Q&A for How to Reload Ammo

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What else should I know before loading an empty ammo?

Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon
Firearms Instructor
Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon is a Firearms Instructor based in Southern New Jersey. He is the Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Ironsights Academy, a firearms education & training organization that he launched to continue his love of teaching and learning. Dr. Harmon is a higher education educator with over 20 years of experience who blended his passion for teaching with shooting sports as he launched Ironsights Academy: Firearms Education & Training. Dr. Harmon is an NRA Certified Instructor in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection Inside & Outside the Home, Concealed Carry Weapons, Defensive Pistol, and a certified Chief Range Safety Officer. Dr. Harmon is also certified by the American College of Surgeons to teach Stop the Bleed courses.

Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon

Firearms Instructor

Expert Answer

Reloading empty ammo shells is a precise and scientific process. Beginners, especially, are encouraged to take a class on it with a curriculum for reloading empty ammo cartridges because not every ammo is the same. The general steps involve de-priming and cleaning the brass, resizing the case neck, inserting a new primer, pouring the correct powder charge, selecting the suitable bullet, seating the bullet to the correct depth, and finally, crimping. Each of these steps is a scientific exercise requiring careful measurement, calibration, and testing of each component throughout the process while ensuring proper safety when handling these components.

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Question

How can I remove a live primer from the casing?

Community Answer

You can, but in all cases shouldn't, as it is very perilous to do so, and imposes a great risk to you and your envirnoment.

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Can I crimp the brass casing if the opening is too big for the bullet?

Community Answer

No. You must use the correct shell casing for the bullet and caliber. Doing otherwise puts yourself in danger of injury.

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Can I use black powder as an emergency load?

Community Answer

Yes, but it could cause damage to the weapon if you load too much in, and the fowling caused by it would be difficult to clean out.

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What is the difference in 308 and 30.06 when it comes to ammo?

Community Answer

While the bullets themselves are the same diameter, they are two distinctly different cartridges and are not interchangeable.

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How do you determine the correct wad as different brand hulls have different internal depth measurements?

Community Answer

Get a hold of the Lyman Shotshell Handbook 5Th Edition. It's a complete guide for reloading with 1:1 Hull identification image.

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