Another from the old Forum, started also by azredhawk:
Wow, I get to start the first ever topic in a new subforum! Cool.
So, we all have it in mind here to be the best Riflemen we can be... the best Americans we can be, and the best citizens we can be. Common goals, and worthy ones.
We agree that shooting the AQT is a worthwhile skill to develop, teaching others to shoot the AQT is a worthwhile skill for THEM (new shooters) to develop as well as for US (new teachers) to develop.
We all believe in owning our own arms to use for these purposes. AR-15, M14, FAL, AK, 10-22, Mosin Nagant 91/30... whatever we can afford, can appropriately use and equip with suitable ammunition.
Just as we don't check out our arms from a central arsenal where we are only issued a defacto single arms platform (AR-15 for example), we don't get our munitions from a central arsenal either. We come up with our ammunition from foreign military surplus, domestic military surplus production, domestic commercial production, and (for lack of a better term) hobbyist reloaders.
Lately, we seem to be feeling quite a pinch from the commercial and military production facilities. Due to poor planning by our Congressional and Presidential choices in the past, dozens of military arms munitions plants have been shut down since World War II. The commercial munitions plants have been "drafted" in an unofficial capacity to attempt to fill these surpluses, leaving the consumer market of us Riflemen (as well as other shooters) with a dwindling supply of small arms munitions.
So, given the dwindling centralized munitions production facilities in the US that will provide ammunition to the civilian market, I suggest that we consider as Riflemen the duty that we have to ourselves to command control over our munitions supply.
Reload.
In a worst-case scenario, a spent case and primer can be re-filled with a pair of nails, a box of strike-anywhere matches, and a carriage bolt for a projectile. But we need to control our munitions supply before we get as desperate as such a cartridge might be.
http://www.fortliberty.org/military-library/improvised-munitions-handbook/rifle-cartridge.shtml
It doesn't matter if you shoot 6.8spc, 9mm, .223, .308, 5.45x39, .45-110SuperAncientCartridge or .382Whompemstompem. Own at a minimum, a set of basic Lee dies for your caliber. They are about $15 at Midwayusa. Even if you decide that you will never get into such a tedious regime as reloading and you scoff at all the fools producing ammunition in their garages... please buy a set of dies for at least one of your rifles.
Because on the day after "that day", and your Garand is out of ammunition but I have .308 bullets for my M14, I can cook you up some ammo from my press. Or your AR-15 is dry, I can re-prime and fill your cases with bullets from my 5.45x39 supply. They won't be as accurate, but they will work until we can re-supply you more effectively.
Our peacetime surpluses of ammunition are being depleted, and our current military and commercial production will need years to replentish those stockpiles. We will be facing a consumer ammunition shortage for many years, I think, as Uncle Sam realizes the danger of having too little ammunition. It is possible that some munitions companies may change from being consumer oriented to government contract oriented as a result, and the market may feel a significant pinch for years to come.
But a decent reloading setup will keep ammunition available for a Rifleman through hard times like these, keeping his skills sharp and his loaded ammunition stockpiles current. Just as our military has suffered from the Congressional and Presidential errors of cutting munitions plants, we must learn to not starve our fighting capacity by depending on foreign or commercial sources out of our control for ammunition.
BigDaddy
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #1 on: May 25, 2007, 08:04:58 PM >>
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Quote from: azredhawk44 on May 25, 2007, 07:04:33 PM
But a decent reloading setup will keep ammunition available for a Rifleman through hard times like these, keeping his skills sharp and his loaded ammunition stockpiles current.
azredhawk44,
Another side benefit is keeping the kids interested in something other than whats on TV. I've had my Rockchucker going on 20 years. Mainly for straight wall pistol cartridges. Recently I've added the Frankford Arsenal vibratory kit from Midway USA, special, $49. I told my boys, that when the box came UPS, they could dig right in, they put it all together themselves and had 3 batches of .223 brass done, by the time I came home from work. They like to sort it by headstamp too. Make a game out of it. Post a key to the ammo manufacturer headstamps, and have them look it up on the globe. They are my case prep. team now.
I've also added a RCBS Chargemaster 1500 Powder dispenser and electronic scale combo. Man, where have I been?, best thing since smokeless powder. (Which I thought was just a fad)
I like the Auto repeat function. The next charge is ready by the time I use the press.
I told the boys that messing with powder is for Dad for right now. Now that Appleseed has me doing rifle cartridges, I'm going to add a chrono. soon.
Now they beg to go to the range to see how their rounds shoot.
