Reloading Frequently Asked Questions

Reloading is a rewarding part of the shooting experience, and there is something especially satisfying about shooting ammunition you have reloaded yourself. Whether you are just getting started or working through a problem at your reloading bench, we are here to help.

Browse our FAQs below, and if you still need assistance, feel free to contact our sales team for friendly, practical advice.

1. What is reloading?
2. What type of reloading press should I get?
3. What components are used for reloading?
4. What are the basics of reloading?
5. Can I reload any ammunition on the same machine?
6. Do I need to clean my brass cases each time before I reload them?
7. How do I clean my brass to be able to reuse it?
8. Do I need a separate die set for every calibre?
9. Do I need to lubricate my cartridge cases before reloading?
10. Do I need to trim my cartridge cases before reloading?
11. Where can I find reliable load data?
12. How do I set up my reloading dies?
13. How do I know which propellant (powder) to use when I reload my own ammo?
14. How much powder should I use to reload my ammo?
15. How can I test that my reloaded ammunition is safe to use?
16. What are the legal aspects of reloading ammunition in South Africa?
17. How do I service my reloading machine?

Question:

What is reloading?

Answer:

Handloading or reloading is the process of loading firearm cartridges or shotgun shells by assembling the individual components, rather than purchasing completely assembled, factory-loaded ammunition.

The term handloading is the more general term, as it refers to assembly of ammunition using components from any source.

The term reloading refers more specifically to the assembly of ammunition re-using cartridge cases from previously fired ammunition.

Handloading and reloading use similar techniques; the differences lie in the preparation of the cartridge cases. New components are generally ready to load, but some additional preparation may enhance performance. Previously fired components often need cleaning, removal of spent primers, and sometimes other preparation to make them ready to load.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

What type of reloading press should I get?

Answer:

The main types of reloading presses available are the arbour press, single stage, turret, progressive reloader and an automated system. Each offer advantages and constraints. You can decide where you see yourself fit in with which reloading scenario.

Arbour Press
An arbour press performs one reloading operation at a time on one cartridge case, and applies force in only one direction (usually a ‘push’). It is simple to operate, and works well with precision inline-style dies. Because force is applied in a single direction only, the arbour press is not suitable for heavy case resizing (including most full-length sizing) that requires substantial force to extract the case from the sizing die.

Single-Stage Press
A single-stage press performs one reloading operation at a time on one cartridge case. It is simple to operate and gives the reloader full control over each step of the process. When changing from one operation to another, such as from resizing to bullet seating, the die must be unscrewed from the press and the next die installed. This slower processing is suited to load smaller batches of ammo. The single-stage press – like all others but the arbour press – can apply force in two directions; both pushing the case into the die and pulling the case out again.

Turret Press
A turret press holds several dies in a rotating turret, allowing the reloader to move from one reloading step to the next without having to remove and reinstall each die for each new operation. It offers a balance between the simplicity of a single-stage press and the speed of a progressive press.

Progressive Reloader
A progressive reloader performs several reloading operations simultaneously at different stations. With each cycle of the press, the cases progress to the next stage, allowing ammunition to be produced much faster, making the progressive reloader suitable for higher-volume reloading.

If your shooting requires a lot of ammunition then the progressive reloader is what you should be looking at. Reputable progressive reloading systems are capable of producing high volumes of high-quality ammunition suitable for sports such as International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) or Precision Rifle Series (PRS).

The aforementioned reloaders are (generally) all mechanically operated, requiring the operator to ‘pull the handle’.

Automated Reloading System
An automated system adds speed and convenience through various levels of further automation. These include automated feeding of cases into the press, automated bullet-feeding, electrical operation (no ‘pulling the handle’) and a number of automatic checks and sensors through the loading process.

These systems are designed primarily for very high-volumes, including commercial ammunition production, without sacrificing quality. The added complexity requires careful setup, monitoring and maintenance.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

What components are used for reloading?

Answer:

A Cartridge is a loaded round of ammunition, made up of a cartridge case, a primer, propellent (inside) and a bullet.

