age of boolet caster's

[8mmshooter]

I have noticed that most shooter's and boolit casters at my local gun club seem to be around my age -mid to late 50's or so it seems. I'm worried that our shooting, casting, and hunting hobbies are being erroded by the anti-gunners. Is my perception being skewed by my age or do you feel that I am correct in my perception? I noticed a few years back that my daughter came home from school and announced that she felt that" guns were bad." I asked her where she got that perception and she said " from her teacher at school." I was proud that before I could answer my wife of 35 years answered her with " guns aren't the problem. They are tools that can be used for hunting,recreation and bring enjoyment to many. Bad and irresponsible people cause the problems." Now my wife doesn't particullarly follow my hobby of collecting old military rifles and she can hardly tell one rifle or handgun from the other. Sometimes that is a good thing as it is easier to convince her that I really need another gun or another mold or some other related device. I guess I am getting long winded here; but can some one set up a poll as to how others perceive my observations? For my curiosities sake? I am computer challenged but learning. Thanks: 8mmshooter

[AZ-Stew]

57.75

Regards,

Stew

[Springfield]

51, with a 4 and 6 year old. And believe me, they will be shooters. My wife also helps with the pro gun/self defense thing, as she was born in Cuba and has seen first hand what can happen when the gvernment takes over everything and you can't defend yourself.

[JSnover]

43, with 3 teenage daughters. 2 of them enjoy shooting.

[VTDW]

61, retired early and am all about grandkids.

Dave

[10-x]

57, retired, two grown kids,son and daughter,both grew up around and shot all types of firearms including MGs. Both own or collect firearms. 4 grandkids ,1 is old enough to take shooting and teach firearms safety. He will never be a problem. Waiting for the others to grow a little.:-D

[TRM]

64 retired have all the grandkids shooting

Tom:Fire::-D

[jthomastreadwell]

53 and wanting to retire

[black44hawk]

I am sending this post from the faculty lounge in between classes. I am 27, teaching Latin in Northern Kentucky, and proud to report that most of my students (private school) are conservative! Some of us do make it out of the collegiate thought thresher with our morals intact. Their idea of "diversity" is complete unity of Marxist thought. Keep the hope, and keep challenging the garbage my associates pour into the minds of young people.

[armoredman]

40, one kid who is ambivelent about shooting, but is completely at ease around firearms.

[Trez Hensley]

40 years of life so far. Hopefully many more.

[Old Ironsights]

Aye. et Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur! :twisted:

Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur

Do you teach the kids the really important sayings?

Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam! :Fire:

Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt. [smilie=1:

Plvres crapvla qvam gladivs

Da mihi sis bubulae frustrum assae, solana tuberosa in modo gallico fricta, ac quassum lactatum coagulatum crassum.

Vah! Denuone Latine loquebar? Me ineptum. Interdum modo elabitur...:mrgreen:

[dromia]

53 this year.

One son 26 who shoots when he can and one daughter 24 who shoots with me at least once a week and shoots competitively in military rifle leagues with some success.

Don't you just hate it when people are naturally good at things. :mrgreen:

[cbrick]

I'm in complete, 100% agreement with black44hawk. A huge problem throughout the shooting sports and the entire Second Amendment issue is getting the youth involved. If we don't get the youth shooting today in 20 years NOBODY will be shooting. It's the same at our club, very few youth and the average age is in the 50's and up. It's made far more difficult by the indoctrination centers. Far more important than readin, writin and rithmetic is getting their minds "right". It's shocking how very little Founding era history or Constitution is taught today.

Graduate the high indoctrination center and move right into the center of higher indoctrination.

Go out of your way to take a kid shooting with you, the future depends on it.

Rick

[Cherokee]

66, to retire soon. No kids so I try to show shooting in desirable light to anyone I can.

[madmike]

I am 34 but I did not get into the hobby of shooting till around 28 when money loosened up from rasing kids i have a 6 and 9 year old boys that love shooting and 11 year old daughter that loves to shoot my 13 year olds kind of on the fence:Fire:

[DLCTEX]

63 in July and youngest son will be 17 the next day. The other four sons are 29,39, 40, 43. All shoot as does 2 DIL and grandson(13). Wife says she is to busy cooking and cleaning when kids come, so leaves shooting/hunting to us. She does like to fish. DALE

[Boz330]

62 in a couple days. I think that shooting will go down the tubes from lack of interest. The kids today would rather play computer games than go shooting. Whenever possible I try to help a youngun when the opportunity arises.
I don't have any kids, just a godson with his first on the way so I get to be a surrogate grandparent. Unfortunately it is a girl, but maybe a tomboy. Still a number of years before she will be ready.
I don't get to spend much time with him, career and family at this point.

Bob

[beagle]

Might as well say 66 and be done with it. Retired and supporting a farm and having a ball./beagle

[jhalcott]

Just turned 63 ,been a shooter since about 6 (with grand dad's help)

[mto7464]

43. Born on the 4th of July, not to be confused with the crappy movie.

[legend]

60 in may,with two sons who shoot.one is on usaf 1.one that loves malls...
my 19yr old daughter shoots with me all the time.

[Maineboy]

I'm 57 with 3 grown children, the older boy collects guns, loves to shoot, and hunts some. He doesn't reload and he doesn't cast boolits. The second boy is anti-hunting and to a lesser extent, anti hundgun, but does like to shoot rifles. He'll probably never buy a gun but would accept my Marlin M39A as a gift. My daughter could care less about guns, but she wouldn't object to me taking my granddaughter shooting or hunting, like I did with her when she was younger.

The average age of my gun club members is probably in the mid 40's and if you took out the LEO members, the average would probably be over 50. I'm afraid we may be a dying breed.

[truckmsl]

57 this June, for me. I've got a 14 year old who has been shooting since third grade, but still hasn't become interested in casting yet (although he thinks it's pretty cool). I take him and his buddies shooting every chance I get. I'm still working, and building my wheelweight stash for those retirement years.

[EMC45]

I am about to turn 32 and have been shooting since 6 YO. My 5 YO is all into shooting! Thank God! My wife loves it and can't wait to get back on the trigger.

[Kraschenbirn]

63+ Started shooting when I was around 8, started competing at 12 (Boy Scout Smallbore Team), started coaching/teaching at 18 (same Smallbore Team). and have been involved in some manner ever since.

Bill

[cuemily]

20 and just getting started into casting.

[square butte]

57 and cast my first round ball on the kitchen stove 46 years ago.

[Blkpwdrbuff]

51 with 7 grown children(counting stepkids) with 2 more at home 11 &9. Seven are shooters the 9yr old the youngest.
Blkpwdrbuff

[cbrick]

cuemily,

Welcome to the only legitimate addiction. You'll llike it here and learn a lot from these folks. Sure wish there had been a forum like this when I got started.

Rick

[Calamity Jake]

58, been shooten since age 6, thanks to grandad, didn't get started reloading/casting until age 26, have 1 daughter, 36 that loves to shoot and 2 grandaughters 11 and 15 both love to shoot. The 15 yo does the CAS with me and my wife.

[**oneshot**]

I'm 38 and have been shooting since I could handle a gun. My girlfriend is a shooter as well.
I learned the basics of casting from helping my father. I learned how to properly cast from this site and others.

I'm a firm believer in these statements: Guns don't kill people, people kill people.
and If you make guns a crime then only criminals will have guns, the rest of us will be defenseless.

[Agrotom]

Tom 54, Retired this last year because of health issues. Just started casting, my wife Anita and I have two grown children. We all shoot and hunt, its a great family sport!!:-D

[pumpguy]

I'm 41 and have been interested in shooting since I was a kid. Dad wasn't a shooter so I really didn't get started until I bought my first 10/22 at 17. I have two daughters, 12 and 9. The 12 year old likes everything from collecting WWs to shooting my guns as well as her 4. The 9 year old could NOT care less about guns even though I have offered to buy her one any time she wants.

[opentop]

38 years young, Been shooting and collecting guns since I was 12. Now my 11 year old son is getting into it with his new Henry 22LR.

[Wicky]

48 this year. Come from a family of non shooters, but got my Old Man into it for about 10 years when I was 16! Wife dosen't shoot and pretty much has no idea what I have - makes it easy to slip in a new one - like she does with her dresses!
One daughter who will be 20 this year and is now at University to become a teacher. Was shooting up until she left for uni, has been shooting since she was about 4.
Must say it is good not to be the youngest on here but there ain't too many younger and that is a concern - there are a lot of people missing out out there!

[deboog93]

38 been shooting for 20+ years. Love to take a new person out to the range to ease their fear of guns by showing them proper technique and handling of a firearm. Also like to take my nephews and nieces. Getting ready to have my first child and plan on teaching him right.

[jcadwell]

27 years old. Been casting for two.

[Down South]

I just turned 55 this month. I've been shooting all of my life but I'm just getting into casting. I've got three grandsons that I'm teaching as I'm learning.

