age of boolet caster's

[qajaq59]

just a young 71.

[Beekeeper]

Dang you guys make me feel young
Just turned 74 and have no intentions of slowing down
Casting for only a couple of years but do it for all weapons.


Jim

[Fixxah]

46. Stepped away from the trigger for ten years until a few years ago.

Wish I had the same vision now.

[curiousgeorge]

52 this year.

Started when I was 18. All my "mentors" and friends were in their 40's. They are all gone and I don't see many casters coming behind me. I don't know what our future holds.

Steve

[home in oz]

59, three daughters, no other hunters in the family.

[45-70 Chevroner]

69. Been shooting since I was 6 or 7 got my first 22 single shot at 13. I have 4 children, 3 of which gave me 23 grand children 12 boys 11 girls. All most all like to shoot. I'm hoping some of them will take up casting.

[Jal5]

59, been hunting since age 24-25, and trained both my sons to hunt too over the years. One still does occasionally out west in Colorado. The other one would like to if he had more time with family and work absorbing all his time and money...we all go through that.

I have only been reloading for a couple of years and just started casting this year.

Joe

[joelpete]

37. Starting shooting .22's in the Boy Scouts 25 years ago or so. Always wanted my own guns but grew up in a house without guns. Military solidified my interest and I bought my first handgun shortly after ETS, back in 95. Been shooting since, but I'm just now becoming an 'active' shooter, and I've just taken the leap into reloading/casting. I have four kids, the oldest being 5, and I plan on ALL of them growing up with guns (God willing).

[kcajeel]

65
Probably really started shooting when I went to the Army. I'm still excited about shooting that big Browning 50 and watching it arc tracers at 3000 yards. Since that time I've been slightly active with shooting my whole life. Retired and moved to Michigan 14 years ago. Joined a gun club and went "nuts". I do lot of shooting now. And reloading, casting, fishing, enjoying the woods, and Lake Michigan.
Oh, and a bonus. Have my own 100 yard range off my back patio.
Enjoy

[rattletrap1970]

40 here.
No wife or kids. Been shootin since I was 7 or 8.
Just started casting last month. Havin a blast with it.

[SP101GUY]

Just turned 36. My girlfriend thinks that casting and loading is a strange relaxation therapy. But she sure doesn't mind shooting up my loads.

AJ

[yobohadi]

35 now, been shooting since I was 5, reloading since I was 20-something, and just started casting last year. Looking forward to many more years of shooting, reloading, and casting as long as I can keep finding deals on lead.

[Leadmelter]

I am 56 and have been shooting since I was 14 and started casting in the mid "70" with a muzzleloader and expanded from there.
I think the problem with the shooting sports is the cost. Back in the day, a good gun was a weeks pay. Today, it is a month. Most of young shooter gravitate to the AR and GLOCK platforms, high tech you know, at least at my club.
I mainly shoot pistol in the old classic sense: 50 ft, 25 & 50 yards. Today, our marksmen, oops marksperson, shoot at 7 or less yards.
Us old guys just keep shooting our classics and wonder what the plan was.
Keep on casting and shooting.
Happy Thanksgiving, a time to reflect!
Gerry
MI

[Landric]

37 with three kids, 9, and a pair of 1 year olds; all boys.

I started shooting when I was 19 (expect for some target shooting with single shot .22s and skeet shooting with a 20 gauge for a couple of years at summer camp when I was 10 and 11).

I started handloading at 22 and casting at 36.

[GRUMPA]

First started shooting with dear ole dad at around 9 or so. I got bit by the reloading bug at about 25 and then an even bigger itch got me into casting at 30. Now I'm 50 with no stopping in sight.

[Charlie Two Tracks]

Will turn 60 Jan. 4th. I've been around guns all my life. Casting is new.

[desteve811]

29 next month.

[That'll Do]

I'm 28 years old, and I've only been shooting, casting and reloading for a couple of years. I am sure glad I got into this hobby though, it's great. :lovebooli

[camaro1st]

39 is there anything else???

[Depreacher]

67 years old. 3 Daughters, 7 Grans. Well over 75% are gun nuts like myself. Got my Win37/410 at 13, and my 870/20 at 14. First machine gun (MP40) at 16. Dad gave me a "55 Chevy the same year. From then on I had a permanent ride to the gun store. Owned everything from an 1860 S&W mod. 1 (yeah, I shot it with stdvel shorts) to an 1871 50/70 conversion (nice 8 point was also the fruit of this trade), to a Weatherby 7 in .340 WM under a Redfield 2-7(and I've still got the eyebrow scar to prove it). :)Depreacher

[mustanggt]

I'm 48 and have been casting for a couple of years and have reloaded off and on since 1984. My first real gun I shot was a m12 winchester when I was 13. I have gone crazy for this hobby since 3 years ago and have made up for lost time. I thought oh I will never cast bullets that's too much work but I read alot of stuff on this site and it really intrigued me and is what sparked my interest.

[ar15newbster]

40 years old here and running out of room to store all my toys.
:takinWiz:

.

[Rangefinder]

35 here. Shooting since I could hold on enough to squeeze a trigger. Probably squeezed off more different calibers before I was five than most of the younger generations now even knew existed---very sad. BUT, it ain't over for us yet. My son is 14 and one hell of a shot with anything you hand him. my daughter just turned 1 last month. And although her mommy has always thought I was a little off my rocker, I say she's gonna be a knock-out AND show the boys how things are done properly soon enough---daddy's girl, she is. ;)

[Iowa Fox]

62

As a farm boy I can remember shooting under adult supervision at about 3 to 4 years of age. I started reloading on my own in 1963 with a lee loader my parents gave me for Christmas that year. Gave Uncle Sam two years 67-69, getting married when I got out. I started casting in 72, for some reason I just wanted to try it. Back then I didn't know a soul that cast but read everything I could find which was not much back then. Lots of trial and error that led to a lot of satisfaction, I was hooked. We are truely fortunate to have this fine group of helpful knowledgable folks assembled here.

