Ammo Reloading Information
There are four basic tools needed to reload ammunition yourself: a press, a die and a shell holder or shell plate. The fourth is knowledge. There are numerous reasons to reload ammo, but cost savings is high on the list for many. After the initial investment in the tools, the cost per bullet will be about one-third of those purchased commercially. Others reasons include convenience and formulating different strength loads for different uses -- lighter loads for target practice and heavier loads for big game.
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The Press
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There are two basic types of presses. Single-stage presses require pulling for each operation, while progressive presses perform several operations on multiple cartridges with a single pull. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
Single-Stage Press
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Their biggest advantage to a single-stage press is cost. They are much less expensive than progressive presses. They are capable of reloading just about any commercially produced ammo if the press is sufficiently large. You can't beat them for simplicity, so most munitions experts recommend starting with a single-stage press until you become proficient at reloading. The single-stage press is virtually maintenance-free but the biggest drawback is that it is comparatively slow. When you become sufficiently proficient, you may be able to load about 50 bullets an hour.
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Progressive Presses
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If you are experienced at reloading your own ammo with a single press, the cost of a progressive press will be well worth the investment, particularly if you shoot or hunt a lot. With a little practice, you can load more than 150 rounds an hour, producing a finished cartridge with each pull. It requires routine maintenance and parts will eventually wear out and need to be replaced but for the serious enthusiast, the cost might be worth it.
Dies
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Dies come in sets that are designed to the size of the cartridge you want to reload, although some more expensive dies are capable of handling up to two different calibers. A .38 Special/357 Magnum would be a good example. A typical die set will include two dies for bottleneck cartridges and three for straight-walled cartridges, such as a .22 caliber shell.
In a two-die set, the first die is used to remove the spent primer, re-size the casing and expand the throat opening for a new bullet. A three-die set, the first two perform the same function as a two-die set but the third die will seat and crimp the new bullet in place. Two-die sets usually require a lubricant to prevent seizing, but lubrication is unnecessary in a three-die set if it made of carbide or titanium steel.
Grain Measuring
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You'll need some kind of gun powder measuring and dispensing tool. Adjustable powder scoops are preferable, particularly if you're using a progressive press. They're simple to use by installing the size rotor in the scoop calibrated for the charge weight you want to dispense.
Knowledge
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Novices should follow the instructions like a cookbook until getting the "feel" for what they are doing. The best sources for instructions are reloading manuals put out by the bullet manufacturers. Warnings: Do not substitute components, do not start with the maximum charge listed and never exceed the maximum charge, no matter how tempted you might be. If anything, as you are learning, reduce the maximum charge by 10 percent to 15 percent. After shooting several rounds of reloads you've performed yourself, you can always modify the charge load to your needs in subsequent reloadings.
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References
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