[hildo]

46, shooting just 2 years. Casting from the start

[jleneave]

36 years old, with 3 daughters ages 18, 15, and 2 years old. My 18 year old shoots with me occasionally, 15 year old does not shoot, and 2 year old is already showing signs of shooting interest by wanting to help me reload, always has to watch me when I am shooting, and shoots a BB gun with my assistance. She loves to sit in my lap and look at my gun magazines. I think that my 2 year old will grow up to be as interested in firearms as I am. I also help a 15 year old neighbor boy with his shooting interest. He is also wanting to learn about reloading so I had him over and am teaching him the ins and outs of reloading. I recently watched over him while he loaded 20 rounds of .223 for his rifle. I agree that we should help young people get interested in firearms in any way that we can. They are the future of our sport.

Jody

[twotoescharlie]

71 and holding, been shootin' black powder over 55 years, rimfire and centerfire longer than that.

TTC

[Morgan Astorbilt]

Turned 68 in Dec. Started handloading(shotshells) in the mid-fifties, prompted by a Popular Mechanics article called "Kitchen Table Handloading", if memory serves. Used home made tools, and a bathroom scale, kinda like the lee loaders. Bulk smokeless was still available.
Morgan

[Uncle Grinch]

60+ ... getting tired and going to bed earlier as the days go by!


But it beats the alternative!!!

[HABCAN]

74+. Started @ 3: when my father died my mother took me out in the rowboat and taught me to shoot bullfrogs with her SS Savage .22 boltie, holding onto my dress so I didn't fall in. Been casting off and on since '47, founded three gun clubs along the way which are still active, started teaching/coaching rifle/pistol/shotgun in '53 and can proudly claim hundreds of successful students. Competed in all three disciplines from '56 to about '96, but retired from it all when the body failed. Now I just tinker and load with what is left of my 'battery' for sheer enjoyment when I'm able to. But ya know what? I'm learning new things about our sport every day on this fine forum! THANK YOU ALL!

[bullshot]

63 and counting--retired ==no kids--shooting since 10 yrs old.

[Leadforbrains]

I am 46 and I have a daughter that is college age and a son that is 14. I was raised a hunter, shooter and a reloader. Both my children like to shoot. My son likes to hunt and has been killing deer since the age of seven. I have just started to cast boolits for mine and my son's .45ACP pistols. I plan on casting for my other pistols and my .444P outfitter as I gain more experience.

I love this site!

[burr7870]

I am 38 with 2 & 6 year old daughters not shooting yet. My son is 9 & loves my (his as he calls it) 22/45. He also shoots his 22/410 combo. I have taken him skeet shooting as well. I don't know who was happier when the birds broke!!! Good times.

[dragonfire]

34 And still waiting to grow chest hair instead of this dang nipple fuzz:-?

[218bee]

I be 51 and been shooting since about ten. Have a 16 yr old son who loves to HUNT not too much for shooting but does have probably 10,000 22LR rounds under his belt and has reloaded some 218Bee ammo for use in "His" Win Model 43 (he thinks its his). My 14 yr old daughter has shot some but is pretty indifferent about it. I try to promote hunting/shooting to as many people as I can

[waksupi]

54, with lots of hard off road miles. A true fix'er-up'er.

[sundog]

I will be 58 soon. I've been casting, and scrounging lead, and reloading, since very early 70's. I've been shooting since a long time before that - more than 50 years.

My good friend, Larry Cunningham, in the Air Force, got me started down the slippery slope, casting and reloading. I lost touch with him when he went to VN and I stayed put. Larry, we gotta talk, man....

[sundog]

ric, understand 'off road miles'...

[Ricochet]

52.

Board won't allow posting a message that short, though.

[threett1]

Be 53 next month and all 3 sons, 32, 28, and 26 love to hunt. Youngest one the only one really interested in what I do in the shop. Grandson is 5 and have his first deer rifle in the works.

[fecmech]

Just turned 65 this month. I've been reloading since the late 60's, started casting in the early 70's when I started shooting pistols. About the only hunting I liked to do was pheasant hunting and that petered out around here by the end of the 70's. As a kid guns facinated me and got my first .22 at 12. Today I'm still gun crazy. Sat & Sun I shoot sporting clays with other old farts and tell a bunch of lies. Two or three times during the week I shoot pistol at my home range or Bullseye at a local indoor range. The rest of the time I spend casting and reloading to keep up with my shooting. It's a tough job but I do my best to keep up!

[floodgate]

77; started with a "tin" soldier casting set in 1942, round balls for my Colt 1860 about 1950, boolits a few years later when I got into refilling cases with a 310 tool for a Trapdoor and a DCM '03-A3.

floodgate

[Rottweiler]

39 for the next month or so...Been shooting almost all of that. Casting boolits for about the same

[hotwheelz]

33 and counting I have been shooting since I can remeber, I can remeber going threw 3 bricks off 22 in the first day out camping and my dad saying " never thought you could make me go broke shooting 22". Started reloading 6-7 years ago and casting a few years ago gotta feed the trigger finger.....:Fire::Fire::Fire:

[John D]

64, retired. Started shooting since age 10 with a Marlin 56 LeverMatic (still have it). Casting since the late seventies.

[xr650]

45 soon.
24 year wife. Shoots some and has her own pistols. She's not into rifles, but wants an AR.
20 year old daughter, she's my shooting/hunting buddy.
18 year old son, has own guns, but not much interest at the moment.
I've been shooting most of my life.
Kids started about 10.

[BigGun]

71, one daughter, 2 granddaughters, 2greatgrandsons, didnot have to teach
them guns & shooting, their fathers did that,retired in nov.98

enjoy bollit casting, shooting, reloading.anything to do with guns.
Biggun











































7

[timkelley]

63 and retired with one son who doesn't care about shooting and a son-in-law,a daughter, and a grandson who love to shoot. Daughter is five feet tall, weighs about 95 pounds and will run me out of 45 ball any chance she gets.

[corey012778]

30, wife does not like to shot but does know her way around the a gun. no kids. hunt with one of my uncle's, brother in law, and a 15 year old nephew. have a 7 year old nephew who wants to shot one of my muzzleloaders :roll:

[Johnch]

Almost 43

But some times I feel like I am 85 going on 86

John

[ktw]

45 years old, 9 and 10 yr old daughters. They are not heavily into firearms, but they do enjoy going to the range with me a couple of times a summer. They like knocking over the 1/5th scale metallic silhouettes with a 22 rimfire from the bench.

-ktw

[gnwy]

I'm 41, Dad is 58, I have two boys 21 and 17, My bother is 37, he has a son that is 12. We all love guns of all sorts, shoot as often as possible, and hunt everything from prairy dogs to elk. Dad started us young I would guess around 7 or 8. And my brother and I did the same with our boys. We all reload, I just started casting, and before its over I'm sure that Dad, and my brother will get into it too. (I do have them scrounging lead for me though Haha) My youngest and I just finished trimming, primer pocket swaging, and loading 1200 military .223 for the upcoming prairy dog season. We both got new varmit guns for Christmas, and cant wait for spring to come to Wyoming.

[Larry Gibson]

61, be 62 next month. Retired but still contracting training Marines and Army. Been shooting since I was 5. Started loading cast bullets when I was 15 for my 30-30. Started casting my own when I was 20. Have 1 son and 5 daughters. All shoot and all are living elsewhere. Shooting and casting my own bullets has been a wonderful hobby, sport and way of life....I wouldn't want it any other way.

Larry Gibson

[mtgrs737]

52, been shooting since I was 8 and with God's help I will be shooting for quite a bit longer. Started reloading and casting in College due to being short on money. Having a good time learning more about casting here.

Mtgrs737

[NSP64]

43, shooting for 25, reloading for 23, casting for 15, 1 16yo stepson hunter.

[hedgehorn]

43! hope to make it another 40. What a great group of folks here, I look forward to reading the forum here. No controversy just allot of good folks with same interest. I have enjoyed everyones company.

[Newtire]

58 here. Started loading in 1966 with a Lee shotgun loader. Remember my daughter counting up to 20 using .30-06 empties. She's 24 & graduated from UC Davis. So started casting 20 yrs. ago with some molds I got as a package deal. Been hooked ever since. too many guns, not enough time.

This site put the turbo boost into my casting learning curve.

[runfiverun]

i am 43 this year, most of the guys i see at the range are much older though

[obssd1958]

49...
3 boys and a girl that have all moved out and started families of their own. All like to shoot. Had my wife, daughter and son-in-law out shooting yesterday. You should'a seen his face when he lit off the first round in my SBH .44 mag!!! He had never shot anything larger than 9mm before that.
Wife shot her brand new to her .380 - WELL! (Thanks Swagerman!)
Have 8 grandkids, ages 1 month to 14 years old. The 3 oldest look forward to going shooting whenever we get a chance to take them - and that is usually pretty often when the weather is nice.
Because their parents love me, [smilie=1: the grandkids will all at least be introduced to shooting and then they can make up their own minds.
We also take a few "non-shooters" out each year - have not yet had even one, not leave with a smile on their face and a more positive outlook about shooting.

