What do the old (can't hunt) guys do with tons of reloading equipment?

[Kracken McGraw]

I ponder this too, I am not quite there yet getting close enough to have gone thorough why wont my dipped in the koolaid kids get there sheep dip filled heads on straight, and come and claim my gold mine of wonderfully valuable stuff and knowledge. So I am going to sell off what I am done with buy something funner and enjoy what I have......... What a load of crap.... Post the to heavy or to big to mess with stuff on Calguns.net a piece or two at a time LOCAL sale only? for now, What you have left I'm sure some of us here may NEED one day. I just bought close to 400.00 in specialty dies used price, And I cant fess up to how much on new custom barrels just to shoot a CALIBER I already have more than enough CARTRIDGES in..... I love this S_____ ONLY in AMREICA


Lets keep it this way

Yes Sir, only in America!
I figure my trigger finger will be the last thing to go so I’m going to keep on peddling till the end. Like another member on here said not too long ago, “ They can throw all my stuff in the lake when I’m gone.”

 

[CJ6]

It's already written up....Who gets what and why. I've given all the kids a new shotgun, Centerfire rifle a Rimfire rifle and on their 21 birthday a handgun. The reloading equipment and supplies will be split between them.

 

[nmkid]

To a certain point, age is just a number. What really matters is the state of your health.

 

[DiffEQ]

Here's some food for thought:
#1: Unless you have another hobby, keep on loading.

I met an older gentleman in his 80's and bought presses, dies, all his powder and primers from him. He'd had open heart surgery, couldn't shoot any more, it wasn't comfortable to pull the crank arm, and didn't think he'd reload any more either.​

Four years later, he missed reloading so much, he bought himself a Dillon 650 with case feeder and started producing pistol and rifle ammo for his sons. Still no more shooting, but you betcha he vicariously enjoyed his sons' activities.​

I brought him some powder and bullets, and we chatted about it. He offered to let me hunt his farm, but I was too darned busy for the drive. He has since passed in his 90's.​

#2A: Don't "give" it away.

IMO, people value more what they had to earn. There are plenty of deserving kids / young adults, who would cherish reloading equipment. You can gift it to them on the condition that they repay the kindness to others and see it through.​

I have made that bargain with my kids (phones, things they want, etc), and with one man gave a car, and to others, reloading equipment. It's a gift that keeps giving.​

#2B: Mind Share

If you do wind up handing it off to someone, if you can, find someone local and teach them. One of the best things we can offer in age is our wisdom and knowledge. Maybe as a part of the bargain, you can get work done around your house.​

#3: Have a plan.

Like others here, write it down, then start acting on it.​

 

[searcher]

I think most of us older guys can't help but wonder what would become of our accumulations of things dear to us if (when) we croak. So along with my will and estate plan, I have a list of pretty much anything over a certain dollar amount, detailing what it is and what it should be worth second hand - where to get rid of it. You can bet there are many people who won't value a $39.00 Bushnell scope differently than a $3,000 March scope. Heck - they might even think the March is worth less because so few hunters have heard of them. I provide the name of the online gun auction company I know as knowledgeable and reputable, a name for getting rid of powder and primers, a name for the expensive shotguns, etc. That way - I don't feel like I need to get rid of as much stuff as I age - if I think I might get to go on another varmint trek, big game hunt or whatever. Getting rid of all the small stuff - like presses, scales, etc. is probably most easily done by making up a long list and placing bunches of items in groups and selling as lots online such as placing a press, a scale, powder trickler, deburring tool, lube, case measuring tools, etc., all in one group. Selling these things off individually is very time consuming. You might also look for a non-profit that will take what you have - as depending on your tax bracket - that can be as advantageous as selling at a steep discount - and without the hassle and time involved.

 

[Texas10]

I just bought a bunch of reloading stuff at a garage sale from a retired guy who was liquidating everything, parting with the home and the wife, and moving into an RV to travel the US . Second time I've added to my collection of reloading equipment from retirees liquidating everything.

 

[243winxb]

At 76, i am getting close to dumping it all.

Sell at auction.

Result of items sold, with photos.


https://www.horstauction.com/gun-auctions/gun-auction-results/june-2021-gun-auction/#prettyPhoto

Looks like collector's are buying up old production Remingtons.

 

[strut64]

My stuff will go to my son in law. Between him and his three brothers it will get used. In the mean time I have converted to target shooting.

 

[Punkur67]

Okay, I'm older now. Sold my pickup, sold my prairie dog hunting guns, sold dies, sold brass and ammo, sold Vortex Fury and other things that are expensive. BUT now I've got tons of reloading equipment and my son doesn't want it: two presses, scales, RCBS Charge Master, 30 press caliber brass fittings, rifle holding vice, Caldwell stable table, and etc, and etc. I live where no one reloads in Southern California. Give me some ideas, but I'm searching for what the older guys do with their shops?

