I started out reloading and knew nothing about it. I bought books and read them faithfully, got all my equipment and started reloading. I had no teacher but now IAM shooting 1/2" groups at 100 yards. I really feel like I have accomplished something. It has been a wonderful experience for me
I started when 45 got into office. The ingredients came available finally!! Now I try to have a good stash of ingredients. LOVE doing it. Especially when either you can't find your caliber, or you laugh at the price!
How long did you reload and far down the rabbit hole did you go before you got to 3/4 or 1/2in groups. I'm not quite there. A lot of velocity spread. More than case volume differences I suspect. I carefully measure my loads on a cheaper digital scale,. I do use mixed brass and I don't sort my bullets by their weight if they are from the same batch. (Probably my answer right there.). Can that make a 75-100fps difference? Maybe I could see it in a cold bore to 5th shot but on a warm rifle.... I'm triming, cleaning primer pockets. I was using Lee dies and just neck sizing on my 270ai until I got Mt custom made Hornady dies designed around brass fired from my.gun. She shoots great but for me to hit the edge of the whole from the shot before doesn't happen. Not at 100
@@thecheapshot1065 Velocity spread is a normal thing but 75-100 fps seems high. You might try keeping the ammunition somewhere it will remain at a even temperature just before you fire it. Temp can make a big difference. This is a place to start. The groups you shoot can be a simple as movement on your part. I find all my rifles are much more accurate than I am.
For me, Handloading is something that I used to do with my father when I was little. I always thought all the powder throwers and scales looked like some mad scientist's lab or something. My dad passed away in 2017 and since then I've been getting back into it, and while my shooting has benefited from handloading, it's also been a way to sort of honor and connect with memories of my dad. Now my son is taking an interest and what a feeling that is. All the best Ron, once again ty for the to tier video.
Remember Blackpowder and modern smokeless are completely different do not mix them up. Putting Smokeless powder in a black powder gun will result in catastrophic failure
Ron, I remember Larry Potterfield from Midway USA saying the reasons to reload were to save money, improve accuracy, they don't make it anymore and satisfaction for a job well done. You covered all that and then some. I just started listening to your podcast right from the first one called "The Ride", the first story you ever published. I enjoy listening while going for my walks in the woods, you're a good story teller!
@@foubert45 "And that's the way it is on this 23rd day of November 1900 and sixty eight. This is Walter Cronkite with CBS Evening News, Goodnight." Walter was very active in yachting and the US Power Squadron. An old friend of mine's father (who was a Power Squadron admiral among other things) was family friends with Walter, my friend ate with Walter on many occasions growing up. I miss having an anchorman that you can trust.
Thanks again Who-Tee. Are you finding enough components to keep up with your reloading needs? A lot of commenters here are sure frustrated. I'm still living off my stash. Cheers.
One warning for those just getting started in hand loading-you may become addicted to it. I spent many hours hand loading for my 7mm Mauser and 7mm Rem Mag many years ago. Every Saturday afternoon was spent shooting all of the various combinations of bullet, powder, case and primer I loaded during the week day evenings. As Ron mentioned, you may end up spending more because you are shooting more, but what a great way to spend your time getting to know your firearms. Thank you Ron for this episode.
Funny you mention that. I've been reloading my .223 for years, but recently started working up loads for my 7x57 and 7mm rem mag too! The 7x57 is a Brno and it's a Czechoslovakian Mauser. It was my first centre fire I bought 25 years ago. I'm never selling it!
Just think 200 years from now a archeologist will be excavating some hill side and come to the conclusion it was the sight of executions and in reality it was just a place some hillbillies used to sight in their hunting rifles and drink beer in Alabama 🤣
Loading for the oddball cartridges is a great advantage of reloading. It gives you a freedom to buy any gun you want regardless of how scarce factory ammo is. Once you have the dies and a few hundred cases you are set. Go a step further and estimate a lifetime quantity of brass and buy that and you are totally independent. If you want to go even further cast your own bullets although the golden years of casting are behind us in many ways due to the lesser availability of scrap lead compared to the past. But even if you have to buy your lead alloys from an online vendor, it's way cheaper than factory bullets.
Great video Ron! The best group I EVER shot with my .270 was with handloads. Five holes all touching that I covered with a quarter. Then I harvested a nice 10pt whitetail with that loading at 330yds. Schweet!
Theyre going to new cartridges with less free bore, making the rifles less picky for accuracy. So two paths, 1) Hand loads (always gunna fond a good load) 2) go with newer carts, almost always a good factory load. (Not to picky)
One of my biggest satifaction came, when around 1983 got a 1917 Enfield in 30-06, First big cal rifle. Went to store and bought 150 grns Rem,Win,Federal cartriges, 3-4" paterns, back to store 165 grns Rem,Win,Fed. same paterns. Ok reload ordered/bought dif bullets from Speer,Sierra,Horndy, IMR 4350 , CCI200 primers. and built up accordingly, Eventually hit the sweet spot with 165 Grns Speer Grand Slams at under 1MOA, I dont care if it isn't max vel, If I can shoot the eye out a Deer at 100 Yds I dont need more omph
My dad had me pulling cases out of the tumbler and loading the lube pad at about 3 years old. That will be 40 years ago this year, and now my daughter helps me. Between him and my uncle, I have produced a lot of rounds over the years. It is a valuable skill to have, and like you mentioned, it's fun. We lost my uncle a few years back, but I know he's still reloading for his range trips with Jesus. Have fun everyone and stay safe.
When I first started handloading the man that helped me get started said “You really don’t save any money handloading. You just shoot a lot more”. Can’t go wrong with that. Highly recommend.
Varmint ammo is really unreasonably priced. When you handload, it's as cheap as anything else. And on the other end, you can also go with heavier bullets than any factory load. (7mm08 can go a lot higher than 150 grains)
Love to handload. Used to do groundhog matches and was always loading for .243 out to 800yds. The Steven's model 200 is a sleeper with just a couple mods. Now I still load for 25-06, I have passed this knowledge onto others. My rewards now come from those folks and their successes. It's been a blast. Thank you Sir. Much respect.
53 gr. IMR 4350 with 87 gr. or 90 gr Sierra PSP and HPBT...Ruger M-77 heavy barrel...been using that load since '76. Red mist prairie dogs...NOT fur friendly!...mule deer...whitetail and even elk...chrono bit over 3200 fps...25 ROCKS! (Get a 220 Swift if you gonna harvest fur tho!)
You hit the nail on the head Ron. If you are on the fence about reloading, get a fast twist .223 Remington and a starter reloading kit. There are so many bullet options, you will be amazed.
I started hand loading at the suggestion of my palliative Dr. He told me that it would be great physical and occupational therapy for my bad left hand and arm as well to keep my mind active (I have dementia and am losing my memory). Then I decided to try and reload for better accuracy and, for my wife lighter recoil on her 30-06, it worked great. She took a pronghorn at 230 yards. Then when she bought me a .460 Weatherby Mag I looked at the cost of factory loads and decided that I hadn't choice but to reload, I've been called crazy when it took 60 rounds of ammo before I felt that the gun was broken in and I had best load for what I was hunting, no way could I afford do that with factory loads. Next cartridge to work on is my wife's .45-70. I also reload for the shotgun in 20, 16, and 12gauge.
Hey Ron, I've been hand loading for 30 years. For me hand loading is the pursuit of excellence. The work itself takes total concentration and is good therapy and in the end I feel that I get the most satisfaction out of my equipment that way. Love your videos sir....been a fan of yours for many years.
One I would add to your list is “Preservation of Rare Weapons”. Years go (maybe 1970s), I met a shooter at the club and he had a magnificent heavy weapon, based on the Mauser Magnum action and in calibre .416 Rigby. I’ve since read that this action was John Rigby’s action of choice for big game rifles and he may have even built this weapon himself. Beautiful carving on metalwork too, bears as I remember and I believe the weapon was bought, possibly “mysteriously” from a source in Arabia. But my point here is that this shooter just loved taking this rife out to use it. But to be gentle on the weapon, he only fired very low loads and only with the lead projectiles he cast himself. Accuracy just didn’t matter to him but just enjoyed using the weapon and sharing that enjoyment with others.
Here in the UK we would not call that a "weapon" because it triggers the woke brigade. That 416 was a "firearm" owned with no intent to kill or harm anyone or anything. A weapon on the other hand!