I'm the only one that casts or reloads, but both of the older grandsons love to help melt down the lead. Something about watching metal turning to liquid -
and of course there is that fire thing!:-D

Don

[HCL]

44 this year, daughter 21 who loves to shoot, wife of 23 years that shoots weekly whether I go or not. Only one in family that casts. Grandfather got me shooting at about 8, been reloading for about 25yrs, casting-- well still wet behind the ears, learning something new everyday, mainly from the great folks right here!
Thanks
Mike

[ihmsakiwi]

I got told last weekend by my wife I was 54. Always thought I was 53!! Funny how the mind works, I think my mind stopped aging about 28.
Six kids with hers, mine and ours. Just got beat for the first time by my thirtenn y.o. daughter at 22 sillywet last weekend. Enough to make me weep.

[Wayne Smith]

55 years and counting. Don't plan to 'retire', just work less! Wife who is competent (can beat me when she tries) and two boys who are competent but less than interested - they think I am crazy. Oldest son in writing group with Dr. Brian Melton (Sherman's Forgotten General: Henry W. Slocum; University of Missouri Press, 07) and I will meet him within a couple of weeks. I'm taking my LeMat!

BTW, it's a good book. Pick one up if you are interested in history. It will help his sales.

[Salmon-boy]

Pushing 40, although my wife says I'll be six until the day I die.

[Linstrum]

I am 57, will be 58 very shortly.

I started casting in 1964 and became a near full-time caster-reloader in 1979 when I got my S&W model 19 .357 and first Garand. Garand requires LOTS of ammo, I'm on my second Garand barrel!

The end of popularity of firearms in the U.S. most likely began with the shooting of highly popular and charismatic President John F Kennedy in November, 1963, then was fueled greatly by the shooting of brother Robert in June of 1968, and then perpetually re-invigorated by their politically powerful younger brother Ted Kennedy.

[CSH]

I'm 40 with a 1 one year old boy. Starting shooting when I was 6 or 7, been reloading since I was 24, and started casting when I was 29. I see some shooters who are younger than me at the range, but very few of them reload and none know anything about casting.

[HollandNut]

50 closin on 51 , shewting since knee high to grasshopper , reloading since late 60's , castin' since mid 70's ..

[jonk]

28. Started shooting when I was 8. Dad never reloaded or cast bullets. I got into that on my own; first casting round balls for muzzleloaders at age 14, reloading metallic cartridges at age 19. I started casting for cartridges at (I think) age 21. In fact dad STILL doesn't get into it despite my attempts to get him interested in it- but will still go shooting with me, from time to time.

[dnepr]

38 and been into firearms since my early teens. which was somewhat of a annoyance to my non shooting / hunting parents, but made my hunting grandparents smile. I have been a relaoder since my early 20's and starting dabbling with bullet casting by 25 , I have been much more serious about casting in the last 6 or 7 years.

[brockj]

Wow, only 3 people (who posted directly) in there 20's! Well I am about to make it 4!

27, been a hunter since I was 11, started collecting and shooting just a couple years ago, and just started casting this spring.

Must have been something good in the 79-81 class!! :-D

[HollandNut]

Must have been something good in the 79-81 class!! :-D

Yeah we were downwind of TMI and started havin' youngins'

[looseprojectile]

Old, I can recomember when I bought a four cavity Hensley & Gibbs SWGC mould from the factory in San diego. eighteen dollars, with handles. "The Factory was a woodshed in the backyard, had overhead belt driven machines. 1956. Cigarettes were a buck a carton and a coke was a nickel.
Still haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up.
Will be SEVENTY my next birthday. I think somebody must have lied about my age.
Always glad to help the young'ns down the trail.

Life is good :drinks:

[azcoyhunter]

Born in 71

Started casting sling shot round balls, (Mostly round) (Homemade moulds) at age 12 or so

I thank god I am in a family that shoots.

I am the only realoder/caster.

My grandson is getting better with his/my 22 Savage

I cast, reload, shoot

I have a addiction to shooting, and the only way I can afford it is to reload and cast.

My grandson (8 years old), loves to help cast, sort cases ect...
My granddaughter (3 years old), loves to hmmmmm.... well be with grandpa....



Clint

[fatelvis]

40. I've always thought casting was fun, but now with the prices of bullets, casting is becoming a necessity.

[bishopgrandpa]

68. Wife has pistol permit. Hunt with son and daughter and a granddaughter.

[joejr]

i'll be 47 next month, started shooting at age 10, dad took me hunting for first time at 12.i bought a mec 700 loader and rem 1100 12 guage at age 16, two years later the shotgun wore out. i shoot every chance i get. my son is 23 and mooved out, he liked shooting and hunting untill age 16,he's hooked on computers now
joejr

[OldBob]

63 shortly, started shooting BB gun at 5, nice neighbor gave me a .22 at 6, by 11 I was allowed to hunt by myself. Started casting at about 19 for muzzleloading rifles and now for a buncha rifles and pistols. Wife shoots but doesn't reload or cast, ol' gal can shoot just fine though ! Youngest son shoots rifle and shotgun, reloads for shotgun, oldest son shoots but lets Pa reload ! Working on teaching the grandson now ......

[sigbbred]

36 years old firemann in Norway, will retired at 57 (burndout)[smilie=1: and dreaming of old flames...
Been casting for Black powder for some years and just started for rifles and handgun.

[waksupi]

I've got T shirts older than some of you guys!

[twotoescharlie]

welcome, sigbbred, this is a good place to hang out.

TTC

[HeavyMetal]

55 this year 2 girls, 24 and 26, who shoot when we can all make time. Widowed these days.

Got all the nephews and a niece into it a long time ago. Family get togethers are usually loud and fun!

[whisler]

I will soon be 66, started shoting at age12, have 2 sons and 1 stepson who all like to shoot, daughter & step-daughter not much interested. My youngest son is more of a gun-nut than I am. Started reloading about 20 years ago and started messing about with casting when I got into black powder shooting about 15 years ago. This forum has greatly increased my interest in casting, .

[PineTreeGreen]

66 and still going. Started shooting about 11. Bought my first gun, Stevens single shot 12 ga at 15,$33. Started reloading in the 60's. Casting in the 80's. My girlfriend does not understand why I have all this STUFF.:castmine:

[Adam10mm]

26, I'll be 27 in May.

Married 2yrs in May; wife will be 30 this July.

17 month old son (been an NRA Life Member since he was 3 hours old).

Been shooting since I was 3, hunting since 12.

Handloading for year and a half, casting for a year.

Been running a casting business since October, soon to launch ammo line.

Finishing up school for Law Enforcement.

Can't wait to show my son the ultimate way of life.

[Nardoo]

51 but I don't feel it when I am talking about guns. Two sons whose interest in shooting keep my gun safes empty and me permanently at the loading and casting bench.

My biggest worry is I will die before my ordered Shilo is delivered two years hence.:)

Nardoo

[ihuntbuck]

29 here been shooting for twenty years

wife 28 i corrupted her two years ago and she killed her first deer this year

have just recently got into casting/reloading but am having a blast

been taking my nephew 10 shooting and he always has a smile on his face..

have one son he is 3 and i cant wait to take him out...

[Frank V]

65, been casting since 1965, WW + mould + casting pot + lubrisizer = independence. Frank

[rmb721]

57, shooting since I was 10, casting since about 1975.

Three of my grandsons shoot silhouette with me at times. Ages 14,9 and 8. All started when they were 8.

[Bent Ramrod]

61 and can't believe it. Always been interested in guns, but only started indulging in them seriously about 35 years ago. Got into reloading and casting very soon after, and machining and tool accumulation soon after that; never seem to lose interest.

[quickshot]

27 this year. been shooting for 6 years. reloading and casting for 2 years now. Wife 28 just got her into shooting
no kids yet

[Razor]

60

Razor
:castmine:

[Shrek]

39. for a few more months.
Been hunting since I was 9, loading for 14 years, casting for 11. Got the wife into hunting 4 years ago, 12 year old step-daughter, 3 years ago. One annual guarantee, the girls insist on squirrel hunting EVERY year. Guess I did alright?
shrek

[1Shirt]

69 and counting! Have cast for well over 45 years!
1Shirt!

[ktw]

Age histogram through post #107

Age.....Number
-------------------------------------
20-25...X
26-30...XXXXXXXX
31-35...XXXX
36-40...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
41-45...XXXXXXXXXXX
46-50...XXXXXX
51-55...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
56-60...XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
61-65...XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
66-70...XXXXXXXX
71-75...XXX
76-80...X

-ktw

[Shuz]

Turned 67 yesterday! Been casting since 1962 thanks to an old AF sargeant who showed me "the ropes" with a 429360. That was the only mould we could buy thru the Loring AFB rod and gun club at the time. I've since discovered a whole bunch of 44 designs that will outshoot the 429360. I have a son 39 who I shoot and hunt with, but haven't been able to get interested into casting yet due to his time constraints. He is also content to let Dad reload for all his guns. I have introduced his two sons 8 and 10 into reloading and they love helping Papa. The oldest shot his first deer on our place last fall with a 250 Sav Ruger 77 and a 105g cast boolit. Life is grand! Our daughter is 38 and lives in the Seattle area. I taught her to shoot the .44 mag with light loads when she was a teenager. There is still hope for her and her boy and girl 10 and 5.

