First Reload Survey - Page 2

Nnobby45 · January 13, 2009, 12:27 AM

First loaded ammo was 20 ga. shotgun. Don't know what my thoughts were before I pulled the trigger, but afterwards it was, "how the h$%@ did I miss that quail?".

First rifle was 30-06. Since I can't remember what my thoughts were before I pulled the trigger, I must not have been too worried. After all, 1967 is a ways back.

ballardw · January 13, 2009, 12:29 AM

.30-30 for a Winchester Model 94. Thoughts while shooting it were target, backdrop, sights, breathing, trigger.

amamnn · January 13, 2009, 12:40 AM

12 ga. I was not worried when I pulled the trigger on my first shell, but I did kind of wonder when my dad and grandad stepped back a bit when I picked up the hammer to seat my first primer................ I thought I remembered doing that with a Lee Loader, but I guess it was a different tool, since Richard Lee did not start selling them until 1958............and it was not in a red box..........

Notenoughguns · January 13, 2009, 12:43 AM

7.62X54R, used a lee loader (they work good if you use a deadblow hammer). Shot the first one from the hip.

DBotkin · January 13, 2009, 12:59 AM

The first ones I did without supervision were either .22-250 or .44 Magnum, I don't remember which. I'd been helping my father out and doing a lot of the work supervised for years on those two cartridges.

Since then I've done .38 Special, .357, .38 S&W, .222, .243, .308, .40 S&W and now .223. I no longer load .243, .308 or .38 Special. The only centerfire I've shot and never reloaded for is .32 ACP, if you don't count shotguns.

Gneiss · January 13, 2009, 01:01 AM

.38 special for a Ruger Security Six. Wasn't very concerned since it was a light load, but you can bet I was d*** careful throughout that first reload operation.

ljnowell · January 13, 2009, 02:21 AM

It was so long ago, at least 3 weeks, lol. I was loading .45acp. My first rounds were loaded just under minimum. I didnt wear any bulky gloves or anything. Didnt cycle my slide on the g21. The next round I loaded .3gr hotter. THose cycled the slide ok, but were noticably weaker. Worked my way up checking primers and cases for overpressure and going by accuracy. Spent a couple hours doing 5 rounds at a time. Ended up with a load of 4.9gr 700x under a 200gr plated HP in winchester brass with a Win LP primer. At 15 yards they would cloverleaf on the target. It was such a great feeling to know that i made that ammo and that it would shoot bette than the WWB that I paid 3x as much for.

Simon Templar · January 13, 2009, 02:24 AM

9mm a bit more than 30 years ago. No worries.

.....sT

hivel37 · January 13, 2009, 07:37 AM

40+ years ago, I had a pre-64 Win 70 in .308 and a Lee Loader.

IIRC, IMR 3031 was the powder.

All I have left of that setup is the hammer I used to do the beating.

kyle663 · January 13, 2009, 07:37 AM

started reloading 12 ga with a mec 600. somehow got a double charge a couple months after and blew up my o/u. didn't reload shotgun any more, started metalic a couple years ago and a little wiser and more careful now.

**Mike Irwin** · January 13, 2009, 10:36 AM

.30-06.

I was about 10.

I don't recall what my first thoughts were before I pulled the trigger.

I remember what my thoughts were after I pulled the trigger.

"HOLY *$)(&$ THAT METAL BUTTPLATE HURTS!"

Waldog · January 13, 2009, 11:43 AM

12ga shot shell, PAPER case, new 700X powder, fiber wads on my Dad's RCBS Model A press (Circa 1949-1959)

Used round electric shell iron to smooth/reform shell case

Still have the Model A, loading dies, shell iron and the shotgun

Dr. Strangelove · January 13, 2009, 11:58 AM

9mm in a Lee Loader. I was about 7, I guess, and my grandfather was instructing, so I was completely confident in the loads. Shot them through a Luger in the basement, I remember thinking "Wow! That's a lot of flame coming out of that barrel!"

HorseshoerJT · January 13, 2009, 12:10 PM

My first reloading project was for my Ruger .270. When I pulled the trigger, I wondered if it was going to blow up, hit anything, or not fire at all.

