How long did it take you?

testuser · July 11, 2012, 07:48 PM

Just curious. How long did it take everyone to start reloading after they started shooting?

I went through that period of excuses, too, for a few years. How many times does someone tell you not to buy a gun and the only reason is ammo expense? Well, I used to be that guy...

For me, it's was about 10 years.

10Ringmagic · July 11, 2012, 07:53 PM

33 years.

I would save money for reloading equipment till I had enough money for a new gun.

I sure wish that I hadn't been so stupid. With the money saved by reloading, one can easily save for the next gun.

4runnerman · July 11, 2012, 08:00 PM

One Month. 2 of my rifles have never nor will ever see a store round. It was a have to do thing if your going to shoot. That excuse worked very well with the wife. I just explained the savings to her and that was all it took. Don't count time shooting 22.

mrawesome22 · July 11, 2012, 08:02 PM

18 years. Started shooting when I was 7 years old.

Sent from HenseMod6.

chris in va · July 11, 2012, 08:18 PM

8 years. Once ammo got insanely expensive, I started looking into a cheap reloading setup. Still use my Hand Press three years later.

Sport45 · July 11, 2012, 08:23 PM

Maybe 25 years from when I started shooting. Less than a year from when I started shooting a lot.

Lost Sheep · July 11, 2012, 09:01 PM

The first six rounds I fired through my Dan Wesson Model 15 (my first gun) 3 were my reloads and 3 were those which my instructor loaded while showing me the ropes. The next 50 were factory.

When I bought my gun, I knew I would be reloading for it. When I bought my press, the guy who sold it to me showed me (with narration and question time) how to load 3 rounds. Then I loaded the next three (with me narrating and answering his questions). Took about an hour, maybe 45 minutes or maybe longer.

After that, the only factory ammunition I bought (aside from 22 rimfire) were to replenish or increase my supply of brass.

Lost Sheep

Brian Pfleuger · July 11, 2012, 10:06 PM

28 years? Depends on when you start counting. I've been shooting longer than my oldest memories. I'm 37 (today

), so I've been shooting at least 32 years. Been reloading 2-ish. So... Somewhere between 28 and 32 years.

Mello2u · July 11, 2012, 11:13 PM

I started shooting at about age 5.

In my early twenties I bought a turret press. It was painfully slow to load 50 rounds of 9mm.

I eventually discovered Dillon made a progressive reloader, bought the 550 model and stuff to load several calibers; then I could load 500 rounds in less time than it had taken me to load 50 before.

pastortim · July 11, 2012, 11:22 PM

got my 1911 and my hornady lnl the same week never bought any ammo

Lost Sheep · July 11, 2012, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mello2u

I started shooting at about age 5.

In my early twenties I bought a turret press. It was painfully slow to load 50 rounds of 9mm.

I eventually discovered Dillon made a progressive reloader, bought the 550 model and stuff to load several calibers; then I could load 500 rounds in less time than it had taken me to load 50 before.

My first press was a single stage. I could load 50 rounds an hour, easily, weighing each charge. I must have a much higher tolerance for pain than you.

Eventually I moved to Lee Pro-1000 presses which I found too painful for other reasons.

I guess we have different tolerances for different characteristics. That is what makes for a great economy. Choices, and diversity.

Lost Sheep

Prof Young · July 11, 2012, 11:31 PM

Loaders:
I don't recall exactly, but it was a couple years in to my hunting when I bought a 44 mag for the now defunct handgun season for white tail in IL. A good hunting round was 80 cents. I bought the most simple reloading stuff from Lee. It didn't ever require a press. Started doing the 44. Now have a single stage press, primer tool, case tumbler etc and I load 45 colt, 44 mag, 9 mm, and 223. Pretty much enjoy it and means I can afford to shoot a lot more.
Live well, be safe.
Prof Young

Ideal Tool · July 12, 2012, 01:33 AM

Hello, testuser..I started out shooting .22 rimfires..then Granfather gave me an old hammer 12 ga. with a Lee-loader, couple bags of shot, cardboard & felt wads & 1/2 can of Red Dot...showed me how everything worked in an afternoon..I was out shooting re-loads next morning..so I guess for me..it was the same time!

hooligan1 · July 12, 2012, 06:03 AM

my father put a gun in my hand when I was 4 years old,(Ruger Bearcat)and I started handloading at the age of 27 so,,,,,,,,,,,23 years.

rclark · July 12, 2012, 11:11 AM

Can't remember, other when I got my .357 Blackhawk as a teen around1 1980 or so, it wasn't much later that I started reloading too. Can't remember the last time I bought any factory ammo other than .22.