[TGM]

69 Been retired about 12 years. Have been casting about 20 yrs.

TGM

[RU shooter]

As for me 39 years old 3 kids, 6, 10 and 12 :-D. wonderful wife that puts up with my nonsence ! Would have it any other way!!!!!!!

[38 Super Auto]

I am 47. Have been reloading for 22 years and casting for about 8 years. The real fun didn't start until I stopped buying commercial lead bullets and started making my own. I have learned alot on this forum on how to make better boolits more efficiently.

[44 flattop]

Going to turn 49 later this year. Been casting for 37 years now! A son in his late 20's that when I started him out hunting near 20 years ago, never dreamed he would be hunting sometimes 8 different States in a year! I do all his casting and reloading though. I have a daughter that owns and shoots a dandy 1908 Winchester 38-55 and a wife that owns nearly as many guns as I do............ok, that is a stretch, but she not only owns quite a few but is a frightenly great shot!

44

[waksupi]

Turned 67 yesterday! Been casting since 1962 thanks to an old AF sargeant who showed me "the ropes" with a 429360. That was the only mould we could buy thru the Loring AFB rod and gun club at the time. I've since discovered a whole bunch of 44 designs that will outshoot the 429360. I have a son 39 who I shoot and hunt with, but haven't been able to get interested into casting yet due to his time constraints. He is also content to let Dad reload for all his guns. I have introduced his two sons 8 and 10 into reloading and they love helping Papa. The oldest shot his first deer on our place last fall with a 250 Sav Ruger 77 and a 105g cast boolit. Life is grand! Our daughter is 38 and lives in the Seattle area. I taught her to shoot the .44 mag with light loads when she was a teenager. There is still hope for her and her boy and girl 10 and 5.

Happy birthday, Shuz!

[Poygan]

I'm 67 and have been casting since 1964. That isn't counting some attempts with an old round ball mold and an old double barrel with one set of barrels being a shotgun and the other about a .44 caliber rifle.

[EDK]

Halfway between 59 and 60! Casting since 1967--a shot-out 38/40 1892 Winchester complete with a single cavity 401043 and a #310 tong tool and boolit sizer. They've all vanished into the mist.

I made the circle from Ruger single actions (in 1970) to double action Smith & Wesson revolvers to 1911s to S&W 645s back to Ruger BLACK HAWKS/BISLEYS and Original Size VAQUEROS for Cowboy Action Shooting.

The tong tool has been replaced by a Dillon 550 and a Star lubri-sizer! Plus 4 or 6 cavity moulds.

Man, there's been a lot of changes in this!!!!!

:holysheep:cbpour::redneck:

[Johnw...ski]

52 and shooting since I was about 7.

John

[quack1]

55. Been casting since high school, could shoot a co2 rifle pretty well before I started first grade. In all those years I have only met 2 other guys that cast. Learned a lot by trial and error but learned a lot more in the couple of years since I found this place.

[8mmshooter]

I have to agree most of us older folks seem to make up the majority of the cast boolit users. I've tried to introduce some of the younger folks to the way of the cast boolits; but most don't want to spend the extra time to make em themselves. They don't know what they are missing do they? At least I got some interested in the reloading part. I learned about reloading from my wife's uncle; first shot shells then later on the old 30/30 with them new condum bullets; later on when I could afford to buy a center fire pistol that's when I really got into casting my own. My folks didn't hunt--- my wife's family did that's where I got the huntin fever. I was always interested in history; especially the civil war era. My first revolver was a replica colt walker. It's the only firearm that I've ever parted with since I started collecting them. Two of my three boy's hunt all three shoot and only one reloads his own none cast yet. There is still hope. My daughter and my wife both shoot and seem to enjoy it. I'm now 58 and I still learn here everyday. Though I don't write much I do lurk around here alot; my favorite place on the net. I now own about 70 rifles and 10 handguns or so. None of them special; mainly WW2 era; but I do love them.Like someone said on this forum" I reload and cast for the majority of 'em. I guess maybe it's because I am frugal and I like the sense of being somewhat independent. If I save money on the ammo that means I can buy another rifle . So many guns....so little time.

[LET-CA]

I'm 54 - two grown daughters. Starting loading in Colorado over 20 years ago. Didn't get into casting until about two years ago. Wish I hadn't waited so long! Although while raising a family I wouldn't have been able to afford "saving" this much money!

[birddog1520]

48 with 3 children 24 - daughter, 22 - son, 18 - daughter, all 3 hunt and shoot, 4 grandchildren 2 boys, 2 girls, I hope they will follow suit when they get old enough.

Been reloading for 20+ years but I'm just getting started in casting my own.

Randy, The Birddog.

[JRD]

I'm 30 and remember shooting a .410 with my father for the first time at age 3. I started casting bullets with my father when I was in high school. The old cast bullet email list, the old shooters.com forum, and now this sight have greatly sped my learning curve.

I still shoot and hunt with my dad reguarly and have two sons ages 6 and 3 who are interested in hunting and shooting. In general I do agree that most of the guys at the gun club are middle aged and have the disposable income and time to spend on toys. There are some younger guys though. I suspect they got started into shooting by a parent.

My wife says I can't force my kids to like shooting just because I do, but I don't think I will have to force anything. They just want to be with me and do what I do. I spend all my time with them and I think that is the secret to bringing kids up to be sportsmen and shooters.

Jason

[snuffy]

I'm 62, been shooting since I was 7. Thanks to dad and my older brothers, shooting and hunting have been a part of my life. I have one son, 24 who I brought up shooting and taught him how to reload. He has never watched me cast, but that will be taken care of soon. He HAS shot a bunch of my cast loads in the IPSC IDPA games.

I have mentored several younger men to learn how to reload. I'm wide open to teach reloading to anybody who has interest. That's the only way we can grow and keep our sport.

10-4-11 update to age 65, retired, just starting to enjoy that.

[Bob Krack]

65 in August. Took early Social Security retirement. Bad back from a fall.

First BB gun (daisy red rider) at 6, .22 (Remington 5 shot bolt) at 11, 16Ga (Mossberg pump) at 13. Got into handguns and rifles in the middle late '60s.

Reloaded since '74 and cast since '75.

5 sons, 3 daughters - all but 2 are shooters.

23 or 24 grandkids (a little somezheimers here)

8 GREAT-grandchildren and I truly mean GREAT! Oldest greatgrandbaby is only 4 so not much involvement in shooting yet.

Vic

[Irascible]

Just shy of 65. Been shooting cast for 35 years or so, but have only been casting my own for about 29. I used to cast a lot of Cowboy Action bullets, but at $30 for 500 it doesn't make any sense. I cast only for accurate target shooting and hunting now. Kids have too many other things to do these days and seem to be very lazy. That plus no one to teach them. I have two sons. One is very into it and the other is only into making money and impressing people. Worked on two of my grandsons one lost interest quickly, the other is willing to go to silhouette matches with me. He is 14 now and starting to really get into girls, so we'll see how long it lasts.

[mtnman31]

33 - Started shooting BB guns around the time I was in 3rd grade. Grandfather introduced me to reloading and gave me my first gun, Ruger 10/22. My mom bought me my first pistol when I was 16; I gave her the money and she purchased it for me. I thank my mom for having the trust and confidence in me at that age to have my own pistol. Hopefully no one reads this and has her arrested for providing a minor with a firearm:wink: I feel fortunate having grown up in a family that has always supported my interest in shooting and firearms. It will be passed on to my children the way it was passed to me.

[jklein_1968]

39 love shooting. Have one of my daughters at the range with me most Saturdays.

[castshooter-too]

52, been casting for ten yrs. son 25 goes shooting with me every chance
he gets, been doing so since 15


BRUCE

[bigborefan]

61 but will be 62 in October. Been retired a little over 11 years now. Started reloading about 40 years ago and started casting my own bullets around 30 years ago. I have four grown children with 9 grandkids. Over the years I have taken an interests in handgun shooting,benchrest shooting,skeet, class111 and now black powder cartridge shooting with an 1874 Sharps tickles my fancy. You might say that I like all gun sports.

[Pavogrande]

Hi Kids - will be 3/4 of a century next month -- 3 kids - youngest is 36, oldest 48 - grandkids from 13 to 20. I'm in calif and they are in wash, texas and the british virgin islands - get in a lot of interesting travel.
Casting, shooting and reloading has slowed somewhat, but still seem to aquire more weapons. Among the latest is a lo-wall action, maybe I will have enough time left to build it up. Will have to start weeding them out soon though.

[cohutt]

48.

growing up no hunting or firearms in the house, not "anti", just not anything. I begged a bb gun for christmas, been downhill (or more like uphill) ever since.

wife is nervous about guns but says regularly that she is glad i have them and can handle them.

Daughter 20 is VERY pro 2nd amendment and doesn't get gun control mindset. We had a great conversation couple nights ago when she got home from school for break. Says she wants to shoot as much as she can this summer, told her she'd be getting her own gun for her 21st birthday.
Son is 18 and likes shooting ok. Couple years ago I stood behind him as he cranked 100 rounds or so of 44 cowboy loads out of the 550, he was itching to go to the range and shoot "his" bullets after that. involvement is key.

