The ABCs of Reloading : the Definitive Guide for Novice to Expert

290 Pages·2010·27.9 MB·English

by  C. Rodney James

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO T
H
9th Edition
RELOADING RIFLE AND HANDGUN E

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CARTRIDGES AND SHOTSHELLS!
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s
IT’S THE 9TH EDITION OF THE ABCs OF RELOADING
The Defi nitive
In these days of widespread ammunition shortages, O
it pays – literally – to know how to “roll your own” F
Guide for
cartridges. But don’t think it’s some kind of rocket
science. Let The ABCs of Reloading show you how! R
With the help of The ABCs of Reloading, you’ll be E Novice to Expert
reloading your own cartridges –and saving big
L
bucks – faster than you ever thought possible.
O
A
IT’S ALL HERE! D
• Step-By-Step I ABCs
N The of
Procedures for
Reloading Rifl e, G
Handgun and

Shotgun Ammunition RELOADING
9
t
• Hundreds of
h
Detailed Photos

E
• Everything You D
Need to Know About I Edited by C. Rodney James
T
Primers, Bullets,
I
Powders and Cases
O
N
• The Latest in
J
a Tools, Techniques
BONUS: The Best Reloading Articles from the Gun
m
Digest® Archives and More!
& Components
e
Don’t let the next ammunition shortage catch s
• Step-by-Step
you unprepared. Arm yourself with money-saving
knowledge – with The ABCs of Reloading!
Instructions &
Safety Tips
US $26.99
Z9165 (CAN $30.99)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-1396-0
ISBN-10: 1-4402-1396-8
52699
C
UP Gun Digest® Books
N
A
An imprint of F+W Media, Inc. E
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9th Edition
The Defi nitive
Guide for
Novice to Expert
ABCs
The of
RELOADING
Edited by C. Rodney James
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Copyright ©2010 F+W Media, Inc.
All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
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transmitted on radio, television, or the Internet.
Published by
Gun Digest® Books, an imprint of F+W Media, Inc.
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2010924664
ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-1396-0
ISBN-10: 1-4402-1396-8
Cover Design by Tom Nelsen
Designed by Kara Grundman
Edited by Dan Shideler
Printed in the United States of America
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About the Author
C. RODNEY JAMES grew up in Columbus, Ohio,
in an academic family. He got the gun bug from his moth-
er's father. An example of about everything that goes bang
passed through his hands at one time or another.
At age fifteen, an accident with home-made explosives
cost Rodney his hands. Nevertheless he received a doctor-
ate in mass communication studies from The Ohio State
University. He has written and produced nontheatrical films
and taught courses in film and television at Concordia Uni-
versity in Montréal.
In his “other life” Rodney read everything he could about
firearms and has been a shooter and reloader for more
than forty years. He has published in this field since 1980.
Rodney’s technical and historical articles have appeared in
Gun Digest, Handloader's Digest, Guns Illustrated, Shooter's
Bible, Guns Magazine and AFTE Journal, the publication of
the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners. He
wrote the 6th Edition of this book.
As an independent firearms examiner Rodney is a mem-
ber of the International Wound Ballistics Association and
the Society for the Scientific Detection of Crime. Recent
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Acknowledgments
A NUMBER OF people helped in the preparation of this Alliant; Mike Kinn and Tim Brant at Federal; Paul Szabo
book and should receive credit for their efforts. At the top of from Winchester; Roger Weir; Bob Williams; Terry Paul at
the list is Mary McGavick, editor and critic who read it all; SharpShootR; and Jonathan Doege at Shooter Solutions.
Wanda Rucker for computer services; Allan Jones (retired); For others who have helped whose names I have forgotten,
engineer Brett Olin from CCI; Dave Davison of CH/4D; my thanks and apologies.
Chris Hodgdon, of Hodgdon Powder; Ben Amonette at Many thanks to Tim Jensen for his drawings.
