Metallic Cartridge

Handloading &
Bullet Casting
Guide

Compiled by Peter.J.Starley
Warwickshire RFD 156
Oak House,Birmingham Road,Warwick. CV35 7DX
Tel:0845 22 66 005 Fax:0845 22 66 006 e-mail:[email protected]
www.black-powder.co.uk
 INDEX

Section One Handloading Safety

Section Two Glossary

Section Three Reasons for Handloading

Section Four Equipment

Section Five Reloading Components

Section Six Reloading Process

Section Seven Accuracy Tips

Section Eight Casting Lead Bullets

Section Nine The Reloading Bench

Section Ten Handbook of Commercial Bullet Casting

Section Eleven Questions & Answers

 Handloading Safety
Contrary to what one hears in the news media and the claims made by certain
politicians and radical groups, shooting is one of the safest sports -- when practiced by
persons of sound judgment in accordance with basic rules of safety. Handloading is a
safe and natural extension of that sport.

If any information in this document conflicts with information given in your

handloading manual or the instructions your received with your handloading
equipment, always follow those instructions -- not mine.

General safety:

• Read the instruction manual for each piece of equipment you use. Keep it
handy for later reference.
• Understand what you are doing and why it must be done in a specific way.
• Stay alert when handloading. Don't handload when distracted, disturbed or
tired.
• Never handload when under the influence of alcohol or drugs (legal or illegal).
• Never smoke while handloading or near combustibles and explosives.
• Always wear safety glasses while handloading.
• Set up a well-organized, clean, well-lit work area.
• Set up a loading procedure and follow it. Don't vary your sequence of
operations.
• Set up your handloading bench where powder and primers will not be exposed
to heat, sparks or flame.
• Keep everything locked up and out of the reach of small children.
• Keep your handloading bench clean and uncluttered. Label components and
handloads for easy identification.
• Do not eat while handling lead.
• Never try to dislodge a loaded cartridge that has become stuck in the chamber
by impacting it with a cleaning rod. Have a competent gunsmith remove the
round.
• Follow loading recommendations exactly.
• Don't substitute components for those listed in your manual.
• Start loading with the minimum powder charge given for your cartridge.
• Never exceed manufacturers' handloading data. Excess pressures caused by
excessive loads could severely damage a firearm and cause serious injury or
death.
• When using an inertial bullet puller, use short, light taps instead of a single
heavy blow.
• Never attempt to disassemble a cartridge unless you are absolutely sure the
bullet non-explosive or non-incendiary.

Gunpowder Safety:

• Modern ammunition uses smokeless powder to propel the bullet down the
barrel. It burns with much greater energy and pressure than blackpowder.
Therefore, never use smokeless powder in a firearm designed for
blackpowder.
• Specific powders are designed for specific uses. Don't use them for other
purposes.
 • Never mix smokeless powder and blackpowder.
• Never mix blackpowder and blackpowder substitute such as Pyrodex®.
• Never mix different brands or types of powder.
• Never use an unknown gunpowder.
• Pour out only enough powder for the immediate work.
• Start new loads at 10% under maximum and increase slowly.
• If you throw or measure powder charges by volume, check-weigh the charges
every time you begin loading, occasionally during loading and when you
finish. Weigh the powder charge in at least 10% of your loads to make sure
you are dropping the proper amount of powder.
• Have only one kind of powder on the loading bench at a time.
• Empty the powder measure back into the original powder container when
through with a handloading session.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling powder.
• Store powders only in original package. Don't repackage.
• Keep powder containers tightly closed when not in use.
• Clean up spilled powder with brush and dust pan; do not use a vacuum cleaner
because fire or explosion may result.
• Store powder in cool, dry place.
• Store and keep primers and powder separately.
• Smokeless powder is extremely flammable. Dispose of deteriorated powders
according to recommendations in The Properties and Storage of Smokeless
Powder SAAMI Reprint #376-2500, which is published in some handloading
guides or available from NRMA.

Primer safety:

• Priming materials differ in brisance (initial explosive force) and in the amount
of hot gas produced. Don't mix primers of different makes.
• Don't decap live primers. Fire them in the appropriate gun then decap.
• Don't ream out or enlarge the flash hole in primer pockets. This can increase
chamber pressure.
• Over-ignition creates higher gun pressures. The best results are obtained by
using the mildest primer consistent with good ignition.
• Don't use primers you can't identify. Ask your local police or fire department
to dispose of unidentifiable or unserviceable primers.
• Keep primers in the original packaging until used. Don't store in your primer
feed tube or primer tray. Return unused primers to the factory package. Don't
dump together and store in bulk. There is a risk of mass detonation if one is
ignited.
• Open only one package of primers at a time.
• Never attempt to seat, or reseat, a primer in a loaded round.
• Do not force primers. If you feel resistance to seating or feeding of primers,
stop and investigate.
• Store primers in a cool, dry place. High temperature, such as in a summer
attic, causes them to deteriorate.
• Store and keep primers and powder separately.
• Don't handle primers with oily or greasy hands. Oil contamination can affect
ignitability.
• Clean the machines after each use. There have been instances of "primer
dusting" in the tubes of loading tools because of vibration.
Lead safety:

• Lead is known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious
physical injury, must be handled with extreme care.
• Never eat, drink, or smoke when handling lead.
• Handle lead bullets or lead shot only in a well ventilated area.
• Always wash hands after handling lead and before eating.
• Molten lead id hot -- 650-750 degrees Fahrenheit. This is no activity for
children -- not even to watch!
• The melting pot must have a steady base -- a lap full of hot lead would surely
take all the fun out of casting and handloading.
• Never discharge firearms in poorly ventilated areas.

Handloading rifle & pistol cartridges

• Never start with a maximum load. Start with the minimum powder charge and
work up in small increments to no more than the maximum listed in your
reloading manual watching for indications of excessive pressure.
• If you are using a single stage press, do each step to the lot you are reloading
before moving on to the next step.
• Examine cases before loading. Discard any that are not in good condition.
• Label boxes of loaded cartridges. Identify caliber, primer, powder and charge,
bullet and weight, and date of handloading.
• Seating depth of the bullet is extremely important in handgun loads. Handgun
powders must burn very quickly because of the short barrel. They are sensitive
to small changes in crimp, bullet hardness, bullet diameter, primer brisance
and especially to bullet seating depth.
• Check the overall length of the cartridge to be sure the bullet is seated
properly.
• Accumulation of lead or grease in the bullet seating tool may force the bullet
in too far.
• If the bullet isn't seated deeply enough, it may engage the lands of the barrel
when loaded. This will increase the chamber pressure.
• If you cast your own bullets, remember their hardness, diameter and
lubrication affect the ballistics.
• Plastic cases designed for practice loads (where the bullet is propelled by
primer gas only) can't be used for full powder loads.

Prevent missing & double charges

• It is easy to double charge if you are momentarily distracted. Use a depth

gauge to check powder height in a shell. A piece of doweling rod can be used
as a depth gauge.
• Observe the powder level of cases placed in the loading block. This is a way
to discover any cases with missing or double powder charges.
• Take care to operate progressive loaders as the manufacturer recommends.
Don't back up the turret or jiggle the handle. Don't use a shell to catch the
residue when cleaning out the powder train.
 Glossary
Like most other hobbies, handloading has its own "language". Here are some terms
you need to be familiar with. See your handloading manual for more handloading
information.

