Does anyone here handload their ammunition?

I handload rifle and pistol. I use mostly jacketed bullet for rifles and mostly cast bullets for hanguns. I also cast my own bullets, lube and size them as well. I enjoy the process and the savings that allow me to shoot more. Just interested if anyone else here enjoys it as well.

 

I don't do it myself but I've always wanted to get into it. It seems like it really used to be more cost effective to load your own rounds (after the initial investment of a press, which seems like it pays for itself quickly depending on how often you are filling and re-emptying the casings), but I'm not sure that this is the case anymore since primers have become so hard to find.
Could be wrong, it's been a while for me.

 

Just remember that brass has a useful life and that exceeding it is dangerous. I do product liability for a living, and I see professional reloaders all the time. About 1 in 20 has had incident with someone injured by a round. The odds aren't bad, but it's bears mentioning. Make sure you do a careful inspection of each casing before you load it and always err towards discarding.

 

You can get setup for as much or as little as you wish ( under $100 anyways ).
The motives can be several. Rounds tailored for you particular gun for best accuracy, desired velocity,etc. Use a different or uncommon bullet weight, shape, design not readilly available in commercial ammo ( or not at reasonable prices. To shoot an unusual/ oblesecent cal not readily available. For some the developement of loads is an additional hobby in itself.

As a disclaimer : if you primarily shoot let's say 9mm fmj, or .223 fmj, and are satisified with the performance of generic/ surplus ammo, the absolute cost savings are minimal. You CAN load more consistant and accurate ammo for about the same $ , but that's a different question.

 

From someone that doesn't even own a firearm, once I finally get back to the land of the free and buy one, it almost seems like handloading would be a hobby for my hobby. Too much hobby-ception for me

 

If I lived out in the country where I could literally target shoot in in my backyard with no neighbors nearby, I would consider handloading.

I had a neighbor who used to handload, and he told a story that got my attention. He had some friends over, and they had a couple of beers. My neighbor said he had no more than two beers, he wasn't intoxicated, but he was relaxed just enough to use the wrong powder when he domonstrated handloading for his friend. He didn't catch the mistake until the next day when he noticed which powder container was out on the bench. After that he never drank any alcohol before loading, and made sure that his mind was 100% on what he was doing.