The advantages of reloading

The ambitious reloader does not reload simply because of cutting costs. Indeed, there is ammunition available for some calibres, 9 mm Para or .308 Win for instance, where the end prices may certainly be cheaper thanks to mass production (usually military surplus). However this ammunition often involves a FMJ bullet with a tombak-plated, soft steel jacket, which is open-ended. But it is precisely this jacket material that corrodes the barrel, as well as the non-rust-proof igniter, which can still be found inside sometimes. The powder from older charges also usually has a more aggressive burn rate.

You can avoid all these problems by choosing the right components. At the same time you can refine a cartridge or its load to match your weapon perfectly- for maximum accuracy. This also includes making cartridges, which for instance have different bullet weights or speeds to factory ammunition, in order to obtain certain required impulses. Similarly you can make ammunition where bullet velocity is at subsonic levels, which permits much quieter and steadier shooting.

In most cases you can make less expensive and better ammunition with reasonable and professional reloading – and, in doing so, improve your own performance.

Reloading rifle bullets

In order to achieve maximum accuracy please observe the following when reloading rifle ammunition – as opposed to jacketed bullets: in the case of calibres with cylindrical cases you may need a new expander. This should expand the case by just the right amount so that the bullet cannot be pushed in with a finger. This prevents the bullet from becoming deformed/decreasing in diameter. Generally it is only expanded far enough to allow the bullet to be seated later.

Correct reloading - how to do it:

• make sure you use used cases, as far as possible from one batch
• recalibrate the cases using a neck calibration die
• de-burr the inside of the case mouth
• insert the primer
• fill with powder
• insert the bullet evenly
• adjust cartridge length to the weapon

Charge

The charge may need to be adjusted to fit your own weapon. To do so use charge increments of 0.5 grains.     

Reloading muzzle-loaders

The ammunition should be seated on the charge, otherwise uneven or even dangerous burning rates may result. In the case of revolvers, the cavity between the charge and the bullet level with the front of the chamber should be filled with a filler. Semolina is best used for this, keeping it on you in a separate container. Don’t forget about lubricating seated bullets here either.

Formula for an average charge for muzzle-loader pistols:
0.1 gram black powder per mm barrel diameter.

Example: barrel diameter .45 (times 25.4) equals 11.43 mm diameter,

11.43 times 0.1 equals 1.143 gram or 17.64 grains charge.

Formula for an average charge for muzzle-loader rifles:
0.25 gram black powder per mm barrel diameter

Example: barrel diameter .45 (times 25.4) equals 11.43 mm diameter,

11.43 times 0.25 equals 2.857 gram or 44.09 grain charge.

(With smooth-barrelled firearms, the formula is “barrel diameter in mm times 0.3” which results in grams of powder)

Important notes:
Never fire nitro powder from firearms that are only suitable for black powder. Dangerous overloading is also possible with black powder! Always carry the powder in individually weighed amounts in closed tubes. Filling straight from bottles of powder or similar is forbidden!
 
 

Recommended types of powder for high speed bullets

Wherever possible a more progressive powder should be selected if two powders of different speeds are available. Tests have demonstrated that with .45 ACP calibre target loads the well-known Vihtavuori N310 produced worse results than the slower N320. The reason for this lies in the initial velocity of the bullet as it starts its twist. If this velocity is too high (with fast-burning powders) the bullet is likely to become deformed when it starts rotating. This reduces accuracy. 

The need for different diameter bullets

The barrels from different firearms manufacturers and their dimensions vary considerably. So, for instance, the 9mm Para barrels from the (European) manufacturer SIG (Sauer), Beretta and CZ are wider (.357 diameter) than the barrels from American manufacturers. If in doubt, measure the barrel and choose a bullet that is 0.02 to 0.03 bigger than the measured groove diameter.

