How To Reload Ammo For Your Gun

Did you know that it is possible to reload your ammo? If you are a gun owner, then reloading your ammo can be a cost-effective way to save money. But just how does it work? Well, as we all know, there are many different types of ammunition, and all have to be reloaded in a certain way. Some require special equipment, such as an arbor press to resize the case or a tumbler to polish your brass casing.

There are also some that may need specialized tools like a bullet puller for removing the spent bullet from the cartridge’s case. But most rounds can be reloaded without any special equipment by using simple hand tools like screwdrivers and pliers. Some people might think that this is dangerous, but it is really not - if you follow instructions carefully from a good reloading manual! Reloading ammo is safe when done correctly; therefore, this article will cover how to reload ammo with just these essential tools!

How To Reload Ammo

The first step in reloading your bullets is to choose the caliber that matches the type of firearm you use. Buy an empty cartridge and some gunpowder from your local sporting goods store or online retailer, where you will find some amazing gun deals. However, you should keep in mind that some states have set laws that disallow online ammo sales; thus, it is important to check out your state laws before proceeding with the purchases. Once you have done that, pour out all but a small amount of the powder into a different container. Measure out the amount of powder needed for each cartridge (the average number is about one ounce) and pour it into a case with primer already inside.

Insert new primers into the bottom of each shell plate casing with an appropriate tool. Next comes setting up the bullet: gather together any lead or jacketed bullets from fired cartridges, weigh them according to their type (usually around 45-55 grains). After this, you can proceed to reload the gun. Below we shall discuss these steps in-depth and the various factors that come into play during this process. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will have learned how to reload ammo in your firearm.

More than often, you may hear individuals out there shooting at the range asking for extra bullets. Bullets are just a part of the many things that every shooter needs in order to use their firearms. Understanding the difference between a cartridge and a bullet is key. A cartridge is what goes into the gun chamber, while what is ejected after pulling the trigger is the bullet.

This means that bullets are not the whole of your cartridge. As a gun owner, you ought to be aware of the two main types of cartridges: the Centerfire and the Rimfire. Rimfires derive their name from a primer found in their rim. These cartridges, once used, cannot be reloaded. Centerfire cartridges are easily reloadable. This has made them the most known form of cartridge available in the market today. This cartridge gets its name from the fact that its primer is found at the ammunition’s center. These two cartridges are made up of four major parts, which include:-

• A case that holds the bullet, powder, and primer
• A primer which ignites the gunpowder after the gun firing pin hits it.
• Some powder which aids in pushing the bullet through the gun muzzle by creating a gas once it gets burned.
• A Bullet which is used to hit on the target

These parts have to work together when reloading your own ammo. Therefore, let us have a deeper look at each of these reloading components to better understand how they work and the roles they play in reloading ammo.

Case Prepping

To start reloading, ensure you inspect the case closely for dents and cracks, as several things could compromise a gun's safety. Once you are done with the inspection, proceed to clean up all the residue accumulated on the outer parts of your case. If you are cleaning several casings, using the case tumbler will be the best way to do it. Tumblers are machines that clean ammo by shaking them around in a jar. When you return from the shooting range with your casings, dump them into the tumbler barrel.

The tumbler barrel has some kind of liquid inside to help remove excess grime from brass casings. One of the popular preferences is ground walnut shells and rice. The noise generated may be hazardous, which could pose a risk, thus, doing this work in a garage is advised. You can as well chemically clean the casings with a chemical known as a case cleaner. Place the entire mesh bag of casings in the case cleaner.

A good example of this chemical is the Losso Cleaner. Run it through for about 18 minutes before removing them to dry off and use. Alternatively, you could also clean your cases with soap and water. If you opt to wash them by hand, do both tasks simultaneously before drying. Once the firearm has been cleaned, resize the brass casings. Brass case expands and contracts whenever you fire a round, which changes its shape gradually. In order to return the sizing die to the original specifications, it needs a loading press and a sizing die.

