Dillon gear will be my breaking point

[Armyjimbo]

Yes once the house stuff is done, I'll be printing that off all the load data to go with my 6.5 Grendel load data. Accurate #5 or Unique pistol is what the seller used. He included 500 rounds though, so I have a few range trips before I need to worry. He has a fed NARCAN license to reman ammo, but is getting out of it.
Worst part is finding brass up here, but I can shorten 10mm brass to spec and resize then. I can sub .40 S&W but it generally is 13 thousands short. I've got 500 10mm lined up, which will give me the mythical 1000 loaded for THE DAY. Truth be told, I'll run som 40 cases to see if there is an issue.

[Tugaloo]

Once the house stuff is done? I've owned a few houses and IMO, it is never done. LOL
Currently, I'm concentrating on finishing the garage. Filling the Eagle Safe Racks with all the boxes on the floor. LOL

A license to reman ammo? Years ago, my father and I reloaded ammo for everyone at deer camp and no license was required.

When ammo was inexpensive, I bought a lot of it. My reasoning was simple. When I was a teenager, the NRA/DCM offered 1911-A1s, 1903 Springfield A3 or A4, Garand rifles, and M1 Carbines for less than $25. Ye Olde Hunter offered Lugers and P-38s for $50. I figured what happened with the firearm prices; sooner or later would happen to ammo prices and it did.

[Garand]

Being career military doesn't allow you to collect a lot. When your posted every few years, and the posting message comes out, you generally spend the next 2 months downsizing. But then I look back at my situation after I had been retired for 11 years the change was noticable, still no great deals like there were in the '70's or 80's.

[Tugaloo]

After I realized Michigan's firearms laws were draconic; I left most of my firearms at my parent's home in Maryland. After 2 years, it was also the reason why I moved from Michigan to North Carolina.
Michigan was different as at Gun Shows they sold magazines that were illegal there.

As we gave up about a 1400 sq-ft of house and over 300 sq-ft of above ground basement; we seriously downsized when we moved here. As the local Good Will and others know us by our first names; well said "the change was noticeable."

Here at 20 years, a soldier is paid 50% of full retirement. As a result, they say working for half pay is why they retired.
The military also has up or out. I worked with a guy that always wanted to be an armorer.
He was a spec5-P or promotable as compared to -C that was commendable. He was offered NCO to be NCOIC in the SF armory and refused it; so, it was out. The Army hired him back as a contractor; he made a lot more $$ and did what he loved.
How does that work in the Canadian Military?

[Armyjimbo]

A lot less jobs as a civie, unless you're a mech, or driver. Theres some jobs that allow civilian work but not as many as in the US. I've always been ADHD in my life, it made me great in the ever changing environment of the military. However now it's blossomed full blown now, Toys for all seasons, and all the equipment they need. Toss in all the sub stuff, take hunting for example. First the rifle/bow/w.h.y. , then clothing boots, then the pack and recovery stuff, well theres the real back of the brain stuff, pressure cooker, jars, vac sealer bags. It just balloons. and that's for 1 hobby. Oh it goes on.

[Tugaloo]

Civilian jobs require specialized skills. My daughter is a fancy accountant. A company in Ohio hired her for their plant in SE NC.

I definitely understand what you mean by "that's for 1 hobby. Oh it goes on" and on.. LOL


I don't know if this site has coverage for your area; however, it is a good one for weather.

https://www.wunderground.com/wundermap

I'm tracking a T-storm heading our way. Loud noises and heavy rain outside.

[Armyjimbo]

It covers my area, thank you very much! It's now bookmarked

[Tugaloo]

If there are home weather stations in your area; they can up load current conditions to the wunder radar.

[Garand]

Here at 20 years, a soldier is paid 50% of full retirement. As a result, they say working for half pay is why they retired.
The military also has up or out. I worked with a guy that always wanted to be an armorer.
He was a spec5-P or promotable as compared to -C that was commendable. He was offered NCO to be NCOIC in the SF armory and refused it; so, it was out. The Army hired him back as a contractor; he made a lot more $$ and did what he loved.
How does that work in the Canadian Military?

I started as an Infanteer and re-mustered to an Ammunition Technician with specialties in EOD & Chemical Warfare Agents, when I first retired I took a job with a native company doing range clearance with their land. After 6 months of that we parted ways and I spent the next 6 years working for the British Army in Canada, during the average year we moved 10% of the British Army's munitions in the world, then I got an opportunity to go back to Defence Research as an Explosive Technician working with experimental explosives.

My military pension check has covered my monthly mortgage payments since retirement, I feel very lucky that because I chose a trade with such a specialized (narrow) skill range that I was able to find civie employment close to home.