FredT · January 13, 2009, 12:44 PM

My first reload was a 16 gage using the old Lee Loader using the hammer and such. Fired them in the Win Mod 12 given to me from grandpa. Still have it (both). I have come a long way since 1970. I reload all gages (except 32 ga.) with MECs. Would I ever go back to the hammer and Lee? Hell no! My first rifle I ever bought as a 19 year old was a Savage 340 in .222 Rem. I started reloading center fires with that one. My feelings were similar to SAM06 posted earlier. It did not take me too long to blow the extractor out of that bolt, learned about Gun Parts in W. Hurly, fixed it and NEVER did anything like that since. I learned prudence and moderation that day! I probably load for over 30 centerfires now. Did 32 years active duty service with a weapons rating. I guess I like this stuff.

Tuzo · January 13, 2009, 01:23 PM

With a Lee Loader. My younger brother tried it first and, being an impatient, inexperienced, and impetuous human being, loaded his cartridges quite hot. The second shot through his FN shattered the stock directly behind the receiver and sent walnut splinters into his cheek. He never reloaded after a session with tweezers and antiseptic. In my case I am not as hasty as my brother and loaded for my Remington 700 with a bit more research and caution. Hand loaded 165 gr Sierra Gamekings and they shot beautifully with no damage to the rifle and to me. Haven't stopped reloading since about 1967.

Zombie Steve · January 13, 2009, 02:45 PM

I remember it well, as it was last year...

.45 Colt / Blackhawk - 250 grain LSWC over Unique.

I picked this one to go first because of the strength of the frame. I was nervous, took a deep breath and touched one off. So started the addiction.

Hyde · January 13, 2009, 03:15 PM

First one was 280 remington and I was a bit nervous about pulling the trigger. I've been hooked since and just recently purchased a co-ax press to go along with the lee challenger.

Hoxviii · January 13, 2009, 04:16 PM

7.62x54R, 150GN SP's over BL-C(2). Wondered what was going to happen since the first M-N I picked up had such a shot out shoulder area that almost no case would come out without a shoulder split. Becasue of that I made sure to start out light and work up slow, but with this one I have no split issues and great accuracy.

I still play with that along with .243, 45 ACP and Colt, and .38/.357 mag.

Justin

ShootingNut · January 13, 2009, 04:22 PM

First load .40 SW, and after the BOOM with gun and hand still intact,
I smiled from Ear to Ear!

My first love of reloading hasn't faded either, load more than I shoot it seems.
SN

TheNatureBoy · January 13, 2009, 04:49 PM

I first loaded for my Interarms .280 Remington. I had no concerns what so ever about anything going wrong. I had my friend and long time reloader to set dies for me, and walk me through the rest of the process. Everything went fine and I was on my way. Felt pretty good I must say

223 shooter · January 13, 2009, 04:54 PM

38 Special on a new Dillon Square Deal back when they were $135.

cchardwick · January 13, 2009, 11:02 PM

My first reloads were 44 magnum and I was VERY impressed with my reloads because they are the only rounds that will cycle in my 44 magnum Desert Eagle. All other factory loads jam at least one jam every magazine. It turned my Desert Eagle into my favorite gun, used to be my least favorite because of all the jams. I got the load data from an online forum that said to use slow burning powder, then got confirmation from my Lyman reloading manual using Winchester 296 and 240 grain hollow core bullets.

darkgael · January 13, 2009, 11:32 PM

.30-06 with a Lee Loader.
Pete

B-Maxx · January 14, 2009, 05:45 PM

.308 was my first. I alternated between, "Please go bang" and "I sure hope this doesn't blow up in my hands". Thankfully every round I've loaded did what it was suppose to and were more accurate than factory. Just what I was looking for when I started.

