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Posted: 8/28/2010 7:21:14 AM EDT
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I reload 8 different calibers, 5.56, .223, 30carb, 38spl, 357mag, 40s&w, 10mm, and 45acp. However, in those calibers I use a total of 27 different bullet combinations. Add to that the different powders I use for different performance choices and I've got something like 39 unique loads and that's not counting the different variations with the different brands/types of primers. I was doing some tidying up yesterday and as I was stocking all my different bullets, I started to wonder if I've gotten a bit carried with too many different combinations. I really enjoy tinkering with the various loads but inventorying that many bullet types seems to be a bit extreme. So, what say you ARFCOM, when is it too many bullet/powder combinations per caliber? |
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yep, a while back I tried to pare down powders and bullets for rifle/pistol, but damn, I've still got a lot of different bullet/powder combo's I use for different rifles.
only bullet cal. I was successful in paring down was 7mm and I settled on the 162gr bullet, but I still haven't settled on a powder for different rifle cals. powder for pistol it was simpler, Reddot for lead bullets; but for jacketed bullets I'm still using bluedot, lilgun and longshot. |
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I'm kind of this way, at least in the beginning when I get a new caliber, I'll have lots of workable powders, primers, bullets and brass to fiddle with.
As as an example, I have Sierra MatchKings in 150, 155, 168, 175, 180 and 190 grain weights for 30 cal. and that's just the Sierra stuff. I'm moving away from the 190s, 180s and 150s, so when my stuff is gone, I'll not replace it unless somebody is giving it away. With pistol rounds, I just don't measure things are well, so I don't know what really, really works with them like I do rifle rounds, plus I'm not shooting pistols as often, these last few years. One never knows when something will be hard to get, out of stock, or just not produced any longer, so I like to have ample supplies for my needs and don't mind fiddling. After all, that's most of the fun with reloading. Chris |
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I'm just the opposite. I load .223, .308, .270, .243, 30-30 rifle calibers, and .45, .40, .38/.357 pistol. One or two loads each. Mostly one. Granted there are all the work-ups, and different uses for one weapon, but once I find a load I like I usually stick with it, and as for different uses for a weapon, I've kind of gone a way from that. .223 for plinking and prairie dogs, .243 for coyotes, .308 & .270 for bigger game, and 30-30 for fun.
Pistols are all used for the same thing home/car defense or C.C. and practice. I used to load 300 Weatherby....but I got smarter...the .308 and .270 is as big as I'll ever need. No competition except pistol among friends. The most fun to shoot....haven't figured that out yet. The old turn of the century Winchester Model 94 maybe, but probably because I don't shoot it as often. 
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I'm in the same boat CoSteve. Sometimes I think it is way to much but I realized that I actually enjoy it.
I reload for 8 different calibers and various loads to match what each gun likes. Many different bullet loads and powders on hand to squeeze the most accuracy out of each gun. I started with hand written copies for most loads, powder inventory, bullets, and primers. Now I log them into the computer so I can adjust inventory and print out an updated sheet. I put the sheets into 3 ring binders so I always have a hard copy. It really looks much better that all the scribbles in my notebook. I created excel sheets to track bullets, powder, primer inventories, various recipes and how they actually grouped. Highlighting the best loads makes it easy to find what I need for that gun and application. IE: lazy target shooting, competition, hunting, etc. I also will print out sheets that list the load data and designate a target position for each load. That way when I get home I can measure the target and easily identify it with the load that made it. It works awesome! Reloading and data collection take up far more time than my time at the range. However I like tweaking the loads a tenth of a grain at a time and truly finding the sweet spot for each gun. I enjoy reloading allot and this statement sums it up, "Reloading and shooting go hand and hand because one hobby always feeds the other". I don't know who to credit for that statement but how true it is! So I guess you are not alone or might even be less of a nut job than me 
Happy reloading! |
