If you're a regular at the shooting range, reloading empty cartridges is a good way to save money and keep your gun loaded. Whether you're picking up scrap brass and empty shotgun shells at the shooting range or just stockpiling your empty space, investing in supplies and tools for necessities is a smart idea for all sportsmen. See Step 1 for more information.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Refilling the Brass Sleeve
Step 1. Clean the sleeve
Inspect the brass sleeve for defects and remove any that have cracks or excessive indentations or protrusions. Also discard any sleeves that have a defective primer. This indicates excessive pressure when firing.
- Wipe the inside of the sleeve with a soft cloth to remove powdery residue and dirt. Reach into the sleeve with the long-necked sleeve brush.
- Lubricate the sleeve to keep it from getting caught in the gauge. Spread a thin layer of sleeve grease on the grease bearing and roll several sleeves over the bearing at a time. Apply lubricant back to the bearings if needed.
Step 2. Assemble your materials for backfill
In addition to the pressing machine and plenty of free time, you'll need:
- Cleaned and lubricated sleeve
- Primary
- Bullets that match the size of the bullet skeleton you have collected
- A powder that matches the size of the bullet skeleton you have collected
Step 3. Remove the used primer
Insert each sleeve into the filler. The handle should be pointed up. Lower the handle to resize the sleeve and push the fired primer out. Raise the handle back up, remove the sleeve and place it in the refill tray. Repeat this step for all sleeves.
Some presses have a swivel tray that allows you to load several sleeves at once. You will still go through the process of removing any used sleeves before you refill them. It will be tedious, but worth it in the end
Step 4. Insert the new primer into the sleeve
Raise the handle to its highest position and place the new primer into the cup of the primer arm. Insert the sleeve into the shell holder. Push the primer sleeve into the ram gap and lower the sleeve towards the primer.
Remove the sleeve and check the primer. The primer should be parallel to or slightly below the base of the sleeve
Step 5. Refill the sleeve with proper powder
Each type of shell size requires a different variety and weight of powder. It is recommended that you purchase a suitable charging guide such as ' Alliant Powder Reloader's Guide' which includes the caliber according to the Asp charging plan. Follow his recommendations regarding powder and weight.
- Measure the exact amount of powder weight. You can measure the weight of each filling individually or use a volumetric powder meter or calibrated bucket.
- Add the powder using a funnel. Discard or return unused powder to the manufacturer's container. If powder remains on measuring devices or other equipment, the powder may damage it. Keep the filling area clean and free of powder.
Step 6. Sit the bullet
The resident device pushes the bullet to the proper depth in the neck of the sleeve and crimps the shell of the bullet. Place one of your sleeves in the shell holder, lower the pressure handle to contract the sleeve, finishing with a lock ring. Consult the owner's manual for further instructions on shrinkage.
Hold the bullet over the open sleeve with one hand as you lower the pressure grip with the other. If the bullet needs to be inserted deeper into the sleeve, adjust the mount
Step 7. Clean and apply a thin layer of gun oil to the mold and ram after you have loaded the ammo
You can also lubricate the moving parts of the cartridge with gun oil.
Step 8. Put the ammo into the bullet box
Store loaded ammo in locked crates separate from your weapons. Store the crate in a cool, dry place.
Method 2 of 2: Replenishing Shotgun Bullets
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
Each shotgun shell consists of five basic components, slightly less complex than the materials available for filling brass. To refill empty bullets, you will need:
- Empty tube, checked for damage
- Plastic cotton material with the right size
- Bullets of the desired “bullet number”
- Primary
- Gunpowder (shotshell)
Step 2. Check your empty cartridges for reusable canisters
The only reusable component of the shotgun shell is the plastic shell itself, the shell that is ejected from the shotgun after firing the bullet. To find reusable canisters, look for signs of damage around the mouth of the bullet. The tube should be round and uniform in general and the plastic sleeve intact for filling.
- Hold the canisters that have the potential to be filled up to the light and inspect the mouthparts of each tube for shards and major damage when contracted. If it's torn too big, you won't be able to use it to shrivel it up properly, resulting in a misshapen bullet.
- In general, it's a good idea to dispose of bullets that have been stepped on or jammed with mud in various ways. A shell shell that you can easily eject directly from a forcibly exposed shotgun is the safest bet. Put the shells straight into the box or bag for storage, if you want to reload.
Step 3. Open your bullet
When you fit an empty bullet into the gap in your refill, the first step is pretty simple. Pull the lever, and the cap release pin will move the used cap from the empty shell, also resizing the sleeve to the appropriate specification. If the shell of the bullet warps in transport, this step must be repeated several times.
Step 4. Consult the reload guide for load size
The safest way to ensure that you are reloading your cartridges to the right specifications is to consult a reliable reload guide such as the Alliant Guide. The manual includes a summary of powder weights, bullet types, and primers used on all makes and variations of shell shells. If you plan to recharge regularly, it is important to invest in one of these guides.
Step 5. Rotate the shell plate to fill the cartridge with primer and powder
Each charger will work differently, so you may want to check the owner's manual of your charger for proper guidance.
- Most refill guides recommend Red Dot shot gun powder for use in refills, in varying amounts. Bullets 12 ga. usually filled with a powder of between 16 and 25 grains.
- Most refills have a swivel plate that can hold each of your "ingredients", getting you to work pretty quickly. To speed up switching between steps, you can simply turn the plate and pull the handle again. You can perform this simple action as quickly as you can.
Step 6. Sit the cotton and bullet material
Turn the plate back and use the lever to insert the cotton swab and the correct number of bullets measured for your bullet variation.
You have several choices in this regard when it comes to what bullets you want to fill your shell with, depending on your aim. The 12-diameter cartridge shell typically uses a 7.5, 8, or 9 bullet size, sold in large 25-pound bags. The smaller the number you have, the bigger the coiled lead will be. If you're shooting for sport, an 8 or 9 is usually better, but you may want a size 7.5 if you're hunting or reloading for other purposes
Step 7. Curl the bullet skeleton
Rotate the filler one more time to curl the shell closed, making it a complete shell. Place it in the shotgun tray, widely available at sporting goods or other stores, or simply put the bullet back in the old box from which the bullet came.
If you've changed the shell in any way--using a different bullet size or making other modifications approved by the guide--make a note of those changes so you know what you're firing
Tips
- When trying to reload ammo for the first time, complete about 10 rounds and test what if they are fired. Shoot one and check the sleeve. Stop firing if you feel that the throwback is excessive, it is difficult to remove the used casing, the sleeve is splitting, or the primer is flattening or receding.
- Consider taking a reloading course. Check the National Rifle Association (NRA) website for courses in your area.
- When lubricating cartridge casings or fillers, do not allow the lubricant to come into contact with the primer or powder. Oil will cause these components to degrade.
- If the mounting tool causes the brass sleeve to become too curly, the sleeve will most likely split open when fired and will not be usable for refilling.
