First Reloads

Bella · November 21, 2014, 10:09 AM

What was the very first cartridge or shotshell you reloaded?

For me it was the 30-30 Winchester using a Lee Loader.

Shootest · November 21, 2014, 10:38 AM

It was the 30-30 Winchester for me as well, but it was on a RCBS Reloader Special.

TailGator · November 21, 2014, 11:24 AM

My first was 9 mm, just a few months ago, on my brand spanking new Lee Classic Turret.

serf 'rett · November 21, 2014, 12:10 PM

As teen high school student on dad's press - 12 guage, high brass, #7-1/2 for dove hunting. Stopped when I went to college.

Fast forward 37 years, my own new RCBS press - 9mm.

Snyper · November 21, 2014, 12:15 PM

I started loading 6mm Remingtons and 12 GA shells over 35 years ago.

I killed my first deer with one of my first reloads

I can now reload for nearly everything I shoot other than rimfires

condor bravo · November 21, 2014, 01:09 PM

It was .30-06 using good old Herter's equipment. I continue to use the same '06 loading die along with presses, balance beam scale and, to a limited extent, a powder measurer. The measurer could have used some improvement.

AllenJ · November 21, 2014, 01:11 PM

300 Savage, over 36 years ago. I still have and use the same RCBS press and dies too

sawdustdad · November 21, 2014, 01:46 PM

30-06, using a Rockchucker, in 1986. Still using that press, though I have bought new dies for that caliber.

CowTowner · November 21, 2014, 01:51 PM

303 British using a Lee loader. Still have the loader, but I use a Lee Breech Lock Challenger now.

rclark · November 21, 2014, 02:23 PM

.357 Magnum back in highschool. Then '06, 30-30, and then the other pistol calibers followed.

lee n. field · November 21, 2014, 03:14 PM

Quote:

What was the very first cartridge or shotshell you reloaded?

.303 British, RCBS die set, Lyman Acculine press. 1998 or thereabouts.

SIGSHR · November 21, 2014, 03:44 PM

1975, 38 Special using a Lee Loader on the kitchen table.

oldpapps · November 21, 2014, 07:35 PM

First with help, 1958, 303 British, unknown press.
By myself, 1963, .222 Rem and 303 Brit on a C&H 205 offset 'O' (birthday present), still have it mounted and use it a lot.

Enjoy,

OSOK

mikld · November 21, 2014, 07:55 PM

1969, Lee Loader in .38 Special. I could only afford 1 pound of Bullseye, 100 CCI primers, and 250 generic lead bullets. I had a Speer reloading manual and next purchase was a Lee scale.

Average Joe · November 21, 2014, 09:13 PM

12 ga, with a Lee wack a mole kit. That was 46 years ago.

Wreck-n-Crew · November 21, 2014, 09:15 PM

.38 special on a Whack-a-Mole. My big brother would let me shoot half of what I loaded...lol.

4runnerman · November 21, 2014, 09:38 PM

Mine was 45 ACP. Shot one box of American Eagle and got the press. After that,when I buy a gun,I buy a Die Set at the same time. I have 9 rifles now that have never seen a store round down them.

Reloader2 · November 22, 2014, 01:46 AM

257 Roberts in 1996 but I never reused that load

bigD01 · November 22, 2014, 04:30 AM

for me, it was 22 hornet. back in 1956, with a Lyman 310 tool. still got it! Still use it.

DaD

std7mag · November 22, 2014, 07:50 AM

40S&W on the Lee Classic Turret..

hooligan1 · November 22, 2014, 08:12 AM

Around 1985, 30-06, 150 grain solid base Ballistic Tips from Nosler setting over a charge of 58 grains IMR 4350, CCI 200 lrp.
My oldest son loads this same load for the very same rifle today 30 years later...

Sevens · November 22, 2014, 08:25 AM

20 gauge in Rem Premier hulls on a Mec-650 with #9 shot and Win473AA powder, CCI 209 primers, skyward from a Browning Citori Skeet. 1989.

.38 Special, Federal brass, CCI-500, Hercules Green Dot, Speer 158gr swaged LSWC slugs on a Lee "2001" Challenger press, Lee dies, and the little yellow dippers. Did not own a scale. Launched from a 6-inch S&W 686. Also 1989.

Arocholl · November 22, 2014, 10:24 AM

.223 Rem for my varmit Bolt M700 about 6 months ago. Got hooked and now load 30-06 for my recently acquired M1 Garand. Using the good old RCBS Rock Chucker IV.

Bart B. · November 22, 2014, 12:08 PM

In 1954 when I got my first centerfire, a Win 70 in .270, the big game hunter across the street gave me a fired .270 Win. case cut off at the shoulder. He said to fill it smooth with 4350 then seat a 130-gr. bullet on top of it. That's with fired cases neck sized by pushing them into an old 30 caliber barrel's muzzle to size them down enough to hold the bullets. Primers pushed out with a pointed 16d nail my Dad made for me then new ones seated in pressing a case onto them atop a table saw steel top with steel tube down inside the case. Bullets seated in primed thencharged cases in a 1/2" steel tube pushing down on the bullets with that same steel tube used to seat primers.

Crude, yes. But the ammo shot pretty good and took a couple of deer. I later learned that was a slightly reduced load after weighing powder filled in a so modified case.

BWM · November 22, 2014, 12:39 PM

In 1963 243 the no more till 1986 the 38/357 then it became every new gun that came alone also came the dies to reload them. One year I loaded over 9000 rounds for jest target shooting that year. That is hand guns and rifles ammo.

November 21, 2014, 10:09 AM	#1
Bella Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Posts: 341	First Reloads What was the very first cartridge or shotshell you reloaded? For me it was the 30-30 Winchester using a Lee Loader.

