If you’re reloading ammunition and you don’t own a chronograph, you’re flying blind. Load data from a manual gives you a starting point, but your rifle, your barrel length, your lot of powder, and your ambient temperature all affect what actually comes out of the muzzle. A chronograph tells you what’s really happening — not…
Category: Reloading
Reloading is estimated to be practiced by roughly 12% of all firearms users. Some reload to save money (over time, after you get over the initial investment of getting set up), others reload to build cartridges that are no longer commercially available. Still others realize that reloading also allows the user to adapt their ammunition to suite specific shooting scenarios, weapons, and preferences, enhancing accuracy, consistency, and performance. Adjusting factors such as the powder charge, bullet weight, and seating depth, enabling a level of personalization that factory-loaded ammunition does not provide. This level of precision and customization not only improves overall firearm efficacy but also deepens the user’s understanding and mastery of their weapon. That and it’s just plain fun!
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Short-Action vs Long-Action Cartridges Explained
If you spend any time around bolt-action rifles, you’ll hear shooters toss around terms like “short action” and “long action.” It sounds simple enough—one is short, the other is long—but there’s a lot of myth and half-truth floating around this subject. The reality is more nuanced, and once you understand how cartridge length, magazine dimensions,…
Guide to Reloading .50-70 (.50-70 Government) Ammunition
Introduction If you’ve arrived at this page, you may be thinking about reloading .50-70 (.50-70 Government). Perhaps you’ve recently acquired a Springfield Trapdoor, Spencer, or perhaps a Rolling Block rifle in .50-70 Government and you may be wondering how you’re ever going to shoot that thing. A reasonable first question that should come before that…
Bullet Shapes: An Exploration of Massive Impact
Introduction to Bullet ShapesThe diversity in bullet shapes and materials is a testament to the advancements in ammunition technology and the specificity of needs across different shooting applications. The bullet’s design influences its trajectory, penetration, range, and overall ballistic performance. The correct bullet for a particular task depends on the intended application, whether for self-defense,…
The Ultimate Guide to Depriming Spent Primers
Introduction to Depriming Depriming, also known as decapping, is a crucial first step in the reloading process. It involves removing the spent primer from a fired cartridge case to prepare it for resizing, cleaning, and reloading. Whether you’re a beginner reloader or an experienced handloader looking for best practices, understanding the correct depriming techniques will…
Why Do We Lubricate Cast Bullets?
Lubricating Cast BulletsCast bullets, typically made of a lead alloy, are lubricated for several reasons:Traditional bullet lubricants are often a mix of various substances like beeswax, petroleum jelly, and other similar compounds. More modern techniques, such as powder coating cast bullets, are also being used, which can provide the same benefits as traditional lubrication methods.Several…
How to Understand Primers
Introduction to primersCartridge primers, though small in size, play a critical role in the functionality of ammunition. Their purpose — to ignite the propellant powder in a cartridge — propels the bullet, ultimately deciding the reliability of the ammunition. Understanding the primer, its sizes, types, and numeric ratings, is essential for anyone who reloads. This…
Gun Powder! Why are there different kinds?
Gun Powder There are several reasons why there are many different types of gun powder. Here are some of the key factors: The type of gunpowder you choose can greatly affect the performance of a firearm. Here are a few reasons to consider one type over another: It’s important to note that advancements in gun…
Why 2-, 3-, and 4-Die Reloading Die Sets?
Reloading die sets explainedReloading dies are tools used in the process of reloading ammunition, which involves resizing the spent brass casing, removing and replacing the spent primer, and seating a new bullet. Reloading sets can come with different numbers of dies, depending on the specific needs of the reloader. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll…