A chore NO fun YES.
As for your friend saying it is a waist of time I bet he never
tried it or what I find most hunters that say it is not time well spent don't understand reloading & there for don't feel comfortable doing it.
I do it for cost and being able to make custom amo for any gun (rifle or shotgun to pistol)as most know every gun has a pet load it likes best.
Been reloading for 25+ years.