CASES
The easiest and best way o getting cases is
to simply save those rom your actory loaded
rounds. New and used cases can also be pur-
chased. Cases must be clean and sae. Do not use
cases that have cracks or splits. I they have been
used more than twice, they should be checked to
see that none o them have become too long or
sae use. The easiest way is to trim them is with
a Lee Case Trimmer. This automatically cuts them
to the correct length and no gauging or measur-
ing is needed. Aer trimming, be sure to chamer
both the inside and outside o the case. A Lee
Chamer Tool works best, but it can be done with
a pocket knie.
Straight sided cases, such as those used by
most handguns, are loaded with a -die set.
MILITARY CASES
Used military cases are readily available at
low cost. Usually, these have primers that are
crimped in place. This is to prevent the primer
rom coming loose in automatic weapons and
jamming the action at an inopportune time.
The crimp must be removed beore repriming.
This can be done with a primer pocket reamer
or swaging tool. Even a Lee Chamer Tool can be
used to ream the crimp.
POWDER
Powder is usually classiied as smokeless and
black powder. There is also Pyrodex, which is a
substitue or black powder. We will be using only
smokeless powder or reloading.
Each set o Lee Dies is supplied with powder
measure and charge table with a generous selec-
tion o loads. Additional load data is available
rom all the powder manuacturers and bullet
makers. This is excellent inormation and should
be ollowed exactly.
Dierent powders are available to do dierent
jobs. Bullets having a high sectional density ( long
length in relation to their diameter) require a slow
burning powder. This permits sustained peak
pressure to gain maximum acceleration within
working pressure limits.
Short, light bullets use quicker burning powder
or complete combustion within the barrel.
A wide selection o powder is readily available.
Powders should always be stored in their original
containers. While smokeless powder is not an
explosive and not as dangerous to handle as
gasoline, it would be oolish to handle it carelessly
and store excessive amounts. Follow the powder
manuacturers’ recommendations or storage
and use.
PRIMERS
Rile and pistol cartridges require dierent
primers. Rile primers have a thick and
stronger cup to withstand the higher
pressure. Pistol primers have a thinner
cup or easy detonation with a lighter
hammer blow. Both rile and pistol primers
are available in regular and magnum. Use
regular or all loads except i the load data
speciies magnum primers.
Primers must always be stored in their
original containers. It is always a wise idea
to wear saety or shooting glasses when
shooting or reloading.
BULLETS
Commercial rile bullets usually have a so
lead core with a copper jacket. Point shapes
come in a variety o styles, but usually
have some so lead exposed to properly
mushroom on impact.
The jackets serve a dual purpose: to control
the bullet expansion and act as a bearing
surace or its high speed travel down
the bore. Some bullets have a crimping
groove called a cannelure. This groove
must be seated almost entirely in the
case when crimping the case. The very
end o the case mouth is turned into this
groove by the bullet seating die used in a
tubular magazine gun and most revolver
ammunition.
Cast bullets are very popular with the
handloader. These are very economical to
use and or all guns where the velocity is
less than , eet per second and can
be as accurate as jacketed bullets. They do
not normally expand as well as so lead
jacketed bullets on game. Thereore, it is
poor economy to use them or hunting.
CRIMPING
Ammunition loaded or hunting should
always have the bullets crimped in place,
as should ammunition used in tubular
magazine and auto-loading riles. It could
ruin your hunt i a bullet wedged in the
chamber or pushed back into the case.
Best accuracy is usually obtained with
crimped ammo as the crimp has an eect
on ignition, velocity, pressure and ballistic
consistency. No die does a better job
crimping than the Lee Factory Crimp Die.
