Even once you've selected all your preferred reloading equipment and begun using it, perfecting your reloaded ammunition can be surprisingly complex. I’ve had a number of questions, both from EMs and in person at the range, regarding the correct ways to adjust reloading dies. These are not simple questions, as pretty much every type of press and reloading die is slightly … [Read more...]
I have covered some general issues as well as some specific issues relating to semi-automatics and revolvers. In this article, I’ll be looking at some different types of projectiles, and their related crimping considerations. Crimping Considerations for Projectiles When I discussed projectiles, I identified some basic variations on projectile types, but omitted … [Read more...]
Some time back I raised the topic of crimping as part of a discussion on reloading dies, and promised to address the issue more fully at a later date—which is now. What is Crimping? During reloading, cases are resized and the case mouth is expanded (belled) to accommodate a new projectile. Crimping is the final task which presses the case mouth back around the projectile. … [Read more...]
Buying a reloading press? You're in the right place. In my last article I started by discussing the most basic form of reloading press, the Single Stage Press. The next level of sophistication is the so-called Turret Press, which I’ll cover in this article. Turret Presses The basic single stage press is limited in that it can only hold one die at a time. This die … [Read more...]
Perhaps the most important decision in reloading is which powder to choose. I will avoid using the term “gunpowder,” as the purists out there will point out that this term should be reserved for what is usually referred to as black powder, the original gunpowder. Modern cartridge based firearms use so-called “smokeless” powder as the propellant, so that is what I will be … [Read more...]
In my previous article I identified a desire for cheaper ammunition as a potential reason for wanting to reload. But exactly how cheap is “cheaper” ammunition, and does it justify the cost of the reloading equipment required? To answer these questions, let’s look at the economics of reloading, starting with the direct costs for reloading. The other part of the equation, the … [Read more...]
