Best practice vs good enough for hunting

[John the Electrician]

I have pretty much all the basic equipment I need to reload. Long story short my brother and I were halves on the equipment and I bought out his half. The thing is, he was the brains behind our reloading.

My question to the group is, if I am not concerned with precision long range shooting for tiny groups what processes and procedures are adequate for moderate range hunting. To quantify that let’s say 200 yards is a medium shot distance with 400 yards being very far (for me at least.)

One question specifically is how important is it to deprime brass and have the stainless steel media clean the primer pockets? Vs running spent brass through the tumbler and then depriming, which saves a couple of steps but leaves a dirty pocket.

What do you guys do that is good enough for general hunting ammo?

 

[Rare Breed]

If you are reloading, do not skip steps. You should be like a surgeon in your carefulness otherwise don’t reload. You will always pay for skipping steps. You talk accuracy, I talk safety and consistentcey. In short no disrespect intended but if you are too lazy to do each step right you should not be reloading

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I have pretty much all the basic equipment I need to reload. Long story short my brother and I were halves on the equipment and I bought out his half. The thing is, he was the brains behind our reloading.

My question to the group is, if I am not concerned with precision long range shooting for tiny groups what processes and procedures are adequate for moderate range hunting. To quantify that let’s say 200 yards is a medium shot distance with 400 yards being very far (for me at least.)

One question specifically is how important is it to deprime brass and have the stainless steel media clean the primer pockets? Vs running spent brass through the tumbler and then depriming, which saves a couple of steps but leaves a dirty pocket.

What do you guys do that is good enough for general hunting ammo?

I will reload used brass that has only been tumbled when doing load development, although I do use a primer pocket brush to clean as best as I can. Once settled in on a load I can't say that I've ever seen the accuracy get better or worse when I used new brass. I only in the last year bought one of the tumblers that use the stainless steel pins.

On a different note, I don't hunt that much with a rifle in the USA anymore. Regardless I'd apply the same rule, I don't hunt with reloaded brass. I only hunt with rounds loaded into new brass.

While it's only happened to me once, case head separations at the range when doing load development is annoying. It's far worse than that when you need a follow up shot to bring an animal down. It's even worse if you're hunting in Africa or some place far away from home.

 

[Ridge Runner]

My purpose for reloading is accuracy using a consistent load data.

As @Rare Breed pointed out, if you don't want to reload following each step especially as a beginner you should rethink about getting into reloading.

Consistancy and confidence. Using quality components for your reloading and development of loads ballistically capable of quick humane kills on game you are hunting you should have no problems in using your ammunition for hunting.

I don't always deprime my primer spent cartridges before tumbling. But I do clean the primer pockets with a brush and /or cotton Q-tip if there is significant carbon in the pocket after I've tumbled and deprived my brass.
The reason I don't always deprime before tumbling, generally after reloading the brass the 4th and more time is that after tumbling my brass I can better inspect the brass for flaws and discard any bad brass before wasting any further time or components on them.

The purpose of reloading is to have consistent POI ammo. Which for me means less than 1" to 1 1/2" groups at weapon's zeroed range.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Ask, @sestoppelman for some advice.

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/range-days-sometimes-go-poorly-as-in-ka-boom.80256/

 

[Albert GRANT]

No matter what anyone tells you, you don't need a bunch of expensive gear to make accurate ammo. Keeping it simple will take longer but it sounds like you may benefit from that. However, what you do need is a meticulous, methodical process to both produce good ammo and keep you in one piece. If at anytime you wonder if you missed a step- stop, backtrack and start over. Making accurate ammo is easily accomplished, you just need to maintain focus and follow a complete process.

 

[Puddle]

Handloaded or factory ammo, I run each completed round through a case gauge, and on passing that check, I then feed the rounds from the rifle's magazine and eject them.

Thus, insuring there are no hiccups later when it's too late to do anything about it.

 

[skydiver386]

Brass doesn't have to be squeaky clean, but it is easier to get consistent primer seating.

As long as proper safety is your priority, you'll do fine. The BIG problem is that most new reloaders get into trouble because they won't read. Buy a good reloading manual that explains powder burn rates, signs of excessive pressure, seating depth, proper die adjustment, etc, then read the entire book. All of it.

Again, read the ENTIRE BOOK cover to cover.

There are simply to many things that a reloader needs to know to do the job safely.

If you want the easiest system that still produces great ammo at the least cost, I'd put a hold on conventional die and press, and go with the Lee Loader. Fewest steps, and more than likely will load the most accurate rounds your rifle will ever shoot. Then after you become more comfortable with reloading, you can move to the press and dies.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Ask, @sestoppelman for some advice.