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ken grant
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #2 on: May 25, 2007, 09:09:05 PM >>
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If reloading for a gas gun(M1,M1A etc.) you really need to know what you are doing.
There are things that cause you an awful lot of problems and could hurt you loading for a gas gun that work OK in other guns
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Oohrah
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #3 on: May 25, 2007, 11:25:05 PM >>
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A reason why I keep secondary bolt guns in the same
calibers. Been doing the reloading part for almost fifty
years cause it was fun. Only the last ten to twenty the
idea of perhaps this could very well be the only way to
keep my weapns running. Any of the obsolete milsurp
calibers that are cheap and in supply could end up non
existent like some of the black powder cartridges of yourn.
Started out with a Lyman 310 tool (Nutcracker) and learned
easier way of doing this task. At first a way to be able to
shoot more, with more accurate ammo at the same price.
It looks like it swings back towards accurate ammo at reasonable
prices, as loaded ammo in some cases doubled in price in the
last year. Manufactures can't keep up with demand with
those calibers being used by NATO forces, so I imagine the
obsolete calibers that may be plentiful now will dry up.
Read threads all the time with the several different powder
burning rates and recommended bullet weights to run those
gas rifles. Load for recommended qualities for that cartridge,
and you can't go wrong.
Interesting that those cheap SKSs, as the market drys up,
so goes the prices. Ammo has steadily gone up, and use the
milsurp for everyday stuff, putting aside my brass cased reloads.
Biggest problem with gas rifles is recovering the valuabe brass
empties
ken grant
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #4 on: May 26, 2007, 09:13:43 AM >>
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Picking the right powder and bullet for a gas gun is a known fact but what a lot of people who reload or thinking about reloading don't know that resizing the brass is just as important.
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raf
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #5 on: May 26, 2007, 04:03:54 PM >>
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Your .22LR trainer will greatly extend the life of your stockplied centerfire ammo. In the long run, it may be just as useful as a reloading press.
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BRD
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #6 on: May 26, 2007, 09:28:57 PM >>
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For someone who knows nothing about reloading but has a few hundred empty greek and LC brass for his M1.Where do i learn to reload?What book or rescourse should i be looking at to learn?
ken grant
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #7 on: May 26, 2007, 09:43:34 PM >>
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Almost any reloading manual will give you the basics and there are several good book on how-to. Lyman used to have a good one but I don't know if it is OK now.
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ken grant
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #8 on: May 26, 2007, 10:22:56 PM >>
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One of the most surprised guys you will ever see is one who has bought surplus 7.62x51 brass that has been fired in a machinegun to use in his M14/M1A.
He runs the fired brass into a .308 die that is set to full length resize or even a .308 Small Base die. On the first firing the head separates or the case splits and he doesn't know why.
Another surprise is when it fires out of battery and destroys the rifle because of a high primer(crimp not removed properly) or a too soft primer that the floating firing pin sets off or he drops a round in the chamber and then drops the bolt.
All of the above problems can be cured with proper care and following the right ways to load for a gas gun and an M14/M1A is one of the worse about taking a bite out of the hand that feeds it.
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raf
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #9 on: May 27, 2007, 12:45:23 PM >>
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If you are contemplating reloading for a gas gun, you should definitely consider using CCI Mil-Spec primers. They are identical to the primers specified by the US military and are both more resistant to slam-fires (due to their construction) and more reliable in ignition in very cold temperatures.
These primers are NOT a substitute for proper primer pocket prep and correct primer seating, but they will help keep you out of very bad trouble if you do your part. The Gov specs these primers, and I reckon they know what they are doing.
At this point someone will no doubt chime in and say they have been reloading for gas guns for years without using these primers, and to no ill effect. My response is that they have been lucky to some extent, and there is an end to good luck at some point. The consequences of a slam fire (or worse, an out-of-battery ignition) are far too consequential to quibble over a fraction of a cent per primer. With the exception of dedicated, clearly labeled Match rounds, I use CCI MIL-Spec primers in anything that might conceivably be used in a gas gun.
The very slight extra cost of the primers is mostly offset by their more intense ignition flame (similar to that of a magnum rifle primer), so you will have to throttle back a few tenths of a grain on powder compared to using standard large (or small) rifle primers.
All of my once-fired cases are sized and then trimmed to min. length.