[Armyjimbo]

When I remustered to HULL TECH it included a change in base pay to specialist 1. As a Leading Seaman (Cpl/E4) I was making more than new Sgts in the infantry, toss in the field unit pay(sea pay) I did well. When I was retired due to occupational injury, my CF pension was augmented with a VA pension, both are totally seperate payouts. It was decided that I'm unfit to work fulltime , and only part time in a limited capacity. Sigh with my messed shoulder /arm/neck, not many jobs available for me.

They drywall is almost done, which means I'll be able to mount my presses permanently. From that point I'll just have to wait for flooring. It's not going into the arsenal of freedom area. While I haven't been to the range as much as usual, I haven't been doing any reloading either. In some calibers i'm under 100 rounds loaded presently. Our crime minister would be pleased, but I'm not.

[Tugaloo]

I was light Infantry, a nature walker. I was in the Army for 4 years; so no pension; however, as I'm a disabled Veteran, get a check each month. Although I am disabled, you can't tell by looking at me. I'm 6'-2" and between 196 to 204 pounds.

Although I studied architecture, I've always been a gear head at heart. After, I left the military; I worked in civil engineering and also semiconductors for a very short time. In 1971, I started in automotive design and stayed until 2015.

Armyjimbo,
I made NCO in Vietnam. Once someone asked me how did I get all the stripes in less than 4 years? My answer was because you can't push a string which is why they created Sergeants and Lieutenants.
They wouldn't give me a drop or ETS early; I ended up as Cadre training OCS types.

[Armyjimbo]

LOL One day while doing a kit layout on the Canadian version of a mid 80s 2.5 ton truck, I was yelled at as I was dragging a set of tire chains . Well it was a hot muggy day, all I heard was "Why are you dragging those chains?" Never have I been called a shrinking Violet replied before looking at WHO asked the question. Because it's too hard to push them, "looks around it's the company sergeant major OC, RSM AND the CO" SIR. Well everyone but the CO had me in the cross hairs, my CSM who knew who was getting stuff done was mildly amused. I figured I'd be commanding the "SILVER SUB/ DUTY STAFF" for a loooong time, but the CO said "You're correct, carry on". OMG I thought for the next week I was screwed, I think I was saved by our vehicles got good reports on our inspection.

[Tugaloo]

No offense to the Company SM, but he sounds like a house cat or REMF, your choice. ;)

House cats don't get or can't fathom a combat AO.
I taught the OSC types how to rig a claymore so the bad guys couldn't pick it up and rotate it 180°. It's simple, dig a shallow hole, pull the pin on a grenade and set it the hole; then push the claymore's legs in. It keeps the spoon from flying off unless someone picks it up.
I was threatened is disciplinary action or an Article 15 for teaching the kiddies such a dangerous thing. I continued to teach them with the caveat; IF, my butt gets chewed out, I'd never teach them such things again. Guess what, I continued and no future class ever mentioned it.

[Armyjimbo]

He did end end his career as RSM. He did have a mischievous side, I just have no filter between brain and mouth. I was willing to accept the punishment for the insubordination, but it never occurred. Big mouth and balls wasn't a great mix in the garrison but I always gave 100% as I also failed to quit. That got me through my reconnaissance patrolman course and later sniper couse, and eventually caused me and some others to be dropped into the Tora Bora ,mountains in Afghanistan,

In other news walls are done, got the loading bench back in location. I ran some adjusted charge .223. today I'll try to hit thr range tomorrow. I plan on bringing my kneeling pad and brass bucket. I took a bucket cut out the bottom and replaced it with screen. I simply rake and scoop in IN THIS DAY AND AGE people still are leaving brass at the range, like WTF. The screen allows most of the sandy soil to stay, same with 22.

I've often thought about this, a guy I know uses a .40 sw as his bullet after doing a modified version of this for his .45 LC Lever action

[Tugaloo]

As I was a nature walker, I was pretty good at "Land Navigation." However, that did not include joining the future officers when their plan was to go through a snake filled swamp. I asked student company commander what was his plan? After he told me, I said OK, I'll be waiting on the other side. That prompted others who had more brains and common sense to speak up.

As I have no choice and am too frugal to pay for obsolete brass for a .222 Rmag.

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/reforming-204-ruger-cases-into-222-remington-magnum/329650

I also made .30 Herrett brass from 30-30 brass.

Although not nearly the amount of brass I used to police up at the range; I still find some. As some people will sweep it up and throw it in the trash barrel, that is a another place to look.
Those who don't save it are totally unaware of the ads selling once fired brass.

With so many new people who believe they can ignore the manuals and figure it out reloading isn't safe for them..