For folks who have doing this for at least 25 years

[sharps4590]

Wow!!! What an incredible thread!!!

[Char-Gar]

Been casting and shooting cast bullets for 60+ years. Lots of dead ends, bad turns and general bad results. I finally broke the codes and can make cast bullets shoot in any rifle up to the rifle's full accuracy potential. No, I do not powder coat, use pins or any other newer notions. I got where I want to be and that is where I will stay. I worked to hard to get here and have no need to reinvent the wheel or wander around in some new desert.

99.9% of my reloading equipment would be listed as "rare-vintage", if sold on Ebay.

[tunnug]

Started reloading around '81/'82, got someone's complete kit for a little over $100, the press was a Bonanza (now Forster co-ax) still use it along with other single stagers, I've got time and patience and don't do mag dumps, always getting the newest gizmo for brass prep, some work the one's that don't get gifted/sold, I can always turn to the old stand-by Lyman hand crank.

[gpidaho]

I'm just in the 25yr. club and yes, I've learned a lot along the way through my own experiments and helpful hints here at Boolits and from the good folks over at the CBA. Yes, I powder coat and likely will melt down many of the bullets I've cast and lubed over the years. I've also moved on to wet tumbling brass with S.S. pins, Dawn dish soap and a pinch of citric acid. After trying other methods, I've gone to the Lyman Easy trim and just trim rifle brass when needed. Pistol brass is generally left as is. I'm not interested in any way with competitive shooting and have no need to trim the small hairs off that far away gnat. I do find a lot of fun in making my cast and powder coated bullets preform well in my weapons, rifle, pistol and especially in my ARs of which I have three (soon to be four) calibers. 5.56, 300 Blackout and 7.62X39. We all have fun with our casting hobby in our own way. Gp

[Tar Heel]

Loading and casting since '77. Still use my RCBS press but augmented with a Dillon for the competitive shooting and fun shooting. 9mm, 45 ACP stuff.

Still lubricate with smelly stuff. Just don't see the need for powder coating. Still use corncob to clean cases in a tumbler. Tried making my own bullet lube but heck I can buy it cheaper. (Time is money)

Have two melting pots and my Lyman Mag20 is burning out. Will need a new pot soon. I don't shoot 20,000 rounds a year so I have been forcing myself to use what I have rather than buy into all the new stuff or wonder products. I like casting and reloading so I have no need to maximize output over time like some folks may.

I took stock of my reloading tools and was STUNNED at how much money I have tied up in all the product. When all of us old timers die off, the youngsters won't know what to do with all the molds and tools.

[Blindshooter]

Loading and casting since '77. Still use my RCBS press but augmented with a Dillon for the competitive shooting and fun shooting. 9mm, 45 ACP stuff.

Still lubricate with smelly stuff. Just don't see the need for powder coating. Still use corncob to clean cases in a tumbler. Tried making my own bullet lube but heck I can buy it cheaper. (Time is money)

Have two melting pots and my Lyman Mag20 is burning out. Will need a new pot soon. I don't shoot 20,000 rounds a year so I have been forcing myself to use what I have rather than buy into all the new stuff or wonder products. I like casting and reloading so I have no need to maximize output over time like some folks may.

I took stock of my reloading tools and was STUNNED at how much money I have tied up in all the product. When all of us old timers die off, the youngsters won't know what to do with all the molds and tools.

I've had the same thoughts, I don't cast but have a lot of stuff. I've tried to get my nephews interested but no luck so far. They will probably just ebay my stuff when I'm gone.

[Land Owner]

I've had the same thoughts, I don't cast but have a lot of stuff. I've tried to get my nephews interested but no luck so far. They will probably just ebay my stuff when I'm gone.

Or worse, not knowing, "give away" that tackle box FULL of lube-sizer dies, top punches, shell holders, case length gages, shotgun choke tubes, cleaning supplies, etc., for $100.00, for which you paid (doing the math) WELL OVER $$$ one thousand. I have spreadsheets of WHAT I PAID that I keep with the equipment. At current market prices, even discounted for use (and I take excellent care of my equipment), I can make MORE than I paid for all of it - given the time to sell it myself.

