This one was too funny not to share.

Tuckerp229 · February 15, 2011, 10:32 AM

A warning to “Considering getting into reloading”
Reloading is a progressive, incurable disease that saps your time, energy and money until it runs its course and leaves the victim a cold, lifeless corpse. Once infected by the disease, the victim proceeds through the classic stages of fear, anger, denial, bargaining, etc., with most victims reaching acceptance and being reconciled to their fate. There is no cure or palliative treatment; the victim bears the full intensity of the disease. So that you may be able to both avoid the curse of reloading and to help those for whom there is no hope, the stages of this fatal sickness are outlined here.

You have been warned!

Stage I
Lee Loader; 2 boxes of cases; 1 can of powder; 1 box of bullets & 1C primers. Fits in shoe box.

Stage II
Alloy frame single stage press & dies for 2-3 calibers; 8 different powders; 12 bullet weight/types; 3 brands of primers. Outfit set up on kitchen table after kids are asleep, taken down before breakfast. Stored in closet.

Stage III
Several semi progressive & cast iron single stage presses crowded onto loading bench. Electronic scale/powder measure. Components still fit on 6 shelves. Sierra, Hornady, Hodgdon & Alliant tech support on speed dial. Bullet moulds & furnace in garage.

Stage IV
Dedicated room or out building to house your battery of Dillon presses & casting center. 200 amp service to accommodate power accessories. Powder purchased in four 8-lb jugs/case to waive HAZMAT fees. Bullet purchases calculated to fill USPS Priority Mail Large Flat Rate boxes. Custom lead alloy ingots ordered by cwt. UPS deliveryman & mailcarrier on your route rotated every 6 mos for recovery from hernia/back surgeries. Components neatly segregated & arranged in storage racks by manufacturer’s lot numbers. Powder & primer magazines separated by blast wall. On first name basis with Stan Widener & local Fire Marshal.

- Maj. Kong

What stage are you in?

jimbob86 · February 15, 2011, 10:36 AM

Fortunately, I have five children that compete for resources with my reloading habit ..... I'm stuck between stage II and III.

On the other hand, this disease is contagious, and I have already spread it to other members of my family!

McClintock · February 15, 2011, 10:45 AM

That's hilarious!

I'm currently between Stage II and III:
- 3 different calibers
- 5 different powders
- 6 different bullet types
- 3 different primer brands
- electronic scale
- dedicated bench in the basement with Dillon 550

Nice to know what lies ahead for me with my addiction.

Cheers!
McClintock

TATER · February 15, 2011, 10:47 AM

Firmly Between III and IV

**Mike Irwin** · February 15, 2011, 10:51 AM

Pretty much stage III, here.

Except I don't have an electronic scale.

But I make up for it with far more than 6 shelves of crap.

SL1 · February 15, 2011, 10:56 AM

I was thinking that "stage 4" was the CURE for "stage 3", not ANOTHER stage!

"Shoot faster, we're running out of emtpies!"

SL1

Tuckerp229 · February 15, 2011, 11:00 AM

"Shoot faster, we're running out of empties!"

SL1,

These words alone merit their own post! LOL

spacecoast · February 15, 2011, 11:04 AM

Hand press and dippers
Four powders; enough to last for several years
Five calibers
10-12 different bullets, about 8K on hand
3 brands of primers, >10K on hand
10K rounds under my belt, 3K in inventory
No bullet molds or furnace
No power accessories

Brian Pfleuger · February 15, 2011, 11:09 AM

I guess I'm closest to stage III but I went from "0" to where I'm at now in a BIG hurry.

First, I just wanted to load for 357sig.... within a couple months I had a whole room dedicated to reloading, 8 powders on the bench, dies for 3 rifle cartridges and 2 handgun, an RCBS 1500, several thousands primers, 2,500+ bullets.....

Yikes!

4runnerman · February 15, 2011, 11:15 AM

Odd duck out here

2- dies for 45 ACP and 223
2 powder type
2- bullet weights
2- primer types.

I found out what works in my pistol and rifle and thats all i buy.

total

12 lbs-powder
1500- primers
about 3000 bullets,230 gn and 75 gn
countless thousands of empty cases all tumbled,resized and primed.