• Anneal - The process of altering the structure of metal so as to relieve it's

working stresses, prevent brittleness, and increase it's ductility. Only the case
neck is annealed.
• Antimony - A metal which increases the hardness of lead when combined as
an alloy.
• Anvil - A metallic part of the primer. The blow from the firing pin crushes the
priming mixture against the anvil causing ignition.
• Ball - In military nomenclature this term refers to the bullet.
• Ball Powder - This is a trade name for a double-base smokeless powder
developed by Olin Industries. The grains have a spherical, or flattened
spherical shape.
• Ballistics - The science of projectiles in motion.
• Ballistic coefficient - Ratio of the sectional density of a bullet to its coefficient
of form. Represents the projectiles ability to overcome air resistance in flight.
• Battery cup - A type of primer used in shotshells which makes use of an
outside cup to support it in the case.
• Bearing surface - That portion of the bullet surface which bears on, or touches,
the bore.
• Bell - To open the mouth of a case slightly in order to seat a bullet more
easily. Also called flare.
• Belted case - A case with a band formed into the head of some cases (magnum
type) to strengthen the case and to control the headspace of the cartridge.
• Berdan primer - A common European priming system with no integral anvil.
Instead, it makes use of an anvil formed in the case itself. It is fitted in the
primer pocket in the head of centerfire cartridge cases.
• Black powder - A mixture of charcoal, potassium nitrate, and sulfur used as a
propellant in muzzleloaders and early cartridge firearms.
• Boat tail - A bullet design having a tapered base.
• Bore - The inside diameter of a barrel before the rifling is cut.
• Boxer primer - A type of primer used in American rifle and pistol ammunition
and featuring a self contained anvil. It is fitted in the primer pocket in the head
of centerfire cartridge cases.
• Brass - An alloy usually of 70% copper and 30% zinc of which most metallic
cases are formed. The term also allies to the empty cartridge case.
• Brisance - The detonation rate and intensity of an explosive such as a cartridge
primer.
• Bullet - That portion of the cartridge which becomes a projectile when in
flight. Sometimes also called ball.
• Bullet & powder scale - A device to weigh charges of powder. A beam scale is
a scale where markers, called "poise", are moved along a weight graduated
beam, as the pan is filled with powder, until the balance point is reached. An
electronic device used to measure the weight of powder in grains or grams.
• Burning rate - A term used to describe the rapidity with which a given powder
will burn. The term itself is a relative one based on a comparison with other
powders.
• Caliber - The approximate diameter of a bullet or bore, expressed in
hundredths of an inch or in millimeters. A bullet with a diameter of .308
inches is called 30 caliber (not .30 caliber).
• Cannelure - A groove (or grooves) cut around the circumference of a bullet or
case. These grooves, usually one to a bullet, provide the best means of
securely crimping the case mouth into the bullet. In a case, the cannelure is
used as a stop for an inserted bullet.
• Canister powder - Powder which is manufactured to consistently meet a
standardized specification and packaged so handloaders can get predictable
results.
• Cap - Primer.
• Cartridge - A completely loaded, ready-to-fire round of ammunition.
• Case - A cylindrical container which holds the primer, powder and bullet.
Also called hull, shell, or brass.
• Case forming - To alter the shape of a case to a different shape or caliber.
• Case neck brush - A metal or nylon brush and handle used to clean the inside
of case necks.
• Case trimmer - A device used to remove excess material from a case mouth.
Metallic cases stretch after extensive reloading and firing because the brass
flows forward. These cases must be trimmed back.
• Case trimmer pilot - The pilot guides the cutting portion of the case trimmer
by fitting inside the neck of the case to be trimmed.
• Cast bullet - Bullets for rifle or pistol which are cast from lead or lead alloy.
Muzzleloading projectiles and shotgun slugs are cast in pure lead.
• Centerfire - Refers to a cartridge having a primer located in the center of its
base. Most centerfire cases are reloadable.
• Chamber - The part of the bore at the breech which is formed to accept and
support the loaded cartridge.
• Chambering - A designation given to cartridges with a specific caliber, case
size and shape, case head configuration, design, and which should not be used
in firearms designed for a different chambering. A chambering is given a
name (ie 7mm Mauser, .357 Magnum) to distinguish it from other
chambering. This name is usually indicated by a headstamp.
• Chamfer - To bevel the inside of a case mouth. The bevel allows bullets to
start into the case mouth without crushing the case.
• Charge - The amount of powder used in the case at each loading. Also refers
to the amount of shot used in a shotshell.
• Choke - A constriction at the muzzle of a shotgun barrel designed to control
the spreading of shot.
• Chronograph - An instrument used to measure the velocity of a projectile.
• Components - The parts that make up a cartridge. The case, primer, powder
and bullet or other projectile.
• Compressed charge - A charge of powder which so nearly fills the case that it
is compressed when the bullet is seated.
• Corrosion - The eating away of the bore or case by rust or chemical action.
• Crimp - The bending inward of the case mouth to grip the bullet. Used only
with bullets having a cannelure or crimping groove. With shotshells the term
applies to the closure at the case mouth.
• Crimped primer - A forcing inward of the brass around the top of the primer
pocket. This is frequently found on military cartridges and is done to prevent
set-back of primers. The crimp must be removed before repriming the case.
• Deburr - To remove the small metal burrs or roughness from a case mouth or
 primer flash hole.
• Deburring tool - The deburring tool removes burs from the inside and outside
of any newly trimmed case mouths.
• Decap - Removal of the spent primer from a fired case, most often
accomplished by the decapping pin in a die during the resizing operation of
handloading. Also called deprime.
• Decapping pin - A needle-like rod in the sizer die which pushes out the spent
primer.
• Die - A tool that reforms cartridge cases and seats bullets. In bullet
manufacture, a tool that swages bullets or cores, extrudes lead wire or draws
jackets.
• Dram equivalent - Term used to indicate that a charge of smokeless powder
produces the same velocity of a given number of drams of black powder.
• Drift - Deviation of a projectile from the line of departure due to its rotational
spin or the force of wind.
• Drop - The distance a projectile falls, calculated from the line of departure.
• Double base powder - Smokeless powder made with nitroglycerine and
nitrocellulose base.
• Duplex load - The use of two different powders in loading the same cartridge.
Not recommended for handloaders.
• Energy - A projectile's capacity for doing work at a given range, expressed in
foot-pounds.
• Erosion - The wearing away of the bore due to friction and/or gas cutting.
• Expander - The part of a die that expands the case mouth to receive the bullet.
• Fireform - Reforming or changing the shape of a cartridge case by firing it in a
chamber of a desired shape.
• Flash hole - A hole leading from the primer pocket to the inside of a case
through which the primer ignites the powder charge in a case.
• Foot-pound - A unit of kinetic energy equal to the effort required to raise one
pound of weight to a height of one foot, against the normal pull of gravity.
• Freebore - The distance in the barrel, if any, which the bullet travels before it
contacts the rifling. Some barrels are purposely relieved to allow the bullet
considerable free movement before it strikes the rifling.
• Gas checks - A copper or brass cup which is used to protect the base of a cast
lead alloy bullet from the effects of burning powder gases.
• Gliding metal - A copper-zinc alloy used for bullet jackets and gas checks.
• Grain - A unit of weight measure. 437.5 grains equal one ounce; 7000 grains
equal one pound.
• Handloading - Another term for reloading.
• Hangfire - Slang term for any detectable delay in cartridge ignition.
• Head - The base of a cartridge case that contains the primer, rim, extracting
grove, and headstamp.
• Headspace - The distance from the breech face to the part of the chamber
which acts as a stop and prevents the cartridge from moving forward.
• Headstamp - Markings stamped into the head of a case indicating (in most
cases) the manufacturer, caliber and name of the cartridge. On military cases
codes are used to indicate manufacturer and date of manufacture.
• Heel - The outer edge of the bullet base.
• Hollow point - A bullet design which features an axial hole at the point. The
purpose of the hole is to aid expansion on impact.
• Ignition - The action of setting the powder charge on fire.
• IMR - Abbreviation for "Improved Military Rifle."
• Jacket - The covering or "skin" of a bullet.
• Keyhole - The imprint of a bullet which struck sideways on a target rather
than point first.
• Lands - The raised portion of the rifling.
• Loading density - Ratio of the volume of the powder charge to the volume of
the case. The higher the better in terms of accuracy.
• Lube dent - A dent in the cartridge case caused by using too much lubricant
when resizing.
• Lube pad - A pad, impregnated with lubricant, on which cases are rolled
before resizing.
• Lubricant - Case sizing lubricant is used to reduce friction between the case
and die during the resizing operation in reloading. Bullet lubricant is used to
help minimize bore fouling when firing lead or lead alloy bullets.
• Mercuric primer - An obsolete primer in which the priming material contains
mercury.
• Mid-range trajectory - Refers to the distance the bullet rises above the line of
sight. Mid-range trajectory is calculated halfway between the muzzle and the
target.
• Minute-of-angle - A unit of angular deviation equal to 1/60th of a degree. For
practical purposes, it is usually approximated as equal to one inch at 100
yards.
• Misfire - The failure of a cartridge to fire after the firing pin strikes the primer.
• Muzzle - The front end of the barrel.
• Muzzle energy - See "Energy."
• Neck - The upper portion of a cartridge case that grips the bullet. In a
bottlenecked case, that portion of the case in front of the shoulder.
• Neck-size - To resize only the neck portion of a case.
• Neck sizer die - A die used to resize only the neck portion of the fired case
back to approximately its original dimensions.
• Non-corrosive - Usually refers to primers having a priming mixture which is
free of corrosive compounds. Modern primers are non-corrosive.
• Ogive - Refers to the nose shape of the bullet. The radius of the curve of a
bullet nose.
• Powder - The propellant used in most firearms. It produces a large volume of
gas when ignited. There are two basic types; smokeless and black powder.
• Powder charge - The amount of powder loaded into a case.
• Powder funnel - A helpful accessory that facilitates transfer of powder from a
scale pan or measure to a cartridge case.
• Powder measure - An adjustable volumetric measure that meters out uniform
charges of powder.
• Powder & bullet scale - A device to weigh charges of powder. A beam scale is
a scale where markers, called "poise", are moved along a weight graduated
beam, as the pan is filled with powder, until the balance point is reached. An
electronic device used to measure the weight of powder in grains or grams.
• Press - The tool which performs the major tasks of handloading.
• Pressure - The force exerted by a burning charge of a powder in the chamber
of a firearm. Expressed normally in pounds per square inch.
• Primer - A small metal cap containing a detonating mixture used to ignite the
powder charge in the case.
• Primer pocket - The cavity in the base of a cartridge into which the primer is
seated.
• Primer pocket swaging - The "smoothing out" of the crimped primer pocket
 found in military cases.
• Priming - Installing a new primer into a case.
• Ram - The steel shaft running through the center of the press that holds the
shell holder and drives the case into the die.
• Reloading press - The tool which performs the major tasks of handloading.
• Resize - To restore a fired case to approximately its original size.
• Resizing die - The reloading die that restores fired cases to designed
dimensions and removes spent primers by means of a decapping pin.
• Rim - A flange on the head of a case which is engaged by the extractor to pull
the case from the chamber.
• Rimfire - A cartridge containing the priming mixture within the case rim.
Rimless cases are not considered reloadable.
• Round - A military term meaning one single cartridge.
• Round Nose (RN) - A bullet design which features a rounded nose.
• Sabot - a light-weight disposable plastic cup in which a sub-caliber projectile
is centered to permit firing in a larger caliber barrel.
• Seating depth - The depth to which the base of a bullet is seated below the
case mouth.
• Seating die - The reloading die that presses the bullet into the neck of the
cartridge case, crimping the case if so desired.
• Sectional density - A bullet's weight, in pounds, divided by the square of it's
diameter in inches.
• Shell holder - A device attached to the top of the ram which holds the head of
the cartridge case as it is moved up and down, into and out of the die.
• Shoulder - The angled portion of a bottlenecked cartridge case between the
case neck and body.
• Sizing die - See resizing die.
• Spent primer - A primer that has been fired.
• Swage - The forming of an object such as a bullet using pressure in a die
instead of casting molten lead in a mould.
• Throat - That area of the bore immediately ahead of the chamber tapering to
the point where rifling starts.
• Trajectory - The path of a projectile in flight relative to the line of sight.
• Trim-to-length - The length a cartridge case should be trimmed to after it has
stretched past it's maximum case length.
• Turret press - A reloading press with a rotatable multi-station turret top for
positioning dies and powder measure in their appropriate sequence.
• Twist - The angle of the rifling in relation to the axis of the bore measured by
the length of barrel required to rotate the bullet one complete turn.
• Velocity - The speed at which a projectile travels. Usually measured in feet
per second at a given range.
• Vernier caliper - A slide-type graduated instrument used to measure overall
cartridge and case lengths precisely.
• Wadcutter (WC) - A bullet design which features a sharp shoulder. Designed
to cut a clean round hole in a paper target.
• Web - That portion of a cartridge case between the bottom of the primer
pocket and the interior of the case.
• Wildcat - A cartridge formed by altering an existing commercial case to make
a style that is not available from commercial ammunition manufacturers.
• Work-harden - The increase in metal hardness due to repeated flexing or
stress. See "Anneal."
• Yaw - The action of a projectile spinning erratically around it's own axis.
• Zero - The ranges at which a firearm will hit the point of aim.
 Reasons for Handloading

Most reloaders handload because it is interesting, less expensive than shooting factory
loads and because they can often develop more accurate loads for specific guns.

• By handloading you can save 50-65% as compared to the cost of factory

ammunition. In my area, I can buy factory 30-06 ammo for about 60-90 cents
per round, depending on manufacturer and load. About half of that price is for
the reusable brass case and the cost of manufacturing. That's where the savings
come in. Of course you'll spend around $200 for equipment, so you'll need to
send a few round downrange before you actually realize any savings.
• Handloaders generally make better shooters, because they can afford to
practice more.
• Through handloading you will develop a much keener knowledge of shooting
technology and be able to tailor your ammo to a particular firearm. Also, you
can shoot more for less, and practice makes perfect.
• By careful experimentation within prescribed limits, you can improve your
accuracy for hunting or target shooting by developing the load that works best
in a specific firearm. And you can match your ammunition to the type of game
you are hunting or your particular kind of target shooting.
• Reloading requires you to save empty cases, thus preventing litter in the field
or on the range. Besides, the case or is often the most expensive part of a
loaded round, so saving your empties saves you money.
• Reloading allows you to stay in close touch with shooting, even during the off
season. It is an enjoyable pursuit that enhances shooting knowledge and
ability.
• The handloader can assemble ammunition that just isn't available
commercially such as a batch of low-recoil 30-06 rounds with 100 grain cast
lead bullets for some plinking that rivals the .22 LR in low cost.
• Handloading may the only way to get ammunition for obsolete and wildcat
guns.
 Equipment
The following list describes required and optional equipment in the order each item is
most likely to be used. Most manufacturers sell their most popular reloading tools in a
kit with a bit of a price break. With care, ammunition can be safely handloaded
without using the optional tools, but these additional tools can help improve the
accuracy of your product.

Reloading manual:

• This is the most important accessory you must have. Without this information,
you do not know what is a safe or unsafe load. Always keep current editions,
because powder formulas change.
• Most manufacturers of handloading equipment, powders, and bullets sell
excellent handloading manuals. These books include step-by-step handloading
instructions. They also give proven loads for all popular cartridges with
various bullet weights and velocities. In most cases, these loads are safe for
firearms in good condition.
• A good example, which I use, is the Speer Reloading Manual. This manual is
a complete, step-by-step, top rated reference for everything you want to know
about handloading. It contains over 600 pages of information, data and
illustrations.
• There are many other excellent books in handloading which can provide
supplemental information on the process. I've included several in the
bibliography at the end of this page.

