Reloading
Reloading offers several advantages:
- Cost savings: Reloading can be significantly cheaper than buying factory-made ammunition.
- Accuracy: Reloading allows for more precise ammunition customization, potentially improving accuracy.
- Obscure calibres: Reloading can supply ammunition for obsolete or obscure calibres that may not be readily available.
- Hobby: Reloading can be a rewarding hobby in itself.
Ammunition Sources
There are three primary sources of ammunition:
- Factory-made: New ammunition produced by manufacturers.
- Military surplus: Used ammunition from military sources.
- Homeloaded: Ammunition reloaded by individuals.
While factory-made ammunition is often the best option for rimfire cartridges like .22 rimfire due to their abundance and affordability, reloading centre-fire cartridges for full-bore rifle and pistol (including gallery rifles) can be advantageous.
Benefits of reloading
Reloading allows you to create ammunition that's better suited to your specific needs and can often be superior in quality to factory-made options.
For full-bore rifle ammunition, military surplus can be a cost-effective option but may not meet the standards of target-grade ammunition, especially at long ranges.
By reloading, you can produce high-quality ammunition at a lower cost than factory-made alternatives. This is particularly true for lever-action ammunition (pistol cartridges), where reloading allows you to create reduced-velocity lead-bulleted rounds that are better suited for target shooting than many factory-produced loads, which often prioritise high velocity and performance.
Essential reloading equipment
- Reloading guides and charts: Thoroughly read and understand manuals for these resources.
- Reloading press: A 7/8" UNF threaded die press is essential.
- Reloading dies: Sets of dies in the desired calibre.
- Shell holders: Corresponding to the calibres you're reloading.
- Powder scales: Accurate scales for measuring powder.
- Powder measure and stand: For consistent powder measurements.
- Reloading station: A dedicated workspace for your equipment.
Optional equipment
- Auto primer: A hand-operated tool for seating primers, offering better precision than on-press seaters.
- Case tumbler: Cleans and polishes cases for a shiny finish.
- Powder trickler: Dispenses powder one kernel at a time for precise measurements.
- Powder funnel: Transfers powder from the scale pan to the case.
- Case trimmer: Trims bottleneck cases to the correct length.
- Case lube pad: Lubricates bottleneck rifle cases before sizing to prevent sticking.
- Vernier calipers: Measures case and bullet diameters and lengths.
- Progressive press: For high-volume pistol cartridge loading.
Reloading process overview
Here's a simplified breakdown of the reloading process:
Preparation:
- Set up: Secure your press, calibrate your powder measure and scales.
- Load data: Choose a suitable load from your reloading manuals and gather bullets and primers.
- Powder measure: Adjust your measure to dispense the desired powder charge using the scales. If loading maximum rifle charges, start slightly lower and use the trickler for precise measurement.
Case processing:
- Cases: Obtain new, unfired cases or cleaned and inspected fired cases. Avoid Berdan-primed cases as they're difficult to reprime. Look for a single central flash hole for Boxer priming (easier to de-cap and re-prime). Reject steel cases and those with damage, splits, dents, or corrosion. Clean off dirt and debris.
- De-priming, resizing, priming, neck expanding: It's recommended to process cases in batches (e.g., 100) for efficiency. This stage prepares the cases for powder and bullet loading, which are typically done individually.
De-capping and resizing:
- Die setup: Screw the resizing die into the press and attach the appropriate shell holder.
- Case preparation: Lubricate bottleneck rifle cases before resizing (optional for straight-walled cases).
- Resizing: Place a clean case in the shell holder and operate the press handle. This resizes the case and ejects the spent primer.
- Priming (optional): You can reprime the case on the press during the upstroke using the primer seating arm. However, many reloaders prefer using a separate hand primer tool for better control.
- Repeat: Repeat for all cases in the batch. If using a hand primer, complete the priming process now.
Note: This is a simplified overview. Always consult your reloading manuals and follow safety precautions for detailed instructions.
Neck expansion and powder charging
- Neck expansion: For bottleneck rifle cases, neck expansion occurs automatically during the resizing process. However, you may need to trim the case neck to ensure proper fit. Use a neck expanding die to slightly expand and flare the case mouth for bullet seating.
- Powder charging: For low-pressure, low-velocity pistol cartridges, directly throwing powder from the measure into the case is acceptable with regular charge weight checks. For high-pressure, high-velocity rifle cartridges, individually weigh each charge. Use the powder measure to throw a slightly lower charge and add the remaining powder using a trickler. Transfer the powder to the case using a funnel.
Bullet seating
- Die Setup: Screw the bullet seating die into the press.
- Bullet Insertion: Place a bullet into the top of the primed case.
- Seating: Insert the case into the shell holder and operate the press handle to seat the bullet and crimp the case mouth (if necessary).
Completing the process
- Storage: Set aside the loaded round and repeat for the entire batch. Store the loaded rounds in an ammunition storage box with a label detailing calibre, bullet type and weight, powder type and charge weight, primer make and type, date loaded, and other relevant information.
Safety and precautions
- Reloading manuals: Refer to a reliable reloading manual for appropriate powder types, charges, and safety information.
- Avoid accidents: Reloading can be dangerous if not done correctly. Always follow safety guidelines and consult manuals.
- Recommended manuals: Consider manuals from Speer/RCBS, Vihtavuori, Sierra, Hornady, Alliant, Lee, Lyman, and Nosler.
Note: Many powder and bullet manufacturers now offer online resources for load data.
Disclaimer: Reeds Target Shooting Club is not responsible for any accidents that may occur from reloading. The provided information is a general guide, and it's crucial to consult appropriate reloading manuals for accurate and safe practices.