These days, people tend to carry firearms for the sake of security, and quite rightfully so. There is a lot to learn when it comes to handling weaponry as it requires deft skills and accurate maneuvering.
This is so important that gun retailers tend to ask questions regarding the gun handling expertise of a customer before agreeing to make the sale in the first place. Hence, the purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide on gun reloading gear - one of the very first things that you should learn regarding this subject. We believe, by the end of this article, you will have a firm idea on this topic and will even be able to guide others in following the right methods.
In many regions around the world, people tend to carry firearms for the sake of security. We believe, by the end of this article, you will have a firm idea on this topic and will even be able to guide others in following the right methods.
Necessary Gear for the Mechanism of Gun Reloading
The most important thing to understand in a gun reloading mechanism is the functionality of each of the devices associated with it. Thus, the following sections focus on these instruments and explain the many features they introduce to the system.
Reloading Press
The first instrument that you need to set up a gun reloading system is a reloading press. Many presses are bulletproof and are capable of reloading all forms of rifle and pistol bullets. Even if you progress to a large progressive system, you will always require a single-stage setup someplace.
You will also require a bench to stand the press on. Thus, you need to ensure that it is sturdy. To avoid any vibration or displacement when turning on the press, it can be lag bolted to a wall as well.
As this is one of the key components of a gun reloading system, it would be in your best interest to get the best progressive reloading press available in your region. The higher the quality, the better the overall experience of handling the firearm.
Reloading Die Set
For each caliber you load, you will need a set of dies. These materials are specific to the caliber of the gun, and each of them serves a distinct purpose in the processing and preparation of the case.
It is recommended that you clean each of them after every instance of use, especially the resizer die. It is an incredibly annoying event every time a case gets jammed in a die. Thus, keeping them shiny and smooth is a must.
Case Lubricant
Before the cases can be sized, you need to polish them with a specialized case lubricant. Make sure you take extra care when dealing with this situation or you will end up with a die having a case stuck inside.
You need to lubricate the interior lining of the case neck in the most efficient way possible to negate the resistance felt by the bullet when ejecting out of the gun. In case you do not have a dedicated case lube at hand, you can use wax as an effective alternative.
Cases
Cases can either be purchased new or picked up from a gun range. While there is an abundance of metal case types that you can choose from, as a beginner, brass cases should be ideal for you. You can learn all the basics using this model before going on to use more complex variants.
Gun Ammo
Before beginning to explain the best type of ammunition to go for, let us discuss reloading trays, as they are equally important. These materials are needed to keep the cases in an upright position while you are at the task of processing them. Many reloading trays are capable of dealing with ammunition of various cartridge base dimensions.
After getting done with the processing, the rest is simple work. Label the cartridges and store them in an ammo box, preferably made of plastic. If you are planning on handling different types of ammo, try using multiple ammo boxes to avoid mixing them up.
As for the bullets, there are major variations available depending on the shape, material, and weight. As this article is mainly focused on gun reloading, the important aspect here is that the heavier a gun round gets, the lighter the power load in the system.
Primer
In simple terms, primers initiate the set of mechanisms that eventually make the weapon fire. Whenever the firing pin hits the primer, a powerful combustion reaction is generated inside the chamber, causing the bullet to be fired.
Certain firearms are capable of implementing different types of primers, although there are associated drawbacks to this, such as the reduced velocity of the ejected bullet in case the primer does not entirely match the ideal specifications of the gun.
Gun Powder
The powder is the heart and soul of a gunshot, and there is a wide variety of options that you can choose from. To determine the difference between various types of powder, check on your own or ask an expert about the burn rates. Pressure buildup inside the barrel and the chamber is key when firing a shot. If the powder burns out at a rapid rate, the shot will also be highly explosive.
Many believe the faster the combustion, the higher the effectiveness of the result. Although true, this claim does have its limits. A small handgun would not be able to withstand the mammoth reaction caused by an extremely fast-burning powder. Thus, regardless of the quality of the powder, it is the weapon that truly determines the type of powder that you would need to obtain.
Final Words
Being aware of how the entire reloading mechanism works, along with the functions of the associated equipment, is arguably the hardest thing to get a grasp on. However, once you learn this, consider yourself just one step away from being able to own and, if needed, use one.