else I load for.
Those who must raise their voice to get their point across are generally not intelligent enough to do so in any other way.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Factory, not fu.cking around loading 308 or 30-06 to shoot a whitetail under 200 yards (likely under 75)...laid into a lifetime supply of Leverevolution for the 35 Rem. before things went full retard on that front.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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TB, CWD and Covid-19 , free so far.....
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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With rifles and handguns I use mostly handloads. I do try to carry factory for CCW but duplicate them with handloads for practice.
I tend to try to match a factory loading at first. Then I load a cup and core(usually Hornady) bullet for practice and deer. then a quality premium bullet if hunting sheep, elk and antelope with the rifle.
For example with my '06 load I use 180 Hornadys for practice and deer, Partitions for everything else. It copies the 180 C/L PSP for trajectory. It is used in all my families '06 rifles.
In .338 I use 225 Hornadys for most things but factory TBBC's for bulls (I have a stash).
I haven't loaded shotshells for a while. I still have the Sizemaster but I don't shoot enough shotgun to bother. I have never loaded slugs but I would like to learn.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Handload everything centerfire. Ever try to buy a box of 40-90 2 5/8" sbn or 50-140 Sharps?.sure would hate to ever rely on American ammo production for the loads I use. Boy that sure would be pissing in the wind.lol lol . I am sure left to the left reloading would be done away with...mb
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I reload all my centerfire rifle for the last 25+ years but shoot factory shot shells and pistol ammo....Hb
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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"Aim right, squeeze light"
" Might as well hit what you're aiming at, it kicks the same whether you miss or not"
NRA Life, GOA
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Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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All of my deer rifles shoot hand loads. When it comes to accuracy, "good enough" is not good enough for me.
Plus, for a couple (7X57 and 6.5X55, both "modern" rifles produced since 1980), I'm not willing to give up the 200+ fps MV that factory loads would limit me to.
Years ago, I even fired some Federal Premium ammunition through a 7mm08 Rem that chronographed over 200 fps slower than advertised. AND it was nowhere near as accurate, in my rifle, as what I can put together at home.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Reload for myself and two of my hunting parners. Some view it as a chore, I enjoy it. Been at it for 50 years.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,320
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2002
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I haven't shot anything but my handloads at deer since I started loading in 2000.
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Posts: 3,490
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Prefer handloads but component availability is about as bad as the ammo availability.
I use what is "at hand". Handload or factory.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,168
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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reloads for all hunting and general shooting. I do buy ammo for pistol carry and for 20ga and 22rf
The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them. Coolidge
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Campfire Regular
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Handloads.
Like most here, I enjoy crafting and tuning the best possible ammo for optimal accuracy and performance, in specific rifles. Also, the satisfaction is akin to fooling a 26" brown or rainbow on a dry that I tied.
My heart's in the mountains, my heart is not here.
My heart's in the mountains, chasing the deer.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Both although most of the factory ammo has been slugs.
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Joined: Nov 2018
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I thoroughly enjoy loading my own hunting ammunition for deer, antelope, elk, bear, coyotes and varmints as well.
Mostly I load for 6mm Remington, 25-06, 7mm Rem Mag, 30-30, 308, 30-06, 375 H&H & 45-70. Haven't used the 375 on deer yet, only bear. I have used those other cartridges for deer hunting.
Someone else stated that it was like catching a fish on a fly they'd tied themselves. Yes it does. At times I've also made my own bowstrings and arrows. There's a certain satisfaction in all that.
Regards, Guy
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
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What is this "factory ammo" you guys speak of?
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Posts: 38,943
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,943 |
Me
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Campfire Regular
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Your mind is your primary weapon. Never let it get rusty.
Endowment Member NRA
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Have not shot a deer/hog with factory stuff since 1975
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went"
Will Rogers
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Posts: 6,815
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I loaded my own for years, used mostly Hornady spire points for whatever cartridge I was using at the time, always new components. Moved and packed all my reloading gear and now just factory fodder, at least for now.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Hand loading hunting ammo since the early ‘70’s! It took several years to accumulate enough brass to start getting serious with my hand loading! memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I shot my first deer in 1965 with a borrowed .32 Win rifle and a factory bullet, and my first elk in 1966 with a borrowed .30-40 rifle and a bunch of factory bullets. Since then every big game animal that I've shot, here at home, in Africa, or anywhere else in the world that I've hunted, I shot with my handloaded bullets.
I bought my first centerfire rifle, a .30-06, in 1967, my first centerfire pistols, a .45 acp and a .357 mag, in 1969, and my first shotgun, a 12 gauge O/U, in 1970. Immediately after I bought each of these guns, I started reloading for them.
When I started my pistol reloading I also started casting my own bulllets. That also led me to start casting bullets for several of my rifles.
Shortly after I bought my first shotgun I joined a Trap shooting club, mainly to learn how to shoot my shotgun, but then I started to shoot in a Trap league, and eventually I shot in registered ATA Trap competitions and years later in NSSA registered Skeet competitions.
With my registered shotgun competitions I was shooting 10,000 shotshells each year and along with reloading all of those shells, I started making my own shot. At the height of my shotgun competitions I was making over 700 pounds of my own shot each year.
SAVE 200 ELK, KILL A WOLF
NRA Endowment Life Member
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I reload and have never shot a deer with a factory round.
Started with Speer cup/core, then Nolser BTs, ABs and Partitions. I have used Hornady interlocks in .308 and .350RM when I couldn't get anything else.
