Let's look at the specifics of the actual loads, starting with the selection of projectiles. I’m going to focus on projectile selection for handguns as the process of selecting projectiles for rifle loads is a complex issue involving long range ballistics including topics such as supersonic, transonic and sub-sonic aerodynamics, not to mention the specific nature of the … [Read more...]
equipment
Reloading Presses: Real Reloading Rates Revealed
Getting into reloading? Well, before we start talking about reloading presses, I’d like to briefly examine the concept of reloading rates as applied to assessing the performance of reloading presses. Reloading Rate - Definitions Throughout this series of articles I have emphasized the different reloading requirements we all have, as well as the different approaches and … [Read more...]
Reloading Equipment – Chronographs & “Power Factor?”
Want to start loading better ammo? You're going to need a chronograph. In this article I want to look specifically at chronographs and their role in the reloading process. But first, let’s talk a bit about “Power Factor.” Power Factor Put simply, power factor is a measure of the recoil force exerted by a round of ammunition when it is fired. For recoil operated … [Read more...]
Reloading Equipment – Additional Cool Stuff
In my last two articles I concentrated on the reloading dies and associated tools needed to complete the 4 reloading tasks outlined in my second article, "What is Reloading?" In the next two articles I want to look at some additional equipment which you may or may not need to undertake your specific reloading activities. Primer Filling & Automatic Primer … [Read more...]
Reloading Equipment – Dies
In my last article I started looking at basic reloading equipment, including a number of the types of reloading dies/tools that are used. In this article I want to complete the discussion on reloading dies and their associated equipment. Replacing the Projectile Replacing the projectile is a simple matter of placing the new projectile on top of the case mouth, which … [Read more...]
Reloading Equipment – The Basics
There are four steps needed to reload a round of center fire ammunition: Clean and resize the case back to a serviceable size Remove the expended primer and replace it with a new primer Replace the gunpowder Replace the projectile and crimp it into the case There are a myriad of ways to approach these tasks, and many manufacturers who produce the necessary … [Read more...]