Everyone is amused by my lead stalking smelting and casting over the last 2 years but no desire to learn how yet.

[mwohlenhaus]

26 here, been shooting since I was old enough to load my cap gun on my own. started walking along side dad carrying a bb gun while he was pheasant hunting at a bout 6. was well versed in safe handling of firearms by that time. got into reloading at 19 or 20 with the help of my now father in law. My dad never reloaded metallic, only shotgun. he has since gotten into metallic. Within the last month, since lead jumped up so high and bullets for my Mosin Nagant are $40/100 and for .45 acp are now $100/1000 I decided to get into entry level casting. Wife grew up around guns, but could take em or leave em. Our daughter on the way is at least going to know how to handle firearms safely, with a hope that she will take an interest in guns.

[ktw]

summary updated through post #132

Age.....Number
-------------------------------------
20-25...X
26-30...XXXXXXXXXX
31-35...XXXXX
36-40...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
41-45...XXXXXXXXXXXX
46-50...XXXXXXXXX
51-55...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
56-60...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
61-65...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
66-70...XXXXXXXXXXX
71-75...XXXX
76-80...X

My take on it is that casters are even more heavily weighted to the older end of the age spectrum than the above indicates. Counting people who cast AND participate on internet forums biases the sample toward the younger guys.

-ktw

[felix]

66 for me. 18-21 for Tommy, my son, who made excellent 22 boolits (when he made them; no interest now at 26). ... felix

[floodgate]

Todd:

Damn! I'm getting lonely in the 76 - 80 bracket.

Doug

[cbrick]

I'll be 60 on the next b;day and two years from retired.

ktw comment on the age sounds very logical. Younger folks do spend a good deal more time on the internet and most of the casters I've known were older than his chart here would suggest. Still seems to be more younger people than I would have thought but that's a good thing (as long as the little whipper snapper's don't get to the tire shops before me). [smilie=1:

Rick

[kir_kenix]

20 here. Guess I am one of the youngins here, but thats alright because I have alot to learn. My wife loves to shoot, but I'll never get her to cast, and she only hardly tolerates reloading and hunting. No kids yet, but I have some younger syblings (3, 5, 6, 17) that are just getting into shooting.

I was so proud of my youngest brother when he recited the rules of shooting to his teacher. She actually sent a note home to my mom complaining that he told her something along the lines of: Guns arn't dangerous, its those who use them to hurt people who are. Theres a younger generation of shooters coming along, we just havn't all found our way into casting (and therefore castboolits) yet.

[nemo]

68 been casting since 1978 j & cast before that,sons when they can load,cast,shoot atlest once a week.Take at least 4 guns rifle&pistols

[4570guy]

42 in July. I've been shooting since I was seven; however, I'm relatively new to the bullet casting scene (3 years).

[ktw]

Todd:
Damn! I'm getting lonely in the 76 - 80 bracket.

It can be lonely at the top. We tend to think of you as our 'adult supervision' around here. A role model we can to aspire emulate when we grow up... :wink:

If you go to the Calandar Page on this site most people's birthdays and ages are listed. There are a fair number of people there in their 70's. I found one with an age of 83. Then there is PatMarlin whose age is listed as 105. :-D

Here is another one I find interesting. It is not directly related to casting but it is peripherally related to the shooting sports, it covers a large number of people and does not have internet bias.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g232/ktwna/MI%20Deer%20Season/hunter-age_06.jpg

The spike in the 10-16 year old age class is related to a special early youth season where dad or grandpa can take the kids out and have a crack at the deer before bow season opens.

We have people around here more than a decade older than you Doug, tromping around in the woods hoping to shoot a deer. :-D


-ktw

[Steelbanger]

67 and hoping to last long enough to use all the metal I have on hand. Been casting since the early 70's and shooting since man discovered fire.

[be603]

47, reloading off and on since '76. Just gearing up to start casting now.

[dale2242]

66 yr old, Reloading since 1960. Casting since 1965. Got an air rifle at age 6, got a 22Rf at age 8, killed my first deer at age 12.

[Gandolf]

Hi All,

I'm 57. Two daughters, one of whom likes shooting.

Regards,

Gandolf

[Bigun]

40 and new to casting. Been shooting as long as I can remember, even carry a gun for a living. 19 year old daughter currently in college but when she's home we shoot as much as we can.:Fire:

[Jon K]

Time to chime in n this one, 62 here, and looks like ktw is right in his statement.

Jon

[colbyjack]

28 years old here -chris

[PatMarlin]

48.

Shooting 41 of them.. [smilie=1:

[ktw]

Updated through post #148

Age.....Number
-------------------------------------
20-25...XX
26-30...XXXXXXXXXXX
31-35...XXXXX
36-40...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
41-45...XXXXXXXXXXXXX
46-50...XXXXXXXXXXX
51-55...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
56-60...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
61-65...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
66-70...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
71-75...XXXX
76-80...X

-ktw

[Sundogg1911]

i'm 43, but started casting in my late 20's (playing around more than anything) started getting serious about it mid 30's.
My Daughter's been casting Her own, and helpin' out Dad since She was about 14 or 15. (She's 19 now) I don't think she's had one projectile in Her PPK that she did'nt cast herself. (load's 'em up on the Dillon 550 Herself too)

[Forty Rod Ray]

66 years...

Began casting before I began handloading if you allow lead soldiers by the legion and Ind... the first American immigrants...by the hoard... Funny thing, I never connected the two until I picked up a contract musket and tried shooting it.

[willwork4ww]

25, been casting for two years, handloading for 17.

[Trader Vic]

Today I turned 58, I've been reloading off & on since I was 16. I'm going to start to cast as soon as my backordered Lee molds come in. I'm starting to mass lead so the fun can begin. NRA PATRON LIFE MEMBER

[PatMarlin]

Happy B-Day Vic... :drinks:

[tommyn]

68 here.

[280 Rem]

'bout 54 here. Been casting for 30 years.

280

[TexasJeff]

47 in a couple of months. Been shooting since age five, handloading since the mid-80's, and have just started the casting addiction, er, uh, I mean journey.

No kids, but I'm a big fan of "take a kid shooting" events, and I've been teaching younger shooters how to reload for years.

We shooters and handloaders are in the same boat as my aviation brethren--not too many younger folks getting into shooting or flying. And why the hell should they? They can sit on their dead-asses in front of a TV screen or computer screen and "simulate" shooting or flying, courtesy of Bill Gates.

My fear is that the oncoming generations will have no perception of what the REAL world is like or about--the major perception they're getting of it is through computer games.

Jeff

[bullet maker]

I`m 62, retired, have 4 grand kids, all to young at this point except for the oldest and he and I shoot all the time, He`s 13, and I started him out on a BB gun at age 6. pellet gun rifle at age 8, and now he shoots 22 and 410 at age 13.
I agree with 8mmshooter`s statements in his post, and would also like to add, that it is a fact that the hunting people seem to be less every year also. For instance, I own 200 acres, and alot of my property, is fence line with the Public Hunting. We harvest alot of deer every year, but also every year, we hear less and less shots coming from public hunting land. Last year deer season 2007 for instance, there was only a total of 5 rifle shot coming from public hunting land, whereas, back 22 years ago, when I first moved out here, it was like the Viet-nam Tet offensive, gunshot everywhere. So as the years go by, I hear less and less shooting from the public side of the area.
From my field study of the situation, I`m more convinced that the older guys, are the only ones hunting, and we (the older guys) are having health problems, because we are getting older, so therefore, there are less hunters taking to the field every year.

bullet maker

[Bluehawk]

IM 58 Started casting about 1972 withthe first Muzzle loader I bought round balls then
I have two sons 35 and 33 both enjoy shooting and hunting but realy dont have much time with their careers and families . WHEN they make it out to shoot they leav e alot of brass around and big smile on their faces . I also have a 14 year old grand son who will shoot anything ONCE he loves to shoot and loves to hunt He MAY become a caster since he thinks its some what cool .
I currently cast for 38.357; 44;and 45 handguns
30 cal (three different moulds ) 380 cal ( two moulds) 40 cal
( one mould ) and 6 moulds for 458 cal rifle bullets
No to mention the varous round ball and several minnie ball moulds for BP
I have enough to do to kepe me busy JUST NOT ENOUGH LEAD :-(

[Hunter]

Just turned 34, I got into casting a couple of years ago. I began reloading better than 10 years ago.
I have enjoyed shooting as long as I can remember.

[76 WARLOCK]

66 and been casting 50 years.

[jim4065]

61 and been casting for maybe 20, reloading for 40, and shooting for 55 years - and been thinking about retiring an awful lot lately.

[wmitty]

Age:55; reloading and casting 42 yrs but I didn't know didly about casting until I

found this forum two years ago. Two sons: 26 and 23, both shooters but haven't

shown interest in reloading/casting yet; also one daughter (21) who brought

two girlfriends in with her from college last week. A friend and i took 'em out to

shoot clays and .22 rimfires; they actually seemed to enjoy it!