ScottRiqui · July 12, 2012, 11:16 AM

I've been a "couple boxes a year" shooter since I was about 12, but it wasn't until I was 38 or so that I started shooting a lot. That, coupled with the 2008/2009 ammo shortage around the same time, is what got me started reloading.

David Bachelder · July 12, 2012, 11:43 AM

45 years.

I'm slow.

Friar Whently · July 12, 2012, 11:57 AM

6 months total, but only 2 months after after getting my 357. Shot only cheap 9mm and 22 before that.

Don H · July 12, 2012, 12:35 PM

1 box of .357 magnum. 1966. Purchased a Lee Loader to reload that box and haven't purchased much in the way of manufactured ammo since.

Stressfire · July 12, 2012, 01:29 PM

Bought my first pistol a bit over a year ago, just started getting into reloading within the last few weeks.

PawPaw · July 12, 2012, 02:05 PM

I started shooting at age 10. Bought my first shotgun at age 12. I paid money across the counter for it. I didn't start reloading until 1976 when I began shooting competition skeet during my first Army tour. I've been reloading something ever since. I don't load shotshells any more, but I haven't bought much factory centerfire ammo in the last twenty years. Many of my rifles have never shot factory ammo.

jcwit · July 12, 2012, 03:28 PM

How Long? As soon as I got my first center fire rifle. Lets see, IIRC that was somewhere back in the later 50's or early 60's.

DeadCenter · July 12, 2012, 04:28 PM

I had been wanting to reload as long as I can remember, 30-40 years, but for one reason or another put it off. I think it's more that the kids are older, I have more time, money, etc that I have been able to pursue this great hobby that I finally started a couple years ago.

BigJimP · July 12, 2012, 05:22 PM

I was shooting and reloading at my grandpa's bench ...easily by the time I was about 8 yrs old. I kept that up all the way thru high school.

I've reloaded off and on ever since ...when I went to college I took a little break from reloading / but had a press setup pretty soon after I graduated...and I've had some type of press...for metallic and shotshells ever since / and I'm in my 60's now.

Edward429451 · July 12, 2012, 05:46 PM

Depends how you count it with me. I started shooting around age 7 or 8 and my dad started reloading pretty quick when he started shooting. I think he taught me how to reload as he was learning too. I'm guessing that would be less than a year.

At 22 I bought my 1911 and began reloading and casting right away for it. Within the first month or two. That was 1984. I casted and reloaded only handgun for a long time, and began loading for rifles also about 1992 I think.

July 11, 2012, 07:48 PM	#1
testuser Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2010 Posts: 495	How long did it take you? Just curious. How long did it take everyone to start reloading after they started shooting? I went through that period of excuses, too, for a few years. How many times does someone tell you not to buy a gun and the only reason is ammo expense? Well, I used to be that guy... For me, it's was about 10 years.

July 11, 2012, 08:00 PM	#3
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	One Month. 2 of my rifles have never nor will ever see a store round. It was a have to do thing if your going to shoot. That excuse worked very well with the wife. I just explained the savings to her and that was all it took. Don't count time shooting 22. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional Last edited by 4runnerman; July 11, 2012 at 08:05 PM.

July 11, 2012, 08:23 PM	#6
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Maybe 25 years from when I started shooting. Less than a year from when I started shooting a lot. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

July 11, 2012, 09:01 PM	#7
Lost Sheep Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 3,341	The first 6 rounds The first six rounds I fired through my Dan Wesson Model 15 (my first gun) 3 were my reloads and 3 were those which my instructor loaded while showing me the ropes. The next 50 were factory. When I bought my gun, I knew I would be reloading for it. When I bought my press, the guy who sold it to me showed me (with narration and question time) how to load 3 rounds. Then I loaded the next three (with me narrating and answering his questions). Took about an hour, maybe 45 minutes or maybe longer. After that, the only factory ammunition I bought (aside from 22 rimfire) were to replenish or increase my supply of brass. Lost Sheep

July 11, 2012, 11:13 PM	#9
Mello2u Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,424	I started shooting at about age 5. In my early twenties I bought a turret press. It was painfully slow to load 50 rounds of 9mm. I eventually discovered Dillon made a progressive reloader, bought the 550 model and stuff to load several calibers; then I could load 500 rounds in less time than it had taken me to load 50 before. __________________ NRA Life Member - Orange Gunsite Member - NRA Certified Pistol Instructor "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." Frederic Bastiat

July 11, 2012, 07:53 PM	#2
10Ringmagic Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: MI Posts: 315	33 years. I would save money for reloading equipment till I had enough money for a new gun. I sure wish that I hadn't been so stupid. With the money saved by reloading, one can easily save for the next gun.

July 11, 2012, 08:02 PM	#4
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	18 years. Started shooting when I was 7 years old. Sent from HenseMod6.