Cartridge case: The container that holds everything together and that can be reused. Most frequently made of brass due to that metal’s ideal properties. The cartridge case is also known as the ‘case’, ‘casing’, simply ‘brass’ or a ‘doppie’ in South Africa.

Primer: The small, single-use cup filled with impact-sensitive compound that ignites when struck by the firearm’s firing pin. The primer is found in the bottom (the head) of a cartridge case.

Propellant: The ‘gun powder’ (or simply ‘powder’) that generates expanding gases to push the bullet (the projectile) out of the cartridge case and down the barrel. Modern nitrocellulose propellant is smokeless, while true gun powder, also known as black powder, is an older, smoky formulation that burns at much lower pressures. Black powder is generally not part of modern reloading!

Bullet: The projectile that is inserted into the mouth of the cartridge case. This is the only part that travels down the barrel of the firearm and towards the target.

When you reload:

the spent primer is pressed out of the cartridge case,
the cartridge case is resized (partially of fully),
a new primer is pressed into the base of the case,
a suitable charge of a suitable propellant is poured into the case, and
the bullet is pressed into the mouth of the case.

This assembled unit is called a cartridge. and is applicable for rifle and handgun ammo.

It’s a good idea to invest in a reloading manual to provide you with accurate information to safely load your own ammunition; alternatively consult reputable manufacturer data online.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

What are the basics of reloading?

Answer:

When you reload centrefire ammunition:

the spent primer is pressed out of the cartridge case,
the cartridge case is resized (partially of fully),
the mouth of the case may require expanding or flaring, depending on the type of bullet (and other factors),
a new primer is pressed into the base of the case,
a suitable charge of a suitable propellant is poured into the case, and
the bullet is pressed into the mouth of the case.
The case mouth may require crimping, to mechanically secure the bullet or to remove the flare.

The assembled unit is called a cartridge, and this process is applicable for centrefire rifle and handgun ammo. Shotgun ammunition and rimfire ammunition require different processes.

Other preparatory processes may be required, such as cleaning the cartridge case and annealing it.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

Can I reload any ammunition on the same machine?

Answer:

Yes, and no.

In general, shotgun cartridges require dedicated reloaders that are specific to shotshell reloading.

Although some hobbyist kits exist to do so, rimfire ammunition is generally not suitable for reloading.

Metallic cartridge reloading focusses mostly on pistol and rifle centre-fire ammunition. Many reloading machines can be used to reload both pistol and rifle ammunition, provided the machine supports the specific calibres you want to reload. When changing from one calibre to another, you will generally need the appropriate die set and calibre conversion kit or shell holder appropriate to the new calibre. Other parts may also need to be changed depending on the machine and the specific calibres involved.

Always check your reloading machine's calibre compatibility before purchasing conversion accessories.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

Do I need to clean my brass cases each time before I reload them?

Answer:

We recommend that only clean brass cases are used for reloading. This helps prevent abrasive particles from scratching your reloading dies and causing damage to your equipment.

Clean brass is easier to inspect for damage or signs of fatigue/failure.

It may be that your specific loads in your specific firearms, and the way you manage spent cartridge cases, maintain ‘clean-enough’ cases, but this is not the norm.

So, YES, you should clean your spent cartridge cases before reloading them.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

How do I clean my brass to be able to reuse it?

Answer:

There are several different approaches to cleaning spent cartridge cases.

Our preferred method is dry tumbling in a vibratory case cleaner using crushed peach pip or corn cob media. Soft corn cob is a good general-purpose option for cleaning and polishing, while peach pip media is more abrasive and can be useful for dirty cases. Adding appropriate dry-media case polish helps polish the cases to a bright shine, and maintains that shine longer. This is also the quickest case cleaning method, from dirty cases to ready to load.

Brass can also be cleaned using a wet rotary tumbler with stainless steel pins or similar abrasive ceramic media. An appropriate wet tumbling case cleaning solution includes a soap to clean the cases and compounds to help maintain the shine. It is best to remove spent primers before wet-tumbling so that fluid does not remain trapped inside the primer pocket.