Difference in diameter for HS bullet from that given on packaging

The diameters of high-speed bullets demonstrate a greater diameter than that given on the packaging. The reason for this is simple: the “end diameter” for the bullets is obtained with the layer of copper, the plastic coating is added as a “non-bearing element” and is not included in the measurement. In addition, the bullet diameter should not be measured at the base of the bullet but at the centre of the bearing surface.

Recommendations for crimping

A) Crimping bullets for pistols 
The crimp has a decisive effect on burning rate and bullet velocity - and hence on accuracy and your shooting performance too.

Prerequisites for a good crimp:

• cartridge cases of identical length
• same make, ideally from same production batch
• clean, expanded and de-burred cases
• correct seater for type of bullet

In order to avoid damaging the bullet any crimps should be carried out as an additional (fourth) step after seating.

To open the PDF file please click the illustration.

B) Taper crimp with hard .44 charges
With hard .44 charges and the recommended taper crimp the bullets are often drawn out of the cartridges left in the cylinder. As described in our range of products, you should resort to a “Factory Crimp” die in this case. With this you can choose from friction crimp through to roll crimp depending on the setting. With “roll crimp” a uniform cannelure is pressed into the bullet and at the same time the case mouth is crimped. This is the only way to obtain consistent neck tension and thus a consistent burning rate.

H&N also offers high-speed bullets with cannelure, which can also be loaded using standard roll crimp dies. These bullets are particularly suited for 44/40, .44 Magnum and .45 Long Colt lever action rifles and revolvers.

Filler for reduced rifle loads

There are very different methods of using fillers. We did not use filler in any of our tests, which is why we are unable to recommend one here.

Powder for reduced rifle loads

Other powders can be used for reduced rifle loads, for instance those with the same burn rate properties. However, in no instance should you use bullet/ball powder like, for example Hodgdon H110 or PCL 512. With powder properties like this and under-loading, a jump may occur. The Vihtavuori N110 has proven to be the best powder for this purpose.

Lack of accuracy from revolvers

Lack of accuracy with high-speed bullets from revolvers can have various causes. One possibility is too much freebore, i.e. too much seating depth. With S&W revolvers in particular, the cylinder is very long. The result of this is that there is a lack of accuracy from, for example, .357 loads with a COL of around .40 mm in conjunction with an fast-burning propellant. The bullet velocity is already too high before the bullets can even start rotating (freebore). In this case, seat the bullets at an OAL of 41.5 mm. The applies to all weapons. Faults in the firearm can also lead to a lack of accuracy, e.g. faulty timing, misalignment between barrel and cylinder bore, too large/too small cylinder bore or a damaged muzzle. Ultimately a faulty or incorrect crimp can lead to differences in neck tension and have an adverse effect on accuracy.

Recommended bullet shapes

Interestingly it is not always the Semi Wadcutter that is the most accurate ammunition but the Round Nose or Truncated Cone. The reason is the sensitive Wadcutter rim on the SWCs: it is easily damaged and hence affects accuracy. The whole thing also depends on the firearm itself and the velocity range of the charge.

Damage to firearms

Copper-plated H&N bullets cannot damage or wear out the barrels. Our lead alloy is designed specifically for this field of application. It is only possible to damage the barrel if the lead core is very hard and unyielding. This is the case with cast bullets, for instance, and the corresponding alloy. In addition, the layer of plastic acts as an anti-friction layer and deposits in the barrel are also kept to a minimum.

Unrestricted use of HS bullets at shooting ranges

High-speed bullets are not jacketed bullets! This is why they can also be used at shooting ranges, where use of jacketed bullets is prohibited. The (galvanised) copper coating is around 0.08 mm thick – in contrast to jacketed bullets, where the jacket is over 0.2 mm thick, depending on the make. HS bullets also dissipate energy more easily on account of their good plasticity when they hit a receptacle. Fragmentation is also far less when hitting steel knock-down targets (e.g. IPSC) than with jacketed bullets. If the operator of your shooting range does not accept this explanation, print our DEVA assessment on the classification of copper-plated high-speed bullets.