Category: Blog

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Watch Out for These Reloading Mistakes!

Reloading Mistakes
Reloading is a satisfying, exciting, and money-saving hobby. It gives you greater control over the accuracy and consistency of your ammunition while at the same time limiting the amount of money you spend for a day at the range. And when executed according to established safety guidelines and workflows, working with reloading supplies is exceptionally safe. There’s never been a better time to get into reloading.
Keep your hobby safe and reliable by avoiding some of these common beginner mistakes:

Cracked Brass

Thoroughly inspect all of your brass before each reloading session. Micro-cracks may not be readily apparent and can cause problems when the round is fired, such as damaging your firearm, creating a jam, or ejecting brass fragments.

Excessive Powder

Consult the manufacturer’s guide or established reloading guides regarding powder loads for your rounds. Double-charging or over-charging your rounds can cause unpredictable shooting results and might be dangerous.

Incorrect Powder

There are different types of powder, and they’re not interchangeable. Loading rifle cases with shotgun powder, for example, can cause an overcharge situation that could lead to complete destruction of the rifle. Keep your powder types separate and well-organized.

Untrimmed Cases

Trimming cases isn’t the most fun part of reloading, but it’s a necessary evil. Cases that haven’t been adequately trimmed can get jammed in your firearm or at the very lease can cause a drop in accuracy.

Over-crimping

Crimps are sometimes necessary to hold a bullet in place. But an over-crimped round might fail to chamber as a result of its odd shape. When it comes to crimping, a little goes a long way.

Titan Reloading is dedicated to providing only the best reloading supplies and to helping hobbyists learn more about reloading. For further information or inquiries please contact us at 262-244-7023 or visit www.titanreloading.com.

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Reloading Seeing a Huge Boom

Reloading Supplies
There’s never been a better time to get into the reloading hobby. What used to be a relatively niche hobby among a small group of firearms enthusiasts is quickly gaining steam among mainstream gun owners; more people than ever are investing in reloading supplies, learning the tools of the trade, and taking their reloaded ammunition down to the range. Reloading is currently in the midst of a huge national boom, and we’re happy to be a part of it.

There are multiple reasons for an increase in reloading sales. Ammunition shortages in some states (along with increased costs) are leading many gun owners to investigate reloading for the first time. Interviewed gun owners have cited lower costs, better reliability, and fun as reasons they got into the hobby. Across the United States, gun owners are investing in reloading supplies and setting up small workshops to ensure they are immune from expensive ammunition or ammo shortfalls.

Of course, every boom has a downside. Reloading supplies are harder to find in some locations thanks to the increased demand. That’s one reason that Titan Reloading works hard to keep a full selection of the best and most high-quality reloading supplies in the market in stock. We want our customers to feel comfortable knowing that no matter what type of reloading supplies they need, we’ve got them ready and waiting.

For further information or inquiries about reloading supplies or the reloading hobby, contact us today at 262-244-7023 or visit www.TitanReloading.com. There is no substitute for the self-sufficiency granted by knowing how to create your own ammo.

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What is the Advantage to Reloading?

Titan Reloading

New reloaders are often brought to the hobby by a family member or friend who mentions that reloading is the best way to go when it comes to saving money on ammunition. However, there are many more advantages to investing in reloading supplies beyond the cost savings. While it’s true that reloading represents a lower cost than buying factory ammunition, it’s possible you may find yourself attracted to some of the other main benefits.

Consistency

Factory ammunition is relatively consistent, but not to the degree that professional shooters require. This is why many competition shooters choose to reload their own ammunition. When you reload yourself, you’re fully in charge of every round. This gives you the ability to ensure greater consistency across the board and yields reliable ammunition that performs exactly as you expect.

