Outdoor Adventure USA

KELLER UPDATE

Our last snow storm almost buried the radio buildings on the mountain, (including Keller.) But, Dennis and the KRPA, have kept the repeater up and running. Many thanks!!!!


Reloading - Starting Out

Shooting, whether target practice, hunting, competition, new firearm training or practice, or just plain plinking, are each a legitimate exercise of your Second Amendments rights. In our current environment however, the exercise of these rights is more difficult due to a few factors, but the two that immediately come to mind are inflation and availability of ammo. If you haven't shopped for ammo recently, there is a big surprise to be found at your favorite store - HIGH PRICES.

Reloading has always been touted as a way to save money, and depending on how it's done, that is still true. If you have ever considered making your own ammo, now would be a good time to start, as the availability, quality, reliability, and affordability of the equipment you will need, has never been better.

The net this week will be primarily "aimed" at beginning reloaders and those who want to get started making their own ammunition. There are a number of seasoned reloaders out there, and your helpful input would be appreciated.

Grim Realities and Mandatory Rules

Much more on the net, but the pictures below are meant to bring the reality of reloading mistakes to the front of our net discussion. Reloading can be a greet way to shoot when store shelves are bare, when your favorite round is not to be found anywhere, when you want to save money, or when you want to tailor your ammunition to a specific task by making it perform better than store bought stuff. This is not to mention the satisfaction of being able to make your own.

Reloading IS NOT FOR EVERYONE!!! To some degree, we have all become accustomed to, and expect, immediate gratification. To complicate things, there seems to be a trend developing to wear little white things in your ears almost all the time (ear buds, or whatever they are called.) Whether it is music, blogs or cell phones, they all are a distraction. The potentially lethal consequences of a reloading mistake, mandates that there be no distractions when making ammo. While gratification will result when you have safely constructed your ammunition, it will not be immediate. This is one of the areas where stupid has consequences. Nasty ones!!!!

So, the first rule of reloading is to perform it all in an environment without distractions. No cell phones, no music, no listening to blogs or books on CD, no arguing with spouse (or anyone), no radio, and NO alcohol or drugs. A closed room or a closed garage are best, but if you reload in a small apartment or house, you may need to locate or create a quiet space that is as free from distractions as possible. Break the rules, pay the price.

The second rule, If you are new to reloading or recently just began, is to be very careful from whom or where you get information. Internet forums on shooting are plentiful, videos, by the thousands are everywhere, gun store clerks will offer advice on reloading, and friends seem to often assume the role of experts. All this is good, expect that when you are new, it will be impossible to pick out the bad information from the good. If you are interested in safety you MUST start out by following the advice of recognized sources of reliable and safe information. We will discuss them during the net.

Here are some bad results when safety is not your top priority:

STARTING IDEAS

1. HOW TO GET STARTED

There is NO debate on where the best information can be found on reloading. It lies with the companies who manufacture reloading components, reloading equipment, and companies who manufacture propellants. These companies possess the assets and resources to do the testing on loading that no consumer can match. They have knowledge on the the full spectrum of loading variables for just about every cartridge ever produced. AND, AND, AND, their butts are on the line for the safety of the loading data they produce. Can you say litigation??? They know what's safe and they know what's not.

There are many companies that produce the data manuals that contain this information. So, you have choices, but in my opinion (and a great many other knowledgeable reloaders, as well) the best of the best, as far as beginner information is concerned, is Lyman. While I know the quality of Lyman' information, I will fully endorse other data manuals, as well, as I know them too. The truth of matter is, that it would be in your best interest to have more than one manual, and maybe three, four or five. And, as good as these manuals are, you are well advised to call them if questions arise. I have yet to find a reloading component company that is not eager to help.


In terms of beginning reloader information, Sierra is a very, very close second to Lyman. For me, I think Sierra has slightly better loading data, at least for my needs. Having both would be an excellent idea!!!!!!



Both the Hornady and Hodgdon data manuals are quite excellent sources of beginner information as well as loading data.