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme is the most popular reloading press for rifle cartridges. It contains everything needed for accuracy and precision reloading. RCBS is also equipped to remove a spent primer. Before scrubbing with soap and water, remove the spent primer and the bullet using a bullet puller. In order to resize a case, you must measure out its proper length with calipers. You can trim it using a trimmer if it’s too long. Finish the job by cutting it down to size. When you deburr the primer pockets, chamfer the mouth of the case and punch out a new flash hole. Deburring and chamfering will lead to a gentle slope making it easy for seating your bullet.

Case Priming

Once you finish preparing the case, hold it with one hand and use your other hand to seat your primer. When priming the surface, use hand priming tools and make sure to avoid contact with any liquids or oils. You can purchase reloading supplies such as an Auto-Prime system for your RCBS. If you don’t have a hand priming tool, you should use the RCBS hand priming tools, which offer some great options from their manual tools. The importance of priming lead is to ensure that the primer has been seated at a certain depth in a primer pocket. 

Addition of  gunpowder

In the process of reloading ammunition, one of the most important steps is loading it. There is more than one way of dropping your gunpowder into the already prepared, ready-to-go cartridges. Powder charges that are stand-alone in nature are the most popular choice. If you buy the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, you will find one packed inside the kit.

Bullet Seating die

You are about to finish this manual entry! The final step is to add a bullet to the lead and insert it in the brass case. For deeper bullet seating, most dies come with a bullet seating die to hold the bullet in place. The seating die helps not only to keep the bullet in place but also to push it to a proper depth. To start reloading with the proper measurements is essential for every cartridge. 

Now that you have understood the reloading process, let us have a look at the best reloading equipment to choose:-

 Reloading presses

With so many presses to choose from, it is easy for beginners who want a simple and affordable way of producing ammo. There are single-stage presses as well as multi-stage models or progressive presses.

• Single-Stage Press

For each die, there is only room for one single die at a time. For this reason, it is called “singular stage press” The Lee Breech Lock Challenger Kit has almost everything you need to get started. In addition, the starter kit is priced affordably, which is a good way to try reloading if you are on a budget and want to see if it's right for you.

• Turret Press

A turret press allows you to put different sized dies over casings. This will save you a lot of time, because switching out dies is unnecessary. The Lee Turret Press Kit includes everything you need to get started in reloading your ammo. When loading cartridges, it is fast and convenient to use this innovative mechanism.

• Progressive Press

The progressive press includes multiple die stations near the top and has space to place numerous cases. This setup allows you to do at least four things with each pull, effectively doubling your productivity. The Dillon 550B Progressive Press is a superb press for ammo reloaders who are tired of single-stage presses or turret presses. The Dillon 550B Progressive Press can take your reloading experience to the next level. With a quick changeover, it is perfect for those who own more than one caliber and want to enjoy lightning-fast production rates with minimal time spent on setup.

The Dillon 550B Progressive Press offers an optimum solution that will streamline many aspects of your own ammo hunt. This will range from precision loading techniques used in rifle cartridges all the way down to shotgun shells. Whether you are hunting big game at long range (shooting games) or just spending time doing some leisure shooting!

Reloading For Beginners

If you reload ammunition, it is essential to invest in a particular press that simplifies the process. You can also use military brass cases from brand new custom rounds to make ammunition. This is why some people find it hard to distinguish between "handloading" and "reloading."

There are two common ways to forge a piece of brass: new or used. Preparing your own ammo needs a reloading press, specialized tools, and a reloading bench. You’ll also need a good-quality source of information. Reloading for beginners can seem complicated even though it is not. Therefore, understanding how to set up a reloading bench and things to look out for when purchasing a reloading press is key.

Setting up a  Reloading Bench

When it comes to setting up and organizing a reloading bench, it all boils down to a person's preferences. When setting up the bench, it is vital to ensure that you create some ample storage spaces. The bench also has to have a place where you can set and prep your cases and a place big enough to stand your press and run it.

A reloading bench is an essential item for any gun enthusiast. It provides a place to safely and conveniently load ammunition, as well as organize your reloading supplies and tools neatly in one spot! In addition, reloading benches come with some standard features that make them more functional or attractive, they include:-

• Sturdy legs - To provide stability during the loading process.
• Adjustable height - To accommodate all body types (but may require two people).
• Storage compartments- Hidden under sliding doors to allow you to keep everything tidy while still being at arm's length when needed.
• Surfaces- Made of durable metals such as steel, so they don't scratch easily.

With these four elements combined, nobody will be happier than you on this subject matter! The Ultramount Press Riser is the revolutionary way to lift your press and mount it on a bench. The design provides an easy, hands-free assembly for mounting presses in any position. This includes odd angles or off-center with legs hanging over the edge of your work surface. It is made out of heavy-duty steel that will last forever!

The Ultramount Press Riser was designed by professional printmakers who were tired of spending hours assembling their equipment each time they needed to use them. They wanted something sturdy enough to hold up all sorts of different types and sizes without damaging anything so they could just set everything down wherever there might be room. 

Factors to consider when choosing a Reloading Press

There are many different types of reloading presses to choose from, so it can be difficult to decide which one is the right fit for you. If you would like some help making your choice, then consider these factors: 

• The size and shape of the cartridge that will be loaded in the press.
• How much space there is available for storage.
• Whether or not an auto priming system needs to work with this type of press.
•  What features are important enough that they should warrant spending more money.
•  Safety measures such as repetition rate per minute (RPM), hand-operated safety switch, auto fresh primer feeder).

All reloading presses take dies, with the caliber being designated by the die. The case is sized, and the bullet seated so that it can be loaded into any handgun cartridges. The expander die also changes depending on the reloading process. Resizing brass for your bolt rifle starts with taking a clean raw brass casing, pressing it into a resizing die. Ensure to keep the cases trimmed.

Expand the bottle-neck cartridges if needed to the correct resizing die. Once done, you can insert a priming tool then charge the cartridge casing with powder. Finally, seat the bullet and crimp the case if you need to. Reloading requires that you consider each step, but the order should not necessarily be followed every time.

You can choose from the three major types of reloading presses. A single-stage press allows the pulling of the lever and takes one step at a time. Turret presses allow you to manually rotate the dies and press the round through each step. While the progressive press has more than one station and a push/pull mechanism. 

The 9mm Reloading 

We all know that 9mm ammunition is a type of small caliber pistol, and it is also one of the most popular cartridges in America, which makes reloading for this round very common. The process begins with taking some cases, placing them on your work table, then trimming back about 2/10ths inch from each end to remove any burrs or sharp edges.

This step prevents damage to equipment during loading as well as causing accidents involving injuries like cuts when they're handled later in the day at home. Next, you'll need primers (the part that ignites gunpowder), and bullets powder, and measure out an appropriate amount based on what power level you are shooting at. If hunting deer, 200 grains will do with a 9 mm reloading.

The process for reloading 9mm rounds is a lengthy and meticulous one. The first step in the reloading process involves thoroughly cleaning your brass shells, which are then placed into a tumbler to remove powder residue or debris from the inside. Next, you will need some lubricant such as graphite so that bullets do not get stuck on their way back out of the casing after being fired off by an explosive charge.

If this happens while firing, it can lead to jams preventing proper loading of another bullet onto the cartridge base plate. Also, pressure can build up again with subsequent shots leading to misfires and possible injury. If there isn't enough time left between each shot for gunpowder propellants burning down sufficiently before they ignite yet again, they typically trigger more gunfire at alarming rates. Thus you need to apply a light coating of lubricant onto the lube pad while using a case neck brush.

Reasons for going with a 9mm reloading include the following:-

• It is better to go with one caliber that can be used in multiple situations, making your own ammo more versatile. 
• You will save money on bullets and powder because they're less expensive by their bullet weight than those of 45 ACP rounds.
• While some other calibers are cheaper per round when bought from bulk suppliers, this might not always get you what you need. 

The 9 mm Luger is one of the most popular pistols, and it has been around for a long time. It was invented in 1902 by Georg Luger, but he never saw his invention become so important to generations of law enforcement officers worldwide. The design makes sense because not only is it easier to handle as an officer, there's also less chance that you will run out of bullets with its magazine capacity.

