Hi all,
So it seems to me that reloading is one of the most popular spin off hobbies from stalking. Next to dog training, DIY accessories, and moaning about FLDs.
For the common man like me who doesn't shoot very much, and hasn't the time, money or range access to test countless combinations is there any benefit to taking up this dark art? Are the gains in performance and accuracy really so marked, and how much development is involved in finding that perfect load? Why aren't factory loads as good?
If I were to do it, it would have to quickly pay for itself vs the cost of factory ammo, so I'd be using the "hit it with a mallet" reloading tool and some kind of scoop measures, I guess. No fancy machines, expensive scales, etc. (what else would I need?)
Whilst it would be interesting to have a go and see what I could do, I'd really have to justify to myself that I would gain something over buying factory stuff. If the truth is that I'd need a big cash outlay, easy range access, chronograph, tens of different powder/bullet combinations, etc, etc then that's fine, I'll forget it and keep buying factory. But if I can happily make up a few loads to try and be sure of at least equalling factory accuracy and being cheaper, then I'll get to it!
I'll be sure to properly research reloading for my calibre if I do decide it's worth a go, of course, but first I need the input of you folks who have the knowledge. Basically - is it worth bothering?
So it seems to me that reloading is one of the most popular spin off hobbies from stalking. Next to dog training, DIY accessories, and moaning about FLDs.
For the common man like me who doesn't shoot very much, and hasn't the time, money or range access to test countless combinations is there any benefit to taking up this dark art? Are the gains in performance and accuracy really so marked, and how much development is involved in finding that perfect load? Why aren't factory loads as good?
If I were to do it, it would have to quickly pay for itself vs the cost of factory ammo, so I'd be using the "hit it with a mallet" reloading tool and some kind of scoop measures, I guess. No fancy machines, expensive scales, etc. (what else would I need?)
Whilst it would be interesting to have a go and see what I could do, I'd really have to justify to myself that I would gain something over buying factory stuff. If the truth is that I'd need a big cash outlay, easy range access, chronograph, tens of different powder/bullet combinations, etc, etc then that's fine, I'll forget it and keep buying factory. But if I can happily make up a few loads to try and be sure of at least equalling factory accuracy and being cheaper, then I'll get to it!
I'll be sure to properly research reloading for my calibre if I do decide it's worth a go, of course, but first I need the input of you folks who have the knowledge. Basically - is it worth bothering?