Does hand-loading increase your enjoyment of shooting?

This section is for reloading and ammunition only, all loads found in here are used strictly at your own risk, if in doubt ask again.
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should treated as suspect and not used.

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Forum rules
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should be treated as suspect and not used.

Use reloading information posted here at your own risk. This forum (http://www.full-bore.co.uk) is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury as a consequence of using reloading data posted here, the information is individual members findings and observations only. Always verify the load data and be absolutely sure your firearm can handle the load, especially older ones. If in doubt start low and work your way up.
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Ballistol
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Re: Does hand-loading increase your enjoyment of shooting?

#11 Post by Ballistol »

Back in the day, I remember several club members who derived more pleasure from handloading than the actual shooting itself, and delighted in sharing out their latest creations.
Rose tinted glasses may be clouding my memory, but it seemed that everybody who shot was an active reloader, it may have been driven by pistol ownership, and the large amounts of ammunition being shot at the time. I reckon less than roughly half of all shooters now reload.
I became obsessed with the manufacture of the perfect round at an early age, and spent an age measuring, weighing, sorting, etc. in an effort to reduce variation of components and processes.I was told by a very experienced member “You’re chasing shadows lad”, and you know what he was right, but for me it’s worth it when all the planets align and the the target reflects your hard work.
The cost savings involved in loading ammunition are still there, but have considerably diminished of late, most of us will remember the penny a primer days lol
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WelshShooter
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Re: Does hand-loading increase your enjoyment of shooting?

#12 Post by WelshShooter »

Hand loading is necessary for some calibres. My two examples are 6.5x47 Lapua and 7.62x53mmR.

The former is a ridiculous calibre to buy factory ammo for (like £4 a round when I first checked about 6 years ago) but hand loading costs me about £0.50 a round which makes it a viable option nowadays. My rifle was built before 6.5 Creedmoor appeared in the UK, so had I waited, I probably would've gone for the CM to have factory ammunition available.

The latter is a not a typo for 7.62x54mmR (same round as Russian Mosin Nagant). I have a Finnish Mosin Nagant which has a tighter bore so can shoot 30 cal rounds instead of the 311cal rounds normally used in 7.62x54mmR ammunition. As far as I'm aware, 7.62x53mmR doesn't exist on the shelf as ready made ammo so I have to make it myself.

I enjoy tinkering with things, so finding a more affordable, accurate round for my rifle is worth the investment. Just don't ask us how much we've spent on all the reloading gear...
John Gunn
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Re: Does hand-loading increase your enjoyment of shooting?

#13 Post by John Gunn »

ABSOLUTELY!
I have almost complete independence of my ammo supply. I keep plenty of parts in stock and I love to find just what load shoots straightest!!
I currently have 4 presses in intermittent use, though one of the Dillon Square deals will have to go soon! I'm shooting less pistol ammo since the ban...
waterford103
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Re: Does hand-loading increase your enjoyment of shooting?

#14 Post by waterford103 »

In a word --- YES !
"This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future!"
Adolph Hitler – 1933
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Mauserbill
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Re: Does hand-loading increase your enjoyment of shooting?

#15 Post by Mauserbill »

Hello
Only by 1000%
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Vossie
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Re: Does hand-loading increase your enjoyment of shooting?

#16 Post by Vossie »

I get a lot of satisfaction from loading 577/450, just as much as the shooting of it. I now also load 44-40 in black powder as well, so yes it really does increase my enjoyment.

:o Doh double post
Mike 01
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Re: Does hand-loading increase your enjoyment of shooting?

#17 Post by Mike 01 »

In answer to the question, yes - but only just! I reload mainly 308 Win, for which you can obviously buy very good target quality ammunition (e.g. GGG). However, you can't readily buy factory ammunition that has been assembled using my preferred bullet types such as the Sierra 2156, Berger 155.5 or HBC Dyer 155 gr bullets. The same applies, for Match Rifle, to the Berger 215 gr or Hornady 208. So, I spent hours (or more accurately days) making my rounds very slowly and carefully. If it weren't for the radio, I would have collapsed from boredom long ago. On the bright side, the finished product usually works well, and by the time I come to fire the rounds, I've largely forgotten the endless tedium of making them.
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Re: Does hand-loading increase your enjoyment of shooting?

#18 Post by Geek »

I enjoy reloading, although case prep is tedious so I do it in stages over a period of time. Once all cases are prepared, I can load when I need to do.
Regards,

Geek


AI AT (.308/6.5CM), Ruger PR (6.5CM), American Rimfire (.22LR), Remington 700 (.223), Marlin underlever .38/.357/.44, Savage 6BR, RimfireMagic .22LR, Fabarm Lion (s1), Fabarm Axis Baikal S/S
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