@@thomjarman the only country in the world that applauds the (occasional) success of its national shooting teams - when said team members are not allowed to own their “firearms” within the borders of the country - or even train in the country!
Preservation of rare weapons is one reason many people reload. Especially now. I am having trouble finding dyes for a 50-70 Sharps though. I may need to get the specs and have them machined locally. Brass is available but extremely expensive. The new law our government passed makes it difficult for collectors that hope to profit from firearms so I might as well start using that old Sharps. It is in functional order and the serial # is 1279.
I'm keeping my 250-3000 and 300 savage Model 99s going every fall because of reloading. And I bought 6.5-284 and 280AI with no intention of ever shooting factory ammo. I haven't bought factory ammo for 20 years or more
I have reloaded for 40 plus years because I like to shoot and I hunt with such popular caliber’s 6mm Rem. .264 Win Mag, & 300 H&H Mag. Do I save money 💰 no I just shoot more. If you shoot 28ga in volume you need to reload it. TC and Shoot Straight
It's funny you mention those cartridges, I reload for the 45 / 70, and me and my shooting partner are currently working on a 6.5 x55 Swede. Maybe someday7 by 57 Mauser
After the Korean War, my Dad got his gunsmithing license and found he needed a steady income - as jr. higher, Dad showed my brothers and me how to handload on an old Herters turret reloading press. His reloading manual was a Lyman Second edition. Thankfully, money grew on trees for me and my brothers that we enjoyed handloading more than shooting. Love your channel and your gentlemanly manner.
No, Ron, Trapdoor 45-70 pressures are down around 25,000 psi. Pressures for the 1895 Marlin are around 40,000 psi and the Ruger No. 1 can handle 50,000+.
Hand loading has been the most rewarding hobby I’ve ever tried. Part of hand loading is extreme attention to detail and devotion to studying your craft. As an RSO at a major Southeastern range and training facility, I’ve seen the results of half baked efforts. Just grabbing equipment, opening a beer and seeing how fast you can assemble ammo is an expedited ticket to the afterlife. I’ve been hand loading for over 40 years and learn new things all the time.
first there was the reloading kit, then the electronic powder measure followed by expensive calipers, bushing bump neck sizing dies, expander mandrels, little crow trimmers, ultra micrometer seating dies...and the annealer. Not sure I'm saving money, but definitely improving accuracy, shooting more and having fun. Tools are fun. Thanks Ron.
I think there's an investment cost for all the things you need. It should pay off, eventually, but it may be a take a thousand or more rounds to do so. It'll likely never pay off if you calculate the time it takes you to reload compared to spending that time earning money and buying factory stuff, but you probably wouldn't be spending that time at a job anyway.
I’m in the process of jumping in the rabbit hole. I’ve started ordering all the tools. My boys are grown young men with a big interest. This will give us more opportunity to spend time with each other and improve our skills at the same time.
I started to hand load back in the early 70s when I discovered the factory 7mm Mauser ammo did not work well in my old 1895 Chilean Mauser. My hand loads were much better. I then improved my M1 carbine accuracy and functional reliability with slightly hotter loads (between 2000-2100 fps). My loading then expanded to custom-tailored loads for my two brother-in-laws 35 Remington and 8mm Mauser rifles. They loved to deer hunt with my custom loads. But I quit when I moved to Texas due to my workload. I retired in 2013 and three years ago I started reloading again. But this time I kept it simple with a Lee Precision 80180 Breach lock, hand press kit hand loader. I find it relaxing and useful as my son has a 458 Socom which is expensive to shoot with factory ammo. I just wanted to say you can go large or small based on your needs, finances, and situation. Just be careful. Use a set of pocket-size electronic measuring scales (they are cheap) and not just a scope measure and don't push the loadings too hot and you'll save money and have fun. I'm looking forward to teaching my grandson.
I've been handloading since 1987 and it's a hobby that I've always loved. It's tough to find components these days mainly bullets and primers, probably because ammo manufacturers have been using those components to keep up with the increased demand and fix the ammo shortages we've seen for the last few months.
There is a satisfaction in knowing how things work. Really love handloading. My favorite part is the loading and book reading part. I like it better than the shooting. Just like the science I guess
Greater bullet selection. Amen brother. I load a 200gr round nose Nosler in a 308. People don’t understand why I would put that big a bullet in a 308 case. But I know that load works so well on hogs - like a hammer. I have the choice. I exercise it. God bless America!
I've been loading since 1969. I started with a Lee Loader and progressed from there. I got hooked when I shot my first cloveleaf 3 shot group with those tools. Lots of memories over the years. When you find a loading you like you should stock up on those components. The ammo shortage was not a shortage to me, just a temporary time to use up my stash of stuff. Thanks Ron, great info, even for a long term loader who enjoys always learning something new and trying new bullets.
Thanks Ron , that was probably the best advertisement for reloading I have ever seen ! The satisfaction of doing it yourself is a great reward and making wildcats is so much fun. I have done 5 wildcat’s now the most recent is a 6 x 45 ( 6mm x 223 ) a wonderful 200 yd coyote cartridge , a flat shooting pelt friendly round that is very easy to form and load ! Please do an episode with a word about this cartridge. Thanks again Ron.
Thanks for the excellent point of mentioning 'throat size' right up front. As people will discover, it varies rifle brand to brand, and maybe even rifle to rifle, generating excessive pressure sometimes. For Thomas, I gained a lot of satisfaction researching, sizing, testing and producing the best pattern shooting loads for by 22 250, 243, 280, and my 300 Mag. My best hunting buddies took more interest in their rifles too, which created friendly competitions, and further education for us all to produce smaller target patterns on our rifles. Reloading allowed me to shoot many more rounds for the money as compared to Retail. Peace to all!
Ron is spot on about everything he says. The thing about reloading is you never run out of ammunition no matter what the economy is doing. I am always buying bullets, powder, primers, and brass. When I bought a Winchester XPR .350 legend, I also bought a die set, brass, bullets, resizing die and powder to load my own. A box of .350 legend goes for $25-40 a box today. I can do that for about $10. I've been handloading for 54 years and 23 calibers. You learn about internal ballistics, external ballistics, terminal ballistics, powder burn rates, bullet design, primer composition, and have fun too.
I concur! But my shoulders were trashed and couldn’t take the recoil impulse of 30-06, unfortunately. It was my choice for 30+ years but old military injuries required a shoulder replacement. I only get one.
I load Slug, Buckshot and birdshot in my 20ga and 12ga also reload for my .44Mag! Handloading offers better performing ammunition with the unique components that factory ammo doesnt use. You save a ton of money (after you are set with everything you need.) & you get to kill something with YOUR OWN creation.
I have been handloading for a while now. Got my sweet loads for all my guns. I remember starting out. The fellow that took me under his wing so to speak gave me a Hornady hand load book. He told me to look at what was recommended for the powder scale and deduct 10%. His thoughts on a safety concern. The loads were fine (crownoed?) Out OK grouping I could live with but he taught me how to tweak it just right by adjusting the powder by just one then two then three grains up and down from what the book gave me minis 10%. Load three rounds each with that scale or one grain of powder at a time over and under what your original weight. Alow a good amount of time to cool the barrel down. Those adjustments I was able to get my groups in impressively tight once I was happy with my groups that weight and brand of powder was what was called the sweet load for my gun. Shoot my ammo in another identical gun and it may not perform the same. So remember that. And never reload for anyone other than yourself. And never load over what the book gives you. Those are maximum presures for your make and model. And can be extremely dangerous. Serious injury and even death will result.
Thanks Ron, it's also great therapy. During the awful 2019/2020 Australian bushfires the smoke was so bad that most of us in the south east of OZ were stuck inside. I spent a week of holidays trimming 44 special cases into 44 Colt, resizing 22 Hi-power and loading other calibres.
I have veen hand loading since 1962. I started because it allowed me to shoot hundreds of rounds every weekend ever since. I also cast bullets too. It was an excellent survival skill to learn. Most of the whitetails that went into the freezer were harvested with hard cast 30 cal. lead bullets.
