First Reload Survey

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · January 12, 2009, 05:33 PM

What was the first caliber you reloaded and fired?? What were your thoughts right before you pulled the trigger???

oneounceload · January 12, 2009, 05:48 PM

12 gauge...on an original Lee Load-all.....no problems and wasn't worried - this was over 20 years ago before internet and instant answers

TATER · January 12, 2009, 05:53 PM

.45 acp Using a Pacific Press and Behr 500 grain scales. I had a little
anxiety on that first shoot I’m sure.

VaFisher · January 12, 2009, 05:53 PM

30-06, thoughts were man how neat it was to roll my own.

Sam06 · January 12, 2009, 05:59 PM

.222 Remington, for a Remington 788. I got the gun at a western auto in 1973. My Dad thought I should get the 30-30 but No Way I wanted a barn burner. I still have that old gun and the dies. I loaded on a Pacific with RCBS dies. The 1st time I went out and shot a reload I was hooked. That old triple deuce has laid low many a critter in the last 35 years. It still has a Weaver K6 scope on it. Everyone said that gun is too small for hunting and the scope was too powerful(I lived in GA at the time) That little gun sure showed them wrong.

crowbeaner · January 12, 2009, 06:04 PM

I learned to reload by watching my neighbors father load 357s and 222 Mags at the kitchen table. I also learned to cast by watching him ladle pour 357 bullets over the woodstove in the winter. An open window about 6 inches was all the ventilation he used. The first ammo I loaded for my own usage were 38s and 22-250s. I just had to have a 788 in 22 Varminter.

shorthair1 · January 12, 2009, 06:16 PM

25-06 120 gr hornady hp 54.0 gr H4831

wncchester · January 12, 2009, 06:30 PM

.30-06. Control the sights, control the trigger ....

cobra81 · January 12, 2009, 06:35 PM

.30-06. I hope I loaded this right, and it'll either go or it will blow.

Worked out great; never had a serious problem since.

thetoecutter · January 12, 2009, 06:40 PM

.44 special using the Lee Loader and the little yellow scoop.

Wasn't really thinking anything other than how much cheaper it was when I fired the first box.

When I had the first primer go "boom" using the little stand and punch dealie, my thoughts were probably pretty typical.

When I had my second one go "boom", it didnt bother me, but it did cause my blushing bride to think twice...

TTC

toolguyb · January 12, 2009, 06:43 PM

300 wthby mag. fire formed 300 H&H cases, resized with rcbs fl die, then worked up a load of h4831 and nosler partitions. No worries as my father in law made certain I made no mistakes. He got me started into reloading.

closetgunnut · January 12, 2009, 07:03 PM

My first handload was about a year ago for 30 M1 carbine.

When I raised the rifle to my shoulder, I closed my eyes and thought "Please, please don't blow up!"

I pulled the trigger... heard the boom, felt the recoil and thought...
"WOW! I made that!"

I've been hooked since.

Closet

chieftain · January 12, 2009, 09:46 PM

My first handload without any supervision was .45 acp. I loaded only one round in the magazine the first time I shot one of my own handloads. The only thought going thru my mind was if this single round works I was hoping that a full magazine would feed, fire and eject without any problems. They all worked and its pretty good feeling, lot more rewarding than shooting store bought ammo.

badlander · January 12, 2009, 09:58 PM

.45ACP. About 35 years ago. I was too young and stupid to worry about anything going wrong. I just went out and blasted away! had fun.

REMINGTON DUDE · January 12, 2009, 10:01 PM

30.06, 125gr. Speer TNT Hollow Point, IMR 3031, back when my .06 was my one and only.

slotracer577 · January 12, 2009, 10:04 PM

50 BMG, 212g of WC 860 with a lee press. Still here so it must have gone well.

john

isanchez2008 · January 12, 2009, 10:05 PM

.40 S&W Springfield Xd. Loaded 180gr Speer Gold dot. This was less than 2 years ago. I loaded 1 round into the mag and did not look down the sights lest the slide come off and take out an eyeball

. Turned out the load was to light to cycle properly. Lol. Oh well

lev83 · January 12, 2009, 10:08 PM

Began reloading for .45 ACP
First load was 5.0 gr TiteGroup
230 gr. Hornady XTP/JHP
I do recall having some anxiety about having performed all steps properly before firing the first shell and then just focused on the satisfaction of being able to achieve better results with my own personal handloads than facotry ammo. As most of my hobbies go I have spent considerable time and money developing them further and I now reload for the following calibers
.22-250
.243
.270
.30-06
.45 ACP
.44 Mag
.38 SPCL
.357 Mag

abber · January 12, 2009, 10:17 PM

It's been too long. I don't remember. I either began with .38 spl or .357 Magnum. I couldn't wait to try out the first ones. I took a very slow and methodical approach in the beginning, so there was no apprehension. I felt very satisfied with my first loads. I was hooked.

