RE: Factory or Reload or Ammo
 

I go for factory rounds - I don't trust reloads

RE: Factory or Reload or Ammo
 

You mean you wouldnt trust your own reloads or someone else loading them. Im sure Im more careful with each round then a machine that does hundreds in an hour.

I feel just the opposite as you, I dont see who's checking the factory stuff, I know what I see when it comes together.

RE: Factory or Reload or Ammo
 

I havn't shot a factory metallic round in over a decade.... I reload for everything i own except scattergun...

The initial investmetn of equipment can be very cheap or very expensive... but the cost depreciates over time... As it stands i can reload "plinking" ammunition for my 38 / 357 for a few bucks / 100... (did i say i cast my own pistol bullets too)... With "cost" you can go very cheap or very expensive.. depending upon components chosen, round being loaded and intent of use of the round... point beign there is a signifiant difference in cost between my 357 target loads and hunting loads... my bottleneck rifle rounds are not cheap as i sometimes use a "premium" bullet (as in my 280 rem with Partitions) if it shoots the best... on the other hand my 35 Whelen AI is about half the cost to load as my 280 as it likes Nosler BT (now accubonds so price is close)...

As for "quality"... i know exactly what is in that cartridge, how it is put together with what components and it is closely dimensionally controlled... I can tailor each load to exactly what i am trying to accomplish for accuracy, velocity, etc etc... all rifle rounds rounds and hunting handgun loads are put together one at a time.... i consider my handloaded ammunition to be in a league of it's own when compared to "factory" ammunition and i guarantee most other handloaders (especially us benchrest guys) feel the same way...

BTW, for reliability and "trusting" your loads.. i have NEVER ONCE in 19 years of shooting reloaded ammunition, had a failure... that means... every time i pull the trigger it goes bang and ejects the case in one piece... never have had an internal failure do to overcharged case, etc.... this comes from being safety minded... paying attention to what you are doing and double checking what you are doing often... especially if you aren't filling the case more than 50% with powder

Don't count out handloading.. don't be afraid of them... only be afraid of those who take it lightly and haphazardly...

RE: Factory or Reload or Ammo
 

I started handloading over 30 years ago because at the time I couldn't afford to shoot factory ammo. I do it now because I enjoy reloading almost as much as shooting. Reloading for my rifle and pistols still saves me a lot of money. I started casting my own bullets about 4 years ago. Just another part of the reloading hobby that I enjoy. I also get additional satisfaction out of knowing that I just took an antelope at over 300+ yards with a handload from my gun that I had spend hours practicing with and developing the "right" load for my rifle. I will stop reloading for my shotgun as the components have gone up so much in price in the last year thatI can buy shot shells for less then I can reload them. I currently have more hobbies then I have time for, so the Mec Jr. shotgun press will set idle.

RE: Factory or Reload or Ammo
 

I wouldn't trust my own reloads, no :D

RE: Factory or Reload or Ammo
 

Reloads!! Although factory loads have become very accurate, I still enjoy reloading to find the bestcombination for my guns.