I retired this summer after forty years with the same company. I'm really looking forward to the time ahead to spend with my wife of 41 years, the kids, the grandkids, my hobbies, and country living.

[Spector]

Sixty three with a grown son. Lost a daughter. My wife and I have been raising her children for the last 7 years. I took an early retirement in 1998 thinking I was free to pursue hunting, fishing, casting, gun making, etc.. Another stint at fatherhood was never considered. ha ha

Anyway I began casting in 1980 I believe. Just lead round balls for the muzzle loadera I'd built. Then in 1991 I bought my Glock 21 and I got more serious about casting. Played with paper patching awhile back and want to get back to that.

I managed to buy, forage and smelt about 1000 lbs. of lead sheathing and plumbers lead before I retired. I have reclaimed about 200 lbs. of lead shot and still have about 150 lbs. of wheel weight ingots.

Seems like I'm loosing steam as I get older, and finding time is always a problem now. Or maybe I'm just spending too much time sitting here reading about casting instead of just doing it. ha ha.........Mike

[Swede44mag]

My dad took me hunting when I was too young to walk.
I started casting bullets when I was 18.
I couldn’t buy loaded ammo but could buy everything I needed to load my own.
I am 54 now and still enjoy casting, hunting and shooting.
I take my father deer hunting now and have for many years.
We don't always get the deer but we enjoy the experience.

[armed_partisan]

28, been casting for five years, reloading for six.

[armed_partisan]

Hey! How about a poll on this, so we can see statistics?

[DragoonDrake]

25, casting for 4 years and reloading for 3. yes i typed that correctly. I ordered all my stuff together and the casting equipment came first.

Adam

[HATCH]

I started a poll.
I am 41, I just started casting last month.

[AaronJ]

25 with a 6 month old son. been shooting since i can remember, loading and casting my own since 15

[Packy]

I'll be 48 in January, been reloading for 25 years. Only been casting for 2 1/2 years and wish I had started long before. Have about 40 molds now, 2 more on the way from this sight. Need to quit looking at selling section and the noe molds on hand. Because I just can't seem to quit buying them. Have 1 son he is 20 out on his own for about 2 years now. He loves too shoot and hunt, but other things seem to be getting in his way at the moment ( female persuasion). Hopefully he will out grow it lol.

[bprifle01]

Guess I'll chime in. I turned 54 in Feb. Been reloading and casting for about 4 or 5 years. I did some shotshell reloading when I was 12 or 13. Been hunting since I turned 12 (state minimum) but I've "gone hunting" with my Pa since I was 6 (was my job to carry the squirrels).
I have three sons, ages 28, 29 & 30. Only the oldest is interested in guns and hunting. He and I hunted together since he was about 14. Has a CCL now. I gave him a bunch of reloading stuff and casting mold for his 45 ACP last Christmas when he was home (on leave from USAF-11 years in).:drinks:
I have a 3 year old granddaughter who loves to sit and "read" my hunting and guns magazines with me. She has to show me when the new ones come in the mail. She can name most of the North American big game animals when she sees them in the mags. I told her mother that here is going to be my hunting partner. Mother didn't like that too much. She's one of those BHL's (Bleeding Heart Liberals). I have pictures of her helping Grampa at the reloading bench. I'm not going to give up on her. She's going to be my hunting buddy!:twisted:

Bill:guntootsmiley:

[ColColt]

This past Valentine's Day I turned into an official old timer. I hit 65 and now have my Medicare card. I think the first weapon I ever fired(outside of my Grandpaw's 12 gauge at 12 years old) was my tour of duty in the Army. They didn't have M16's, at least we never saw any at that point, but I carried that 8-9 pound M14. Started reloading at 23 and casting at about 26. I have no family but my soon to be 7 year old Corgi and if that little fellow had fingers I'm sure he'd love to go to the range with me.

My ex-wife was horrified of guns or anything related. She once told me she was afraid they'd "shoot off" on their own. Amazing the stuff some people put in others heads. I never convinced her they were safe and she wouldn't even touch them. I've never trusted anyone who didn't like guns and dogs.:)

[Link23]

well im 24, and im going to medical school right now, but i have been reloading since i was 21 and shooting since i can remember i got my first marlin 60 when i was 8 (earliest dad could give me one) and im up to 5 model 60s now ive been casting for a little over a year and im still not good at it right now but i love it when i have time between 21 credits of med school 3/4 of the year
Link23

[Russ in WY]

Will be 75 this August, 1st cast in 1970/73 , then stopped for 40 yrs & have restarted in 2010. Just got my 1st Brass mold Fm Mihec & having a ball...Russ.

[Fredx10sen]

61 in November and reloading / casting well over half that time.

[metweezer]

64 in November. Just starting out in reloading/casting. This is truly a fantastic hobby.

[whd45]

67 in May. I started reloading at the age of 20 and got out of it when we started a family. Started reloading 10 years ago and just started casting.

[Beagler]

32, can't have kids. But really enjoy have the nieces and nephews over to shoot. Also all my adopted nieces and nephews (all my friends kids). All my n/p in W.V. learned how to shoot the cricket .22 using cb caps. the first kills where the thousands of chipmunks that raid our deer feeders. When they first started I told them I would give them a NICKLE for every munk they shoot. Boy did I put my foot in mouth!! Two days of chipmunk slaughter between 6 feeder sights I was pulling more than Nickels out of my pockets. Hillfolk kids can really shoot!!! They didn't want the money they wanted more ammo!! So more ammo and some candy/slimjims they where off for round two a couple weeks later.