| The day I decide I'm loading too many calibers or too many variations of ..... will most likely be the day my presses become idle. You can never load too many if reloading is truly your hobby...... and, someone with as many pretzel cans as you have full of brass can say, ...... reloading is definately a serious hobby. Load on. |
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Quoted:
The day I decide I'm loading too many calibers or too many variations of ..... will most likely be the day my presses become idle. You can never load too many if reloading is truly your hobby...... and, someone with as many pretzel cans as you have full of brass can say, ...... reloading is definately a serious hobby. Load on. +1 |
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I can relate. .222, .223, .22-250, .260, 7mm-08, .308, 7.5 swiss, .303 brit, 7.62x544r, 8mm, .300 win mag, 9mm, .40, .45ACP
8 .30-06 rifles M1's and 1903's all across the gamut of headspace from extra tight to extra loose and with different bullet preferences on a few of them., 150, 155, 168, 175 grain bullets, 2 headstamps, 5 primers. 5 .223's, 2 with shorter chambers. I try to use different headstamps for each. 52, 55, 60, 62, 65, 75, 77 grains!, BLC2, W748, Varget, WC844, I and H4895, IMR 8028, 4 primers, 5 headstamps I try to keep good notes but sometimes I confuse myself if I haven't worked w/ something in awhile. |
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I reload for 380, 9, 38, 357, 10, 40, 44, 45LC, 45acp, m1 carbine, 223, 762x39 Since I use a progressive, either a 550 or 650, it makes sense to buy components in bulk and load in bulk, this naturally eliminates a lot of the variations. 38 and 357 use the same projectiles, as does 40 and 10mm. I just make 55 gr FMJ loads for 223 and 123 gr FMJ loads for the 762x39 rounds. 380 acp just uses 95 gr FMJ projectiles, no variations there. The only way I really vary is by making half of my production run for 9mm, 45, 10, 40 with lead projectiles and the other half with jacketed projectiles. Don't buy bullets in 100 count boxes, buy them in 1000 count or more, that way you'll have 1000 bullets of the same type and not 100 bullets each of 10 different types |
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I load 32 S&W long, 32 H&R mag, 9mm, 38, 357, 44 mag, 45 ACP, 223, and 7-30 Waters for pistols.
223, 30-30, 308. 338 WM in rifles. I no longer have a 243, 30 carbine, 270, or 7mm mag. So some reduction in rifles, but I kept the dies. In 223 I shoot three types of firearms, Contender 14", Bolt action rifle, and a couple of AR's. So I have a lot of different bullets and powders, but I like to experiment. I'll have 2 to 5 standard loads in a caliber, and then the (new to me) loads I'm experimenting with. The only caliber I have 1 load for is 32 S&W long, a cast bullet load that shoots to the point of aim for the fixed sights. Simple is good, if that's what you want. 
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Agreed on the 100 count boxes. Really if I want to test something thoroughly I need to by 2 or 3 of the 100 count boxes or a 250 count if available. You just about get the basics worked out on a 100 count and you're out! Samething with a pound of powder depending on the caliber and charge size.
I do like experiementing but the goal for most of my loading is the most accurate load that doesn't beat me or the gun up. For somethings I'd like to get a load established and leave it alone ie service rifle loads. I certainly do have too many odd boxes of bullets that don't fit in the master plans but they're theyr'e for some future undetermined project. Stockpiling ain't always bad. 
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Concerning bullet amounts, I don't buy bullets in amounts less than 1,000ea because they are just too expensive in smaller quantities. My count above only includes bullets in those quantity ranges. I didn't count the bullets I play with in small quantities (100-300ea) but then don't use such as some Hornady .223 45grn Hornets, Speer 110grn 30 Carb JSPs, 200ea Bear Creek 45acp 200grn moly concave bases, Bear Creek 40s&w 155grn molys, Win 10mm 180grn HPs, or Speer 45acp 200grn 'Flying Ashtrays' I picked up for giggles at funshows. While I have most left from experimenting with them, I don't consider them as a bullet weight I routinely reload for. |
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I reload 9mm 45acp 38/357mag 45lc 44sp/44mag in pistol. 5.56 243 308 and 2 30-06 one is a garand the other is a ruger . It's fun in a way but sometimes it drives me crazy with loads to use in each.
I do have the load book's for each calber I have so that help's 
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Let's see... I load 3 calibers,(.223, .380ACP, .45ACP) and 8-10 different bullets (but only 3-5 on any regular basis). I plan to add .308 and possibly .30-06 to the mix, maybe 9mm as well. I think that will be my limit...[/quote] Famous last words......