Great stuff Ron. You are the hunting uncle I never had, love your content. I understand it ok because I studied some physics at university, but the concepts about barrel resonance, bullet speed, barrel flex, muzzle movement is fascinating. It can explain the sweet spots in loads, why some loads group so well but a few grains more and it all goes wrong. All that suff. Fancy doing a video about all that? Tight lines and happy hunting good man
Man I feel the same way about Mr Spomer. I've learned so much the past couple of years through him and especially here recently with all the educational videos 👍
The satisfaction of taking what I refer as to a passion-time, as opposed to a pastime, a step deeper down the rabbit hole and communing with the lifestyle just a little bit deeper is very satisfactory
Great video! I own several guns I simply could not afford to shoot, especially these days, if I didn't handload. I've been loading for 40 years now. I'd have been broke 100 times over if I had fired factory loads all these years.Years back when all factory ammo was full of "blue sky" it was quite easy to beat it with handloads as far as velocity. Now that so many have their own chrono, factory ammo has had to tighten up and come close to advertised specs to avoid all the fraud lawsuits that would come. I was fortunate to have a chrono before the majority of folks did and it was clear factory ammo was nowhere near as fast as they claimed it was.
Yep, spot on Ron. Reloading isn't hard, its worth while and enjoyable. I've found the love for my old Parker Hale Safari Deluxe chambered in .375 Winchester just because I've learnt to reload. Plus the fact that ammo here in Australia is so expensive for it. Thanks for the vids
Relaoding is independence. I shoot 7 MM 08 and use the plentiful 308 case just by necking it down TO 7MM . I make ultra light loads for My girlfriends lever action 3030 just for plinking or woodchuck garden removal. . Thanks for the video.
I reloaded for several years then kind of faded out of it. Not doing much shooting, I really didn't see the need. Then after all the recent ammo crisis' we've had & almost running out of ammo, I jumped back in with both feet! Granted the money spent on all the equipment & components, that I like, I could've bought a lot of ammo! Now that I'm actually shooting some again, at this point not to really save money, but it's a plus, now I don't have to really worry about running out again! I really enjoy your videos, I like your non biased informative approach. Thank you!
My Dad bought me a full RCBS set , at 12 years old...with 7mm Rem Mag/44 Mag/30-30 Winchester dies. He was a shooter, but never reloaded...so I started on my own...reading my Speer reloading manual cover to cover before even starting. One of the best memories I could ever have, even my Dad jokingly closing his eyes before firing his 336C Marlin with my handloads 😃
I started reloading for my Marlin 336 in 35 Remington. It was almost impossible to find ammo for it, and reloading solved the problem. From there, I added the 30-06, the 308, and the 7MM Rem Mag. Didn't have trouble getting ammo for those calibers, but the temptation of improved accuracy over commercial loads was too much to resist. I suppose it saves money, although I tend to blow any alleged savings on more reloading supplies which are rising in price just like commercial ammo, so there might be some debate there. With all that said, would I recommend hand loading to others as a means for more accurate rounds for your favorite gun? Heck yeah. Would I recommend is a way to save money? Uh...well, uh...heck yeah.
Hello from Oklahoma! Good Video! I got into hand loading about 1973. First it was for shotguns. Later rifle and pistols. I remember the first time I took an animal with a cartridge I made. It is a good feeling. Now I'm the old curmudgeon at the range that picks up brass and Empty shotgun shells. Thanks for the video!👍👍👍👍
The cheapest way to get into reloading is with the LeeLoader. All you need is components , a block of wood and a plastic hammer. These are fairly slow, but very practical. Many obsolete calibers die sets can be found on ebay. I have one in 222 rem mag.
I used one of those for exactly 10 rounds of 44 mag before I bought a press and dies. That was over 20 years an countless numbers of rounds ago. I handload all mine except shotgun and rimfire.
Rather reload ! Love my odd cartridges .218 bee .17 rem fireball , .25-20! Also shooting a lot of .357 magnum! Which is what I got into reloading . Next came the .220 swift . No factory ammo available 😢! I could find .22-250 all day! I love that ruger model 77 in .220 swift! First rifle I was ever able to make 1000yd shots with. No coyote or prairie dog was safe! The most aggravation was the original. 17 Remington . Case neck separation and blown primers ! Some cartridges are at the max from the factory! Be careful and shoot respectfully!
I'm an old National Match shooter and I reload all my own rounds and it's saved me a bundle and shrunk my groups from 3 moa to 1 moa in my M1's and M1a's. Now in this great ammo drought we now have, many years ago I stocked up on NATO M80. My NM rounds are all fmj so to save time during hunting season I break out some of the 147gr M80 and pull the bullets and seat 150gr Nosler BT in their place. Makes a dandy hunting round for deer or if I seat some of the 150gr Hornady fmj's they are very cheap practice rounds. When your handloading you can really stretch your ammo dollars and we all know how important practice is.
I got a 270 aI on a Remington 721 platform and I love the fact that I have set up Hornady custom reloading dies built around the dimensions of my chamber and the brass fired from my gun. I fire form cases now and when I reload I run them through my sizing guy a sizing guy for me with my name on the label from Hornady. It's a special feeling when I load for that gun a feeling of oneness. I put the time and energy into the modifications on this gun and I made a lot of research choices as I learned the process of accurizing a firearm so it's very personal to me to load for this one
The last ten years I’ve had numerous friends to call and say ,,I can’t find any ammo to buy will you sell me some of those hand loads so I can go deer hunting,, it has been a great benefit to be able to help friends and family get their deer season ammo ,,and that’s all need be said.
Reloading is the one thing about shooting I wish I had gotten into years ago. Thanks Ron, for years of good hunting and outdoor adventures you have shared with myself and others who enjoy the great outdoors, a good story teller, hunter, shooter and entertainer as I’ve ever watched. Good shooting and gods speed to the family and fans of Ron S 🎥💯👍
Taking game with ammunition that I have custom hand loaded to perform best in my rifle for the game that I am hunting has always held a special place in my heart. I'm not a big sentimental value type guy when it comes to inanimate objects, but deer taken with my rifle loads always have just a little bit more of a proud moment. I also hand load and two loads for my son's rifle as well. To shrink his groups from 1 1/2" with factory loads to 3/4" with my hand loads is quite pleasing. He shoots a 7 x 57 so there's not a lot of factory loads to be had anyway, but it's such a great caliber for deer that he will probably shoot it forever!
I started loading at my friend’s house after 2 years of fruitless search for 30-40 Krag ammo when I inherited a Springfield 1898 from my grandpa. The ammo shortage gave me the incentive to buy all my own gear.
In my M70, I used to load 200gr Nosler Partitions coming out at 2600fps. I now use the same bullet but with ##.# grs of H4350 that kicks them out at a strong, but not outer edge, 2725fps.I get 6-7 reloads on my cases (WW) but I load once fireds for my hunting excursions. I save a good chunk of money, have a load/velocity that I can't get commercially, and the whole shebang is fun and rewarding.
Great video, Ron. Reloading takes me back to my college days in the early 1970's. I was going to college in Southern Oregon (USOC). In the spring time, it was much more fun skipping classes and going up a favorite canyon and popping rock chucks sunning themselves on the other side of the canyon. 300 - 400 yard shots were average. Aim a few inches below the chuck and when the bullet expanded: Chucky all gone. I was poor like most college students so all I could afford was a Lee Loader. Cost me about $10. I had a 7mm Mag and loved the accuracy of that rifle. Anyway - thanks for all your videos!
Great vid. I started loading 22 years ago and have loved it. I load for 15 calibers in 42 firearms and enjoy doing it. I'm very jealous too, you have the exact press I've been saving up to get. ;) Also lets you load for no longer available calibers like my .40-60 Marlin. ;)
When I started, there was minimal ammunition available for the 338 Lapua, nor any load data. I could load for $2.00 / round. Ordering was twice that, with no bullet selection. Had to be self-taught, but the reloading manuals really do a great job.
I do reloading, I cast my own also. You are right on reloading and you also value what you do and how the end for how the results you get in the end. After one understand what all is in it . You will be addicted. Thanks Ron .
I got into handloading because a friend helped me load some ammo for my Sako .270 using once fired brass. We compared the reloads to several different factory loads. The reloads were much faster and way more accurate. I was hooked and bought everything I needed to load/reload on my own. That was almost 40 years and I'm still at it. It's time consuming but very relaxing and I enjoy every minute
I find handloading a relaxing pass time. Taking game with your own loads has it's own hard to describe satisfaction. Increased accuracy is a plus. I have a Ruger 77 in .30-06 bought in 1981 that just would not shoot well with any factory load I tried. My first hand loads with 4064 and a Nosler BT made it into a consistent under MOA shooter. Been a handloader for almost 60 years.
