Reloading Tips and Tricks

[sjl127]

Have 2 loading blocks and transfer cartridges between steps.

This is especially useful when charging with powder. I've just learned it's much more difficult to charge with one loading block. I had a feeling I forgot to charge one when I was finished with 50 rounds. I wound up pulling all bullets and found I did not charge 2.

[Fitch]

Plastic food bins work much better.

When I loaded handgun ammo on a single stage press, I put the cleaned and primed brass in a plastic bin. I frequently cleaned, sized, and primed 300 or 400 brass at one time. Then I left it on the shelf in that state waiting for me to decide what I wanted to take to the range with me the next time.

When I picked it up to put powder in it, I tapped it on the bench open end down so I "knew" there was no powder in it because it would have dumped out. After putting powder in the brass I started the bullet with my fingers, then set it in the press and seated the bullet. The brass was not set down until it was a complete cartridge. Having a loading block with some charged brass, some uncharged, is just asking for trouble IMO.

Then I picked up another brass and started the process over again. By charging and seating the bullet before setting the brass down it almost guarantees that one won't double charge a handgun cartridge - which is the biggest risk in loading handgun ammo. I routinely loaded .38+P loads in .357 brass (so the gun was easier to clean - no carbon ring). In many cases I could get 3 or 4 charges in the brass - I know because I tried it, and then dumped it out of course.

My other rule was that if someone interrupted me during the process of charging the brass, I dumped the powder back out, set it down primer up, and didn't do anything till the person left the room.

I load rifle ammo on a single stage press, The cleaned brass goes in the same sort of plastic bin. I take it out, lube, deprime, size, prime, and wipe clean in one step, then toss it in another of the plastic containers.

To complete the cartridge, I set up the press to seat bullets and the measure for the desired charge. I pick a brass from the bin, charge it with powder, set the bullet in it, seat it, then put it in a slip case or plastic ammo box. .22 Hornet ammo, because I have so much of it, goes in plastic food bins just like the handgun ammo.

Fitch

[lethal93ta]

I use a progressive press with a powder feeder so I dont have to deal with filling each piece of brass, but I have loads of MCM ammo bins that I mark every step, I tend to clean my brass, size, trim and put it in a bin and let them sit till I have a day I feel like loading, I mark the case eather FL sized or neck sized and what rifle it was used in.

[tl_3237]

When charging I place 10 cases on one side of the block and 10 more on the other leaving the center of the block empty. As I throw the powder I count the number of times I drop the handle on the powder measure. After each 10 I check the powder measure with the balance beam scale. I repeat for the other 10 cases.

After all is done I take a flashlight and confirm both the level of each charged case. Once checked bullets are seated in all cases.

Repeat as necessary.

[bert304]

I use 3 reloading blocks. The way I do it is I put the cleaned and prepped bras in the little bins from Lowes or Home Depot then when I prime the brass it goes in the first block then I measure the powder and I fill it. Then transfer it to the 2nd block, then I seat the bullet and it goes in the third block until I use the factory crimp and put it in the box for use.