Accuracy

With greater consistency in your rounds comes greater accuracy. The more consistent your ammunition, the tighter your spread. Working with different load recommendations to find the set up that yields the most accurate ammunition is one of the great joys of the reloading hobby. With the right reloading supplies, you can create ammunition that far outperforms factory ammunition in on-target testing. Reloading is the only way to directly ensure the accuracy of your ammunition.

Sustainability

If there’s ever an issue with the ammunition supply chain, you won’t be left out in the cold. Owning reloading supplies and knowing how to use them ensures you always have access to reliable ammunition regardless of external circumstances such as an ammo shortage or new legislation. Reloading is the only way to be truly self-sufficient as a shooter and as a firearms enthusiast.

Reloading can save you money, but that’s just one of many perks and benefits to this rewarding hobby. For further information or questions about our reloading supplies or kits please contact us at 262-244-7023 or visit www.TitanReloading.com.

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Get Ready for Summer Heat (and Humidity)

Reloading Supplies

Proper storage of your reloading supplies is critical in protecting their performance, ensuring they operate the way they’re supposed to operate, and preventing them from rusting or degrading. We’ve talked previously on the blog about safely storing powders and other supplies along with keeping your workstation clean, but as the seasons shift it’s important to take a moment to focus on another potential reloading danger: humidity.

About Humidity and Reloading

When reloading, you want a little bit of humidity. In a perfectly dry room, you’re encouraging the occurrence of static electric sparks; it’s best to have some humidity to prevent this from happening. However, too much humidity can be a bad thing. According to SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunitions Manufacturers Institute), high humidity paired with large swings in temperature can degrade the performance of your primers. Large temperature changes and high humidity can also degrade your cartridges.

Experienced reloaders have plenty of stories about humidity impacting their work. High humidity has been seen to cause powder clumping, changes in burn rates, and more. Some reloaders have gone so far as to claim different humidity in the loading process can impact the velocity of reloaded ammunition. If you live in an area that is prone to high humidity, it’s best to work indoors when you can and to use a dehumidifier to protect your process. You should also use proper storage containers for all of your reloading supplies to prevent the humidity from hurting them.

You don’t need a completely dry environment — 40-50% humidity is totally fine and actually matches up to recommended storage conditions for some smokeless powders. Just remember that humidity shifts will affect the performance of your ammunition, so you should make an effort to reload at a consistent humidity for consistent performance.

For further information or questions please contact us at 262-244-7023 or visit www.TitanReloading.com.

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Avoiding Lead Exposure

Reloading Supplies

Reloading is a safe hobby when proper safety protocols are observed. However, some of the reloading supplies a reloader deals with do come with hazards and must be treated with care. Lead, for example, has been shown to cause serious harm to the body if exposure is not controlled. All reloaders must be aware of the dangers of lead exposure and should work proactively to limit direct contact with this needed reloading substance.

Here are some general guidelines on avoiding lead exposure during your reloading sessions:

Keep Your Hands Clean

Always wash your hands when you’re finished reloading. You can also wear safety gloves during the reloading process for extra protection. Washing your hands after handling reloading supplies ensures you don’t carry lead around with you for the rest of the day.

No Eating or Drinking

This sounds like common sense, but you shouldn’t be eating or drinking while reloading. Not only does it contaminate your reloading space, it makes it easy to accidentally ingest lead or other harmful chemicals.

Keep Your Space Clean

Use a damp cloth to wipe down your reloading station after every session. No matter how careful you are during the reloading process, lead will slowly accumulate in your workspace. Regular cleaning helps limit exposure by removing this built-up lead before it becomes a problem.

Wear a Mask

If you use a dry tumbler for cleaning your cartridge cases, make sure to wear a mask when you pour the cleaning media out afterward. Lead from your cases accumulates in the dust and can be accidentally inhaled during this step of the process.

Avoiding lead exposure is easy if you’re careful with your reloading supplies and maintain a clean workspace. For further information about reloading supplies or best practices, contact Titan Reloading at 262-244-7023 or visit www.TitanReloading.com.