[Land Owner]

I took stock of my reloading tools and was STUNNED at how much money I have tied up in all the product.

I believe that is as it should be. We have all "saved" money by "shooting more", BUT EACH OF US has the ability to MANUFACTURE AMMUNITION, accurate ammunition, in our guns, with our own gear, through components we have on hand. Think on that! Hundreds of thousands (maybe MILLIONS) of little ammunition manufacturing "factories" across these United States (and the World). DISARM THAT if you dare to try. I think NOT!

[GhostHawk]

Land Owner makes a good valid point in my opinion.

The big federal Government has already pretty much figured out if they try to take our guns its going to be Ruby Ridge and Waco on smaller scale repeated millions of times.

So they think they can control the ammunition flow.

But each one of us casters that has lead, primers, powder and the tools to make good handcrafted accurate ammo. Is like a little island. One that can not be sunk, disabled, or put out of business quickly and easily.

We WILL feed our community's if the need is there. We WILL rise up and say "NO MORE" into the night. You have come this far, and at this point we fight back. We will not go quietly into the night. We will water the roots of the tree of Libery with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants. We will see the course, we WILL stand up and have the courage of our convictions. We will say with one voice. "This is Government OF the people, BY the people, FOR the people. Or there will be NO government at all. And it will be open season on all politicians and buearocrat's.

[jetinteriorguy]

I’m still using my Orange crusher I purchased used in 1985, I’ve since added and subtracted a lot of other equipment. My loading process is pretty much an ongoing evolution as newer methods and tools become available. As in the past I keep what works and let go the rest. Same with my guns, I keep what works and let go the rest.

[375supermag]

Been reloading since the early '80s.
Started with Lee equipment, soon learned that needed to be replaced with better equipment.
Switched to RCBS with a RockChucker that I am still using. Added a couple of Hornady LNL progressives as well as a couple of Dillon 550s.
Sold the Dillons because the Hornady units work just fine for me and my son.
Added a second RockChucker so my son can load rifle cartridges while I am using my orher RickChucker.

Mostly use RCBS dies with a few Hornady sets
and specialty dies plus some Redding die sets and specialty dies.
Mostly Hornady and RCBS powder measures, scales and case prep tools with an occasional specialty tool from other manufacturers added as needed.
Most case cleaning is done with corn cob or walnut media in Lyman, Midway or a Thumblers tumbler depending on how much brass. Typically run four tumblers at one time just about every week.

I have learned to avoid Lee products except for a couple of their factory crimp dies that seem to work fairly well.

[Kraschenbirn]

I'm pretty much an 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' kinda guy. Started reloading in the late 1950s using a loaner single-stage belonging to my Boy Scout rifle team coach. Bought a Bonanza 68 (single-stage) around 1969 and, then, my first Dillon (an RL450 that I still use) in 1983(?) and my first bottom-pour pot (a Saeco 24) a couple years later. Other than adding powder-coating to my repertoire and a couple of vibratory tumblers to my work bench, I do everything pretty much as I did 25 years ago...all my CF rifle on a single-stage and 9mm, .357/.38, .45ACP on a progressive. And, I still cast using a manual bottom-pour and, mostly, 2-cavity molds.

Bill

[quack1]

I grew up with reloading, dad was loading before I was born. Used his equipment while living at home. While in high school, about 67 or 68, bought a Pacific super, Redding scale, Lyman 55 powder measure from a neighbor. I'm still using that stuff, no idea how many rounds have been loaded on that press, but it's been a lot. In the past 50+ years I've added to the equipment, but never saw a reason to replace those originals. Got my first mold not long after buying the reloading outfit. I've never been the type to need to have the latest, greatest new equipment. Have always been a "if it works, don't mess with the process" kind of guy.

[Land Owner]

I hear you Loud and Clear, GhostHawk, and we think alike on that.