Thanks Ron, I love the process in finding the perfect load, and then another, and another and so on. I believe Weatherby developed a special load for the 30-378 using Hammer bullets because they were able to actually supply them and not be on backorder. I would love to try Hammer bullets for a few different rifles so I hope they make it here into Canada sometime.
I got into hand loading to try and increase accuracy, it's also just so enjoyable to load 3 rounds, walk over to the bench and shoot for a group. Sometimes you try different powder, bullets, primers Etc.. If you ever start hand loading, you'll be hooked forever, especially if you have many different calibers to play with, for me, I have 7 and looking to increase with a 243 and 270.. Just because I can.. Once again, Thank you Ron, your video's are second to none!! Enjoy..
The satisfaction of seeing a decent group at 300 meters with handloads is indescribable. I handload for various reasons - in my neck of the woods, ammo is not easy to find. Secondly, I have a number of old, historical weapons and I'd like to be able to cater for them with more gentle ammunition, not hot stuff we find here in Europe. Then there is the accuracy issue too. Yes, you save money (unless you cost out your hours spent in the reloading room - but that is also great fun the the satisfaction is priceless. All the points you mentioned are valid. Cheers.
Where is everyone getting primers??? We haven't seen a one carton of primers in years in Ohio - at least in the southern half the state. Online, everyone is sold out of everything. Still, we see things like this in videos and just wonder how anyone gets primers these days. Anyone care to tell where to find them?
Growing up I got a daisy BB gun when I was 8, I was shooting my friends way before then. At 10 I started shooting an ID Remington 22punp. Short, long and LR. Even BB caps. In a couple of years I there wasn't a day I didn't have a rifle pistol or shotgun in my hands until I had to start working and college. Dad was an amateur gun smith so he taught me so much about gun safety and responsible gun ownership! Thanks Dad! Miss you! Great videos!
I'm sorry Bob, but you were shooting your friends before you were 8 years old? That's terrible. All joking aside, your first sentence is a classic example of why punctuation matters (forgive me, I used to teach English.) If you had spelled "friends" with an apostrophe (friends'), your sentence would have told us you were shooting your friends' BB guns. Without that tiny little apostrophe your sentence says you were shooting your friends! Anyway, glad your pop taught you gun safety! Cheers, my friend.
Great content Ron reloading and hunting with your reloads is satisfaction beyond compare anybody can buy a box off the shelf but hunting with your on ammo is gratifying
I started handloading ammo at age 11 in 1969 . Learned from my dad to get started. Improve upon his teaching. Read the covers off the reloading manuals. Lyman, Speer, Hornady, and Sierra. I am most fascinated with rifle accuracy and ballistics from a hunter's perspective . Did a little competitive shooting. The most accurate ammo and firearms in the world are useless if a person doesn't have marksmanship skills.
Hand loadibg is a must for all new shooters. Im young. 30. Started few years back. Absolutely no regrets. Especially during shortages. Stock diff primers and powders and you can load for almost any new cart + brass, wild cats. Too much fun
My Father taught me and I've passed it down to my son. Your video is spot on. I only buy factory ammo for carry handgun, don't use reloads for legal reasons. After 50 years of reloading the satisfaction is still there. The market continues to improve and I've stepped up my game with more precision. The rewards are worth the effort.
I can't say enough about hand loading! Precision long range shooting requires it! It took me forever to figure out how to replicate fed gold medal match...and the secret final step! (I believe). Now my 700s are most happy!! . Now my rounds match or exceed GMM!
It is truly a passion for most reloaders. Trying to find that magic pill. Sometimes it’s change a primer. Sometimes seating depth. Or a combination of two ot three things. I started reloading when I shot a Browning Sweet Sixteen because you never found 16ga on sale. If you read an ammo box it usually says it was loaded with “reasonable care”. I am nit-picky with mine. When you take that buck of your life or score the best ten shot group you will know it’s all on you. I learned more about weapons in general too. Been at it since the late 1960’s. Only problem is every now and then you will find a obsolete rifle and here it starts all over and over…………..
Great video Ron. I love to do things for myself, love to tinker even when I get a good load and the satisfaction of finding a good hunting load that’s used to harvest a good pronghorn or mulie at 350 plus yards from a 270 Winchester or 7MM Rem Mag is a great feeling. Plus, what a great excuse to go shooting!
I am a fan of the 7x57 and have two custom made rifles in that caliber. Over the years I have had to take all the information from my loading books and using my own judgement come up with loads that can get the most from my rifles. I do load more powder than my books state but I don't have any signs of high pressure now days. I don't recommend this unless you are experienced.
I have been hand loading for sixty years. The biggest advantage now is that factory loads in my kimber06 group 1-1/2 to2”. My handload gives me 1/2””. My 338 06 A I does the same. I have taken everything in North America with my own handloads. Now, can’t find almost any caliber ammo.
I’ve been hand loading for decades! The first caliber I started to load was the .243 cartridge. The cartridge back in the 1980’s would cost me a dollar a round, 100 rounds, 100 bucks. For the same price in bullets, powder and primers( with 1 pound of powder) I could reload 125 rounds. ( of course when buying primers it would be a 1000 count box). As far as the 45/70 government ( an original model 1973 manufactured late 1884) I will be reloading the original cartridge with 70 grains of blackpowder, since because of its age I will only shoot the original cartridge in that rifle! 70 grains of blackpowder a 405 grain hollow base lead bullet and a winchester magnum large rifle primer. Got everything I need to load those cartridges ( just need to lean how to cast pretty shiny bullets)!
Just started hand loading for rifles, hand guns, and shotguns. A lot to learn. Rather costly to start but week be worth it. Lots of used stuff on the market.
Sir, excellent video and information. I started reloading in the mid 80's and fell in love with it. You absolutely hit the mark with this video, with ammo and reloading supplies so expensive now it's not like it was in the 80's and sooo cheap. Thanks for all you do, stay safe and God bless
I started out reloading and knew nothing about it. I bought books and read them faithfully, got all my equipment and started reloading. I had no teacher but now IAM shooting 1/2" groups at 100 yards. I really feel like I have accomplished something. It has been a wonderful experience for me
I started when 45 got into office. The ingredients came available finally!! Now I try to have a good stash of ingredients. LOVE doing it. Especially when either you can't find your caliber, or you laugh at the price!
How long did you reload and far down the rabbit hole did you go before you got to 3/4 or 1/2in groups. I'm not quite there. A lot of velocity spread. More than case volume differences I suspect. I carefully measure my loads on a cheaper digital scale,. I do use mixed brass and I don't sort my bullets by their weight if they are from the same batch. (Probably my answer right there.). Can that make a 75-100fps difference? Maybe I could see it in a cold bore to 5th shot but on a warm rifle.... I'm triming, cleaning primer pockets. I was using Lee dies and just neck sizing on my 270ai until I got Mt custom made Hornady dies designed around brass fired from my.gun. She shoots great but for me to hit the edge of the whole from the shot before doesn't happen. Not at 100
@@thecheapshot1065 buy you a good scale one fom Harbor freight aint good enoughneither are the calipers. Hornady or Lyman scales, Mititoyo calipers
@@thecheapshot1065 Velocity spread is a normal thing but 75-100 fps seems high. You might try keeping the ammunition somewhere it will remain at a even temperature just before you fire it. Temp can make a big difference. This is a place to start. The groups you shoot can be a simple as movement on your part. I find all my rifles are much more accurate than I am.
Bitten by the bug and you are benefiting from your efforts.👍🙃
For me, Handloading is something that I used to do with my father when I was little. I always thought all the powder throwers and scales looked like some mad scientist's lab or something. My dad passed away in 2017 and since then I've been getting back into it, and while my shooting has benefited from handloading, it's also been a way to sort of honor and connect with memories of my dad. Now my son is taking an interest and what a feeling that is.
All the best Ron, once again ty for the to tier video.
Thanks James. I hope you and your son build a strong bond over your handloading, shooting, and hunting.
Amen wow a great tradition to pass on to your boy .. best wishes
My daughter has been a great help. She could do all of it
A lot of the calibers I shoot aren't really available in factory ammo, not for any reasonable price, if at all. Try finding .577/450.
or 41 Swiss
Remember Blackpowder and modern smokeless are completely different do not mix them up. Putting Smokeless powder in a black powder gun will result in catastrophic failure
Ron, I remember Larry Potterfield from Midway USA saying the reasons to reload were to save money, improve accuracy, they don't make it anymore and satisfaction for a job well done. You covered all that and then some. I just started listening to your podcast right from the first one called "The Ride", the first story you ever published. I enjoy listening while going for my walks in the woods, you're a good story teller!
