If you are a shooter or hunter considering getting started in handloading ammo to save some cash on ammunition, here's how. First things first, know exactly what gun caliber rounds your firearm is capable of handling and have the right tools for reloading before you even start!
If you buy your firearm from fnspecialties.com, their support can help you to find the information you need.
Read more: How to Safely Store and Use Ammunition
The Reasons Why You Might Want To Reload Your Own Ammo
1- Saving Money
Reloading is a deceptive trade-off. In the short term, you might actually spend more money and shoot less rounds than if you purchased new ammunition at your local store. But over time as prices on ammo go up from inflation or other factors.
Reloaders will save funds by shooting for cheap rather than purchasing expensive munitions off of shelves in stores everytime they want to head out into the field.
2- Gun Laws
The federal government has been making stricter gun laws for some time now, but the latest restrictions have proven to be one of the most controversial yet.
Cities across America are starting to prohibit online ammo sales and California recently passed legislation that requires people apply for a license before buying any ammunition from an outside vendor- not just guns themselves.
3- For Fun
If you like upgrading your gun to perfectly fit your style, then loading new bullets is how you wring out the last bit of accuracy. And if DIY is for you…there’s nothing more under-the-hood than making ammo on a homemade reloader (ammo press). Plus, there are some cool mechanics involved in building ammunition with an upgradeable machine!
How To Reload Ammo?
Now that you’ve gotten a couple reasons why reloading ammo is awesome, let’s go over what it actually entails.
It can be intimidating at first but with easy to follow instructions and some patience; this hobby turns into an obsession!
The steps in reloading your own ammunition vary depending on the caliber used for each round. However we need only discuss the general process so here are just some important points
Follow the steps below to learn how to reload ammo.
1) Read the Reloading Manual
While it might seem like there are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when you're reloading, trust the professionals who have put their time in on making your life easier. From bullet size to powder measurements, spend some quality time with reading up until you feel confident enough before tackling any projects for yourself!
The reloading manual is a great tool for the beginner and an invaluable resource for the expert. It contains step by step instructions to help you through each process, as well as tips on how much powder or shot to use in your firearm's barrel depending on what type of gun you have.
2) Answer The Question of Why You Want to Handload
Handloading requires precision, testing and documentation. However there are two primary motivations for handloading: quantity and quality. Both of which require different approaches to the equipment used when creating custom loads paired with your personal firearms versus saving money by supplying a rabid shooting addiction that needs repeatable supplies at an economical cost while still providing accuracy in each load you create.
3) Try to Find a Mentor
To get started, you may want to ask around at your gun club. You should find someone who is willing to share their knowledge with you and show off the workshop they have created for themselves so that others like yourself can start loading quickly!
Just remember that these people have been loading for years so don't expect them to start from scratch with a newbie like yourself! All of those things are not necessary in order to get started, just ask around and find out what is most helpful for beginners.
4) Make Sure That You Don’t Forget Your Safety
The whole process of loading your own ammunition can be a rewarding experience. There are some safety rules that you must follow in order to get started, though. You will need to work up the load slowly and always do quality checks often because consistency is important! Weighing everything as well as double checking guidelines from the manual should also help ensure success with this hobby.
Research the Best Ammo Reloading Equipment
Listed above are four tips for a shooter or hunter considering handloading their ammo. As a beginner, consider buying an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit. Because you'll get everything that is needed to start reloading your own ammunition at once and if it turns out this hobby isn't for you then there's not much of an investment lost since the kit has components which will be useful even when using more advanced equipment later on.