[stana]

Too old, started casting in the early 1970's, '71 I think. To feed my addiction to IPSC (45apc), PPC (38 spec) and hunting (44 mag, 444 marlin, 270 win and .54 round balls). Now mostly I cast to shoot white rocks and sheep turds (30-30 & 30-06). My 3 boys shoot and hunt. My 3 girls all have S&W 38 spec. revolvers (from dad) all have shot since they were little.

[Ziptar]

I'm 44 and still new to casting compared to most here.

Back in may some of the guys from a local shooting forum held an all day bullet casting workshop at a local club.

They covered everything from smelting through lubing and sizing.


The turnout was excellent, 40-50 people came, quite a few young guys. I'd say interested has been rising for the last few years and casting is making a comeback.

[hes]

68 Back into casting for 5 years after a long layoff for work.

[TXGunNut]

I've been shredding AARP cards for 18 months now and have been loading almost 30 years, casting for two. I see a good spread of ages at the public range I frequent but know very few reloaders, let alone casters, outside of forums.

[beladran]

28. 1yo daughter.. I started casting with my dad when i was old enough to understand the silver stream will hurt you! Probably started reloading at about 8-10 with supervision then by the time i was 12ish i was going solo. Dad had this old as dirt Star loader for 45acp = ) i loved that machine. but someone thought they wanted more than us and stole it out of his truck

[Hometek]

About to turn 34 with a 9year old son, 6 year old daughter, 5 year old son, and a 1 year daughter. Starting casting round balls for my .50 cal muzzleloader when I was 15 or so. Started casting for pistol about 3 years ago.All my kids like to help reload. Especially my 6 year old girl. She will sit there and load cases in my Hornady LNL all evening long. And every time I'm cleaning guns she walks in the room and asks what that good smell is.

[Herb3]

43 here with a 16 yo daughter that enjoys shooting as much as I do. I have been reloading for years but just started casting my own boolits this summer

[dougader]

51 here. Started reloading in 1986 at 26 years of age, and then casting in 1989 so I could afford to shoot more, practice more, and compete more. Wow, I hadn't realized how many years I've been doing this...

[superior]

51 here. Reloading for 23 years, and casting for just a few. I'm still learning every day and am just beginning to get into shotgun casting and loading. I'll be after the black powder next.

[Gelandangan]

I'll be 22 a few times over come October :)

[BAGTIC]

69. Been casting since 1960.

[Dustinxxx]

28 with one 8 month old son, who will I.will teach all my shooting and casting knowledge onto

[Clinebo]

I'm 53. Starting reloading by helping my older brother on a Ideal 310 hand tool. (still have it) at around 8 or 9. Got an RCBS kit for X-mas from my Dad,and haven't looked back. Started casting my own about 16 yrs ago when I bought my 50-90 Shiloh Sharps. Now I make Boolits for my rifles and my revolvers. :cbpour:

[Castlead]

39. I have taught the art to 4 others, all under 30 who thought lead is bad and will destroy a gun. That is until I out shoot them and explain their faulty thinking. Happy to report they are all avid casters now, with one who cast more than I do! TEACH SOMEONE TODAY!

[Sixgun Symphony]

I am 43yo, going to be 44yo in a week. I started casting ball and bullets when I was 30yo.

:cbpour:

[Lonestar22]

Turned 70 in June.

[zuke]

45 and still leaning, but am starting to teach also!

[colt 357]

44 with a 14 yr son who is now learning the art of casting.

[waynem34]

I'm 40 years old ,I started learning from Dad when I was a very young buck.I think I got my first stuck case and bent decapping pin when I was 12 or 13 after school trying to size 22-250 brass before Dad got home from work.I sure do miss the ol man.Yall take care.P>S I have yet to cast a bullet but am currently scrounging lead for that purpose.I'm planing my first smelt when cooler weather prevails.

[josper]

I'l be 64 next month. I have been reloading since I was 14. I didn't get serious about casting until about a year ago. I did cast all my boolits for my muzzel loaders but I don't count that. I have a grandson that I am trying to get interested in hunting. We just finished a hunter safety course togeather.

[wcp4570]

64 this past June. Been casting since 1970. Shoot allot of pistol and about 90% of all pistol rounds sent down range are my cast. Not allot of rifle cast shooting but now that I'm retired I plan on changing that.

wcp

[JDUBS]

Turned 30 last month. And I intend to get all my younger friends casting and reloading too!

[claudester]

64 and growing! Started loading about two years ago, mainly for my hunting rifles. Now I am casting and reloading for just about everything I have.

[Gisli]

I am almost 59. Been casting on and off since 1971.

[hiram1]

65 and 2 grandsons and a wife that loves to shoot and reload.and one girl grandchild that may like it she is 7.we cast and load and have a big time .my wife goes to little rock some and she will call me and ask if i need powder or what befor she comes home. lots of help

[bnelson06]

31 and learning

[sharab85]

25 and have been casting off and on for 2 years. I love the help and support I have gotten from the shooting community both online and locally.

[tek4260]

32 with a 6 and 3 year old to pass the torch on to

[blackbike]

58, now. I got the boy of 37 helping.that`s good I don`t want all my equipment going to someone that don`t even know what it is.

[carlsonwayne]

42, and casting for over 20 years. Started reloading around 18 years old, and started casting to save money. I don't think I actually saved any, since it is so cheap and easy that I shoot more since beginning to cast. Sigh. I have 4 kids, 2 boys and 2 girls. I will teach them how to cast and reload, but they have had guns in hand since they could hold them.

[mpkunz]

52, 53 in January. Cast my first boolits with a mould I made myself at age 8 from an old pair of needle nosed pliers my dad had in the shop. I drilled 'em out with the right size bit on his drill press when he was not looking. :o) But really got seriously making lots of cast bullets about age 19, and haven't stopped since. 3 Kids, boy, girl, boy. Daughter got married in August. Oldest boy is a caster also. Younger one joins in with us when he feels left out.

