Today it is a fundamental, Constitutional right for the individual to carry a weapon for the purpose of self defense. Unfortunately, California government has chosen to ignore the Heller and McDonald decisions of the US Supreme Court. It will take a Federal Court order to force the State and local governments to comply with the two decisions. Which may be about to happen in the Peruta case.
San Diego, like Los Angeles, issues very few licences to carry a concealed weapon. Licenses issued by both jurisdictions are capricious and arbitrary. In the case of Peruta v San Diego, the Sheriff's department favored a private organization called the Honorable Deputy Sheriff's Association. Not a single member in good standing who has applied since 2006 has been denied a license.
On Friday, the attorneys for Peruta filed a motion for a partial summary judgment. If the court grants the motion it would immediately require that all issuing authorities in the Southern District of California issue licences to carry a concealed weapon to everyone who applies and meets the non-discretionary requirements of obtaining a license or, hopefully, everyone who is at least 18 years of age and legally entitled to own a firearm as was found in Heller and McDonald.
It took the Court two months from the date that San Diego County Sheriff Gore filed his motion to dismiss the case and Judge Gonzalez issued her denial of the motion, and that included breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. The Court's denial of motion to dismiss was 18 pages long. Judge Gonzalez has already laid out the legal foundation for her decision. An order granting the partial summary judgement will most likely take less time.
So how does this affect those of us who don't live in the Southern District? It potentially affects everyone who lives in the 9th Circuit. Some more than others given that the only two states in the 9th Circuit which severely restricts carrying a loaded gun are Hawaii and California. Alaska and Arizona don't even require a license to carry a handgun, openly or concealed.
Assuming that there isn't something unusual in the summary judgement granted by the court it will provide a mechanism for everyone who lives in the 9th Circuit to obtain a CCW. Here is how. Once the judgement is granted, apply for a license to carry a concealed weapon and put “self-defense” as the reason. Read more
Running Enspired Technology Inc., an information technology consulting firm, is no nine-to-five, and the 32-year-old Ontario resident can find himself on the job anytime, even during the wee hours of the morning.
Wrye is working on obtaining a concealed weapons permit, but in the meantime he “open carries” his handgun, unconcealed, unloaded in a holster on one side of his waist, with a full magazine on the other side.
“It's the economic turmoil,” Wrye said. “I carry expensive equipment in my vehicles. I feel better protected having it with me. It makes me feel a lot safer, overall.”
Gun rights advocates such as Wrye dodged a bullet last week when a state bill that would have made it illegal to carry unconcealed firearms in California escaped consideration on the final day of this year's legislative session.
Fearing a Republican filibuster, Democrats decided to set the bill aside so others deemed more critical could be considered, officials say.
Assemblywoman Lori Salda a, D-San Diego, introduced the legislation known as Assembly Bill 1934. It's supported by the California Police Chiefs Association and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, she said. Read more
So you’re going to begin reloading. For $250 or perhaps even less, you can get set up with excellent new reloading equipment and buy all of the components you require to begin building your own shotshells. This article will help you get started.
Active sporting clays shooters use a lot of shells and are natural candidates to start reloading their empties. This shooter is using Winchester AA factory loads, which are fine for reloading. Handloaders can fine-tune load components for certain targets, too.
Before you purchase your reloading equipment you will need a place to set up, preferably one where you will not be continuously distracted and where you can be reasonably certain that other hands, especially those of children, will not meddle in the components.
It would also be very helpful if you had a buddy who was also a reloader, because you will have questions, you will make mistakes, and to call the retailer – who may direct you to the manufacturer – is time consuming and can be frustrating.
Begin with a single stage reloader, one that allows you to learn one shell at a time. Look for things that will make your handloading life easier and simpler. If you shoot both the 12 and sub-gauges, you will save more money per shell by concentrating your loading on the smaller guns.
Before you buy, then, verify that the press can be set up to load everything you want to shoot and that it will not cost you hundreds of dollars more to load your 20-gauge and 28-gauge shells, too. It helps to have a press that sizes shells automatically and automatically feeds primers, even if you have to pay a little extra for the primer feed. In short, look for some labor saving features up front. You could end up using this press for darn near forever because its serviceability will not decline with age.