It has ten rounds vs. 18-rounds on other weapons like revolvers or semi-automatics with just 6 round clips available at any given moment! The best way to choose the right size bullet is by using one of two methods. The first method involves measuring from the bottom of your cartridge and placing a ring that matches on top, and then you will use this as an estimate for what type of bullets would be appropriate in your gun.

This means if you have a .38 caliber pistol with six chambers, then it's safe to say each chamber can hold about three rounds. This means 18 total rounds per magazine, which leaves room for two extra-large or four large sized 9 mm magazines that will come in handy in case there are malfunctions.

The second option when choosing ammo is based on weight rather than length measurements like mentioned above. You'll want to measure how many grains it takes up before weighing them out. The right bullet size is  important for a 9mm reloading. If the bullets are too small, they won't activate too much powder, which means it will be harder to shoot and has less force behind it when fired from your firearm.

This can result in some disappointing targets being hit or shots that just fly by aimlessly. This arises because there's not enough pressure on them  resulting in less power due to an incorrectly sized projectile. Bullets have so much more than meets their eye! Choosing the wrong caliber can lead you down one road with lackluster results, while choosing correctly will make sure your firing experience goes well every time as long as each shot counts. Shaved lead is not a safe product to use as the primer for your 9mm rounds.

When fired, it can explode and cause major injuries from flying shrapnel or shooting someone in the face at close range. Additionally, fires that are started by this type of ammunition can be especially intense because of their high surface area and low density. This causes them to have higher heat release rates than other types of carbonaceous material – like wood smoke or coal fire! 

Easy Reload Bullets

If you are tired of spending hours reloading your gun after a few shots, here is the solution: buy easy reload bullets. They will save time and money by doing away with long waits for ammunition supplies while hunters hunt! Bullets that can be loaded easily without tools have been around since 1997. However, they still might not be as well known to shooters who like their guns more traditional than futuristic. 

With these new shells from Federal Premium Ammunition Corp, hunting season won't slow down when supply runs out. If you are out camping or at home you can easily reload your firearm with this type of bullet. When  looking to buy new bullets for your gun, ballistic coefficients are things that should at least be considered. A ballistic coefficient is a number that measures how well a bullet resists wind drag and the force of gravity when it flies through the air. These two forces combined affect velocity and accuracy.

Therefore, you want your ballistics coefficient to be high enough to give good performance in these areas. It will also keep them from affecting each other negatively, with higher numbers being better than lower ones overall. Therefore, find easy reload bullets that have high ballistic coefficients if you wish to have an amazing experience shooting your firearm!

Benefits of Reloading Ammo over Factory Ammo

There are many benefits to reloading your own ammo as opposed to buying factory ammo. Reloaders can customize their ammunition by choosing different powders, bullet weights, and primer types. You can't achieve this if you buy factory ammo. Reloading your own ammo is also a great way to save money on shooting supplies because you can purchase essential components in bulk at wholesale prices.

Finally, reloading can be an enjoyable hobby that allows shooters of all levels of experience and expertise the chance to create custom loads. They can do this for any situation they may encounter when hunting or shooting recreationally.  

Reloaded ammo will never be as accurate as factory-made rounds due to production variations with reloaded production loads. However, it is still much more consistent than hand loads which are often inconsistent. The process of reloading ammunition is cheaper than buying it new.  This can be done by first purchasing a used gun and then saving the empty cases, which are just shells that contain no bullets or powder pan.

Once enough shells have been collected, they will need to be cleaned out by rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will ensure you don't have any dirt leftover from shooting on them. Leftover residues could cause problems when making ammo again later, such as corrosion. An experienced person who has plenty of material to make everything needed for their caliber round at home, will not have to spend more money before buying ammo.

Reloaders Guide

A reloader's guide is used to teach people how they can load their own ammunition. Reloading ammo is a great hobby for many enthusiasts, and it is also very economical if you're looking to save money on the cost of bullets. The reloading process starts by creating your homemade projectiles out of lead or other metals like zinc, copper, brass, etcetera. You can then fill them with gunpowder produced through smokeless powders, which is then placed into an empty cartridge case. 