The only factory loads I use for hunting are 10GA and 12GA steel and/or Heavy shot.
“Might does not make right but it sure makes what is.”
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Mostly factory do load for a couple of rfles out of necessary like the 7x61s&h, and 35 wsl.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I’m the family ammunition source.
Handloads for the last baker’s dozen or so.
Obey lawful commands. Video interactions. Hold bad cops accountable. Problem solved.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Member #547
Join date 3/09/2001
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Reload or factory ammo depending on cartridge.
Go Ahead And Backup
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I have never shot anything but factory ammo.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I whitetail hunt with my brother back in Ohio. We use 870 shotguns---shooting 1 oz Winchester foster slugs.
Back here in Colorado. I've used both factory & hand loads for elk. Factory is so much easier & kills them just as dead.
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Campfire Regular
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I thoroughly enjoy loading my own hunting ammunition for deer, antelope, elk, bear, coyotes and varmints as well.
Someone else stated that it was like catching a fish on a fly they'd tied themselves. Yes it does. At times I've also made my own bowstrings and arrows. There's a certain satisfaction in all that.
Regards, Guy +1 Casting boolits gives me the same satisfaction.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Several of my rifles have never chambered a factory round, obviously the wildcats but I'm talking plain ol 308, 260, 223 etc. Have only seen handloads.
I borrowed a 25-06 from my old man about 15 years ago to shoot an elk when I was home on leave. That was factory ammo I used I guess. Aside from that it's been 20 years for me since I used factory ammo to hunt, from a rifle anyway.
Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
Calm seas don't make sailors.
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Campfire Regular
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People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
Orwell
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Campfire Regular
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I enjoy reloading. I started in 1972 using a mentor's equipment. Bought my own tools in '74. I'm not sure that I've ever shot a game animal with a factory round. Hmmm... I'll have to think about that....
ttpoz
in silvam ne ligna feras
(don't carry logs into the forest)
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For deer hunting I purchase ammo, just don’t shoot it enough. I do reload over 1000 rounds a year for benchrest and target shooting locally. I’ve got dies for all deer hunting guns so may start soom. Don’t reload shotgun shells, thinking about getting a 28 gauge for sporting clays. I would want to reload them
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I reload rifle and handgun ammo, and have for about forty years. I don’t shoot a shotgun enough to warrant getting into loading my own.
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Doug
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Campfire Tracker
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The only rifle I shoot factory ammo in is my 6.5x55 Swede. It really likes the S&B load with the 131 gr bullet. It likes it so much I can't beat it with a handload and I laid in big supply when it was on sale for $9.99 a box (this was years ago) and I still haven't shot it all up. Someday I'll run out of factory ammo for it and have to reload for it but it is going to be years down the road.
You get out of life what you are willing to accept. If you ain't happy, do something about it!
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Factory only. Never trusted myself enough to reload.
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I bought my first centerfire in 1973 and started reloading then. Now when I buy a new firearm I order a set of dies if I don’t already have that caliber. I still buy factory ammo ( or did till things got crazy) if I stumble across a deal or need the brass. I don’t shoot enough shotgun to justify buying the reloading equipment.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I started handloading in 1973 and I have never taken a head of big game with anything other than a handload.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Handloads for the last 40 years.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Handloads all the way since about 1989…except shotgun ammo. Never got into reloading shotgun shells.
Livin ain’t killed me yet, but it’s workin on it!
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Campfire Regular
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,281 |
Been loading TSS turkey loads for 10 years but only started loading rifle and pistol in early 2021. I had a lot of premium factory ammo stashed away that I bought on closeout or sales years ago. Sold every bit of it to get my reloading started. I pretty much doubled my money on the factory ammo I sold in 2021 when ammo prices sky rocketed. That’s what help me pay to get into reloading my own.
You ain't about that life.
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3,027
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3,027 |
I used to reload both 12 & 20 ga shotgun and centerfire. I do not shoot anywhere near the ammo now as I used to when I was younger. So I stopped reloading years ago. I haven't fired a shot in competition since 1980. Now I just buy factory. Its just easier for me now.
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Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 538
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2022
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I used to reload back in the olden days when you could get powder and primers
2 Kings 2:23-24
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,422
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
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Still reloading for decades now.
Liberalism is a cancer
Support Christian Family values
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 2,340
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 2,340 |
I been reloading my deer ammo since '87.
Why do I have to press 1, for English?
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,202
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,202 |
Reload for all my hunting rifles.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,790
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,790 |
Probably 4 years ago, maybe 5, I shot a deer with a factory load (Federal Blue Box .308, 150 or 165 grain.) Prior to that, the last one I shot with a factory load was 1986 or 1987. Forgot one, I shot with a factory load (.303 Savage 190 grain Silvertip) late ‘90’s sometime. That’s 4 in around 35 or 40 years. All the rest, rifle and handgun, were killed with home loads. Killed quite a few with factory shotgun slugs in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. Back in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s also killed some with factory.222’s and .22 WMR.
Mathew 22: 37-39
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 701
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 701 |
Just getting started reloading. Pretty intimidating but I am looking forward to it.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,096
Campfire Savant
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OP
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,096 |
Just getting started reloading. Pretty intimidating but I am looking forward to it. Don’t be, lots of videos, plenty guys here to help
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 701
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 701 |
Just getting started reloading. Pretty intimidating but I am looking forward to it. Don’t be, lots of videos, plenty guys here to help Yessir I’m counting on that. Appreciate it.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,194
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,194 |
Funny this thread came up. It dawned on me , that I started reloading the 3rd week in Feb. 1986 , 37 yrs now. I only shoot reloads . Remember when there was a time when people thought the guns would blow up? Never had a problem.
