Reloading For Different Firearm Types
mikal jason
Reloading is the process of assembling all the parts of a round of ammunition by hand. This includes the reloading dies, primer, case, powder and bullet.
Reloading allows shooters to develop a custom load for their firearm, resulting in tighter groups at longer ranges. It also saves money over buying factory ammunition.
Handguns
Reloading for handguns is a bit more specialized than loading for rifles. There are different quirks, tips and techniques that need to be considered. The goal for handguns is to have reliable, safe ammunition available when you need it. This is important for competition shooters, gunfighters and self-defense users.
One of the biggest mistakes handloaders make is not correctly sizing their cases. This can cause the case to bind in the pistol chamber, which reduces accuracy and safety. It is also possible to sizing too aggressively and shave the shoulder off the cartridge case neck, which can result in poor bullet seating.
To quickly acquire a fresh magazine during a tactical or combat reload, grab the base plate of the cartridge with your index finger and thumb of the strong hand. Then, can the pistol so the magazine well is facing your left. Grab the fresh magazine with the base plate in your palm and firmly insert it into the pistol, using the thumb to feed the cartridge head underneath the magazine lips.
Rifles
Modern rifle cartridges are copper-jacketed, smokeless powder granules packed in a rimless brass case and capped with a boxed primer. Cartridges can be reloaded many times, but they must be carefully prepared to avoid dangerously high pressures or cases that won’t fit into the rifle chamber.
A good reloading manual is essential, and most bullet manufacturers publish their own versions. You will also need a few basic tools, including a scale and a powder funnel.
You’ll want to start with a low powder charge and work up to a level that gives you consistent, accurate shooting. As you progress, keep detailed records so you can reproduce the exact load again and again. Always stay within safe pressure limits and never exceed the recommended maximum for your rifle. This is the single most important reloading tip. Some people swear by a specific seating depth number, but that just doesn’t make sense to most shooters. Seating too deep will cause the bullet to jam into the rifling, called the lands, which can create unsafe pressures and lead to poor performance.
Calibers
Rifle cartridges are powerful, dependable and available in enough varieties to handle any hunting requirement. But for those who want to cobble together functioning ammunition for a last minute hunt, or to give Ol' Betsy a facelift using the latest copper-plated bullets, reloading is often the only practical solution.
Many novice metal reloaders start with a single-stage press, as they are less expensive than multi-stage or progressive presses. However, progressives are the choice of those who load for competition and/or for hunting rifles.
Reloading requires good focus and attention to detail. You don't want to be reloading while you're distracted, frustrated or angry, and it's best to avoid doing so when you're overtired. You'll also need to have good reloading tools, such as a case sizing die (carbide/titanium sizing dies are recommended for hard cases) and a set of hand-held calipers. You'll also need a reloading manual, which should be kept up-to-date as powders and bullets become available.
Reloading
Reloading consists of the process of cleaning and inspecting brass cartridge cases and shotgun shell hulls, resizing them, priming them, powder charging them and seating bullets. It is a time-consuming activity that requires precision and attention to detail. Reloading is also expensive to get started with, but shooters can save money over the long run by reusing their own spent ammunition components.
For pistols, a speedloader allows for quick and efficient reloading by securely holding the prescribed number of rounds. Pistols also have a magazine release that is pressed to allow the magazine to drop free when empty.
Rifles use a magazine to load rounds and require more complicated mechanisms than handguns, but they are stronger, safer and able to carry more ammunition than pistols. Reloading rifles consists of a reloading press and specialty dies to create functioning ammunition from spent cartridge casings, primers and powder. It is a time-consuming, labor-intensive activity that requires attention to detail and precision to ensure safety and accuracy.