Looking to increase all to 4 very soon. 6MMBR in the near future. Wife 9MM soon also
I Envy all you people

jimbob86 · February 15, 2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

I'm currently between Stage II and III:
- 3 different calibers
- 5 different powders
- 6 different bullet types
- 3 different primer brands
- electronic scale
- dedicated bench in the basement with Dillon 550

Nice to know what lies ahead for me with my addiction.

This addiction is definitely not linear ..... I started with a single stage aluminum press on the bench, and 3 calibers ...... I still don't have a progressive press, a dozen years later....... maybe Luddites are resistant to some symptoms.

reloader28 · February 15, 2011, 11:20 AM

I would have to say definately STAGE 4.

Except I cant stand Dillons and I dont shoot jacketed bullets anymore in anything except 3 certain rifles.

I have one room for reloading and I cast bullets in another room with a special vent system I made. I guess I dont have a blast wall, but my house is concrete.

If it wasnt so expensive, I would be at STAGE 5 = swedging bullets and making powder

Rangefinder · February 15, 2011, 11:25 AM

Good-lord, why in the world would someone have to go and put something like this up---it makes us face up to reality unexpectedly...

The north end of my shop is my reloading area--dedicated room.
I load for over a dozed cartridges (is it bad that I don't know how many off-hand??)
I have more than one bench with shelves held down by presses, sizers, etc.
I have managed to find and develop loads for everything with only 6 powders on hand (only because I'd rather get a few 8-pounders rather than several 1-pounders of many different things), but am under 5K primers on the shelf now, so panic is starting to set in on a daily basis.
I have about 1500 pounds of lead in various alloys in stock ranging from dead-soft to ultra-hard, and use 10 molds currently with easily double that amount on this year's "get" list...

I guess I'm in advanced stages of Category IV. Thanks for ruining my denial!

Quote:

If it wasnt so expensive, I would be at STAGE 5 = swedging bullets and making powder

Damn... And then THIS comes up! Forgot to mention my .40S&W gets fed a diet of both cast lead and swagged HP's using 9mm cases, and I'm in the process of making my dies for swagging 22lr cases into .223 and .243... I've done it in the past, and am planning to dive more into making my BP for my muzzle-stuffers...Jeezus--I'm hopeless!

Fox1 · February 15, 2011, 11:30 AM

Now I'm really confused, I'm a little bit in Stage I, Stage II and Stage III.

Dedicated reloading room.
2 cast single stage presses, 2 powder measures, 2 different trimmers, balance beam and electronic scale all vying for space on one bench.
Loading for 7 different calibers.
Separate room for storage of loaded cartridges.
6 different brands of bullets; 2 to 3 different brands in some calibers.
5 or 6 different types of powder.
3 different brands of primers.

And (possibly the worst part) saving/sorting/segregating brass in calibers I don't reload or even have firearms for!

I think I have the disease!

Robert Palermo · February 15, 2011, 12:13 PM

I think I am at Stage X.
Full blown bullet casting buisness with multiple casters and lube sizing equipment. Corbin Hydro Swage press. Built foundry to make own lead. Enlarged foundry to 35,000lbs per day production. Became a Dillon dealer for 3 years.
2 - 650 presses and one 1050 press. 100,000 primers and lbs of powder on hand for personal use only.
Forgot what wife looks like as I spend 70 plus hours a week doing this.
Just ordered new RRA .308 rifle this morning.

Considering I just got into reloading and bullet casting to save money.
Started with a P-200 press and one Series 70 .45 about 30+ years ago. One RCBS Pro Melt and 1 H&G .45 mold.
Somehow the whole thing just spiralled out of control.
Still not sure how that happend.....?

