Guns 2012-08.pdf - Jeffersonian

STORY: John Connor
More Hot Air On
Handloading
Just call me “Rip Van Reloader.”
Check out “Quartermaster” in this issue, OK? It’s
about reloading, and I’m the guilty party/hack
writer. Of course, I could only stuff about 2.5 pounds
of handloading hoo-rah into that 1-pound bag, and had
3 pounds of reloading rubble left over. And here, I just
happen to have an empty 3-pound bag! So if you will, go
read those scribbles, ogle the photos, and return here for
the ragged remainder….
Few people today even think of
reloading as a patriotic act, and that’s
a pity, because it certainly is. You’ve
often read our nation’s founders highly
prized “skill at arms” and felt it was not
only a right but an obligation of free
men—and women too. But to them,
skill at arms included a sound working
knowledge of a broad spectrum of
related skills, including what you might
call “management of munitions.”
Just think about the weapons and
ammo of the day; flintlock muzzleloaders,
and what was involved in their care,
loading and the manual of arms. A
Lizard-litter, car polish
and dryer sheets—
essentials of reloading?
skilled operator might fire three rounds
per minute, executing several distinct
physical actions in loading each shot—
while under fire!—a far cry from today’s
ease and efficiency.
Virtually every gun owner had their
own ball molds and most had a lead pot
and dipper for casting. Many even knew
how to make gunpowder from the raw
ingredients, and shooters cut their own
patches. Casting slugs and shot was
often an activity for extended families
or communities, an important social
and civic function. Thrift, industriousness
and preparedness to meet danger
Ain’t they pretty? Bright tumbled brass in a
SmartReloader Media Separator.
bred comradeship and consensus. Of
those who signed the Declaration of
Independence, how many had cast and
trimmed their own slugs, cut their own
patches, “managed their munitions”? I
would bet on 100 percent, even among
the rich, the pacifists and the Quakers
of that group, and even those who
didn’t do it regularly made it their business
to know the process thoroughly. It
was a hallmark of liberty then—and
should be now.
Handloading is both an archaic and
a modern skill, and with ammo prices
climbing ever higher, a great money
saver as well. Loading your own ammo
ranks right up there in self-satisfaction
with dressing, cooking and eating your
own game, and you won’t even have to
deal with a gut-pile! Interested? C’mon;
George Washington would be proud of
you.
I wouldn’t give you a low-ball figure
just to make reloading more attractive
to you. But even with a brand new
quality startup outfit like Lee’s Classic
Turret Press Kit, a set of reloading dies,
primers and powder, you can be loading
200 rounds of factory ammo an
hour for well under $500. Used components
are rarely “worn out” because
they’re so inherently strong and durable.
Typically, they’re sold because the
owner has upgraded from a single-stage
press to a turret or a turret press to a
progressive setup.
One of the best places to look
for good used gear is the same place
you’ll find hordes of helpful, experienced
friends: the Internet. Google
search “reloading forum” and you’ll
get 600,000-plus hits, including sites
like reloadingmadeeasy.com, where
you’ll find a section called “Beginner’s
Forum: Have questions about getting
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WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • AUGUST 2012