Creating your rifle’s very own custom loads, when done correctly, will improve your rifle’s accuracy as well as improve its performance in the field hunting. Most hand loaders have noticed a great difference in both accuracy and killing performance of factory loads verses hand loads. In my personal experience, many kills made with factory rounds resulted in a kill that included an animal running and occasionally needing to be tracked. With my hand loads, however, most kills resulted in deer dropping like a sack of feed. I have heard this same sentiment from many hand loaders.
Another attraction to “rolling your own” ammo is the cost factor. After the initial investment of equipment and supplies, your cost per cartridge drops considerably. It is especially nice on the back side of the deal when you need shells for a quick weekend hunt for which you may not have planned. No need to drive to the store and spend another $20 to $60. Simply sit down at your reloading table and press out a few rounds and you’re off.
Getting started in reloading is relatively simple. You just need the basic equipment which is usually readily available both new and used. e-bay, craigslist, and other classified publications and sites are great places to find deals. Before you go with used equipment though, do your homework. Learn about all the parts and pieces to make sure that you are getting everything you need.
Basic equipment includes:
Press- RCBS, to many loaders, is the industry standard and are recognized by their green color. There are other brands that will do just fine that are a little less expensive. If you are reloading light rifle and pistol cartridges you can get away with a lighter and less expensive press. I recommend either the “Rock Chucker” or the “Partner” presses. The Partner will save money and will most likely do just fine for most situations. The Rock Chucker is the heaviest duty press of the line and cost more.
Scale- Mainly used to weigh powder charges. Can also be used to verify bullet weights if you should need or want to do so. I use a manual scale. Digital scales are available for more money.
Dies- Dies usually cost $35 and up. They are usually not included with a reloading kit. The dies will remove the old primer, resize the neck and seat the new bullets into the case. Choose the caliber that you want to reload the most first and then add to your collection as you can.
Shell holder- These come in various sizes for different case sizes. Some companies include them with the dies and others don’t. They are often included in reloading kits. I recommend purchasing a complete kit if possible. If not be sure that you get the proper shell holder for your cartridge. They don’t cost much.
Powder funnel- Another item usually included with a kit. You need this to get the powder charge into the case. It is not a normal funnel.
Lube pad/lube- Used to apply lubricant to cases before they go through the de-priming/resizing process. Cases can stick inside of dies otherwise.
Reloading manual- There are many to choose from. Most commonly people choose one published by the make of the bullet that they have chosen to shoot. You will find recipes for your caliber that you can test in your gun until you find the combination of components that delivers the best results in accuracy and hunting performance.
Consumables- Powder, Bullets, Primers, Cases. Choose these using your manual, trusted source recipes, and information from experienced hand loaders. As you experiment with your gun and loads you will change and tweak these until you have achieved optimum performance.
There are many other accessories that you can get and enjoy if you want to sink the money into them. Automatic powder measurers make the process go much faster, but can reduce precision. Brass tumblers clean up your reused hulls nicely and make them shiny and clean. Like any hobby there are a ton of accessories that one can buy if you so desire.
Two sites that sell reloading supplies are:
My personal preferences:
I load for my 7MM-08 for deer hunting. I use a Speer Boat Tail soft point bullet in 130 grain weight. I use 43 grains of IMR 4064 powder, Winchester primers and cases. They have preformed wonderfully for me.
-Steve R. Smith-
