Hayley Lynch on Reloading

[Ed Ely]

RELOADING

Reloading rifle and pistol cartridges

For serious rifle and pistol shooters, there are a number of reasons for reloading ammunition. Like shotshell reloading, rifle and pistol reloading can become a hobby in itself. There are long-term cost savings for centerfire rifle shooters who shoot several hundred rounds a year and pistol shooters who shoot at least a thousand rounds every year. Reloading is a necessity for those who shoot a difficult-to-find rifle round like the .220 Swift or pistol round like the .455 Webley.

Rather than trying to save money, most centerfire rifle shooters reload to improve their accuracy or get the hard-to-find hunting bullet that they want. Because individual rifles are load-specific, even two rifles of the same make and model may shoot a given load differently. Reloading allows competition rifle shooters obsessed with accuracy and consistency to shoot only the load that performs best in their firearm.

"A manufacturer has to make a compromise, and make rounds that shoot well in all guns," said Major Randy Hedges, an avid shooter and reloader as well as assistant director of law enforcement for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. "Reloaders can get the exact bullet weight and powder charge that shoots the best for their rifle."

To get the most precise loads possible, centerfire rifle reloaders carefully measure every powder charge and use presses designed to load only one cartridge at a time. Even a tenth of a grain of powder can mean the difference between an average load and one that achieves the tightest groups possible.

Pistol shooters, on the other hand, generally reload more for the cost savings than for improved precision.

Many pistol reloaders use progressive presses, which can perform several steps of the reloading process on multiple cases with each pull of the handle. These presses, like the progressive shotshell reloading presses, automatically measure the right powder charge for each shell. "Handguns are less sensitive to small variations in powder than centerfire rifles," Hedges explained.

One advantage to rifle and pistol reloading is that cartridges can be reloaded using the same press. Unlike shotgun ammunition, where it is more convenient to use separate presses for different gauges, the same press can reload several calibers of rifle or pistol ammunition just by changing dies.

The place to begin for shooters interested in reloading is with an experienced person who can demonstrate how to reload safely. They can also help new reloaders find the load that shoots best in their particular firearm. "Reloaders don't keep secrets," said Hedges. "They'll tell you what they are loading. But what works for their rifle may not work for yours."

The next step is buying the equipment. A reloading manual is the most important piece of equipment, and the charts should be followed exactly to ensure safety. Some reloading kits include manuals.

A single-stage, one cartridge at time reloading kit contains most of what reloaders need to get started and runs anywhere from $100-$400. Die sets must be purchased separately and cost $25-$45 for each caliber set. Shell holders are also sold separately, and run about $5-$6 each. In addition to these items, centerfire reloaders will need a case tumbler, which runs $50-$80.

Lastly, reloaders must purchase cartridge components - cases, primers, powder and bullets. Most reloaders purchase factory rounds, shoot them and re-use the cases. Depending on the load, rifle cartridge cases can last 5-8 reloads, and pistol cartridge cases can be reloaded 10-12 times. Buying components in bulk saves money.

Reloading becomes faster with practice, and as reloaded rounds add up, the cost of each load comes down. Shooters realize the rewards of reloading when they achieve tighter groups once they find the perfect load for their firearms. But the reloading process itself can also be rewarding, as reloaders complete round after round in preparation for the next day at the range.

"I won't say it's as much fun as emptying them, but it is fun," said Hedges. "Sitting there looking at all of them lined up, you can't wait to go empty them."

Hayley Lynch is an award-winning writer for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. She is an avid hunter and shotgun shooter.

I have watched her shoot on ocassion.

Ed