Expanding My Reloading Setup For Free by Dave D.
I started reloading 25 years ago out of necessity. I was a young airman shooting on my Air Force base’s shooting team. At the time, I could not afford the 1000 rounds a week that I was shooting on my $365 a week salary. The sergeant in charge of my duty section took the time to teach me how to reload pistol than rifle rounds. I originally purchased a Lyman basic reloading setup with 9mm and 223 dies. All was well.
Slowly, other airmen that I invited out to shoot with me started to purchase their own firearms in different calibers. They quickly realized the cost of shooting was killing their trigger time. One of my fellow shooting companions asked if he purchased a set of 38/.357 dies would I be able to teach him to reload. I quickly agreed. Months later he received orders overseas and he gave me the set of dies, all his brass, bullets, primers and powder. This was my first set of free dies and other related items.
For years nothing much changed in my reloading setup until I got orders to Arizona. Now a Staff Sergeant, I worked with a lot of hunting and shooting enthusiasts. I was introduced to predator hunting, and I loaded ballistic tip rounds for my new Remington 700 in 223. My new hunting partners were very impressed with my ballistic tip rounds and ask if I could load rounds for them. Deer and elk season was upon us and I was asked to load rounds for big game. One of the guys purchased two sets of dies in 30-06 and 7mm plus components and asked if I could load for him. I was happy to do it. When I gave him the completed rounds he asked what I owed him. I told him not a thing. His reply was for me to keep the two die sets. I was now up to five sets of dies.
As time passed, others asked if I could load for them. My standard reply was sure if you buy the dies and components I will reload for you for free, but I keep the dies. With the military being what it is. Guys get orders or get out when their enlistment is up, and leave me their left over components. I never really loaded for people more than a couple of times. So the burden on my time was never that great.
Over the years I have built quit a large reloading setup. I have about 30,000 pieces of brass in all different calibers, many pounds of powder, thousands of bullets in all different calibers, and 26 different sets of dies. This was done with a lot of good will and enjoyment, and as I write this article I realize how much money I have saved over the years.
nicely done
Great story, very practical — A # 10
I thought it was a nice reflection on the building of an enjoyable pastime. #10
Great article, good job Dave
sorry- forgot to put rating
I give it a 10.
definitely a 10
very good story.10
good story a 10
Very nice article. I especially like that you did it all out of compassion for shooting. I give it a *10
Good story, thx for sharing…… 10!
Very interesting article! I didn’t realize you could reload! It certainly a money saver!! A #10
thanks Dave, we’ve shot some of your reloads! 10
Thanks for sharing…. 10!
Great story 10
Great job. Had no idea you did this. Give it a 10
Great article. Definitely a 10.
I knew you did reloading but never knew how far it went. Great story and keep up the good work. #10
I thought it was very good information 10
Very nice article–definitely a “10″.
Very informative and well written, Easily a 10
So … why are you not in business? Charge for loads. $$$ A#10
Why? One word…LIABILITY
Nice article Dave, great job! 10!!!!
Wonderful story…and I know where it all began! 10
I thank Bryan for it all.
Nice job! 10
Great story Dave. 10!!!
great story I rate it a 10
Nice story, 10.
This guy knows what he is doing….nicely done!
I give him a 10!
I know one of those sets of dies came from me. 10
Somehow I didn’t reply under this story, but under the main menu. Sorry
great article!! 10
Nothing beats rolling your own. I give you a 10
My husband & I enjoyed the interesting article with an important truth; how being a generous person is like being a sower of good seed. You will reap a good harvest. I rate this a 10.
Don’t forget the die sets for blanks also. 10
Good job Dave 10
Nice 10
“10″
Good job Dave. I rate this article as a 10.
Thanks Liam, good to hear from you.
I found it strangely interesting and learned something new.
I give it a 10
Really Good 10
Reloading is a skill I would love to have. 10
Informative, a 10
Mr Doyle, I’m glad you reload, because I enjoy going out shooting with you and Zac. 10
Very good. 10
Sorry I took so long to rate Dave. I thought it was spam. I let the rest of the reenactors know as well. 10
10
Here Day, hope you win. 10
Definite “10″
I wish I would have started loading years ago. Here is a 10.
Dave,
We need to talk about those 30,000 pieces of brass and what calibers you have. Hope to see you guys back east soon. The story has a good tone to it – do unto others……10.
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I’ll give it a 1o.
Nicely done. “10″
Excellent way to get a ton of materials and help out your buddies at the same time. Reloading is one thing I want to learn. “10″
Good article 10
10
It’s a 10!
10 Dave
10
Two writers in one Fire Department let alone the same shift. 10
I knew u had issues. 10
It’s almost as good of a paper as the one you helped me write. You get a 10
I’ll send you my edits. 10
10
It’s a ten
Good story 10
Not bad for a Republican. 10
You deserve to win. 10
10
Here you go bro. 10
Short and sweet 10
fabian had it right. 10
10
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BIG TEN
I never knew you write let alone read. 10
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10
Dude 10 Don’t let it go to your head.
Score of 10.
Good job Dave. Hope you win the contest!
10
Bruce told me to rate this. 10
Some of that brass is mine…..10
A 10 brother.
Ten
10
10 for effort.
Very useful information during these pre-appocilytic times, thanks for the info.
This does rate a 10.
Good luck. 10
Good Story Dave 10
10
Informative “10″
10
Good job 10
Good job brother. 10
I still need to learn how to do this. 10
Hope this helps. 10
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10
I liked the article. 10
10
Still at this I see. 10
10
Not much into guns, but it’s a good story. 10
10
10
Great Story 10
Good story, I reload also. 10
I didn’t know you can make your own bullets. I give the story a 10.
10 Dave
10
I bet your still trimming cases at work. 10
Us crew chiefs got to stick together. 10
10
Good story Dave
10
10
I bet that story could have been alot longer. 10 in my book.
Rate this story a “10″
Wonderful story……….10
Nicely writen Dave. 10
I rate this a 10 out of 10.
10
I reload also but not as many calibers as you.
10
Good luck with the contest. Rate a 10
Can’t do much of that here. Ten.
Great job! “10″
“10″ good story
10
I liked the story alot. 10
10
I like the story. Ten
What was the plot again
10
Good Story. 10
10
Rate this a 10
10
Not really sure what your talking about, but I give you a 10.
I give this story a 10.
10
Story seems like it could have been longer. I rate it a 10.
Very interesting …good job….I give you 10
This is so you. 10
I liked what I read.
10
10
I think this story deserves a 10.
wow! I love this site! my brother introduced it a while ago, there are so many great ideas and some pretty good surviving stories, I particuarlly like this one thanks David!
Thanks…10
Better late than never. I give a you a 10.
I liked what I read…….10!
Good work Dave, you score a 10.
Good story.
10
I’ll take that as a compliment. Yes, I did write the story.
Good work. 10