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Introduction to A Complete
Step-By-Step
Guide
Reloading
Ammunition

Stan Trzoniec

hear it all the time: “Why hand-

I load your own ammunition

when commercial ammunition
today is just as accurate?” Nat-
urally, there is no easy answer, but
if you could condense it all into a
A Redding starter kit includes a press, case trimmer,
powder trickler, lube pad, case neck brush, chamfer-
ing tool, funnel, scale and powder measure.

The fun factor in handloading is my favorite. First,

I believe everyone needs a hobby, and the reloading
of ammunition is a great place to start. You can re-
few words, they might be fun, sav- view the history of ballistics, see how propellants
ing money and the ability to turn have changed over the last 100 years and dig into
out custom ammunition that will the past with reference to firearms and how they
evolved into modern state-of-the-art handguns and
perform well for whatever purpose rifles. Choosing a cartridge from times gone by and
– small game, big game, target figuring out how to make it fit into modern times is
shooting, plinking, etc. with loads a personal passion, and since I enjoy varmint hunt-
ing, I like to resurrect older .22-caliber wildcats like
that produce best accuracy in your the .219 Donaldson Wasp, .220 Weatherby Rocket
rifle or handgun. or the .22 K-Hornet. Going along with that also in-
Introduction to Reloading Ammunition 3
Pistol Ammuntion and you don’t have to spend tons
of money to pursue it. Sure, the
competition, and when you need
a lot of ammunition in a short
initial investment is moderate, period of time, handloading starts
volves the process of perhaps re- but if you shop wisely, it’s possi- to pay off.
fitting a barrel to an existing rifle ble to find a reloading “kit” that
includes all the tools and a press Finally, the tuning of a rifle to
to chamber the new round or
to get you started in a very smart shoot groups under .5 inch at 100
scouring the countryside for a
and efficient way. Bullets, primers yards or more is a bit of a chal-
vintage rifle already made to
and powders are part of the ex- lenge, which most of us can han-
order, just waiting to be taken in
pense, but as you move along, dle with aplomb. Small game
the game fields again. Better yet,
they start to gather on your shelf hunting demands small groups to
if time and money permit, having
as “stock,” and the cost process rid the farmer’s north forty of
a custom rifle built to your speci-
is less painful. Brass cases are annoying woodchucks, and it is
fications – fit, finish and cham-
good for sometimes hundreds of your job as a hunter to take such
bering – all topped off with a
reloads, and a press, dies and game in a quick, efficient man-
scope of your choice is yet an-
related tools will last many ner. Accurate rifles not only
other alternative.
lifetimes. If you are a novice to get the job done, but go a long
Saving money is a good deal for shooting and reloading, sooner way in instilling pride of owner-
most folks in these times when a or later you will develop an inter- ship and confidence in the field
hobby is an enjoyable pastime, est in a special part of hunting or as well.

1 2

1. Using new brass, visually check

all the cases for grit, packaging or 2. Lubricate all cases if you are using standard dies, but eliminate this
brass chips before lubing, for steel step if carbide dies are employed. The latter are getting more popular
dies, or running them into a for loading handgun ammunition, as they are cleaner and eliminate
carbide-sizing die. the need for cleaning all the cases after lubing.

