Handloading - How Many and How Long?

[del2les]

Just a simple poll on the number of cartridges you currently load for, when you began, and what was the first cartridge/shell you began loading?

If you once did but no longer load for a specific cartridge/s, tell us why you stopped.

Currently, I load for 52 cartridges, and I began in 1973 with 12ga shells then moved up to 357/38 pistol and 30-06 rifle.

 

[Seabeeken]

Started in 1974 with a 7mm Rem Mag. Expanded the lineup to over 40 now

 

[Guy M]

Dad & Grandpa had me helping them handload 30-06 and 257 when I was just a kid, maybe 5 or 6 years old. Started by just seating bullets for them. That was in the early 1960's.

A bit at a time I learned more and was handloading for a couple of different rifles by the early 1970's.

I've stopped loading for the 300 WSM & 300 Win Mag because I sold those rifles.

Thanks for asking, brought back some good memories.

Regards, Guy

 

[MagnumManiac]

I've been handloading since 1988. Totally different now to then in both equipment and technique.
I have dropped handloading for 222RM (no brass), 416RM sold it because the 416 Rigby is far better, 375 Flanged sold the double rifle, 404 Jeffrey sold the rifle, 458WM sold the rifle, 458 Lott sold the rifle, 450 Rigby sold the rifle, 425 Wesley Richards sold the rifle, 470 Nitro sold the double rifle and 505 Gibbs sold the rifle regrettably. All had die sets that went with the rifles.

Cheers.

 

[Critter Picker]

Loaded 12 ga. With a lee loader in 68. Started centerfire rifle a few years later .243. Shot my last factory round in 75.

 

[Prairie Sasquatch]

31 years ago I started reloading for shotgun then started loading 22-250 and 30-06. I now load .410, 28, 20, 16 and 12ga (had a 10 ga but sold gun and reloader). Now I load for 7 rifle cartridges and 9mm.

 

[Fatcatbuster]

I started in 1985,with a RCBS Rockchucker doing 243 Winchester,today its 19 calibers from 22 Hornet to 338WM and Pistols on a Dillon.

 

[Calvin45]

Handloader since my 18th birthday. I'm 31 at the Moment.

Presently do load for

243 win
257 wby mag
270 win
30-30 win
300 win mag
8x57 Mauser
.358 Norma mag.

Have in the past loaded for .308, 223, 220 swift.

Have a set of .300 RUM dies as I plan on owning one of those at some point

 

[ARlife4me]

Started in '84 loading 44mag, moved into 264wm (within the same year), then added 270win (for dad). 8 pistol cartridges and 17 rifle cartridges. Hopefully adding 3-5 more rifle cartridges (22creed or 22-250, 6arc or 6norma, 270wsm or 6.8w, 300saum or 300wsm, 338 of a short mag variety and a 458 short mag variety would be nice)?

 

[shamu2240]

I started about 5 or 6 years ago because we had to switch over to lead free ammo and there wasn't much available to choose from. I started with 300WM because that's my go to hunting rifle. My 6mm remington, 223 and 308 soon followed.

 

[eoperator]

I have downsized and simplified rifles and reloading. Only 5 cartridges for me as of today. No more wildcats or belchfire magnums for this guy. I may trim one more (6.5cm).
223
6cm
6.5cm
6.5prc
7prc

 

[cape cove]

Started loading in the very early 80's and have loaded for over 20 different rifles, appx 18 different cartridges. Now I load mainly for appx 10 cartridges.

 

[purpledragon]

Started in 76 loading for my Ruger M-77V Bi-Centennial edition 220 Swift. Now loading for 18
calibers from 223 to 45-70, and 12,16,20ga, shotguns..........Love this stuff!!

 

[bpcrshooter]

started 12yrs ago with 41mag. Since then, 357/38, 9mm, 45acp, 10mm, 44mag, 41gnr, 223, 308,30-06, 270,243, 32-40, 38-55, 30-30, 45-70, 45-90, 45-100, 44-70, 40-82, 40-70SS, 25-20, 7mmRM, 300WM, 6.5x284, 6.5cm, 458 socom, 410ga, 28ga, 20ga, 12ga,