Reloading worthwhile?

[Adirondack Jack]

My father-in-law,  a man of 82,  who  raised 7 kids back in the day and never had a helluva lot of money tells me that many years ago he and his brother went in on "reloading gear"  for their guns.

Each had a .35 rem. Marlin, and one bought a can of powder and 200 primers, the other bought an ideal loading tool (one of them nutcracker type jobs), a neighbor cast lead they bought from him,  and they "saved" enough to hunt deer without running out and buying a whole box of ammo when they ran out.

That, pards, is how reloading saves money.

Us fools with guns by the score and money enough to empty a pail full of brass for FUN don't need to "save money" reloading.

[Arcey]

Us fools with guns by the score and money enough to empty a pail full of brass for FUN don't need to "save money" reloading.

Thanks for the thought, Jack.  Worked hard for thirty two years, nice retirement with benefits now.  Went without things I wanted to make investments.  It all paid off.  I live quite well just walking to the mailbox once a month at the ripe ole age of 55.  Collect the checks, go to the bank.  Still making investments.

I have plenty of money because I don't waste it.  But that's just me.

You're just you.  Really in no position to suggest what I, or anyone else for that matter, 'needs'.  Or, to refer to anyone, other than yourself, as a fool.  But I suppose you know you better than I do.

[yul b. nekst]

Is your son going to help you reload? If so, then an answer to your question-Reloading Worthwhile?-should be an absolutely, resounding YES!!! Anything, these days that keeps a father and son (and daughters!) side by side is worthwhile. Forget economics! It will cost you more initially for start up cost, not to mention the fact you'll be buying some things twice because your first investment items may be subpar. But the more ammo you make, the more you'll save, and the more time you'll have to spend on shooting. And TIME will also be invested in the father and son relationship! GO FOR IT! I bonded with my father as a member of ATA (Amatuer Trapshooting Society) in the early '70's, and part of that bonding took place stooped over an old MEC 600 jr with my dad. I'm now a year shy of 50, and I OWN that very same MEC, plus a myriad of reloading devices accumulated through the years. Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with any children, however, my role as a shooting uncle has gotten my nephew so interested in reloading that on his thirteenth birthday he requested, and received, his very own MEC that both he and his dad (Dad's always present, for those queesy about a 13 year old reloading alone!) now bond over! Just DO IT!! Holy Jumpin' Jeebas, what more can I say to convince you?!

[sundance44`s]

I started reloading when I was 14 ..I did enjoy it but the truth was if I haden`t reloaded for me and my Dad I would have been shooting nothing but 22`s for a long time ...and I`ve always liked Big bore Bullets.
Reloading can be done as cheaply as you want or get down right expencive as you can afford .
Lee still sells hand loaders for the price of a box of bullets . You need to have more time on your hands than money to use one , but never the less can still be done , I`m liveing proof . The Lee Classic turret loader can still be had for under 100 bucks and it will make you look like a speed demon compaired to the simple hand loaders.

[Delmonico]

Started loading almost 30 years ago, both to save money or else shoot more with the money I had.  But also for another reason, to get loads I couldn't buy.  Go try to buy a box of 7/8 oz 28 gauge loads with #7 shot, ask them at the gun store next time.   A lot of my loading is that type.  Don't shoot CAS, but do  BPC long range.  Could I buy loads, yes, would they work as well as the loads I have developed for my rifle.  Not likely.

I guess one thing is the pride in what I do, that deer or pheasant means far more to me than if I shot it with something I just bought over the counter.  Others may not agree, but so be it.

[Johnny McCrae]

I've just started to reload this year for variety of reasons. Although it is nice to save to save a few bucks, I like sense of accomplishment that comes with reloading one's own ammo. My 1866 is a little sensitive to overall length and I'm able to address that.
It's also always a lot of fun for me to learn new things!

I bought a Lee Turret press. Maybe someday I'll get a progressive press but for now the Lee Turret is a great press to learn on and also monitor each operation.