Why reload ?

[Paul Harm]

There's a couple of reasons. It's fun. I can make better shells than cheap factory ammo. And it's cheaper. I run the shotgun venue at my club and the wife and I shoot three times a week. At one time a few years back my daughter and granddaughter also shot and I was reloading about 30 boxes of shells a week. Now I'm down to under 20 a week. The wife and I at times shoot a 28ga and I also shoot a couple of 10 bores. Normally it's 12ga. A lot can be saved with the 10 or 28. That, and 2 7/8 10ga shells aren't made. At times I'll load up a box or two of 2, 2 1/4, or 2 1/2" shells with fiber wads and a roll crimp. Those short ones with a roll crimp look cool. Plus, I hate recoil. 12ga 3/4oz and 10ga 1oz loads are fun to shoot. I also like to make black powder shells for the 12 and 10. At times I slip a BP shell in a friends shell pocket when shooting SCs and watch the look on their face when they shoot it. No one " borrows " a shell from me anymore if they're short a shell. I also keep a number of nitro and BP hunting loads on the shelf. I even found a 40 cal barrel rifle liner for my 1882 Remington hammer gun - now I'm waiting to shoot a deer with it - either the 40 cal 425 grain bullet or some 10ga buckshot in the other barrel if it's real close. Anyways, I find it very satisfying to make my own of just about any load and not have to try any find it. And it's easy on the shoulder and wallet.