Has the downsizing started?

[dverna]

It seems a number of long time members are selling off stuff...especially molds. Many items are as new or never used.

It makes me wonder if they are going through what happened to me a few years ago when I began shedding stuff I was not using. I did not need the money, but realized many "projects" were not important anymore and would never get done. And even if I completed the project, it had far less value to me than when I had conceived it.

In my case, it started with "useless" calibers and moved down through dies, presses and molds. Even before Covid, I was shooting less. Now, with current component prices, shooting is much less affordable.

It seems there is less activity in mold group buys as well. I have four GB molds I have never used, and I suspect I am not alone. Just checked the MP site and many molds are on sale. I wonder if his orders have taken a dip.

I suppose it is good news for those starting out. It is a good time to fill in those "holes". But it is also a bit sad to see guys selling stuff and realizing I am part of the decline.

[Springfield]

It is only sad if they are selling items they can use. Selling off useless items is a good deal and might even motivate the person to start a project they might finish as they now have more room and some money. It has worked for me.

[Four-Sixty]

I see some of the prices items are fetching and wonder if some Folks are "cashing out", or selling high while things are still crazy.

[Hannibal]

I sold my property a few years ago and I can't locate a public range that suits me anywhere. Can't decide if I want to spend the $$$ for an acreage for a new private range or not. I certainly don't need more to take care of. If I decide I'm not going to then I may as well start selling things. I see no sense in keeping stuff around if I don't use it.

[ShooterAZ]

I don't think it's necessarily all downsizing. A lot of new reloading items still remain unavailable right now, so I think a lot of guys are capitalizing on this. They are able to get top dollar because of the current situation. That's my take on it anyway.

[Shawlerbrook]

Probably a combination of all the reasons given above. It is a sellers market . That plus the fact that as a group we are getting long in the tooth. I recently continued a rifle build project that I started 30 years ago . I do agree with dverna as far as projects goes. Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.

[G W Wade]

Sometimes interests change. Myself I (70 +) find myself with more stuff than I feel I can use GW

[Winger Ed.]

I've been thinning out guns & reloading stuff for a few years now.
It's items I no longer use, and guns I don't shoot any more.
I'm glad to get them back into circulation to someone who wants and will use them.

If I don't, most of the guns would end up in a pawn shop, and the other tools & gear will end up----
"Hmm,, I wonder what this is", and get thrown away.

[GhostHawk]

Not happening here, not yet. But I can see that another 5 years or so might put me in that group.

Between Covid, decreasing energy levels I don't shoot anywhere near as much as I did even 2 years ago.

I don't know that I will ever sell molds. Once a tool is bought, learned, adjusted to. It remains a viable tool. A .30 caliber mold can be used in many guns.
I don't see myself ever selling off even a majority of my guns, much less all. Just rubs against the grain. I blame it on my Scotch heritage.

My dad pinched penny's, his could make a nickle scream, and his dad was twice as bad as all 3 rolled together.
As my wife likes to say "That apple didn't fall far from the tree, its still stuck in the roots!"

[farmbif]

well could be any number of reasons, but the shortage of stuff seems to have brought a whole new crowd of young bucks eager, willing and wanting to learn.
it also seems there are some folks that join forums recently just to try to be able to get some hard to find components because they know that there are some old timers that saw these hard times coming from a mile off.

[FISH4BUGS]

I sold a bunch of my unused Hensley & Gibbs moulds from my collection to fund a pristine 1930's 32/20 S&W Hand Ejector purchase, then the moulds and dies and brass.....
I paid more for the handgun than I should have paid, but then I made money on the sale of the moulds, so it kind of came out in the wash.
I am about ready to do the same again to build a 9mm PTR SBR.
I view it as a "reallocation of assets". :)