I swage all the primer pockets, clean them, and then run a primer pocket uniformer into them. Next step is to lightly chamfer both sides of the ignition hole in the primer pocket. The neck of the cartridge is then chamfered both sides, and the case tumbled. After that, each case is inserted into a case gauge to ensure it meets size parameters, and then it is off to seat the primers by hand, inspecting each one afterwards to ensure proper depth of seating.
This might sound like overkill, and perhaps in some steps it is. Nevertheless, the finished product is in most respects equal to, or better than, commercially available match cases. Also consider that some steps need be done only once.
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ken grant
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #10 on: May 27, 2007, 01:34:28 PM >>
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#1 to what raf has posted but I take it one step farther.
I measure the case after it is fired and when resizing, I set the die to size the case a couple of thousands smaller(headspace that is)
If you fit the case to the rifle, you will get much longer case life.
If you are just on the range plinking, turn your gas valve off, again you will get longer case life .
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Oohrah
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #11 on: May 27, 2007, 03:18:07 PM >>
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Ken and Grant, what has been your experiences with once
fired Grade I brass. Ordered some some time ago from Blue
Press and had no problems. These come sized, cleaned, and
PP swaged. FL size all that might be used in other rifles to
slightly less than min. fit in all firearms in that caliber Works
for me! Max sized chambers and rimmed cases need a special
think when short case life is deemed a problem. Working
brass to extremes or the above conditions can turn into a
bad hair day!
raf
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #12 on: May 27, 2007, 06:54:26 PM >>
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Quote from: Oohrah on May 27, 2007, 03:18:07 PM
Ken and Grant, what has been your experiences with once
fired Grade I brass. Ordered some some time ago from Blue
Press and had no problems. These come sized, cleaned, and
PP swaged. FL size all that might be used in other rifles to
slightly less than min. fit in all firearms in that caliber Works
for me! Max sized chambers and rimmed cases need a special
think when short case life is deemed a problem. Working
brass to extremes or the above conditions can turn into a
bad hair day!
I have never bought the stuff, so I can't say. Most of this sort of item has the primer pocket chamfered instead of swaged, a process that removes an indeterminate amount of brass from a critical area. Better, I think, to leave the brass in place and swage it back (thus work-hardening it) and leaving it where it belongs.
I might also add that I would just as soon go through the whole process myself as opposed to trusting to someone else's quality control.
YMMV.
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ken grant
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #13 on: May 27, 2007, 07:03:37 PM >>
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raf---#1 again
I had some of the prepted brass but don't where it came from. I had 1 seperation and 2 splits with it. I did go ahead and shoot the rest of it and then resized it to fit my rifle.
Getting old and forgot the fact that after the first case problems, I turned the gas off and shot the rest like a bolt gun.
Also, there is a way to use the slower powders and heavier bullets you may have on hand.
There is an adjustable gas plug on the market for M14 types so you can tune your rifle to your loads just like a FAL
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Nickle
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #14 on: May 28, 2007, 01:38:54 PM >>
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Folks, reloading is pretty easy, but you have to pay attention to detail.
Loading for an M1A/M14 or M1 is not hard, and finding a load is nothing, because the info is out there.
I'm an experienced reloader, been doing it since the 60's, and grew up in a Gun Shop/small Ammunition Manufacturer. I worked in the shop, and did a LOT of the case work, everything but dropping the powder and seating the bullet.
I'll make everybody here an offer. If you need help, or a question answered, ask. I can back up what I tell you with documented info, and I just happen to have access to what the US military loads their ammo with, for the most part. So, you can duplicate USGI M80 Ball, M852 Match or M118LR ammo in 7.62 NATO, or M193 Ball or M855 Ball in 5.56 NATO.
You can ask in a thread, or PM me, or e-mail me. Your choice.
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Buckshot
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #15 on: June 1, 2007, 01:40:04 AM >>
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Nickle's offer is GREAT, but don't drive him nuts!
One of the bullet company manuals, I think Sierra, though I did not go out and check, has info on loading ammo for the US gas guns.
The NRA also has this information and will send it to you on request (send a letter to the "Dope Bag" following the instructions at the top of the heading - they don't use "Dope Bag" return addressed envelopes any longer!) and they will send copies out to you on Ball, M2; Match, M72; Ball, M80; Match M 118; Ball, M193; Ball, M855 and what they have worked out there for Match equivalent in the AR15/M16.
Gather and read this stuff, then ask Nickle INFORMED questions.
Buckshot
Oohrah
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #16 on: June 1, 2007, 11:36:43 AM >>
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Thanks Buckshot, definately will do this as I know of many
changes through out the years with each being an improve-
ment claim?