I know of several reloaders in Southern California including myself. In fact most of the guys I shoot with also load. I hope my son will be interested in my stuff when my time comes to pass everything down. He's only 4 now so I have many years to corrupt him! Haha

 

[JPTX]

Put it on Ebay. There are limitations what can be sold, but most equipment, and parts can. Put a minimum reasonable starting price and see what happens. You do have to keep up with it for when it sells so you don't get caught not shipping the item. You never know when you have something that someone wants and can't find anyplace. It may be a $5.00 item or several hundred, but everyone wins. You get rid of it, and they get something they didn't think they could find. Be honest with the description, include pictures and enjoy. Not everything sells, but for a price, someone will buy. Do as I say, not as I do. (Or, not do)

 

[Daddymac]

We collect things that we enjoy for just about all of our lives, but if our kids or grand kids have no interest, at that point it's just about junk.

I have a Remington 511 that was my dads, book value about $150, but the value to me is just about priceless. What will it be worth to the next generation or the next? Without the personal connection, eventually it becomes just another old worthless gun.

 

[LaMan]

I'm only 70 and in good health but I've had to help two widows dispose of their husbands guns and reloading equipment after their husbands sudden deaths. In many ways it was confusing and traumatic for the wives to face disposing of those items that they had no idea what they were or any vague idea as to the values. It would be a favor to your family, no matter what age, to at least catalogue your valuables and give them and idea as to what to do in case of your passing.

As a side both widows had been approached by so called "shooting buddies" and had been offered incredibly low offers to "take that stuff off their hand". Scumbags.

 

[Rule 243]

I'm only 70 and in good health but I've had to help two widows dispose of their husbands guns and reloading equipment after their husbands sudden deaths. In many ways it was confusing and traumatic for the wives to face disposing of those items that they had no idea what they were or any vague idea as to the values. It would be a favor to your family, no matter what age, to at least catalogue your valuables and give them and idea as to what to do in case of your passing.

As a side both widows had been approached by so called "shooting buddies" and had been offered incredibly low offers to "take that stuff off their hand". Scumbags.

I despise people like your buddies.

 

[JMayo]

I also struggle with the "what's gonna happen to my stuff"
The thought of taking pennies for dollars for it keeps me from selling.
But when I go "my stuff" will not mean a thing to those going through it.
It just lays there. It'll be someone else's burden I suppose.
So much money spent......

 

[HTSmith]

I'm only 79yrs old. I'm not there yet. A 700 with both a 300RUM and 338 RUM barrel is in progress, a RF club rifle is being put together, and a Winchester clone receiver is on order from D'Arcy Echols for a 375H&H. I have a grand daughter and a great grand daughter that pull the handle for their pistols and rifles.

Partner if you can shoot them bruisers at age 79, then God has surely blessed you. Carry on.

 

[HTSmith]

what the older guys do with their shops?

Mentor new reloaders? Wood working? Small engine repair? The most rewarding thing for me is to do stuff that helps someone.

 

[sandwarrior]

Okay, I'm older now. Sold my pickup, sold my prairie dog hunting guns, sold dies, sold brass and ammo, sold Vortex Fury and other things that are expensive. BUT now I've got tons of reloading equipment and my son doesn't want it: two presses, scales, RCBS Charge Master, 30 press caliber brass fittings, rifle holding vice, Caldwell stable table, and etc, and etc. I live where no one reloads in Southern California. Give me some ideas, but I'm searching for what the older guys do with their shops?

I'd list 'em up here. Sell what sells, then do a giveaway with a contest or something.

 

[riverside jeep]

Depending on the financial situation, if you have plenty of funds go to the local rifle range and find a young guy that's respectful and pass the torch.

 

[jeb405]

I didn't read all the threads so maybe this was mentioned already. I had a somewhat similar situation where I had a relative pass away suddenly at too young an age and he had wide variety of reloading equipment and supplies. I already have what I need and want. I contacted the state rifle and pistol association (pretty much every state has one associated with NRA competitions) and got in touch with the people who run their juniors program. They used what they could and sold the rest to fund other activities for them. If you have over $20k worth of stuff maybe not what you want to do, but everyone's situation will be slightly different.

JB

 

[JSH]

This is a depressing thread, just saying.

I can’t disagree but I have seen and heard of crazy stuff happen to our prized possessions, and it’s to late for the owner to have a say so.
I have seen casting equipment go to the scrap yard, molds and alloy. Ran across a bucket full of molds when I was looking for alloy years ago, all trashed by then.

I have heard of ill informed widows call the fire or police department to dispose of reloading equipment because they were afraid it would blow up. (The past year a lady called the FD to dispose of her husbands powder and primers, quite a substantial amount from what I heard from his shooting buddy)

When I get to the point of quitting I would rather mentor a person and gift them the equipment. But finding a young shooter with a strong passion may be few and far between today.