About the Cover
MEC'S 600 JR., their most popular model and the Novice and seasoned gunners will appreciate these new
world's top-selling shotshell reloader, has been redesigned features along with the time-tested excellence this single-
to include popular features found on their more expen- stage reloader has provided over the years with quick,
sive models. The MEC 600 Jr. Mark 5 can load eight to simple operation and a minimum of effort.
10 boxes per hour, and can be upgraded with the 285 CA
primer feed, which eliminates the need to handle each For more information, contact
primer individually. Best of all, the price won't shoot any- Mayville Engineering Co. Inc.
one's budget. The press is adjustable for 3" shells, and is 715 South Street
available in 10, 12 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410 bore. Die sets Mayville, WI 53050
are available in all gauges. 920-387-4500 • www.mayvl.com
3
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Contents
Introduction: ........................................................................................................6
Chapter 1: Safet First, Last & Always .......................................................................8
Chapter 2: The Cartridge Case .............................................................................19
Chapter 3: Understanding Pressure and Headspace ..............................................33
Chapter 4: Primers ..........................................................................................44
Chapter 5: Blackpowder and Its Variants .............................................................52
Chapter 6: Smokeless Powder ..........................................................................60
Chapter 7: Bullets ............................................................................................72
Chapter 8: Casting Bullets .................................................................................83
Chapter 9: Bullet Sizing and Lubricating ............................................................94
Chapter 10: Tooling Up for Reloading................................................................104
Chapter 11: Rifle Cartridge Reloading ...................................................................118
Chapter 12: Handgun Cartridge Reloading ..........................................................132
Chapter 13: Shotgun Ammunition Reloading ......................................................145
Chapter 14: Ballistics .......................................................................................157
Chapter 15: Sources and Resources ........................................................................163
Introduction to Gun Digest Reloading Archives ................... 175
Chapter 16: Reloading Ammunition by Lt. Col. E. Naramorer .................................177
Chapter 17: Ammunition Guide by Maurice H. Decker ............................................181
Chapter 18: Casting Lead Alloy Bullets by Col. Townsend Whelen ........................200
Chapter 19: Special Bullet Sizing Dies by E. J. Krava .........................................204
Chapter 20: Practical Pressures by John Maynard ..........................................206
Chapter 21: Early Loading Tools by Richard H. Chamberlain ..................................212
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Chapter 22: Better Handloads by Kent Bellah ......................................................217
Chapter 23: New Brass for Old by George C. Nonte .....................................................222
Chapter 24: Case Neck Variations by Norman E. Johnson ..............................................229
Chapter 25: Handloading Philosophy by Don Martin ......................................................232
Chapter 26: Shot Loads for Revolvers by Edward Dams .................................................237
Chapter 27: Pressures and the Revolver by William M. Caldwell ..........................................241
Chapter 28: Square Shot and Little Flying Saucers by Roger Barlow ..................................246
Chapter 29: Smokeless Loads for Double Rifles by Ray Marriage and Dick Vogt .....................254
Chapter 30: The Lyman Story by Mason Williams ........................................................262
Chapter 31: Double Bullets! by V. R. Gaertner ..............................................................265
Chapter 32: Compact Loading Bench by William F. Greif .................................................274
Chapter 33: Shooting Lead Bullets by Ron Wozny ........................................................279
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ABC’s of
Reloading
Introduction
THERE ARE AT least five good reasons for reloading. First is economy. Some-
one who has come to enjoy the sport of shooting soon discovers that the cost
of factory ammunition has become almost prohibitive. A pleasant afternoon
of target shooting, banging through a half dozen boxes of cartridges or more,
can run past the hundred dollar mark if you use anything other than 22 rimfires.
By reloading brass centerfire cartridge cases with commercially available bullets,
primers and smokeless powder you can reduce this cost by better than 60% over
commercial ammunition. Even if empty cases are purchased new, the savings over
commercially-made ammunition is still better than 25%, because you supplied the
labor to make the finished ammunition. If you cast your own lead-alloy bullets,
you can save even more since good bullets can be made from scrap alloys that can
be bought for very little or even obtained for free.
