Reloading

When law enforcement officers discovered the standard-issue .38 Special didn't provide the stopping power they required, many turned to the hard-hitting .357 Magnum.

Starting its life as the main battle cartridge of NATO, the 7.62x51 (.308 Winchesters) has become a favorite of shooters of every stripe. Whether in competition or game field, the snappy .30 caliber is a thumper.

It seems New England is no different than anywhere else in the country, at least for one retailer. Rimfire guns and ammo just keep flying off the shelves.

As more and more people shoot, more and more have become involved with reloading. The discipline has become so popular in New Hampshire that one retailer has dedicated a whole wing to reloading supplies.

Since the invention of gunpowder there has been endless debate over the mythical “best all-around cartridge.” There are all sorts of contenders, but one can make a really convincing argument for the .30-06 as that cartridge.

A precision rifle is half the equation when it comes to accuracy. The other half, top-notch ammo. There are a few things, however, that must be kept in mind when loading ammunition that will knock the heart out of the 10 ring.

The 9.3x62 Mauser came about as an affordable way to tackle Africa's dangerous game. And it continues to be one of the world's most versatile medium-bore cartridges.

Reloading for personal defense can be a testing process, but a rewarding one. You'll sleep better at night knowing you have created ammunition you can bet your life on.

The .270 Winchester is a red-hot round and has become one of the favorites of hunters. Building this cartridge's popularity was famed outdoor writer Jack O'Connor, who used and wrote extensively about the .270.

It is easy to let a reloading bench get messy and out of control. Getting into good organizational habits will make you reloading experience safer and more productive.

For years, the .30-30 was North America's most popular cartridge. It's acclaim, in part, was driven by its usefulness as a deer hunting round and as a top performing cartridge in lever-action rifles.

To err is human, and that goes for precision-minded folks like reloaders, too. However, when things go awry at the reloading bench there are ways to rectify the situation.

When it comes to pistol ammo, there is perhaps no more renowned cartridge than the .45 ACP. The heavy round earned its stripes and grew in popularity after nearly three-quarters of a century of service as the U.S. Military's sidearm.

Monometal bullets can offer shooters top-notch performance, especially for hunting. But the futuristic projectiles challenge reloaders, given their unique characteristics.

Renowned British firm Holland & Holland came up with the .375 H&H more than 100 years ago. But to this day, the medium-bore cartridge is among the most versatile hunting rounds available.

Brass cases are the one component that is reusable in the reloading process. But like all good things, these have an eventual end. Here is an explanation of the damages to look for and what to do when they're found.