For heavily tarnished cases, a sonic cleaner with a suitable cartridge case cleaning solution may be the best process.

It’s essential to ensure that cases are fully dry before loading, so sufficient drying time must be allowed following a wet cleaning process. An electric case drier helps speed up the drying process.

We do not advocate chemical cleaning, and this could easily weaken or damage cases.

After cleaning, inspect each case for cracks, splits or other damage before reloading them.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

Do I need a separate die set for every calibre?

Answer:

The dies in your reloading press perform the following functions:

Decap / de-prime – remove the spent primer.
Resize – squash the case dimensions back to the (smaller) size before firing.
Expand – slightly increase the inside diameter of the case mouth, and perhaps flare the opening for easier insertion of the bullet.
Seat – push the new bullet into the case to an appropriate seating depth (or overall length)
Crimp – close the mouth of the case snugly around the bullet, removing any flare and (sometimes) creating a positive crimp of the case mouth into the outer wall of the bullet or into a cannelure provided for that purpose. Correct crimp prevents bullet set-back under heavy recoil, or when the bullet impacts the feed-ramp as the cartridge feeds from the magazine into the chamber.

In many die sets, functions 1 and 2 are combined to a single die, as are functions 4 and 5.

Dies are calibre specific, made to exacting tolerances, so separate dies are used for each different calibre you reload.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

Do I need to lubricate my cartridge cases before reloading?

Answer:

It is essential to lubricate bottleneck and tapered cases before you resize them, and we urge using case lube for resizing all calibres. Modern spray-on case lube is so easy to use, and remove, that there is no reason not to use it!

Case lube reduces the friction between the case and the sizing die. Without lubrication, bottleneck cases (especially longer ones) can get stuck in the sizing die, and with enough force can rip the rim off when you try to extract them.

It is important to removed case lube from cartridges before shooting. Case lube is intended for reducing friction in the sizing die, so it also reduces friction in the chamber. Firearm designers rely on the friction between the case and the chamber walls to reduce the rearward forces onto the breech face, so frequent firing of lubricated ammunition can accelerate failure in the firearm.

There are many ways to remove case lube from the cartridge case. Wiping it off with a cloth or paper towel is effective, but time consuming. If your process allows, it is best to use a tumbler to clean lube from prepared cases, prior to priming, charging and completing the loading process. We have great success removing the lube from loaded ammo in a vibratory or rotary dry-tumbler.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

Do I need to trim my cartridge cases before reloading?

Answer:

The sizing process makes bottleneck cases grow longer, as brass flows from the body, through the shoulder, into the neck. These cases may be trimmed every loading cycle, or only when too long. The maximum case length is usually included in reloading manuals.

Case trimming is generally not required for straight-walled calibres. The sizing process makes straight-walled cases grow shorter, as brass is pushed down the case to a bulge above extractor groove. (This bulge may be addressed by roll-sizing the cases).

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

Where can I find reliable load data?

Answer:

Propellant and bullet manufacturers publish reloading data in reloading manuals and frequently on their websites.

They normally provide information on the starting load and the maximum load for different bullets, for various calibres. Take note that bullet weight and construction are both important considerations when considering the data most appropriate to your specific situation.

It’s advisable to remain within the recommended load range – too little propellant can be as hazardous as too much!

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

How do I set up my reloading dies?

Answer:

Reloading dies must be correctly installed and adjusted for the specific calibre, reloading press and die set you are using. The exact setup varies between sizing/depriming, expanding, bullet seating and crimping dies, so always follow the instructions supplied by the die manufacturer.

In general, the sizing die is installed first and adjusted in relation to the shell plate or shell holder, when the press handle in lowered so that the case would be pushed into the die. The sizing die is usually set to just touch the shell plate / shell holder for most handgun calibres (straight-wall cases), while bottleneck cases (most modern rifle calibres) frequently require a firmer contact to ‘bump the shoulder back’ adequately.