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/range-days-sometimes-go-poorly-as-in-ka-boom.80256/

I'm guessing he forgot to clean the primer pockets on his brass? LOL

 

[CoElkHunter]

When I started reloading rifle ammo in the mid '70s, there wasn't any "tumblers" available to clean brass. You just wiped off the old brass and reloaded it. I did clean the primer pocket with a brush though and sized the cases. I do have a tumbler now to make the brass "pretty", but it has no bearing on accuracy or ability to reload a cartridge.

 

[albravo]

I'm a self-taught reloader. Some videos, some reading, lots of trial and error and range time to learn the difference between "safe" and "safe and accurate". It is very doable, just don't skimp on the stuff that can kill you.

Brass prep is slow, loading is fairly fast. Take your time in brass prep and you will reap benefits when it comes time to load.

Reloading is a rabbit hole that is as deep as you want it to be and some folks insist on steps that others feel unnecessary. Find what is safe and decide how much further you want to go.

 

[steve white]

Once you have carefully weighed several (at least) charges through a powder measure, you can feel confident of the other charges thrown, given your parameters. That is a time saving. Investing in a case prep multiple station machine speeds case prep up considerably. Once you have a load for a given bullet that works, you are set to load with maximum time economy. Beyond that, be careful and precise.
Personally, it drives me nuts NOT to do the very best I can do!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I didn’t clean my tumble my brass every time. But I do clean primer pockets every time. If the anvil is not tight against the bottom of the primer pocket, it can cause a misfire.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I'm a self-taught reloader. Some videos, some reading, lots of trial and error and range time to learn the difference between "safe" and "safe and accurate". It is very doable, just don't skimp on the stuff that can kill you.

Brass prep is slow, loading is fairly fast. Take your time in brass prep and you will reap benefits when it comes time to load.

Reloading is a rabbit hole that is as deep as you want it to be and some folks insist on steps that others feel unnecessary. Find what is safe and decide how much further you want to go.

And SOME folks have WAY too much time on their hands to be able to go through all of the unnecessary steps when reloading. The rabbit hole becomes a bottomless trench of wasted time for those with time to waste.

 

[AimSmall]

"Precision long range" requires more detail, but the same steps as "good enough". Plenty of good advice above, just there are no shortcuts to safe, reliable loads.

Deprime, clean, clean primer pockets is a must. Case length consistancy is important. Precision long range might require expeirmenting with multiple combinations of brass, primers, powders, bullets, COAL,, etc. to achieve small groups. Hunting ammo might require 1 bullet, 1 or 2 powders, minor variations of COAL, to achieve acceptable groups. Much less time spent on "good enough", if I understand your questions.

Depending on how much shooting you are planning on, you might find modern factory loads that exceed your needs, are a better value.

Stay safe. Best of luck.

 

[Inline6]

I have pretty much all the basic equipment I need to reload. Long story short my brother and I were halves on the equipment and I bought out his half. The thing is, he was the brains behind our reloading.

My question to the group is, if I am not concerned with precision long range shooting for tiny groups what processes and procedures are adequate for moderate range hunting. To quantify that let’s say 200 yards is a medium shot distance with 400 yards being very far (for me at least.)

One question specifically is how important is it to deprime brass and have the stainless steel media clean the primer pockets? Vs running spent brass through the tumbler and then depriming, which saves a couple of steps but leaves a dirty pocket.

What do you guys do that is good enough for general hunting ammo?

Mid range is 600 yards, one of those things.

The answer to your question on the primer pockets. You are fine, have fired new brass. Resized, trimmed, new primer, powder charge, and seat a bullet. In a 8 shot string I had an SD of 2.4fps.

Like Philip mentioned above, shooting targets and animals are different. I would not hunt DG reloads unless I'm using virgin brass. I'm not willing to take that risk.

You name it I have more than likely tried it. Have had 7-8 reloads on brass without cleaning anything. Would finish in the top 10 at matches. Magnum primers in place of Large rifle primers. From that to neck turning and using a $6000.00 scale to measure the charge weight of powder. You can get away with a lot. You risk consistency when you do.

 

[John the Electrician]

I have pretty much all the basic equipment I need to reload. Long story short my brother and I were halves on the equipment and I bought out his half. The thing is, he was the brains behind our reloading.

My question to the group is, if I am not concerned with precision long range shooting for tiny groups what processes and procedures are adequate for moderate range hunting. To quantify that let’s say 200 yards is a medium shot distance with 400 yards being very far (for me at least.)

One question specifically is how important is it to deprime brass and have the stainless steel media clean the primer pockets? Vs running spent brass through the tumbler and then depriming, which saves a couple of steps but leaves a dirty pocket.