Bench:

• A solid workbench is essential. It needs enough mass (weight) to stay put

while you're applying pressure to the handloading press.
• Many handloaders find that the benchtop should be about as high as the
handloader's beltline. Another recommendation is to stand 18 inches away
from a wall, then pivot your straight arm toward the wall with your fingers
outstretched. The point where your fingertips touch the wall is the ideal
benchtop height for you.
• You'll want enough bench space to lay out your tools and components.
• A cabinet or some shelves to store and organize components is a nice addition.
Shelves should be at least 12 inches above the benchtop.
• You'll want a good overhead lamp to give you a nice, bright work area.
 • Any good workbench will do. I'm using a so-called workstation by Sears
which is similar to a steel tool cabinet but has a 40-inch height and a 20x32-
inch top suitable for mounting my press and other handloading tools. It has 5
drawers for storing components, dies, moulds, and other handloading
paraphernalia. It's on wheels, so I can easily move it out of the way when not
in use.

Safety glasses

Case cleaning tumblers (optional):

• When fired, ejected empty brass nearly always land in the dirt. The result is
dirt or dust inside and outside the case. Dirty ammunition is murder on firearm
chambers and bores. Dirt isn't any better for your handloading dies, either.
Therefore, a wise handloader ensures all his cases are clean before proceeding
with the handloading process.
• Simply washing with soap and water, rinsing, drying, and wiping cases is
usually sufficient.
• Electric tumblers are very effective cleaning cases and giving them a nice like-
new shine. Fill the tumbler with cases and either granulated walnut shells or
granulated corn cobs available from the same venders who sell the tumblers.
• Vibrating tumblers cost from $50 and up.

Calipers or case length gauge:

• During each firing, the case is stretched by the expanding gasses. The
diameter of the case is restored to factory specs by pressing it into a resizing
die. The case also stretches in length and can become so long that it can fail to
feed properly into the firearm.
• Case length of used cases should be checked against the specs given in your
handloading manual.
• Calipers ($20 and up) can be used to exactly measure the case length.
• A case length gauge (about $10) will quickly check case length. A typical
 gauge covers over 30 different cartridge lengths.

Case trimmer (optional):

• Every time you fire and handload a case it tends to stretch. When a case has
stretched beyond the factory-specified maximum length, it must be trimmed to
size.
• Sometimes the case mouth is not square and should be squared for best
accuracy.
• A device similar in appearance to a small lathe easily and accurately trims
cases to size. You will need trimmer pilot for each caliber you handload.
• A good trimmer will cost about $45 and up.

Deburring tools (optional).

• A case mouth deburring tool removes any burrs around the case mouth left
after trimming. It also gives a slight bevel to the inside edge of the case mouth.

Primer pocket tools:

• A primer pocket tool reams the primer crimp found on military brass. Some
primer pocket tools also square up the bottom of the primer pocket at a
uniform depth. Be careful you don't take out so much metal the pocket won't
hold a primer!
• A primer pocket swaging die uses pressure to reform a military primer pocket
to accept a new primer. Unlike a pocket reamer, a swaging die ensures the
primer pocket is round and of correct dimension as well as free of crimping.
Many handloaders prefer the swaging process over reaming the primer pocket.
• Primer pocket brushes are used to clean out primer ash left by the spent primer
with a twisting motion.
• Burrs on the inside of the flash hole can cause erratic ignition. Some
handloaders use a flash hole deburring tool to remove this burr.
Case neck brush:

• A case neck brush or a bore cleaning brush is used to ensure the inside of the
neck is smooth and clean.

Case lube kit:

• Unless you are using carbide dies, you'll need to apply a thin film of lubricant
to each case before resizing the case (and decapping the old primer).
• Failure to lubricate will eventually result in a stuck case with the case base
pulled off -- not a lot of fun to remedy. Too much lubricant can result in
pressure dents in your cases.
• A typical case lube kit contains a bottle of case lube, a case lube
pad and a couple of case neck brushes with an accessory handle.
• A good lubricator kit, when properly used, will apply just the right amount of
lubricant. Just a light amount of lube on the pad goes a long way. Simply roll
several clean, empty cases on the pad together to lube several at once. You
only need a light film on the cases. Do not lubricate the case shoulder.
• Many handloaders use a spray lubricant rather than a pad.
• Make sure you remove the lube before dropping the powder in -- oil will ruin
your powder.

Primer tray:

• This tray is a clever little device that quickly orients primers anvil up for faster
handloading. To use, scatter primers onto the grooved tray, then shake the tray
horizontally until all primers are anvil side up. Primers can now be picked up
manually into the priming arm.
• If using an automatic primer feed tube, replace the primer tray cover and
invert. The primers are now anvil side down and can easily be picked up with
the top end of your automatic primer feed tube.

Priming device:
 • Most handloading presses have a lever built in to prime empty cases.
• Many handloaders use an automatic primer feeder. This is a tube which feeds
primers to the priming lever on the press for quick priming of a large batch of
cases. With this tool, primers will drop one at a time into the primer plug and
sleeve on the handloading press. Depending on the cartridge you are loading,
you will need different tubes for large and small primers.
• A hand priming tool designed specifically for the priming process is available
for around $28.

Reloading trays (aka Loading blocks):

• You will want two trays for each family of calibers you handload. One tray
will hold cases which are ready for a specific step in the handloading process.
The tray has holes to hold your cases upright so they don't tip and spill powder
and for ease of grasping the next case to be processed. As each case is
processed, it is placed into the second tray. When the first tray is empty, that
handloading step is complete for all cases. You then switch trays and proceed
with the next step, etc.

Reloading press:

• The press is used to resize the brass cases, replace the fired primers and seat
the bullet.
• Most handloading presses have a bench-mounted cast iron structure which
holds a die on its top and a piston-like ram in the base which inserts the case
into the die to perform various functions.
• Most presses have a primer foot which presses a new primer into each case as
it's processed.
• Press sizes vary quite a bit. Make sure the one you buy will handle the largest
cartridge you'll handload.
• Some RCBS press models will also reload shotgun shells -- something to
consider.
• A good single-stage press will cost about $60 and up. With a single stage
press, you will change handloading dies between each step, but this only takes
a minute.
• Some presses have a turret on top to hold a full set of dies as well as the
powder measure. With such a press, all steps are completed on each cartridge
without the need to set up for the next step.
• A hand-held press is also available for about $30.
Shellholder:

• Cartridge cases come in a wide variety of shapes, lengths, and diameters. Most
calibers share a head size and configuration with a family of other calibers.
You'll need a shellholder for each cartridge family you'll load.
• The shellholder is attached to the ram and grips the base of the cartridge as it
is pressed into the dies.

Dies:

• You'll need a set of dies for each caliber you plan to handload. Dies are
generally sold in sets of 2 or 3 dies for each cartridge caliber.
• These dies perform various operations on the cartridge including decapping
(removing the spent primer from the last loading), sizing (restoring the case to
factory designed dimensions), seating the new bullet, and in some cases,
crimping the case mouth to grip the bullet.
• The decapping process is done at the same time as the sizing. This is done by a
pin which presses the old primer out of its pocket. Most handloaders will
eventually break this decapping pin, so it's a good idea to have a couple of
spares on hand to avoid interruption of the handloading process.
• You will use a set of two dies for loading bottleneck type cases (most
commonly used in rifles). The first die is the resizing die and the de-capping
die. At this point you put the new primer into the case. Some sizing dies have
the option to open the case mouth up slightly at the extreme end of case travel.
Most bullets have a slight indent at the base of the bullet and will begin the
seat in the case with no widening of the case mouth at all, and will make a
very snug fit that won't have to be crimped. But, if you plan to make some low
powered, lead plinkers you would need the option to expand the case mouth a
bit. The second die in the 2 die set is for bullet seating and crimping (if
required).
• You will use a set of three dies for loading straight-wall type cases (most
commonly used in handguns). The additional die in a 3-die set is used to
expand the mouth of straight-wall cases. These often use cast lead bullets and
even when bullets are sized and lubricated, some lead can be shaved off if the
case mouth does not have a slight "flare" or enlargement just where the bullet
enters the case. This flare is closed when the bullet is seated or even reversed
if you seat the bullet deep enough to crimp the case mouth. The first die of 3
usually just resizes the case back to original dimensions (in some dies it also
 decaps). The second die will decap (remove the primer) the case and "bell" or
open the case mouth slightly. You control how much opening occurs by how
deep you insert the case into the die. This is adjusted by how deep the die is
screwed into the press and the lock ring on the die is set to the depth you
prefer. At this point you put the new primer into the case. The last of the three
dies is for bullet seating and closing the mouth of the case even or even
crimping the case mouth on the bullet. Lead bullets usually either have a
crimp grove or can be inserted just deep enough to get past the largest part of
the bullet to put a slight crimp on the case.
• Most dies are made of steel. One of the most important factors in selecting
dies is the hardness of the steel and the polish of the inside (particularly the re-
sizing die). The best dies are made of tungsten carbide and are not supposed to
need lubricant. I use it anyway. Nickel-plated cases sometimes scratch steel
dies and are best sized in carbide dies.
• The sizing die gets a lot of hard work. If a case has a speck of sand or dirt on
it, it can scratch the die. Then, every case sized after that will be scratched.
Buy high quality dies. The extra cost up front will be well worth it. Of course,
you still should take special care to have cases clean and free of corrosion,
dirt, sand, and grit.
• Each die has a lock ring to lock it in the desired adjustment. The lock ring is
prevented from moving out of adjustment by a set screw. I recommend you
place a lead shot ahead of the setscrew. The lead is softer than the setscrew
and will flow into the die thread to stop the lock ring from turning. Much less
pressure is then required on the head of the setscrew and damage to the
threads is avoided.
• A typical two-die set costs around $25 and up while a three-die set costs
around $35 and up.

Die locknuts:

• These nuts that have a setscrew to lock the nut to the die. This saves you the
time of adjusting the dies every time. This is especially important if you have
a single stage press, since you are constantly switching dies out. I recommend
you place a lead shot ahead of the setscrew. The lead is softer than the
setscrew and will flow into the die thread to stop the lock ring from turning.
Much less pressure is then required on the head of the setscrew and damage to
the threads is avoided.

Powder measure:

• At least one manufacturer sells sets of dippers to measure the amount of

powder to be poured into the freshly primed case.
• Most handloaders use a mechanical powder dispenser made up of a hopper to
hold a supply of gunpowder, a volumetric metering mechanism to measure
 powder quantity, and a drop tube to pour the measured powder into the
waiting case. Such a measure will cost about $35 and up.
• Fill the powder measure hopper with your favorite powder and adjust the
micrometer adjustments on the side to dump exactly the right amount of
powder into the case below the spout. A little "kicker" weight is used to shake
the measure to ensure all the measured powder charge drops into the case
(sometimes some sticks to the sides or hopper). You should always weigh
several measures after you get it adjusted to ensure it is consistent with the
load you want.
• A good powder measure "throws" a well-controlled amount of powder directly
into the empty case. A good measure will be accurate to about 1/10 grain. This
is usually considered good enough for most shooting.
• Some powders, due to their granule size and shape, are more difficult to
measure consistently. When measuring these powders, it is especially
important to be very uniform in your movements when throwing charges.