Now the real question - How many deer have you killed in the last 10 years with cast boolits ? Answer: All but one of mine, and I average about 4 a year, and I shoot them with a custom wildcat 44 cal rifle with cartridges made from old 30-06 brass, and 460 grain lead boolits made with a LEE custom mould. The one oddball was an archery deer.

[Jal5]

60 and looking forward to retirement.
Both sons shoot and hunt as well as one son-in-law. My wife shoots my 22 pistol more than I do! Looking forward to teaching the grandkids how to shoot and hunt in a few more years.

[koehlerrk]

Well, I'll turn 35 this October. Been casting for two years now, and I'm hopelessly addicted to it!

My wife shoots, not as much as me, but enough, and she's just plain good. What's better is she buys me guns and ammo at times. Once time here she went to Walmart, and I was helping her bring bags of stuff in. One bag was small, and heavy! Opened it up, and there was two of the Federal bulk-packs of 22 ammo. "They were on sale", she said. Can't ever have enough 22 on hand, especially when I have three kids (15, 11, 10) that all shoot, all own their own rifles, and have all had safety beaten into them. Plus my son, (the 10 year old) gets just as fascinated as I do, melting lead and pouring it into a mold, and watching boolits come forth.

WE are the ones responsible for passing on our sport, folks. To date, I've taken 20+ kids and several adults and introduced them to how much fun shooting can be. Thats' probably been the most rewarding part of doing all this.

[mpkunz]

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.

Outstanding . Keep up the good work. I teach physics and am a hated public school teacher. Hated by the Conservatives and despised by the liberals I work with. My "colleagues" in the revisionist "history" department hate the fact that I always find ways to work Rule of Law into the physics curriculum.

[waksupi]

[QUOTE

Now the real question - How many deer have you killed in the last 10 years with cast boolits ? Answer: All but one of mine, and I average about 4 a year, and I shoot them with a custom wildcat 44 cal rifle with cartridges made from old 30-06 brass, and 460 grain lead boolits made with a LEE custom mould. The one oddball was an archery deer.[/QUOTE]


I believe all the deer, elk, bear, and buffalo I have shot in the past 10+ years have been with cast boolits!

[Linstrum]

I already posted my age but want to comment on how much game have I used cast boolits for. Unfortunately, none, even though about 99% of what comes out of my gun barrels I made one way or another. I have gone hunting plenty of times but it was always the other guy I was with who got the game. I haven't harvested any meat for probably 30 years, the last time was some cottontails with a .22RF. Deer/elk tags cost too much is the big reason why, and I of course don't poach. One of these days! (it will probably be an elk I'll get, with my dump truck!)

[Chrome1981]

Hello, my name is Claudio, i'm 30 and I'm getting married next Saturday, no children but I have a dog named Ser William.

[avogunner]

50. I started reloading in 1981 (.45 ACP initially) and casting in 1987 when I inherited a Lyman 358432 4 banger. Can't wait to retire for good (one more to get through college first) and then make a serious effort to use up my lead stash....

[Dirtdgger]

56 retired to my grandkids and cows. Just started casting bought a couple lee molds been working out the bugs. I got the lead bug everywhere I go I'm looking for lead. Got about 100lbs of Lino and mono 3 5gal buckets of ww. Pure lead been hard to find only about 50lbs. Still working the alloy mix been making Lyman #2 so far. Got in on some mihec group buys can't wait till I get them. Been spending a lot of time in the reloading room a lot of time. By the way has anyone seen my wife!

[happyfast79]

25 and i started reloading when i was 16 and spend most of my " spendin" money on guns or bullets or shootin related items, just started casting this year and love it! have a 25, 50 and 100 yard range out my back door.

[jwmprock]

65, retired, terminal cancer but feeling okay at the present. Cast first bullet at age 12 (cousin and I melted down silver coins (remember those?) and cast a few for his 44 special S&W back when it was really S&W. Shot crappy but fun. One son (rabid shooter), two daughters (one who packs an SP101 .357), one who isn't into guns. Two granddaughters, one just married, wedding present was an S&W 617 .22LR. Teaching son alll I know about casting, shooting, gunsmithing in the time remaining. He'll be the prime benficiary of my collection of 60 plus guns, some colllectors items, mostly shooters, specializing in long range, reach out and touch something (someone?) rifles, from .22/250 Ackley to 7mm STW, currently building two Savage target actions into long range varmint rigs. Cast for .44 Mag Bullberry Contender, .357 Mag Bullberry Contender and Ruger SP101, 9mm Browning HiPower, .218 Bee Bullberry Contender for an endless supply of plinking ammo, 30/06 for MI Garand, .308 for M14, my "liberated" national match rifle from US Army rifle teamm days, .380ACP for a couple of pocket pistols. Wife has CW permit, carries SP101 357 loaded with 110gr HP and max charges of 2400. She'll be keeping several guns, her 20 gauge Beretta shotguns, the SP101, a Beretta .22 pocket auto, Colt Mustang .380. Entire family is right wing rednecks, don't know how I managed to pull that off in this day and age. I used to get complaints from their teachers about their "ultra conservative, radical opinions." Proud to get those kind of complaints!

[NHGrumpyGramps]

62, I have been casting and reloading since my dad started me off at age 12. We used to have weekly casting/ reloading sessions every week and shot it up every weekend. We did that until I graduated from high school. I still have all of his molds and reloading equipment and still use it. My two kids (daugther and son) have also been shooters since they were young, but both have moved away and don't seem to have the time anymore. They have never gotten into casting and reloading but they do like to use up the ammo that dad makes. I plan to pass on all my guns and reloading stuff to them and hope that they will be able to pick up where I left off.

[marvelshooter]

54. I have been casting on and off for 15 years and really got going again recently. I don't cast to hunt. I am a Bullseye pistol shooter and we go through a lot of .45 ammo. I also am getting ready to start casting for an old Winchester .38-55 that my Dad left me.

