I have a confession to make. And since confession is good for the soul, I'm just going to blurt it out. I really, really like reloading. I would use the other "L" word but I fear my wife would divorce me. The funny thing is, I haven't exactly figured out why I like it so much, but I have an idea. I have not been reloading as long as many of you. I've been at it for about 15 years or so. I started out reloading to save money. I figured I could shoot more if I reloaded my own ammo. Along the way I found out I could improve the accuracy of my gun by matching a load to it. Hey, that was neat. So, I started working on loads for all of my guns. They all shoot below 1 MOA except for maybe that old WWII .303 I have. Everytime I get a new gun, the first thing I do is start working up a load for it. So, why do I like this reloading thing so much? It goes beyond saving money and matching loads, it has to do with peace of mind. I work as a Software Engineer in a highly volatile industry. This industry is known for hiring like mad and then laying people off when the work slows down. I've been laidoff a few times - it comes with the job. When I come home, all I want to do is relax. I have found reloading to relax and rejuvenate me. When we think about reloading, it is a repetitive process. We clean, inspect, de-prime, resize, clean again, inspect, trim, deburr, reprime, recharge, seat a new bullet, and inspect. Your process may be slightly different but not much. So, why does this reloading thing relax me? I believe because it is so far removed from my daily job that I forget about work. It is this difference that sends my mind in a different direction. However, this is not the total reason for reloading. I am sure I would reload if I were retired and didn't have a day job. So what is it that makes me like reloading so much? Like I said before, I am not totally sure but I believe it also has to with producing better ammo than I can purchase. It also has to do with working with my hands. There is a very basic reality when creating something with your own hands. No one can do it for you, you have to do it yourself. There is pleasure there. My wife gains the same pleasure when she makes a quilt or a piece of clothing for a grandchild. So, am I weird or do some of you feel the same way?

Reloading is a habi...Aah hobby...With that said, you will also notice that it is habit forming. There is no cure and there is no halfway house either or counselers. No drugs to make it go away and I won't even help you get cured from the reloading habi...Hobby. 'cause I have it too...

Yes....... I confess I have the reloading addiction as well and I realize there's no cure. I guess the reason for it is knowing that you have developed the load especially for that firearm and have achieved the best accuracy possible and the satisfaction of knowing you did it with your own hands. Reloading also gives you so many more choices compared to factory loads and you're right 204Shooter, it is relaxing.

Therapeutic also. I spent from 17 to 63 years old as a mechanic and finished up as a Master Marine and Industrial Diesel Machanic. Spent a life time working with my hands and I still enjoy doing so. Even after a day swingin' wrenches and tellin' others what to do it was still very relaxing to come home and load a few rounds with my coffee...

204,
Sounds like you have the Winston thing going. During WWII Churchill would leave London and go to his estate where his butler would be waiting with bricks and mortar. Winston laid bricks in walls, all over the estate. It was his form of relaxation from the unbelievable pressures of his office.

I have done just what you describe, get home, eat, sit down at the bench and load for hours, getting lost in the simple cycles of reloading.
Ed

well today reloading stinks! i got up checked the tempature outside, was going to kill 2 birds one stone, give the bike a shakedown run from over winter, and to check carb work i did, and go get primers and a few other things for the gun shop.. get everything together and come inside, the wife says oh btw i have to work early today.... so kills my plans for riding this am, and reloading the afternoon... now i cant do either!

Just like a druggy that can't find his dealer. Huh Morax...My home rifle and pistol range is down for repairs too. Gotta get more RR ties...Kinda chewed the others up last summer...

Bushy,
Old tires, stacked and filled with dirt, staggared .'.'. [][][]
The tires will not tear up and one layer stops all bullets. Most time old tires are pretty cheap and one at a time, easy to handle. They will last a lot longer than a tie or log. A little whitewash and it even looks OK, if you do not like black.
Ed

Bushmaster wrote:

Just like a druggy that can't find his dealer. Huh Morax...My home rifle and pistol range is down for repairs too. Gotta get more RR ties...Kinda chewed the others up last summer...

oh man i tell ya, i do know how it feels!! and yes i do get the DT's if i dont reload something at least once a week!!

I find the best part about reloading is getting out and shooting all the reloads up. It seems to be a vicious cycle.--tr

moose2 wrote:

I find the best part about reloading is getting out and shooting all the reloads up. It seems to be a vicious cycle.--tr

yeah i know someone once told me "oh it saves you money" BULL it does.. the money i save goes back into reloading,so i can shoot more so i can reload so i canshootmoresoicanreloadsoican.....

I aint saving no money!

204Shooter, nice post.
I have not started reloading - will this Spring - but your post put me in a nice relaxed trance. I could visualize myself enjoying reloading's many rewards.

Isn't there a dark side though? I worry that reloading might push me into purchasing new calibers...

twofifty wrote:

Isn't there a dark side though? I worry that reloading might push me into purchasing new calibers...

Buying more guns in different calibers wouldn't be a dark side cause you can never have too many guns.
The dark side would be if you load more powder than reloading manuals suggest as MAX load or not paying attention to detail when loading, etc. There are a few others but as long as you're cautious and follow your manual you should be OK.

Well Two hunnert and Four......you have reached Nirvana. Like you, I find reloading to be an extremely relaxing and a calming influence on my otherwise chaotic life.

I visit the reloading bench every day and sigh knowing that I have run out of cases to load. At one time I even considered pulling loaded rounds apart just to check their accuracy and consistency of load.

It does become addictive, but its the best kind of addiction there is....a safe non harmful addiction so long as you do as 1895ss says.....follow the data and be careful and exact in everything you do when reloading.

Damn, I'm getting the urge to put a few rounds together and its 2 minutes after midnight...bugger.

Cheers, Vince

204Shooter wrote:

I have a confession to make... I started out reloading to save money. I figured I could shoot more if I reloaded my own ammo. . So, am I weird or do some of you feel the same way?

It is a Fine and Pleasant Madness, isn't it? GO, and sin some more!

I just had the trailer to the dealership. Getting it out was not bad, but getting it back in , with the depth of snow was a real woollybugger! 4 wheel didn't help a lot.
Accomplished with much backing and filling, headscratching, and a few Foul Oaths. I had the tree worried a couple of times, too. Now I have to go reload to calm down a bit. Bummer!