At some time in your shotgunning life, you may become deeply involved with one of the clay sports. As an All American Trap Shooter, for example, you would want to speed up the loading process because you are experienced and you need to build more shells. At that time, you might buy a progressive press, i.e., one that automatically advances hulls through the basic reloading cycle with every pull of the lever.
Do not sell or junk your single stage, though, because it can usually be retrofit to load your hunting shells, which will usually be far fewer in number and different in load character than those required for a trap shooting.
It is better to spend a couple hundred dollars extra up front for the right machine than it is to suffer with years of irritation. Now, let’s go shopping for some reloading equipment.
MEC: MAYVILLE ENGINEERING
The introductory single stage press from MEC is the 600 Jr. Mark V. It can load eight to ten boxes per hour and can be upgraded with an automatic primer feed which eliminates the need to handle each primer individually.
Mayville Engineering (www.mecreloaders.com) has manufactured shotshell reloaders under the MEC name since 1956. Everything from the least expensive single stage machine to a fully automated progressive loader is available in the line. (MEC’s Internet site also gives information, prices and parts lists for a number of their discontinued models, thousands of which are still pumping out shells today.)
Beginning with what MEC considers “the world’s top selling reloader” and the very first machine many reloaders use, the 600 Jr. Mark 5 was introduced in 1985 and costs only $118. MEC says that once the operator gains a little experience, this single stage reloader can fill eight to ten boxes of shells an hour. In addition, it can be upgraded with the 285 CA Primer Feed, which eliminates the need to handle each primer individually. This press is adjustable for 3-inch shells and is available in all gauges, plus the .410. All MEC reloaders include one charge bar and three powder bushings: • 10-gauge (2-ounce bar with bushings 37, 40 and 44), • 12-gauge (1 1/8-ounce bar with bushings 29, 30 and 32), • 16-gauge (1-ounce bar with bushings 23, 25 and 29), • 20-gauge (7/8-ounce bar with bushings 20, 22 and 24), • 28-gauge (3/4-ounce bar with bushings 14, 16 and 21) • .410-bore (1/2-ounce bar with bushings 10, 11 and 12, or for a 3-inch shell, the 11/16-ounce bar with bushings 10, 11 and 12).
MEC believes that its Sizemaster reloader is an excellent choice for hunters. The built-in Power Ring Collet Resizer returns all types of shells – with brass or steel bases, high base or low – to factory specifications. The Sizemaster is adjustable for 3-inch shells and fills all gauges and the .410. Additional die sets cost $90 for any gauge except the 10, which is $105. Extra powder bushings are $2.20 and charge bars are $13. An automatic primer feed is standard on the $179 Sizemaster. It loads primers for all gauges, except the 410.
According to Mayville Engineering, the gauge-specific Steelmaster is the only shotshell reloader that is fully equipped to handle steel and lead. The resize head accepts any shell base and the press has an automatic primer feed. Separate presses are required for 10-gauge (1-1/2-ounce bar for BB through #2 with bushings 31, 34 and 37), 12-gauge (2-3/4- and 3-inch: 1-1/8-ounce bar for BB through #3 with bushings 25, 32 and 34) or 12-gauge (3-1/2-inch: 1-1/2-ounce for BB through #2 with bushings 36, 37 and 39A). In the 10- or standard 12-gauge expect to pay about $193 for the Steelmaster, but in the 3-1/2-inch 12-gauge size, the price jumps to $206. Die sets to change gauge cost $90 for any gauge except the 10, which is $105.
Extra powder bushings are $2.20 and charge bars, $15.
The MEC 650N is advertised as “maximum effect for minimum effort” – at the bargain price of just $240. Although it works on six shells at once and finishes a shell with each pull of the handle, the 650N does not resize hulls. If you buy this press, resizing becomes a separate operation. MEC says that the 650N is “the ideal press for the person who likes to resize and inspect their shells as a separate operation.” (MEC’s separate Super Sizer shell resizer costs $67. It is built-in to all “new generation” MEC reloaders. Separate parts must be purchased to resize different gauges.)
A good quality reloader like the MEC 650N will reload a lot of shells without giving you many maintenance hassles. The 650N has three crimp stations: beginning the crimp, folding and tapering.