There's also, "they never made this obviously useful load commercially."
Well, thank you SJ.
“I’m Larry Potterfield with Midway USA, and that’s the way it is”
@@foubert45 Or thanks for your business!
@@foubert45 "And that's the way it is on this 23rd day of November 1900 and sixty eight. This is Walter Cronkite with CBS Evening News, Goodnight."
Walter was very active in yachting and the US Power Squadron. An old friend of mine's father (who was a Power Squadron admiral among other things) was family friends with Walter, my friend ate with Walter on many occasions growing up. I miss having an anchorman that you can trust.
Gotta watch Ron Spomer! Appreciate the video
Sup Who, nice to see you here.
WTW in da house! 👊🇺🇸
There's my boy WTW! Gotta keep the hunting/shooting community strong on here.
Thanks again Who-Tee. Are you finding enough components to keep up with your reloading needs? A lot of commenters here are sure frustrated. I'm still living off my stash. Cheers.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors unfortunately I do not yet reload. I am picking a bad time to get into it I suppose 😆. Taking some classes on reloading here soon.
One warning for those just getting started in hand loading-you may become addicted to it. I spent many hours hand loading for my 7mm Mauser and 7mm Rem Mag many years ago. Every Saturday afternoon was spent shooting all of the various combinations of bullet, powder, case and primer I loaded during the week day evenings. As Ron mentioned, you may end up spending more because you are shooting more, but what a great way to spend your time getting to know your firearms. Thank you Ron for this episode.
Suddenly you realize 4 hours have passed and $200 is now in the berm behind your targets!
I can't think of anything better to get my kids n grandkids addicted to lol.
@@jamesgullo8240 🤣 that would be me but I'm going to start hand loading any way
Funny you mention that. I've been reloading my .223 for years, but recently started working up loads for my 7x57 and 7mm rem mag too! The 7x57 is a Brno and it's a Czechoslovakian Mauser. It was my first centre fire I bought 25 years ago. I'm never selling it!
Just think 200 years from now a archeologist will be excavating some hill side and come to the conclusion it was the sight of executions and in reality it was just a place some hillbillies used to sight in their hunting rifles and drink beer in Alabama 🤣
Loading for the oddball cartridges is a great advantage of reloading. It gives you a freedom to buy any gun you want regardless of how scarce factory ammo is. Once you have the dies and a few hundred cases you are set. Go a step further and estimate a lifetime quantity of brass and buy that and you are totally independent. If you want to go even further cast your own bullets although the golden years of casting are behind us in many ways due to the lesser availability of scrap lead compared to the past. But even if you have to buy your lead alloys from an online vendor, it's way cheaper than factory bullets.
Hi Ron! Many thanks for you and your team from Russia and Russian hunters!!! Thank you for your job and hobby:)
Our pleasure! Sergey. We loved our Russia hunts and especially the Russian people with whom we hunted.
Great video Ron! The best group I EVER shot with my .270 was with handloads. Five holes all touching that I covered with a quarter. Then I harvested a nice 10pt whitetail with that loading at 330yds. Schweet!
🗣Praise the Lord and pass the .270 ammo Rev. 🤠😇
@@tonywoconish6695 Amen!
Theyre going to new cartridges with less free bore, making the rifles less picky for accuracy.
So two paths,
1) Hand loads (always gunna fond a good load)
2) go with newer carts, almost always a good factory load. (Not to picky)
One of my biggest satifaction came, when around 1983 got a 1917 Enfield in 30-06, First big cal rifle. Went to store and bought 150 grns Rem,Win,Federal cartriges, 3-4" paterns, back to store 165 grns Rem,Win,Fed. same paterns. Ok reload ordered/bought dif bullets from Speer,Sierra,Horndy, IMR 4350 , CCI200 primers. and built up accordingly, Eventually hit the sweet spot with 165 Grns Speer Grand Slams at under 1MOA, I dont care if it isn't max vel, If I can shoot the eye out a Deer at 100 Yds I dont need more omph
My dad had me pulling cases out of the tumbler and loading the lube pad at about 3 years old. That will be 40 years ago this year, and now my daughter helps me. Between him and my uncle, I have produced a lot of rounds over the years. It is a valuable skill to have, and like you mentioned, it's fun. We lost my uncle a few years back, but I know he's still reloading for his range trips with Jesus. Have fun everyone and stay safe.
When I first started handloading the man that helped me get started said “You really don’t save any money handloading. You just shoot a lot more”. Can’t go wrong with that. Highly recommend.
Varmint ammo is really unreasonably priced. When you handload, it's as cheap as anything else. And on the other end, you can also go with heavier bullets than any factory load. (7mm08 can go a lot higher than 150 grains)
I’m with you Ron,you do have more satisfaction hunting with your own hand loads.
Love to handload. Used to do groundhog matches and was always loading for .243 out to 800yds. The Steven's model 200 is a sleeper with just a couple mods.
Now I still load for 25-06, I have passed this knowledge onto others. My rewards now come from those folks and their successes.
It's been a blast. Thank you Sir. Much respect.
53 gr. IMR 4350 with 87 gr. or 90 gr Sierra PSP and HPBT...Ruger M-77 heavy barrel...been using that load since '76. Red mist prairie dogs...NOT fur friendly!...mule deer...whitetail and even elk...chrono bit over 3200 fps...25 ROCKS! (Get a 220 Swift if you gonna harvest fur tho!)
@@curlyyoder bicentennial Ruger 77 varmint 220 swift using 50 vmax 37.2 rl15 sweet rifle. It wears a steel Weaver t16
@@curlyyoder 48.8 of Imr 4451 110 eldx , savage 110 f has Krieger 1/9 twist with factory spec chamber. Also 87gr tnt 54.5 imr 4451 for groundhogs.
You hit the nail on the head Ron. If you are on the fence about reloading, get a fast twist .223 Remington and a starter reloading kit. There are so many bullet options, you will be amazed.
Good luck finding any primers or powder.
Thank for the. Info
I started hand loading at the suggestion of my palliative Dr. He told me that it would be great physical and occupational therapy for my bad left hand and arm as well to keep my mind active (I have dementia and am losing my memory). Then I decided to try and reload for better accuracy and, for my wife lighter recoil on her 30-06, it worked great. She took a pronghorn at 230 yards. Then when she bought me a .460 Weatherby Mag I looked at the cost of factory loads and decided that I hadn't choice but to reload, I've been called crazy when it took 60 rounds of ammo before I felt that the gun was broken in and I had best load for what I was hunting, no way could I afford do that with factory loads. Next cartridge to work on is my wife's .45-70. I also reload for the shotgun in 20, 16, and 12gauge.
Hey Ron, I've been hand loading for 30 years. For me hand loading is the pursuit of excellence. The work itself takes total concentration and is good therapy and in the end I feel that I get the most satisfaction out of my equipment that way. Love your videos sir....been a fan of yours for many years.
Many thanks gilream. I hope you continue to enjoy your therapy for another 30 years.
Guess Im late! 😝😝. Rewatching now!! Great as always??
Started in 1976. Its a daily affair. I love it.
One I would add to your list is “Preservation of Rare Weapons”.
Years go (maybe 1970s), I met a shooter at the club and he had a magnificent heavy weapon, based on the Mauser Magnum action and in calibre .416 Rigby. I’ve since read that this action was John Rigby’s action of choice for big game rifles and he may have even built this weapon himself. Beautiful carving on metalwork too, bears as I remember and I believe the weapon was bought, possibly “mysteriously” from a source in Arabia.
But my point here is that this shooter just loved taking this rife out to use it. But to be gentle on the weapon, he only fired very low loads and only with the lead projectiles he cast himself. Accuracy just didn’t matter to him but just enjoyed using the weapon and sharing that enjoyment with others.
Here in the UK we would not call that a "weapon" because it triggers the woke brigade. That 416 was a "firearm" owned with no intent to kill or harm anyone or anything. A weapon on the other hand!
@@thomjarman the only country in the world that applauds the (occasional) success of its national shooting teams - when said team members are not allowed to own their “firearms” within the borders of the country - or even train in the country!
The other thing I would say is you can buy rifles in more obscure cartridges confidently, if it's the cartridge you want.