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Reloading Dangers

lee reloading supplies

At Titan Reloading, we work hard to support the growth of the reloading community and to inspire new shooters to take up the hobby. Reloading is cost-effective, enjoyable, and safe — as long as it is done according to established safety protocols. However, working with your own reloading supplies does carry inherent risks, and it’s important to understand these risks before you start down the reloading path.

Consider the following when determining whether reloading is right for you:

Injuries and Firearm Damage

Double-charging a round or using too much powder can create a dangerous situation that can result in permanent damage to your firearm or personal injury. This is one of many reasons it is recommended you only reload when you can work uninterrupted and with full focus. Old shell casings can crack, working with lead is always slightly risky, and ignoring manufacturer guidelines can create hazardous situations.

Do not start reloading if you’re not prepared to give it your full attention and follow established guidelines.

Reliability

As a rule, reloaded ammunition is more reliable and more accurate than factory ammunition. However, this is only true when the reloader understands the reloading process and uses his or her reloading supplies correctly. Failure to follow instructions could put you in a vulnerable position. You must be ready to accept responsibility for the performance of your ammunition.

Again, reloading is only for people ready to take it seriously and approach it with the proper care.

Titan Reloading offers free reloading clinics every month that cover the basics of reloading supplies and established safe practices. For further information or any questions about reloading, good habits, or how to ensure your ammunition always performs as expected, contact us at 262.244.7023 or visit www.TitanReloading.com.

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A Quick and Easy Reloading FAQ

Reloading is an exciting hobby that gives you more control over your rounds and can even save you money in the long-term. At Titan Reloading, we consider ourselves firm advocates of safe reloading in addition to being providers of high-quality reloading supplies. That’s why we offer free reloading workshops and use our blog as a channel through which to share useful reloading tips.

Today, we’ve compiled a relatively brief FAQ representing some of the most common questions we see from the reloading community.

Is Reloading Cheaper?

Yes and no. In some cases it’s more cost efficient to buy ammo, in others to reload. It depends on what you shoot and how often you shoot. Additionally, reloading takes a considerable amount of time, so it helps if you enjoy the process for what it is. Simply reloading to save money might not be the right approach.

Is Reloading Safe?

Reloading is extremely safe as long as you follow established storage protocols, treat your reloading supplies with respect and adhere to verified load data. Clean workspaces and attention to detail are critical, but most important is sticking to the guidelines that are already available. Reloading, like many hobbies, is as safe as you make it.

Is the Equipment Expensive?

Stocking a full reloading setup can be quite costly, but the expense is largely upfront. Once you have the equipment and reloading supplies you need, you can continue to use that equipment for decades as long as you take proper care of it. The only time you’ll need more equipment is when you decide to start reloading a different ammunition type.

Overall, it’s best to speak with a professional to get an exact idea of what you’ll need and how much it may cost. Titan Reloading is ready to help answer and walk you through any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us at 262.244.7023 or visit www.titanreloading.com for more information.

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Simple Tips for Accurate Ammunition

Accurate Ammunition

One of the most common reasons shooters start reloading their own ammo is to increase the accuracy of their rounds. Factory ammunition is accurate to a point, but if you’re attempting to move up to competition-level shooting or want greater control of how your rounds perform, reloading is likely your best option. Using your own reloading supplies to create your rounds is a solid strategy for creating rounds that fire accurately and, most importantly, consistently.

If you’re new to the world of reloading, here are some simple tips for making more accurate rounds:

Start with Established Loads

Search the web for information on your rifle or handgun. There’s a veritable treasure trove of information out there for reloaders that can help you cut the guesswork and narrow down the most accurate loads quickly and efficiently. Search through powder manufacturer’s data and reloading manuals to start yourself off on the right foot.

