Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles When did you start reloading ??

If I recall...it was 1973.....RCBS JR press....still have my 505 scale...but use Digital Pro now...probably started with a 357 & 44 mag die set from RCBS...now have 30+ die sets...still a single stage Rockchucker....powder was $8 a pound (or so) primers were less than a penny each...man oh man...now look at today's reloading prices...still cheaper than factory ammo.....what an enjoyable hobby....beats the hell out of golf...

Started out with a Lee Loader for 20 gauge when I was in high school in the '60s. Alcan powder (AL5). Fiber wads and nitro cards.

Started wiping 45 Colt cases for my Pop,in our garage,when I was in kindergarten...Never killed a big game animal with factory loads...

Started helping my dad load shotshell inserts for his .357 when I was about 12.

I started reloading in 1964 at the grand old age of 14. I had no mentor so everything came from books and the American Rifleman magazine.. My equipment was all from Herters.. Still have it and use some to this day.

I started loading shotshells in the 70's.After a misfire(squib load!) in a Winchester .280Rem factory load in 1989 that cost me a really good mulie buck I started rolling my own.Been at it ever since! Monashee

Dad taught me how to load 12ga shells when I was 12 or 13, and he showed me how to load metallic cartridges when I was 15 or 16.

I started in 1972, when I was 12 years old. I loaded 12 ga trap loads on a mec 600 jr, and 243 Winchester loads on a Redding C-press...Odd thing is that my dad was not into guns or hunting all that much, but supported my interest and pushed my into the reloading game....

Started in 1978 when I purchased my first Ruger Security Six 4" stainless 357 mag. Everything was done with RCBS products. I figured it out on a calculator that if you had 1500 empty cases to reload, powder / bullets / primers cost you 127.00 . That's 30 boxes of 50.. The same 127.00 purchased 8 1/3 boxes of factory ammo. What a difference reloading makes and alot more shooting.

Ken

Started in 2007, inherited a Dillon 550 press and some other stuff.

Early teens. Watched Dad for several years before, and got to start doing it for real at 13-14.

Jeff

Started in 1980 with my new 450 Dillion..Still use the same press today

I started loading 20yrs ago cuz I thought that 7mmMag was too expensive in factory form.

That was before the internet, so I was self taught from books. It is MUCH easier to learn now, esp with places like this.

Began in 1990 with a Lee loader kit in 222 rem. Had to reload as I had three sons who always wanted to go shoot.

About 1970.

I started on my 14th birthday in 1953 with a outfit consisting of a Lyman Eze Loader, Tru-Line Jr type dies with a FL die and a Redding scale. I still have the press and its set up on the bench but little used now.

I got some advice in person from Lysle Kilbourn who I met at that time. This was valuable advice as it introduced me to headspace right off. At the time I was already working part time in my late dad's tool and die shop where I held the position of assistant executive floor sweeper.

Kilbourn worked for Lyman and you can see his picture in some old Ideal Manuals. I have been actively handloading every year since.

I started in 1994 after I bought a 7mm08 and realized that the factory wanted me to hunt with 140 gr bullets no matter what. I never was one to like being dictated to, so with the help of a Lyman manual and the people on the old shooters and here, I started reloading. I have killed a lot of deer with a lot of different bullets since then. Even with the 140 gr ones. miles

I started reloading when I was 14, loading for a 22 Hornet on a Belding and Mull BM-2 tool. That was in 1948.

Don

Started in the early 60's with a lee loader in 38/357 and 30/06. Some manuals and directions, mostly by the seat of your pants.Rick.

reloaded (helped/watched) with my dad from about age 7.

once I moved out he stocked me up, enough to buy me time to get my own equipment.