But the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, Gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5: 22&23
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,297
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,297 |
Just getting started reloading. Pretty intimidating but I am looking forward to it. It doesn’t have to be hard. You may make it more difficult as you progress but it’s Really not too bad if you’re sticking with the basics.
Semper Fi
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,137
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,137 |
Reloads, about 34 years reloading now.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 14,330
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 14,330 |
Roll my own 308 270 30-06 243 and 223
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494 |
Reloads only since 1975 pistols by the 10s of thousands, rifles way less but I own several rifles that have never fired a factory round. More for accuracy and cost. some thing about dropping a monster moose with my own bullet.
9mm, 38Spl, 357Mag, 45Colt
30-06, 308, 303Brit, 300Savage, 6.5Mm Swede, 300WinMag, 45/70, 405Win, 243.
Last edited by the_shootist; 02/25/23.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov 4:23)
Brother Keith
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,620
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2007
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Just bought a 450 Bushmaster Ruger bolt gun, Factory loads are good and available. Around 1 1/4 groups. However, my handload of Hornady 250 FTX over 40 grs of Lil Gun is more accurate. Like one ragged hole accurate. Last, that load chronographed at an average of 2397FPS for 4 shots with a 22 inch barrel. No pressure signs observed. So, yes I will be handloading for that rifle .
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 13,921
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 13,921 |
I guess I'm no longer reloading for anything other than 300 Savage. I'm running out of primers so I have to prioritize
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,926
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,926 |
I've been reloading ammunition since I was ten years old. I can't recall ever having purchased a single box of factory ammunition. Ever. I got a free box of .30-06 ammunition when I bought a M70 Classic SS Featherweight. Other than that, I don't think I've ever chambered a factory round in any of my rifles.
Selmer "Daddy, can you sometime maybe please go shoot a water buffalo so we can have that for supper? Please? And can I come along? Does it taste like deer?" - my 3-year old daughter 
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,790
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,790 |
I've been reloading since 1973, all of the big game that I've taken since then have been taken with handloads.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,580
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,580 |
Mostly reload. 45/70 isn't something I'm buying as loaded ammunition.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 949
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 949 |
I started shotgun reloading when I was 14 and rifle when I was 16. These days I don't shoot enough shotgun shells to justify reloading for them but rifle is another story. I have not bought a rifle round in 40 plus years.
"Pride is the only disease that makes everyone sick except the one that has it"
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,162
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2017
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I use both depending on the particular rifle chambering. I've lucked out a few times where I have gotten into a clearance situation where I could buy factory ammo substantially cheaper than I could reload it. In such cases I bought all I could get. I might not get quarter inch groups with it but 1" or so will kill deer just fine at woods distances.
I also had opportunities to buy "seconds" from Federal. These were great deals for cheaper than one could reload. Sometimes overruns were available where one could get specialty loads made for a specific entity. I picked up a few cases of 270, 30/06, and 300 Win mag ammo loaded with Speer Grand Slam bullets for half blue box went for. That was about the cost of the bullets alone at that time. Some were distributed for retail but not on a wide spread scale.
I reload almost all my pistol ammo these days, it is just too expensive otherwise. Gone are the days of $3 boxes of 9mm or 38 Spl for $4 on sale. I'll buy aluminum or steel case ammo for classes as reclaiming empties is a pain therefore I have no qualms leaving it lay.
I reload all my shotshells unless required by match rules. I'll reload some non-toxics but I'm well stocked with factory loads having bought them when on clearance. With the dearth of 410 shells reloading is the only way to go and it is the only means to reliably find 7/8 oz loads for the 12 ga.
Last edited by woodmaster81; 02/25/23.
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 27
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 27 |
Wasn't a doubt in my mind that most guys reload, I have never seen factory ammo compete with handloads, well actually not exactly, 22-250 vmax hornady ammo is darn close to my 55sierra loads but that's it, have been rolling my own for 15 years or so 308, 243,270, 357,38sp, 22-250, its a no Brainer , easy to do and very satisfying
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,505
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,505 |
Factory loads for me. Haven't reloaded at least 10 years. Whitetails are plentiful in my area and factory loads are more than sufficient.
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,906
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,906 |
Mixed bag. I reload for 7mm Weatherby, 7x57, .300 Bee, .300 Savage, 250-3000 Savage, .257 Roberts, .358 Win, and .35 Whelen exclusively. I don’t reload for my .30-06 or .308 often because I have some good factory loads and don’t shoot either very often. I don’t bother with 5.56 or handgun cartridges since I have ample supply and seldom shoot them.
Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,017
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,017 |
I reload, haven’t fired a factory center fire in 40 years, maybe 45. I reload for everything I own. I don't trust factory ammo. I will shoot it on occasion, like when I get it given to me when I buy a new/used rifle. Just recently I had to use some factory ammo in a 30-30 I bought. I'll burn it up for the brass.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,455
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,455 |
I use factory and always have. Toyed with the idea of reloading about 10 years ago but never acted on the whim. At 60 I probably got about enough factory ammo to pretty much see me thru to the end. I’m not a shooter just a hunter so I don't run thru much. I might need some 7mm08 in a few years if I keep on with that rifle.
Life can be rough on us dreamers.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,024
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,024 |
Hanco: I have been Hunting for Deer for MANY decades now and that has been done exclusively with my trusted, tried and true handloads.
