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Reloading Equipment
After you have finally decided to reload your own
ammunition, the next thing to do is to choose which press you are going to use
and set up shop.
If you already have a workshop in a spare room at home, then
you’re good to go. If you don’t already have a workspace set up, you can just
look for a spot where you can safely set your reloading stuff up – it doesn’t
take that much space to have an extensive set up. Just remember; safety is key. 
Good Lighting and
Movability
You just have to be sure that your reloading space has good
lighting, as well as ample room to move around as you work. You are also going
to need a sturdy table where you can mount your reloading press along with the
rest of your reloading equipment. It’s always a good idea to have a shelf or
other storage space nearby where you can keep your dies and other reloading
supplies. This should have the ability to be locked, keeping prying hands of
children and pets away.
Basic Reloading
Equipment
Aside from setting up shop, you also need to pay attention
in buying your equipment. You have to know what tools you are going to need for
this task. Here’s a list of reloading equipment and a brief description of
their use.
Reloading press: This is no
doubt that most important equipment you need in your reloading kit. Reloading
presses come in three major categories and it depends on your experience which
type of press is more suitable for you.
Single stage press: This is the
simplest and cheapest type of press. It is mostly recommended for beginners who
don’t have a lot of experience in reloading ammunition. It is fairly easy to
operate but it also requires time for reloading.
Turret press: This is mostly
recommended for intermediate reloaders – those who have a little experience in
reloading but don’t have the luxury of time to reload ammo one at a time.
Progressive press: This is the
most advanced type of reloading press and only experienced reloaders are
advised to use it. It is very complicated and challenging to set up, but once
it is completely set up it’s only going to take seconds to reload several
rounds of ammo.
Die: The die is necessary to
achieve the right shape and dimension of the cartridges. The type or the set of
dies that you are going to use will depend on the design of the cartridges.
Powder scales: Before you load
your ammo, you have to make sure that you have the right amount of gunpowder to
put in there. A simple scaling mistake can compromise the safety and
reliability of the ammunition that you are going to use.
Vernier caliper: Calipers are
also necessary for checking the dimensions and making sure that you’ve got the
correct lengths for the ammo you’re working on.
Quick tip #1
If you are reloading rifles cases, you have to use a lube
pad. Lube pads are used to make sure that you won’t have any problem removing
the die, which usually gets stuck when no lube is used.
Quick tip #2
Always double-check the quality of your ammo. Pay very close
attention to what you are doing in order to avoid any safety fails.
Quick tip #3
There’s no shame in asking for help. If you are not
confident about a certain procedure, try to do your own research, read
reloading books, or ask the experts.
The items mentioned above are the basic tools you need for
reloading your own ammo. You will pick up other items that you might need as
you go along. Remember to have fun; that’s why we shoot in the first place.
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