[Crawdaddy]

50.5 , 6 kids , 6 grandchildren , 2 dogs, 2 cats and 7 fish. Oh and a saint for a wife.

Casting for 8 months.

[jfischer]

48 and I still remember when that seemed old. I have recently reconsiderd what is old and have come up with 70. Hopefully I will get the chance to reconsider one more time in my life.

[Longarm]

I'll be 30 in March. Shooting since I was 5, reloading about 2 years, started flirting with casting last winter.

[scattershot]

65, shooting since about age 6, reloading for about 35 years now, cast off and on. Getting back into it, though.

[altitude_19]

26. Been shooting 12 years. Reloading for 1.5. Casting for about 3 minutes. Just joined a local club where I am the youngest member.
As to why...
I socialize just fine with everyone at the club, from middle age to old-timer. I think there's a media gap. Word of mouth just isn't fast enough. Get a few more shooters on the internet, start an email newsletter, get a club facebook page, etc and you'll probably reach a few more young guns. Just a theory at this point.

[sharpshooter3040]

I am 53, been shooting since I was 5, deer hunting at 9,re-loading and casting since I was 10. My dad always believed the younger you learn something the better you retain it. I have three kids, 2 boys 28,24 both shoot, hunt and cast. One girl who casually shoots. All three taught at age 6

[7of7]

49,.. did a bunch of reloading for my dad when I was a kid, afterschool.. Dad did all the casting as he didn't want me playing with hot lead.. But then again, I was around 12 at the time..
Got back into it a couple years ago.. and have a nice small collection..

[ku4hx]

65 and retired since February, 2008. Been shootin' since 1959 and castin' and loadin' since 1970. My big retirement lesson: 24 hours in a day is just not enough time to do nothing.

[OnHoPr]

Around 53:?: Started shooting when I was five. Got my first licence at eleven. Started reloading about fifteen. Cast boolits for a local gun shop about fifteen. Reloaded basically my whole life, though there were sporadic eras and never any heavy duty reloading. I have never shot a deer with factory rifle ammo. Started casting .50cal RBs for myself in the late 80's. I began casting other boolits about three years ago for various guns. Casting boolits is:cool::coffee:[smilie=b::guntootsmiley::CastBoolitsisbest::target _smiley::smile:[smilie=w:;) and intriguing.


Ooops, Pardon me. I shot three deer about 25years ago, 1 with a 7x57 and 2 with a .270 with factory ammo.

[spddrcr]

37 started reloading a couple years ago and casting a couple months ago. can't remember a time when i didn't shoot. My dad started me out early and it seems to have developed into a lifelong activity. started shooting USPSA matches a few years ago and spend the majority of my shooting time either practicing for that or shooting those matches.

When not shooting or practicing for matches i take my 2 sons to the range to shoot rifles, and my older son is just getting into pistols but is only 10 at this time so is limited in what pistols he can shoot. With that said i definitely think there is starting to be a separation of what is looked at as good VS bad in the schools these days. my wife teaches 4th grade and is constantly telling people that guns are just another tool and can be dangerous just like any tool that is not used the right way.

the other thing i see is that kids who are not growing up around guns tend to glamorize them more due to video games and movies then kids who shoot on a regular basis. Now mind you im not blaming the video games and movies but you take something that a kid has been told is bad his whole life and put it in front of him and the first thing he is going to do is play with it. I blame parents more then anything.

[44wcf]

67 been casting bullets longer than I can remember.

[jlm223]

47 years old, I have been reloading for three years, very addicted would like to learn how to cast my own boolits, seems like the right thing to do.

[Keith429421]

I'll turn 50 this coming Monday.
I started reloading shotgun shells with my dad and brother when I was 9 or so. Started casting with my dad a few years after that.
I'm a retired firefighter after 22 years of service.
I went back to shook at 40 to get my teaching degree. Still putting out spot fires haha.
Love going out and shooting!

[wgaynor]

I am 33 y/o Army vet. with 2 kiddo's. My Father-in-law introduced me to reloading 4 years ago and gave me my first press, dies, book, and components. I then picked up casting because I'm cheap and introduced it to him.

[LAH]

61 a couple weeks ago. Loading & casting since '73 & still love it.

[Newtire]

61 and proud of having raised a couple of gun shooting kids. Together, we have converted many a non-shooter. One guy bought a gun on Gunbroker on his way back home after shooting clay pigeons for the first time. Now he has 2 shotguns.

[huntnman]

60 retired,reloading since 1976.Casting since 1986.Two grown kids daughter and a son,both shoot when they can.That is when they find my [spare] ammo.But they always buy components,new reloading gismo, or what ever is on my wish list for gifts.

[lister]

55, started shooting round 10, bought first rifle age 17 (me not the rifle, it was older) started reloading at the same time and casting bullets at 25

[Rod B]

Turned 67 last month. I have been shooting since I was twelve years old. I started reloading in the early'80s & bullet casting a year or two later.

[Dorado]

I'm 26 I started shooting at about 5 with a bb gun then went to shotguns at 9. I've been shooting ever since. I'm currently teaching my nephew how to shoot and handle guns. Little snot's actually pretty good at it. lol I took up reloading 2 years ago and just took up casting. I'm addicted to it and not looking for a cure.

[Bullet Caster]

60 and a partially disabled Vietnam vet & former Marine Sgt. Ooooh Rahhh! I've been around firearms since my daddy let me take his .22 Stevens out at probably 8 years old. Not to mention my military training with a rifle. In bootcamp we shot the M-14 and after boot had to return and qualify with an M-16. Since Vietnam, you can keep the M-16 and it civilian version AR-15. I have 2 AK-47s and an M1 Garand plus my smokepole and BP pistol. I'll take an AK anyday over an M-16--didn't like the little plastic rifle then and don't like it now. Why would I want a high power .22 rifle? Give me a 30 cal. anyday.