January 13, 2009, 12:40 AM	#28
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	12 ga. I was not worried when I pulled the trigger on my first shell, but I did kind of wonder when my dad and grandad stepped back a bit when I picked up the hammer to seat my first primer................ I thought I remembered doing that with a Lee Loader, but I guess it was a different tool, since Richard Lee did not start selling them until 1958............and it was not in a red box.......... __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

January 13, 2009, 02:24 AM	#33
Simon Templar Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Location: Infinite Rider On The Big Dogma Posts: 18	9mm a bit more than 30 years ago. No worries. .....sT __________________ NRA Endowment Member, since 1988

January 13, 2009, 07:37 AM	#35
kyle663 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: IL Posts: 311	25 years ago here started reloading 12 ga with a mec 600. somehow got a double charge a couple months after and blew up my o/u. didn't reload shotgun any more, started metalic a couple years ago and a little wiser and more careful now. __________________ NRA member 22LR,17hmr, 9mm, 9mm makarov, 38 S&W, 38/357, 41mag, 44mag, 45ACP, 7.62x39, 7.62x54, 222rem

January 13, 2009, 11:43 AM	#37
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	12ga shot shell, PAPER case, new 700X powder, fiber wads on my Dad's RCBS Model A press (Circa 1949-1959) Used round electric shell iron to smooth/reform shell case Still have the Model A, loading dies, shell iron and the shotgun __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

January 13, 2009, 12:10 PM	#39
HorseshoerJT Member Join Date: July 24, 2008 Location: NORTHERN California Posts: 28	Reloading My first reloading project was for my Ruger .270. When I pulled the trigger, I wondered if it was going to blow up, hit anything, or not fire at all. __________________ Hunt hard, Teach a kid to hunt, Enjoy life.

January 13, 2009, 12:27 AM	#26
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	First loaded ammo was 20 ga. shotgun. Don't know what my thoughts were before I pulled the trigger, but afterwards it was, "how the h$%@ did I miss that quail?". First rifle was 30-06. Since I can't remember what my thoughts were before I pulled the trigger, I must not have been too worried. After all, 1967 is a ways back.

January 13, 2009, 12:29 AM	#27
ballardw Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 1,411	.30-30 for a Winchester Model 94. Thoughts while shooting it were target, backdrop, sights, breathing, trigger.

January 13, 2009, 12:43 AM	#29
Notenoughguns Member Join Date: December 14, 2008 Location: Kommiefornia Posts: 80	7.62X54R, used a lee loader (they work good if you use a deadblow hammer). Shot the first one from the hip.

January 13, 2009, 12:59 AM	#30
DBotkin Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 302	The first ones I did without supervision were either .22-250 or .44 Magnum, I don't remember which. I'd been helping my father out and doing a lot of the work supervised for years on those two cartridges. Since then I've done .38 Special, .357, .38 S&W, .222, .243, .308, .40 S&W and now .223. I no longer load .243, .308 or .38 Special. The only centerfire I've shot and never reloaded for is .32 ACP, if you don't count shotguns.

January 13, 2009, 01:01 AM	#31
Gneiss Member Join Date: January 2, 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 26	.38 special for a Ruger Security Six. Wasn't very concerned since it was a light load, but you can bet I was d*** careful throughout that first reload operation.

January 13, 2009, 02:21 AM	#32
ljnowell Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 274	It was so long ago, at least 3 weeks, lol. I was loading .45acp. My first rounds were loaded just under minimum. I didnt wear any bulky gloves or anything. Didnt cycle my slide on the g21. The next round I loaded .3gr hotter. THose cycled the slide ok, but were noticably weaker. Worked my way up checking primers and cases for overpressure and going by accuracy. Spent a couple hours doing 5 rounds at a time. Ended up with a load of 4.9gr 700x under a 200gr plated HP in winchester brass with a Win LP primer. At 15 yards they would cloverleaf on the target. It was such a great feeling to know that i made that ammo and that it would shoot bette than the WWB that I paid 3x as much for.

January 13, 2009, 07:37 AM	#34
hivel37 Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2004 Location: Hill Country Posts: 522	40+ years ago, I had a pre-64 Win 70 in .308 and a Lee Loader. IIRC, IMR 3031 was the powder. All I have left of that setup is the hammer I used to do the beating.

January 13, 2009, 10:36 AM	#36
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	.30-06. I was about 10. I don't recall what my first thoughts were before I pulled the trigger. I remember what my thoughts were after I pulled the trigger. "HOLY *$)(&$ THAT METAL BUTTPLATE HURTS!"