Nickle
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #17 on: June 1, 2007, 12:54:59 PM >>
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I can say I have no clue what the Mk 262 5.56 NATO ammo is loaded with. I know they use a Sierra bullet, either 69 or 77 gr. Powder for that load? Check your manual, and find a load that works in your rifle.
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Bravo
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #18 on: June 1, 2007, 02:04:37 PM >>
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Mk262 comes in two flavors: MOD 0 and MOD 1.
Both use 77 grain bullets: the mod0 uses Sierra Match Kings, the Mod1 uses the Nossler 77 grainer.
FWIW, I've heard that the Mod1 is supposedly a better stopper. You better have a fast twist on your stick to run these though.... the old A2 twist of 1:9 doesn't stabilize these too well.
I don't know what powder they use, or how much of it. They are Black Hills production though (commercial instead of military), so maybe googling about on the net for Mk262 and Black Hills might do you some good.
FWIW, I have to question WHY someone would want that round. It's an end-run on the Hague convention agreements for our military. Unless you're going to be confined to that agreement, there are rounds out there that perform better, and are less expensive to boot.
Nickle
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #19 on: June 1, 2007, 02:15:33 PM >>
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Why? Match Ammo. It is nothing more than common made match grade ammo adopted for use by the military after the fact and used overseas due to better stopping power. The normal troops still get M855 and the newer AP, but the Spec Op folks get Mk 262.
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Buckshot
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #20 on: June 1, 2007, 11:10:01 PM >>
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Quote from: Bravo on June 1, 2007, 02:04:37 PM
Mk262 comes in two flavors: MOD 0 and MOD 1.
Both use 77 grain bullets: the mod0 uses Sierra Match Kings, the Mod1 uses the Nossler 77 grainer.
FWIW, I've heard that the Mod1 is supposedly a better stopper. You better have a fast twist on your stick to run these though.... the old A2 twist of 1:9 doesn't stabilize these too well.
I don't know what powder they use, or how much of it. They are Black Hills production though (commercial instead of military), so maybe googling about on the net for Mk262 and Black Hills might do you some good.
FWIW, I have to question WHY someone would want that round. It's an end-run on the Hague convention agreements for our military. Unless you're going to be confined to that agreement, there are rounds out there that perform better, and are less expensive to boot.
Bravo,
Spec A2 twist is 1:7 for the Tracer (M856?) that goes with the M855 ball.
Anything else was something that slipped in from the experimental series or something build up by some armorer outfit somewhere for some reason.
Buckshot
Bravo
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #21 on: June 2, 2007, 12:37:31 AM >>
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Nickle, what I meant was simply that for anyone that isn't bound by the Hague convention, there are better rounds out there than the Mk262.
For purely competition use (the 600 yard line) why use something designed to be fed through the mag? We seat long and single-load, so the Mk262 is kind of superfulous - a lower velocity counterpart that's just not needed.
For a combat round (again, unless we're talking military) there are other bullets that are MUCH more effective.
I can see this as a good round for someone in the sandbox, but other than them, I see no reason to want to duplicate it (and those guys aren't running handloads LOL!).
Buckshot, that's probably the case. I only had the A2 for about a year, and that was when they first came out (I've slept past then LOL!) or at least when they made it to the rank and file, so I'm probably 'mis-remembering'. Could have sworn that they were 1:9 though.....
Nickle
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #22 on: June 3, 2007, 10:23:04 PM >>
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Quote from: Bravo on June 2, 2007, 12:37:31 AM
Nickle, what I meant was simply that for anyone that isn't bound by the Hague convention, there are better rounds out there than the Mk262.
For purely competition use (the 600 yard line) why use something designed to be fed through the mag? We seat long and single-load, so the Mk262 is kind of superfulous - a lower velocity counterpart that's just not needed.
For a combat round (again, unless we're talking military) there are other bullets that are MUCH more effective.
I can see this as a good round for someone in the sandbox, but other than them, I see no reason to want to duplicate it (and those guys aren't running handloads LOL!).
Buckshot, that's probably the case. I only had the A2 for about a year, and that was when they first came out (I've slept past then LOL!) or at least when they made it to the rank and file, so I'm probably 'mis-remembering'. Could have sworn that they were 1:9 though.....
Myself, I duplicate M855 Ball and call it good enough. It works to 400 Meters, as does M193 when used in the older barrels (slow twist). I've personally used M855 to 300 Meters and M193 to 400, and had NO problem hitting torso sized targets.
