Here’s a great video on how to reload your own rifle cartridges. I do a few things different from what RCBS shows here. I work each case one at a time. First I clean them, then lube (I’ve been told by expert reloaders to not put lube in the case mouths), and then resize/de-cap. I measure each case for proper length, if it’s in spec, I don’t trim. I use an electronic powder scale and weigh each case’s charge individually. I don’t use a powder feeder as in the video. Keep in mind, I’m happy to just load 20 – 30 rounds for a hunting season and call it good, but if you want to load bigger volumes, you should use the video’s suggestions to load more, faster.
Also, since this is RCBS’s video, they show only their top-notch, most expensive equipment. You can use other, less sophisticated methods and still get great results. I don’t seat the bullets to touch the rifling lands in the firing chamber’s throat. I set the maximum cartridge overall length (COAL) to the max SAAMI specification for the caliber to ensure they feed reliably from the magazine. Hey, if it doesn’t make it into the chamber and go “bang,” the cartridge is useless. I also want to ensure my rounds will work in any rifle chambered for the particular caliber. Guns come and go, and you never know when you might want to use some older rounds in a new, or new to you, gun.
I don’t sweat the last 0.0001 MOA accuracy for my hunting loads. I’m punching holes in large critters at reasonable ranges not trying to set a world’s record for tightest five-shot group at 1000 yards. If a load shoots 1.0 – 1.5 MOA, I’m happy with it out to 600 or even 800 yards, and if it goes into a dangerous game rifle for up close and personal work with grumpy beasts, up to 2.5 MOA is acceptable.
So, get started on reloading. It’s fun, you’ll get much better ammo tailored to your needs, and you’ll save money in the long run.