2. BASICS OF RELOADIG EQUIPMENT

Where to start??? Aside from the fundamentals of learning how to reload, the next logical step is to build a loading bench, and then iderntyify a place where it can be located. At this point, the fun starts. While it helps if you have some basic rough carpentry skills, it is not necessary. The internet abounds with plans to build solid reloading benches, regardless of your available space. Here is where you need to assess your building skills and select a plan that suits your space, skills and budget.

For beginning reloaders, compact bench designs can work best, especially if space is at a premium. The bench below is a good solution for having a solid reloading bench that is compact, inexpensive, simple and easy to build, can double as a shooting bench, and simple to store or move, if necessary.

Outdoor Life by John B. Snow, 2014
https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-s ... ing-bench/



If compact is not for you, here are some additional sites which contain good ideas on what a larger loading bench can look like:

• https://nextluxury.com/home-design/relo ... m-designs/

• https://www.ammoland.com/2017/10/buildi ... h-dosdont/

• https://www.ammoland.com/2017/10/buildi ... h-dosdont/

Once a site is selected, and the bench is built, the component purchases begin. Here is a list of reloading equipment that you will need:

• loading press

• powder dispenser / measure

• case trimmer

• calipers

• case cleaning and uniforming tools

• scale

• cases

• bullets

• primers

• powder

• case lubricant

• case prep tools

All of these items can be purchased separately, but the simple way to acquire what you need (and a little more) is to buy a "kit." RCBS to the rescue with their Rebel reloading kits, from about $300 to about $580.

Source: RCBS, https://www.rcbs.com/rcbs-kits/rebel-pl ... -9252.html


THE REBEL PLUS KIT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

• Rebel Single Stage Press

• 1,500-grain Digital Pocket Scale

• Case Slick Spray Lube

• Powder Funnel

• Accessory Handle-2

• Primer Pocket Brushes

• Case Loading Block

• Pow'r Pull Kit

• Six Die Lock Rings

• Shell Holders 3, 4, 10, 16, 27

• Uniflow-III Powder Measure

• Hand Priming Tool

• Speer #15 Manual

• Fold-up Hex Key Set

• Case Neck Brushes

• Deburring Tool

• Powder Trickler-2

• Stainless Steel Calipers

• Advanced Powder Measure Stand

One last suggestion for those who will be working with very limited space. RCBS makes an accessory base plate that can be be used to mount your press, case trimmer, powder dispenser, priming tools and more. So, instead of mounting all of these accessories on the bench , it can be done (one at a time) on this base plate. Saves space and avoids multiple holes in your bench for different reloading components.

To Reload or Not to Reload

I did a two part reloading net near the beginning the last year: 2022-01-27 OAUSA Reloading Net I & II.
The information presented there is still valid, though primer prices have risen by 6 to 25%.

In this net, our focus is on the beginning reloader.


Reasons to Reload

• Save money / shoot more
• Access to hard-to-find ammunition
  Unpopular (.480 Ruger)

  

  480 Ruger.png (105.17 KiB) Viewed 1071 times

  Expensive (.45-70)

  

  Underwood .45-70.png (86.34 KiB) Viewed 1072 times

  Sometimes all calibers can become hard-to-find (e.g., mid-2020-2022); a common dialog from that era:

  Q: Where are you guys finding all your ammo?
  A: In my closet, fool!

• Control over Ammunition
  • Lighter practice loads
    Low velocity / subsonic
    Lighter bullets
  • Particular bullets
    • Lead free
      Barnes
      Lehigh
      Cutting Edge
    • Cheaper (Cast or Plated)
      Berry's
      Xtreme
    • Special
      Lehigh Xtreme Defense / Penetrator
      Cast Performance (hard case, wide flat point, gas check)
• More accurate ammunition (though probably not a beginner goal)
  Tuned to your particular firearms
  Particular bullets, charges, bullet seating depths are more accurate than others, and can only be evaluated through experimentation
• Personal satisfaction

  

  IDidThat-ss.jpg (30.11 KiB) Viewed 1080 times

• Local Concerns
  • Avoid charges for ammunition purchase fees
  • Avoid charges for background checks
  • Avoid charges for shipping to local FFLs (California)
• Recycling?
  Doing your part in helping fight the global climate change emergency!