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Let's see... I load 3 calibers,(.223, .380ACP, .45ACP) and 8-10 different bullets (but only 3-5 on any regular basis). I plan to add .308 and possibly .30-06 to the mix, maybe 9mm as well. I think that will be my limit...[/quote] Famous last words......
ya, I got way off track when a friend kicked me off the C&R cliff! 8mm mauser, .303 Brit, 7.62x54r, 7.5 swiss, etc. |
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I'm in the same boat CoSteve. Sometimes I think it is way to much but I realized that I actually enjoy it. I reload for 8 different calibers and various loads to match what each gun likes. Many different bullet loads and powders on hand to squeeze the most accuracy out of each gun. I started with hand written copies for most loads, powder inventory, bullets, and primers. Now I log them into the computer so I can adjust inventory and print out an updated sheet. I put the sheets into 3 ring binders so I always have a hard copy. It really looks much better that all the scribbles in my notebook. I created excel sheets to track bullets, powder, primer inventories, various recipes and how they actually grouped. Highlighting the best loads makes it easy to find what I need for that gun and application. IE: lazy target shooting, competition, hunting, etc. I also will print out sheets that list the load data and designate a target position for each load. That way when I get home I can measure the target and easily identify it with the load that made it. It works awesome! Reloading and data collection take up far more time than my time at the range. However I like tweaking the loads a tenth of a grain at a time and truly finding the sweet spot for each gun. I enjoy reloading allot and this statement sums it up, "Reloading and shooting go hand and hand because one hobby always feeds the other". I don't know who to credit for that statement but how true it is! So I guess you are not alone or might even be less of a nut job than me
Happy reloading! If you dont mind care sharing your spread sheet with others? I have been thinking of making a spread sheet to track load work ups and groups but am not sure where to start. MAHA |
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I'm in the same boat CoSteve. Sometimes I think it is way to much but I realized that I actually enjoy it. I reload for 8 different calibers and various loads to match what each gun likes. Many different bullet loads and powders on hand to squeeze the most accuracy out of each gun. I started with hand written copies for most loads, powder inventory, bullets, and primers. Now I log them into the computer so I can adjust inventory and print out an updated sheet. I put the sheets into 3 ring binders so I always have a hard copy. It really looks much better that all the scribbles in my notebook. I created excel sheets to track bullets, powder, primer inventories, various recipes and how they actually grouped. Highlighting the best loads makes it easy to find what I need for that gun and application. IE: lazy target shooting, competition, hunting, etc. I also will print out sheets that list the load data and designate a target position for each load. That way when I get home I can measure the target and easily identify it with the load that made it. It works awesome! Reloading and data collection take up far more time than my time at the range. However I like tweaking the loads a tenth of a grain at a time and truly finding the sweet spot for each gun. I enjoy reloading allot and this statement sums it up, "Reloading and shooting go hand and hand because one hobby always feeds the other". I don't know who to credit for that statement but how true it is! So I guess you are not alone or might even be less of a nut job than me
Happy reloading! If you dont mind care sharing your spread sheet with others? I have been thinking of making a spread sheet to track load work ups and groups but am not sure where to start. MAHA They extremely basic but if someone knows how to attach a document or two let me know how and I will share them. |
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I am always playing with loads. Too many? Not for me, it is a hobby. But if you hobby makes you worry, then back it down a notch.
The only time i stop is when I have a memorable kill with a certain combo, For example, have a 7mm-08 that is a .75 MOA rifle that I have taken game out to 380 yards. I worked up a load pushing a 139gr SST a bit over 2800 fps and it is a death ray.I would never dream of another load in that rifle for target or game. I am not sure if she would forgive me.
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Quoted:
The day I decide I'm loading too many calibers or too many variations of ..... will most likely be the day my presses become idle. You can never load too many if reloading is truly your hobby...... and, someone with as many pretzel cans as you have full of brass can say, ...... reloading is definately a serious hobby. Load on. Truer words have never been spoken, my friend. |
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Just face it. Reloading is an addiction. A variation of hoarders disease. Always looking for "New", bullets, calibers, powders, shooting games, molds, lubes, tools... Got to go.....time for my court ordered Reloadaholics Anonymous meeting................... I don't go to those... ... It conflicts with my "Sacred Order of the Brass Whores" meetings on Thursday nights. 
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.38/.357;.9mm;.40 S&W;.45 ACP'.44 Mag/Spl;9X21;
.223;.220 Swift;.22-.250;.223 Ackley;22-.250 Ackley;.243;.30-06;.300 Win Mag;.338 Win Mag;6.5X-06;.25-06;.30-30;.30-.30 Ackley;.35 Remington;.308 I also make my own cylinder length shot shells in .357 & .44 Yes,sometimes it's just too much........ |
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