Years ago I bought one of my VarmintSons a new Remington 700 BDL-SS-DBM Rifle in 25/06 Remington caliber - it was his first Rifle and I decided to break him in" with some factory ammo. And then use that once fired brass to show him the ropes on reloading.
That Remington 100 grain PSP ammo we tried was/is SO accurate in that Rifle that to this day that is all we use in said amazing Rifle. That Rifle has a Leupold 4.5x14 A/O variable scope on it. He has taken both Whitetail Deer and Mule Deer with that set-up along with a dandy Buck Antelope. As best I can remember all animals harvested with that factory ammo and Rifle were one shot kills.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,590
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
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I have always bought factory rifle ammo. Where I hunt 75 - 100 yards is a long shot.
I do a lot of hand loading for Spreader and low pressure shotgun shells for my older shotguns though, in 10, 12, and 16 gauge.
I also load brass cases with black for the 10 gauge, and 2 7/8 inch specialty loads.
"Somehow, the sound of a shotgun tends to cheer one up" -- Robert Ruark
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,885
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,885 |
I don't load for my 9mm because I don't like messing with the small brass, but I do keep components for loading 9mm on hand in case of a shortage. My 10mm hard cast 220 grain loads come from one of the small boutique companies, but I load other 10mm loads. Other then that I roll my own.
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,374
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,374 |
Other than my Marlin carbine in 44 mag, all of my stuff is hard to find factory. Even my 358 Win.
The original TD carbine and Sharp's carbine require reloading. My 350 Rem mag and 358 Win are so expensive if you find factory ammo that I just started reloading as soon as I got the gun
I had two boxes of factory 350 Rem mag but I sold them.off to a guy that didn't reload.
At least components are becoming more available although Reloader 7 powder has still evaded me.
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,766
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,766 |
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,430
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,430 |
Small Game, Deer, Turkey, Bear, Elk....It's what's for dinner.
If you know how many guns you own... you don't own enough.
In God We Trust.
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 8,593
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 8,593 |
Factory. That's the best thing about the creedmoor's (excluding the 22 creed). Great factory ammunition.
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 7
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 7 |
Factory, I've found that in a hunting situation, it's seldom the gun or the ammunition, usually operator error.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,741
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,741 |
I reload 375hh, .257wby, 7wsm and will be adding 6.5prc to the list
I shoot factory .45/70, 6.8spc, 308
Had a progressive 12 ga loader that I sold
DON’T BE TOO PROUD OF THIS TECHNOLOGICAL TERROR YOU’VE CONSTRUCTED. THE ABILITY TO DESTROY A PLANET IS INSIGNIFICANT NEXT TO THE POWER OF THE FORCE.
- Darth Vader
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,088
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,088 |
Load my own. Other than .22 RF I haven't shot any critters with factory ammo in over 40 years.
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,582
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,582 |
I started reloading for my centerfire rifles about 2007. Then I started loading my handgun ammo soon after. I still buy factory shotgun ammo as the cost of components seems to go up equally to the cost of ammo. Started hoarding reloading supplies during the Clinton years and I still have more than I'll ever use up.
Wag more, bark less.
The freedoms we surrender today will be the freedoms our grandchildren will never know existed.
The men who wrote the Second Amendment didn't just finish a hunting trip, they just finished liberating a nation.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,621
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,095
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,095 |
I still hand load all the ammo for my center fire rifles. It is the only way I can get the best accuracy for each rifle. I haven't loaded shotshells or pistol ammo in decades. There is no longer any savings in loading those.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke 1795
"Give me liberty or give me death"
Patrick Henry 1775
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,296
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,296 |
I handload for 95% of my rifles. I sometimes buy factory ammo for the brass and find it shoots too good to mess with loading.
CK
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 161
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 161 |
I load all my centerfires (and for a few friends).
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,288
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,288 |
I use factory and always have. Toyed with the idea of reloading about 10 years ago but never acted on the whim. At 60 I probably got about enough factory ammo to pretty much see me thru to the end. I’m not a shooter just a hunter so I don't run thru much. I might need some 7mm08 in a few years if I keep on with that rifle. Same here. I just picked up 10 boxes of 25-06 in a trade to add to another pile. I did the math, I'm likely 15 boxes too many on 25-06 alone.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,689
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,689 |
I load for the cartridges I hunt with the most. Shoot factory in the others
Sam......
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 218
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 218 |
Downsized from a big rambling Victorian house to a much smaller place. I now have problems finding places to neatly store my factory ammo. I’m not sure where I would put the equipment to load my own. Besides I already have too many other projects & pastimes. Factory is more than adequate for my modest needs. Having said that, I think I would enjoy reloading & one of my hunting buddies does have a press. I live in a much smaller place than I used to as well and essentially just load out my range kit full time now. Basically that just means all the tools being used day to day fit in the same small machinist chest that I use to load at the range. Reloading at its core is a very simple operation, it only requires a few tools. I used to have a big bench and the endless piles of stuff everywhere but for the most part enjoy the simplified version more.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 168
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2001
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All reloads except buckshot.
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,017
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2018
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I'll shoot factory for a good laugh. Then grab a handload.
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 58
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 58 |
On a new rifle, I'll generally buy a few boxes of factory ammunition to get an idea of what it likes and make brass with. For premium ammunition, it's always so close in cost to buy or reload, I'll take the good brass and not deal with reloading on the first batch.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,568
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,568 |
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,620
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,620 |
Both, a reload for the 450 Buchmaster, shotgun slugs are factory ammo.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 502
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
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Factory only for 25 years.
