Reloading together can strengthen bonds between father and son

Gary Prisendorf, Sierra Bullets Ballistic Technologist, has written a nice article about how reloading is a rewarding hobby that can bring a father and son together… Memories of my Father — Reloading as a Lifetime Hobby by Gary PrisendorfSince 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. I suppose I was. I was spending time with my dad doing something that would eventually become a great pastime and land me a job at 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 having it weighed out and placed in 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 my father brought me a Lee Load-All 20 gauge and a pound Blue Dot within a few weeks. 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 shells with that old 20 gauge. From that moment on, I was hooked. I loaded ammunition for any new gun I bought. I only buy factory ammunition when I want to shoot them up and get some brass. I reload all of my ammunition, except for the rimfire. If I could load it safely, I’d probably do it too. Over the years, I have come to appreciate certain things. For example, I can now appreciate.30-06 military cases that were once fired and can be converted into obscure cartridge types. I also know the value of five-gallon buckets of lead wheelweights that will be melted and cast into bullets. It was like Christmas when I found 19 Norma 7.7×58 Arisaka cartridge cases that had been fired on the ground. I must have spent about 30 minutes looking for the 20th case, but I couldn’t find it. I can’t say enough thanks to my father for getting me into reloading. He gave me an amazing hobby, gave me many wonderful memories, and taught me skills that have led me to a career in something I love.