The case has to be cleaned thoroughly to ensure there is no rust leftover inside as this could cause misfires due to not having enough space for expansion during firing.  You will need to apply more force in such an instance when pressing down on the trigger, which can cause potential injury. You do not have to be a gun expert or professional shooter to reload the gun with your own ammo. Reloading manuals can help you learn how it is done, and the benefits of doing so are plentiful! With these guides, not only will you save money on buying rounds at stores but also create new ones that suit your needs better than anything else out there today.

The freedom is yours with this one simple purchase decision. The advantages of reloading gun ammo while following your manual, is hard to beat. If you consider all the other factors that come into play like convenience, exercise variation, saving our environment just by recycling old brass casings versus mining great quantities of raw materials. Then you will realize that reloading your ammo is the way to go!

Reloading Equipment List

Having a reloading equipment list can make your life easier. You will not have to worry about forgetting anything when you go out because it is all listed there for reference! Reloading also has many benefits, such as adjusting the size or bullet weight so that they are in line with what your gun needs. And if an emergency arises and ammo supplies dwindle, at least we'll know how much lead time we need before everything runs dry! Like a cowboy with his gun, reloading equipment is an essential piece of survival gear. 

The task of manually loading ammunition into the guns can be tedious and time-consuming without proper equipment to do it quickly. Quality tools will ensure you always have ammo on hand whenever your firearm needs some new life breathed in it so that you're ready for any situation at all times! In that case, a reloading list of equipment should be considered necessary by anyone who wants their firearms collection or hobby taken seriously as well!

Making a good investment now could save you money down the line when something happens because you won't need to buy extra rounds from retailers just yet again if you already got them waiting to be reloaded. A reloading kit includes everything needed for proper functioning, including primers, powder charges, and the shell. Always measure out the correct powder charge before reloading your ammo.

Below are the list of equipment's you ought to have for reloading ammo:-

• Case cleaner

A case cleaner is an essential piece of equipment that some people may overlook when designing a precision rifle. When you clean your cases, it removes any residue left from the primer or powder and makes them easier to work with during loading. Not only will this make more of your shots land on target, but it can prevent malfunctions in firearms too! Suppose there's something wrong with one round.

In that case, they'll all be affected, which could mean anything from not being able to get enough rounds into the chamber for firing at once to having a firearm explode while shooting it. This can cause serious injuries. Case cleaners are crucial pieces of gear for anyone who wants their ammunition output and accuracy perfect every time; without cleaning out, those gunk builds up over time!

• Brass Tumbler 

A brass tumbler is an important tool for reloading ammunition. This machine can also be used to polish casings, but it's not the most efficient way of doing so because they don't turn very well with one another when you're trying to get them in and out again. The process begins by putting a small amount of brass casings into the barrel on top that then turns around while vibrating at high speeds until all traces of dirt are gone from both sides.

The next step requires throwing in dirty cartridge cases which need cleaning before loading each round back into them. You can  use tools like presses or crimpers designed specifically just for this task, depending on what type you have available. 

• Shell holder

A shell holder is an integral part of reloading ammunition. It provides a secure place for the shell to rest and also acts as a measuring device that ensures you do not make mistakes in caliber measurements when preparing your rounds. In addition, the shell holder holds shells securely so they can be extracted with ease, but not too tightly because it is essential to have some wiggle room between them. For example, if multiple shots are fired from one rifle barrel before extracting each round, jams and misfires will not occur due to incorrectly loaded ammo into the chamber.

• Reloading press

A reloading press is an essential piece of equipment for anyone who wants to make ammunition. It is also a great way to save money on ammo by making it at home! A reloader can use many different cartridges and calibers, which are determined based on the type of gun used with them. Some common types include 9mm pistol rounds; .357 magnum bullets; 7 mm-08 rifle shells (which have less recoil).

There are also more exotic ones like 577/450 Martini-Henry rifles, or 12 gauge shotgun slugs are all the most popular reloading presses among shooters today! In addition, some presses allow you to load two pieces simultaneously instead of just one. This means faster production time as well as saving space in your workshop. For a gun owner who has never reloaded ammunition before, there are two types of presses to choose from. The single-stage press is the cheaper option and requires less setup time because it only operates with one die at a time but cannot be used for progressive operations like rifle rounds or pistol cartridges that require multiple dies.