November 21, 2014, 10:38 AM	#2
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	It was the 30-30 Winchester for me as well, but it was on a RCBS Reloader Special. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member

November 21, 2014, 12:10 PM	#4
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart, AR Posts: 1,569	As teen high school student on dad's press - 12 guage, high brass, #7-1/2 for dove hunting. Stopped when I went to college. Fast forward 37 years, my own new RCBS press - 9mm. __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

November 21, 2014, 12:15 PM	#5
Snyper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 3,047	I started loading 6mm Remingtons and 12 GA shells over 35 years ago. I killed my first deer with one of my first reloads I can now reload for nearly everything I shoot other than rimfires __________________ One shot, one kill

November 21, 2014, 02:23 PM	#10
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	.357 Magnum back in highschool. Then '06, 30-30, and then the other pistol calibers followed. __________________ 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.

November 21, 2014, 11:24 AM	#3
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,787	My first was 9 mm, just a few months ago, on my brand spanking new Lee Classic Turret.

November 21, 2014, 01:09 PM	#6
condor bravo Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2014 Location: Nevada/Ariz/CA Posts: 1,753	It was .30-06 using good old Herter's equipment. I continue to use the same '06 loading die along with presses, balance beam scale and, to a limited extent, a powder measurer. The measurer could have used some improvement.

November 21, 2014, 01:11 PM	#7
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	300 Savage, over 36 years ago. I still have and use the same RCBS press and dies too

November 21, 2014, 01:46 PM	#8
sawdustdad Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 484	30-06, using a Rockchucker, in 1986. Still using that press, though I have bought new dies for that caliber.

November 21, 2014, 01:51 PM	#9
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	303 British using a Lee loader. Still have the loader, but I use a Lee Breech Lock Challenger now. __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

November 21, 2014, 03:44 PM	#12
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	1975, 38 Special using a Lee Loader on the kitchen table.

November 21, 2014, 07:35 PM	#13
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	First with help, 1958, 303 British, unknown press. By myself, 1963, .222 Rem and 303 Brit on a C&H 205 offset 'O' (birthday present), still have it mounted and use it a lot. Enjoy, OSOK

November 21, 2014, 07:55 PM	#14
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	1969, Lee Loader in .38 Special. I could only afford 1 pound of Bullseye, 100 CCI primers, and 250 generic lead bullets. I had a Speer reloading manual and next purchase was a Lee scale. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

November 21, 2014, 09:13 PM	#15
Average Joe Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,325	12 ga, with a Lee wack a mole kit. That was 46 years ago.

November 21, 2014, 09:15 PM	#16
Wreck-n-Crew Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,820	.38 special on a Whack-a-Mole. My big brother would let me shoot half of what I loaded...lol. __________________ If you ever have to use a firearm, *you don't get to pick the scenario!*

November 21, 2014, 09:38 PM	#17
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Mine was 45 ACP. Shot one box of American Eagle and got the press. After that,when I buy a gun,I buy a Die Set at the same time. I have 9 rifles now that have never seen a store round down them. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

November 22, 2014, 01:46 AM	#18
Reloader2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2013 Posts: 263	First Reloads 257 Roberts in 1996 but I never reused that load

November 22, 2014, 04:30 AM	#19
bigD01 Member Join Date: March 9, 2010 Posts: 46	first handloads for me, it was 22 hornet. back in 1956, with a Lyman 310 tool. still got it! Still use it. DaD

November 22, 2014, 07:50 AM	#20
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	40S&W on the Lee Classic Turret..

November 22, 2014, 08:12 AM	#21
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Around 1985, 30-06, 150 grain solid base Ballistic Tips from Nosler setting over a charge of 58 grains IMR 4350, CCI 200 lrp. My oldest son loads this same load for the very same rifle today 30 years later... __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

November 22, 2014, 08:25 AM	#22
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	20 gauge in Rem Premier hulls on a Mec-650 with #9 shot and Win473AA powder, CCI 209 primers, skyward from a Browning Citori Skeet. 1989. .38 Special, Federal brass, CCI-500, Hercules Green Dot, Speer 158gr swaged LSWC slugs on a Lee "2001" Challenger press, Lee dies, and the little yellow dippers. Did not own a scale. Launched from a 6-inch S&W 686. Also 1989. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

November 22, 2014, 10:24 AM	#23
Arocholl Member Join Date: October 30, 2012 Posts: 42	.223 Rem for my varmit Bolt M700 about 6 months ago. Got hooked and now load 30-06 for my recently acquired M1 Garand. Using the good old RCBS Rock Chucker IV.

November 22, 2014, 12:08 PM	#24
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	In 1954 when I got my first centerfire, a Win 70 in .270, the big game hunter across the street gave me a fired .270 Win. case cut off at the shoulder. He said to fill it smooth with 4350 then seat a 130-gr. bullet on top of it. That's with fired cases neck sized by pushing them into an old 30 caliber barrel's muzzle to size them down enough to hold the bullets. Primers pushed out with a pointed 16d nail my Dad made for me then new ones seated in pressing a case onto them atop a table saw steel top with steel tube down inside the case. Bullets seated in primed thencharged cases in a 1/2" steel tube pushing down on the bullets with that same steel tube used to seat primers. Crude, yes. But the ammo shot pretty good and took a couple of deer. I later learned that was a slightly reduced load after weighing powder filled in a so modified case.

November 22, 2014, 12:39 PM	#25
BWM Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2013 Location: SW IN Posts: 438	In 1963 243 the no more till 1986 the 38/357 then it became every new gun that came alone also came the dies to reload them. One year I loaded over 9000 rounds for jest target shooting that year. That is hand guns and rifles ammo. __________________ Man that likes guns. Navy. USS Ponchatoula AO 148 USS Vesuvius AE 15