Use the Right Tools

You’ve probably noticed that there’s a never-ending list of necessary tools for perfect reloading. The right tools have a major impact on your ability to create highly accurate rounds. For example, using tools like a COL gauge and bullet comparator, you can determine the optimal bullet seating depth for your rounds. Perfect bullet seating gives you less wobble in your rounds and more accuracy overall. Equip yourself with the necessary tools for success.

Ask Questions

There’s nothing wrong with being new! You’ll find plenty of great reloading communities both on the web and locally — Titan Reloading offers a free reloading clinic every month. Meeting with other reloaders and asking questions is a great way to capitalize on the experience of others.

Titan Reloading is here to help, for more information or inquiries please visit www.titanreloading.com or contact us at 262-244-7023.

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Safety Tips for New Reloaders

Reloading tips

When executed properly, reloading is a perfectly safe hobby that yields reliable, accurate ammunition. However, there are certain dangers to working with the flamable powders and other materials involved in the reloading process. Reloading supplies are intended for use by experienced, educated reloaders who understand the safety hazards and take the practice seriously enough to mitigate them.

If you’re new to the world of reloading, consider the following safety tips as you prepare your reloading supplies:

Powder Type – Never mix smokeless powder with black powder. Never substitute one for the other. Modern ammo usually uses smokeless powder that is more powerful than older powder solutions. Know what type you’re working with and keep your powders separate.

Follow Directions – Follow all reloading recommendations exactly to avoid creating a safety hazard for yourself and other shooters. Never exceed the recommended reloading data.

Learn the Reasons – To be a good reloader, you need to understand the “why” of what you’re doing. If you don’t know why you’re performing a certain step, take time to understand it by researching the process or attending a class. Reloading supplies are engineered to be used in a very specific order.

Don’t Be Careless – Don’t smoke while you reload. Wear safety glasses. Keep your reloading supplies away from heat, sparks, and flames. Don’t eat while you’re working with lead. Common sense safety practices go a long way.

Keep it Clean – A clean, organized reloading work bench is a safe one. Keep your workspace uncluttered and place all components in labeled and sealed containers that make it easy to identify what you’re working with.
For more information or questions about reloading supplies and their safe use, please contact us at 262-244-7023or visit www.titanreloading.com.

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Deciding on the Right Reloading Press for Your Needs

Reloading Press

Before you start looking at reloading supplies and the accessories you may need, you need to choose the right reloading press. Anyone starting out with reloading rifles or pistols will need to take a few minutes to figure out which press makes the most sense. Here is a breakdown of the three main types by Lee Precision.

Single Station Press

If you don’t mind a slow-going system for reloading and want to hit between 40 and 60 rounds in an hour’s work, you could choose a Lee Precision single station press. This press does the job the old-fashioned way, providing beginners with a way to learn the system at a very affordable price. There is no sacrifice in quality when using a single station press. If you plan to work in small batches, this press will do the job.

Turret Press

A turret press has either 3 or 4 dies rotating above a single casing and offers a more efficient system for reloading. By pulling the lever once per die, you get a full round reloaded. Once you get the hang of the job, you can load 200+ rounds per hour using the Lee Turret Press.

The Value Turret Press reloads pistol calibers and also works for rifles up to 2.312” long. Anything longer can be reloaded if you disable the auto-index and rotate the turret manually. The Classic Cast Turret Press handles reloading in rifles up to 3.060” long before you need to disable the auto-index. Reloading supplies are available for each of these presses from Titan Reloading.

Progressive Press

Like the turret presses, a Lee Progressive Press has a minimum 3 dies (as many as 5 dies) depending on the type you choose and the dies are stationary above rotating cases. The difference comes when you pull the lever. Rather than pulling the lever for every die, a Progressive Press does the operation for 3-5 dies at once, giving you an entire round with every pull of the press lever. Using this system, you can reload as many as 400+ rounds per hour.

Once you decide on the right press and have your reloading supplies, you are ready to begin. For more information about any of our presses or reloading supplies please visit www.titanreloading.com or contact us at 262-244-7023.