[oadad]

55 just retired (Thank God!) been and casting for 35 years. My oldest boy (former Army Sgt) hunted with me since he was 5, he won the Hawkie Award at Ft Jackson, spent a year in Afghanistan (and surrounding states) I ask him if all the years of came in handy, he gave me a stone cold look and said " I'm alive, healthy and talking to you..... and thanks, I wouldn't be here if you hadn't taken me and hunting. my other boys also shoot and hunt with the youngest the caster (loves "his yugo" 8mm) and can form, trim (from 06 cases) and reload a box in and hour. One of youngest daughters loves to shoot everything 22 to 308 &, 38spl to 45acp and 44mag and is a darn good shot!

[NoDakJak]

68 Retired Military! Ten years Navy. Twelve years Air Force. Handloading since 1962 Casting for pistol since 1977 and for rifle only about three years. Al Miller of Handloader Magazine got me interested but since discovering this forum about a year ago I have learned more than in all the previous years. Five grandsons. All shooters. Three hunters. Grand daughter will shoot them as fast as I can provide ammo. Retired to SW ND in 1993. Hunters Heaven! Only one problem. State Tree is the telephone pole! Sure miss that squirrel hunting! Neil

[sav300]

61 and retired.hand loading and shooting 35+ years.

[caspertattoo]

35, been casting a few months now.... Thanks CFI

[ktw]

Updated through post #167

Age.....Number
-------------------------------------
20-25...XXX
26-30...XXXXXXXXXXX
31-35...XXXXXXX
36-40...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
41-45...XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
46-50...XXXXXXXXXXXX
51-55...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
56-60...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
61-65...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
66-70...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
71-75...XXXX
76-80...X

[billyb]

I will turn 61 the 16th. Started reloading with a lee loader for 38 spl. that was a gift.35 plus years ago, now use a dillon 650 and rock chucker. Bill

[Coastie]

68 - too soon 69
Born lucky - into a family that liked shooting and hunting so very early start.
Reloading since early 60's and casting since early 70's.
Son: X-Army MP (Airborne) - Grandson: Army Armour in Iraq.

[leadman]

56 and retired. Always been interested in guns. Reloading for 33 years, casting for 26. Two adult boys that like to hunt and reload, but you know how busy young people are these days.
Wish my dad would have let me buy those military guns in the fiber barrels back in the 60s'!.

[Papa smurf]

I started casting for a 58 cal musket when I was 15 years old, I will be 70 this September.

[GabbyM]

52 now. Semi retired.
Started casting for muzzle loaders and cap & ball revolver in 1971.
Recently been trying to retail boolits to stir up a little cash flow around here.

[waksupi]

35, been casting a few months now.... Thanks CFI

Welcome aboard. Always remember, you will save a lot of money hanging around here. Really. No, really. I'm not foolin'. Really... Well, at least you will be able to shot a lot more, for the same money. Just beware group buys. They are addictive!

[Tom Herman]

I have noticed that most shooter's and boolit casters at my local gun club seem to be around my age -mid to late 50's or so it seems. I'm worried that our shooting, casting, and hunting hobbies are being erroded by the anti-gunners. Is my perception being skewed by my age or do you feel that I am correct in my perception? I noticed a few years back that my daughter came home from school and announced that she felt that" guns were bad." I asked her where she got that perception and she said " from her teacher at school." I was proud that before I could answer my wife of 35 years answered her with " guns aren't the problem. They are tools that can be used for hunting,recreation and bring enjoyment to many. Bad and irresponsible people cause the problems." Now my wife doesn't particullarly follow my hobby of collecting old military rifles and she can hardly tell one rifle or handgun from the other. Sometimes that is a good thing as it is easier to convince her that I really need another gun or another mold or some other related device. I guess I am getting long winded here; but can some one set up a poll as to how others perceive my observations? For my curiosities sake? I am computer challenged but learning. Thanks: 8mmshooter

Good question! And complex answers... First off, I'm 47. I have two girls, a 13 & 16 year old that live with their mother back on the East coast.
Your perception that we're "aging" is probably right on, but I am seeing youinger blood coming into thhis hobby which is good.
Other hobbies are suffering as well: The age of Ham Radio operators is steadily climbing, and service groups/clubs/organizations (like the Masons, Red Men, your local rock or coin club) are also graying. I had one 75 year old Mason tell me that he loes going to his meetings, as he's greeted by "how are you doing today, young fellow?". He explained that the treasurer is 95 years old...
Society is regrettably changing (and not for the better). Kids are being dumbed down by schools, TV and other media are working their poison, and they are now much sedentary than kids in the past.
Useless diversions like video games and TV are the rule, and instant gratification is becoming ingrained into society.
The kids could just care less about doing anything that requires much effort or investment of time. It's so sad.
No, it's not irreversible, but we have to take the bull by the horns and turn this around.
Just my two cents worth.

-Tom

[swabbie]

reloading for 12 years..have yet to cast my first boolit tho I have made ingots.:-D
have a son 27, who's been reloading and shooting as long as I have.

[Shiloh]

51 years old for a few more months. Reloading for 30 years, casting about 5.
Ever since prices started going up at a much faster pace.

Shiloh :castmine:

[Huntducks]

Been casting since the early 70's FIL owned a tire store and we had a family plumbing Bus. need I say more.

[skeet1]

58 and wanting to retire yesterday.

Skeet1

[theperfessor]

I'm 54 and been casting off and on for 30 years. I teach engineering and technology courses at a public university in southern Indiana. Most of the students in our program are pretty conservative (engineers and technical people tend to be that way) although their opinions are as varied as any other group of folks that age. Most of the rural kids are hunters and/or farmers and shooters.

I show bullet casting in materials and manufacturing classes as a demonstration of a type of casting process and reloading as a demonstration of a manufacturing process. I also try to arrange to meet some of them at a local indoor range and pay the range fee and supply the ammo (most college kids don't have a lot of extra cash) for their guns if I can.

A lot of kids would shoot and reload and cast if they had someone to show them how and teach them the proper way to go about it.

I've also talked a couple of other professors into going to the range and I supply the range fee, guns, ammo, and safety equipment. It doesn't cost much and I consider it an investment in the future of our sport and our rights.

Yeah , there is a liberal streak in academia. :???: I can't change the whole world, but I can change it one person at a time. And have a lot of fun in the process. :-D

[Tom Myers]

I turned 72 yesterday and have been casting since I was 22. I have actually learned more about cast bullets and casting in the last three or four years that I have been frequenting these on-line forums than I did during those previous 46 years.
Tom Myers

[srayc]

47 and been at casting for 15 yrs. No mishaps yet!

[dubber123]

36 here, been casting since I was 15. Been shooting since I was 6 or 7. I still get a kick out of the bewildered look many give you when you tell them the boolits you are shooting were made from wheelweights!

[UweJ]

46, two kids. Daughter 18, Son 16, been reloading for 10 and casting about 2 years

[quasi]

47, been reloading 32 years, casting for around 27, off and on. I am a gimp now so I can't work much, when I did work a lot I only had time to cast when I was between jobs, so I bought most of my projectiles then.

Now I have way more time and way less money so 99% of my shooting is with cast bullets. Finding wheel weights is becoming a problem. I have always thought 38-357 handguns were for girls, always shot 44's and 45's. I have recently bought a couple of used .357's for cheap, a m28 Smith and a SS Ruger Security Six, both 4" ers. By using .38 brass and 158 gr bullets I can stretch my lead supply and brass is very cheap.

My 12 year old daughter likes to shoot, but is not interested in hunting.

[jim 44-40]

Book'em Dan-o he hit the five-0. Started when I got out of the Army in 78.Have 3 brothers and none of them hunt or fish.Guess I'll leave my casting and reloading stuff to my grandkids if they can stop watching TV when they get older..

[rifleshooter]

33 yrs old. Shooting and enjoying firearms since about 8 or 9.:Fire:

[JohnH]

36 here, been casting since I was 15. Been shooting since I was 6 or 7. I still get a kick out of the bewildered look many give you when you tell them the boolits you are shooting were made from wheelweights!


Lead is what uranium becomes after it's half life is spent..... Tell 'em you're shooten' depleted uranium and watch 'em back away :)

[waksupi]

Good question! And complex answers... First off, I'm 47. I have two girls, a 13 & 16 year old that live with their mother back on the East coast.
Your perception that we're "aging" is probably right on, but I am seeing youinger blood coming into thhis hobby which is good.
Other hobbies are suffering as well: The age of Ham Radio operators is steadily climbing, and service groups/clubs/organizations (like the Masons, Red Men, your local rock or coin club) are also graying. I had one 75 year old Mason tell me that he loes going to his meetings, as he's greeted by "how are you doing today, young fellow?". He explained that the treasurer is 95 years old...
Society is regrettably changing (and not for the better). Kids are being dumbed down by schools, TV and other media are working their poison, and they are now much sedentary than kids in the past.
Useless diversions like video games and TV are the rule, and instant gratification is becoming ingrained into society.
The kids could just care less about doing anything that requires much effort or investment of time. It's so sad.
No, it's not irreversible, but we have to take the bull by the horns and turn this around.
Just my two cents worth.