Magnum Wheel Man · February 15, 2011, 12:31 PM

I don't know... you guys tell me... a room sized portion of the basement devoted to reloading, only 2 single stage presses, but a whole shelf full of dies ( I think I currently load just over 60 different cartridges ) 2 scales, 3 powder measures...

got a powder cabinet about the size of a refridgerator, one whole shelf of assorted primers, have floor to ceiling shelves 30" deep & 5' wide 12" apart with my cartridges from 17's through 50's caliber in order on the shelves... empties are stored in ammo cans behind loaded ammo which are all in plastic ammo boxes, all wearing load reciepes printed on tape on all the ammo boxes, bullets in ammo cans on the floor / bottom shelf

one shelf of bullet casting equipment ( though I've yet to take that plunge ) I have the pot, probably 2 dozen diffferent molds, & one ton of lead cast in ingots & stored in coffee cans in the garage...

Rangefinder · February 15, 2011, 01:00 PM

Welcome to Cat-IV, Magnum... Don't worry-it isn't a lonely place--we add members all the time!!

cycleguru · February 15, 2011, 02:25 PM

Guess I'm between I and II. Dollars (or lack of) will keep me here for the forseeable future!

I my fantasy world, though, I'm at stage IV!

kraigwy · February 15, 2011, 03:37 PM

When you buy a lathe to cut the belts of 460 Weatherby brass to make 416 Rigby brass (knowing you wont shoot that kicking POS, but still do it). A drill press decated for just case trimming. Cutting a hole in your shop wall so you can test loads without going out side. You have a milling machine to make your own dies. Your tumbler can hold 2K 308 cases. You buy dies for a 270 Win thinking someone barrowed yours only to find under the pile of dies you already have two sets and no one barrowed either.

I think I'm past stage "V".

Tuckerp229 · February 15, 2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

When you buy a lathe to cut the belts of 460 Weatherby brass to make 416 Rigby brass (knowing you wont shoot that kicking POS, but still do it). A drill press decated for just case trimming. Cutting a hole in your shop wall so you can test loads without going out side. You have a milling machine to make your own dies. Your tumbler can hold 2K 308 cases. You buy dies for a 270 Win thinking someone barrowed yours only to find under the pile of dies you already have two sets and no one barrowed either.

I think I'm past stage "V".

No hope for Sir. Just give up.

.284 · February 15, 2011, 04:05 PM

I'm betwixed and between II and III. But............

Unclenick, and I mean this in the most respectful and complimentary way, please tell about stages VII through X.

TXJohn · February 15, 2011, 04:57 PM

What stage is it when you buy back up presses, trimmers, powder measure's, scales, powder tricklers. on and on for "JUST IN CASE''

Tuckerp229 · February 15, 2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

What stage is it when you buy back up presses, trimmers, powder measure's, scales, powder tricklers. on and on for "JUST IN CASE''

You have progressed beyond the personal stages and into the "dealer" stage. Others are not safe around you because you are not only able to infect them but to supply them.

Bamashooter · February 15, 2011, 06:02 PM

I have used a single stage rcbs since Ive been reloading. I reload for 3 rifle and 2 pistol calibers. Im not concerned with volume. Im more about quality and saving money. Its a great hobby for me and thats the main reason I do it.

isanchez2008 · February 15, 2011, 06:05 PM

I'm between stages II and III with dreams/fantasies of reaching stage IV some day.

my hats off to you Robert Palermo.

February 15, 2011, 10:32 AM	#1
Tuckerp229 Member Join Date: October 28, 2007 Posts: 46	This one was too funny not to share. A warning to “Considering getting into reloading” Reloading is a progressive, incurable disease that saps your time, energy and money until it runs its course and leaves the victim a cold, lifeless corpse. Once infected by the disease, the victim proceeds through the classic stages of fear, anger, denial, bargaining, etc., with most victims reaching acceptance and being reconciled to their fate. There is no cure or palliative treatment; the victim bears the full intensity of the disease. So that you may be able to both avoid the curse of reloading and to help those for whom there is no hope, the stages of this fatal sickness are outlined here. You have been warned! Stage I Lee Loader; 2 boxes of cases; 1 can of powder; 1 box of bullets & 1C primers. Fits in shoe box. Stage II Alloy frame single stage press & dies for 2-3 calibers; 8 different powders; 12 bullet weight/types; 3 brands of primers. Outfit set up on kitchen table after kids are asleep, taken down before breakfast. Stored in closet. Stage III Several semi progressive & cast iron single stage presses crowded onto loading bench. Electronic scale/powder measure. Components still fit on 6 shelves. Sierra, Hornady, Hodgdon & Alliant tech support on speed dial. Bullet moulds & furnace in garage. Stage IV Dedicated room or out building to house your battery of Dillon presses & casting center. 200 amp service to accommodate power accessories. Powder purchased in four 8-lb jugs/case to waive HAZMAT fees. Bullet purchases calculated to fill USPS Priority Mail Large Flat Rate boxes. Custom lead alloy ingots ordered by cwt. UPS deliveryman & mailcarrier on your route rotated every 6 mos for recovery from hernia/back surgeries. Components neatly segregated & arranged in storage racks by manufacturer’s lot numbers. Powder & primer magazines separated by blast wall. On first name basis with Stan Widener & local Fire Marshal. - Maj. Kong What stage are you in? __________________ If you are not measuring, you are guessing. Barreltemperaturegauge.com Consistentcrimp.com