If the world don't end in the next couple of years, I plan on adding a 30 cal. pistol to my collection--CZ 52 if I can find one.

[happyfast79]

60 and a partially disabled Vietnam vet & former Marine Sgt. Ooooh Rahhh! I've been around firearms since my daddy let me take his .22 Stevens out at probably 8 years old. Not to mention my military training with a rifle. In bootcamp we shot the M-14 and after boot had to return and qualify with an M-16. Since Vietnam, you can keep the M-16 and it civilian version AR-15. I have 2 AK-47s and an M1 Garand plus my smokepole and BP pistol. I'll take an AK anyday over an M-16--didn't like the little plastic rifle then and don't like it now. Why would I want a high power .22 rifle? Give me a 30 cal. anyday.

If the world don't end in the next couple of years, I plan on adding a 30 cal. pistol to my collection--CZ 52 if I can find one.

Just traded one of my cz 52 for a sig p220, also i have a 45 cal ar15 , its a hoot

[latesvak]

34- Been casting and reloading for a bout a year now and just dove all in . Love it and learn something new everyday here.


latesvak

[RegCom7]

I'm 43 and have been casting for 3 or 4 years. Been reloading for about 10.

[Mossy Nugget]

49, raised super-liberal, never was allowed to touch a G-word growing up, so naturally rebelled later in life. Been hunting and shooting since early '90s. Been shooting a whole lot more since 9X18 Makarov went from $26.89 a box at the range to $3.40 a box at my shed out back. (Thank You Cast Boolits!) The second of three sons shoots also. Consistently kicks my butt in clays. The first went to college an agnostic and returned a nihilist, last is a bit young yet... but we'll see.

[sabot_round]

I'm 41. I've been reloading for over 15 years and casting for about 5 years.

[LtFrankDrebbin]

35, tryed to start casting at 20 for a 32/20wcf. Lack of Knowledge and info back then. Life got in the way. Started casting again last year for a 25/20wcf, much better now days with a wealth of knowledge at ur fingertips.
Thanks internet
Thanks Cast Boolits!

[Snowbelt]

57, Semi retired, and blessed to be able to work when I want. Started casting for the old smoke pole years ago, but within the last couple of years, have started casting for 45 ACP and Colt, with 357 being the other caliber. Found so much good information on the website, that I am on it every day! Daughter and Wife shoot occasionally, which is good enough; otherwise I would need to buy more lead!

[newcastter]

I am 31 and I started shooting around 15yrs of age and just started reloading in 2009 and was instantly hooked on "saving money" I started casting the summer of 2011 and started swaging a month after casting, I enjoy every aspect of it and will be teaching my 2yr old son when he is old enough. It is amazing how much you can spend in order to save some money...

[Heath2]

I am 28, I've been shooting for as long as I can remember but I just started reloading and casting this year. I've got three kids working their way into shooting. My three year old daughter got to shoot for the first time last month. I had to help her hold it up. My oldest is always asking to go with, even if he doesn't get to shoot. Hes nine, he even likes sitting there watching me clean them and while I'm reloading. I'm hoping I can keep them all interested in it.

[contender1]

I'm 53 and I do as much as I can to introduce youngsters to shooting. We do NRA WOT clinics, and I teach the BSA shooting program. We need more folks involved in getting new shooters introduced to the sport.

[dmitch]

63 yrs old, started casual casting at about 22 to feed the 45 ACP for competitive indoor and outdoor matches, now have molds and load lead for every firearm in the vault (except the 25-06)..........cal. 22,24,30,35,44,and 45 plus 3 different RB molds.
Even cast and loaded my own 12 ga slugs 20 yrs ago before it was easy, just to prove I could take a deer with them. Casting and lead bullets seem to keep me humble by teaching me something new each and every year.

[Mooseman]

I'm so Old I still have My first stone knife...and I just ate the last of the mastodon Steaks !!!:veryconfu

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

turned 62 last September. Been a shooter as long as I can remember, started casting in HS.
I cast from 22 caliber thru my ten bore double rifle.

Rich

[LenH]

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

I can't stop laughing. Only because I was in the same boat. Believe me I was in my 40's before chest hair made a showing.

55 and been loading and casting since my late teens. I have a wonderful mentor
who showed me the ropes. He passed away in 09. I miss that ole guy.

[Reverend Recoil]

7 1/2 in dog years. My wife swears I'm still 6. I started reloading and bullet casting in 1978.

[mud lake]

funny how you git to braggin' 'bout being old. I am 75 and amazed at obtaining that ripe ol' age, considering how I've mistreated my body - when I was younger, that is!!

[rak1]

69 and retired. Youngest shoots when he can and daughter shoots in the Air Force. Been around gun most of my life but only started casting and reloading this year.

[parkerhale1200]

I have a wonderful mentor to, that showed me the ropes when i was 13, he still casts reloads and shoot on the damm target, i grand him with many more years to come.
Maybe i can/must pay him back, when he is getting older, with LOL.

I'm turning 35 in feb, still dont have any kids, but a good shooting wife of 24.
I played with airguns when i was 4, turning 9 i shot some fire arms.
At the age of 12 i started with that man reloading, a year after that i started casting.
In those 20 years a casted a lot and now i am in for a little swaging, but casting is in my blood....... its an addiction

kind regards parkerhale

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

47 here, started casting last winter. Reloading since I was 12.

[themighty9mm]

26, havnt cast a thing as of yet. Will be soon though. Been reloading now for over 2 years, shooting since I was 12 or 13.

[daschnoz]

36. Started reloading in 1999. Started casting in the spring of 2010 for my rock lock. The habit/hobby has only gotten worse since.

[Linstrum]

- - - The habit/hobby has only gotten worse since.