Second is accuracy. Firearms and ammunition are standardized– more or
less — with a range of tolerances which means that your average gun will func-
tion properly with your average commercial ammunition, producing acceptably
accurate results. For those who want better than "acceptable," handloading your
ammunition allows you to make custom-crafted ammunition, loaded to draw the
maximum degree of accuracy from your gun because the powders and bullets are
selected by you and tested by you to produce the best accuracy in your particular
gun.
A third reason might be termed "usefulness." While commercial ammunition
may be available in perhaps two or three loadings, handloaded ammunition can
extend this to more than a dozen. Low-power cast-bullet loads can be made for
short-range practice, allowing economical shooting with low noise and low recoil.
This means not only less wear and tear on your gun, but on yourself as well.
Heavy hunting loads can be fabricated for taking the largest game possible within
the limits of a particular rifle or handgun. Light, flat-shooting bullets, designed to
expand rapidly on small game, can be loaded to turn a "deer rifle" into a varmint
rifle offering extended use for spring and summer varmint shooting. Reduced-
velocity loads can turn a varmint rifle into a good small game rifle that will kill
effectively without destroying edible meat. Thus the usefulness of a gun is doubled
by the simple expedient of altering the ammunition.
66 ABC’S OF RELOADING
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Necessity, that mother of invention, is a fourth reason to mentation. Reloading is far safer than driving a car, but you
reload. There are any number of older guns, both foreign have to pay attention to what you are doing. Reloading is as
and domestic, for which commercial ammunition is simply safe or as dangerous; as economical or expensive; as simple
not available. Cartridge cases may be formed by reshaping or complicated as YOU make it.
and trimming from similar cartridge cases that have the How do you get started? As an educator facing eager stu-
same size head and a similar size body. In some instances the dents champing at the bit to get going with the "hands on"
cartridge cases you need may be commercially available, but part, I began my classes with an apologetic: "Yes, I applaud
the commercial loadings are not suitable for your gun which, your enthusiasm, but I really think you should know a little
because of its age, may require a lighter load or one of black something about what you are you are going to be doing."
instead of smokeless powder. Those who don't have a bad habit of breaking equipment,
A final reason is added enjoyment. Mastering a craft that getting poor results and having no clue as to why the above
will improve your shooting is an extension of the shooting happened. You can't learn from your mistakes unless you
sport. You will gain a better understanding of the dynamics can figure out what they were and why they happened. To
involved in the shooting process. Good shooting is far more put it another way — some people live and learn, others just
than simply good "aiming." Good aim and proper shooting live, but never as long or as happily.
technique are necessary for hitting what you shoot at, but What kinds of guns are we loading for? This book is
you will score far more hits if you have a clear understand- designed basically for shooters of modern guns designed
ing of the ammunition in your gun and what it is and is not for metallic cartridges using smokeless powder. With the
capable of doing and why. increase in interest the shooting of vintage guns, with light
Who should reload? This is a question firearms writers smokeless loads, blackpowder and blackpowder substitutes,
hear fairly often. It's not for everyone. The casual shooter, a chapter has been added on this subject. The bibliographic
satisfied with rimfire ammunition performance, the person material in Chapter 12 will direct the reloader to what is con-
who targets his gun once or twice a year, the person with no sidered advanced reloading. These resources will touch on
time for hobbies, will find little use for this avocation. Then loading for black powder guns, early smokeless guns which
there are those who may wish to join the reloading clan, may not be up to modern loads or may have chamber and
but for reasons of safety would be best advised not to. This bore dimensions different from those of current manufac-
category includes those persons who persist in drinking or ture. This book is not a manual containing loading data, but
smoking while reloading, the chronically careless, the forget- an overview of the reloading process — to cover those things
ful and accident prone, and those given to dangerous experi- critical to the craft, but not found in loading manuals.