[farmbif]

another thing things comes to mind too. there are group buy mold ive bought and a couple never yet used. back before miha had a web site a group buy was the only chance you had to get one of his molds and the opportunity only became available maybe once. and you still had to wait a year or more to get it. but now as ive come to realize for example I dont need to shoot cast bullets out of the ar, and have yet to even heat up the beautiful brass 225-75 4 cavity mold that looks like a piece of art. but back when it was a first offered it was either sign up and get it or you may not ever have the chance again to get one.
I'm sure there are others that did what I did and got in on group buys and have used the molds infrequent or never. but there are some that get used a lot for me anyway two come to midnight off the bat, the 359-125 and the 503 clone in hp

[Beagle333]

I'm selling a few molds too, and as you say, it's mostly unused ones from Group Buys that I jumped on and either I never tried them, or I used them once and they weren't as good as the favorite I was already using. And I did sell a few Stars. I really only need two of them for some bevel base boolits that I like. I had rather use the old Lymans for my plain base Keith boolits, and I do powdercoat quite a bit, along with using Ben's Liquid Lube, so now that I've thought about it, I should probably thin some more. I do watch the Group Buys and the sales and I did buy a new NOE mold last year from them and picked up a couple on S&S forum, but I have thinned more than I bought.

[bayjoe]

Yeah i've been thinking about selling excess J-Words that i have. I know i will never use as many as i have. Got most of them at real good prices over the years. Just haaven't got around to it yet.

[Winger Ed.]

Yeah i've been thinking about selling excess J-Words that i have..

Now is a good time if ya are going to.
About this time last year I took in 900 American Eagle .223s. The LGS's first offer was $750.
And I sold 500 of 80's era German surplus 7.62 that was Berdan primed for $500.
After I got back into reloading, I was never going to shoot any of them.

I traded out for a Golden Boy, and a unfired MK1, plus a arm load of other needful things.
With a hefty markup, our local guy sold almost all of it in 3-4 days.

[john.k]

Ive got a few molds that just dont work properly....after every tweak imaginable,bullets just dont fall....others are single cavity ,which is just painful to use.....All go to those who need them.....or are buying to hoard.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

SNIP>>>

I suppose it is good news for those starting out. It is a good time to fill in those "holes". But it is also a bit sad to see guys selling stuff and realizing I am part of the decline.

If I am one of the guys you are refering to, as I have posted a wheelbarrow full of stuff in the last month. Truth is, I actually started the downsizing in 2015 when I held a gun Auction and sold 3/4 of my gun collection. My reason? I had always been a shooter and scoffed at collectors. As 2015 approached, I came to see I was shooting much less and I seemingly became a collector, and then I decided a change was in order. The Auction was designed to eliminate calibers, so I could eliminate caliber specific accessories and tooling. Since the auction, I've been selling in fits and bursts...just when I felt like it, not wanting the downsizing to take over my life...especially in the summer.

I'm getting pretty close to where I want to be ...maybe?

[Winger Ed.]

I'm getting pretty close to where I want to be ...maybe?

3-4-5 years ago, I thought so too. After the big safe clean out and sell off:
So far, I've limited myself to only buying three guns, two new molds, a new Hornady progressive, and single stage press.
All things considered, I think I'm doing pretty good.

[dverna]

another thing things comes to mind too. there are group buy mold ive bought and a couple never yet used. back before miha had a web site a group buy was the only chance you had to get one of his molds and the opportunity only became available maybe once. and you still had to wait a year or more to get it. but now as ive come to realize for example I dont need to shoot cast bullets out of the ar, and have yet to even heat up the beautiful brass 225-75 4 cavity mold that looks like a piece of art. but back when it was a first offered it was either sign up and get it or you may not ever have the chance again to get one.
I'm sure there are others that did what I did and got in on group buys and have used the molds infrequent or never. but there are some that get used a lot for me anyway two come to midnight off the bat, the 359-125 and the 503 clone in hp

Hey....I bought that same 75 gr mold in six cavity and never used it. Then got a second set of blocks because there had been an error in producing the first set. It is unused too! Ended up buying Hornady 55 gr SP bulk bullets (IIRC 6000 for $420) and never bothered to cast.