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Oohrah
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #23 on: June 6, 2007, 09:52:10 PM >>
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Real people need to use expanding designed bullets. Any
caliber if they work or not, it does give an edge on can't or
incapable of fighting back. Good guys need to use those
things that work in most cases. Happiness is big holes in
vital places
M1A4ME
Re: Is the Rifleman a Reloader?
<< Reply #24 on: June 6, 2007, 10:23:47 PM >>
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oohrah, did you ever read what Elmer Keith said about using his big double rifle on brown bears? He wanted a big heavy bullet that held together and went all the way through because he wanted them to bleed out of two holes at the same time. I've not done any experimenting with the .223 and expanding bullets on larger targets. The ones I used on groundhogs worked fine on groundhogs but FMJs probably would have worked just as well. I'm not sure what soft nose or hp bullets would be best for larger targets. But then I like an older, larger caliber as my first choice anyway.
Old post, but like to reply anyway. This day and age, if you are not a reloader, you better know one or get to be one soon! If the ammo situation continues at the same pace, buying enough to keep the gobblins away might break the bank. Soooo, components on hand, and the knowledge to use them is paramount. To answer the question "Is a rifleman a reloader?". Better be! A rifleman knows how to use his rifle, knows how to care for his rifle, and thusly, must know how to maintain the most important element of his rifle, AMMO. Alittle off topic but pertainent to the Rifleman's question. There is a lot more to a rifleman than punching little holes in paper at 25 meters and scoring your 210. This is only the beginning. No rifle course will truley make you a rifleman in 2 days unless you were already one to begin with. Military training varies from 2.5 weeks-3 weeks and still fails to make ALL into riflemen. This should not deterr anyone from APPLESEED for it is your only existing hope at starting the journey to being a rifleman. Another issue is mind-set. Without the proper mind set, all the shooting abilities in the world will be worthless if you fail to squeeze the trigger for what ever reason. People who hunt have a slight edge on those not exposed to the hunting and taking of game. But in the battle you either do or you die! We must remember that guns, in the wrong hands, are only the tools of the culprit. Rightly so, the good accomplished of the use of guns to defend and secure our freedoms is nothing less than our heritage. The question of what our future holds as far as gun ownership, I can not answer exactly, but it will be answered with gunfire. Only from which perspective of the issue you stand will determine who's guns are good and who's guns are bad.
These days he is either a reloader, rich or shooting a lot of .22 LR
Being a handloader does not necessarily give a guy control over his munitions supply. Remember, without some type of LOC's, your components will eventually run out.....
By the way, I handload and like the perks it offers. But, it isn't a cure all. Either you stack your components deep, your loaded ammo deep or you will run out.
As far as the matchhead (potassium chlorate) in the reloaded primer trick, I have tried it and it will pop. But, will a handloader know the pressures associated with that and the 'home-made powder' to safely load up any type of ammo? I don't think I would try it.
I've been rollin' my own since back in 71...it works for me. O0
Ok for those of you who are looking for what the .mil uses in their loads look here.
http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/pdfs/tm43-0001-27.pdf
(http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/pdfs/tm43-0001-27.pdf)
The user name is: manuals
password : chipin
Lots of good info on this page..
Buzz.
Buzz,
Great site. Is there a "home page" that goes with that? Or does anyone know where I can get Mil manuals on line???
Thanks,
EEL
Quote from: EEL on January 27, 2009, 02:18:41 PM
Buzz,
Great site. Is there a "home page" that goes with that? Or does anyone know where I can get Mil manuals on line???
Thanks,
EEL
Why yes there is.
If you want to view the whole site list just go to
http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/ (http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/)
LOTS of good reading there to be had.
Buzz
Outstanding !!! Thanks Buzz
Yes, Buzz, great find. I think my jaw hit the table when I saw a listing for .32 acp!
But to answer the OP's question, yes, the Rifleman is a reloader. Or perhaps its better to say that the Rifleman should know how to reload, and be able to supply himself with ammo if necessary. Not the same thing at all.
To put it another way, the Rifleman should know a little bit about everything to do with his tools, the rifle being one of them. I'm not a gunsmith, but I've learned to install sights and change the stock, and do basic maintenance on it. Similarly, the Rifleman should know a little ammosmithing.
Someone mentioned getting the Lee dies, and that's an excellent idea. Lee also makes a little portable Hand Press, which I have and recommend. But if you want to go even more basic, Lee used to make a kit called the "Lee Loader". This contained the means to load one caliber. Slowly. But with great accuracy. You might turn out 10-15 rounds an hour when you start out, but that's a magazine or several stripper clips, right? You can usually find these on the auction sites for $15-$25, depending on the caliber. There are kits for handgun and shotgun too.