February 15, 2011, 10:45 AM	#3
McClintock Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: The Bald Prairie of Southern Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 305	Halfway between Stage II and III That's hilarious! I'm currently between Stage II and III: - 3 different calibers - 5 different powders - 6 different bullet types - 3 different primer brands - electronic scale - dedicated bench in the basement with Dillon 550 Nice to know what lies ahead for me with my addiction. Cheers! McClintock

February 15, 2011, 10:51 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	Pretty much stage III, here. Except I don't have an electronic scale. But I make up for it with far more than 6 shelves of crap. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 15, 2011, 10:56 AM	#6
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	OMG I was thinking that "stage 4" was the CURE for "stage 3", not ANOTHER stage! "Shoot faster, we're running out of emtpies!" SL1

February 15, 2011, 11:00 AM	#7
Tuckerp229 Member Join Date: October 28, 2007 Posts: 46	"Shoot faster, we're running out of empties!" SL1, These words alone merit their own post! LOL __________________ If you are not measuring, you are guessing. Barreltemperaturegauge.com Consistentcrimp.com

February 15, 2011, 10:36 AM	#2
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Fortunately, I have five children that compete for resources with my reloading habit ..... I'm stuck between stage II and III. On the other hand, this disease is contagious, and I have already spread it to other members of my family!

February 15, 2011, 10:47 AM	#4
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	Firmly Between III and IV

February 15, 2011, 11:04 AM	#8
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Between I and II, closer to II Hand press and dippers Four powders; enough to last for several years Five calibers 10-12 different bullets, about 8K on hand 3 brands of primers, >10K on hand 10K rounds under my belt, 3K in inventory No bullet molds or furnace No power accessories

February 15, 2011, 11:09 AM	#9
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I guess I'm closest to stage III but I went from "0" to where I'm at now in a BIG hurry. First, I just wanted to load for 357sig.... within a couple months I had a whole room dedicated to reloading, 8 powders on the bench, dies for 3 rifle cartridges and 2 handgun, an RCBS 1500, several thousands primers, 2,500+ bullets..... Yikes! __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

February 15, 2011, 11:15 AM	#10
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Odd duck out here 2- dies for 45 ACP and 223 2 powder type 2- bullet weights 2- primer types. I found out what works in my pistol and rifle and thats all i buy. total 12 lbs-powder 1500- primers about 3000 bullets,230 gn and 75 gn countless thousands of empty cases all tumbled,resized and primed. Looking to increase all to 4 very soon. 6MMBR in the near future. Wife 9MM soon also I Envy all you people __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 15, 2011, 11:20 AM	#12
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	I would have to say definately STAGE 4. Except I cant stand Dillons and I dont shoot jacketed bullets anymore in anything except 3 certain rifles. I have one room for reloading and I cast bullets in another room with a special vent system I made. I guess I dont have a blast wall, but my house is concrete. If it wasnt so expensive, I would be at STAGE 5 = swedging bullets and making powder

February 15, 2011, 11:30 AM	#14
Fox1 Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2008 Posts: 300	Now I'm really confused, I'm a little bit in Stage I, Stage II and Stage III. Dedicated reloading room. 2 cast single stage presses, 2 powder measures, 2 different trimmers, balance beam and electronic scale all vying for space on one bench. Loading for 7 different calibers. Separate room for storage of loaded cartridges. 6 different brands of bullets; 2 to 3 different brands in some calibers. 5 or 6 different types of powder. 3 different brands of primers. And (possibly the worst part) saving/sorting/segregating brass in calibers I don't reload or even have firearms for! I think I have the disease!