Preservation of rare weapons is one reason many people reload. Especially now. I am having trouble finding dyes for a 50-70 Sharps though. I may need to get the specs and have them machined locally. Brass is available but extremely expensive. The new law our government passed makes it difficult for collectors that hope to profit from firearms so I might as well start using that old Sharps. It is in functional order and the serial # is 1279.
I'm keeping my 250-3000 and 300 savage Model 99s going every fall because of reloading. And I bought 6.5-284 and 280AI with no intention of ever shooting factory ammo. I haven't bought factory ammo for 20 years or more
I have reloaded for 40 plus years because I like to shoot and I hunt with such popular caliber’s 6mm Rem. .264 Win Mag, & 300 H&H Mag. Do I save money 💰 no I just shoot more.
If you shoot 28ga in volume you need to reload it. TC and Shoot Straight
It's funny you mention those cartridges, I reload for the 45 / 70, and me and my shooting partner are currently working on a 6.5 x55 Swede. Maybe someday7 by 57 Mauser
After the Korean War, my Dad got his gunsmithing license and found he needed a steady income - as jr. higher, Dad showed my brothers and me how to handload on an old Herters turret reloading press. His reloading manual was a Lyman Second edition. Thankfully, money grew on trees for me and my brothers that we enjoyed handloading more than shooting. Love your channel and your gentlemanly manner.
No, Ron, Trapdoor 45-70 pressures are down around 25,000 psi. Pressures for the 1895 Marlin are around 40,000 psi and the Ruger No. 1 can handle 50,000+.
Thanks Shawn. I knew the pressure's were low, but didn't remember as low as 25,000 psi for the trapdoor.
Hand loading has been the most rewarding hobby I’ve ever tried. Part of hand loading is extreme attention to detail and devotion to studying your craft. As an RSO at a major Southeastern range and training facility, I’ve seen the results of half baked efforts. Just grabbing equipment, opening a beer and seeing how fast you can assemble ammo is an expedited ticket to the afterlife. I’ve been hand loading for over 40 years and learn new things all the time.
first there was the reloading kit, then the electronic powder measure followed by expensive calipers, bushing bump neck sizing dies, expander mandrels, little crow trimmers, ultra micrometer seating dies...and the annealer. Not sure I'm saving money, but definitely improving accuracy, shooting more and having fun. Tools are fun. Thanks Ron.
I think there's an investment cost for all the things you need. It should pay off, eventually, but it may be a take a thousand or more rounds to do so.
It'll likely never pay off if you calculate the time it takes you to reload compared to spending that time earning money and buying factory stuff, but you probably wouldn't be spending that time at a job anyway.
I’m in the process of jumping in the rabbit hole. I’ve started ordering all the tools. My boys are grown young men with a big interest. This will give us more opportunity to spend time with each other and improve our skills at the same time.
You've made the right move! Just be careful, you'll find yourself shelling out lots of money...there's always a new piece of equipment to get!
I started to hand load back in the early 70s when I discovered the factory 7mm Mauser ammo did not work well in my old 1895 Chilean Mauser. My hand loads were much better. I then improved my M1 carbine accuracy and functional reliability with slightly hotter loads (between 2000-2100 fps). My loading then expanded to custom-tailored loads for my two brother-in-laws 35 Remington and 8mm Mauser rifles. They loved to deer hunt with my custom loads. But I quit when I moved to Texas due to my workload.
I retired in 2013 and three years ago I started reloading again. But this time I kept it simple with a Lee Precision 80180 Breach lock, hand press kit hand loader. I find it relaxing and useful as my son has a 458 Socom which is expensive to shoot with factory ammo. I just wanted to say you can go large or small based on your needs, finances, and situation. Just be careful. Use a set of pocket-size electronic measuring scales (they are cheap) and not just a scope measure and don't push the loadings too hot and you'll save money and have fun. I'm looking forward to teaching my grandson.
I've been handloading since 1987 and it's a hobby that I've always loved. It's tough to find components these days mainly bullets and primers, probably because ammo manufacturers have been using those components to keep up with the increased demand and fix the ammo shortages we've seen for the last few months.
There is a satisfaction in knowing how things work. Really love handloading. My favorite part is the loading and book reading part. I like it better than the shooting. Just like the science I guess
Greater bullet selection. Amen brother. I load a 200gr round nose Nosler in a 308. People don’t understand why I would put that big a bullet in a 308 case. But I know that load works so well on hogs - like a hammer. I have the choice. I exercise it. God bless America!
I've been loading since 1969. I started with a Lee Loader and progressed from there. I got hooked when I shot my first cloveleaf 3 shot group with those tools. Lots of memories over the years. When you find a loading you like you should stock up on those components. The ammo shortage was not a shortage to me, just a temporary time to use up my stash of stuff. Thanks Ron, great info, even for a long term loader who enjoys always learning something new and trying new bullets.
Thanks Ron , that was probably the best advertisement for reloading I have ever seen ! The satisfaction of doing it yourself is a great reward and making wildcats is so much fun. I have done 5 wildcat’s now the most recent is a 6 x 45 ( 6mm x 223 ) a wonderful 200 yd coyote cartridge , a flat shooting pelt friendly round that is very easy to form and load ! Please do an episode with a word about this cartridge. Thanks again Ron.
Thanks for the excellent point of mentioning 'throat size' right up front. As people will discover, it varies rifle brand to brand, and maybe even rifle to rifle, generating excessive pressure sometimes. For Thomas, I gained a lot of satisfaction researching, sizing, testing and producing the best pattern shooting loads for by 22 250, 243, 280, and my 300 Mag. My best hunting buddies took more interest in their rifles too, which created friendly competitions, and further education for us all to produce smaller target patterns on our rifles. Reloading allowed me to shoot many more rounds for the money as compared to Retail. Peace to all!
Ron is spot on about everything he says. The thing about reloading is you never run out of ammunition no matter what the economy is doing. I am always buying bullets, powder, primers, and brass. When I bought a Winchester XPR .350 legend, I also bought a die set, brass, bullets, resizing die and powder to load my own. A box of .350 legend goes for $25-40 a box today. I can do that for about $10. I've been handloading for 54 years and 23 calibers. You learn about internal ballistics, external ballistics, terminal ballistics, powder burn rates, bullet design, primer composition, and have fun too.
The possibility of "tweaking" is the best reason to do reloading. Thanx for yet another superb article of yours!
Reloader here. Reloading is the exact reason I finally choose the 30-06. You can do so much with it.
Yeap from 60gr to 250gr and from subsonic to full power rounds, my 30-06 is like a Swiss army knife in rifle form 😂
You’re correct
I concur! But my shoulders were trashed and couldn’t take the recoil impulse of 30-06, unfortunately. It was my choice for 30+ years but old military injuries required a shoulder replacement. I only get one.
This bullet is a great round for learning and understanding reloading. Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and 30-06
.270 for me - loads from 70-170gr with a 1:8 twist barrel.
I load Slug, Buckshot and birdshot in my 20ga and 12ga also reload for my .44Mag! Handloading offers better performing ammunition with the unique components that factory ammo doesnt use. You save a ton of money (after you are set with everything you need.) & you get to kill something with YOUR OWN creation.
Spot on Ron!
I have been handloading for a while now. Got my sweet loads for all my guns. I remember starting out. The fellow that took me under his wing so to speak gave me a Hornady hand load book. He told me to look at what was recommended for the powder scale and deduct 10%. His thoughts on a safety concern. The loads were fine (crownoed?) Out OK grouping I could live with but he taught me how to tweak it just right by adjusting the powder by just one then two then three grains up and down from what the book gave me minis 10%. Load three rounds each with that scale or one grain of powder at a time over and under what your original weight. Alow a good amount of time to cool the barrel down. Those adjustments I was able to get my groups in impressively tight once I was happy with my groups that weight and brand of powder was what was called the sweet load for my gun. Shoot my ammo in another identical gun and it may not perform the same. So remember that. And never reload for anyone other than yourself. And never load over what the book gives you. Those are maximum presures for your make and model. And can be extremely dangerous. Serious injury and even death will result.
Thanks Ron, it's also great therapy. During the awful 2019/2020 Australian bushfires the smoke was so bad that most of us in the south east of OZ were stuck inside. I spent a week of holidays trimming 44 special cases into 44 Colt, resizing 22 Hi-power and loading other calibres.
First I've heard of 22 hi power. Is this one of those not-a-military-cartridge calibers?