Reasons Not to Reload

• Significant time investment
  Researching components (primers, powders, bullets)
  Researching loads
  The reloading process itself
  Recording shooting (e.g., chronograph) data
• Boring, tedious, detail-oriented manual labor requiring attention, focus, and patience
  Can you tolerate this (without your ADHD meds)?
  Does your environment allow this? (Young children?)
• May not be cost effective for the calibers you shoot (e.g., 9mm, .223)
• Significant initial outlay for reloading equipment
• Significant amount of reloading to recoup initial (and growing) investment
• Inability to reproduce high-performance factory loads (e.g., Underwood, Cor-Bon, Buffalo Bore, Grizzly)
  Factories can get special formulations of powder
• Potentially dangerous
  Storage and use of flammable and explosive components (gunpowder and primers)
  Mistakes can damage equipment and cause personal injury or death
• Storage of equipment, components, and ammunition
  Dedicated work area in garage or home
  Metal cabinet for powders and primers
• Hazmat fees when shipping powders and primers

My Opinion

If you are a firearms enthusiast, reloading and handloading open up a new and satisfying aspect of your hobby. If you have a mindset of safety and diligence that is no different from that of owning and using firearms, you'll enjoy assembling and using your own ammunition, and will alleviate concerns about your future ammunition supply.

And if you're lucky, you might break even!

Beyond the Basics



Excellent Lighting

Maybe it's age, but I really appreciate a nice bright light in my work area. There are many available, but this PHIVE LED Task Lamp illuminates my entire work area.

Press Lighting

Due to their construction, the actual area where reloading presses do their work might be in shadows caused by the press itself. InLineFabrication makes LED lights specifically for various presses. You could achieve the same result with stick-on LED light strips.

Ammo Checker

I check that reloaded ammunition will fit chambers using an ammo checker. Similar models are called case length gauge, cartridge gauge, or chamber checker. Drop in your reloaded round and verify that it will fit a standard chamber for its caliber. (Note: sophisticated reloaders (not me) may be more interested in if their finished rounds fit their particular rifles.)

Storage Cabinet

Powders and primers are considered hazardous materials and thus should be properly stored, and possibly kept under lock and key.

In researching for this net, I discovered that my choice of a Homak metal cabinet--which I thought would be safer--is not recommended for gunpowder since the entire cabinet can turn into a large grenade.

In any case, you'll want storage cabinets for tools, dies, unloaded brass of various calibers, case cleaning chemicals and solutions, gunpowder, and primers, and also for loaded ammunition.


Case Dryer

Drying cases outside you might be subject to an unexpectedly cool day, and you never quite know if the inside of all cases is dry. I've tried the oven, and ended up with discolored cases; maybe just too hot. A case dryer (a repurposed fruit dehydrator) will quickly and thoroughly dry your cases after wet cleaning, avoiding water spots and allowing you to get to your press much sooner.

Automatic Powder Dispenser

If you like to experiment with different powders and loadings, working up "ladders", trickling exact measures of powder can get frustrating. I went a few years before finally getting an automatic (electronic) powder dispenser, and found it to be a game changer ... though it may well double your financial outlay for reloading equipment. It will accurately measure out the next powder charge while you're finishing up the previous round. It doesn't take the place of a powder measure for throwing a large number of similar (not exactly the same) charges when bulk loading.

Since such dispensers include a scale, consider getting one of these instead of a scale.

Scale Pan and Funnel

This combines a scale pan for holding powder while being weighed with a funnel which directs power into your case mouth. If you have an automatic powder dispenser, you can be filling one pan while emptying the previous but you must make sure that the pans weigh exactly the same, perhaps filing off a bit of plastic or using an appropriate piece of aluminum tape.

Chronograph

Although you can assess accuracy, you can never really know what your loads are doing unless they're chronographed. A number of options are available.

