First ammo you loaded?

[tjen]

About 1982 I started with the 44mag pistol cartridge. Sold my 629 Hunter classis after about three years. Then I bought a 336D in 35rem and started loading the +P 200gr CLRN for it because the 35rem factory ammo was getting anemic, not the 2110fps as listed the factories.

At that time you could still get 35rem ammo for $9 a box just like the 30-30win and could find it any where here in MI. After that it was simple cost savings I already had all the reloading equipement and Ammo just keep going up in price.

(22-hornet, 221rem, 223rem, 270win, 35rem, 358win, 35 whelen)

 

[SJB358]

I loaded for my Dad's 629 and then my first rifle was my old 7mm Rem Mag with 140 PT's.

I learned on a Forster COAX from the local gunsmith who was loading 264 Win Mag (125 PT's), then my pops got me a reloading kit from the NRA, eventually after about 15 years, I got my own COAX. I think I was 13-14 when I got my reloading kit. That was about 21-22 years ago.

 

[BeeTee]

My first reloads were for a sporterized 03A3 30-06 I had in the mid 60s. A friend had the gear, but the reloads weren't that great. Went boom, but that's about it.

My real introduction to handloading began in 1971, when an older mentor took me under his wing and taught me how to do it correctly using good equipment. I loaded for a S&W M19 357 Mag and my custom Rem 721 in 300Bee. I also cast thousands of 357 semi-wadcutters and 30-cal gas-checked lead bullets.

Pic taken in the mid-70s of the 721 (now in my son's safe) and a Rem 1100 I still own. BT

View attachment Rem003.jpg

 

[SJB358]

BeeTee, very cool old picture. That is a really nice looking stock on that rifle. Looks like a maple being so light, but I guess it could be the flash. Any idea what sorta wood it is?

 

[DrMike]

Yeah, the stock on your 721 is quite attractive, BeeTee.

 

[truck driver]

You guys just want to know how old I'am. Well lets say I was 10 yrs old when I started helping my dad load 12ga and that was in the late 50s. My first rifle cartradge was the 22 Hornet on an old Super C which I still have but don't use I also have my first 12ga single stage shot shell loader which was sold by Spiegle I can't remember where my father got it but he used a Texan auto loader for his trap loads.
As far as how many different calibers I load for lets just say out of 8 presses I own I have 5 set up and ready to load lots of different cartridges from 12ga to 300Wby. :roll:

 

[Kodiak]

First ammo I loaded? The year was 1951, I was 15 YO. The ammo was semi-wadcutters in a .38 spl cartridge. The press used was my neighbor's big old Hollywood upright press. The loading dies were made by Lachmiller Tool Co. (sp?) He loaded ammo for the Los Angeles Co. Sheriff's Dept. practice ammo. I got a lot of experience helping him load various types of handgun and rifle ammo over the years. He took me with him when he visited Weatherby' South Gate shop. I knew right there that shootin' was for me!

And it's been ever since,

 

[BeeTee]

BeeTee, very cool old picture. That is a really nice looking stock on that rifle. Looks like a maple being so light, but I guess it could be the flash. Any idea what sorta wood it is?

Thanks SJB & Dr. The stock is fiddleback maple.

A gunsmith/stockmaker friend of the family took pity on the homely 721 in its original form, and over the course of a year's time, created a new look. A couple years after getting the new stock, I added a new Douglas barrel chambered in 300Bee with a 1:12 twist. After that it was always a sub MOA rifle.

When the rifle was my Dad's, he used Lyman tong tools to reload the 300 H&H. The list of elk, deer, bear and an assortment of other game taken with this rifle is pretty long. I bagged a limit of grouse (10) with it one time back in the 60's - all head shots, and I even shot a wild pig in California when I was stationed at NAS Lemoore (that's where the photo was taken - base housing). It's been in the family a long-long time. BT

 

[cloverleaf]

I havent reloaded any of my own yet....Dad still dosent trust me with the scale.... :grin:. It used to really bug me, but now its OK. . 7Mag I think....although back then Dad loaded for the 12 ga too. CL

 

[Wincheringen]

357 Mag. I had to have my dad buy the ammo and quickly realized I couldn't have somebody else buy my ammo all the time, but reloading supplies had no age restriction. I still load for it.