I have veen hand loading since 1962. I started because it allowed me to shoot hundreds of rounds every weekend ever since. I also cast bullets too. It was an excellent survival skill to learn. Most of the whitetails that went into the freezer were harvested with hard cast 30 cal. lead bullets.
You got 10 years on me. But hay who's counting. Keep having a blast 👍💥
Great stuff Ron.
You are the hunting uncle I never had, love your content.
I understand it ok because I studied some physics at university, but the concepts about barrel resonance, bullet speed, barrel flex, muzzle movement is fascinating.
It can explain the sweet spots in loads, why some loads group so well but a few grains more and it all goes wrong.
All that suff.
Fancy doing a video about all that?
Tight lines and happy hunting good man
It would be great to be Ron's neighbor.
Many thanks Richard. Yes, I hope to cover harmonics and nodes one of these days. So many topics, so little time!
Man I feel the same way about Mr Spomer. I've learned so much the past couple of years through him and especially here recently with all the educational videos 👍
The satisfaction of taking what I refer as to a passion-time, as opposed to a pastime, a step deeper down the rabbit hole and communing with the lifestyle just a little bit deeper is very satisfactory
Great video! I own several guns I simply could not afford to shoot, especially these days, if I didn't handload. I've been loading for 40 years now. I'd have been broke 100 times over if I had fired factory loads all these years.Years back when all factory ammo was full of "blue sky" it was quite easy to beat it with handloads as far as velocity. Now that so many have their own chrono, factory ammo has had to tighten up and come close to advertised specs to avoid all the fraud lawsuits that would come. I was fortunate to have a chrono before the majority of folks did and it was clear factory ammo was nowhere near as fast as they claimed it was.
Yep, spot on Ron. Reloading isn't hard, its worth while and enjoyable. I've found the love for my old Parker Hale Safari Deluxe chambered in .375 Winchester just because I've learnt to reload. Plus the fact that ammo here in Australia is so expensive for it. Thanks for the vids
Relaoding is independence. I shoot 7 MM 08 and use the plentiful 308 case just by necking it down TO 7MM . I make ultra light loads for My girlfriends lever action 3030 just for plinking or woodchuck garden removal. . Thanks for the video.
I reloaded for several years then kind of faded out of it. Not doing much shooting, I really didn't see the need. Then after all the recent ammo crisis' we've had & almost running out of ammo, I jumped back in with both feet! Granted the money spent on all the equipment & components, that I like, I could've bought a lot of ammo! Now that I'm actually shooting some again, at this point not to really save money, but it's a plus, now I don't have to really worry about running out again! I really enjoy your videos, I like your non biased informative approach. Thank you!
My Dad bought me a full RCBS set , at 12 years old...with 7mm Rem Mag/44 Mag/30-30 Winchester dies. He was a shooter, but never reloaded...so I started on my own...reading my Speer reloading manual cover to cover before even starting. One of the best memories I could ever have, even my Dad jokingly closing his eyes before firing his 336C Marlin with my handloads 😃
I started reloading for my Marlin 336 in 35 Remington. It was almost impossible to find ammo for it, and reloading solved the problem. From there, I added the 30-06, the 308, and the 7MM Rem Mag. Didn't have trouble getting ammo for those calibers, but the temptation of improved accuracy over commercial loads was too much to resist. I suppose it saves money, although I tend to blow any alleged savings on more reloading supplies which are rising in price just like commercial ammo, so there might be some debate there.
With all that said, would I recommend hand loading to others as a means for more accurate rounds for your favorite gun? Heck yeah. Would I recommend is a way to save money? Uh...well, uh...heck yeah.
The old saying goes , " Don't Knock it till you try it " comes to mind ..
Well worth the cost and efforts .
Thanks for sharing Ron .
Always great videos Ron. Thankyou.
Hello from Oklahoma! Good Video! I got into hand loading about 1973. First it was for shotguns. Later rifle and pistols. I remember the first time I took an animal with a cartridge I made. It is a good feeling. Now I'm the old curmudgeon at the range that picks up brass and Empty shotgun shells. Thanks for the video!👍👍👍👍
So you're that guy scrounging on the range! I have to hustle to beat you to them.
The cheapest way to get into reloading is with the LeeLoader. All you need is components , a block of wood and a plastic hammer. These are fairly slow, but very practical. Many obsolete calibers die sets can be found on ebay. I have one in 222 rem mag.
I used one of those for exactly 10 rounds of 44 mag before I bought a press and dies. That was over 20 years an countless numbers of rounds ago. I handload all mine except shotgun and rimfire.
@@ChristopherKnN for any volume a press is much better, loading a box or two, the lee does work .
Rather reload ! Love my odd cartridges .218 bee .17 rem fireball , .25-20! Also shooting a lot of .357 magnum! Which is what I got into reloading . Next came the .220 swift . No factory ammo available 😢! I could find .22-250 all day! I love that ruger model 77 in .220 swift! First rifle I was ever able to make 1000yd shots with. No coyote or prairie dog was safe! The most aggravation was the original. 17 Remington . Case neck separation and blown primers ! Some cartridges are at the max from the factory! Be careful and shoot respectfully!
44 mag got me into handloading. I miss being in South Dakota. I love my 17 Fireball and 220 Swift too.
I have found I love reloading as much as shooting.
I'm an old National Match shooter and I reload all my own rounds and it's saved me a bundle and shrunk my groups from 3 moa to 1 moa in my M1's and M1a's. Now in this great ammo drought we now have, many years ago I stocked up on NATO M80. My NM rounds are all fmj so to save time during hunting season I break out some of the 147gr M80 and pull the bullets and seat 150gr Nosler BT in their place. Makes a dandy hunting round for deer or if I seat some of the 150gr Hornady fmj's they are very cheap practice rounds. When your handloading you can really stretch your ammo dollars and we all know how important practice is.
I got a 270 aI on a Remington 721 platform and I love the fact that I have set up Hornady custom reloading dies built around the dimensions of my chamber and the brass fired from my gun. I fire form cases now and when I reload I run them through my sizing guy a sizing guy for me with my name on the label from Hornady. It's a special feeling when I load for that gun a feeling of oneness. I put the time and energy into the modifications on this gun and I made a lot of research choices as I learned the process of accurizing a firearm so it's very personal to me to load for this one
Amen Ron! I agree with all your reasons. I agree that reloading is extremely fun and self-gratifying, even fun!
The last ten years I’ve had numerous friends to call and say ,,I can’t find any ammo to buy will you sell me some of those hand loads so I can go deer hunting,, it has been a great benefit to be able to help friends and family get their deer season ammo ,,and that’s all need be said.
Reloading is the one thing about shooting I wish I had gotten into years ago. Thanks Ron, for years of good hunting and outdoor adventures you have shared with myself and others who enjoy the great outdoors, a good story teller, hunter, shooter and entertainer as I’ve ever watched. Good shooting and gods speed to the family and fans of Ron S 🎥💯👍
Many thanks, Joel. Glad you've enjoyed.
Taking game with ammunition that I have custom hand loaded to perform best in my rifle for the game that I am hunting has always held a special place in my heart. I'm not a big sentimental value type guy when it comes to inanimate objects, but deer taken with my rifle loads always have just a little bit more of a proud moment. I also hand load and two loads for my son's rifle as well. To shrink his groups from 1 1/2" with factory loads to 3/4" with my hand loads is quite pleasing. He shoots a 7 x 57 so there's not a lot of factory loads to be had anyway, but it's such a great caliber for deer that he will probably shoot it forever!
I started loading at my friend’s house after 2 years of fruitless search for 30-40 Krag ammo when I inherited a Springfield 1898 from my grandpa. The ammo shortage gave me the incentive to buy all my own gear.
6.5x55 SE, modern action stamped SE can be loaded to higher pressure. I have one and it is a reloader's dream. Super accurate. Sako makes them in SE
And Tikka. And Ruger chambered it for awhile, as did Winchester. And of course, the Rem 700 Classic, 1993 or 94 i think
In my M70, I used to load 200gr Nosler Partitions coming out at 2600fps. I now use the same bullet but with ##.# grs of H4350 that kicks them out at a strong, but not outer edge, 2725fps.I get 6-7 reloads on my cases (WW) but I load once fireds for my hunting excursions. I save a good chunk of money, have a load/velocity that I can't get commercially, and the whole shebang is fun and rewarding.