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,010
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2019
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Other than using shotgun slugs I can’t recall having ever killed a big game animal with ammo I didn’t load myself.
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Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 341
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 341 |
I'm primarily a deer hunter, and my range time is really only for sighting in rifles, developing hand loads, and confirming zeros every fall. Have not shot factory ammo in years. I have a pretty good supply of components for the calibers I shoot, most of it purchased long ago, so it's just much cheaper to work up my own ammo. This year I got my first 25 cal, a .257 Roberts Kimber Montana, so I had to get brass and bullets. Luckily I had an unopened can of IMR4350 that I probably bought 15 or 20 years ago.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 62
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 62 |
All my handgun hunting loads are reloads. The rifle cartridges I use both reloads and factory depending on the caliber.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,675
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,675 |
I only shoot and hunt with reloads. The last deer I shot with factory ammunition was in 1989 and that deer went over 200 yards with a Core Lokt placed right behind the shoulder.
NRA Lifetime Endowment Member
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,884
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,884 |
I reload, haven’t fired a factory center fire in 40 years, maybe 45. I was taught to load at the age of twelve by my uncle who purchased an original Wby MK V in 257 Wby in 1958, the year I was born. At that time there were no commercially loaded ammo mfr’s for Weatherby magnums. It was a purely roll-your-own investment. I too, have loaded nearly every rifle cartridge & most handgun ammo I have ever fired. I did hunt with a 280 Remington for a couple of seasons that was purchased specifically as a back-up rifle for use with commercial ammo. Once the primary weapon was repaired the 280 went back in the safe.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country."
Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,743
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,743 |
I reload my handloads. Can’t recall the last deer I took with factory. Rifles come and go here without tasting store-bought.
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,017
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,017 |
Just getting started reloading. Pretty intimidating but I am looking forward to it. It doesn’t have to be hard. You may make it more difficult as you progress but it’s Really not too bad if you’re sticking with the basics. Sticking to the basics and keeping schidt easy is something a lot of guys lose along the way. They try to complicate things, with hardly any gain at all. Unless you are a benchrest competitor or shooting for money, there is no reason to use a lot of the crap guys mention here a lot. Load straight ammo with as little fuss as you can and you will be way ahead of the game. Or you can go down the rabbit hole and get lost or lose focus. Keep it simple, is the approach I take..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,276
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,276 |
hope the young guys on here learn to reload centerfire ammo ,its a great joy to use your own ammo you made for target shooting and for hunting . good luck,Pete53
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,637
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,637 |
I started reloading when I was 12. Will turn 70 next month. Have never killed a big game animal with a factory round. And everything my son and wife killed was with my reloads.
My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 101
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 101 |
I reload all of my hunting ammo for both rifle and handgun. Been that way since 1997. Youngin’ I know 😎
Last edited by LOBO2; 03/08/23.
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Factory ammo has been a good source of brass. The 17 Hornet on the other hand is great from the factory. I have some factory 300 H&H ammo, but they have set on my shelves for a couple of years. Maybe if I run out of brass I’ll shoot them.
I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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I spent part of the morning processing, sorting and sizing 30-30 brass. It's a mix of once fired Win, Rem, and Fed brass. I have come to the conclusion that Federal brass is caca. It is softer and the primer pockets are looser than the other two brands. I'll load it due to the shortage of 30-30 brass, but it will not be used again. I also have a bunch of Rem-umc brass that seem to last forever. They just don't make stuff like they used to.
They will vote our way into socialism, We will have to shoot our way out.
Every major horror in the world was perpetrated in the name of altruism.
Just how big is Aroostook County you ask?
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Roll my own. Absurd prices on our shelves here for factory.
Yup.
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Only buy factory when it's the only way to get brass for a cartridge I don't already load and have brass for.
Grumpy old man with a gun.....Do not touch .
Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Don't bother my monument and I'll leave yours alone.
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This is an interesting thread, would not have thought so many reload but then again this site is a magnet for gun nuts!! I've reloaded for 15 years, started with a Lee loader for my 308 savage 99. If I ever think that my rifle collection is out of hand, it's nothing compared to how my reloading equipment has grown. I shoot oddballs a lot like 284 win, 6.5-284, 358 win, 9.3x57 Mauser, 6.5x55 and 300 savage. If I'm going to practice much with any, I basically have to reload. Also shoot plenty of 30-06 and 308, even stated reloading for my daughter's 223. Being able to choose the correct bullet like trophy bonded bear claws I got for that 223 from a very generous member here on the fire makes me more confident in my gun's ability to perform its job. And I feel like the 223 is a prime example of a chambering that may be marginal for deer but when loaded with the correct bullet becomes very capable at reasonable ranges.
Oh yeah, plus it's fun.
MM
Last edited by mitchellmountain; 03/15/23.
Tell me the odds of putting grease on the same pancake? I Know they are there, well ice and house slippers. -Kawi
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Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
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Just getting started reloading. Pretty intimidating but I am looking forward to it. It doesn’t have to be hard. You may make it more difficult as you progress but it’s Really not too bad if you’re sticking with the basics. Sticking to the basics and keeping schidt easy is something a lot of guys lose along the way. They try to complicate things, with hardly any gain at all. Unless you are a benchrest competitor or shooting for money, there is no reason to use a lot of the crap guys mention here a lot. Load straight ammo with as little fuss as you can and you will be way ahead of the game. Or you can go down the rabbit hole and get lost or lose focus. Keep it simple, is the approach I take.. Me too, clean burr out of flash hole, full length size, because I have multiples of many cartridges, clean primer pocket, chamfer case,load and shoot.
