Thread: What are YOUR aims with reloading?

When I started in my engineering course one thing was drilled into us. To define our desired outcomes and and what point we should abandon a project. At the time there were a large number of government projects sucking huge amounts of money out of the economy, and as they came up with problem after problem they just sucked in more money to overcome them. Typically they came in at 4-10 times their initial budget.

So on that note when you took on reloading why did you do it and what it your aim to say a load development project is complete. Conversely, at what point do you pull the pin and say it is a failure and look to a new project? What do you want to achieve?


I went into reloading with what I saw as a realistic view of what I wanted to achieve from a reasonable weight and inexpensive hunting rifle. Not knowing my capabilities, being new to shooting, I figured 25mm at 100m was all I was after with half the size of the heart lung zone on a deer and the energy/distance table of the cartridge I was using (400m). Figuring half the zone would give me a latitude for greater error for shooting in the field.

The main things I was after was reasonably low cost per round and initial set up. So I bought a second hand kit and just added a few extras to match what I was shooting and to speed up a couple of bottlenecks I identified (de-priming die, untrasonic cleaner and off press priming). Yes, I'm a proud tight arse. And yes, the other reason is that the process fascinated me and it was an itch I had to scratch.

So what are your thought?

My aim with reloading is to make sure the projectile hits the target, hopefully in the same place everytime! I started reloading back in the 70s .38 special for pistol and 12 guage, looking back I'm lucky to be as old as I am! Today I load only BP cartridges 45/70, 577 snider, 28 gauge x 577 for double rifle, 12.17 x 44 r, 577/450 MH, 12 gauge, all in brass with my own wads etc. cast my own projectiles, make lube,
And have made all sorts of tools for depriming, repriming,crimping, tumbling etc and techniques to carry out some interesting reloading.
BP is not as precise as smokeless, which is an advantage for having fun

Can't answer now ... Just off to do a couple of 243 Loads .... 55 Gn Sierra Blitzking and 58 gn Hornady Vmax ...

Later ...

Good luck, count ya fingers in and out!

Originally Posted by Maca49

Good luck, count ya fingers in and out!

Bloody difficult task that, ... if you use your fingers for counting on.

My aim is simple.

More Shed time

Cheers
Pete

Looked cool. It is

Originally Posted by P38

My aim is simple.

More Shed time

Cheers
Pete

Ha ha, the self imposed quiet dog box.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

Ha ha, the self imposed quiet dog box.

My Man Space

i first started a long time ago initialy just pulling fmj and replacing with soft points then went on to reloading when the military ammo ran out. It was just basic reloading because i enjoyed the prosess then a fussy rifle came along so i had to experiment and try different things and after a lot of trying different things i got it shooting surperbly. So thats why i do it i enjoy the challenge of trying to improve a rifles performance

To be honest, I reckon I could have done all my hunting so far without reloading.

I initially took up roll your owns thinking it would be cheaper in the long run No friggin way, not now at least.
Every type of competitive shooting I have participated in I either bought my ammo as it was cheaper than reloading or it was issued or given to me. I reckon would still just buy clay ammo.

I spose I reload now for consistency and being able to have a choice. However some of the most consistent shooting I have ever done has been with military issue or over the shelf ammo.

The time in the shed is bloody good when the house is going mental as well.

Ok, still got all ten fingers ...

It started with me wanting a cost effective varmint round for pest destruction on our lifestyle block .

Its gone on to become a source of pride and joy .. as well as just something functional

Its also a way to spend QT with my son, and to introduce him to some workshop - and life disciplines as well as power up and engage his passion for all things scientific.

What about your thumbs?

originally I entered reloading to bring the costs down, but as we all know now thats just a fallacy in itself! Now it's to customize a round for my rifle to suit my needs. I've been fairly lucky that the .270 isn't a hard caliber to please. I always end up trying a new projectile after a while for the simple reason of just because i can! lol. My current pet load is 150gr nosler partitions at 2865fps. Great projectile I must say! And as Pete says, more shed time or in my case more lounge time!

Originally Posted by Maca49

What about your thumbs?

Yep, all ten of them too