Time spent well

[armoredman]

I spent about 4 hours the other night casting 9mm bullets and powder coating them 50 at a time. This same time I would have probably wasted watching movies, (they just added "300" to Netflix), or other useless activities. I consider this time well used, even though I was going slow and just having fun.
I am pretty sure I'm not alone is saying I just have fun during the whole reloading process.

[Googe1227]

I feel the same way about reloading.

But does Mrs. A?

[GeneticallySwiss]

I don?t have a progressive reloader.  Mine is an old, single stage RCBS Rockchucker.  I love it.  Stupid simple and totally reliable.  I find reloading with it, very cathartic.


GS

[Moken]

That's why I stay with my single stage. Methodical therapy. Lolol

[Earl Keese]

I don't cast my own yet, but I recently added a Rock Chucker for rifle reloading. When work has me stressed, I try to spend more time at the reloading bench. I must be weird, because I really enjoy rifle brass prep. If job stress continues the way it has been, my entire stockpile will be prepped for reloading. 

[Wobbly]

When work has me stressed, I try to spend more time at the reloading bench.

That's the secret right there, guys !

Right toward the end of your career, you'll find that they really load it on. Not intense, heavy, important work... just all the BS 'busy work' they can find. I really think they are trying to get you to react in some crazy, reactionary way... like simply quit. Happened to me. I also have a friend who retired from Johnson & Johnson after 45 years. They did him the same way. No raises for the last 13 years, managing an increased group size, and doing all these meaningless internal reports, etc. Then on the day of his retirement, the CEO flies in with a big diploma, and they throw a huge party to tell him what a incredible job he did.... and how he'll be missed. While the only thing really truly being missed is the full retirement they'll now have to pay out.    On a personal note, I watched the 2 guys in line for retirement in front of me literally die at their desks. At my retirement "party" the CFO had the nerve to tell me that "not many employees reach this happy day".

The secret is to have at least one (and hopefully 3 or 4) safety valves in your life. If reloading can be one of those, then by all means GO for it !

Sure beats dying at your desk. 

[recoilguy]

Its a sad thing that anyone is made to feel that way by the company they work for.

There is so much value in the experienced among us. I am in charge of a pretty high octane sales force and it is populated by 19 employees 27-63 year old. I have the elder teaching the younger about relationships and getting to work on time. I have the younger guys teaching my older guys how to read a document on their phone or share contacts with others. I work very hard and will be 60 next year. My owner and CEO is always making sure I am feeling valued and that I am appreciated for the contribution I (we) make. Sure I could make more money, I could work less hours or be less stressed. I could coast through my last 6 years or so and do better then most of the guys working here. But I have made commitment to this company and they have to me. It isn't always happy and I don't always go home saying what a great day. But I never think I don't work for a great company nor would I let myself.

I reload to unwind, I reload to clear my head, it is peaceful and makes me concentrate on things other then my work a day problems. I also have a single stage RCBS Rock Chucker and over the winter I average 10K 9mm rounds loaded. One at a time. this year I am at 11,300 with 700 more primed and belled in a garbage bucket waiting for powder and a 124g Precision Delta JHP to be set and squeezed in place. that will finish the 2018 season and have me ready for summer therapy......shooting. Its awesome how that works.......load all winter shoot all summer ....repeat!

RCG

[recoilguy]

Sorry if my last post was off topic.

I love reloading an the sense of relief and calm it gives me. I like that when I do it no one else is around asking questions or telling me what to do.
I like knowing I am making something more reliable and consistent quality then I can buy for anywhere near the same money. I like the pride I take in a job well done!!!

Then I like pressing the trigger and taking them all apart.

RCG

[Moken]

Great posts recoilguy. I think we would hope to have positive employment followed by productive hand loading. Well said!

[tdogg]

Had a bunch of family in town last weekend (my youngest was baptized).  My house was a zoo, by Sunday I needed a break and snuck out to the garage and did load development on the Alliant Sport Pistol powder I just purchased.  It took till the last ladder for the kids (niece, two nephews, and my kids) to find me, it turned out to be really good they did.

I walked them all through the reloading process and had them helping place bullets and inspecting finished cartridges.  They were really impressed with the equipment and process in general.  We discussed each component and I had them all speaking the right lingo when we were done.  They thought it was awesome and I had fun teaching them (niece and nephews) something they wouldn't ever get to learn at home.

I can't get my oldest (8 yr old) to help me anymore.  Initially he was excited to help and now I can't get him out in the garage.  I've helped him through all parts of the reloading process.  He has the fundamentals and understands the process but lacks the motivation I guess.  I told him if he wants to go shoot (and he likes to go shooting!), he is going to have to help make the cartridges.  So the next time we get to go out, I am going to make sure he puts in the time at the bench.

It's definitely one of my ways of winding down.  My biggest problem now is finding time to shoot!  I have a pile of everything loaded up and no time to get out and shoot it all.

Cheers,
Toby