Indy handloaders

[pidol68]

Recently, I've been aiming for tighter groups and improved results, but it seems like my factory ammo has its limits. After talking to a few experts, it looks like handloading could be my next move. I'm interested to know how many of you here are into doing your own loading.

 

[Josh Smith]

 

[Billybob44]

Love to see that those old scales are still in use...Bill.

 

[Frontiersman]

I like to load my own, but will admit it is a lot of work to beat factory ammo on accuracy these days. I do it more for expensive, hard to find, and unique cartridges.

 

[Josh Smith]

I like to load my own, but will admit it is a lot of work to beat factory ammo on accuracy these days. I do it more for expensive, hard to find, and unique cartridges.

It's much cheaper for .45acp, and the selection of 7.62x54r has dwindled. One of my favorite loads in 7.62x54r uses SST bullets, but Hornady discontinued the 0.311" diameter version. Once, they had loaded ammo with the SST bullet.

8x56r is mainly a handloading proposition. Factory rounds are like 1.5-2x what comparable centerfire rounds cost, and bullets are scarce, too. Though I prefer full-power rifle loads with jacketed bullets, I might have to start casting due to the 8x56r's oddball diameter. We'll see.

I find that, especially with military rifles, fireforming the brass to the usually-generous chambers results in better precision than standard size factory ammo.

 

[BarryinIN]

Handload, cast, and even a little bullet swaging.

I suppose by some people’s definition, I both reload and handload. Rough explanations follow.
Reload: Assemble ammo by the hundreds or thousands to feed through multiple guns.
Handload: Assemble loads to match each individual gun for best performance.

Sometimes for the savings, sometimes for best performance, and sometimes for fun.

 

[RHuff]

I load everything I shoot except for 410 shotgun which I don’t shoot but a few each year. 6.5 CM is my deer gun and 223 and 243 for coyotes. I get much more consistent accuracy hand loading .

 

[4stringdude]

I've been handloading for a while. Some to save money. Some for the pleasure it brings (I find it relaxing and rather Zen like). I especially love wringing the best accuracy our of my rifles. Handloading is definitely the way to go.

Some cartridges are hard to find. When you find them they are $4-5/round. I can roll my own for around $1.50/round.

 

[Frontiersman]

Yes, I find it very therapeutic. I have a portable setup I can use while enjoying some of my favorite westerns.