It becomes addictive

[Norske]

I first reloaded in 1967. Over the years, I've been known to buy a different brand of bullets so I could find an accurate hand load when I already had a perfectly good one for that rifle. Why do I have rifles in both 257 Roberts and 6.5X55 Skan Mauser? That's like owning both a 270 and a 280.
Now I buy firearms so I can not only test hand loads, but I can cast my own bullets for them. Really, what sense does it make to buy a rifle chambered for 358 Winchester when I already own a 45-70, a 338WM, and a 30-06?

Retirement is fun.

 

[2400]

I first reloaded in 1967. Over the years, I've been known to buy a different brand of bullets so I could find an accurate hand load when I already had a perfectly good one for that rifle. Why do I have rifles in both 257 Roberts and 6.5X55 Skan Mauser? That's like owning both a 270 and a 280.
Now I buy firearms so I can not only test hand loads, but I can cast my own bullets for them. Really, what sense does it make to buy a rifle chambered for 358 Winchester when I already own a 45-70, a 338WM, and a 30-06?

Retirement is fun.

I started loading around the same time you did. My first loader was a Lyman tong tool. I still have and am using the RCBS Rock Chucker I bought in 1970.

I had a really nice 257 Ackley improved it was a sweet shooting gun. Are you casting for the 338?

 

[bowcarp]

I first reloaded in 1967. Over the years, I've been known to buy a different brand of bullets so I could find an accurate hand load when I already had a perfectly good one for that rifle. Why do I have rifles in both 257 Roberts and 6.5X55 Skan Mauser? That's like owning both a 270 and a 280.
Now I buy firearms so I can not only test hand loads, but I can cast my own bullets for them. Really, what sense does it make to buy a rifle chambered for 358 Winchester when I already own a 45-70, a 338WM, and a 30-06?

Retirement is fun.

enjoy it all you can , the reason I reload is just so I can shoot more (time allowing) just reloading rifle for now 30-06 , .243 and .223 I do want to start on handgun next .40 , .45 and .357

 

[PrairieGhost]

Do you guys remember the old Lee loader that you used a hammer to do your reloading. I started out with that and a model 43 Winchester in 22 Hornet in 1960 I think it was. I would hike up to the neighbors and shoot a few gophers, then sit behind a big rock and hammer another 20 rounds out. I carried the hand trimmer, bullets, powder, and Lee loader in one of those old WWII gas mask bags. I gave the rifle to one of my sons with all the bullets and everything. I don't remember the exact price, but I had an old box of a hundred bullets that was under $2.
I can still see my dad sitting at the kitchen table and loading by the light of an old kerosene lamp. You mentioned 6.5X55. Dad had one of those that he bought before the 1968 firearms law went into affect. He ordered it from an add in Outdoor Life for $19.99. They had beaters for $9.99, good, but all original mausers for $19.99, and absolute perfect never fired mausers for $29..99. I picked one up to look at in Montana last week. It was beat, but the price tag was $400.

Edit: We used the info that came with our Lee loader. When we purchased a Speer #7 we thought we were really cooking. You should see the recommended loads in that old manual. ]

 

[2400]

I still have one or two of those in the little cardboard box. I'll see if I can find it, take a pic and post it here.

I have all but one of the Speer manuals. Sometimes they're the only place for info on an old cartridge.