Handloading vs Archery?

[Vitals]

Over the past couple months; I have thrown myself seemingly head first into the world of hand loading. It is something I’ve wanted to do for a while and I had come into a little cash so it seemed like the right time to pick it up. I have also begun hunting with a friend who is very knowledgeable and eager to teach me what he knows. I have had this feeling however in the back of my head that I made an all to quick decision to purchase all the components when I found a good sale.

For years I have wanted to get a bow and take on that challenge. I have pondered these two endeavors over and over for a long time now and I always came out with the desire to pick up a bow. The upsides of Archery seemed to make it a no brainer. For starters, I’m moving to Arizona, I will be able to hunt more often thus learning more areas, It’s an activity that will get me out year round to practice, and of course there is the appealing primitiveness to it all.

I have an entire reloading set up mostly remaining in the original shipping packages. I have been using my friends press etc. to start with. It would seem to me a good point where I could still sell this entire kit and use these precious funds elsewhere. I’d love some feedback from Roksliders… maybe some of you have been in the same position at some point?

 

[MuleyFever]

Why do only one? You can get started in archery with little money. You don't need the best gear to start.

 

[Shane]

You could also do some custom reloading for friends and make enough money to buy a bow.

 

[wapitibob]

I've shot tournament archery for over 40 years. Been doing the rifle hunt reload thing for 2. I wouldn't give up either. I get my rifle fix inWyoming shooting antelope and elk. Archery elk I oregon and/or another state I draw in. You can easily do both.
A low cost rifle pkg and a low cost bow pkg will be plenty good for starters.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

If I had to choose one or the other I would say pick up a bow since it will give you more opportunity there in AZ. Right now you can still shoot factory rounds from your rifle and hunt with it while you pick up archery. When some extra cash comes in buy the reloading gear as well.

Then you can fill your season up even more with rifle and bow hunts.

 

[husky390]

Go slow and do both. You're moving to the mecca state for firearms. Plenty of places to shoot and a ton of local manufacturers. Plus, they don't have idiotic gun laws like we have here in CO. The key is, go slow. Get a single stage press, pick a couple calibers that you expect to shoot a lot and reload for them. Build up your die and component inventory over time. If you want to shoot lead, I know a guy in Az who off and on sells cast bullets for a fair price and they're good quality. I also know of another guy who has good prices on primers, powder, and bullets.

For archery, buy used. New bows are way over priced, worse than cars. PSE is in Tucson and they will sometimes have leftover bows at a discount. About 5 years ago I bought a PSE Heritage longbow for $115 and wish I had bought two of them. Bass Pro Blackout X5 Envy arrows are made by Gold Tip and are affordable and decent. If you want to go with a compound, find your draw weight and take a look at used Elite's. They have a lifetime transferable warranty. Hoyt is good to go as well. I passed on a used bow because it was missing its build sticker. I called Hoyt in the parking lot, told them I was looking at buying a used bow, gave them the serial # and they saved me from buying a bow that was not right for me. From my experience, the best time to buy used compound bows are December through March. Everyone has stuff to buy for Christmas, bills to pay after Christmas, and the new bows are out and a lot of people want the new one's. My first bow was an ancient PSE compound, then I bought a used 03 Hoyt MT Sport in 2010. Now I'm shooting a used 13 Elite Answer. I've yet to buy a brand new bow and probably never will.

If you're moving to the Phoenix area, Ben Avery is a decent range. Best times to go are during the week, same with Rio Solado. Their steel matches are a lot of fun. Scottsdale Gun club isn't too bad either. Also, check out arizonashooting.com.

 

[Vitals]

Husky390 thanks for the solid advice. Everyone else as well. I guess it makes the most sense just to stick with it. I do enjoy the reloading process and its not as if I need a bow for this season.

Great advice on used bows. Thats likely the rout I will go. I will be moving to Glendale AZ and yes, Ben Avery is on my map for when I move.

I didnt know what to expect as far as finding components in az compared the here in CA. Less restrictions but larger market for everything I imagine...

 

[Beendare]

I'm biased to bowhunting big game but love to coyote hunt with a rifle- diversity is good

Elk hunting in Az with a bow is about as good as it gets so you have that to look forward to. Drew a non res tag last year- pictured
and against all odds, drew another bull tag this year
View attachment 16121

 

[mtswampfox]

Would and do both. Az has got to have some great varmint shooting which would keep my reloader busy. Becareful reloading for others, the liability Iissues scare me

 

[HOT ROD]

I do both and really in joy them.. I wouldn't sell the kit for any thing...

 

[fire arrow]

Keep the reliading stuff, and get a bow when you can. Reloading is something that has become more than just a cost saving hobbie for me. It's something that my boys and I do to spend more time togeather, plus I got the Long Range bug a while back, and unless you do your own reloading you are not going to hit the long ball very well.

I worked in a archery shop for many years and told people thousands of times that a 300 bow shoots just as good as the 1000 dollar bow, and that's the gods honust truth. It's the guy behind it that makes it work right. Look to buy a used bow for this year. Usually people sell them as a package and you get a good deal. Just make sure it fits right, and you learn how to shoot right, and practice practice practice. Once you get to AZ try and find a outdoor range and have fun. O ya, a good Javalina and Couse deer spot is a must also.

 

[5MilesBack]

I do both..........but if I could only choose one, it would be archery.

 

[69ChrisCraft]

Spent several grand in the most recent gun grab hysteria (Sandy Hook) buying an AR-15, gun safe, ammunition etc. A month later bought a bow and haven't touched a gun since. Actually entertaining the idea of getting into reloading as an attempt to salvage my former shooting hobby. I recommend you do both so you can then help me decide

 

[Forestryguy]

You are not alone in trying to decide on what hobbies to keep immersing yourself in and which ones to let go. My issue right now is that I whitetail and waterfowl hunt. I also trap a decent amount. I would like to start predator hunting and going out West to hunt big game.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

Both! If you sell your reloading stuff, you will regret it. If you already have a good supply of powder/primer/bullets, you'd be foolish to let them go.

 

[charvey9]

You can get some pretty good used bow setups on a low budget. Just watch craigslist or checkout classified on here or other archery sites. You should be able to get a decent bow from the last few years for under $500 or something a little older for $200-$300 to get you started.

 

[robby denning]

Why do only one? You can get started in archery with little money. You don't need the best gear to start.

^x2
If you're just starting in archery, you could buy a used bow and go with the basics. You equipment can grow as your skills do. I find handloading very rewarding and often better accuracy, though not always. Sure is nice to be in control of the variables. Now that my handloading equipment is paid for, I can reload for half price or less of factory ammo.

 

[Bonedalien]

do both for sure! for me its archery and fly tying though,hand loading the flybox I guess.

 

[tstowater]

Dillon Precision is in the Phoenix area. My understanding is that they have an outlet store also. I load everything and use a bow also. Like anything else, you can spend a mountain of money getting started and going from there. Just spent about $300 between Dillon and Midway picking up "little things" earlier this week for my FIL and me.

 

[husky390]

Dillon is in North Scottsdale and they do have a store on site. It's a great way to test out all the machines. I started off with a single stage, then picked up a Square Deal B for reloading .45acp and then picked up a 550. Their presses are awesome but spendy when it comes to conversion kits. I'm still using that old single stage for the majority of my handloads.