-Tom

Tom, interesting you mentioned the Red Men. I had no idea they were still in existance. If you, or anyone else, are interested in them at all, contact Preston, at Four Winds Indian Trading Post, St. Ignatius, Mt. They are on the web. Preston probably has the largest collection of Red Man memorabilia in the world.

[chaos]

I'm 34. Been reloading since I was 15. Casting for a bout 2 weeks now.

[blackthorn]

69 & 1/2 and counting. Looks like I may be permanently retired this time. No more contracts in sight, shop is 99% finished, yard work is never done (but close). Got a good life and a great wife! Maybe now I'll have time for the things that are really important.

[Tom Herman]

Tom, interesting you mentioned the Red Men. I had no idea they were still in existance. If you, or anyone else, are interested in them at all, contact Preston, at Four Winds Indian Trading Post, St. Ignatius, Mt. They are on the web. Preston probably has the largest collection of Red Man memorabilia in the world.

Hi Waksupi!

I ran into a meeting of the Red Men back about 25 years ago in maine: They owned the building the Town Offices used, and had their meeting hall on the top floor.
Even at that time, the members were easily in their 70's, and had a hard time getting a quorum. I remember them very politely asking me to leave so they could go through whatever it was they needed to to open up their meeting.
It's sad to see groups and organizations that were once very prominent and popular decline.
I'll look up their history on the Internet.

-Tom

[pdgraham]

I'll be 60 in June

[skeet1]

Just turned 58 have been handloading since age 16. Can't wait till I retire when I can do a lot more of what I love. We just built a new house and I was fortunate to have a gun room/loading room included in the plans with heating an air conditioning. Talk about an understanding wife I have.

[Just Duke]

I will be 50 next month.

[Walter Laich]

62 this July

As a teacher I'll second the thoughts that the school systems are doing a bit of 'preaching' against guns. I try to give both sides but not always able to. Most of my students don't have thoughts one way or the other (3rd graders)

Walt

[wonderwolf]

21 been reloading since middle school and casting since I got my first revolver when I turned 16.

[pjh421]

I don't even buy green bananas anymore. (thankyou George Burns) I'm 46 for a couple more weeks. I've got 3 kids who think its perfectly normal to have guns in the house. I do have trouble with my wife occasionally. She seems to think that my guns should belong to her, even after buying her some to add to the ones she had before we met. Some people! In fact, she likes to refer to my Smith 586 as "She" (as if the transmogrification has already somehow begun).

I've taken my 20 year old daughter shooting a couple of times. She's more interested in the chocolate malts we stop and get on the way home but did have a good experience. The other two have been a little too immature for me to feel comfortable about taking them to the range. This will probably be the year they get to go, though.

I retired from the Army in '99 and have been a shooter/reloader since I was a kid.
My family is pretty conservative in our politics and values. Even if these kids don't become as interested in shooting, reloading and casting as I am, they still aren't going to fall for that liberal garbage mentioned earlier in this thread. I can definitely see them becoming gun owners at some point in the future.

My father in law is a real big lib. He likes to tell people how stupid George W. is so I always ask him, "Well, what do you do for a living?" It kind of takes the wind out of his sails. GW might not have your personal needs first on his agenda but for Heaven's sake, don't try to tell me the man is stupid.

One day he (father in law, not GW) put a "Hillary '08 Iowa" sticker on the back of my Blazer so I got out a black marker and applied the old circle with a line through it. Anyway, our 13 year old daughter saw this and got a real kick out of it since she can't stand Hillary or Barack for that matter. Not all the kids these days buy into that liberal bs.

Paul

[Bill*]

53 last fall. just started casting this year ( if you don't count sinkers and weight belts 40 years ago--still got the scar from dumping a coffee can of molten lead into a wet 1 pound belt weight mold ).

[Mumblypeg]

54, Shooting since 12, casting and loading since 21.

[GlockJockey]

28, and cast about 10k a year. My 24 year old girlfriend shoots tons of them too. If only I could get her to size/lube at the same rate she uses my ammo. Most casters at my club are also mostly retired and older, but I think it helps bridge the age gap and always gives us something to talk about on the line, a gun show, or breakfast before an IPSC or Steel match. Casters have been around for hundreds of years and I think we will around in a few hundred more. On a side note, when my peer group gets wind of the fact that I am loading .40 ammo for $1.70 a box, I think they will start casting too. For now, I am keeping it a secret so they keep leaving the lead in the berm for me, all the while talking about how spendy even cast bullets have gotten in local stores.

[T-Bird]

54 Been shootin' since i was six, casting about 15yrs (I think).Hunting my whole life too, altho I'm not quite as mad at 'em as I used to be! T-Bird

[SciFiJim]

45, Grew up around guns but took a 30 year break. Bought my first handgun last fall. Just getting into casting, have yet to cast my first first boolit. My teenage kids (son 18 & daughter 16) love my 1911 .45

[Hang Fire]

Three score and ten, my Wife, (at 68, she still reloads all her ammo) and all our kids and grandkids are shooters, one son-in-law is an avid boolit caster.

We had my two grandnephews over for spring break, they are both conservative and shooters. After spewing mucho lead boolits across the desert for a few days, they are now both going to get into reloading, and cast boolit casting big time. the economics impressed them, but the accuracy wowed them even more.

[Thin Man]

62. Started reloading in '70 (39 years out), discovered casting in '73 (36 years worth). Retired? Not a chance. My day job just took a pay and benefits hit, had to pick up a part-time second job to recover that loss. Gotta cover the costs of components somehow....

Thin Man

[Shiloh]

Younger 50's. Shooting since mid teens. Reloading since early 20's casting since later mid 40's

Shiloh

[Trader Vic]

I answered this a year ago, I just turned 59 a couple of weeks ago. Last year at this time I was just getting started in casting. Been shooting & reloading forever, but this is something I wish I would have started years ago. Casting is great fun, not to mention the savings when you reload your ammo. Satisfaction, it also proves you're never too old to learn. This site is a great place to get an education, the guys here are a wealth of knowledge. I learn something new every day here. As I get close to retirement, casting has opened up more adventures. Everybody needs hobbies to stay sharp & active, casting is one of many for me. NRA PATRON LIFE MEMBER

[cajun shooter]

Turned 62 on April 15th, now why does that day seem to have another meaning for me? I just can't seem to recall, getting old you know. Been casting and reloading since 1971 when the owner of the gun store I worked for took me under his wing.

[jar-wv]

This thread somehow got by me last time around. Glad someone bumped it. I'm 52 and have been hunting since I was about 9 or 10. Started watching and helping my dad reload shotshells since about 71. Got out of reloading till about 15 years ago. Been casting for about 3 years, mostly since discovering this forum.

jar

[par0thead151]

26 here...
been into shooting since the day i was handed my first 1022
scratch that, from the day i was given my first wrist rocket(sling shot). i was surgical accurate with that thing, still am actually...
sling shot > BBgun > 22 rimfire > AR-15/FAL/1919/MG42/M2HB.....

[par0thead151]

21 been reloading since middle school and casting since I got my first revolver when I turned 16.

whew... i was reading page after page and everyone was doubling my age just about...
at least im not the youngest on these forums:-P

[Ancesthntr]

48, shooter for 20 years but just into casting. I have a 7 and a 4 y.o., both of whom can't wait to go shooting...and neither of whom will, until they learn to listen to me IMMEDIATELY - that's a safety issue - but they WILL be shooting lots earlier in life than I ever did.

[jcw1970]

38 and have been shooting since my grandfather gave me my first rifle when I was 15, a Mossberg 144. He taught my Dad and he also taught me. The Scout troop that I was in was also big into shooting. I don't think they do that anymore. I think the expense of buying firearms and ammo and reloading equipment keeps a lot of younger people out of the sport. While older people have more disposable income than someone who's 24 or 25 married, has kids, trying to pay off the students loans, house payment, car loans, etc..

[captain-03]

57 years of age!! Two sons -- neither has any interest; BUT, the grandson is coming along fine!!

[Sky King]

58 last friday, been casting since 1980 when primers were $6.50 / 1000, found an old receipt from Midsouth a couple of weeks ago. 3 daughters none are interested, but wife enjoys shooting. That's all that counts

[southpaw]

25 right now. will be 26 in july. been shooting since my dad started takeing us ( me and my brother ) out. If I remember right we were around 6. didnt start reloading til I got my first revolver when I was 14-15. then started into shooting shotguns in the 4h so I started reloading for 12 20 and 410. rifles came last. I was about 16. I started casting the beginning of this year.

oh yeah... married, son just turned 2 and another one (boy?girl) due in oct. glad I had all my reloading stuff and lots of guns before marrage and kids tied me down. but I wouldnt change a thing Jamie already wants to go hunting. and the wife is a pretty good shot on the trap field that is when she is not preg.

[putteral]

Also 58 going on 59. Retired and been casting only a few months now. Love it. Should have started sooner when wheel weights were more plentiful. Better accruacy since I started casting.
:drinks:

[high standard 40]

Happy birthday Sky King.
I'll be 59 in August. Been shooting since I could lift a gun and Dad would let me. Reloading since I got out on my own and casting off and on most of that time. We are losing our young people as far as the shooting sports go. My wife and only daughter like to shoot but wouldn't if it weren't for me. None of my nieces or nephews shoot. Sad.

