You sort of HAVE to read what it is called - many of the rimfire ones are properly called "action proving dummy", not "snap cap". I ended up with a pile of them - what I got do not work for dry firing very well, but help me to check a particular SAVAGE 17 HMR that does not feed properly from five different SAVAGE brand magazines!
Yep - pretty much how I do it - I don't think, for starting, that one goes very far wrong by just reading and following the tooling makers instructions - as time goes by, one can make variations - but typically, not to start with - do things as they describe to do it. Getting something to go "bang" every time, is about what the objective is, at the start.
Perhaps that is the difference between "hand loading" and "reloading" - it can be quite the exercise to form brass into something it was not originally made as, to cast the lead bullets that actually fit the rifle bore (some times making or reaming the mold to do so), to work up a loading because of lack of data in existence, any more (at least not with "modern" powders). Not usually for a "beginner" - and you are correct - there is much to be gained by staying with a "common" cartridge.
If you have the time, space, skill set and money it can be cathartic regardless of age. Like tying flies, the bonus is quality ammo you can trust. And harvesting an animal with your reload has immense satisfaction. I also load for friends who love the gains they get and they love sending pictures of the harvest. Always explaining the shot and drop with exuberance. Those moments are just as satisfying even when I'm not there.
There is no better source of information than a reloading manual. It is even better to have a couple of different ones.
Very true, I think I have a dozen or so.There is no better source of information than a reloading manual. It is even better to have a couple of different ones.
To me, the ability to craft ammo for something that's uncommon or unavailable is one of the charms of reloading. If all I was ever going to shoot was .30-06 there would be little incentive to lay out the investment. Trying to get better ammo for a .250 Savage and 7mm Mauser was what got me started in the handloading game.
Real firm ones....
That’s for sure they look like boulders ,LOL !
Yes, I got into reloading 9mm, then .06, then 300 Savage, then, then, then.... Now I'm casting 5 calibers, and hooks for my grandson. Yes I can now push for more refined shooting, especially with my 338lm and BP .41 Swiss. Please don't let appearances deceive you, I may be an giant idiot who just has more spare time than I should have!
Obviously not, they've doubled in size from 1st vid to second......but who's complaining!