Heh, heh, heh, that is the lament of every caster! But we just keep doin' it anyway!



rl 1064

[mktacop]

I'm 44 and just got back into shooting after 20 years in the Air Force. Started reloading last July, and have taken the plunge into casting in the last month.

[Lefty SRH]

I'm 37, been shooting since I was a highschool freshman. Started reloading back in 1998 and started casting 3-4 months ago.

[Texantothecore]

62 in a few weeks. I started shooting at 47 with muzzleloaders and have been reloading cartridges for 6 years. Just recently started casting my own boolits.

I learned to shoot at the age of 8, but my mother would not speak to my dad for a week after he taught me. So I am trying to make up for the time lost.

I teach as many people as possible to shoot. Casting helps me to be able hand a kid $200.00 worth of .45-70 and watch his eyes go wide as the trigger is pulled. I have mostly taught over the last two or three years and it is time for me to get back onto the range for my own enjoyment.

[dsbock]

42 (43 come May) and my younger God-Daughter just did a research paper on the NRA for her high school class.

I've been into guns since I can remember. Learned to shoot with a single shot, bolt action rifle at summer camp. I've been reloading for about 8 years and just started getting into bullet casting recently.

David

[Adler1]

Turning 34 this year, I have a 4yr old and 2yr old. My hope is to pass on to them my love for shooting and hunting.

[midnight]

I'll be 70 this May. Did a little reloading back in the 50s in high school but didn't load a lot til I shot in a trap league in the 70s. Have only been reloading and casting for metallics since early 90s after the boys got out of med school. But I really made up for lost time. Must have 100 molds by now.

Bob

[aarolar]

Just turned 23 this past Friday and am just beginning to start casting and am catching a good bit of flack about it but I was always a leader and not a follower...

[palmettosunshine]

47. Just started reloading last year and casting this year.

[ricklaut]

47... I've been reloading for about 2 years and just started casting this week (!). But, I've lurked here for quite a while learning what I need to learn to get started.

[mstarling]

Just realized I hadn't chimed in on this thread. Will be 66 in May. Retired. Started reloading in 1967 and casting in 1968.

Have three sons. One had no interest. One was the captain of the Coast Guard Academy rifle team. Retired. And one who has one of those military jobs you don't talk about.

Shot IPSC with the one son and my wife. Still have carry permits.

Broke in a new mold yesterday.

[LAH]

I'll be 70 this May. Did a little reloading back in the 50s in high school but didn't load a lot til I shot in a trap league in the 70s. Have only been reloading and casting for metallics since early 90s after the boys got out of med school. But I really made up for lost time. Must have 100 molds by now.

Bob

100 molds..................Got it bad.

[twkilmer]

hi been lurking a few years. Im 53 3 kid 11,16&17, all shoot thank god.
reloaded since 1981 .own a few wildcat guns.8mm-06 and 30 herret super 14.
getting ready to start casting .got about all i need in supplies to cast for my 44 mags.learning so much from this site ,thanks to everyone here that passes on their craft to us new to this.
tk

[Grandpas50AE]

I can't stop laughing. Only because I was in the same boat. Believe me I was in my 40's before chest hair made a showing.

I'll be 61 in April, and still don't have chest hair; I guess it's the 1/16 Cherokee genes or something.

Started reloading shotgun shells to hunt with in 1966, metallic cartridges when I came home from overseas in 1972. Started casting in 1974. Have taken a few deer with CB, some with muzzleloaders, some with various rifles using CB (45/70 mostly). Have passed the shooting passion on to both step-sons (38 and 35 respectively), but I don't think either will do a lot of casting until I'm not around to do it any more. :groner:

To those teachers earlier in this thread, keep up the good work of bucking the "indoctrination system", which is pretty much what public "education" has become as far as I can see.

When I started there was no internet, and no PC's, not even cell phones. Getting books about shooting, hunting, and especially casting at the public library was difficult at best (as the social engineering had already gotten underway by the late 60's). Most of what I started with were the reloading and casting manuals at the local gun stores where I bought my relaoding supplies.

I have learned much here, and appreciate the younger folks picking up the passion. Thanks CastBoolits for being here.

[Net_Ranger101]

27 with two girls 5 and 6 not only are they my helpers while reloading they pick up my brass for me hehehe and yes i have them wash their hands extremely well bolth already have there very first b-b bun :)

[Danderdude]

24 here.

I was reading this forum several hours a week for many months before even buying a press, and am proud to say that my first reload was a beautifully hand-crafted masterwork of lead that hit its target at 100 yards. Of course, it was from a K-31, so that's not saying much...

I want to thank all the veterans around here for sharing their knowledge with those of us who don't get taught how to cast by friends or family. I've identified no less than 20 things I would have tried and failed at if I had winged it.

[ghh3rd]

I am 58.5 yrs old and have been casting and reloading for only two years or so. I've always loved to shoot. Before I started, all I shot were .22's, lots, and lots of .22's. Now I own and cast and reload .38, .40, .44 Mag, 45-70's and I even started hunting.

Unfortunately, I can hardly get my 14 yr old son to go to the range - he says it's boring! When I was his age I would have been in heaven if my father shot and wanted me to shoot or reload ammo with him. Maybe he'll come around if he get bored with his $%^@ video games [smilie=b:

I wish I had started when I was 28, or 18! I had no idea that this hobby even existed. I think it's a great idea to expose young 'uns to this hobby, so perhaps they can get started before they're 58.

[Scramjet]

I'm 48 belong to a local gun club and tapped the old timers for what they know about casting. After a full winter of casting for one guy he asked me since I just casted him everything he will ever need would I be interested to buy all his stuff.

At that point I have introduced to my dad (retired mail man) how to cast, he's hooked. So every winter we cast 45colt, 44mag, 44spcl, 41mag, and 357. For me it is a learn as you go lesson (also with reloading all this) which keeps me on my toes. Summer shooting has become something special doing load development vs. just shooting!

