GUNS & AMMO

Who handloads? I've been thinking about handloading my .243 for the obvious benefits of accuracy and cost efficiency.
 
I've hand loaded my own since I was old enough to hunt. It was the second thing my father taught me, the first was to shoot. Accuracy was a side benefit, the primary reason was money. I can still hand load for roughly 25% the cost of factory ammunition. The main thing is take your time and do it right. You will love the results.
 
It is actually not hard but plan on spending some time prepping/decapping brass, and above all playing it safe. I still use the same old Herters press and scale my father gave me. It means weighing powder and loading each round individually but I get great results and don't spend half the cash. I like heavy magnums so bang for buck is a huge factor.

Don't wait, corner your gramps and let him you know you want to learn....I'll bet he would enjoy the chance to pass it on. I've already started letting my son (eight years old) help. The whole experience has both of us jazzed up.
 
Ya he knows, just waiting to move his stuff out here.

Its a huge help for the .45-70 and the .44 mag we shoot, plus its easy to go plink 9mm when ya want. If only I could load 7.62x39. LOL
 
You could load 7.62x39. You just need brass...but its probably just as cheap to buy the bulk surplus stuff. 45-70 and 44 mag would be big savings over factory. If you are looking for a good manual, if it is still in print, try finding Pet Loads by Ken Waters. The book doesn't have the latest rounds but the old favorites are there along with a great write up on each round. Kind of a where, what, and why, complete with a load table and tested rounds.
 
I was being facetious about the 7.62, its cheap enough in bulk to justify buying.

Ya the .45-70 is about a tenth of the cost, and 510 rounds pack a real wallop.
 
A very close friend's father was a retired gunsmith. His dad built some of the finest firearms I ever had the pleasure of fondling, and shooting. Long story but one afternoon in the gun shop reloading came up and he recommended Waters book to me. Powders have changed along with other reloading components. These new inovations are not in Water's book, but the older powders are proven and still work for me. They are in the book along with a wealth of technical and factual data. However, I would still purcahse some of the other manuals to balance out your loading library, Sierra, Nosler, ect. are all great guides with the latest info.
 
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I reload, but pistol only. Dillon Square Deal B progressive. Even 9mm is cheap enough to make it worthwhile over buying factory stuff. I shoot about a thousand rounds a month and can reload with range brass for 50% cost of new. Not hard at all to learn. Pick up a loading manual or two, read up on the internets, and go to town.
 
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