XD Talk

**Old School** · 10-11-2010, 11:13 AM

Reloading is a factor of cost and quality. I shoot a lot each year, therefore I reload. My loads are best for me and my gun and better than any factory loads for my needs.

If you compete often and don't reload, you are missing out. If you shoot less than 500 rounds a year, then factory is a better path for you.

OS

dlswerz · 10-11-2010, 12:21 PM

My dad has reloaded longer than I have been alive. I'm 45. He has passed on some of his skill to me and wants to teach his grandsons (my sister's sons) but they don't seem to have the time to learn. What a shame, once he's gone all that skill and experience will be lost...I will inherit his equipment, but for now I share it with him...and learn as much as I can. If you do a lot of shooting, reloading is a lot cheaper and you can easily customize the load for different uses.

titus_1133 · 10-11-2010, 09:05 PM

I'm 25 and I *really* wish my father or grandfather would have taught me how to reload. I am a man and I have to learn everything from the internet an my own mistakes.

speedracer211 · 10-11-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titus_1133

I'm 25 and I *really* wish my father or grandfather would have taught me how to reload. I am a man and I have to learn everything from the internet an my own mistakes.

A lot of us have been there. Reloading is not that difficult, but it requires 100% attention to detail. It is the only time I dont have the t.v. or radio on while doing something.

JustRick · 10-11-2010, 09:42 PM

I certainly hope it isn't. My father taught me reloading when I was fairly young, I want to say about 12 or so. I have been away from the sport for quite a while, getting back into it these last few years though I have always had a firearm and occasionally taken them out to the range.

My youngest son is 23 and I have taken him and his brother shooting occasionally when they were young, he got his merit badges in Boy Scouts in firearms, and uncle sam taught him how much fun it is to shoot some pretty big stuff. He dragged me back into weekly\bi-weekly range trips after getting his 1911 a few months ago and now we want to get into reloading. I hope to be able to teach him how (after relearning some things myself) and hand this skill down like my father did to me.

panther308 · 10-11-2010, 10:45 PM

For me it was never about cost it was about producing the best ammo possible for the guns I have which now can be produced alot cheaper than buying new production, I have not figured how long it would take for me to recoupe my investment and may not really want to know LOL

slodsm · 10-17-2010, 08:30 PM

I shoot a lot of trap/sporting clays and almost EVERYONE I know regardless of age reloads. The ones who don't either aren't serious (light shooting) or are quite wealthy. I personally shoot 300 rounds a week on a light week and if it's a heavier one or a tournament more like 500-600 so I have to reload or I wouldn't be able to sensibly do this financially. I was taught by my father in law to reload metallic because I love precision rifles as well and once ammo hit 40 bucks a box for FGMM .308 I decided it was time to learn. I taught myself shot shell reloading and actually just left the man cave where my benches and presses are set up because I had to replenish my stock of 1oz 12 gauge loads.

The IDPA shooters I know who shoot 9mm don't reload near as much as the guys who shoot larger calibers but I still don't think it's a dying art by any stretch. I really agree with some other guys who in fact think it's making a comeback.

Ski098 · 10-17-2010, 09:48 PM

I'm 36 and I just started reloading pistol rounds in March. I didn't have anyone to help me, I just basically learned it all on my own thru internet research and reading old posts here and a couple other sites. Since March I've done around 3000 rounds thru my 127$ Lee single stage anniversary press. So far I've more than recouped my initial investment. To start reloading you need:

Shell Casings - Pick up your used brass at the range
Primers, Powder, and Bullets.

And a press. My initial purchase was the Lee Anniversary Edition Single Stage Press which I got for around 130$ shipped from Midway.

90050 Lee 50th Anniversary Kit
90965 Lee 40 S&W Deluxe Carbide 4 Die Set
90154 Lee Case Length Gauge 40 S&W Lee 90154
90600 Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushings Package of 2

To give you an idea of how much I've saved by reloading.

3000 Rounds of the cheapest Walmart 40SW ammo - 903.16$(Federal 180gr @13.97$ a box + 7.75% sales tax)

3000 Rounds of 180gr hand loads - 543$ That's using locally purchased:

180gr Zero Fully Jacketed Bullets (Although lead bullets are cheaper, I like these)
Winchester WST Powder (Burns clean, fills the case, and smells pretty good)
Winchester Small Pistol Primers (Federal's are a little cheaper, but Winchester hasn't failed me yet.
Recycled Range Brass (Usually Winchester or Federals)

So yeah, Reloading has saved me around 350$ this year. I'm actually planning to reinvest that money into a nice Dillon. In June when I picked up my XDm 9mm I bought a 9mm die set, and I've been reloading for 9mm as well.

And for the guys who safe you can't be too careful. I agree. My only consideration is that with Pistol rounds and single stage presses there is a much larger degree for error. I've loaded my 9mm rounds from a 3.8 grain load to a 6.0 grain load. And settled in the middle at 4.4 - 4.6 as my chosen "target" load. So far they've all shot just fine, the lighter loads run dirty and were more prone to stove pipes with limp wristed shooters. But they still fired and ejected just fine for me. And with WST it's virtually impossible to double drop a load. 4.6 gr touches the base of the bullet. If I double the charge it would be overflowing. I typically sit down at my reloading bench, fire up the DVR, and start pulling the handle. The only time I have to really pay attention is when I'm done with a tray and do a visual inspection of the powder levels.(I pre-prime all my casings in a separate step, and do a visual inspection of the primed case when I've got a full tray.)

So no, I don't believe reloading is a dieing art. It's just one that more and more people are learning about thru online research, rather than sitting around the local watering hole spreading the knowledge.

jimdanos · 12-12-2010, 05:55 PM

I go to the range 1 - 2 times a week at lunch. I run at least 100 rounds per session. Been reloading over 30 years and that is the only way I can afford my hobby. I've taught others how to as well.

overyonderyall · 02-15-2011, 01:15 AM

Maybe some folks are like me. I reloaded with my dad when I was a little kid. In my 20's and 30's I had other monetary priorities. When I hit my 40's I wanted to get back into the toys I loved as a child - things that go BOOM! I recently began reloading again - got a single stage press and the dies, scale, etc. Now I reload between 100-500 rounds a weekend and shoot that many as well in my XD-45.