swmike · January 12, 2009, 10:50 PM

Red Dot in a 12 ga shell. I wasn't worried about the load, just the shotgun. An old Crescent Double from before the depression. Went on to shoot my first perfect round of trap with that old gun.

tuck2 · January 12, 2009, 10:50 PM

I used a Lymon Tru Line Jr press to load up 130 Gr Hornady bullets, 4831 surplus powder, dont remember the primer or brass brand for my then new Win Mdl 70 270. That was back in 1952. I had ask a gunsmith to tell me about reloading ammo befor I reloaded any ammo. I loaded the ammo as he told me to . I was one happy kid when I got about a 1 1/2 inch 100 yard group. I have yet to purchase a box of factory ammo for my old 270 Win. rifle.

hardhit · January 12, 2009, 11:41 PM

A 22-250- I Started out with warmish loads of 33.5 of 4064 working up to 35.0 this is over max but I had trouble reading the warning signs in those days, being young and stupid any bullet @ 3800 had me excited, ended up paying the price though with case head separation Luckily no damage done. And a more careful approach became the norm.

tyrajam · January 12, 2009, 11:46 PM

Wow, a lot of guys shared my experience of loading for a Remington 788, we should have a secret handshake, you know?

I loaded up my 788 6mm and I was a little unsure what to expect, but it was a hoot. My gun also sported a k-6, sadly I ended up selling the scope and replacing it with a variable

PCJim · January 13, 2009, 12:11 AM

my first reloads were made in '82 and consisted of 100gr Nosler partitions on 40.0 gr of IMR-4350 for a Ithaca LSA-55 in .243 caliber. I had bought a new RCBS Special 2 and RCBS dies. First shot? I must have been quite the nervous one, but like Closet I was excited and HOOKED. Still have both the LSA and the Special 2, and still load that exact recipe. If it works,.........

devilfrog · January 13, 2009, 12:11 AM

First load was .38 special, thought as trigger was pulled, "Sure hope I did this right" and sure enough I did.

January 12, 2009, 05:33 PM	#1
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	First Reload Survey What was the first caliber you reloaded and fired?? What were your thoughts right before you pulled the trigger??? __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

January 12, 2009, 05:59 PM	#5
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	.222 Remington, for a Remington 788. I got the gun at a western auto in 1973. My Dad thought I should get the 30-30 but No Way I wanted a barn burner. I still have that old gun and the dies. I loaded on a Pacific with RCBS dies. The 1st time I went out and shot a reload I was hooked. That old triple deuce has laid low many a critter in the last 35 years. It still has a Weaver K6 scope on it. Everyone said that gun is too small for hunting and the scope was too powerful(I lived in GA at the time) That little gun sure showed them wrong. __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

January 12, 2009, 06:04 PM	#6
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I learned to reload by watching my neighbors father load 357s and 222 Mags at the kitchen table. I also learned to cast by watching him ladle pour 357 bullets over the woodstove in the winter. An open window about 6 inches was all the ventilation he used. The first ammo I loaded for my own usage were 38s and 22-250s. I just had to have a 788 in 22 Varminter. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

January 12, 2009, 07:03 PM	#12
closetgunnut Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: Western Pa. Posts: 83	My first handload was about a year ago for 30 M1 carbine. When I raised the rifle to my shoulder, I closed my eyes and thought "Please, please don't blow up!" I pulled the trigger... heard the boom, felt the recoil and thought... "WOW! I made that!" I've been hooked since. Closet __________________ "I no longer have an assault rifle; I have a Jihadi Paradise Facilitator." -- Andy Anderson "There's no drug test for stupid."

January 12, 2009, 10:17 PM	#19
abber Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2008 Location: PRK Posts: 735	It's been too long. I don't remember. I either began with .38 spl or .357 Magnum. I couldn't wait to try out the first ones. I took a very slow and methodical approach in the beginning, so there was no apprehension. I felt very satisfied with my first loads. I was hooked. __________________ I ain't got no safe queens. I shoots em all...

January 12, 2009, 05:48 PM	#2
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	12 gauge...on an original Lee Load-all.....no problems and wasn't worried - this was over 20 years ago before internet and instant answers

January 12, 2009, 05:53 PM	#3
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	.45 acp Using a Pacific Press and Behr 500 grain scales. I had a little anxiety on that first shoot I’m sure.

January 12, 2009, 05:53 PM	#4
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	30-06, thoughts were man how neat it was to roll my own.

January 12, 2009, 06:16 PM	#7
shorthair1 Junior Member Join Date: January 12, 2009 Posts: 7	25-06 120 gr hornady hp 54.0 gr H4831

January 12, 2009, 06:30 PM	#8
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	.30-06. Control the sights, control the trigger ....

January 12, 2009, 06:35 PM	#9
cobra81 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 336	.30-06. I hope I loaded this right, and it'll either go or it will blow. Worked out great; never had a serious problem since.