Scale:

• You will need a scale that weighs in grains. A very accurate scale designed to
measure very small weights is essential. Accuracy to tenths of a grain is
important. A postal scale just won't do!
• It is necessary to always weigh your powder charge to know how much you
are putting in the cases. Even the little "volume" measuring scoops people use
need to be checked.
• The accuracy of the charge thrown by the powder measure should be checked
prior to each use, periodically during a handloading session, and when
changing the amount or type of powder to be dispensed with each "throw."
• Once the accuracy of the powder measure is established (and periodically
verified), use of the scale is optional.
• Shooters who are after the optimum accuracy and consistency usually weigh
every charge.
• The best scales use a magnet to dampen the beam oscillations for quick,
accurate readings. Most handloaders use a balance scale costing around $60.
Electronic scales are also available for about twice that price.

Check weights:

• Use these calibrated weights to verify the accuracy of your scale. These are
precision weights in various denominations, from .5 grain to 20 grains for a
basic set.
Powder trickler (optional):

• Those handloaders who like to weigh every charge typically "throw" a slightly
underweight charge from their powder measure. They then gradually add
powder until the desired weight is attained.
• A powder trickler let's you "trickle" little bits of powder into your scales to
exactly measure the charge you want. For precision shooting, you might want
exactly 48.5 grains of a powder. Set your powder measure to 48 grains, and
bulk dump that into the dish on the scales. Then, with the trickler, you turn the
knob and trickle in just the amount you need to exactly balance the scales at
48.5 grains. Now you have an exact load and can duplicate it for every round.

Funnel:

• A funnel is essential for pouring weighed charges into cases without spillage.

Bullet moulds (optional):

• Moulds are made of either steel, brass, copper, bronze, or aluminum and have
a pair of handles.
• Moulds open like a pair of tongs or pliers to drop the freshly cast bullet.
• Aluminum, copper, bronze, and brass moulds are moulds are softer than steel
moulds and are easily nicked or scratched, so they need a bit more care.
• Steel moulds are likely to rust if not properly cared for.
• I like the aluminum moulds (Lee brand moulds are a bargain and of excellent
quality). They warm to casting temperature more quickly than the other
metals, and need no break-in.
• Prices run from less than $20 to $100 and more depending on brand,
construction, and number of cavities.
• Custom moulds can be ordered if you need a special size or shape of bullet. Be
prepared to pay a premium price.
Lead melting pot or furnace (optional):

• Most bullet casters use a cast iron pot placed over a stove to melt lead for
casting bullets.
• Some bullet casters use a pot or furnace with built in thermostatically-
controlled electric heating coils to melt lead. The typical lead furnace will hold
up to 20-25 pounds of lead. Some have a spigot for pouring lead from the
bottom for increased convenience.

Bullet sizer and lubricator (optional):

• This is an important tool if you make your own bullets. It will size the lead
bullet to exact caliber and put a lubricant in the lube grove(s) of the bullet to
prevent leading of the barrel.

Labels:

• Label every batch of ammunition you handload. You'll want to know how
much of what components you used when you find that perfect load for your
favorite rifle!
• I also recommend you keep a logbook of each batch you load. A spiral bound
notebook with entries containing the information from your labels will suffice.

Logbook:

• This is where you keep all of your loading information, as well as any
chronograph reports. For every batch you make, record the date and batch
number, along with primer type, powder type and weight, and the bullet type
and weight. Once the batch is loaded, take the log book out to the range and
record the performance of the load. If you have a chronograph, record the
velocity of up to 50 rounds in the batch. Based upon these recordings, you can
determine the consistency of the load.

Chronograph (optional):

• This is one of the most expensive parts you will get, but it provides you the
f db k h l d f i Thi ill l t k h f t
 your bullets are, and depending on the model, you can get average, high, and
low velocities and standard deviation.

Impact bullet puller (optional):

• Sometimes we load a batch of ammo that just doesn't shoot well. It's nice to be
able to disassemble such ammo and recover the components for reuse.
• You insert the bullet, then rap it like a hammer on a hard surface. It uses
inertia to harmlessly pop out the bullet so you can recover the components and
try again on the round.
• A good bullet puller costs around $15.
• Kinetic Bullet Puller This device is for those "oops!" that come up
occasionally.
 Components

Case:

• The metallic cartridge case is the most expensive component of a loaded

cartridge. This is the reusable part of the cartridge. You can usually handload a
case 10-20 times, depending on case design, the care you give the cases, and
the pressures to which they're loaded.
• Most cases are made of brass, an alloy made of 70% copper and 30% zinc,
although you might see some made of steel or aluminum. Brass cases are
reloadable, other cases are (for most handloaders) not reloadable. Sometimes
you will encounter nickel plated brass cases, and they too are reloadable. You
may also encounter nickel-plated steel cases which are not reloadable.
• There are three priming systems in use today: rimfire, Berdan (centerfire), and
Boxer (centerfire). Only Boxer primed cases are handloadable with the
equipment and materials we have readily available in the US.
• The case is manufactured for a single specific chambering, for example 30-'06.
• On the head of the cartridge, there is a head stamp which usually gives the
manufacturer's identifier (W-W for Winchester-Western, R-P for Remington-
Peters, etc.) as well as the chambering designation (such as 30-'06).
• For best accuracy, it is generally considered best to use cases with the same
head stamp when producing a handload batch. This is because different cases
have different capacities and strengths.
• There are two basic case types: straight wall and bottleneck. Examples of
straight wall cases are 38 Special, 44 Magnum, and 45-70 Government.
Examples of bottleneck cartridges are 30-'06, 308 Winchester, and 223
Remington. Straight wall cases are essentially the same outside diameter at the
head of the case (except possibly excluding the rim) as they are at the mouth
of the case. Bottlenecked cases are not. Bottlenecked cases have a shoulder
area, where the case diameter is reduced before the case's neck.
• Bullets are placed into the mouth of either straight walled or bottlenecked
cases.
• The areas of a bottlenecked cartridge (from the bullet end working towards the
primer end) are: mouth, neck, shoulder, body, head (sometimes called base),
extraction groove, and rim.
• There is a primer pocket in the center of the head of both straight walled and
bottlenecked cartridges, into which a primer is placed.
• There are five basic case rim configurations: rimmed, semi-rimmed, rimless,
belted, and rebated.
• Within certain limits, it is possible to modify the shape of a metallic cartridge
case so that it becomes a different chambering. For instance, if the neck
diameter of a 308 Winchester case is decreased (called necking down) it is
possible to create 7mm-08 Remington cases. It is also possible to neck up a
30-'06 case to a 35 Whelen case. There may be other operations required such
as thinning or trimming the neck.
Bullet:

• There are two general classes of commercially available bullets: jacketed lead
and lead or lead alloy.
• Jacketed bullets can be loaded to much higher pressures for higher velocities.
• Most jacketed bullets are lead cores surrounded by metal jackets. The most
common jacket metal is copper. Sometimes the cores are omitted, and the
bullets are called solids.
• Many handloaders also cast their own lead or lead alloy bullets. This adds a
new dimension the fun and satisfaction of handloading.
• Some handloaders also create their own bullets swaging -- to pressure-form by
forcing the metal through or into a die.
• Lead bullets can be reused if you can recover them, and are willing to remelt
and cast them.
• Bullets come in a wide variety of diameters, shapes, and weights. Always use
the diameter (caliber) specified for your cartridge. Different shapes and
weights are selected based on the intended use of the bullet.
• In the lower powered pistol bullets, the best choice is often a lead bullet. They
are cheap and work well. At velocities greater than about 900 fps some
leading of the bore will occur. The exception is a lead bullet with a copper
"gas check" on its base.
• Hollow point bullets are when you want added expansion for hunting game.
• Wadcutter bullets have a flat nose to cut a perfect round hold in the target.
Many hunters also swear by the knock-down power of the wadcutter. If you
use a pointed bullet and it exits the game, not all the stopping power of the
bullet was used. If it stops in the game and does added tissue damage, the
game will more likely be stopped cold. The lowly wadcutter fits this bill.
• Certain bullet shapes are required for proper feeding (ie round nose in many
automatic pistols) or safety (ie flat nose in tubular magazines).
• In the high-power rifle pointed bullets for long range and high speeds are
usually best.
• Bullets have some or all of the following areas: base, body, grease groove(s),
cannelure, ogive, and nose.
• The bullet base is called flat-based if it is the same diameter as the bullet body.
If the base is smaller than the body, it is called boat-tailed. If the base is
concave, it is called hollow-based.
• A metal disc called a gas-check may sometimes be placed on the base of lead
bullets to help reduce leading, protect the base from powder gasses, and allow
higher velocities.
• The bullet body is the part that contacts the barrel. The body diameter is
approximately the caliber size (such as .308 inches) but may be slightly
different for accuracy considerations.
• Cast bullets are frequently sized as a separate operation after they are cast.
• Bullet grease grooves are normally only present on cast bullets, and contain
lubricant (usually applied at the same time the cast bullet is sized). Lubricant
helps reduce fouling in the barrel.
• The bullet cannelure is an indented ring around the circumference of the bullet
body of a jacketed bullet into which the metallic cartridge case may be
crimped. The crimp is sometimes present to produce a more consistent grip on
the bullet by the case neck, leading to more consistent velocities and hence
better accuracy.
• The bullet ogive is the curve of the bullet's body to the nose. This curve (in
part) defines the sectional density, which contributes to the ballistic coefficient
of the bullet and thus partially determines how the bullet travels through the
air.
• The bullet nose can be of several styles: flat nose, wadcutter, semi-wadcutter,
round nose, truncated cone, spitzer, hollowpoint.
• The design of a bullet can be made to emphasize various traits like expansion,
penetration, ballistic coefficient, artistic beauty, whatever the designer values
most. Most commercial bullets are compromises among these various
attributes.
• Bullet weights are measured in grains, just as powder. If you will examine
loading data for a particular chambering such as 308 Winchester, you will
notice that different amounts of the same powder are used to produce similar
velocities when different bullet weights are used. You should never switch an
existing load to a different bullet weight or style without going back to the
loading manual for new data, particularly when working with near maximum
loads.
• All other characteristics remaining the same, a heavier bullet will be longer.
• Different bullet lengths prefer different rates of rifling twist (measured by the
barrel length used to make one complete rotation of the bullet). Longer bullets
generally require a faster twist to stabilize them. Only experimentation will
best determine the most accurate load for your firearm. To determine the rate
of twist of your firearm, place some tape on your cleaning rod to form a flag
near the handle, then place a tight cleaning patch on your cleaning rod tip,
then start the rod down the barrel, then place a mark on the cleaning rod, then
run the rod into the barrel until the flag makes one complete rotation, then put
another mark on the rod. The distance between the two marks is the rate of
twist. Once you know the twist rate of your firearm, you can approximate the
best bullet length by the formula l = 150 x cal x cal / t where t is the rate of
twist (in inches), cal is bullet diameter (in decimals of an inch), and l is bullet
length (in decimals of an inch). Conversely, the ideal twist rate can be
approximated by the formula t = 150 x cal x cal / l.
Powder:

