What calibers do you reload ?

Dstegjas

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Joined
Jun 29, 2025
Messages
24
Location
Central Ohio
Like most, I started reloading to save money. It didn't take long to realize that reloading just allowed me to shoot more. I'm not complaining, but it did not save me any money. I started out reloading for the 44 Magnum, but as you can tell it grew from there. As I picked up new guns in new calibers I just added them to the list. So what calibers do you reload for.

357 magnum
44 Magnum
45 Long Colt
35 Remington
444 Marlin
223 Remington
45/70
243
270
30-06
308

Jim
 
I started reloading to save money many years ago, but I'm not sure if that's true anymore. Regardless I still handload for these calibers:
.40 S&W
.357
.41
.44
.22 Hornet
.223
.220 Swift
.22-250
.308
30-06
.300 WSM
.308 Norma Mag
7mm Rem.
.243
.270
 
Right now just 38 special and 357 magnum. Technically I can load 9mm since I have a Lee Classic whack a mole kit in 9mm but I don't use the hammer loaders anymore. 9mm is too much work with the hammer kit. I just need to get 9mm and 380 dies then I'll be all set.
 
Im sure I will miss one or two…

32 WCF 32-20
380 Auto
9mm Luger
38 Special
357 Magnum
40 S&W
44 magnum
45 Auto
45 Colt
30 Herrett
7-30 Waters
375 JDJ
5.56X45
6.5 Creedmoor
28 Sherman Magnum
30-06
458 Lott
 
The only thing I load is .45 Colt, because it is so darn expensive when you can find it. And, I do it with a Lee Hand Press of all things! Also, I don't want Cowboy loads. I shoot them out of modern revolvers; my 625-6 Mountain Gun and my Ruger Blackhawk.
 
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That got me thinking about the long-ago when I reloaded all my ammo using old RCBS equipment. That made me look at their website. They are having a give-away this month. I entered, and they gave me a referral link. https://swee.ps/vAqapy_CflAEHy. I never win anything, so click my link or check it out on their website: https://rcbs.com/.

One of the prizes is 8 pounds of your choice Hodgdon powder. That's a lot of powder!

I need to rebuild my reloading setup!
 
I have a Dillon reloader and reload a lot of 9mm but also do 308, 300wm, 6.5cm, 350L, and 45-70.
Saving money wasn't the goal for me as much as the ability to reload was. It's also very peaceful sitting there cleaning, priming, measuring, and reloading a bunch of brass remembering what you were doing when they were shot.
 
I noticed a lot of people reload for their semi auto pistols. I never did that because I just don't want to chase brass when I'm done shooting. Also if I'm at an indoor range you can't pick up your brass. So the question I have is what do you guys do. Just buy new brass every time or find a Way to catch your brass. Buying new brass would certainly add to the cost of reloading.
 
I only have one auto pistol and I reload for it. The one indoor range i visit does allow you to pick up the brass, and my outdoor range (of course) does as well. But I usually use a catcher if I'm just target shooting. I have one that uses velcro to and fastens to your hand..it catches probably 80%+ of the brass. But you could also buy once fired brass for a little less than new. Regardless, If I shot a lot of auto I'm not sure I would reload it. For one thing, my equipment is all single stage, and even the 40 S&W I load is kind of a PIta. No way would I do anything smaller like 9mm or such on a single stage press.
 
I go to outdoor range and put tarp down to catch brass, indoor range here lets you pick it up. That said there are only so many times you can reload it. After that I buy new brass that is ready to load, all steps completed except prime then crimp after seating bullet.
 
I have the tools to reload several calibers; however, I reload 44 mag and 357 only right now. The factory loads are just way too expensive.

I bought many pounds of powder and thousands of primers before things went haywire pricewise, so I can still load for less than buying.
 
I have the tools to reload several calibers; however, I reload 44 mag and 357 only right now. The factory loads are just way too expensive.

I bought many pounds of powder and thousands of primers before things went haywire pricewise, so I can still load for less than buying.
When ask me how to money reloading I tell them to buy now and then in 10 years itll allow them to reload cheaply... lol
 
I'm taking this off track, but here goes. I bought some Unique a couple of weeks ago....$65 for a 1# canister! Putting it away I spotted the first can of smokeless I ever bought. It was Hodgdon's BLc-2. This was in the late 60s, maybe 1966 or so, and at that time Hodgdon was selling military surplus powders from WW2. Ball C lot 2 was recommended (at that time) by many for a .308 so i tried it. It was so dirty I quit using it after just a few rounds and I still have most of that canister left. Anyway, you can almost make out the price I paid back them in the upper left hand corner, way before bar codes were a thing. $2.50!
BLc.webp
 

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