It's All Good And All Fun!

Tom

[rak1]

I will be 70 in July. Reloaded in the 60s but just started in shooting again last year. Reloading and casting now. One son that likes to shoot, one son that is on the fence, and a daughter that loves to shoot however the goverment pays for her amo as she is in the Air Force.

[Hamish]

51, casting off and on about 15 years.

This thread has been going for almost FOUR YEARS.

[bsczar1]

41. Got back into reloading earlier this year, and am now I am just getting ready to begin casting.

[Morroad8]

Im 23, got into shooting "real" guns 1.5 years ago, reloading since about 1.3 years ago, and casting since 1/23/12 :)

Most people think im crazy for having the thought of shooting a wheelweight that was on a car because im "killing my barrel", but we all know they are misinformed. Took me a while before I took the plunge into this new hobby...and I must say, it is weird that I like casting alot more than shooting!

Be SAFE says the Occupational Safety Guy that casts lead boolits = myself :)

[WilNsc]

With the price of ammo continuing to go up and the economy still going down, I bet alot more shooters start casting. It's one of the main reasons I got into it. It get's way too expensive to shoot 500+ rounds a week using all factory or plated ammo.

[TJF1]

Just turned 73 been casting and reloading
since 1960 load about 30 calibers cast for
all pistol and some rifle.

[snglstack]

Almost 62. Started in '68 casting .58 rouind balls for my Navy Arms Buffalo Hunter (basically a short Zuave), then a Hawken. Melting lead on the stove in a little frying pan and pouring directly into mold. No electricity back then, nor running water for that matter. That TC Hawken accounted for a lot of meals is those days. Then, centerfires started showing up in my collection...I don't even know what all I have these days, hehehe. But lotsa molds in the .30, .32, .38, .44, and .45 ranges...oh, and maxiballs, and I think a minie ball mold somewhere as well. Turned cold today or I'd be castin right now instead of writing this!!!

[glassparman]

48 but who's counting!

Got all my Dad's old stuff from the 60s and 70s . . . why not use it :-o

[castshooter-too]

turn 56 in april have been shooting and loading since early seventies.
started cast boolits about 15 yrs ago. first mould 266469 for my 6.5x55.
now have added 10 more moulds and use them all. need one for my 358 win.

[popper]

Pushing 70, better than pushing daisies. Got 'retired' 2 yrs ago. Wife wouldn't let me buy a kayak so I bought a gun instead 3 yrs ago and started shooting. Started casting last week. Have to have something to keep the brain from turning to mush. Oh, shot a shotgun and 22 once when a teen, M1 for a day in the service. Other hobby is fly-fishing, playing bass and guitar. Unfortunately I always lived in the big city but love the Colorado mountains.

[bullpen7979]

Coming up on 46. Four grandkids. Just got into casting and the fine art of procuring buckets of wheel weights from various places last year.....

Four sons having four varying levels of interest in the shooting sports.
A daughter who probably falls somewhere in the middle of her brothers.

[HardColt]

58, and not complaining. Just hope I can retire soon and just sit and cast/reload/shoot. But unfortunately, kids are in college and need to provide until they are both on their own. Love the grand daughter tho, she is a barrel of fun. Too bad only have a month a year to spend with them.

[shootinxd]

52 yrs young.I feel like a kid most days.I love casting, shootin 3 gun matches,and mountain biking.Wife got a good laugh when I started riding a bike.My moto days are gone.

[KevH]

28

Been shootin since I was 12 years old. Been reloading since 21 years old. I'm just getting started casting.

[shooter1059]

51, no kids

[Alan in Vermont]

62 here. Three children and four grandchildren. Getting back into shooting after too many years making excuses for not doing it instead of making time TO do it. One granddaughter who may be interested enough to turn into a shooter.

[nwellons]

66 and have been reloading about 2 years now. My son, 28, is just starting.

Most of my reloads are BP cartridges.

[cf_coder]

41, three kiddos. Started shooting when I was 12, then it kinda dropped off till I hit college. Started reloading 4 years ago (thanks Obama!) and I'm starting casting this year. I hope to pass on some of this knowledge to the kiddos. My dad did a terrible job with that...

Cheers,

[boltons75]

I'm 36, have a 13 year old daughter, who has her own 10/22 and h&r 20 gauge slug gun. She shoots all of my guns very well, hunts and enjoys it all.

Always carry, never tell.

[.22-10-45]

59 in May, ran my first round ball for 51' navy Colt on an old cast iron range, back in late winter 69'.

[Nate1778]

33 although I started casting around 30.......

[nyviking67]

Will be 45 this July. Just started casting. Just got pistol permit this year. Waiting on my new Kimber to be put on my NYS license. (first gun). Just came home from local gun show with new 12 guage Mossberg for the wife (her first firearm). My 11 year old is very interested and will be smelting & casting with me. He will be participating in airgun event at local gun club in 2 weeks (1st time); but that is cause he can't shoot .22 until 12yrs old and larger caliber till 14 yrs old; at this particular pistol range. We also will be going up with neighbors to upstate NY property to shoot some more this summer; that's where he'll get more experience. LOL. So I guess you can say my wife and I are a little late to the "party"; so to speak; but I am not making that mistake with my 11 yr old. My 4 yr old; he will have to wait. My 16 yr old daughter not interested as of yet; but I'm not giving up on her just yet...lol.
Tim:smile:

[nickE10mm]

I'm 33.... been shooting since I was about 7, reloading for a couple years and not casting yet. That will change once I buy our first house. :)

[Shedhunter]

I'm 32 and started casting last summer. Started reloading only a couple years or so ago but have been shooting ever since my grandpa started me shooting pigeons in the barn with the old Red Ryder.

[ShooterAZ]

52 here, I just started boolit casting this year. I have been shooting & reloading since I was 21. Can't believe I waited this long to try my hand at casting.