How to Reload Your Brass and Save on Ammo  continued...

Due to many factors, the price of ammunition is on the rise. Increased demand, rising costs for raw materials, and hoarding due to fears of impending restrictions have all contributed to this. So what’s a shooter to do? One option that many people employ is both environmentally and economically friendly: recycle and reload your spent brass casings.

There are other advantages to handloading your own rounds, as well. Since you know exactly how many grains of powder you’re putting into the cartridge, you can modify the power of the round to meet your exact needs. This can increase the power or accuracy of your shots. And if you happen to be an owner of an antique or collectible firearm, handloading might be your only option, as correct ammunition may be difficult or impossible to find.

Reloading ammo takes an upfront investment in the proper equipment, but someone who shoots on a regular basis is sure to recoup that investment in savings on commercially produced ammunition. The most important piece of equipment is the press. Most presses resemble a vice that mounts on the edge of your workbench. Each component of your cartridge is placed onto the press and using a lever, everything is compressed into a complete cartridge. A “die” is part of the press that ensures each round is correctly sized and crimped.

Among other tools, some of the essential things you will also need include: a scale for measuring the weight of both shells and powder, a bullet extractor to remove the bullet from misloaded shells so you can try again without wasting the materials, and a trimmer to clean up any metal that has stretched out of shape during the pressing. Then you will need the materials: cases, powder, bullets, and primers.

Once you have all the tools, equipment, and materials, you can begin the process of loading your own ammo. It takes a little practice, but depending on your skill and the type of press you use, you could potentially crank out 10 rounds per minute. Be sure to clean and inspect all your tools and materials, especially if you are using recycled casings. Follow all safety precautions, especially when handling the primers, as they are sensitive to pressure and could cause injury if one was to explode. Once you get used to loading your own ammo, you’ll be saving money in no time, and you’ll never have to worry about having a firearm but nothing to fire from it.