[snaggdit]

I'm 42, with a son age 12 who likes shooting and a daughter 15 who is a good shot, but usually passes on the invites to the range. She likes to shoot, but loves animals, too. My father introduced me to hunting and I've been hunting since I was 12. My son began deer hunting this last fall. Passing on the traditions. My wife is uncomfortable around guns. I am working on getting her to take the state hunter safety class, since they teach how to handle all types of firearms safely. I think if she can get the basics down (hates to take direction from me...) she would enjoy shooting.

[Willbird]

44 years old, and I have been casting and reloading over 30 years of that.

[RayinNH]

I'm 54 years old and have been casting for 37 years. My 25 year old son just purchased his first handgun 3 weeks ago. He shot his first cast in it yesterday...Ray

[captaint]

Gonna be 60 next time. Three kids, 2 boys & a girl. The boys both shoot, one hunts and my daughter is not "afraid of those things". I could, and I will, get her to go shoot some time. No grandkids yet. I'm waiting impatiently. Mike

[sundog]

snaggdit, let your son teach her.... When kids grasp something they hold on to it tight. If he's got it right (from you) he can pass it on to his Mom and proud to.

[R.Clem]

61.
From the look of it, we older guys need to do some sales of our hobby.
I started when I got out of the service in 1968, reloading, then casting for a .357 Hawes Western Marshall.
With the exception of a 2 yr lapse due to work, have been casting for 38 yrs. Still have a few boxes of boolits that I cast in the 70's from wheel weights. Wanta guess how soft they are?
Keep spreading the word about casting and how much fun it can be, and lets find some more people to pass our knowledge on to. Maybe this ammo shortage will help.

Ray

[largom]

65 1/2 Got a BB gun when I was 6. Been hooked on guns ever since. Started handloading [shotshells] when I was 10, rifle at 15. Played with casting about 20 yrs. ago but did'nt know squat. Retired now and into casting full time. One daughter, does'nt shoot but son-in-law got hooked on hunting and handloading [from me] and looking forward to when he will have time to cast.
I would like to add that this site is the most friendly, free with advice site on the internet. This is one great bunch of people, even Junior!
Larry

[Jon]

31 I shoot as often as I can, but it usually works out to a few times a month.

[kidmma]

49, I shoot as often as I can. Don't cast enough. 2 Boys enjoy shooting too.

[ghh3rd]

I'm 55 (going on 56, hopefully) - have five boys one girl. All 6 have been to the range, some are more interested than others. My youngest, 11 yrs old has cast his first 25 boolits (.38 wadcutters), and lubed them. We'll [correction - he will] be loading them soon -- he hasn't tried the new S&W 642 yet, and will be doing so with rounds that he has cast and reloaded himself.

Randy

[MattMuch]

I'm 23 getting to almost 24. Been casting for 2 years now and reloading for 4. Got into it with the intention of saving money for more guns, it didn't work so well. Now I just end up with more ammo. :)

[Sprue]

54... have two sons, one being 30 , the other 15 and just learning to drive. They both love to hunt but don't shoot or cast much if any.

[Sprue]

The numbers seem pretty much in line with a previous Poll

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=49403

[randyrat]

49
I was 25 before i layed down for that nap. Dang time goes fast. Next time i blink i'll be older yet, if i'm lucky enough.
4 children 2 grand kids.
Casting for a few years and reloading since i was 17....Guns/shooting make my world go around. I still get excited when i see a deer, gun or a gun range.
My two boys and young daughter shoot with me time to time, oldest daughter is in the Navy,soo far away i forgot what she looks like. God bless her heart.

[sleeper1428]

I'm a month short of 71 and have been reloading since 1954. Started casting boolits in the mid-1980s and have been addicted to the Silver Stream ever since.

sleeper1428

[Adk Mike]

53 casting off an on for 28 years. I've been shooting a US model of 1917 lately and casting for it and a handgun. This is great fun! mike

[gwilliams2]

44, been shootin since I could hold a gun, reloading for the last 22 years or so, casting my own fishing sinkers since the early 80s and recently started castin my own boolits... Three kids with only one 17 year old still at home. My oldest has been shooting since he could stand, the middle one (my daughter) has enjoyed shooting a little, but hasn't been involved since she left home for college three yeas ago. My youngest (17 year old boy) isn't really quite sure, he does go to the range with us and does seem to enjoy it a little bit but doesn't really get that excited. All three of my children have enjoyed helping me reload over the years but I think my oldest son will be the only one to continue on..

[trevj]

43 years old, been fiddling with casting for a couple years, but mainly simple stuff, casting round balls for slingshot ammo and the like.
Bought a beat up bottom pour Saeco pot at an auction sale a while back, and started looking at getting serious about casting this year.

'Course, I had to go the hard way, and start casting for .22's! :D

Looking to build cheap ammo for plinking and the odd gopher patch excursion, as well as, eventually, starlings in the fruit trees, back home.

Been reading what I can for a while now, just getting rolling on production. Gotta get off my duff and finish my gas check maker!

Cheers
Trev

[geargnasher]

34, Married 1 year to second wife, no kids but they are in the plans

Been reloading off and on since 16, shooting since I was old enough to hold a .22 rifle, casting on my own since last year but learned how from an "adopted" grandfather when I was in high school, my family is full of occasional hunters and plinkers but I had to look far to find tutelage in reloading and casting. I have learned much from that great man vowed to spread what I have learned to anyone interested as he did to me, there are too few fully knowledgeable men in my generation.

Gear

[LiquidLead]

58 . Started reloading and casting at the same time out of necessity in my early 20's.

[malpaismike]

63 and counting; 2 sons of age, but with felony records, and a girl, mother of only grandchild, who doesn't see firearms my way. Whatever.

Gave up hi-power and 2700 for cas; haven't had so much fun since. Been shooting cas over 20 yr. Had the boys, when legal, and my nephew shooting with me. doesn't get much better. Shot my first match with own boolits and lube last week and had a ball. No room to back up, hafta charge ahead. laterbye. mm

[thebigmac]

74 years young with a lot more to go. Been shooting since I was 14, Went into reloading in 1963
Graduated into casting around 1968, during the "Riots" while on the BPD. Became Pistol Team Captain, in 1974 and kept that rank 'till I retired in 1992. After retiring, the team voted me Team Captain again, There was an older Sergeant there who got me started in casting & reloading my own ammo from "backstop lead".That really cut the cost of practice ammo, & lead me into an ongoing hobby which I still enjoy. There's nothing like winning a pistol match with your own 'home brewed' ammo. Only been here in "Cast Boolits" for a few months, and have pick up some VERY GOOD INFORMATION.

[Leadbelly]

53 this year

[warf73]

35 for a while longer ..... dang July is coming fast.

[High Desert Hunter]

42 here, been casting for over 20 years off and on.

[PatMarlin]

At 105 I do pretty good. Still cast a little bit.

[Trey45]

44 in march. Been reloading about 2 years and casting my own boolits since january.

[Crash_Corrigan]

66 and working on staying around for awhile. Started shooting a bb gun at 7.
.22 at 9 and 12 gauge at 10. Became a NYCPD cop at 21 and retired at 41 as a Lieutenant. Began to seriosly shoot at 44 and started reloading in '90. Casting in '95 and paper patching just last month.

Retired fully last year and working on developing loads for my M-1 and .303. Enjoy all aspects of sport but really like smelting and casting. I wish I could sell my reloads but the liabilty aspects of it scare me to death. I have learned more about casting and smelting inthe last 3 years from this site and I look forward to learning more.

[mpmarty]

70 started shooting a slingshot in 3rd or 4th grade. Was on school rifle team with my trusty Remington 581T and carried it to and from school openly. In Los Angeles believe it or not but that was over fifty five years ago. Left Kommifornia when I went in the military in '57 and on discharge in '65 never went back. Started handloading in '66 or 67 and started swaging my own pistol bullets in '70 started casting in '73. Guess you could say I'm hooked for life now. Hope I can enjoy my future to Pat Martins age.

[doghawg]

61 yrs old Viet Nam vet. Hope to retire end of this year. Reloading for nearly 40 yrs but cast my first boolits this winter.

[Humbo]

30 years here, and have been casting for more than 20. I could barely see over the rim of the pot before my father taught me how to cast bullets for his .357. I still cast those bullets for him, and I still love it.

[Dave davidson]

67, just starting to cast bullets.

3 daughters but none care much about the outdoors or shooting. 7 Grandkids but only one lives close enough to corrupt. He is 12 and I've had him hunting with me since he was 4. His Mom made him wait until he was old enough. He has taken 1 hog and 4 deer. Before I let him handle his first BB gun, I made him identify all of the parts and recite the Rules of Gun Safety. When his Mom decided that he was old enough to shoot his first deer with Grandma's(now his) Remington 222, I taught him to reload his own bullets. He's good at it.

When I learn enough about casting, I will teach him.

His current passions are playing football, hunting and fishing. He has taken a doe this year and we will be hunting again after Thanksgiving.