Cutting Costs

Our marksmanship improves through practice, so shooting more and doing so economically is beneficial.

If you reload, there are a few ways to cut costs. Unfortunately, primer costs are now fairly significant, about 10¢ per round. We can only hope that the Fed raises interest rates enough to ruin the economy and bring primer costs down!


Buy with Friends to Share / Cut Shipping Costs

Hazmat costs are now $23 per shipment. A single hazmat fee applies to the entire shipment, no matter its size.

Coordinate orders with friends who reload to share the hazmat and shipping fees.


Buy in Bulk

You're not likely to find reloading components at Costco, but cases, bullets, and powder all sell for less if you buy more.

Primers are still very hard to find, though I'm getting more and more emails about primers coming available, especially foreign brands like Servicios Aventuras. Check ratings and YouTube videos to assess quality.

Powder is usually available in 1-, 4-, and 8-pound cannisters. You'll need to balance the cost savings, maybe up to 5%, with the need to store larger cannisters and the possibility of large quantities going unused for a long enough time for them to deteriorate.

Bullets are generally available in 100, 250, or 500 units. Perhaps 20% savings on larger quantities, whether lead, coated, gas-checked, plated, or jacketed. Easy to store.

New cases are generally available in quantities of 100. You can find deals on once-fired brass https://www.oncefiredbrass.com/ which can bring the cost down, but you'll have to judge if it's worth it. Also, you can scrounge brass at ranges (if allowed) and pick up after friends who do not reload. You will of course always pick up your own even if it takes you 10 minutes to find all of them!


Use Lighter Weight Bullets

Bullet cost is roughly proportional to bullet weight. If you can create satisfactory loads in a given caliber using lower weight bullets, they will likely cost less.


Use Lead Bullets

Lead bullets are cheapest, though of course have a higher propensity to lead your barrel. You might need to deal with messy lead bullet lube.

Some people cast their own bullets from bulk or scrounged lead. Don't know much about this, though to me, messing with molten lead and potentially toxic fumes has some drawbacks.


Use Plated Bullets

A happy and cheaper medium between lead and jacketed bullet is plated lead bullets. They can be driven substantially faster than lead without leading your barrel ... not as fast as jacked bullets, but usually fast enough. You may need to get a taper crimp die for revolver cartridges to ensure that your crimp is not cutting through the plating and exposing lead or weakening the plating, which might lead to separation.


Use Versatile Powders

Some powders can be used for multiple calibers. For example, you can often find a load for different projectile weights in many different calibers using Hodgdon Titegroup (my favorite!) or Alliant Unique. Velocities may not be quite as high as other powders, but usually reasonable. I've read about a number of people using Unique even in slower rifle loadings, though since the case capacity far exceeds the powder charge, there may be a risk of double (triple? quadruple?) charging.


Use Powders that Achieve Sufficient Velocities with Low Charges

Powders are sold by weight. If a 6-grain charge of a powder gets a velocity roughly similar to a 16-grain charge of another, you'll get many more loads of 6 grains than 16. A risk is double charging. There may be other factors in powder selection (e.g., accuracy, ultimate velocity, burn cleanliness, muzzle flash).


Use Versatile Powders: Across Calibers

Look at a reloading manual for the calibers you want to reload. See if there's any particular powder that is mentioned in a number of different loads that provides adequate results.

KK6CTT for the online check-in please (03/16/23)

The CA Roster...Look it up for yourself here: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/certified-handguns/search

Handguns Certified for Sale

As of January 1, 2001, no handgun may be manufactured within California, imported into California for sale, lent, given, kept for sale, or offered/exposed for sale unless that handgun model has passed firing, safety, and drop tests and is certified for sale in California by the Department of Justice. Private party transfers, curio/relic handguns, certain single-action revolvers, and pawn/consignment returns are exempt from this requirement.

Additional information on the Roster of Certified Handguns can be found at California Code of Regulations, title 11, section 4070.

Check in please - Thanks - Bernie

Please check in Randy KF6KOC
and
Becky KF6RGR

Thanks

Please check me in: WY6R -- Bob