7
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1
ABC’s of
Reloading
Before beginning
Safety
any activity, a solid
foundation is
First, Last &
needed to build
upon, and reload-
ing is no different.
Always
WHAT IS A MODERN GUN?
WHEN I WAS GROWING up in the 50's and 60's, cartridge boxes car-
ried the warning that "these loadings are for modern arms in good condi-
tion." Contemporary loading manuals did too. But what is a modern gun?
Like any other arbitrary definition, it has fuzzy edges. Modern gun designs
(such as modern-looking double-action revolvers) came into being in the
late 1880's. Modern semiautomatic pistols were on the market by 1900.
Bolt-action, 30-caliber rifles intended for high pressure (40,000 to 60,000
psi) smokeless powder ammunition were in general military use by 1895.
Roughly speaking, the era of modern gun making begins around 1886-
1900.
The real issue is whether the gun for which you wish to reload can take
the pressures of modern ammunition. For instance, a solidly-built, tightly-
locking Winchester low-wall, single shot or Stevens target rifle from the
last century can be safely used with modern, high-velocity 22 Long Rifle
ammunition. To use such ammunition in a light revolver or pistol from the
same era will soon destroy it. Even guns made as recently as the 1920's
8 ABC’S OF RELOADING
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Reproduction 1874 Sharps rifle made
of modern steel (4140 for the receiver
and 1195 for the barrel). It is capable
of handling modern high-pressure 45-
70 loadings to 28,000 psi. Allin (“trap
door”) 45-70 Springfield (top) was made
in 1888. The receiver is mild steel, case-
hardened. The barrel is mild “decar-
bonized” steel. Its maximum pressure
rating, at the time of manufacture, was
25,000 psi. It is not a modern gun and
must be loaded accordingly.
A 94-year-old 32 ACP Colt Model 1903 pocket pistol
(bottom) and a Cold-War-era 9mm Makarov both
qualify as “modern guns.”
may not be safe with the high pressures generated by the around the locking lug on the bolt after prolonged use. Krag
high velocity loadings. The 22 LR Reising automatic pistol and early 1903 Springfield rifles were inspected “by eye," the
of that period had a breech block with very thin rails which proper color indicating proper heat treatment of barrel and
regularly split on the first firing of a high speed round. receiver steel. When Springfield receivers started failing with
These guns should not be fired. Early Colt and High Stan- higher pressure loadings, the heat treatment process was
dard semi-auto pistols were intended for standard velocity improved. This occurred at serial number 800,000.
ammunition only and high speed ammo will batter them The Colt Single Action Army revolver (Model 1873) is still
into uselessness. being made. The original was a black powder gun. The steel
While a modern appearing revolver such as the M-1889 was later improved and some internal redesigning was done,
Colt Navy double-action revolver looks very like the 38 making it safe for smokeless loadings. Colt has advised that
Special police models that have been in use for 70 years and guns with serial numbers below 160,000 are for black pow-
counting, the M-89 was made for the 38 Long Colt black- der only! Except for serial numbers and a few minor details
powder cartridge. Some of these early guns will chamber a neither the 03 Springfield nor the Colt SAA has changed in
contemporary smokeless powder 38 Special cartridge. How- external appearance since its introduction.
ever, to fire such a loading in one of these old Colts is to Early 38 Colt semiautomatic pistols (Models 1900, 1902,
court disaster. 1903) are chambered for the 38 Colt Automatic cartridge,
Some early smokeless powder guns were by no means as no longer manufactured. The same cartridge, in terms of
strong as later models chambered for the same smokeless- dimensions, is on the market as the 38 Super Auto. This is
powder cartridge. The soft steel on U.S. Krag rifles — Mod- the old 38 Auto with a much heavier charge of powder. It is
els 1892-1896 — was not up to the pressure of some heavy poison for the older guns.
smokeless-powder loadings and began to develop cracks The original Model 1895 Winchester lever-action rifle was
Safety First, Last & Always 9
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