Why & what do you handload?

[mnmarlin]

I handload .444 Marlin, .223/5.56, .45 ACP and .38 Special/.357 Magnum. The .444 Marlin I load so i can use the bullets I want, the others to save a bit of money.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Custom rifles require custom ammo. Done.

Otherwise:

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I ask myself this all the time. Such an expensive and time consuming thing but it gives you a little more confidence and happiness when you aim at something.

Typed as I’m fiddling with my press and messing around with a pile of brass at 1am..

 

[Redmt]

You actually can save money if you're subject to the CA 11% ADDITIONAL paranoid tax for loaded ammo.

 

[Redmt]

I'll explain why it's necessary to have a rifle to shoot the dies and ammo you already have.
I picked up a Ruger #1 in 22-250 1-14 twist. It won't stabilize the heavier copper bullet, mandatory under the laws of the peoples Republic. I want to use the 22-250 caliber for larger piggies. Now I have the dies and all components for heavier copper reloads. It makes perfect sense that a Ruger Predator in 22-250 1-10 twist is needed. Simple really.

Edit sort of,,, a Predator 22-250 isn't available anymore that I could find. I set the search aside and focused on a standard .223 barrel for my Ruger Ranch model .223 with no luck. I got a response saying it's too bad I wasn't looking for a 22-250 barrel for it. Carma is sometimes a good thing! Here's my newly built Ruger Predator in 22-250. It uses the .223 receiver, the Predator barrel and a .308 bolt for now until I finish machine work to modify the .223 bolt for the larger case. I had a Boyds stock and I modified the trigger for smoother and lighter trigger pull.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

If a guy pays MSRP or close for centerfire ammo and shoots a fair bit, it doesn't take a ton to save money.

 

[BobT1105]

I started loading when I was a kid because I couldn’t afford to pay for .22 Hornet ammo at $13.00 a box. I started with a Lee Loader, a pound of powder, a hundred primers and a box of Sierra 45 grain Hornet bullets back when they were still packed 101 to the box. Currently, I load several different cartridges, primarily for accuracy but I also get to shoot a lot more on the same budget.

 

[Pmacc60]

I started hand loading to save money, I started with 12 gauge shotgun shells, then 20 gauge then rifle cartridges. I found my hand loading and reloading that just increased my enjoyment of the shooting sports by literally rolling my own. Unless it’s water foul, I rarely shoot anything that I didn’t hand load. There’s a connection of you know exactly what you’re putting through your rifle what the ballistics are etc.

 

[Redmt]

Edit sort of,,, a Predator 22-250 isn't available anymore that I could find. I set the search aside and focused on a standard .223 barrel for my Ruger Ranch model .223 with no luck. I got a response saying it's too bad I wasn't looking for a 22-250 barrel for it. Carma is sometimes a good thing! Here's my newly built Ruger Predator in 22-250. It uses the .223 receiver, the Predator barrel and a .308 bolt for now until I finish machine work to modify the .223 bolt for the larger case. I had a Boyds stock and I modified the trigger for smoother and lighter trigger pull.View attachment 397201

I finally got the 22-250 off the workbench and onto my shooting bench this morning. I got the scope sighted in close enough to start some load development. The groups from 3 different loads were pretty consistent at sub 1.5". I have a couple more book loads I'll launch through it maybe tomorrow. I also came to realize that I no longer have a loading buddy. One of them passed away 2 years ago and the other is the asshole that my daughter just divorced. A word of advice for all you new reloaders. Find someone that you can discuss your load development with to give you a second opinion. Make sure that one of them is younger than 80 or married to your daughter.