3 4 5

3. Insert the sizing (first of three)

die into the press. Die sets are
adjustable and allow the hand-
loader to set the base of the die 4. Insert the cartridge case (we
so it just touches the shellholder are using the .38 Special through- 5. Run all the cases all the way
on the up or downstroke of the out this sequence) in the shell- up and into the sizing die. If a
handle, depending on how holder that you installed on fired case is used, the primer will
the press is set up. the press. be expelled at this time also.
4 Introduction to Reloading Ammunition
 GETTING STARTED 10. The
amount of
Since most aspiring handload- flare (or
ers will be using a press that gen- belling) of
6
erates sufficient force to resize the case
cases, a corner of a basement is a mouth is
good place to start; a walled in shown
6. After cleaning (if a case lube
“gun” room is even better. Make here. In
was used), check each case for
the bench sturdy by employing seating the
the proper overall length. This is
2x4 bench work, covered with bullet,
easily done on a dial micrometer
a pine, oak or, better yet, a make sure
or the inexpensive plastic gauges
Formica top. Bolting the table to it goes in
sold by many of the loading man-
both the wall and floor is a good 10 straightly.
ufacturers.
idea, as a compound press devel-
ops a lot of force, and the last 7
thing you need is to have the 11
bench moving around as you
work.
Below is a list of equipment to
get you started in either the pis-
tol or rifle reloading process.
Items with an asterisk (*) can be
purchased in a reloading kit, sav- 7. If any of the cases exceed
ing money over the purchase of recommended length, trim them
individual pieces. Double marked to ensure proper chambering and
(**) products are those you need a uniform crimp on all rounds.
with the kit, and unmarked items
can be purchased as you move
along. Individual reloading dies
are needed for each cartridge 11. Pick the appropriate primer
you load, but like anything else, from the listing in any loading
there are exceptions. For in- manual. In this case, CCI 500
stance, in pistol calibers, the Small Pistol primers are correct
same die works for the .38 Spe-
8
for the .38 Special cartridge.
cial and .357 Magnum; the same
for the .44 Special and .44 Mag-
num. Get yourself a good loading 12
8. After trimming, where neces-
manual or subscribe online to sary, a deburring tool is used to
LoadData.com. A manual (and/or clean up the case mouth. Using
the website) is the bible for all the pointed end creates a slight
your work, and for the most chamfer in the case mouth; the
part, one will last for many opposite end is for the outside
years. Manuals are published by edge.
Barnes, Hornady, Lyman, Sierra,
Swift and a host of other inde-
pendents, including the powder
manufacturers, like Hodgdon,
Accurate Arms and Ramshot.
(LoadData.com offers online
over 200,000 loads for a wide
12. Seat primers carefully. One
variety of cartridges.) In addi-
9
method is on the press, as
tion, most if not all will give you shown, with the attached primer
a complete rundown on load- arm. Another is to use a hand-
ing practices, bullet types and 9. Replace the sizer die with the priming tool, and a third would
weights and primers, helping to neck expander (second die in the be a special automatic priming
fill in the blanks and answer set) setting the case flare to ac- tool. Make sure the primer is
questions on items not covered commodate the bullet base. Do fully seated to the bottom of
in this insert. not over flare the case mouth. the pocket.
Introduction to Reloading Ammunition 5
Pistol Ammuntion 13

LIST OF EQUIPMENT:
1. a good, high-quality bench press
in either a C or O configuration
with provisions for a primer feed
and a spent primer catcher* 16
2. one set of appropriate dies –
carbide for pistols, standard for 16. With all the various weights
rifle calibers* on the scale zeroed out, the far
13. On the left is an unprimed end of the scale must balance
3. shellholder to match the caliber* at zero.
4. powder scale* case. On the right is the primed
case flared and ready for a
5. powder measure* powder charge. 17
6. case trimmer with the appropriate
pilot*
7. deburring tool*
8. case lube kit*
9. powder funnel*
10. primer flipper**
11. loading block**
12. case neck brushes*
14
13. primer pocket cleaners*
14. reliable handloading manual** 14. Consult a manual or other re-
15. powder trickler* liable loading data to ensure you
16. dial calipers** are using the right powder and
17. cartridge storage boxes** charge for the cartridge. In this
example, we are using a Barnes
18. bullet puller 110-grain bullet and a starting
19. notebook – for record keeping* load of 4.9 grains of Ramshot
20. case tumbler Zip pistol powder for a velocity
of 918 feet per second (fps).
You’ll also need unprimed brass Also, note the overall cartridge
cases, bullets, powder and length is 1.435 inches with the 17. Now is the time to set up
primers for the cartridge you are bullet seated, which will allow it the powder measure on a rigid
loading. to function properly in any .38 surface or use the screw clamps
Special revolver. some companies offer.
PUTTING IT ALL
TOGETHER –
18
HANDGUN
AMMUNITION
Reloading hand-
gun ammunition
amounts to noth-
ing more than
taking a cartridge
case and running
it through a num-
ber of predeter-
mined steps. As 15
simple as it may
sound, there are a few items to 15. The next step is set up the scale 18. Adjust the powder measure
be considered as you progress and zero it. With faster-burning to drop your load choice – from
through any loading session. powders like Bullseye, attention the loading manual. Adjust the
to details is mandatory, as over- measure until you get the exact
The first is loading data. Re- charging could result in damage weight, as confirmed on the
search all your work from this in- to the firearm and the user. powder scale.