• There are two general classes of gunpowder: blackpowder (and substitutes

with similar burning characteristics) and smokeless powder.
• Smokeless gunpowder dies not explode in your gun -- it burns very quickly.
This combustion generally continues for the entire time the bullet is in the
gun. The hot, expanding gasses of this combustion build up a very high
pressure to accelerate the projectile down the barrel.
• Smokeless powder develops much higher pressures when it burns. Therefore,
never use smokeless powder in a firearm designed for blackpowder.
• Blackpowder (a mechanical mixture of 75% charcoal, 15% potassium nitrate
[salt peter], and 10% sulfur) is actually an explosive. It is sold in various
granule sizes. This granule size affects the rate at which it burns. Always use
the granule size specified for your firearm.
• Smokeless powder also is sold in a variety of burn characteristics. Some are
designed for pistols, some for shotguns, some for rifles, some for large
cartridges, some for small. Always use a powder specified for your cartridge.
• Powder is ignited by the primer's flame.
• Burning rate is roughly how fast a particular powder burns. This is
complicated by the fact that the burning rate varies with the pressure inside the
cartridge and the barrel. In addition, the pressure changes (rapidly) over time.
• Chemically, there are two varieties of smokeless powder: single-based and
double-based. Single-based powders contain nitrocellulose. Double-based
powders contain nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine. The addition of
nitroglycerine makes double-based powders burn faster and hotter than single-
based powders.
• Smokeless powder comes as granules, and the granule shapes describe what
category of powder it is. The shapes are: flake, ball (also called spherical), and
extruded (also called stick). A particular type of powder will be all one kind of
granule shape. The granule shapes as well as the chemical composition of the
powder have direct bearing on the burning rate.
• It is not possible to discern what kind of powder you have just by looking at it.
• You want all of the powder to have burned by the time the bullet leaves the
barrel. Muzzle flash is an indication that powder is being burned outside the
barrel, meaning you are wasting powder.
• There is a basic relationship between how much powder is placed in the case
and how much pressure is produced when the cartridge is fired. The more
powder in the case, the higher the pressure and the faster the bullet. However,
too much pressure results in a decline in accuracy.
Primer:

• The primer is located in a pocket in the cartridge head. When struck by the
gun's firing pin, it detonates, sending a hot flash through a hole in the head of
the case into the powder, thus igniting it.
• There are two styles of centerfire primers available today: Boxer and Berdan.
Although the Berdan primer is an American invention, it is more popular in
Europe while the Boxer primer, a European invention is more popular in the

US. This photo shows two examples of 40S&W cases. The

two cases on the left are Boxer-primed. Note the single concentric flash hole
and the absence of an anvil. The Boxer anvil is an integral part of the primer --
not a part of the case. The two cases on the right are Berdan-primed. Note the
concentric anvil located between two flash holes in the upper right. The
Berdan primer has no integral anvil -- the Berdan anvil is an integral part of
the case.
• Because of special tools needed for Berdan priming and lack of availability of
Berdan primers in the US, I will only deal with Boxer primers in this
document.
• Boxer primers consist of three separate subcomponents: primer cup, priming
compound, and primer anvil. The primer cup is cylindrical, with one end open
and the other enclosed. The primer anvil is placed in the open end, with the
priming compound between the two. The primer anvil's shape is basically a
disc with the center raised so it is adjacent to the priming compound. The
priming compound is designed to be shock/crush sensitive, and is an explosive
mixture.
• When the gun's firing pin strikes the primer cup's closed end, it indents the
primer cup. When the primer cup is deformed, it crushes the priming
compound between the priming cup and the primer's anvil. This ignites the
priming compound, sending a flame through the flash hole in the metallic
cartridge case. Once a primer is fired, it is not reused.
• The primer is inserted into the metallic cartridge case so the anvil end (the
open end) faces the flash hole in the case and the closed end of the primer cup
is slightly recessed into bottom of the metallic cartridge case. This is so that
the primer only ignites when the gun's firing pin strikes it, rather than simply
by bluntly striking the head of the cartridge. An example of such blunt impact
might be dropping the cartridge on a concrete floor, or when the cartridge is
slammed into the gun's chamber by a self-loading gun.
• Fired primers are a good source of information regarding the pressure of the
assembled cartridge. Primers which appear flattened are a good indication of
excessive pressure, and mean you should not increase pressure any further
 (and possibly even reduce pressure).
• Primers are sold in four different sizes and come with different burn
characteristics. These are: small pistol, large pistol, small rifle, and large rifle.
Primers also come in standard and magnum strength. Always use the correct
type of primer as recommended by your reloading data source. Never switch
to another strength (or even change manufacturer) of primer when working
with anything besides starting loads. Magnum primers are not necessarily
required for "magnum" cartridges. Magnum refers (in this case) to the strength
of the flame produced by the primer.
• Military ammunition usually will have primers that are crimped in place. This
crimp makes removal of the spent primer a bit more difficult, but special tools
are available for removing crimped primers and removing the crimp from the
empty primer pocket.
 Reloading Process
The handloading process involves several simple steps which must be performed
correctly and in sequence. There are no shortcuts! Although the process is easy
enough, it requires full concentration. Let everybody in the house know that you must
have no interruptions or distractions except in an emergency.

Case inspection:

• Examine cases before loading and discard any that are not in good condition.
• Look for damage or flaws that may affect the performance or safety of
handloaded ammunition. These flaws can include cracks and scratches in the
case, large dents, or corrosion.
• Watch for flattened, pierced, or cratered primers which indicate excessive
pressure.
• Watch for gas leaks around the primer indicating excessive pressure or an
enlarged primer pocket.
• Watch for spent primers that have backed out of the primer pocket indicating
excessive headspace.
• Watch for a bright colored ring around the case just above the web that is
often an indicator of likely head separation.
• Ensure each case is of the proper chambering.
• Some steel cases are lacquered such that they can appear to be brass, so check
unknown cases with a magnet. Steel cases should be crushed and discarded so
you won't accidentally reload them.
• Unless you are set up to reload Berdan-primed cases, deform and discard any
cases with Berdan primer pockets (usually pockets containing 2 flash holes
and a center post or anvil).
• Discard cases of an unknown origin.

Case cleaning:

• Cases should be decapped prior to cleaning.

• Clean and corrosion-free cases have more than an esthetic value. They are less
likely to get stuck in, or damage, your dies. Clean cases require less force
during the sizing process. Dirty primer pockets can cause difficulty in properly
seating new primers.
• Clean the primer pocket of any primer ash using a primer pocket brush or a
flat-bladed screwdriver.
• Clean inside the case neck with a case neck brush or bore cleaning brush of
appropriate caliber.
• For best results, use a brass tumbler for cleaning. Tumble until your brass is
clean. How long depends upon the amount of brass, condition of brass, and
amount and type of tumbling media. Tumbling media comes in two materials:
granulated corncob or granulated walnut. Generally, the walnut lasts longer
than corncob because it is harder. The corncob seems to give brighter polish.
No matter what you use, you can extend the life of your media by using media
reactivator, which you pour into used media to restore its cleaning power.
• An alternative to a tumbler is to wash dirty cases in a case-cleaning solution or
hot soapy water, rinse thoroughly, then dry in a warm oven (less than 200
degrees Fahrenheit -- too much heat can ruin the heat-treatment of the cases).
• Ensure each case is empty. Sometimes you'll find a pebble or even a smaller
 case or bullet jammed inside a case.
• Watch for cases with an unfired primer.
• Lubricate the clean, empty shell before re-sizing the case (and decapping the
old primer). While Tungsten Carbide pistol dies don't require lubricating, it's
still a good idea. Just a light amount of lube on the pad goes a long way. You
can place several cases on the pad and roll them together to lube several at
once. You only need a light film on the cases.

Sizing and decapping:

• This is done with your sizing die, the one with the little pin sticking out below
the die.
• Depending on how you set your sizing die, this steps restores the case neck, or
entire case to standard dimensions.
• If the reloaded cartridge is to be used only in the same firearm in which it was
previously fired, you need only resize the neck. Otherwise, a full resizing is in
order. Full resizing is also required for self-loading firearms.
• This step also decaps (removes the spent primer) the case.
• Military ammo generally has the primer crimped in place. Expect to use more
force (and occasional broken decapping pins) to press out crimped primers.
• Straight walled cases use an extra die to puts a slight open bell on the case
mouth to allow easy bullet seating later. Some dies allow you to, you can
dump your powder down through the die and into the case at the same time
you're belling it.

Priming:

• Many reloading presses have a priming arm that inserts a new primer as the
freshly sized case is withdrawn from the sizing die. Most presses have
provisions for a tube that automatically feeds a new primer into the priming
lever.
• Be careful and seat the primer slowly to avoid detonating the primer. It is
especially important to wear safety glasses during this step.
• Don't look down into the case while pressing the primer home. Primers
contain lead styphanate, which is an explosive. You would be surprised how
much fire comes out of one primer and how far it spits out.
• The surface of the primer should be slightly below the level of the case base.
This protects the primer from firing prematurely when being slammed into the
chamber by the bolt.
• A primer that is too high is often a result of a dirty primer pocket.
• Military ammo generally has primers crimped in place. Before handloading
used military brass, you will need to carefully ream or swage the crimp to
allow seating of a new primer.
• A hand primer is a nice-to-have item. With a hand press, you can prime your
brass in your easy chair inside where it's warm. It is important to have eye and
ear protection at this point.

Case trimming:

• In the firing and sizing processes, the case tends to stretch a bit. This can
affect chambering, pressures during firing, and accuracy. Measure the case
 length and trim if necessary.

Powder charging:

• Primed cases are filled with a carefully measured powder charge. You must
follow prescribed data in a handloading manual.
• Powder may be measured by a calibrated dipper, a volumetric powder
measure or by weighing each individual charge.
• Using the powder measure is faster by having your cases in a shell holder, you
just go right down the line dropping powder in. A tap on the powder measure
will insure all the powder drops into the case.
• The accuracy of volumetric measures must be calibrated and checked by
weighing samples at the beginning of a reloading session and by weighing the
charges thrown into samples (one of every 5-10 cases).
• When finished with a block of cases, inspect each one to make sure no cases
are empty or have a double charge. Either situation could result in a terrible
accident or fatality. I also stick a dowel into each case to check for uniformity
of powder depth.

Bullet seating:

• A bullet seating die seats a bullet into the neck of the case to the proper depth,
completing the cartridge.
• With some handgun and rifle dies, the seater also crimps the case into the
bullet, preventing bullet movement under recoil. Crimps are only applied to
lead bullets and to jacketed bullets with a cannelure.
• Most dies also have a crimp feature so while the bullet is being seated, a crimp
is applied at the same time. The crimp is important for several reasons. It
keeps the bullet from falling out of the case and it holds the bullet long enough
for proper pressure to build up. If you over crimp, this will cause an
overpressure situation by holding the bullet for too long.
• The more crimp you put on a case, the sooner it will begin to split at the
mouth and will have to be discarded.
• With a roll crimp the seater die actually rolls a very small portion of
the case mouth into the bullet cannelure. A taper crimp die actually squeezes
the case around the bullet with no visible indentation or crimp. The taper
crimp die merely removes the bell from the case mouth that was used to ease
seating of the bullet and pushes the case mouth parallel to the bullet.
• Using a case gauge or calipers, check the overall length (OAL) of your
completed first rounds until they meet the standards specified in your
reloading manual.
• Don't be afraid to throw out your first few rounds until you get the die set
correctly.