The remaining dies are then adjusted – screwing the in our out – to achieve the correct case expansion, bullet seating depth and crimp for your chosen cartridge.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

How do I know which propellant (powder) to use when I reload my own ammo?

Answer:

The correct propellant depends on the calibre or cartridge you are reloading, the bullet type and weight, and the specific load you intend to develop. A particular propellant is NOT suitable for all cartridges, and propellants should never be substituted based simply on appearance or a similar name.

Always consult reputable, published reloading data from a propellant manufacturer, bullet manufacturer or recognised reloading manual. These sources specify which propellants have been tested for a particular cartridge and bullet combination, and supply a safe range of load data.

Never guess a propellant charge, never mix different propellants, nor assume that one propellant can be directly substituted for another. Always follow the published data for the specific propellant you are using and remain within the recommended range of charge weight.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

How much powder should I use to reload my ammo?

Answer:

The amount of propellant differs between various calibres as well as the bullet weight (and bullet construction) used for your specific reloads. Safe reloading practice is to begin with the manufacturer’s published starting load, then incrementally increase from there. Do load testing to see the impact on the cartridge when fired, measure the bullet velocity and assess the performance on the target.

Always follow the published data for the specific propellant you are using and remain within the recommended range of charge weight.

It is important to note that different batches / lots of powder in the same brand, can differ in burn rate. Check the lot number on the tin of powder you purchased and if need be, load test rounds and measure the speed of the bullet using a chronograph. If necessary, adjust your charge to get the desired muzzle velocity.

Two important rules to remember:

If you change propellant, change the charge.
All else being equal, a heavier bullet requires less propellant than a lighter bullet.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

How can I test that my reloaded ammunition is safe to use?

Answer:

To measure is to know.

The best way to verify that your ammunition operates at safe pressures is via a pressure measurement system. Indirect, piezo-electric strain measurement systems are available to determine chamber pressure, but are impractical for most people.

A chronograph is a handy tool to measure the muzzle velocity of the bullet when fired from your firearm. Your reference load data will indicate the resultant velocities that were measured in the test-laboratory for each load, and your velocities should ‘correspond’. When your entire setup is most similar to the published setup, you can expect close correspondence. But be aware that variations in barrel length, bullet construction, environmental conditions, various dimensions of each chamber and each cartridge – to mention a few – can all affect the actual velocity you should expect from your firearm / ammunition combination.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

What are the legal aspects of reloading ammunition in South Africa?

Answer:

Section 93 of the Firearms Control Act (FCA) permits loading of ammunition by the holder of a license to possess a firearm, for use in his or her licensed firearm.

The FCA imposes some limits on loading ammunition.

Section 93 limits possession to no more than 2 400 primers for each licensed firearm, except that the limitation on primers does not apply to a dedicated person and a non-dedicated license holder may apply to the Registrar to possess more than 2 400 primers.

Nitrocellulose propellant is regulated by the Explosives Act, and its Regulations.

Reg 6.1.3 allows a person who is the holder of a valid firearm license to buy 500 grams of nitrocellulose propellant (per license).
Reg 8.23.1 allows a person who is the holder of a valid firearm license to “keep on their premises 600 grams of nitrocellulose propellants for the private reloading of cartridges“, but “that the total amount of nitrocellulose propellants so kept shall not at any time exceed 2 400 grams in mass”.
Reg 8.23.2 requires that nitrocellulose propellants shall be kept locked up in a sturdy cupboard

The FCA imposes some limits on possessing ammunition, including the ammunition you’ve loaded.

Section 91 limits possession of ammunition to no more than 200 cartridges for each licensed firearm, except that the limitation on ammunition does not apply to a dedicated person and a non-dedicated license holder may apply to the Registrar to possess more than 200 cartridges.

Any questions on this? Feel free to contact us.

Question:

How do I service my reloading machine?

Answer:

Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspection will help keep your reloading machine operating smoothly and reliably. The exact maintenance required depends on your specific machine, so always follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions. If your machine feels unusually stiff, does not operate smoothly, has recurring feeding or priming problems, or has processed a large volume of ammunition, it may benefit from a more thorough service.