Is it really worth it?
#2
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From:
Don't think you'll save much money. But its definately worth it. You have fun and get to taylor loads to your needs.
Dangerous? Not unless you do stupid things...like smoke a cheap cigar will measuring powder
Dangerous? Not unless you do stupid things...like smoke a cheap cigar will measuring powder

#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Worth it if you shoot alot and are really into accuracy. Good hobby. It can be dangerous if you a person who is absent minded. If you don't have a place to do it where you can put all your concentration, then its tough. I have had some scary moments. One was with a progressive Lee and one time it didnt throw much powder and put a bullet in the barrel. Forturately, I wasn't able to load another round. It could have been messy.
#6
Typical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: durango Colorado USA
It depends on what you shoot & how much you shoot. If you shoot a 30/06, 270, 308, 243-----A couple boxes a year-----NO. If you a 375 H & H -----YES.
Loadloading to me is more of a hobby than an exercise in saving money. It will cut your cost per round but you will add expense in all the equipment---ie. electronic scale, electronic powder dispenser--etc. Plus add in what your time is worth.
There is a certain amount of satisaction in knowing that you rolled your own ammo & that it isVERY accurate & it worked to perfection on a 6x6 bull elk.
Loadloading to me is more of a hobby than an exercise in saving money. It will cut your cost per round but you will add expense in all the equipment---ie. electronic scale, electronic powder dispenser--etc. Plus add in what your time is worth.
There is a certain amount of satisaction in knowing that you rolled your own ammo & that it isVERY accurate & it worked to perfection on a 6x6 bull elk.
#8
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,516
Likes: 0
From:
You will learn about interior and exterior ballistics, what bullet to use for what game and situation, making more accurate loads thanfactory bought loads, and becoming a better marksman and hunter. 
Good luck.

Good luck.
#9
Fork Horn
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From:
i shot 14,000 handgun rounds and just shy of 1200 rifle rounds last year... i shoot almost every day... so yes for me it is well worth reloading.. i can load a box of 45 long colt plinking rounds (50 qty) for just over 2.50 / box... and that was buying the bullets... for about the last 10 months i've been casting my own and i've already paid off the 250 dollar casting equipment cost... i've also started casting 38 sp / 357 bullets and for as much as i shoot the revolvers id be broke ifi had to buy jacketed bullets...
now if i was going to shoot 5 or 600 rounds a year... it'd probably be better to just buy em... but sittin in the shop, i find it relaxing as i watch the snow fall all winter while i throw bullets and work up loads...
safety has to be paramount. always always always pay attention to what you are doing... no TV, no visitors, no cell phones... most i might have on is a radio... handgun loads are especially dangerous because you CAN double charge the shell... bottle neck rifle you really can't... and no sparks or open flames or anything.. nada... period... and no alcohol...
now if i was going to shoot 5 or 600 rounds a year... it'd probably be better to just buy em... but sittin in the shop, i find it relaxing as i watch the snow fall all winter while i throw bullets and work up loads...
safety has to be paramount. always always always pay attention to what you are doing... no TV, no visitors, no cell phones... most i might have on is a radio... handgun loads are especially dangerous because you CAN double charge the shell... bottle neck rifle you really can't... and no sparks or open flames or anything.. nada... period... and no alcohol...
#10
"Worth" is relative. If you are a casual shooter, a time or 2 at the range then don't bother. BUT if you like being exact, or shooting thousands of rounds, shoot weird cartridges, then yes. If you go in to reloading with the mindset that it is a hassle....stop and don't do it. You'll be trying to shortcut things and blow yourself up.
For me it's worth it, because I can shoot more for the same money. I'm sure my dies and stuff have well paid for themselves. I like the self satisfaction of shooting a deer with my own loads. I can load up or down whether I am plinking or hunting. I've learned a ton about ballistics, pressure, physics etc. Loading shells beats watching pointless things on TV.
For me it's worth it, because I can shoot more for the same money. I'm sure my dies and stuff have well paid for themselves. I like the self satisfaction of shooting a deer with my own loads. I can load up or down whether I am plinking or hunting. I've learned a ton about ballistics, pressure, physics etc. Loading shells beats watching pointless things on TV.