The 650N press uses three crimping stations. The first one starts the crimp and the second closes it. The final station places a very slight taper on the shell, which allows it to feed easier through pumps and semi-autos.
Other features of the 650N however make it more attractive. The automatic primer feed is standard, for instance. This press is available in all gun sizes, but die sets to switch one machine between gauges are not available and the 650N does not load 10-gauge shells.
MEC’s progressive 8567 Grabber mechanically programs 10 operations at six stations. This $338 reloader has a fully automatic primer feed, auto-cycle charging and the three-stage crimp mentioned above. The built-in Power Ring resizer operates without interrupting the reloading sequence. The operator manually places hulls and wads in the proper place and a finished shell is subsequently produced with each pull of the handle. Optional kits are available to load 3-inch and steel shells. (The 8567 is not available in 10-gauge.)
The 9000-Series is MEC’s top-of-the-line progressive press with plenty of automatic features, such as primer feed. The $407 model #GN is hand-powered while the $958 #HN is hydraulic and operates via a foot pedal. These machines incorporate all of the 8567’s features including automatic resizing, automatic indexing and finished shell ejection after final crimping. The 9000-Series does not reload 10 gauge shells and die sets are not available.
MEC has a number of press accessories available such as a dust cover, larger capacity primer feed tray, jig fixture and intermediate bottle supports. Note that a steel shot kit and charge bar must normally be installed to reload steel shot.
PONSNESS/WARREN (P/W)
A charge bar determines the amount of shot that will be dropped, while the bushing determines the amount of powder. The ratio for powder is determined by the recipe you select and the brand of powder you use.
Ponsness/Warren (www.reloaders.com) has developed reloading gear for almost 40 years and its Platinum 2000 Series progressive reloading presses are state-of-the-art. The 2000s feature P/W’s typical cast frame and precision-machined parts. With eight shells in separate stations and various stages of completion, a 2000 automatically performs the following functions with each pull of the handle: indexes the shells, de-primes and re-primes, drops a precision volume of powder, inserts the wad, then drops a precision volume of shot, crimps the shells and finally ejects a completed shell.
The author of the previous edition of this venerable volume called P/W reloader’s full-length re-sizing dies their “very best feature.” With a P/W 2000, the shell is pressed into a sizing die at the very first station and it rides through the balance of the process contained within this steel ring. In this system, a hull rarely distorts, and as much pressure as necessary can be applied for proper crimp closure.
P/W is especially proud of the hopper and the primer feed on these machines. Their EZ-Fill Access Hopper holds more than 25 pounds of shot and up to a pound of powder in a high-impact plastic divided container. When you need to load several different recipes, special bushing-access holes allow quick shot and powder bushing changes without the usually laborious task of draining and removing hoppers. Purchased separately, it is $90.
The brass external primer feed allows an operator to easily adjust primer seating depth without taking the primer feed assembly out of the machine. Primers are held in a tray, approximately at eye level, and are fed downward through a sleeve into the feed assembly by gravity. Purchased separately, the primer feed is $100.
A Lifetime Warranty on the index system and P/W’s new Die Removal Cylinder come with this series of presses. P/W says the Die Removal Cylinder is built with 100 percent Grivory®, which it says is “a new compound that is stronger and more rigid than aluminum.” It allows you to easily remove and inspect shells during the reloading process to check powder or shot weights, by simply lifting a die pin and sliding out the shell. The 3-pound Die Removal System is also available to update many older P/W reloaders. It costs $170 and comes with the P/W shell extracting kit.
A 52-pound Platinum 2000 with sizing die system is available in 12-gauge (powder bushing H, shot bushing #6 for 1-1/8-ounce), 20-gauge (powder bushing D, shot bushing #4 for 7/8-ounce) and 28-gauge (powder bushing B, shot bushing #3 for 3/4-ounce), as well as the .410-bore (powder bushing 2A, shot bushing #1 for 1/2-ounce). They have a catalogued price of $699, although the factory’s 2004 Christmas Special flyer offered them for $649 and you can undoubtedly buy them for less through a reputable internet source. (Of course, if you buy through a local retailer, you may not pay the rock-bottom price. You will almost certainly, however, have access to friendly and helpful technical assistance when you run into difficulties or have questions that are not covered on the manufacturer’s Internet site. And you will have questions.)