July 11, 2012, 08:18 PM	#5
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	8 years. Once ammo got insanely expensive, I started looking into a cheap reloading setup. Still use my Hand Press three years later.

July 11, 2012, 10:06 PM	#8
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	28 years? Depends on when you start counting. I've been shooting longer than my oldest memories. I'm 37 (today ), so I've been shooting at least 32 years. Been reloading 2-ish. So... Somewhere between 28 and 32 years.

July 11, 2012, 11:22 PM	#10
pastortim Junior Member Join Date: April 21, 2012 Posts: 14	got my 1911 and my hornady lnl the same week never bought any ammo

July 11, 2012, 11:31 PM	#12
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,403	Couple years Loaders: I don't recall exactly, but it was a couple years in to my hunting when I bought a 44 mag for the now defunct handgun season for white tail in IL. A good hunting round was 80 cents. I bought the most simple reloading stuff from Lee. It didn't ever require a press. Started doing the 44. Now have a single stage press, primer tool, case tumbler etc and I load 45 colt, 44 mag, 9 mm, and 223. Pretty much enjoy it and means I can afford to shoot a lot more. Live well, be safe. Prof Young

July 12, 2012, 01:33 AM	#13
Ideal Tool Junior member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,080	Hello, testuser..I started out shooting .22 rimfires..then Granfather gave me an old hammer 12 ga. with a Lee-loader, couple bags of shot, cardboard & felt wads & 1/2 can of Red Dot...showed me how everything worked in an afternoon..I was out shooting re-loads next morning..so I guess for me..it was the same time!

July 12, 2012, 06:03 AM	#14
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	my father put a gun in my hand when I was 4 years old,(Ruger Bearcat)and I started handloading at the age of 27 so,,,,,,,,,,,23 years. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

July 12, 2012, 11:11 AM	#15
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,619	Can't remember, other when I got my .357 Blackhawk as a teen around1 1980 or so, it wasn't much later that I started reloading too. Can't remember the last time I bought any factory ammo other than .22. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

July 12, 2012, 11:16 AM	#16
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	I've been a "couple boxes a year" shooter since I was about 12, but it wasn't until I was 38 or so that I started shooting a lot. That, coupled with the 2008/2009 ammo shortage around the same time, is what got me started reloading.

July 12, 2012, 11:43 AM	#17
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	45 years. I'm slow. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

July 12, 2012, 11:57 AM	#18
Friar Whently Member Join Date: December 29, 2011 Posts: 57	6 months total, but only 2 months after after getting my 357. Shot only cheap 9mm and 22 before that.

July 12, 2012, 12:35 PM	#19
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	1 box of .357 magnum. 1966. Purchased a Lee Loader to reload that box and haven't purchased much in the way of manufactured ammo since. __________________ Don http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/forum/

July 12, 2012, 01:29 PM	#20
Stressfire Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,497	Bought my first pistol a bit over a year ago, just started getting into reloading within the last few weeks. __________________ "The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott

July 12, 2012, 02:05 PM	#21
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	I started shooting at age 10. Bought my first shotgun at age 12. I paid money across the counter for it. I didn't start reloading until 1976 when I began shooting competition skeet during my first Army tour. I've been reloading something ever since. I don't load shotshells any more, but I haven't bought much factory centerfire ammo in the last twenty years. Many of my rifles have never shot factory ammo. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

July 12, 2012, 03:28 PM	#22
jcwit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2007 Location: Upper Indiana Posts: 609	How Long? As soon as I got my first center fire rifle. Lets see, IIRC that was somewhere back in the later 50's or early 60's.

July 12, 2012, 04:28 PM	#23
DeadCenter Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2006 Posts: 105	I had been wanting to reload as long as I can remember, 30-40 years, but for one reason or another put it off. I think it's more that the kids are older, I have more time, money, etc that I have been able to pursue this great hobby that I finally started a couple years ago.

July 12, 2012, 05:22 PM	#24
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I was shooting and reloading at my grandpa's bench ...easily by the time I was about 8 yrs old. I kept that up all the way thru high school. I've reloaded off and on ever since ...when I went to college I took a little break from reloading / but had a press setup pretty soon after I graduated...and I've had some type of press...for metallic and shotshells ever since / and I'm in my 60's now.

July 12, 2012, 05:46 PM	#25
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Depends how you count it with me. I started shooting around age 7 or 8 and my dad started reloading pretty quick when he started shooting. I think he taught me how to reload as he was learning too. I'm guessing that would be less than a year. At 22 I bought my 1911 and began reloading and casting right away for it. Within the first month or two. That was 1984. I casted and reloaded only handgun for a long time, and began loading for rifles also about 1992 I think.