6 Introduction to Reloading Ammunition

 22
sert and loading manuals avail- 22. Screw
able at any retail sporting goods the seating
store or online. Never guess at body down
any load, powder charge or until it just
primer size, and always consult a touches the
reputable and updated hand- mouth of the
book. To do otherwise is fool- case. Adjust
the seating
hardy at best.
stem down-
General safety precautions are 19 ward by
a must. Never smoke or indulge alternately
in alcoholic beverages in your 19. Tip: to determine the average raising and
gun room or work area. Keep the charge, throw 10 charges into lowering the
bench clean. Only the compo- the pan and weight them as a cartridge case while adjusting the
nents relative to the cartridge single batch, then divide by 10. bullet seating depth.
you are working with should be
on the deck. Nothing else. Wear 23. To crimp
eye protection, especially when 20 23 the bullet for
priming cartridge cases. Accumu- a revolver,
lated “dust” in the filler tubes can back off the
and has led to detonation of seating screw
primers after months of heavy about a
loading sessions. Blow the dust quarter-turn
out periodically or just push a and tighten
cloth patch from one end to the it finger tight.
other. Next turn
20. Charge all cases in an orderly the die body
If any problems crop up, stop! fashion by row until all are filled. down about
Don’t force any equipment. In- Visually check all cases for a three-quarters
vestigate the situation and then double charge, which can happen of a turn and
apply the corrective action. with light target loads. With a tighten. This
small charge, it’s easy to mistak- is the crimp
Record all data. Labels are sup- enly put multiple charges into position, or
plied with each box of bullets, so one case. where the
use them on your storage boxes. die will turn
Use or make up printed forms 21. Follow all the instructions for the case mouth into the crimping
that can be installed in common the seating die. Stan finds it easy cannelure to ensure the bullet
three-ring binders, and use both to adjust the die to stop when the doesn’t move during recoil.
as a cross reference. Take noth- case mouth contacts the crimping
ing for granted. shoulder in
21 the die. Then 24. The finished product. Make a
Loading handgun cartridges is insert the visual inspection to ensure the
a serious shortcut to more shoot- bullet seater crimp is even around the case
ing because it saves money. The (top part), mouth, the primer is just below
photo sequence that follows adjusting it flush with
shows a cartridge case moving for overall 24 the bottom
through the various loading length as the of the case
stages. Fifty or even 100 cases at bullet is and, with
a time can be done at one station pushed into the first
before moving to the next to save the case. cartridge,
time and to ensure consistency Insert the the overall
from round to round. Note that bullet by length is
hand into what the
not all the smaller steps are
the charged manual
shown in complete detail. A case mouth specified.
quick check of any loading man- as shown, Record all
ual, die set instructions or load- making sure the data for
ing press literature will round out it is straight the next
your sources of information, and true with session at
leaving common sense and expe- the sides of the loading
rience to do the rest. • the case. bench.
Introduction to Reloading Ammunition 7
Rifle Ammuntion
LOADING
RIFLE AMMUNITION
Good quality rifle ammunition
is loaded in virtually the same
manner as handgun ammunition.
And, unless there is a dramatic
change in metallic components
in the near future, the process
will stay essentially the same.
There are differences, minor in
most instances but different. Ba-
sically, the loading of present-day
bottleneck cartridges involves
four operations: sizing/decap-
ping, priming, powder charging Loading rifle ammunition is no different from handgun ammunition,
and bullet seating. Some steps and components are available on a grand scale.
are similar to those followed in
loading handgun ammunition; scale. It does slow things down a but also assures more consistent
others are unique to rifle car- bit, but most rifle shooters don’t powder combustion. Therefore,
tridges and require complete un- mind the slightly slower (re- pay proper attention to the ex-
derstanding before proceeding. laxed) pace if it makes for accu- pander plug in the sizing die. If,
One obvious difference is that rate ammunition. when seating bullets, there is
powder charges tend to be larger Depending on your rifle, car- little or no resistance, the plug
in rifle cases. Consequently, the tridge or load, most cases require should be checked for proper
powder measure must be able to trimming every fifth or sixth re- diameter.
dispense bulky, coarse-grained load; full-power loads, more Incipient head separation
propellants. The powder meas- often. For the .30-06 case that we caused by improper headspacing
ure supplied with the Redding kit are loading here, the case can be in a rifle is reason to check your
is more than adequate for all allowed to grow to no more than sizing die for proper adjustment.
your handgun and rifle needs. 2.494 inches. Trimming back to Overall or improper bullet/car-
2.484 inches would allow for tridge length can lead to difficult
With coarse-grained powders,
many reloads before trimming is chambering. If you are getting
some folks prefer to weigh each
required again. small dents in the shoulders of
individual charge a few grains
under the specified charge Neck tension is very important your bottleneck cases during
weight, then trickle the charge in rifle cases. It not only holds sizing, perhaps too much lube is
up to balance the beam on the the bullet in place when loaded, the culprit.