The P/W 800 Plus was new for 2004. Built with full-length resizing dies and a gear-style index system, this progressive machine sounds an audible “click” when it is fully indexed. (Because I always worry about proper seating and positioning of mechanical elements, I like this small feature.) A die-removal cylinder allows for easy shell removal at any station. The 800 Plus uses the EZ-Fill Access Hopper and all other standard features of a 2000. Lacking a central shaft, 800 Plus tooling kits are installed in a tool head. This allows you to convert to another gauge in about five minutes without the need to readjust any of the crimping stages.
The 52-pound 800 Plus with sizing die system is available in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge as well as .410-bore with a catalogued price of $699 and the same powder and shot bushings as those listed for the 2000 Series. The 2004 Christmas Special flyer from the factory offered these reloaders for $649! Individual gauge-specific tooling kits cost an extra $295.
Close-up of MEC rig filling a clay load of 1-1/8-ounces of #7-1/2 shot.
P/W says their 53-pound L/S-1000 is the “only fully progressive reloader that loads lead, steel and bismuth shot without the need for any type of conversion kit.” This press features a silent indexing system and the company’s new Grivory Die Removal System. The precise Uni-Drop System on the L/S-1000 drops any shot size, up to and including BB. The 12-gauge model ($849) loads either 2-3/4- or 3-inch shells while the 10-gauge model ($895) loads only 3-1/2-inch.
The single stage reloader in P/W’s current press line-up is the Du-O-Matic 375C. Like the larger and more expensive L/S-1000, the Du-O-Matic will load lead, steel or bismuth without requiring a conversion kit. The dual tool head lets you install a second tooling set when you want to change gauge. Look for extra large shot and powder tubes, which include baffles and a positive-lock charge ring that prevents the accidental flow of powder. A positive, full-length resizing die contains the shell throughout the loading operation. Your shell always emerges bulge-free. A 31-pound Du-O-Matic is available in all gauges plus the 410 bore. Expect to pay around $300 if you purchase it direct from Ponsness/Warren, except for the 12-gauge/20-gauge model, which is $384.
Ponsness/Warren offers a large number of options and accessories for its reloading presses such as dust covers, shell counters, shovel handles, a new finished-shell Front Drop collection system and multiple types of conversion kits that allow older P/W presses to load non-toxic shot. Its top-mounted Automatic Shell Feed System is available for those who quickly tire of feeding shells manually, one by one. The Shell Feed holds 500 empty shells, and sends them brass-down onto the shell feed seating assembly. An electric motor, which turns the sorting disc in the hopper, is equipped with a micro-switch that stops the motor automatically when the feed tube is full (30 pounds, 12-gauge only, $395 0r thereabouts).
About the time your eyes glaze over and you’re sure that you will soon turn up three cherries from cycling the press handle, you will be willing to spend $899 for P/W’s Hydro-Multispeed, single cylinder hydraulic system. With a floor-mounted pedal, this 65-pound hydraulic system permits hands-free reloading. It has three speed settings and P/W guarantees that it will not damage your P/W reloader with high pressures. Extra-long hoses with quick-disconnect couplings allow for floor placement of the motor. An optional cylinder kit allows you to hook up your Hydro-Multispeed assembly to more than one press for loading multiple gauges or recipes at one time (9 pounds, $400).
LEE PRECISION
The Lee Load-All is inexpensive and it works for 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge shotshells.
The Lee reloading business took off from the home workshop of Richard Lee in 1958. In that year, Lee invented the famous Lee Loader. Additional Lee Loaders for rifle and pistol ammunition came along in the early sixties. Lee says that their “effective and economical tools have introduced more than one-and-a-half million shooters to reloading.” Then, in the mid-70s, the well-known Lee Load-All hit the market, establishing Lee as a household name in handloading circles. Lee equipment is unconditionally guaranteed for two years. In addition, any Lee loader of current manufacture, regardless of age or condition, can be returned to the factory for “like new” reconditioning, including a new guarantee, for half the current retail price.