It seems like some of the responses were from people who didn’t even read what I wrote. I invite you to reread what I first posted.

I am a beginning reloader, I feel I made that pretty clear. I asked for some insight as to what you folks do for processes and procedures related to hunting reloads. I implied I wasn’t interested in precision level groups.

I learned a lot from the responses I received and quite a bit about some of the members. All very insightful.

Never did I suggest I was flippant about safety. Never did I suggest I was skipping steps. I did use the phrase “saving steps” followed by the result being a dirty primer pocket. I had hoped to start a discussion on the importance of cleaning primer pockets and at what place in the reloading process that should happen.

For those of you who offered your thoughts on that in a helpful manner, I appreciate it.

Rare Breed, I may be a lot of things but, lazy is not one of them. I want to tell you that you are a prick for saying that, but I won’t, that would be name calling.

I will try harder to not be lazy, and you can try to not be condescending. Condescending means that you talk down to people. I’m being sarcastic, no disrespect intended.

John the electrician

 

[Albert GRANT]

It seems like some of the responses were from people who didn’t even read what I wrote. I invite you to reread what I first posted.

I am a beginning reloader, I feel I made that pretty clear. I asked for some insight as to what you folks do for processes and procedures related to hunting reloads. I implied I wasn’t interested in precision level groups.

I learned a lot from the responses I received and quite a bit about some of the members. All very insightful.

Never did I suggest I was flippant about safety. Never did I suggest I was skipping steps. I did use the phrase “saving steps” followed by the result being a dirty primer pocket. I had hoped to start a discussion on the importance of cleaning primer pockets and at what place in the reloading process that should happen.

For those of you who offered your thoughts on that in a helpful manner, I appreciate it.

Rare Breed, I may be a lot of things but, lazy is not one of them. I want to tell you that you are a prick for saying that, but I won’t, that would be name calling.

I will try harder to not be lazy, and you can try to not be condescending. Condescending means that you talk down to people. I’m being sarcastic, no disrespect intended.

John the electrician

John,
In case any of this is due to my post, let me clarify. Due to the simple fact that you are a new reloader I stressed the importance of being safe and following a process. Due to you stating your brother was the brains of the operation, I suggested keeping it simple- FYI, I keep it simple and hand weight each charge with basic equipment and produce ammo much better than factory, I feel it is the best way to do it. Finally I again stressed the importance of following a process to maintain safety- that is the ultimate goal here. It's not actually about making good ammo, it's about going back home in the same condition you went to the range. Maybe none of your response had anything to do with my post but in case it was I wanted to clarify so you know on my end at least, although I'd like to see you be successful and enjoy it, I'd rather know you are safe. Good luck and hope for the best with your endeavors!

 

[skydiver386]

It seems like some of the responses were from people who didn’t even read what I wrote. I invite you to reread what I first posted.

I am a beginning reloader, I feel I made that pretty clear. I asked for some insight as to what you folks do for processes and procedures related to hunting reloads. I implied I wasn’t interested in precision level groups.

I learned a lot from the responses I received and quite a bit about some of the members. All very insightful.

Never did I suggest I was flippant about safety. Never did I suggest I was skipping steps. I did use the phrase “saving steps” followed by the result being a dirty primer pocket. I had hoped to start a discussion on the importance of cleaning primer pockets and at what place in the reloading process that should happen.

For those of you who offered your thoughts on that in a helpful manner, I appreciate it.

Rare Breed, I may be a lot of things but, lazy is not one of them. I want to tell you that you are a prick for saying that, but I won’t, that would be name calling.

I will try harder to not be lazy, and you can try to not be condescending. Condescending means that you talk down to people. I’m being sarcastic, no disrespect intended.

John the electrician

I think I get your question now.

The majority of the time is spent in load development. If you have a bullet selected for the game you plan to hunt, just go to your load manual, use the appropriate powder and primer, start with the listed starting load, then you can work your way up in powder .5 grains at a time until you get best accuracy, or you start running into sign's of excessive pressure.

If you are happy with the accuracy this load gives, and are sure it's safe(no pressure sign's), then load up all your brass and the job is done.

A few of us will load different powders, different bullets, move seating depth back and forth, adjust the dies for neck tension, adjust the crimp, adjust the trim length, etc., all in a quest for just a little bit better accuracy. These are the steps, along with the constant testing, that you can probably do without.

 

[Rubberhead]

I'll go ahead and say something I try to not say but, here goes...

If you aren't within an animal's "circle of concern", you're not hunting. For a lot of quadrupeds, their circle of concern is less than 200 yards.

I know half the folks that read this are going to start throwing out ridiculous exceptions to my statement so I'll say ahead of time, "you know what I mean".