The Rifleman should also know how to read a map, use a compass, drive a stick shift, jump start a car, change the oil and plugs, and to write their Legislative representatives.*
*Unless their names are Feinstein and Boxer--then it's a waste the paper.
*Unless their names are Feinstein and Boxer--then it's a waste the paper.
Geee, AB,
that's half the fun of it here in Cali...... %) ++)
Don't you love getting back those form letters saying they have to "agree to disagree with you"? !@#) **) :~
I write them often....and a lot.....
Somewhere in Sac, there are staffers that hate to read what I have to say (it makes sense, and is in "plain, simple English").....and I do not return address my envelopes either......they will not be able to "pre-flush" my constituent demands......
But yeah....reloading heavily since '68.......could not have afforded doing any of this without that......
but I do get a tad OCD about it..... O0 ++) :))
LLP
Hello Group; For me, yes I am a Reloader and Caster, I only buy components and raw materials for my center fire stuff. Primers by the 5000 and powder by the keg, surplus when I can get it cheap, 231 and H380 when I can`t The rimfire well thats elly match trainer for the pistols and federal champion for the LTRs and Winchester premium for the 22mag. I have used many reloaders over the years, started with a Lee delux shotgun set from gander mountain loading paper hulls in 12GA. at 14 I always had more ammo than the other kids they did not RELOAD. I think we all should be able to produce ammo for the rifles and pistols that we own. This not only will make you a better shot but YOU WILL SHOOT MORE. If you are not a detail person and do not like or follow directions well, !@#) #) <:) PLEASE DO NOT RELOAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well its time to make the bullets, :~ ;) O0 AS always Pappy
Quotethat's half the fun of it here in Cali......
Then please, if you have any decency, don't tell me what
the other half is!!
Dude....that's the easy part..................
APPLESEEDING!!!
That, and sushi. ;D
Heh!! Gotcha, huh?? :D **) **)
This is/was a great post!
Is the Appleseeder a reloader?
I like to think yes.
I'm reading Paul Revere's Ride (for the first time-and loving it) in preparation for the Texas IBC that's coming up in a few weeks. From that I can interpret that...
...Of course, the original patriots and Minutemen were reloaders. Because they were reloaders they were able to shove powder, patch and ball down their barrels in order to fire one shot after another at the Regulars. Or, put food on the table.
That said, the Appleseeders of today have a WHOLE LOT more to deal with (socially and personally) than our Appleseeders of yesteryear. Do we have time for reloading? Some do, most don't. Do we want to deal with acquiring all the equipment we need in order to roll our own? Again, most probably do not. Only individual shooters can determine that. But, in the end, with today's shooters, I'd estimate that only one in five is a handloader/reloader. Could be less than that.
I had the luxury of growing up in a house where reloading was not only a choice, but a way of life. Truth be told, I don't think I have ever harvested a head of big game with factory ammo. I have taken many deer, elk, antelope, caribou and bear with handloaded/reloaded ammo.
I shoot KDs with nothing but reloads. As an aside, I also compete in a lot of metallic silhouette pistol shooting and the only centerfire ammo I shoot has been with handloads/reloads. My calibers? 7mm TCU, 30 BR, 7mm BR and .250 Savage. Try finding that on the gun shop shelf. With those calibers I have bumped many a chicken, pig, turkey and ram off the stands and onto the ground.
I love being a reloader and having the option to make one case from another. Want an example? Ok. Let's talk .338 Winchester Magnum.
I was in Anchorage, Alaska just last Wednesday (before flying home to Texas) and I went to several gunshops, Cabelas, and Sportsmans Warehouse. Think I can find even one box of .338 Win Mag ammo? Nope. The .338 Win Mag is arguably the very best of all Alaskan Calibers. None to be had.
But, if you can find, or order online, some .300 Win Mag or .375 H&H Mag brass you are getting somewhere.
As a reloader I can take that .300 /.375 brass, run it through a .338 Win Mag resizing die and with a few seconds on the trimmer, I have .338 Win Mag brass. Done.
Reloading, It's what I do.
Does today's Rifleman have to be a reloader? No. At least not right now. We can have that conversation this time next year, after a certain event on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2024.
At this time reloading is not a screaming necessity, but it sure opens a lot of doors if you are.
Something to think about going into 2024.
In Liberty,
Gus