Last edited by hanco; 03/15/23.
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All of my rifles have been fed handloads for the last two decades. I did pick up some ammo at Walmart when they were closing it out for less than $5 a box in 243 and 30-06.
I just started reloading for slugs. It’s been a lot easier than I expected. I bought primed shells from BRI and slugs from slugs r us. Used a roll crimper on the drill press. Found some green dot locally and put together a subsonic slug that shoots about 1.5” groups at 50 with a rifled choke in a Turkey barrel on an 870. Exactly what I wanted on my home property where I wanted to keep it “quiet” to not disturb the neighbors too much. Now just need a deer I want to shoot to stand in front of me.
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Same. A lot of what I shoot is a bit oddball and there's not a lot to choose from here for odd ammo.
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Campfire Tracker
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I have been deer hunting for 60 years and have never killed a deer with a rifle factory load. Started hunting with buckshot though, as a shotgun was the only gun I owned. Took off a few years from deer hunting when I was in college. When I started deer hunting again it was with a rifle. By then I was already reloading for varmint rifles, so it was natural to load for the deer rifle.
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All hand loads,40 plus calibers
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A couple cousins come up for Prairie Dog shooting annually. They bring factory ammo for their 223’s and 22-250’s. They take the brass back to Texas and sell them, normally. I asked to buy their 22-250 brass one year. They gave me a life time supply of brass in that one prairie dog shoot.
I have maybe a dozen partial boxes of factory ammo for 303 Brit, 6mm, 25-06, 270 & maybe some others. Sometimes at a gun show people will have sold their rifle and get rid of the factory ammo at less than brass prices. Over the years, I’ve bought maybe 4 partial boxes of 375 H&H ammo loaded with 300 grain solids for a song. Funny how they mostly had 15-18 or so loaded cases in a box I’m suspecting that in these cases the owner didn’t like the ammo for some reason. I love gun shows.
I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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I hand load everything for the last 35 years or so but do it because it is something to do and fun... and after all these of buying and collecting brass, and powder - components, the cost now for me is much lower than buy factory
The worst thing ever to happen to cops is the personal video recorder... Now people can see the truth
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I reload for rifles only. In the past, I would for pistols too, but never shotguns. I stopped reloading for pistols because they’re not as accurate as rifles and I don’t think I’m a good pistol shooter. At least not as good as I expect to be. The other reason is that it takes too long to load for them with the set up I have. I might get back into pistols if I get a good deal on used equipment that can spit out a lot of rounds. My set up for rifles is pretty good. I keep up with technology in dies, dispensers, chronographs, and case prep. I’m engaged in loading every week. I’m not anti factory rounds, but don’t usually buy any. One time worth mentioning is when I just had to buy 300 WbY rounds because of circumstances and the factory Weatherby®️ cartridges were as accurate as any hand loads I made for that rifle. So much that I thought it was a fluke and bought more and found them to be just as accurate. I still hand load for it and they do fine, but I do it for cost purposes as I shoot it a lot.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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I don't follow "conventional wisdom" very much...
Most of my brass for a couple decades has been picked up off the ground at our local range after people leave without even picking up after themselves.. What I don't use or can't use due to not owning a caliber in that chambering, I clean, tumble and give it to friends that have rifles in that chambering...
If I shot 100 rounds a day, I don't think I'd run out of brass for the rest of my days..
I tailor my loads to what I am after. I do things like extend brass life dramatically, use loads that have less recoil than factory stuff does, and also dramatically extend barrel life. I get a lot more shots out of a pound a powder, that most who load and get max velocity. I don't need a 500 yd elk load to take down a 100 pound black tail at 100 yds..
I shoot a lot of sage rats every season, which last 5 to 6 months....a minimum of several thousand a season.. sometimes as high as 8000 of them some seasons... with loads that I get 400 to 500 rounds or more out of a pound of powder...been using Unique a lot lately, as I have a bunch of it... plus started using other powders that are available...shot gun and pistol powders in 223 bolt guns.. 700 to 800 rounds out of a pound of powder, yet still can ring steel targets the size of my hand print at 300 and 400 yds...
handloading allows 1000 times more opportunities than factory ammo EVER could...and that stretch out barrel life spans way beyond most people would ever believe...
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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After reading this thread, there are a lot of folks I've never met, whom I'd like to spend an afternoon or two at their local range with.. shooting, talking reload techniques and experiences with...
this has been a nice thread.. for once...
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Campfire Savant
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The one Reloader on my deer lease got off. This is the only place I get to hear about reloading
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I posted this topic over on Rokslide, it's interesting to me that the percentage of responders is noticeably higher that use factory. Still more handload than use factory by a large margin but it's not the same.
Tell me the odds of putting grease on the same pancake? I Know they are there, well ice and house slippers. -Kawi
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All I hunt with is my reloads. 35 Rem/30-30/45-70/280/30-06/44 mag..........Haven't used a factory load in years.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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I only have 1 gun that's ever eaten a factory round...and it was my dad's '06.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Campfire Greenhorn
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I run smaller batch factory stuff in my 45-70. Buffalo Bore is my go to. Way hotter then core-lockts and way more consistent than hornady.
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I can’t remember the last time I fired a factory centerfire round in anything other than 6.5 Grendel.
