WinchesterOwners.com

New member here, 1st post on the forum. Reloading is a wonderful hobby in itself, in addition to the money saving aspects. I started reloading to feed my shotgun addiction, then plinking loads for handguns and quickly moved into rifle loading. Currently, I'm loading some rounds for old family Winchesters, some of which I'd never fired or seen fired in my 50 years. Having a ball with the old levers!

About the only thing I don't reload for is 22's and shotguns. Heck of a lot cheaper for me to purchase.
Now when it comes to rifles and handguns that is a differant story.
Don't think any of my rifles have seen commercial ammo in many, many a year. Same goes for the handguns.
I cast a lot of bullets in differant calibers and they work just fine.

GAR

No one reloads 22 try finding components for them, there so inexpesive no need to reload!

I picked up an old lee press but I`d like to get something with the breech lock quick change dies, anybody use the new lee hand press I want to get out of the garage ( its freezing)

I use a Lee hand press on occasion, I bought it in 1991. I have looked at the "breech lock" setup, I'm not impressed. I guess I've been doing it my way for too long, since 1956. I had a 5 station progressive for about a dozen years, it worked but it took all the fun and enjoyment out of loading. Sold it and went back to my single stage presses. I use a lot of Lee equipment but "breech lock" is not for me.

GUNNER_D wrote:Do we have anyone that reloads there own ammo

I have tried it, and I think I am hooked...

I'd say your ready for WW3

Show off

Yeah, that reloading is one heck of a drug!!

All the casting stuff in another out building?:)

Tom

The thing that really grabbed me and still has the hold is the ability to recreate the old bullets of the original design for the old cartridges. I'm especially fond of Ideal 3118 for 32 W.C.F and Ideal 358246 for 38 S&W. Now if I could just get my hands on a 299152 or 299153 for use in 32 Short and Long Colt I'd be pretty well set up.

Has any one took a reloading corse fro the NRA?

Not me...not knocking the course, but reloading isn't that complicated...on forums, its often made out to be far more complicated (and dangerous) than it actually is.

All a person needs is common sense, pretty basic math skills and to be somewhat "mechanically minded"...reading scales, reading calipers, setting up dies, etc.

The book called "The ABC's of Reloading" covers plenty enough to get just about anybody started...and there are LOTS of really good YouTube videos too, but you'll have to sort through a lot of not so good ones too.

Heck, most reloading manuals cover the majority of it in the front parts of the book...just start simple and work your way up to the finer points. By starting simple I mean...single stage press, learn to load 1 round (whatever you shoot the most) at a time....that way you only have one powder, one bullet, one primer, etc. (no worries about mixing things up in the excitement)....after you're comfortable (not complacent) with that round....move on to another one.

Thats how I did it....a fine old gentleman I used to bear hunt with got me started. The first round I ever loaded was a 30-30. When he passed away....he left me his old RockChucker press and several sets of dies...the rest is history.

I'm totally self taught on the reloading front. I started with shotgun shells. My shooting partner at the time swore I'd blow myself up if I ever tried reloading. I don't know where he got that idea. I went slow and easy, single stage press to start and lo and behold, my first few shells came out looking just like they should. I was hooked. Then started with the handgun ammo, on a rockchucker with 3 die carbide sets for 357 and 44 mag. Read the load books, and I'm pretty sure I had the current version of ABC's of reloading by Dean Grennel and everything worked just like the books said it would and the rest is history. Just start simple and with a single stage press and pay attention. It really is not rocket science.

I think you will find reloading to be relaxing and there is nothing better than seeing your own ammunition perform. The added benefit is you can tailor your loads to fit your needs.

I reload for 30-30, 30-06, 357/38, 25 auto, 45 long colt, and 45 auto. It is the surest way to get accurate ammo for each firearm I own.

Have been working all winter to try and get my inventory built back up for fair weather shooting but this winter has been an open winter so I've been shooting up everything as soon as it's loaded. I've got 2000 38 Specials, 500 357s, 1000 45 auto and auto rim to load. I'm behind on 41 mag, 44 Special, and 45 Colt. Finally got my 43 Spanish, 38-55 and 45-70 done. Need more 32 S&W and Long, 32 Mag, 327 Fed. Mag. and 32-20. Got about 5000 boolits of various calibers to size and loob and I need to cast some more 32 handgun boolits. I need more 454 round balls for use in 45 auto rim, fun at close range. Got a can full of 270, 30-30 and 8MM cases to size and load. I noticed my 338-06 inventory is not as healthy as I'd like.
Seems that being retired just isn't enough, I used to get paid holidays and sick leave to do this kind of stuff. Don't get those paid off days to get caught up on my casting, loading, etc. any longer, that must be why I'm so far behind.

New to reloading. Starting with a Lee single stage press. At this time i will be reloading 45 lc. Have a Winchester Mod. 94 trapper in 45 lc. Black powder hunt with a 50 cal. with 45 bullets. A die question. Lee offers a 3 die set,and a 4 die set for 45. What is the pro and con for 3 and 4 die sets? There is a lot of powders out there. Any advice on powder with a 16 inch barrel. 1 in 16 twist on my Trapper i think.

Thanks.

The 4 die set includes the Carbide Crimp die in straight wall hand gun cartridges such as your 45 Colt. The CCD is not a real necessity most of the time, it can be useful depending on your bullets and your guns chamber. If you are going to shoot jacketed bullets you will never need it, it comes into play with oversized cast bullets, but even then, very infrequently.
A note: The Carbide Crimp die is not the same as the Factory Crimp die listed for rifle cartridges. It pays to be aware of the differences and know what is meant when others speak of them seemingly interchangeably; they are not the same and not interchangeable in name or function.
Reloading is fun and rewarding well out of proportion to the cost savings. The Lee set up is good and will serve you well and Lee customer service is tops. Lots of videos on Youtube and the Lee site to help you get thru the beginning phases. Good shooting!!!!

Been busy this summer, doing some shooting but also coaching a father and son duo the basics of hand loading their '06 and 243 ammunition. Good students, especially the 12 year old.

I also cast and reload for several pistol and a few of my rifles. I don`t really do it for saving cost just enjoy it and also getting a custom load.

I've been reloading Rifle cartridges for many years, mostly for .308 Winchester, .307 Winchester, .303 British, .30-30 Winchester, .32 Winchester Special, .222 Remington, .300 Savage.
I got started because I found it was the only way to get ammunition for my model 1876 .45-75. It took me a few years to find the brass and dies for it, but it finally all came together. The end result was well worth the wait, it is very cool being able to fire the hunting rifle originally owned by my great great grandfather made in 1883. Nobody else in my family ever thought it would be revived after laying silently in the back of a closet without ammo for 60 or more years.

skinner-t wrote:I've been reloading Rifle cartridges for many years, mostly for .308 Winchester, .307 Winchester, .303 British, .30-30 Winchester, .32 Winchester Special, .222 Remington, .300 Savage.
I got started because I found it was the only way to get ammunition for my model 1876 .45-75. It took me a few years to find the brass and dies for it, but it finally all came together. The end result was well worth the wait, it is very cool being able to fire the hunting rifle originally owned by my great great grandfather made in 1883. Nobody else in my family ever thought it would be revived after laying silently in the back of a closet without ammo for 60 or more years.

Awesome reply Skinner. I share your passion

Awesome story thanks for sharing

I've been casting and handloading for almost 40 years now, the two go hand in hand. Shotshell reloading, I'm fairly new at, I've only been at that for about 5 years. I cast for everything I own .30 and over, rifle as well as handgun.

I've been reloading since 2009. 30-30, 45-70, and 30-06. Very relaxing and keeps me in ammo.