A turret press can perform all functions except shotgun shell reloading, which should be done on another type of machine altogether; however, this more expensive model does permit quick changes between different types of ammunition while still operating efficiently. A newbie would do well to start off using a single-stage loader since they are affordable and easy to use. Just make sure you have plenty of space!

• Reloading dies 

There are many functions that a reloading die will perform. The most basic function of the Reloading Dies is to resize and re-crimp spent cartridge cases so they can be reused. Another thing it does is make sure the dies fit tightly in their respective presses, ensuring accuracy when pressing ammo into shape with them. They also ensure safety for those who handle loaded rounds without wearing protective gear or using decent gloves during other operations involving handled ammunition.

A good example is when a person is loading magazines or handloading loose rifle cartridges from scratch. You can use it when pouring powder, primers, bullets, and wadding or filling up all available space inside cylindrical containers. Dies are used to extend a gun barrel's life and can be made out of metal or plastic. 

Reloading dies have two purposes. One is for reloading rounds with bullets that become stuck in their casings during firing. The other reason they exist is that people don't constantly need to purchase expensive ammunition from stores because it's cheaper for you to buy your own ammo at home. They come as either full-length resizing dies, which resize both the bullet and casing together. After each use, a seater die without an expander ball is pushed down into place every time a round fires off successfully.

• Powered Dispenser

A powered dispenser is a piece of reloading equipment that can easily and quickly load many rounds of ammunition into military weapons. It serves as an alternative for soldiers who are having trouble loading magazines with their bare hands in the field. Also comes in handy when it's too dangerous to use live ammo on empty chambers while waiting out firefights. The machine consists of two hoppers.

One contains bullets, and another is loaded with gunpowder which feeds through a plastic tube along the left side into the bullet feeder at its top end. This way, special powders such as rifle smokeless powder may also be dispensed from here without interfering significantly with the ballistics velocity. This is due to lighter weight particles mixed instead by airflow during discharge.

• Powder scale

Powder scales are an essential reloading tool that every shooter should invest in. A powder scale is used in the volumetric powder measure for those of you who don't know. This helps the user to accurately measure and weigh their gunpowder for reloads with consistency and precision. Powder measures are important because it can be very dangerous if too much or not enough powder were used when loading ammunition. This could lead to things like "blow-outs," where all the pressure from firing shoots out through one side instead of evenly.

Over time as intended by design, this would create more powerful forces than what was expected. Therefore, there's a higher risk for injury due to bullet velocity being increased exponentially. It will also create less accuracy during the shooting and greater expense on equipment such as jackets since they now need thicker materials. Therefore, powder measures are vital for carrying out before running a loaded round.

• Calipers

Calipers are a reloading tool that many gun owners use to measure the thickness of brass cases. This measurement is essential for determining how much powder should be used in each case and whether or not clearances can be increased with bullet seating depth without riding over the lands and grooves on an internal barrel.

Calipers are one type of equipment often found at professional shooting ranges, so shooters know if their rounds will fit into guns they want to shoot them through. They also come in handy when making your own ammo by hand because you will need accurate measurements before deciding what amount of primers, powders, or bullets go inside any given cartridge casing.

• Reloading blocks

A reloading block is an essential piece of equipment that many people have used for over a century. It can be placed on the ground next to a workbench to maintain consistency and safety when loading shells from one's hands into their gun. The hole size, shape, material type (e.g., metal or wood), and overall dimensions vary depending upon what specific object you are trying to load ammunition onto.

Whether it be something like shotgun ammo or rifle rounds in .223 cal, each will have different specifications.  They may thus require you to choose between two popular types: aluminum blocks with V grooves vs. steel blocks without them. 

Conclusion

Reloading ammo is a skill that can be mastered with practice. It takes time and patience to perfect the art of reloading your own ammo, but it is worth it if you want to save money on gun supplies in the long run! Whether or not you are new at shooting or have been practicing for years, we hope this blog post has helped teach you some valuable information about how to reload ammo more efficiently. Have fun out there, and always stay safe when handling firearms!