If I were starting over, and just hunting this area, whitetails < 300 yards…I think one would be just as well off by finding an accurate Factory load and stocking up.
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Loading all my own as far as metallic cartridges
I never got set up for shotshells Same here. I can't remember the last time I bought factory ammo.
Medics bury their mistakes..
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Campfire Savant
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I just like reloading my own. Don’t know if I save much, but don’t care.
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Roll my own. Much better accuracy than factory.
Texas bred and born
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I was reloading, but with work I got to busy so I started using factory,. Things are slowing down so I am back.to reloading.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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I was reloading, but with work I got to busy so I started using factory,. Things are slowing down so I am back.to reloading. Doesn't take long to load 20 rounds. I've never seen a deer season where we needed 20. Maybe 10 between the wife. and I. Thats for 8/10 deer.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Campfire Ranger
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Been reloading for ever. Since 89? Any factory ammo around here is 22 LR or shotgun shells.
“Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils.” - General
John Stark.
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Been reloading since late 70's hence most of my deer have been taken with reloads think I can recall 2 deer I have taken with factory ammo. Either will get the job done in most cases. Been a problem for some folks to practice enough for a long time Expect non proficient hunters due to lack of trigger time is more common than ever with current ammo pricing.
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control
& Proverbs 21:19
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Came back to this thread this morning and it got me thinking (!). Handloading, which is mostly what I do as opposed to reloading, has multiple benefits. Cost is what’s mentioned most I think, followed by better performance, but the recent troubles have highlighted that rolling your own lets you keep shooting (and hunting) through periodic shortages, provided you have seen to it that your supplies are adequate in advance. Hopefully as things continue to ease in the supply chain, those who were caught short can get what they need, and when prices bottom out, what they’ll need next time this happens. Hard to say where the bottom will be, except it’ll likely be higher than before.
Just checked prices on bullets suitable for my 5.7, and there’s not much out there in the weight range I’m looking at, and prices are mostly pretty sporty, with a few exceptions. Gotta check the stuff on hand before I buy..
Seafire’s right, good thread
What fresh Hell is this?
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it`s a pride thing for many of us to as said : we roll our own /handload our own ammo . been reloading since late 70`s its been wonderful to have learned what i have learned
and helped others . i have shot many critters , deer ,antelope ,elk ,caribou ,black bears ,pigs all with my handloads or my arrows i made . would i handload my own ammo again always yes as said before its a pride thing for many of us.
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
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Campfire Ranger
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I started out with the one-at-time little Lee Loader for a Ruger 357 at 17 or 18 I guess. Then, at one time loaded for everything from the 17 Rem to the 458 Lott. No hunters/shooters in my family and I’m closer to 74 than 73 now, so I’ve slowly been divesting myself (and my wife) of gear and components. I only reloaded shot shells for a brief period in my financially challenged youth.
I’m still stuffing cases for a 284 Win and a 358 Win although I have a good lot of factory ammo for the latter. The 284 needs reloading to come into its own, and I’ve whittled down the possibilities to a single load at this point, so no more experimenting for me.
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Campfire Ranger
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Both. Just last season I killed one with a 6.5 Creedmoor factory load and one with a .30-30 handload. I normally don't like to load for my .30-30's but since ammo has been hard to find the last couple years and I stocked up on components years ago, I've been loading my own recently. I also load for my .223, .22-250 and .243 because I can get better accuracy than with factory from my home brewed varmint loads but for my deer hunting, factory ammo is more than satisfactory so that's what I normally use. I started reloading in high school to save money but I've always found it tedious and boring as hell.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I don’t think I’ve ever shot a deer with a factory round.
NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
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Campfire Savant
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I don’t think I’ve ever shot a deer with a factory round. I have but it’s been close to 50 yrs ago.
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I killed some deer with factory loads when I was 8-14 years old. All from a 300 Savage except for 1 deer killed with a Winchester Silver Tip from my 1st 270. I also killed a few deer and antelope with an AK in 7.62X39 using various soft points and hallow points about 10 years ago.
Other then those, all game I have killed in the USA were killed with my own hand loads. When in other countries I use the factory ammo that was available, but here in the USA I bet I have not killed more than 20 head of game with factory loaded ammo in 59 years of hunting. The game I have killed with handloads however, is beyond counting for me.
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I load for my .270, but I don't bother with the .30-30. They've had 125 years to get it right, I figure they should have it figured out by now.
I've surely killed more deer with handloads than factory, overall, I've probably only killed 5-6 deer with store-bought ammo.
You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
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I hunt with a 250 Ackley Improved, a 300 Savage, a 30-30, and son a 375Win and a 25-20. Only one of those are a store bought item anymore, and I load for it anyways.
I'm looking into loading brass shot shells for my shotguns. Haven't got there yet.
Other than that, it's rimfire or black powder.
I am the NorthEast WoodsBeast!
"System version 1.3, divorced"
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If I’m hunting deer, fox, bobcat, coyote and turkey. I load it myself. That includes handgun as well. Rabbit, coons and doves I’ll buy ammo.
You ain't about that life.
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Campfire Savant
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Gonna load some 280, 32-40, and 375 Winchester today. It’s raining, can’t do much outside
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I have rolled my own for about 15 years now.
I think I have finally caught up with the cost savings benefit having bought a bunch in the glory days. I enjoy the tinkering and being able to load up rounds to shoot whenever I please regardless of which retard is in office.
Last edited by CBB15; 04/08/23.