Great video, Ron. Reloading takes me back to my college days in the early 1970's. I was going to college in Southern Oregon (USOC). In the spring time, it was much more fun skipping classes and going up a favorite canyon and popping rock chucks sunning themselves on the other side of the canyon. 300 - 400 yard shots were average. Aim a few inches below the chuck and when the bullet expanded: Chucky all gone.
I was poor like most college students so all I could afford was a Lee Loader. Cost me about $10. I had a 7mm Mag and loved the accuracy of that rifle. Anyway - thanks for all your videos!
Hi Ron
You also learn a lot about many cartridges and where they fall power wise. When I started loading I was amazed at how many rounds I’d never heard of.
Great vid. I started loading 22 years ago and have loved it. I load for 15 calibers in 42 firearms and enjoy doing it. I'm very jealous too, you have the exact press I've been saving up to get. ;) Also lets you load for no longer available calibers like my .40-60 Marlin. ;)
Commercial 10mm is usually downloaded also
When I started, there was minimal ammunition available for the 338 Lapua, nor any load data. I could load for $2.00 / round. Ordering was twice that, with no bullet selection.
Had to be self-taught, but the reloading manuals really do a great job.
I do reloading, I cast my own also. You are right on reloading and you also value what you do and how the end for how the results you get in the end. After one understand what all is in it . You will be addicted. Thanks Ron .
What do you coat with?
@@m4rvinmartian I do the old way , size and lube , I make my own lube.
@@paulmartin6895 copy that
I got into handloading because a friend helped me load some ammo for my Sako .270 using once fired brass. We compared the reloads to several different factory loads. The reloads were much faster and way more accurate. I was hooked and bought everything I needed to load/reload on my own. That was almost 40 years and I'm still at it. It's time consuming but very relaxing and I enjoy every minute
I find handloading a relaxing pass time. Taking game with your own loads has it's own hard to describe satisfaction. Increased accuracy is a plus. I have a Ruger 77 in .30-06 bought in 1981 that just would not shoot well with any factory load I tried. My first hand loads with 4064 and a Nosler BT made it into a consistent under MOA shooter. Been a handloader for almost 60 years.
Thanks Ron, I love the process in finding the perfect load, and then another, and another and so on. I believe Weatherby developed a special load for the 30-378 using Hammer bullets because they were able to actually supply them and not be on backorder. I would love to try Hammer bullets for a few different rifles so I hope they make it here into Canada sometime.
Johnny’s reloading bench and bolt action reloading are great RUclips resources. They got me started.
I got into hand loading to try and increase accuracy, it's also just so enjoyable to load 3 rounds, walk over to the bench and shoot for a group. Sometimes you try different powder, bullets, primers Etc.. If you ever start hand loading, you'll be hooked forever, especially if you have many different calibers to play with, for me, I have 7 and looking to increase with a 243 and 270.. Just because I can.. Once again, Thank you Ron, your video's are second to none!! Enjoy..
Thanks Bubba!
The satisfaction of seeing a decent group at 300 meters with handloads is indescribable. I handload for various reasons - in my neck of the woods, ammo is not easy to find. Secondly, I have a number of old, historical weapons and I'd like to be able to cater for them with more gentle ammunition, not hot stuff we find here in Europe. Then there is the accuracy issue too. Yes, you save money (unless you cost out your hours spent in the reloading room - but that is also great fun the the satisfaction is priceless. All the points you mentioned are valid. Cheers.
I shoot lots of odd calibers
That’s why I got into reloading 25 plus years ago
Especially those P O Ackley varieties
Thanks for the great video
Ron Spomer. Always a class act. God bless you sir.
Many thanks, sir. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll try to live up to your expectations.
Where is everyone getting primers??? We haven't seen a one carton of primers in years in Ohio - at least in the southern half the state. Online, everyone is sold out of everything. Still, we see things like this in videos and just wonder how anyone gets primers these days. Anyone care to tell where to find them?
Growing up I got a daisy BB gun when I was 8, I was shooting my friends way before then. At 10 I started shooting an ID Remington 22punp.
Short, long and LR. Even BB caps. In a couple of years I there wasn't a day I didn't have a rifle pistol or shotgun in my hands until I had to start working and college. Dad was an amateur gun smith so he taught me so much about gun safety and responsible gun ownership!
Thanks Dad!
Miss you!
Great videos!
I'm sorry Bob, but you were shooting your friends before you were 8 years old? That's terrible. All joking aside, your first sentence is a classic example of why punctuation matters (forgive me, I used to teach English.) If you had spelled "friends" with an apostrophe (friends'), your sentence would have told us you were shooting your friends' BB guns. Without that tiny little apostrophe your sentence says you were shooting your friends! Anyway, glad your pop taught you gun safety! Cheers, my friend.
Great content Ron reloading and hunting with your reloads is satisfaction beyond compare anybody can buy a box off the shelf but hunting with your on ammo is gratifying
Totally with you Ron !!!
I agree
Although I’ll never reload…I enjoy learning and watching a great communicator teach ballistics, auto restoration…whatever it might be.
I started handloading ammo at age 11 in 1969 . Learned from my dad to get started. Improve upon his teaching. Read the covers off the reloading manuals. Lyman, Speer, Hornady, and Sierra. I am most fascinated with rifle accuracy and ballistics from a hunter's perspective . Did a little competitive shooting. The most accurate ammo and firearms in the world are useless if a person doesn't have marksmanship skills.
Hand loadibg is a must for all new shooters. Im young. 30. Started few years back. Absolutely no regrets. Especially during shortages. Stock diff primers and powders and you can load for almost any new cart + brass, wild cats. Too much fun
My Father taught me and I've passed it down to my son. Your video is spot on. I only buy factory ammo for carry handgun, don't use reloads for legal reasons. After 50 years of reloading the satisfaction is still there. The market continues to improve and I've stepped up my game with more precision. The rewards are worth the effort.
I can't say enough about hand loading!
Precision long range shooting requires it!
It took me forever to figure out how to replicate fed gold medal match...and the secret final step! (I believe). Now my 700s are most happy!! . Now my rounds match or exceed GMM!
It is truly a passion for most reloaders. Trying to find that magic pill. Sometimes it’s change a primer. Sometimes seating depth. Or a combination of two ot three things. I started reloading when I shot a Browning Sweet Sixteen because you never found 16ga on sale. If you read an ammo box it usually says it was loaded with “reasonable care”. I am nit-picky with mine. When you take that buck of your life or score the best ten shot group you will know it’s all on you. I learned more about weapons in general too. Been at it since the late 1960’s. Only problem is every now and then you will find a obsolete rifle and here it starts all over and over…………..
Great video Ron. I love to do things for myself, love to tinker even when I get a good load and the satisfaction of finding a good hunting load that’s used to harvest a good pronghorn or mulie at 350 plus yards from a 270 Winchester or 7MM Rem Mag is a great feeling. Plus, what a great excuse to go shooting!
I am a fan of the 7x57 and have two custom made rifles in that caliber. Over the years I have had to take all the information from my loading books and using my own judgement come up with loads that can get the most from my rifles. I do load more powder than my books state but I don't have any signs of high pressure now days. I don't recommend this unless you are experienced.
This is awesome!
I have been hand loading for sixty years. The biggest advantage now is that factory loads in my kimber06 group 1-1/2 to2”. My handload gives me 1/2””. My 338 06 A I does the same. I have taken everything in North America with my own handloads. Now, can’t find almost any caliber ammo.
I’ve been hand loading for decades!
The first caliber I started to load was the .243 cartridge. The cartridge back in the 1980’s would cost me a dollar a round, 100 rounds, 100 bucks. For the same price in bullets, powder and primers( with 1 pound of powder) I could reload 125 rounds. ( of course when buying primers it would be a 1000 count box).
As far as the 45/70 government ( an original model 1973 manufactured late 1884) I will be reloading the original cartridge with 70 grains of blackpowder, since because of its age I will only shoot the original cartridge in that rifle! 70 grains of blackpowder a 405 grain hollow base lead bullet and a winchester magnum large rifle primer. Got everything I need to load those cartridges ( just need to lean how to cast pretty shiny bullets)!
Just started hand loading for rifles, hand guns, and shotguns.
A lot to learn. Rather costly to start but week be worth it.
Lots of used stuff on the market.
Sir, excellent video and information. I started reloading in the mid 80's and fell in love with it. You absolutely hit the mark with this video, with ammo and reloading supplies so expensive now it's not like it was in the 80's and sooo cheap. Thanks for all you do, stay safe and God bless