Final Inspection

• If loading cast bullets, wipe any lubricant from the completed round.
• Examine each case for signs of stress such as cracks.
• Ensure primers are properly seated flush or slightly below the head surface.
• Ensure cases are properly crimped if appropriate.
• Ensure overall cartridge length is correct.
• Store in a properly marked box or case designed for storing this particular
 chambering.
• Store in a cool, dry place.
• Store in a lockbox or safe separately from your firearms.
• Label the box with details about the load.
• Log the details about the load in your logbook.
 Accuracy Tips
• Uniformity is key for accurate loads. For a particular batch, sort you cases by
brand or manufacturer. Military cases also have headstamps indicating
information such as manufacturer. Different brands and even different lots
within a brand can vary in case wall thickness and web thickness in the head.
This affects powder capacity and pressure. You might also consider sorting
cases by weight for the same reason.
• Trim every case to exactly the same length as specified in your loading
manual, ensuring each case mouth is perfectly square
• Lightly ream the the bottom of all primer pockets to ensure they are square
and of uniform depth.
• Lightly deburr the inside and outside of the flash holes to ensure they are the
same diameter and free of burrs.
• If using in the same firearm in which it was last fired, consider neck sizing
only. Exceptions are circumstances where feed reliability is essential such as
personal defense, ammo you'll take on a hunt, and semi-automatic, slide-
action, and lever-action firearms.
• Use a case neck turning tool to ensure uniform thickness all around the neck.
• Don't mix primer brands or types within a batch.
• Don't use magnum primers unless specifically called for.
• Weigh every powder charge to ensure each case gets exactly the same charge.
• Generally, faster powders give better accuracy.
• Cartridges are designed to shoot within a certain velocity range. Most
cartridges shoot best at near their potential with bullets near the middle of the
weight range. For best accuracy generally stay away from high pressure loads.
• A powder charge that neatly fills the case seems to burn more consistently
from one round to the next.
• For target shooting, select a match grade bullet. Their construction and weight
are more consistent and are optimized for accuracy. However, do not use
match bullets for hunting -- even if a match bullet is a hollow point, it is not
designed to expand and is more likely to ricochet than a bullet designed for
hunting.
• Don't just consider boat tail bullets when searching for accuracy. You may
often find that a flat- base bullet shoots the best.
• Seat bullets to a uniform depth.
• Consider the twist rate of your firearm when selecting bullet lengths.
• Keep careful records of what you load, so that when you hit the magic recipe,
you can duplicate it.
• When experimenting, start at the minimum charge given in your loading
manual and load batches of 7-10 rounds, increasing the powder charge in 1/2
to 1 grain increments up to the maximum given in your manual. Mark each 7-
10 round batch. At the range, shoot each batch beginning with the lightest
charge and record the results. Stop when you reach a charge that shows signs
of excessive pressure. Repeat these steps while varying bullet seating depths,
bullet weights, powder, and primer brands. With good records, you can easily
recognize the best load(s) for your gun.
 Casting Lead Bullets
Lead sources:

• Either buy bullet lead or mix your own. Some plumbing supply houses still
stock pure lead.
• Pure lead is best for blackpowder shooting where velocities are low.
• Due to bore leading at higher velocities and the higher temperatures of
smokeless powder, I do not suggest using pure or scrap lead for velocities
above 1,000 fps.
• Scrap lead, although of unknown composition, is a very good source for low-
cost lead. The most common source of scrap lead is used wheel weights,
obtainable for free or very low cost from service stations and tire shops. You
can just melt them down, flux, skim off the metal clips and debris, and you are
ready to pour. It usually contains about 3% to 4% antimony to harden the lead.
• I have found that wheel weights, being a bit on the soft side, have just about
the right mix for pistol bullets at velocities up to 1,200 fps.
• An alloy of 1 part tin and 16 parts lead can be created by adding solder to lead
in the appropriate ration. This will give the hardness needed for velocities up
to 1,500 fps.
• Perhaps the best lead for reloading for modern pistols and rifles is linotype
lead. This alloy is usually just the right hardness for velocities up to 2,000 fps
with around 12% antimony and 4 percent tin.
• Many commercial hard-cast bullets have between 6% and 7% antimony and
about 2% tin. Many shooting supply shops sell pure and alloyed lead.
• Higher velocities can achieved by using gas checks (a small copper cup
crimped onto the bullet's base) paper patching, harder lead alloy, sabots (a
plastic cup that falls away from the bullet after leaving the muzzle), and by
jacketed bullets.
• Some .22 rimfire bullets are made of zinc. Don't use them in lead bullets -- the
zinc will ruin the casting quality of your lead.
• The lead alloy used in car batteries has concentrations of acid that make it
unsafe to melt them. In addition, battery lead alloy in modern batteries
contains other metals that can ruin the lead for bullet casting.

Heat source:

• You can buy an electric furnace if you are really serious or will cast a lot of
bullets. They generally have a thermostat control for steady heat. They
typically have a spout on the bottom for pouring molten lead into your mould.
• For most bullet casters, an iron pot is enough. I have an old one-quart cast iron
saucepan that has served me well. Once a pot has been used to melt lead, it
must never be used for cooking food. A gas stove is best for melting lead, but
you can also use an electric stove. I use a propane camp stove.
• For consistent results, you'll want a thermometer.

Casting process:

• The best temperature for casting is 650-750 degrees Fahrenheit.

• If you're melting lead in an iron pot, you'll need a ladle to dip lead from the
pot and pour it into your mould.
• You'll need flux (I use a chunk of beeswax about the size of a marble) to
 encourage the lead, antimony and tin to properly alloy. It also helps separate
the molten metal from the dross (dirt, rocks, wheel weight clips, etc.) which
you need to skim off.
• Preheat your ladle and mould by immersing them in the molten lead for a
couple of minutes.
• Pour the molten lead into the mould until you have a puddle over the sprue
hole about half an inch in diameter. As the lead cools, you'll see it change in
color. Then pause a few seconds, then tap the sprue cutoff lever with a
wooden mallet (I use an old hammer handle) to cut off the sprue. Never use a
metal object for this purpose. Then drop the new bullet onto a soft cotton cloth
or towel (most synthetic fabrics will melt). If you drop the hot bullet into cold
water rather than onto a cloth, its hardness will increase -- a good thing if you
want to reduce bore leading at higher velocities.
• Hot bullets are very soft and easily damaged. Be gentle.
• Examine each bullet for voids, bubbles, creases, etc. If it isn't perfect, just drop
it back into the pot and pour another. You may likely find that you'll pour a
few bullets before the mould temperature is just right for perfect bullets.
• It's possible to use the lead bullets just as they come from the mould, but you'll
get best results if you size and lubricate them. You'll need a press and
appropriate die for this step. The cast bullet is pressed into the die and
lubricating wax is forced into the bullet's lube groove(s). This ensures a
perfect fit into the case neck and reduces bore leading.
The
Reloading
Bench
by Bob
Glodt

Developing Accurate
Black Powder Cartridge
Loads:
Seating Depth
It is not unusual for a beginning Seating Depth
One of the first and most important
silhouette competitor to struggle for the principles of black powder cartridge
first couple of years before learning loading is to understand the concept of
some of the basic principals of seating depth. Seating depth is the distance
developing accurate black powder the bullet is seated into the case and, more
cartridge loads. Even if a new shooter importantly, it is “the relationship of the
were to know exactly which primers, bullet to the rifling in the barrel.”
cases, lube, powder, or bullets a top Determining the proper seating depth is
competitor was using, that information one of the very first things a shooter must
alone would not be enough to duplicate determine when working up test loads. You
an accurate load for the rifle he or she is must know what seating depth your
shooting. If there were ever any particular rifle “likes” before you can begin
absolutes in this game, it is “what works to fine tune the other components used in
well in one rifle may not work well in the loading process. Improper seating
another.” If you are going to be a depth alone can totally negate the use of
competitive shooter you need to learn the best powder, the best primer, or the
how to work up your own loads. best bullet.
When I began competing in this sport Selecting the proper seating depth will be
over ten years ago, I received a lot of determined by the type of bullet you are
advice on what powder, primer, wad, or shooting. The bullets used by black powder
bullet to use, but learned very little cartridge competitors will fall into four
concerning the basic principals of basic categories: the tapered bullet, the
loading accurate black powder cartridge non-tapered bullet, the bore rider bullet,
ammunition. With considerable and the paper patched bullet. A tapered
experience in loading smokeless bullet has a nose diameter that is generally
ammunition I incorrectly assumed the a couple of thousandths less than bore
same principles that applied to loading diameter and will have one or more driving
smokeless ammunition, also applied to bands that are one or two thousandths
loading black powder ammunition. larger than the bore diameter. For
When my first black powder cartridge example, the tapered bullet I shoot in my
handloads yielded me scores of 5/40 .40-65 is .398” on the nose, .401” on the
and 10/40 at the National top driving band and .408” on the four
Championships in 1991, I learned remaining driving bands. My Badger barrel
quickly that I didn’t know near as much has a .400” bore and .408” groove
as I thought I did. My ammunition was diameter.
so poor that I had a bullet impact in the
road in front of the pig line in a shoot
off. Miraculously this stray round
actually ricocheted off the road and hit
the pig I was instructed to shoot at. If I
live to be 102, I will never forget the
look on that competitor’s face when he
saw my pig go down after the bullet had
ricocheted off the gravel road. I guess
my “bank shot” rattled him a little
because he missed his pig, and I won
the shoot off. As Billy Dixon would say,
“It was a scratch shot.”
For the next several issues of the Black
Powder Cartridge News, my goal is to
write a series of columns that hopefully Checking the overall length of a
will help the beginning shooter learn loaded round.
and better understand some of the basic By design, the tapered bullet should be
principles of loading accurate black seated far enough out in the case that one
powder cartridge ammunition. Some of or more of the tapered driving bands will
the topics to be discussed include: engage the rifling – this centers the bullet
seating depth (this issue), bullet casting with the bore of the barrel. Another
techniques, forming and expanding advantage to a tapered bullet is that
cases, lubing bullets, powder “seating out” allows more room for powder
performance, bullet selection, and in the case. When loading with the tapered
loading on a Dillon press. In addition to bullet, it is recommended that you begin
covering specific “principles” or by seating the bullet “out” far enough for
guidelines for reloading, some shortcuts the rifling to fully engage the tapered band,
and reloading tips will also be covered but “in” far enough that the first non-
in these articles. tapered band is approximately .020” to
Please remember that the opinions and .030” off the rifling. With the bullet
guidelines I offer in this column work in described in the example above, the top
my rifles, but may not work in yours. In tapered band (.401”) will be fully into the
addition, there is more than one way to rifling, but the second non-tapered band
produce accurate black powder (.408”) is .020” to .030” off the rifling.
cartridge handloads, so, if your
approach differs from mine and you are
achieving good results – do not change
what you are doing. Always remember it
is the individual gun that will be the
final judge of what works and what does
not. If you are a new shooter and a
veteran shooter has “taken you under
his wing,” I recommend that you follow
his advice if it is working. If it hadn’t
been for outstanding veteran shooters
like Ron Long, Mike Lewis, Steve Garbe,
Mike Venturino, Ed Duncan, Larry
Peterson, Gary Jennings, Larry Long,
and Charlie Semmer, I probably would
still be banking my shots off the road on
the pig line.
Through trial and error you
can arrive at the proper
seating depth. By inserting a
bullet into an empty cartridge
case you can chamber the
round and then look and see
where the rifling is engraving
the driving bands. With the
aid of a black magic marker
to color the driving bands and
a good magnifying glass, you
will be able to better
determine how far off the
rifling you are seating your
bullet. If the bullet is seated
too far in or too far out,
Checking the overall length of a
cartridge case.
 repeat the process until you
arrive at the exact seating
depth you are striving for.

