As a SHOOTER, I find handloading of ammunition to be a real relaxing, interesting, challenging, rewarding use of time. I can see how aperson who is primarily a hunter could think that it is better to spend your time scouting, building stands, etc., etc. But a guy like this's needs can be met by a Walmart rifle and factory ammo, too!

I don't just refill fired cases - I actually buy brass NEW, cast or buy special bullets, and use exotic powders -just tobuildcustom ammo to suit my requirements, as crazy as that sounds! I even shoot a couple of calibers for which ammo has to be made, 'cause it just ain't available any other way.

I should say why I think reloading for other people is a chore.

Most people that do not reload just do not understand. They think you just put a new primer in the case, dump powder in the case & put a new bullet into the case & you are read to hunt with "super accurate" custom ammo.

I have beat my head against the wall telling people that this just aint so. My next project is to find myself a handload thatmy 25-06 & I both like. After that I might, (???) take up the chore of finding a handload for my father's 270-winchester?

For many years, I lived to reload. However I sort of got burned out on it while competition shooting. My son and I both shot and I would end up reloadind a couple thousand loads of 45 Auto and 40 S&W every week plus casting bullets. It really got old and now I don't load much any more. I will work up a good load for each new or different gun but then often as not, if I find a good factory load like the Federal Fusions, I am apt to shoot factory stuff.

I can see how one might get burned out with handloading if one had been "operating an ammo factory" with his reloading outfit! I have really never gotten into volume production, and rarely load over 100 rounds of a given load, usually a lot less than that. Most of my loading effort is involved with trying new things - different bullets, new powders, different cartridges, etc.

For example, I recently began developingcast-bullet loads for a recently-acquired .416 Rigby. In addition,I just got a barely-fired Mannlicher-Schoenauer 7x57mm carbine. I am now trying to decide what bullet and powder charge to use in it as its' "standard" load. I am thinking perhaps the 150-grain Nosler Partition bullet with IMR 4350. Can I findan accurate load that will give me in the vicinity of 2700 FPS from that 20" tube using 4350? Or will I have to drop to 140 grain bullets or use 160 grainers?? We'll have to see! I still enjoy trying to find answers to such questions........

James B, well there is nothing with wrong factory ammoif that is what you prefer. Plus you can just sell me all you reloading equupment for real cheap!

I do the same, I will only hunt will new brass out of my .300 RUM. The only factory loads that fired down the barrel was the first 20 shots because a friend gave me a box as a gift when I bought the rifle. I will practice and also work up loads with used brass but for hunting I prefer new brass. I have quite a bit of once fired brass and oneof these days I am going to find out if it is more accurate. But I will have to reduce my load a bit because I am at max and the once fired brass will stick a bit but new brass is no problems. As it is right now I have a 180 grain nosler accobond moving at 3400 f/s, and my groups are in between a 1" and 1.5" depending on the day. Of course that will not win any accurachycontest but for hunting its just fine. My rifle is factory 26" tube but once I go to gunsmithing school that will all change.

You got that right, a lot of people don't.

Idaho, I have a Lyman Turret Press that I bought new and it's been discontinued almost 20yrs. I got like James and haven't loaded for the last 10yrs.

I still use my reloading stuff. Just not like I used too. I had two progressive presses set up so I didn't need to do much changing of parts. I could easy enough load 600 ronds after supper unless I had to trim brass. With the Lee factory crimp die and TC bullets, I could keep trimming down to a minimum. We would run out to the range for a practice session and shoot 500 rounds or so. I really didn't like casting bullets but could not afford not to as I got the lead for free. All the work trasformed a hobby into a second job. I am really limited to room now as well as we live in an apartment until My wife retires and we can move back to the farm.

Back when I lived in reasonable proximity to a good 200 yard range I reloaded like crazy. My set paid for itself many times over. However, now the 100 yard range that I have access to is a "pay per view" range so I just go now and then to verify a 100 yard set. So I am doing factory ammo or reman. these days. Room has a bunch to do with it. You really need space for a good bench and supplies, and with 4 kids.. I just squirreled away the stuff and hid it from them. If I lived in Montana, probably would be different.

I usually enjoy reloading and find it relaxing. I can guarantee you that when you are halfway through trimming 3000 pieces of 223 brass for the upcoming prairie dog hunt, its definately a chore.