January 12, 2009, 06:40 PM	#10
thetoecutter Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: east of the mississippi Posts: 83	.44 special using the Lee Loader and the little yellow scoop. Wasn't really thinking anything other than how much cheaper it was when I fired the first box. When I had the first primer go "boom" using the little stand and punch dealie, my thoughts were probably pretty typical. When I had my second one go "boom", it didnt bother me, but it did cause my blushing bride to think twice... TTC

January 12, 2009, 06:43 PM	#11
toolguyb Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Posts: 73	300 wthby mag. fire formed 300 H&H cases, resized with rcbs fl die, then worked up a load of h4831 and nosler partitions. No worries as my father in law made certain I made no mistakes. He got me started into reloading.

January 12, 2009, 09:46 PM	#13
chieftain Junior Member Join Date: January 4, 2009 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 2	My first handload without any supervision was .45 acp. I loaded only one round in the magazine the first time I shot one of my own handloads. The only thought going thru my mind was if this single round works I was hoping that a full magazine would feed, fire and eject without any problems. They all worked and its pretty good feeling, lot more rewarding than shooting store bought ammo.

January 12, 2009, 09:58 PM	#14
badlander Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: So. Fla Posts: 344	.45ACP. About 35 years ago. I was too young and stupid to worry about anything going wrong. I just went out and blasted away! had fun.

January 12, 2009, 10:01 PM	#15
REMINGTON DUDE Member Join Date: September 25, 2008 Posts: 34	30.06, 125gr. Speer TNT Hollow Point, IMR 3031, back when my .06 was my one and only.

January 12, 2009, 10:04 PM	#16
slotracer577 Member Join Date: December 6, 2007 Posts: 25	50 BMG, 212g of WC 860 with a lee press. Still here so it must have gone well. john

January 12, 2009, 10:05 PM	#17
isanchez2008 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: WA Posts: 344	.40 S&W Springfield Xd. Loaded 180gr Speer Gold dot. This was less than 2 years ago. I loaded 1 round into the mag and did not look down the sights lest the slide come off and take out an eyeball . Turned out the load was to light to cycle properly. Lol. Oh well

January 12, 2009, 10:08 PM	#18
lev83 Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2005 Posts: 130	Began reloading for .45 ACP First load was 5.0 gr TiteGroup 230 gr. Hornady XTP/JHP I do recall having some anxiety about having performed all steps properly before firing the first shell and then just focused on the satisfaction of being able to achieve better results with my own personal handloads than facotry ammo. As most of my hobbies go I have spent considerable time and money developing them further and I now reload for the following calibers .22-250 .243 .270 .30-06 .45 ACP .44 Mag .38 SPCL .357 Mag

January 12, 2009, 10:50 PM	#20
swmike Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 670	Red Dot in a 12 ga shell. I wasn't worried about the load, just the shotgun. An old Crescent Double from before the depression. Went on to shoot my first perfect round of trap with that old gun. __________________ My definition of Gun Control--- A steady grip and hitting your target. "In God we trust, all others are suspects." "If I shoot all the ammo I am carrying, either I won't need any more, or more won't be of any help". ____________________________________________

January 12, 2009, 10:50 PM	#21
tuck2 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Posts: 208	I used a Lymon Tru Line Jr press to load up 130 Gr Hornady bullets, 4831 surplus powder, dont remember the primer or brass brand for my then new Win Mdl 70 270. That was back in 1952. I had ask a gunsmith to tell me about reloading ammo befor I reloaded any ammo. I loaded the ammo as he told me to . I was one happy kid when I got about a 1 1/2 inch 100 yard group. I have yet to purchase a box of factory ammo for my old 270 Win. rifle.

January 12, 2009, 11:41 PM	#22
hardhit Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Posts: 343	A 22-250- I Started out with warmish loads of 33.5 of 4064 working up to 35.0 this is over max but I had trouble reading the warning signs in those days, being young and stupid any bullet @ 3800 had me excited, ended up paying the price though with case head separation Luckily no damage done. And a more careful approach became the norm.

January 12, 2009, 11:46 PM	#23
tyrajam Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 467	Wow, a lot of guys shared my experience of loading for a Remington 788, we should have a secret handshake, you know? I loaded up my 788 6mm and I was a little unsure what to expect, but it was a hoot. My gun also sported a k-6, sadly I ended up selling the scope and replacing it with a variable

January 13, 2009, 12:11 AM	#24
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	my first reloads were made in '82 and consisted of 100gr Nosler partitions on 40.0 gr of IMR-4350 for a Ithaca LSA-55 in .243 caliber. I had bought a new RCBS Special 2 and RCBS dies. First shot? I must have been quite the nervous one, but like Closet I was excited and HOOKED. Still have both the LSA and the Special 2, and still load that exact recipe. If it works,.........

January 13, 2009, 12:11 AM	#25
devilfrog Member Join Date: November 28, 2008 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 30	First load was .38 special, thought as trigger was pulled, "Sure hope I did this right" and sure enough I did.