[Outer Rondacker]

I have considered selling off a lot of stuff. But it brings me joy to just sit in my reloading room and look a some of it. So for me not yet. I fear if something doesnt give I will not have an option.

[dverna]

If I am one of the guys you are refering to, as I have posted a wheelbarrow full of stuff in the last month. Truth is, I actually started the downsizing in 2015 when I held a gun Auction and sold 3/4 of my gun collection. My reason? I had always been a shooter and scoffed at collectors. As 2015 approached, I came to see I was shooting much less and I seemingly became a collector, and then I decided a change was in order. The Auction was designed to eliminate calibers, so I could eliminate caliber specific accessories and tooling. Since the auction, I've been selling in fits and bursts...just when I felt like it, not wanting the downsizing to take over my life...especially in the summer.

I'm getting pretty close to where I want to be ...maybe?

JonB,
I recall your auction and understand completely. I started "thinning my herd" about 15 years ago. I had a lot of "useless" calibers and guns that I had never or rarely shot. There are more to get rid of this year.

The gyrations of the last two years have made me realize the new reality. What I imagined was a lifetime supply is actually more than I need. Prepping for SHTF based on what I thought I might need 20 years ago has changed as my horizon gets closer. Plus, I am too frugal (cheap) to burn up $100/k primers to punch holes in paper or ring steel. I can shoot more for less with air guns.

I retired 9 years ago and the "projects" I thought would interest me when I had more time dropped off the radar. There are molds I have never used and may never use. At the same time, I moved to northern MI. Boxing and hauling all that stuff was an eye opener.

The big wakeup call was about 6 years ago. I offered my son one of the Dillon 1050's and he did not want it. Offered him one of the 550's (thinking the 1050 was too much machine for him) and he did not want it either.
When I "go upstairs", he might want some guns, but he has no interest in the rest of the stuff.

Yes, you are one of the guys that triggered this thread but there are others. It hit me because I have seen them on this site for a long time. There is a certain sadness in seeing other old timers I have learned from winding things down. That is compounded when I surmise some are in the same boat as I...no one to pass things on to.

[Mr Peabody]

Sometimes interests change. Myself I (70 +) find myself with more stuff than I feel I can use GW

I can agree with that. Seems to be the same rifle and shotgun that get used

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Everything remains relative in value. For example, if you bought a used Win. '94 .30-30 in 1980 you might have paid $300. You can probably sell it today for $650 and think you made a killing, but it will cost you at least that to replace it tomorrow if you change your mind; and next year $750. Inflation raises the sticker price on everything, but the values of this to that remain relatively constant.

I've always been very certain that I wouldn't regret selling something before parting with it, as I might never get another like it.


DG

[farmbif]

guy I used to work with that built an empire and had more money than he could ever spend taught me a lot but one thing that comes to mind here is never get married to anything but a woman. stuff comes and goes and you better off selling than hanging onto stuff you dont never use.

[myg30]

guy I used to work with that built an empire and had more money than he could ever spend taught me a lot but one thing that comes to mind here is never get married to anything but a woman. stuff comes and goes and you better off selling than hanging onto stuff you dont never use.

Farmbif, some might want to disagree with that thought. I don’t know of any rifle, pistol or shotgun that cheated on me or wanted a divorce ! None of them took my money but I’ve spent money on most of them. Lol

Dverna, I agree lots of the folks that were on here and active casters n shooters that helped me learn the hobby back when I joined are now deceased, off the web or just fell out of touch.
I too need to seriously think about downsizing and parting ways with “ stuff “ I no longer use or unable to use. Recoil is not my friend anymore but,..... I enjoy seeing a friend or ex coworker cringe when pulling the trigger on a magnum that’s new to them.

Mike

[Texas by God]

If you haven't used it, held it, or thought about it in 5 years- you don't need it. Let it go.
My "5 year plan to avoid hoarding".

