I recall as a high school lad having fun loading for my .222...the only rifle I owned. I had 40 cases and used a Lee Target Loader. It took a long time to load each one but it was fun. Getting a super accurate load was fun too and I relished the time at the bench (an old desk) and the range. I was poor and could never buy more than a box of bullets at a time, pack of primers, and a lb of powder.
I started competitive shooting in my early twenties and could not afford a progressive. Only Stars were available then, and they were about $1000, but my mentor had two of them so I would load at his place. Started buying components in bulk and started casting. We would mine the range for cheap lead to save money. It was still fun.
By the time I was 30, it stopped being fun. I love to shoot, so reloading was a way to make that affordable. I bought faster machines so I could spend less time reloading. By the time I was in my mid 50's, I had over half a dozen progressives ranging from a Star to two Dillon 1050's. But all that capacity to turn out ammunition did not make it "fun". It was a chore that needed doing if I wanted to shoot. I justified buying machines so I would not need to change primer systems or do caliber changes...I was addicted. I was not poor anymore and I spent a lot of money on reloading stuff.
I am down to a 550 and a 1050 currently. Sold one of the 1050's, 650, Star and two SDB's a few years ago. Recently sold the Spolar as well but kept the PW 800+. I have a used 550 and used 1050 waiting to be set up. I thought when I retired I would be shooting more but it has not happened. I was shooting 20k a year when I was working (and competing) but shoot less the 5k/yr now. It seems silly, but I am shooting less because I hate reloading....and I have oodles of time to reload!
I have decided to make it fun again. My reloading shop is a disaster area. I have **** all over the place. First thing is to clean it up, organize things and sell some stuff off. I cannot find things I know I have and that adds to the frustration. I will also teach my fiancé to reload. She loves to shoot as well so I am lucky.
Shooting, but more so competing, has allowed me to meet some of the best people I know. It is great hobby and it should be fun!!!!