1 3
2
1. The first thing you want to do 3. Lubricate the inside of the case
is inspect all the new cases for 2. Lube all the cases sparingly be- necks for an easy return out of the
factory defects, such as mouth fore they go into the sizing die. die. Another possibility would be
splits or irregular-shaped case Take a half-dozen or so, roll them to use carbide expander plugs
mouths as shown here. The sizing on the lube pad, then one by one (not the dies), thus eliminating
die will take care of this problem. insert them into the sizing die. this step.

8 Introduction to Reloading Ammunition

 Finally, double-check every- percent below the maximum, boxes with the loads to be tested.
thing you do, every step of the working up from there by firing Stick-on labels work just as well.
way. At the bench, monitor pro- the rifle at each advance in pow- Maintain a three-ring binder for
cedures; at the range check for der charge weight. If you see records and see how the firearm
signs of abnormal pressure. Flat- problems, stop shooting, take the reacts to various powders and/or
tened primers, hard extraction or loads home and by using a bullet charge weights.
ejector markings on the base of puller (inertia or mechanical de-
Keep in mind accidents never
the case are a cause for concern, sign – or pliers), empty the sus-
take a holiday. Attention to
and never start charging cases pect cases and start again.
all phases of the reloading op-
with the maximum loads in the Keep a record of what you have eration will assure a safe and
manuals. Always start at least 10 just loaded. I mark the storage more than satisfying hobby. •

4 6 9

6. Raise the cartridge case into the 9. If your cases are over length,
die by running it up completely you have to trim them back to
for full-length resizing. If it’s a factory specifications. Like
4. Insert the sizing/decapper previously fired case, the primer handguns, you can use either a
die (first one) into the press and will be expelled at this time. Clean trim die or a case trimmer, as
adjust it according to the die the primer pocket with a few turns illustrated here. A case trimmer
maker’s instructions. The usual of the cleaning tool. utilizes a pilot in different diame-
procedure is to screw this die ters to fit most popular rifle
into the press until it touches cartridges.
the shellholder when the ram
(with the shellholder) is in the
up position. 10

5
10. After

7
trimming,
chamfer the
inside of
7. Clean all the cases with a sol- the case
vent or by tumbling in a media mouth.
powder before going on.

11. Turn the 11

tool around
and do the
outside of
the case
mouth to
5. Slide a cartridge case into the remove
shellholder, making sure it is burrs.
touching the rear of the holder 8. After sizing (new case out of
and enters the sizing die the box) or resizing a case (after
straightly. firing), check it for overall length.
Introduction to Reloading Ammunition 9
Rifle Ammuntion 20 20. Lower
the case
12. Before back down
loading, go 12 and install
back to the bullet,
16 making sure
the loading
manual to it is straight.
16. Working if possible at eye
pick a pow- level, zero the powder scale,
der charge then use the powder trickler to
and the bring the charge up to the
velocity correct weight.
desired.
Barnes bul-
lets were 17
used atop a
21. Raise the
starting load 21 case again
of 49.7 grains
and adjust
of Ramshot Big Game for a veloc-
the bullet
ity of 2,625 fps.
seater stem
until the
13 correct bul-
let depth is
17. Load each case with the attained as
correct powder charge, as listed for
verified on the scale. Move down “overall
the line until all the cases are length with
charged, then visually check bullet” in
them for the proper volume. the loading
manual. Ver-
18 ify this with
your dial
13. Priming is done using the 18. The next calipers.
primer feed included with the step is bul- Now is a
Redding press. let seating, good time to
so install make a
14 the seating/ dummy round (with no powder
crimping or primer) and check it for
14. The die (second
powder functioning in your rifle. If it’s
die in the set). a hunting round, make three
measure
should be or four, load the magazine and
mounted on cycle each round through the
a solid shelf. action. This will guarantee
The only flawless operation in the field.
powder that
should be on 22. Turn
the bench is 19. After down the
the one you 19 placing a die assembly
are working primed and until the
with. charged case proper crimp
into the is achieved.
press, raise The bullet on
15. After filling the case and the left is
15
the powder install the uncrimped.
reservoir, set up seater die The bullet on
the powder until the the right has a
measure to crimping ring 22 medium
throw a charge touches the crimp for a
a couple of case mouth. Unscrew the die rifle with a magazine. The crimp
grains below the about a quarter turn, then tighten ensures the bullet will not shift
chosen load. the lock ring by hand. in the case during recoil.
10 Introduction to Reloading Ammunition