handloading topics

This page is a brief introduction to the means of handloading your own ammunition,
nothing too detailed, just the basics.

The first thing you will need is a Reloading Press, above left is the basic kit
which includes a Press and reloading dies, on the right is a more detailed kit comprising
a Press, dies, a powder measure, scales, auto primer etc..

Above are a selection of Presses to choose from, and a Perfect Powder measure (right).
(Left to right) a Challenger Press, a Turret Press and a Progressive Press, each one
completes a finished round of ammunition in more stages then the other, leaving the person
doing the reloading, less to complete manually.

The stages mentioned earlier are carried out using the Die Set (above left),
each Die is designed for a special job, and screws into the top of the Press.
The first stage is to De-prime the empty case (pushing the spent primer out),
this process also re-sizes the case, because the case expands when the round is shot.
Re-priming (fitting a new primer), is the second stage, with a Die, or an Auto Primer (above right)
which is used by hand, most reloaders prefer this method because unlike a press,
you can feel the pressure used to seat the primer into the primer pocket.
The third stage Adding Powder involves flaring the mouth of the case slightly with
another Die (to accept the bullet), then the Powder is deposited into the empty case using
several different methods, but always measured first using Scales (above middle).
A Perfect Powder Measure is my prefered method, because once it's set for the amount
of powder to be deposited, you can leave it alone, and just check it periodically.

The amount of powder (measured in grains) a re-loader uses in his ammo is a personal choice,
but strict guidelines have to be adhered to, manufactures of Gunpowder give out a maximum
load for every Calibre, & every loader knows it is extremely dangerous to exceed this advice.

The load I find works best for me in my .38/.357cal Marlin 1894s Lever action rifle
(which is also used by the vast majority of our club members) is:

4.6 grains of Howitzer ZERO powder behind a 158grn .357 round nose flat point lead bullet.

The forth and final stage is Seating the Bullet, the bullet is placed into the top of the open case
and the press, with a die attached, is used to seat it, the distance the bullet is pushed into the
case is crucial, because seating it to far in will lessen the space inside the finished round,
therefore raising the pressure caused when firing the bullet.

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I hope this page has been helpful to you, if you are just starting to re-load for yourself.