More tools for reloading

This is the fourth of a multi-part series about reloading rifle cartridges.

Reloading rifle cartridges is similar to baking a cake. There are steps to be followed, No. 1, then No. 2 and then No. 3 and so on.

It’s time we started to put our cake together or, in this case, reload a rifle cartridge.

There are 200 rifle cases, the largest part of a cartridge, in a box in the shed. The reloader has been saving them for years, so there is no need to purchase new cases.

The brass portion of a cartridge expands when it is fired in a rifle. It needs to be resized back to the original dimension. This is accomplished by cycling each through a press, which also punches out the spent primer.

The cases are cleaned in a vibrator partially filled with ground walnut shells. This may take eight hours or overnight. The cleaned cases are inspected, one by one, to make sure each is in good shape to reload.

Next each case is trimmed to the correct length. Again, when the case expands, it ends up being a bit longer. This is accomplished by using a case trimmer, which resembles a lathe. The case is place in a case holder and the trimmer is turned by hand or by using an electric trimmer.

The next step is to chamfer and deburr the mouth of the case. This removes any burrs left on the mouth, plus it chamfers (makes a sloping edge) the inside of the case to allow the bullet to easily slide inside the case.

A new primer needs to be placed in the primer hole, at the opposite end of the case from the mouth. There are a few different tools to accomplish this, with the idea of seating the primer without having it detonate.

The powder is next. Powder is measured by weight in grains. There are a couple different ways to measure the powder. A powder charge is measured and placed in the case one at a time.

The cartridge is only lacking the bullet at this point. A die is attached to the press. Each caliber of rifle needs a different die. There is a die for the .243, the .270 and the .30-06.

A case with primer at the bottom end and powder inside is placed in the die. The bullet is held in one hand by the reloader at the mouth of the case. As the handle of the press is pushed down the bullet is seated into the case and the cartridge is complete.

Next week: Final thoughts about rifle reloading.