Overall Length
Once a seating depth has been
determined, measure the overall loaded A good testing procedure for beginning
length of the loaded cartridge, the overall shooters would be to try one or two bullets
length of the cartridge case, and the with one or two different seating depths
overall length of the bullet. By subtracting per bullet. Each of these combinations
the length of the cartridge case from the should be tested with two different
overall length of the loaded round, you powders and two different primers. If you
will know how far the bullet is protruding selected only one bullet to work with in this
out of the case. If you subtract the length scenario, you would have eight test loads to
of the bullet from the amount the bullet is evaluate, and could refer to the diagram
shown above.
sticking out of the case, you know how far
the bullet is seated into the case. All three
of these measurements should be
recorded in your load development book.
Now that you know how far the bullet is
protruding into the case, you can now
determine how much powder to put in.
Unlike smokeless powder, you always fill
the case to the base of the wad with
powder. A basic principle of loading black
powder cartridge ammunition (with the
exception of those that compress powder)
is that the seating depth determines the
powder charge; or stated another way, the
seating depth determines the powder
charge and the bullet type determines the
Checking the overall length of
seating depth.
a bullet.
A non-tapered bullet is one with all
Your test loads should be fired from a sand
driving bands at approximately groove
bagged bench rest at 200 meter paper
diameter (give or take a thousandths). So,
targets. Although not a requirement, if your
if we use the 40 calibers as an example, all
rifle is equipped with scope blocks, go ahead
four driving bands would be .408” and the
and use a scope for developing test loads. I
nose on a non-tapered bullet will
suggest that you load 12 rounds for each
generally be two or more thousandths
load being tested. The first two rounds will
smaller than bore diameter. I have found
be shot from a clean cool barrel so they will
that the seating depth that produces the
probably print high on the target. Note
most accurate load for a non-tapered
where these first two rounds impact the
bullet may vary considerably. Good results
target and then shoot the next ten rounds
may be obtained by seating the top driving
for group. Blow between each shot just as if
just off the rifling (.020” to .030”) as was
you were on the silhouette line. Measure the
done with the tapered bullet all the way to
group but do not include the first two fouler
the other extreme of seating the entire
shots in the group. Clean the rifle, allow
bullet into the case, leaving only the top
time for the barrel to cool, and proceed to
driving band exposed. Some of the most
the next load. If you find a couple of test
accurate loads I have developed with non-
loads that show potential, test them again at
tapered bullets are ones with a seating
least two more times before passing
depth that allows the bullet to “jump” a
judgment on the load. Also, it is good to pick
considerable distance before engaging the
a windy day for one of the testing periods.
rifling. The point is, “the .020” to .030” off
An exceptionally good load will be
the rifling rule” may not apply here. As
surprisingly stable even under windy
with the tapered bullet, no guessing on
conditions, but sometimes a marginal load
seating depth is permitted –
that performed fairly well under calm
measurements should be taken and
conditions will “fall apart” with a little wind.
recorded.
When testing loads, pay particular attention
The nose of the bore rider bullet is
to how each of the rounds chamber. If some
generally only .0005” to .001” smaller
rounds chamber easy and some chamber
than the bore of the barrel. The objective
hard, you may need to adjust seating depth,
of the bore rider is to have the nose of the
check the nose diameter of the bullet you
bullet close enough to bore diameter that
are shooting, or blow more between shots.
it will “center” the bullet in the barrel.
Vertical stringing of shots can be caused by
With bore riders, tolerances between the
improper seating depth.
bore of the barrel and the nose of the Working up accurate black powder
bullet can be so close that hard cartridge ammunition is a process of
chambering from fouling can sometime be eliminating the things that don’t work and
a problem. If you shoot bore rider bullets, at the same time identifying those things
seating depths should be adjusted so that that do work. Someone once aptly
consistent chambering can be achieved. I described the process as “a long trip down
have found that often bore riders will need a winding rabbit hole.” When starting with
to be seated .040” off the first groove a new rifle it is not
sized driving band to achieve consistent
chambering. People that shoot bore rider
bullets usually develop a very strict and
methodical method when blowing
moisture into the barrel. Although I have
shot some extremely tight groups with
bore rider bullets, I have found them to be
more sensitive to fouling than the tapered
bullet or the non-tapered bullet, especially
in the hot and dry weather conditions we
experience in Texas.

With paper patching, there is one basic uncommon for an experienced black powder
principle you need to understand: no handloader to spend six or more months in
matter what you do, you can’t get them load development and load tuning before
to shoot good groups (just kidding). acceptable groups are achieved. If you are
Paper patching is an art and science methodical and deliberate in your approach
unto itself, so my recommendation to a to working up loads, sooner or later you will
new shooter would be to forget paper come up with a load combination that is
patching for right now. Spend your time capable of producing one minute of angle or
developing loads using bullets with smaller groups. Once you learn some of the
grease grooves. We may, however, take principles of loading black powder cartridge
up paper patching in a separate article ammunition and how they apply to the guns
in a future issue of the News. If you ever you shoot, the load development time
run across Larry Peterson while you are decreases dramatically. ®
at Raton, ask him about paper patching.
Larry can make paper patched bullets
shoot and make them shoot well.
 The Handbook of Commercial Bullet Casting
Second Edition
Paul B. Moore
The following is an excerpt from Chapter Two

To gain any appreciation at all of the effect one alloy or

another may have on the quality of a bullet or the cost
of the final product, a basic understanding of the kinds
of materials one is likely to encounter in the bullet
casting business is in order.

It is not the purpose of this chapter to champion one

alloy over another concerning its application as a bullet
alloy, but to clear up misconceptions about the
analytical composition of the materials available to the
bullet caster. All compositions listed hereafter are
extrapolated nominal chemistries determined by the
atomic absorption and classical wet analytical
techniques. The performance of any given alloy in a
single firearm is subject to a host of variables and only
one of these is the analytical composition of the bullet
itself. The only true test is to try it and see if it works
for your application.

Any discussion involving the analytical composition of scrap alloys most certainly has
to start with the most common source of salvaged lead alloy, the wheel weight. There
is probably not a bullet caster in the country who has not at one time or another
melted a pot of dirty wheel weights, skimmed off the clips, dirt and dross and then
cast bullets with the remaining alloy. Some bullet casters have more success with
wheel weights than others do.

Wheel weights have probably been used by bullet casters since very shortly after the
first wheel was balanced with them. Today, wheel weights are manufactured in two
distinct compositions, which if mixed at random, have a significant effect on the
weight and hardness of the bullets cast with them, undoubtedly contributing at times
to the woes of the bullet caster. Analytically, the most common wheel weight is made
of three percent antimonial lead with the following nominal composition:
antimony3.00 percent; tin 0.29 percent; arsenic 0.14 percent; copper 0.05 percent;
bismuth 0.025 percent maximum; nickel .002 percent maximum; zinc .001 percent
maximum; sulfur .001 percent maximum and the remainder lead. The residual
elements of bismuth, silver, iron, nickel, zinc and sulfur are essentially the same for
almost all the compositions discussed. Consequently, they will be ignored unless they
are present in significant amounts.

To make matters more difficult for bullet casters, there is a second reasonably
common composition of wheel weights, consisting of antimony 0.68 percent; tin 0.017
percent; arsenic 0.08 percent, copper 0.05 percent and the remainder is lead.
Unfortunately, there is no efficient way to separate these two different alloys. And
obviously, mixing these two quite different alloys in varieties of unknown proportions
can have significant effects on the composition and thus the weight of the bullets cast
from the resulting mixtures. With the three percent antimony wheel weight containing
more than four times as much hardener as the 0.68 percent-antimony wheel weight,
the physical properties of the mixture change as the composition changes. The only
effective way to handle the problem is to melt as large a batch as possible and cast it
into ingots for later remelting into to cast bullets. This would minimize small lot
variations in composition and at least produce bullets of consistent weight and
hardness while the original batch lasts.

The words "Type Metal" in bullet casting circles, almost universally refers to linotype
or eutectic alloy. Unfortunately, "Type Metal" is in reality a broad name applied to five
categories of material used in manufacture of type, each with three to five sub-
classifications. Since there are seventeen of these different type metals, Chart I
details the nominal analytical composition of each. Fortunately for the bullet caster,
linotype or eutectic alloy is the most commonly available. That is if any can be found
at all.

Note that the foundry type contains a relatively large concentration of copper. As far
as is known, no one has completed and extensive test of this material as a bullet
metal, so its use to the caster of bullets is unknown. In all probability the copper
would tend to come out of the solution in the form of high melting inter-metallic
compound with tin and antimony, thus impairing castability.

Lead shot, though a single classification of material is in reality many different alloys
constructed ti impart different physical qualities to the pellet. Buckshot is normally
soft or pure lead. Chilled or drop shot is normally a 0.50 percent antimonial lead.
Chart II lists specific analyses. Note in the analyses two elements that make these
alloys unique. First, none contain tin. Second, both chilled and hard shot contain
significant quantities of metallic arsenic. Arsenic metal is introduced into the alloy to
reduce surface tension and thereby produce rounded pellets. Tin is withheld because
it would negate the effects of arsenic.

For the bullet caster concentrations of arsenic greater than about 0.30 percent can
create problems - not from the possible toxic effects as might be expected but
because relatively large amounts of arsenic cause metal to shrink unevenly, greatly
increasing the probability of cracked bullets, especially in the grease grooves. There is
a remote possibility that upon firing or loading a cracked bullet, a portion of the bullet
would remain in the barrel - creating a potential bore obstruction for the next shot- or
a piece could break off and fall back into the case, creating a potential high pressure
situation. The probability of these things occurring is unknown. However, the potential
results are severe enough that any lead shot that is to be used as bullet casting
material should be diluted enough to reduce the arsenic content to below 0.30
percent.

Lead pipe is commonly thought of as being made of pure lead. Although this idea is
not entirely correct, it is not far from the truth. Most lead pipe is made from an alloy
called chemical lead, which has a nominal composition of 0.05 percent copper and the
balance lead. There is also a significant amount of antimonial lead pipe containing
from three to ten percent antimony as indicated by Chart III. The single peculiarity of
lead pipe, other than its analytical variability, results from the fact it is extruded, not
cast. This peculiarity can deceive the bullet caster. When a lead alloy is extruded, it
work softens, sometimes substantially, giving the impression that the material is
somewhat softer than it really is. This peculiarity should be of special interest to
commercial casters and muzzle loader shooters, since work softened material that is
remelted and cast into round ball is considerably harder than in its original extruded
form. Always check the hardness of the bullet or ball itself, never the raw material in
its original form.

Bearing or Babbitt alloys are used primarily by the automotive and related industries
for rod, cam and crankshaft bearings. There are now hundreds of different
compositions of such bearings, but most of these are slight variations of twelve major
categories. Chart IV details these twelve major categories. Some of them would make
fine bullet alloys, like number nine and others would be terrible, number three for
example. Unfortunately, there is no practical method of determining exactly which of
these alloys a scrap supply consists of - only by direct chemical analysis. But if you
have found a Babbitt alloy that makes good bullets, and they shoot well, there is no
reason not to use it for bullets.

Sheet lead is normally used as a sound insulator by construction companies for

buildings. Bullet casters may find this material in and around buildings being
demolished, or naturally at scrap yards. There are four basic compositions of sheet
lead and these are listed in Chart V. The vast majority of this material is
manufactured from chemical lead but significant amounts are produced from four
percent and six percent antimonial lead. Sheet lead is not cast but rather rolled on
rolling mills. Therefore, like lead pipe the antimonial leads work soften and when
melted and cast into bullets become harder than the material in its original form.

Strontium lead sheet should be avoided if found and identified because the alloy
contains aluminum which increases surface tension of the alloy, inhibiting casting.

Ingot lead can normally be purchased through plumbing supply houses, and contrary
to popular belief, it is usually not pure lead. Most lead distributed by plumbing
suppliers has an antimony content of approximately 0.30 percent with the balance
lead. This material would make good base metal for alloying with other materials, but
muzzle loaders cannot count on it being pure. If it causes no problem, then keep
using it; but if there is a problem, the antimony content will be the culprit.