[rancher1913]

I got started reloading in about 1980 as a matter of necessity, I was not old enough to buy pistol ammo but I could buy all the parts and make my own. I had a reload book and just picked a load and went with it, never knew you should clean the brass, some of my brass was black from constantly being reloaded and I would use it til it cracked.

[onelight]

I started reloading at 16 , in 1970 when I got my first 45 colt , between keeping my motorcycles rideable , and girls not much money left for ammo so started with a Lee loader $9.95 , a 100 cast bullets , 100 primers and a can of 700x . That Lee loader I still have but have not used it since I bought my first bench mounted Lyman in about 1975 . Started casting in about 1974 for BP guns on a Colman stove that progressed to a Lee 10lb bottom pour and then a 20lb as I started casting for center fire pistols. I have tried a variety of presses through the years Lyman , RCBS and Lee I now still have the Lee Loader and the Lyman Spartan , a Lyman Orange crusher I use for bottle neck rifle except for .223 I use a Lee classic turret , a Lee auto breech lock pro and the Lee APP .
I have a RCBS Bench mounted PM and a Lyman and have had others but always go back to the Lyman 55 and the Lyman scale I bought in 1975 for bench mounted . For press mounted I use the Lee Powder measures.
I have put together a PID for my Lee 4-20 and really like it. For case cleaning I use Hornady M2 tumbler but mainly use a Frankfort Arsenal pin tumbler .
I have forester and Lyman case trimmers for rifle cases (I don't trim handgun brass) my modest equipment assortment serves me well for the 100 to 200 rounds I shoot a week and serve my needs

[skeet1]

I started reloading in about 1967 and have changed the way I do things a lot from then. Some of the things I did when I started might seem antique and I progressed to more modern ways of doing things. I started with a Lee Loader in 7.62X54R and progressed to an RCBS Jr. then a Bonanza CO-AX then a Dillon 550B but now I have taken a 1/2 step back and have gone to a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press which more suits my needs.

The newest and greatest is not always the best for the individual's needs. For example, many have started using powder coating and I have been very happy with the old traditional method of sizing and lubricating with a lubrisizer. To me, it works very well and is preferable to powder coating, which seems to me to be more than I care to do.

[farmerjim]

Started reloading back in the 60,s. First shotgun Then pistol then rifle. Started with a Texan single stage, primed on the press, bought a Lyman powder measure from one of the neighbors. Never cleaned brass, Used a hand crank case trimmer. Started casting to save money. Bought single cavity mold for 38-357, and returned it the next day as a trade in for a 4 cavity. Bought ww for $0.05 a pound. Used a plumbers furnace and a Lyman ladle, and a Herters lube-sizer. Now cast with a Lyman Mag 25 and mostly Lee 6 cavity molds. Powder coat, or Hi-Tek all boolits, and use mostly a Lee turret, or a loadmaster with a Rockchucker for the HD stuff. I have about 15 load manuals vs the 1 I used for the first few years. I now clean my brass with ultrasonic, vibratory tumblers with walnut shell, or a rotary tumbler with SS pins. Dry brass at 200 in the convection oven used for the Hi-Tek and PC.

[tdoor4570]

I started casting for muzzleloaders in 1971 after I got out of the navy. Started reloading in late 71 and early 72, been doing both a long time. that is over 25 years for sure.

[tew3006]

My father always reloaded, so I grew up helping him. He used a RF Wells press, Lyman powder measure and Lyman scale. When I moved out I wanted what he had since that's all I knew. They had quit making the press a long time before, so I got a RCBS reloader special, the same Lyman powder measure and scale. I used that set up for about 25 years. The only part about reloading that I didn't care for was weighing every powder charge. I decided to try a electronic scale in the mid 90's and that made a word of difference. About 10 years ago I bought a 310 tool because I has just read Skeeter Skeltons book again. Then about 2 or 3 years ago after reading about all the different presses on forums, that I wanted to try other types. My wife got me a Hornady LNL AP press for Christmas. That opened the door, then I wanted a wet tumbler and case prep station. After playing with those I wanted a Redding T7. I just recently got a Dillion 550.