Reloading, you cannot afford to wait. It's truly the gift that will keep on giving!

Success is easier than you think!

With the holidays approaching and this year's shooting and hunting season in the record books, I want to share with you some insight and encouragement on learning the art of reloading.   There are many reasons why some people stay away from it.  For some, it is safety, for others, it is time and for even more, it is the investment with all the high end equipment you must buy to reload efficiently and safely.

Let's start with safety.  This one cannot be down played and if you believe that your attention to detail or your ability to safely reload may be lacking, that is a self evaluation that no one should argue with.   You have to make that decision yourself.  I believe, you have to commit to take the time to reload appropriately and to be a student of safety first throughout your learning process.  Approaching it from that angle, is always the best start to any recipe that is going to lead to success.  This is a personal decision, so self evaluate and know yourself and be honest with yourself. 

The next part is a little more complex, but also so easy to address.  Money and the investment in equipment.  When we teach the class here to new reloaders., we approach it from the one stage at a time process with simple tools that are easy to learn, easy to control and in all cases inexpensive.   Sure, we have some really high end stuff for making quality ammo at scale.  That said, we still use the concept of one stage a time. and with that, simple one-stage type equipment.  

The equipment on our shelves are not a bragging right and not a list of the things you need to buy when you get home.   Sure they are nice to have, but I have made match winning ammo for years with a manual powder thrower, single stage press and balance beam scale.   To this day, we still struggle to match the quality made so simply and easily, even though we are using equipment that is two or ten times the price.   What we get with more expensive equipment is often more speed and at 10-20K rounds a year, we give up a little accuracy to achieve it.  But, I would never say that anything we do here with the super expensive equipment would match or beat what I made by hand all those years ago with what some might deem primitive tools to use today.

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RCBS Kit

Hornady Kit

What we teach over two days here at our shop breaks down the process step by step (and by the book) so each can be done safely, repeatably and by a new reloader.   This allows you to master one process at  a time and step by step ending with finished high quality ammo.   Where some shooters get in trouble is getting too many parts in motion at once.  You get too much in process at one time, your attention to each detail may decrease. Keep it simple and you will safely and methodically grow and master the process each on there own and each step by step.   Reloading from moving turret presses where two, thee or even four things are happening each time you pull the level is a disaster waiting to happen to a new reloader.  You just are not skilled enough to keep all those things in check simultaneously.

So, staying simple at first is the key if you want to start reloading.   It will build your confidence up and keep you in absolute control of each process, allowing you time to measure and evaluate through each step.  I think most that take our classes are often amazed at how simple and easy reloading  is when you remove a lot of the unnecessary technology or super high end equipment.   Ammunition has been made this way for centuries with many animals taken and many matches won.   

For me, it's keeping to the core basic principles with simple to use equipment that teaches you each process.  I can remember the first handloads I made in the 80's with my dad on equipment that was my grandfathers.   I remember the thrill of shooting the tacks that where holding my dad and uncles target up, making it fall to the ground.  It was "tack driving" ammunition by definition.  And, although I got some grief and an unscheduled walks to rehanging targets, it was worth the smile you could not wipe off a grinning teenagers face during the  stroll to the 100 yard target board to rehang targets. It was thrilling to make my own ammo and shoot it successfully!

Redding's Versa Pack and one of my favorites!

Time, that is another concern when reloading. Reloading does take a considerable amount of time, especially if you work methodically, paying close attention to the details. Some really don't think they can spare the time to learn it or make ammo.  I think you make the time for things you love or are passionate about.  If you really are into shooting "seriously," and if you love it with a passion, than I say you are missing out on your opportunity to fall in love with it even more.  There is price in making one's own ammo.  But, there is a whole new level of joy when you win a match with ammo you made. Knowing that you had a part in making that shot happen on that animal you've been stalking in the woods is just something  magical as well!  Having a hand in making your rifle shoot better, so you can shoot better, is a win- win that also comes along with some bragging rights and pride...just sayin'.

So for me, investing that time will just cement you more in your passion for shooting for several reasons.  For one... you will shoot better, two... you will shoot more often, especially with all the testing and experimenting you will do.  And third, you won't feel as guilty doing all this shooting because you are doing it now for pennies on the dollars and hitting targets more now than ever.

My feelings on reloading are this..you cannot afford not to!   If you want to stay in the sport and grow as a shooter, reloading will not only broaden your horizons with making the ammo, but will also broaden your circle of friends (now including reloaders) and believe me when I say it is one of the most relaxing times for me setting at the bench quietly making ammo for myself.   I have pride in it, I know I am making a difference and I know for sure that I will not feel guilty going out and shooting it all.  Why?  Because I can make more just like it any time I like with just a little time.   Take that next step in immersing yourself in the shooting world.  Learn to reload your own ammunition.  Your future shooting maniac self with thank you.