February 15, 2011, 12:13 PM	#15
Robert Palermo Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: Home of the Steelers Posts: 56	I think I am at Stage X. Full blown bullet casting buisness with multiple casters and lube sizing equipment. Corbin Hydro Swage press. Built foundry to make own lead. Enlarged foundry to 35,000lbs per day production. Became a Dillon dealer for 3 years. 2 - 650 presses and one 1050 press. 100,000 primers and lbs of powder on hand for personal use only. Forgot what wife looks like as I spend 70 plus hours a week doing this. Just ordered new RRA .308 rifle this morning. Considering I just got into reloading and bullet casting to save money. Started with a P-200 press and one Series 70 .45 about 30+ years ago. One RCBS Pro Melt and 1 H&G .45 mold. Somehow the whole thing just spiralled out of control. Still not sure how that happend.....? __________________ www.pennbullets.com Last edited by Robert Palermo; February 15, 2011 at 12:21 PM.

February 15, 2011, 12:31 PM	#16
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	I don't know... you guys tell me... a room sized portion of the basement devoted to reloading, only 2 single stage presses, but a whole shelf full of dies ( I think I currently load just over 60 different cartridges ) 2 scales, 3 powder measures... got a powder cabinet about the size of a refridgerator, one whole shelf of assorted primers, have floor to ceiling shelves 30" deep & 5' wide 12" apart with my cartridges from 17's through 50's caliber in order on the shelves... empties are stored in ammo cans behind loaded ammo which are all in plastic ammo boxes, all wearing load reciepes printed on tape on all the ammo boxes, bullets in ammo cans on the floor / bottom shelf one shelf of bullet casting equipment ( though I've yet to take that plunge ) I have the pot, probably 2 dozen diffferent molds, & one ton of lead cast in ingots & stored in coffee cans in the garage... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust... Last edited by Magnum Wheel Man; February 15, 2011 at 12:39 PM.

February 15, 2011, 01:00 PM	#17
Rangefinder Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 2,017	Welcome to Cat-IV, Magnum... Don't worry-it isn't a lonely place--we add members all the time!! __________________ "Why is is called Common Sense when it seems so few actually possess it?" Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.

February 15, 2011, 02:25 PM	#18
cycleguru Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: Orygun USA Posts: 184	Guess I'm between I and II. Dollars (or lack of) will keep me here for the forseeable future! I my fantasy world, though, I'm at stage IV!

February 15, 2011, 03:37 PM	#19
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	When you buy a lathe to cut the belts of 460 Weatherby brass to make 416 Rigby brass (knowing you wont shoot that kicking POS, but still do it). A drill press decated for just case trimming. Cutting a hole in your shop wall so you can test loads without going out side. You have a milling machine to make your own dies. Your tumbler can hold 2K 308 cases. You buy dies for a 270 Win thinking someone barrowed yours only to find under the pile of dies you already have two sets and no one barrowed either. I think I'm past stage "V". __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

February 15, 2011, 04:05 PM	#21
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	I'm betwixed and between II and III. But............ Unclenick, and I mean this in the most respectful and complimentary way, please tell about stages VII through X. __________________ Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you.

February 15, 2011, 04:57 PM	#22
TXJohn Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Location: Ft Worth TX Posts: 163	What stage is it when you buy back up presses, trimmers, powder measure's, scales, powder tricklers. on and on for "JUST IN CASE''

February 15, 2011, 06:02 PM	#24
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	I have used a single stage rcbs since Ive been reloading. I reload for 3 rifle and 2 pistol calibers. Im not concerned with volume. Im more about quality and saving money. Its a great hobby for me and thats the main reason I do it.

February 15, 2011, 06:05 PM	#25
isanchez2008 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: WA Posts: 344	I'm between stages II and III with dreams/fantasies of reaching stage IV some day. my hats off to you Robert Palermo.