 

[257 Ackley]

I read about a hot new caliber (to me) called the .280 Remington in about 1982/83 that I purchased in a Ruger model 77. The only loaded ammo was 165 grain Remington of some sort that was made for the 740 and 760 actions. I started asking questions at a store that sold reloading supplies and ended up purchasing a RCBS kit, 139 grain Hornadys and 4064 powder. It has been a fun journey learning from experience and the knowledge of others.

 

[STW]

It was 1978 and I purchased a Remington 600 in 6mm Remington. Muskrats were bringing good money I think I paid $165.00 for the gun. Another day of muskrats and I picked up a Bushnell Banner 4x and Weaver mounts and Rings. Speer 75 grain Hollow Points and H4831 were the go to load for this gun. I purchased some Hornady Durachrome dies and equipment and started learning about reloading. I still have the dies but unfortunately got rid of that gun.

 

[Bruce Mc]

I started loading ammo around 1973 with Rock Chucker kit with .243 Win and .30-06 dies. 100 gr Sierra Semi Pt., Sierra 150 gr spitzer, and IMR 4320 came with the Christmas package.

 

[elkeater2]

Tempted to write a novel, but will try to restrain myself.

This is not BS. Dad was an assistant prof @ Univ. of AZ about 1940 when Jack O'Connor was an English prof there. Ol' Dad got a military surplus 98 Mauser from Jack that was intended to be a donor rifle. It had been rebarreled to 30-06, or maybe reamed out and recut.Later, he got a Bishop stock but never fitted it. Fast forward to 1962 when I was 15. The neighborhood gun nut chose to mentor me and helped me put this together. We put a Lyman peep on it and a barrel band style front post/bead. Problem was, the barrel was so worn out that .308 diam bullets were loose, so we went with .311's. My mentor did that loading. Still wouldn't shoot very well. Got a new 7x57 Douglas barrel and a Weaver K-3, and I got my own reloading gear - everything Herter's. The first ammo I loaded was the old Remmy 175 gr. round noses - my local gun shop practically gave them to me as they'd been on the shelf for a while. That combo gave me whatever skill I achieved on running game, shooting jackrabbits for the local fox farm/fur dealer. I still don't hesitate to shoot moving things! The eventual hunting load was the older 139 gr. Hornady spire point (pre- secant ogive even!) over IMR4320.
This is also why I am enjoying so much Scotty and his son's journey with their Model 70 7x57. The poor old caliber was loaded down for so many years due to weaker M95 Mausers, many are just discovering what I learned in the 60's - a strong action with modern components loaded to standard '06 size case pressures make it sing. The case size is nearly ideal for caliber in terms of efficiency.
:grin: :grin: EE2

 

[Kodiak]

EE2,

Thanks for sharing with us! As we pass thru the years, we need to remember all the things our parents/relatives taught us about rebuilding/ converting older weapons into something more pleasant to own.

And somewhere along the way, to pass it on to those interested in saving it.

 

[longrangehunter]

I remember that day.... my Dad showed up with a used progressive 20 GA. press, it was 1972-1973? I was almost Ten. Everything took green-dot.... odd though because I can see it in my mind as having green and red on the powder? I was shooting skeet and trap at Detroit Gun Club, but my love was hunting small game with my 22 LR. I got my Marksman and Pro-Marksman when I was Seven at Camp Charlevoix..... I still have those patches, and those Rabbits never stood a chance!

 

[AzDak42]

It was not so long ago, but it was .243 Win loads destined for a 700 in an AICS stock.

 

[bbearhntr]

I first contracted this disease about 3 years ago after I purchased a .257weatherby. The factory ammo cost $72 a box for 110g Accubonds and after shooting up two boxes I convinced myself I could save hundreds of dollars a year in ammo by reloading for all of my guns. After dropping a few thousand dollars now in equipment and supplies I have second guessed my original calculations. :roll: There is no cure for this disease :mrgreen:

 

[wildgene]

...a .220 Swift w/ a Lee Loader Kit in the early '70's...

 

[nvbroncrider]

280 Rem for a M77 tang safety. IMR 4350 with some 140 sierras for plinking. 13 years long years ago.