January 13, 2009, 11:58 AM	#38
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	9mm in a Lee Loader. I was about 7, I guess, and my grandfather was instructing, so I was completely confident in the loads. Shot them through a Luger in the basement, I remember thinking "Wow! That's a lot of flame coming out of that barrel!"

January 13, 2009, 12:44 PM	#40
FredT Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Location: Cambridge, Ohio Posts: 77	My first reload was a 16 gage using the old Lee Loader using the hammer and such. Fired them in the Win Mod 12 given to me from grandpa. Still have it (both). I have come a long way since 1970. I reload all gages (except 32 ga.) with MECs. Would I ever go back to the hammer and Lee? Hell no! My first rifle I ever bought as a 19 year old was a Savage 340 in .222 Rem. I started reloading center fires with that one. My feelings were similar to SAM06 posted earlier. It did not take me too long to blow the extractor out of that bolt, learned about Gun Parts in W. Hurly, fixed it and NEVER did anything like that since. I learned prudence and moderation that day! I probably load for over 30 centerfires now. Did 32 years active duty service with a weapons rating. I guess I like this stuff.

January 13, 2009, 01:23 PM	#41
Tuzo Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 797	.30-06 With a Lee Loader. My younger brother tried it first and, being an impatient, inexperienced, and impetuous human being, loaded his cartridges quite hot. The second shot through his FN shattered the stock directly behind the receiver and sent walnut splinters into his cheek. He never reloaded after a session with tweezers and antiseptic. In my case I am not as hasty as my brother and loaded for my Remington 700 with a bit more research and caution. Hand loaded 165 gr Sierra Gamekings and they shot beautifully with no damage to the rifle and to me. Haven't stopped reloading since about 1967.

January 13, 2009, 02:45 PM	#42
Zombie Steve Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2007 Location: Old Colorado City Posts: 527	I remember it well, as it was last year... .45 Colt / Blackhawk - 250 grain LSWC over Unique. I picked this one to go first because of the strength of the frame. I was nervous, took a deep breath and touched one off. So started the addiction.

January 13, 2009, 03:15 PM	#43
Hyde Junior Member Join Date: October 24, 2007 Location: U.P. Michigan Posts: 6	First one was 280 remington and I was a bit nervous about pulling the trigger. I've been hooked since and just recently purchased a co-ax press to go along with the lee challenger.

January 13, 2009, 04:16 PM	#44
Hoxviii Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 27	7.62x54R, 150GN SP's over BL-C(2). Wondered what was going to happen since the first M-N I picked up had such a shot out shoulder area that almost no case would come out without a shoulder split. Becasue of that I made sure to start out light and work up slow, but with this one I have no split issues and great accuracy. I still play with that along with .243, 45 ACP and Colt, and .38/.357 mag. Justin

January 13, 2009, 04:22 PM	#45
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	First load .40 SW, and after the BOOM with gun and hand still intact, I smiled from Ear to Ear! My first love of reloading hasn't faded either, load more than I shoot it seems. SN

January 13, 2009, 04:49 PM	#46
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	I first loaded for my Interarms .280 Remington. I had no concerns what so ever about anything going wrong. I had my friend and long time reloader to set dies for me, and walk me through the rest of the process. Everything went fine and I was on my way. Felt pretty good I must say

January 13, 2009, 04:54 PM	#47
223 shooter Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2008 Posts: 557	38 Special on a new Dillon Square Deal back when they were $135.

January 13, 2009, 11:02 PM	#48
cchardwick Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 574	My first reloads were 44 magnum and I was VERY impressed with my reloads because they are the only rounds that will cycle in my 44 magnum Desert Eagle. All other factory loads jam at least one jam every magazine. It turned my Desert Eagle into my favorite gun, used to be my least favorite because of all the jams. I got the load data from an online forum that said to use slow burning powder, then got confirmation from my Lyman reloading manual using Winchester 296 and 240 grain hollow core bullets.

January 13, 2009, 11:32 PM	#49
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	1st .30-06 with a Lee Loader. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

January 14, 2009, 05:45 PM	#50
B-Maxx Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Posts: 131	.308 was my first. I alternated between, "Please go bang" and "I sure hope this doesn't blow up in my hands". Thankfully every round I've loaded did what it was suppose to and were more accurate than factory. Just what I was looking for when I started.