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[lightman]

I guess I'm another one of those guys. I retired in 2015 unexpectedly due to health problems. (MS) I started cleaning out my closet, sock drawers, ect. Knives, belt buckles, surplus hunting clothes, ect. I offered everything to the boys and sold the rest. Then I started on my loading room and shop. I sold the reloading equipment that was duplicates or stuff I no longer had the need for. In 2020 I sold about a dozen guns. Once again I offered them to the boys. And they wanted a few of them. I'm still sitting on most of that money, with the plans to buy a few other guns that interest me.

[Nobade]

I am in the middle of moving. What a wake up call! I had no idea I owned so much stuff. Once I get settled in the new place I am going to start actively trying to sell off what I don't need, which is most of what is there. Being active in competitions for years has led to accumulating a lot which really doesn't have much use in my new world. I don't know any younger people to give stuff to, so I may as well sell it off while I am still alive so nobody has to deal with it once I'm gone.

[remy3424]

If I am lucky enough to see the sunset coming, I will try to clean things out then, hope I see it a year or 2 before it is here....or I hope to start once the interest fades or my mobility fades. I need to post a few loads of stuff now that I know I will not need or use.

[megasupermagnum]

I'm on the other side, still growing a collection, so maybe I can shed some light on some things. I do make full use of used items, and I'm not sure how that is going to effect the market going forward. I know a bunch of us younger guys do the same thing. Why would I buy some Chinese junk when someone is selling a good old USA made item for 1/2 the price? As for the group buys, I think they are on the way out. We are at a place today there's not much reason to wait for a mold. I can have anything my mind can imagine to my door in no time with Accurate. It is sad to see Mountain go, but between Accurate and Arsenal, we are not short on custom molds. NOE now has one heck of a collection of designs for HP molds. Lee molds are better than ever, and still dirt cheap. I've tried multiple times to get in on a group buy, but MP has utterly failed. What used to be a long wait is now a 2-3-4+ year fiasco. I won't put up with that. You can praise them all you want, but Erik can have a custom hollow point mold on your step in just a few weeks. Group buys are simply outdated.

[dale2242]

A long time friend told me that if you don`t use it in 3 years you don`t need it.
I recently took my wife to my loading room to give her some idea the value of what I have in there.
She said that she had no idea of the value of my loading equipment and supplies.
I was quite shocked at the value myself.
I just turned 80 and need to downsize even more than I already have.

[bedbugbilly]

Interests change, personal circumstances change and for many, like myself . . . you get older. I have way too many molds, dies, etc. and this next summer will be thinning a lot of things out at some point. If I was young, then maybe I would hang on to things, but I shoot a lot less than what I used to, have lost some shooting buddies and life is a lot simpler when you don't have a lot of stuff to worry about. If something happens to me - it falls on my wife to have to dispose of it and why should I put that burden her?

[Rich/WIS]

Have the same issue, getting old (71) and one son is not into shooting. My other son is to some extent but has limited opportunity. He reloads but will he ever become a caster, who knows. Was going through my man cave and wonder, do I need nine powder measures, two scales (one Hornady NIB), mold handles for molds I don't have and don't plan to buy blocks for? And like others who posted find I am not able to shoot as much as before (arthritis) or walk for miles hunting. Thinking the time has come to get real and thin out my pile.

[CWME]

For me the drive to sell is to fund a new dream. I feel as though I sold the molds I have listed to date at reasonable prices. IE what I paid for them or what the HP service would have cost me. I have so much stuff that I was about out of room. I need to learn to let go of the old dream to fund and make room for the new one.

I sold stuff to help purchase a milling machine. Its been a need/want for a very long time. Finally decided that I had to sacrifice stuff to make it happen or it never would.

New mill will be here tomorrow.

[farmbif]

now selling to fund--whatever--ive thought about that. if primers hit $1 each im selling all but a 22 a 30-30 and a 12 gauge, and buying a new airplane.

[Daekar]

I started selling guns when my wife asked me how many I had and I couldn't tell her. Then I realized that I spread my shooting amongst so many guns that I didn't shoot most of them well.

Not going to claim to be a great shot, but at least now there's a chance I will improve.