Father and Son Can Strengthen Their Bonds By Reloading togetherJune 22nd, 2023Sierra Bullets’ Ballistic Technician Gary Priesendorf has written an essay about how reloading is a rewarding hobby that can bring a father and son together…Memories Of My Father — Reloading as a Life-Time Hobbyby Gary PriesendorfSince I can remember, I have always been around reloading. I have many childhood memories of my dad reloading and firing. I remember him letting me help load his ammunition by letting clean primer pockets and wipe the sizing grease off of his cases. I thought I was doing something. Well, I guess I did. I was spending time with my dad doing something that would eventually become a great pastime and land me a job working for Sierra Bullets. Teach someone if you are a reloader. You could give them a lifelong hobby and, who knows, help them find a rewarding career doing something they love. Gary Prisendorf — I remember watching my dad sizing cases with his Herters press. He dropped his powder charges using a Belding & Mull measure. And he weighed powder charges on his Texan balance. I can remember him buying powder from a local pawnshop, and the staff would weigh it and put it into a paper bag. He would save the empty cans of powder, wrap them in masking tape, and write on them what powder it was with a black magic pen. When I was in Junior high, I bought my first shotgun – a Mossberg 500 20 gauge – and within a few weeks, my father brought home a Lee Load-All 20 gauge and a pound Blue Dot. He gave me an intensive crash course in how to use the shotgun and got me started with a few safe loads. I shot a lot of rounds through that 20 gauge. From that day on, I was hooked. I loaded ammunition for every new gun I bought. I only buy factory ammunition when I want to shoot them up and get some brass. I reload all the ammunition I shoot except for rimfire. If I could load rimfire safely, I’d do it too. Over the years, I’ve learned to appreciate certain things, such as once-fired.30-06 military cases that can be converted into obscure cartridge types. I also know the value of a bucket of five-gallon lead wheel weights, which will be melted and turned into bullets. I remember finding 19 once fired Norma 7.7×58 Arisaka cartridge cases on the ground in a public shooting area. It was like Christmas had come early. I must have spent about 30 minutes looking for the 20th case, but I never found it. I can’t thank him enough for getting me into reloading. He gave me an amazing hobby, wonderful memories, and taught me skills that led to a career in something I love.
Tags: Father Son Gary Prisendorf Herters Press Sierra Bullets
