Son's first reloading

[SJB358]

Well, here is a picture of my son's first reloading session, pretty much all on his own. I did weigh all the charges out, but he did the prep, priming, and seating. I still can't quite let go of charging just yet, but he knows it pretty well. Anyhow, we loaded up some very mild 300gr BST's for the 45-70. Hoping for around 1500 with them. If they do shoot pretty soft, they will make great deer/bear loads for him, if he wants to try out the 45-70 this year in the Northwoods. Scotty

 

[Guy Miner]

That's outstanding. I remember helping Dad and Grandpa at the loading bench when I was just a kid. Good stuff. Started my own sons pretty young as well.

It's great, not just knowing how to shoot, but how the cartridge works, how the rifle works. Starts them down the road of becoming a more complete rifleman. Good job!

Guy

 

[efw]

Yeah Scott what Guy said.

My boys, 6 & 8, really like to help but obviously too young to do the charging yet. I let them hand me cases, verify charged cases haven't been hit 2x, and dump the charges I weigh. They love to help as any boy would, because I make it fun and I give 'em positive reenfocement.

You've obviously done that in spades to keep the boy hooked! Great job! What a wonderful level of satisfaction he'll get when he takes a nice deer w/ HIS reloads this fall! COOL!

 

[6mm Remington]

Nice job Scotty. He'll be ear to ear grin when he shoots a deer with his own loads? It really does add something special to the hunt.

 

[JD338]

Scotty,

That is awesome! Congratulations to both you and your son loading up the big 'ol 45-70.
Nicely done my friend.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Thanks fellers. I had just as good of a time as he did. Probably more. Can't wait to get onto his 243 some more and get some of my other stuff loaded up. Fall is getting pretty close.

I imagine the boy will be beside himself when he lays a deer low with his 243 and some 100gr PTs. Scotty

 

[JD338]

Scotty

Do you have a youth season in VA?
I wish your son the best of luck with his 243 Win and the 100 gr PT.

Keep in mind if he likes the 45-70, you may have to go buy another one. :mrgreen:
The 300 gr BST at 1500 fps should be an easy shooter for your boy and it will be a hammer on deer. :wink:

JD338

 

[SJB358]

I think we do have a youth season. Have to jump on with Brian for that.

I would go out tomorrow and get him his own 45-70 if he likes mine. They are awesome rifles And I think that 300gr BST would be awesome at 1500. Probably get some excellent performance from it at that speed. Scotty

 

[Elkman]

Great pictures, looks like a great day at the bench. Its best to get them involved as early as you can. They might take to it or not but either way its a great way to spend time togeather.

 

[DrMike]

The smile on your son's face is worth a fortune, Scotty. Good to see. He is beginning an adventure that will continue throughout his life. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Oldtrader3]

That is great Scotty and his smile says it all.

I took my wife's grandson out to the rifle range with my .280 Rem and .45-70 Marlin. I had him shoot some 140 handloads at 2900+ in the .280 Rem and some Winchester Black Box 300 grain Silvertip loads at 1900 fps. He is 16 years old and handled the recoil just fine. He also shot pretty good groups from both guns after a little practice session, he was shooting close to MOA with both rifles. He did great and it is gratifying to take a kid to the range and get him started with big bore rifle.

I had given him a nearly new Winchester SX2, 3 inch, 12 ga for duck hunting a couple years ago, when he took Hunters Safety and passed. He has been shooting that for ducks quite a bit and it got him used to recoil.

 

[bbearhntr]

Nice work Scotty! Your boy will really appreciate his time with you at the bench as he grows. I wish my dad and I could have shared something like that when I was younger. Too often children get left behind only to find trouble somewhere else. Keep up the good work!

 

[SJB358]

Thanks fellers. I love to hunt, shoot and load! Really in that order and I have tried to tame it back some as to not overwhelm my son too much. He is a great boy and a great rifleman already at 13. He handles my 44 with skill I have seen much bigger folks not attain. I think by backing off and letting him pick his pace as assisted in not getting too intense with him. He is a struggle to wake up early in the AM, but once he is up, he is raring to go!

I know he enjoys popping the LR steel and competing. Not sure where it comes from? :lol: Scotty

 

[nodak7mm]

SB,

Glad to see your raising em right. My girls grew up with it too and participated.. The youngest want to shoot in pistol league next winter and I said only if you help reload.....

Anyways, point to ponder: About 5 yrs ago, we (family) were having supper at the table, a call I was expecting came and afterwards the girls asked "who was that?" I said it was joe from work, he is coming over for a reloading lesson (the guy never reloaded before).

The youngest (12 at time) asked "why?" and the oldest (14 at time) said "What kinda man doesn't know how to reload"?

Gawd the tears come to my eyes everytime I think of that......... Makes me proud...

Rod

 

[sask boy]

Proud of you Scotty that is leaving heritage. The things that you are teaching him will never be lost. There is a TV commercial that at the end it states PRICELESS and that is what this is. When your guy is at home on a Friday night cause he wants to get sleep for Saturday's hunt or just to have time with Pop that can not be measured!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guest]

Great pic, Scotty! Your son looks to be, to quote my favorite cartoon tow truck, "as happy as a tornado in a trailer park!"

I've had my son at the bench with me for several years. He got started running the press ram to resize brass and running the case trimmer. I still do all the priming and charging but his day is coming. I've shown him the processes ad let him in on how the priming tool works and why I aim it away from my face, and he charges a few cases near the end of our loading sessions. He seats all the bullets, of course, because the press is his domain, apparently! He wears the same grin as your boy.

I've got a picture on my laptop set as my wallpaper of Hampton cleaning primer pockets. He really likes that job now after he (and Mom) got me an RCBS Trim Center for Christmas. I'll have to dig it out and add it to the tread.

Great work, Dad, on getting another hunter/shooter into the sport.

 

[Hegland]

I imagine the boy will be beside himself when he lays a deer low with his 243 and some 100gr PTs. Scotty

I suspect Dad will be pretty giddy as well... Good job man!

 

[SJB358]

Yeah I tend to get pretty excited over first kills. Love the hunt. Scotty

 

[Greg Nolan]

That's one of the firsts and there's a lot more comming. His first animal shot with a bullet he loaded himself is a biggie too. You're doing a fine job of bringing him up right. Able to do for himself and know what he's doing.
Good Job
Greg

 

[cloverleaf]

Good lookin young man there! No better fun than reloading w/ Dad! CL