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Campfire Savant
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I bought a Chargemaster 1500 a few years ago. It make reloading a lot easier
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Started handloading about 1967 or 68. Other than 410 and 20ga, I reload everything.
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I only hunt with my reloads. In fact, I load for every gun I own be it rifle, handgun or shotgun. I even shot two Elephants with my reloads.
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I have shot hundreds of critters with guns and bows and shotguns. I have never killer one with a factory manufactured arrow or cartridge. Kinda cool.
If you find yourself in a hole....quit digging
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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What is this "factory ammo" you speak of?
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Campfire Ranger
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Growing up, my father was a handloader so everything was reloaded and I eventually learned and took over my own duties.
Outside of shotgun slugs, I've never fired a factory round at a deer.
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/X0n16mr.png) WWP53D
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Started reloading in 1971(with a Lee Loader!) and still going at it. No factory
Last edited by Txgunrunner; 04/13/23.
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I shoot factory in my .243 and .223. I can't really spend time and money and do better in a realistic sense, than blue box Federal or plain old AR ammo. Same way with shotgun. My time is worth too much to load shotgun shells. Otherwise I load all my metallic cartridges from 257R up to 375.
"Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin.'"
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The only ammo I don't reload is 12ga 3 inch turkey shells.
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I reload all my hunting ammo for rifle and handgun. I agree with the gentleman that made the fly/trout comparison earlier. It really does add some pleasure to know that I killed my best buck to date with ammo I made. Never have shot enough shotgun to get into loading for them. Just buy ammo for turkey or dove.
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I reload all my ammo too. Whether it's .308, .30-06 or 8mm Mauser.
Why do I have to press 1, for English?
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All I use is my handloads.
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I do both. I’ve got enough factory for a lifetime at the rate I shoot, but I still tinker as I like to kill game with what I made.
Regards,
Nick- Georgia
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 67
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 67 |
Reload 20 Ga and several center fire calibers. Hunt mostly with reloads.
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Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 34
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 34 |
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Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 244
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 244 |
Handloads. Bought my first press, I think it was during the Bronze Age. I’ve upgraded since!
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,913
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,913 |
Handloads only……since the early ‘70’s! And……since 1990, I have no other option! 🙀🤔😉memtb
Last edited by memtb; 07/14/23.
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,096
Campfire Savant
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OP
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,096 |
I need to load some more 32-40’s, going to lease soon, maybe catch more piggies
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,815
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,815 |
Used to handload (not reload, all new components) for hunting, don't have the time now, factory fodder these days. If I shot more, I'd start loading again but I don't go through much ammo in a season.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 298
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 298 |
Proud Life Member of the NRA & GOA
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Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 51
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 51 |
I have never shot a deer with a factory load. I'm sure i never will.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,720
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,720 |
Hand load for my 250 Savage
Can’t really beat, nor do I need to, the accuracy of factory in my 308s
Wish I had started sooner for 35 Remington.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 957
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 957 |
I did, but no more. I only meat hunt anymore and factory ammo does all I need. A hazard of being an oldfart.
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,034
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,034 |
Deer aren't all that hard to kill, still-huntin'.
Whatever's handy and the rifles are sighted in for.
GR
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,884
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,884 |
I reload, haven’t fired a factory center fire in 40 years, maybe 45. I’m a member of that club.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country."
Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,096
Campfire Savant
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OP
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,096 |
I reload, haven’t fired a factory center fire in 40 years, maybe 45. I’m a member of that club. Me too
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,913
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,913 |
No factory loads since around 1970‘ish! 😉 memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 441
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 441 |
I use both but overwhelming I reload for my guns.
If its something I won’t shoot very much, it doesn’t make sense to me to buy dies, components, spend the time etc. when I could buy a couple boxes of factory stuff and be good.
It also depends on what time I have. To just grab a box of factory stuff, sight in and go hunting is often all the time I have these days. If I haven’t gotten my load development work done by July 4th, I normally will appeal to factory stuff if I must use that gun, that year.
Have been handloading since I was 12 years old. I love it.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,913
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,913 |
Some of our guns have never had a factory load fired in them……and several of them have never had a jacketed bullet fired through them! memtb
Last edited by memtb; 08/03/23.
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,499
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,499 |
When I get some time I'll count them up reloads vs factory. Thanks for the responses and apparently I'm in good company with what appears to be overwhelmingly more handloaders.
P.S.
I also haven't worked up a deer in the field with a factory knife in over a decade, been making my own for that long.
Last edited by mitchellmountain; 08/03/23.
Tell me the odds of putting grease on the same pancake? I Know they are there, well ice and house slippers. -Kawi
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 994
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 994 |
Rifle and most pistol cartridges I reload. Shot gun shells I buy.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,143
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,143 |
I started reloading when I was 12 because my primary 'chuck gun was a Marlin 336 SC in 219 Zipper. REM/WIN factory ammo was hard to find, so it was a case of either start reloading or stop shooting that rifle. Plus, the factory ammo was loaded with a round nose bullet and if I used the rifle as a single shot, so I could load pointed bullets and get a little flatter trajectory.
My Father reloaded for his 'chuck rifles, so all I had to buy were components and dies. My first press was a Lyman Spar-T, a birthday gift that came from the original Gander Mountain catalog.
These days it really depends of the rifle and cartridge. Some, like the 256 Newton, 40-55, and 40-82 are reload only cartridges and some are reload for accuracy and/or economy cartridges. Only a few are factory ammo only rifles either because they shoot factory ammo MOA or better or they are shot at such a low volume that setting up to load for them doesn't interest me.
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