Many houses today have lead alloy roof flashings for vents. This material is composed
of about 0.30 to 0.50 percent antimony, the rest being lead. This material would also
make a good base material for blending with other materials to yield harder bullet
metal. Demolished houses are possible sources.

Telephone companies use cable lead to insulate their underground wires from the
elements. This material appears to be completely soft. However as an extruded
product, it has the same properties of those materials already discussed. It contains
0.50 percent antimo9ny and is about forty percent harder than pure lead after it is
cast into bullets. Scrap yards are the most likely source for cable lead, which makes a
fine case for further alloying. Note one thing about cable lead: the telephone
companies coat the inside of the lead cable sheathing with grease and paper to make
it weather hardy. Scrap cable lead therefore smokes like the dickens and will smoke
up your house if you don’t remove the grease and the paper before melting the lead.

There are hundreds of types of cast solders and Chart VI lists the nominal chemistries
of the thirteen most common. Most of these can be purchased in one ingot size or
another through local solder distributors or plumbing supply houses. Every bullet
caster is familiar with 50/50 solder bar, yet not everyone knows that that the first
figure always refers to the tin content and the second figure to the lead content. Of
course, to every rule it seems there must be an exception and solders are not exempt
- alloy 95/5 contains ninety-five percent tin and five percent antimony, with no
significant lead content at all.

Hundreds of alloys are used in the manufacture of batteries. Unlike solder, battery
lead is very poor for bullet metal. Of course, it is possible to salvage the terminals,
but the plates are an entirely different matter. Manufacturers recover the metal in
plates through a smelting process where temperatures reach from eighteen hundred
to twenty four hundred degrees Fahrenheit. To make matters even more interesting,
battery manufacturers have begun in recent years to use calcium and strontium lead
alloys in manufacturing battery plates. It is possible in attemting to melt calcium and
strontium lead battery plates, to liberate arsine or stibnite gas - which could be fatal.
Avoid batteries as a source for bullet metal.
Deep alloying and refining is a subject that will be discussed in another chapter.
However a cursory treatment here is warranted. Alloying is a word used to refer to
mixing two or more elements or materials to produce a third material that is somehow
more desirable for some purpose than either of the original materials. For instance, if
one were to mix equal portions of cable lead and linotype, the resulting lead would
contain approximately 6.25 percent antimony and 2.00 percent tin. This is a useful
alloy in that it does not waste the high tin and antimony content of the linotype, yet
still has the hardness and castability needed for most applications. Another benefit is
that scrap lead cable is probably much less expensive than linotype and alloying the
two together will double the number of quality cast bullets that could be produced
using linotype alone and at a significantly lower cost.

Another possibility would be equal portions of wheel weights and linotype, producing
an alloy with approximately 7.5 percent antimony and 2.14 percent tin. This alloy
should be slightly harder than the cable and linotype alloy and somewhat less
expensive yet.

Another combination that is frequently written about is 50/50 solder bar alloyed with
wheel weights. Any addition of more than two percent tin to the wheel weights (or
any other alloy used for bullet casting) would be wasteful as well as expensive. Plus,
the additional castability and hardness provided by higher concentrations of tin would
be negligible. It is even possible to get by with less than two percent tin depending on
the bullet mold and style. Try it and see.

Whenever lead alloys are melted, fluxed and skimmed, the material has been refined.
Additionally, anytime anything is present that is undesirable, regardless of
concentration, then that material needs to be refined. Deep refining will be discussed
in another chapter, however, for the present let’s say that the easiest and most
efficient way to remove undesirable elements is to dilute them down to a low enough
level to make their concentration insignificant.
Question: What are the best bullet alloys?

Anwswer: Alloys will vary depending on the application. More

information can be found in the excerpt from the HANDBOOK OF
COMMERCIAL BULLET CASTING located in the book section. Magma
test casts their molds using an alloy of 6% Antimony, 2% Tin and 92%
Lead.

Question: Why do my bullets sometimes look wrinkled?

Answer: The mold isn’t hot enough or there is oil residue in the mold
cavity. Just drop the wrinkled bullets back in the pot and recast.

Question: What is antimony and why do I need it to cast a

bullet?

Answer: Antimony is a metallic chemical element (Sb). It is used to

harden other metals. When two or more metals are mixed together
they are referred to as an alloy. The typical bullet alloy is made of lead,
with antimony added for hardness and tin added for ease in casting.

Question: What is the correct casting temperature for bullet

alloy?

Answer: The best casting temperature for any given alloy is the
coolest temperature that gives you the best bullets. Every alloy has its
own "best" temperature based on the percentages of component
metals. Temperature is also affected by air temperature and humidity,
and the accuracy of your temperature controls. Temperature is further
influenced by the heat absorption/retention of the mold itself. Rule of
thumb: Use the coolest temperature that makes good bullets, in that
mold, from that particular alloy, on that day. This trial and error
method applies to either hand casting or machine casting.

Question: What determines the accuracy of a cast bullet?

Answer: There is a casters' legend that claims the base of the bullet
must be smooth and properly formed. Field work has disproved this
theory. Instead, tests have proven the single most important factor in
determining a bullet's accuracy is the relationship of bullet diameter to
the bore. The bullet should be .0005" to .001" larger than the bore.
Other than that you must also consider the following:

ƒ Selecting the correct alloy for the type of bullet to be cast.

ƒ Loading the cases to the proper maximum overall length of the
finished cartridge and the cartridge fits the firearm properly.
ƒ Being aware of the work-soften factor as you size bullets. Alloyed
lead becomes softer as it is swaged. Size as soon as possible
after casting.
 ƒ Making certain the alloy remains clean.
ƒ Use the correct antimony and tin ratio for the expected velocity of
the bullet. As a rule of thumb: 3% antimony for low velocity; 6%
antimony and 2% tin for medium to high velocity; 12% antimony
and 4% tin for highest velocity bullets. Pure lead should be used
for muzzle loader balls. If 3% antimony doesn't cast well in your
particular set of molds, try adding 2% tin to it in the form of
plumber's fifty-fifty solder bar. The added tin does not increase
hardness significantly but does improve the castability of the
alloy.
ƒ Lead base bullets harden or soften with age. Lead-tin-antimony
alloys slowly harden over the course of about three weeks, and
then their final hardness stabilizes. The age hardening quality can
affect the ultimate quality and accuracy of the bullet. Tin-lead
alloys either do not harden at all or age-soften depending on
what specific alloy was used.
ƒ An ineffective lubricant can also cause accuracy problems. Not all
lubricants work with all bullets, in all firearms under all
conditions. For a general dependable lubricant, try Magma lube.

Question: What causes "fins" on a bullet?

Answer: Fins are caused by mold blocks that are not closing properly.
If you suspect a mold block problem, remove the mold and inspect it
for foreign matter and machine burs. Clean the mold carefully but
thoroughly. Pay attention to the small grooves cut into the mold face
leading to the bullet cavities. These are vent groves and their purpose
is to allow air to escape from the mold cavity when the molten lead is
poured in. These grooves are typically .0015" to .002" deep. If these
grooves become plugged with any foreign matter, the bullets cast in
the mold's cavity will not fill out properly.

Question: I want to experiment with different alloys but I'm not

sure where to start.

Answer: Complete information on calculations is available in The

Handbook of Commercial Bullet Casting. In the chapter discussing
alloying and refining, a compositional breakdown of various metal types
is listed as well as the simple equation you will need for calculating the
ratio of material to another. If you don't want to bother with the math,
use the Alloy Program. This is the computer program that automatically
computes the cost and materials used in the book. The program is
available on 5.25 or 3.5 disk for IBM compatibles. It can be run with
Windows like any other DOS based program.

Question: Which bullet is best for paper targets; a wad cutter or

a semi-wad cutter?
Answer: That depends on the result you are looking for. A wad cutter
will punch a perfectly round hole in a paper target. This is important in
many scoring situations. However, because the nose is completely flat
it can take a little longer to load. A semi-wad cutter, which still has a
flat nose but it has been tapered in from the base diameter, is faster to
load. Because of the tapering, the hole produced in the target is more
frayed, not as perfectly round. It has a similar effect to jabbing a pencil
through a piece of paper. Both are equal in accuracy. Make this
personal decision based on the need for high score vs. speed in loading.

Question: What do grains mean to a bullet's accuracy, speed or

distance?

Answer: A grain is a unit of measure used in determining the weight of

a bullet. One pound equals 7,000 grains, exactly. A heavier bullet is
more accurate for long range (over 100 yards) because it retains its
velocity. A lighter bullet can use more powder than a heavier bullet in
the same size case. The lighter bullet will be faster. Example: a 9mm-
115 can travel faster than a 9mm-147

Question: I'm new to the shooting sport. All the different bullet
shapes and sizes are confusing. Can you give a basic
explanation?

Answer: Explaining bullets would require a small book in itself. For

brevity we will confine this to cast lead bullets. A bullet is the metal
projectile that, along with primer/gunpowder (explosive), goes inside a
metal, usually brass, case. The assembled bullet and case together is
called a cartridge. The size of the bullet or cartridge needed is
determined by the interior diameter of the gun barrel. This
measurement is called a bore. A .38 caliber gun uses a .38 caliber
cartridge as a standard rule. There are exceptions.

The type of bullet selected for loading into a case is dependent on the
intended use or personal preference. If you were going to be paper
target shooting, you would want a wad cutter or semi-wad cutter
because they leave distinct, easily scored, holes in the target. For use
with a metal target, a flat point, round nose, or combination is a good
choice. In a tubular magazine where the nose of one bullet touches the
end of the preceding bullet, NEVER use a round nosed bullet. A round
nosed bullet can be extremely dangerous if the pressure from the
succeeding cartridge on the previous cartridge's primer causes a
premature explosion inside the magazine.

The bullet's base is beveled (tapered inward) to ease insertion into the
case during reloading. Our designation for this is BB.

Question: What is the purpose of a grease groove?

Answer: All bullets need to be sized and lubricated after they are cast
and before they are inserted into their case. A grease groove, also
known as a lube or lubricating groove, allows a place for the lubricant.
If you are using a manual machine like the Magma Star-sizer or an
automatic sizing machine like the Lube Master, the lube will be placed
precisely in the groove at the same time that the bullet is sized.

A single lube groove provides one place for the lube. A double lube
groove provides two places for the lubrication and so forth through the
other lube groove numbers.

Question: Judging from the casting results, the trace elements

in my alloy may be too high. What do I do now?

Answer: If you live in or near a major city, you can contact a

commercial analytical laboratory and have them analyze the bullet
alloy. If a laboratory is not available locally, you can get contact
information from the yellow pages of your nearest major city. The
library should carry the yellow pages. If you have access to the
Internet, this is also a good source for finding a lab and using the
yellow pages right from home. Check with the Laboratory for
information regarding their procedures and pricing. They may charge
for each element they test for or have a simple fee for a complete
analysis. If the laboratory tests for each element, request an assay for
antimony, calcium, arsenic, copper, aluminum and zinc. The lab will
always report the balance as lead. The above elements account for the
vast majority of casting problems, particularly aluminum and zinc.
Many lead foundries can also perform this testing. If you purchased the
lead from them, they may not charge or they may already have the
analysis available. Foundries can also be found in the yellow pages as
directed above. Once the problem element(s) has been identified, re-
melt and adjust the alloy by adding the appropriate materials to
compensate for the problem and bring your alloy back into the proper
ratio. Another solution is to dilute the inferior material with quality
material until the results meet your requirements.