The popular and inexpensive $49.98 Lee Load-All II single-stage press works for lead or steel shot in 12-, 16- and 20-gauge (www.leeprecision.com). The spent primer-catcher is built-in and conveniently empties in the front. Recesses at every station allow positive shell positioning. Gauge conversion is easy and economical by simply replacing the die carrier ($20). An optional primer feed ($10) means that you never have to touch the primer from the box to the shell. Each new purchase includes twenty-four red plastic shot and powder bushings. The bushings are visibly indexed and this keeps neophyte reloaders from confusing shot and powder charges.
What has given the Load-All II its reputation is the extreme ease with which it operates. Work your way from left to right and follow a pamphlet’s illustrated instructions. (I found the loading advice a little more abbreviated than I would have preferred, however.) Adjustments are simple – some would say primitive – but straightforward, which might confuse digital children. Nevertheless, you will understand the fundamentals of each step without having to muddle through much extraneous clutter.
If used with patience, the Load-All II can make excellent reloads for 2-3/4- and 3-inch shells, high or low brass bases with six- or eight-crimp closures. The Load-All II is not however sized to build 3-1/2-inch shells because the die set is not deep enough to reach the base of the loader with a shell that tall in the die set. Therefore, proper sizing on 3-1/2-inch shells cannot be accomplished. Of course, this press is not a racehorse and it can teach you to work methodically. If you do not push this machine beyond its limits, you will have a productive press that you can enjoy for many years. Lee does not build a progressive reloader, or a press that will handle the 10- or 28-gauge or the 410.
DILLON
Dillon’s SL 900 features case-activated powder and shot systems to help eliminate troublesome bushing changes along with spilled powder and shot. According to Dillon, the built-in adjustable powder measure is good to within one-tenth of a grain and the shot hopper holds 25 pounds! There are no bushings for shot or powder to deal with in this Dillon machine. That, in itself, is a hugely attractive feature.
Dillon writes that their SL 900 features “easily adjustable, case-activated powder and shot systems that eliminate troublesome bushing changes along with spilled powder and shot.” According to Dillon (www.dillonprecision.com), the built-in adjustable powder measure is good to within 1/10 of a grain and the shot hopper holds 25 pounds! There are no bushings for shot or powder to deal with in this Dillon machine. This, in itself, is a hugely attractive feature. The automatic indexing SL 900 loads 12-, 20- and 28-gauge shells and by switching tool-heads, you can switch gauges without having to reset your dies and measurements. The case feed and priming systems are automatic. The basic SL 900 is $646. You can spend another $174 for a case-feeder and $263 for the conversion package to load another size shell.
RCBS
RCBS is part of the ATK (Alliant Techsystems: (www.rcbs.com) Ammunition & Related Products Group with Federal Cartridge and Alliant Powder.
The new, 7-station single-stage RCBS Mini-Grand is designed for entry level reloading of lead or steel (with the appropriate steel accessories) and its hopper holds 1/2-pound of powder and 12-1/2-pounds of shot. The Mini-Grand is available in a 12-gauge version to load 2-3/4-, 3- and 3-1/2-inch shells. The 20-gauge press will accommodate 2-3/4- and 3-inch shells. Using RCBS, Hornady or Ponsness-Warren powder and shot bushings, the Mini-Grand is capable of loading 200 hulls (8 boxes) per hour.
An optional taper crimp die is available for the Mini-Grand. This reloader comes with a Lifetime Warranty. At Christmas 2004, the Mini-Grand was $125 from RCBS or $100 from Graf & Sons at www.grafs.com. (An optional $18 dust cover is an excellent idea for a machine as complex as any shell press, especially if it is mounted in a room without constant temperature and humidity controls.)
The progressive shotshell loader in the RCBS line is The Grand. It is available for 12- or 20-gauge shells at $724. Conversion kits to switch between 12- and 20-gauge reloading cost $336. The 8-stage Grand is “intended for the shotgunner who requires accurate, precision shotshells for hunting or trap and skeet,” RCBS says. “The operator merely has to start a hull at station one and insert a wad in the wad guide at station four. All other functions are performed automatically. Once in full operation, a loaded shotshell is dispensed each time the handle is cycled through the full down-and-up strokes.”
The shot-drop and powder-drop systems are case-activated and will not drop shot or spill powder unless a hull is properly in place. With the powder-drop station at the front, it is easy to remove the hull to weigh powder if you suspect an error has been made. The powder charge bar also accepts Hornady bushings. The Grand’s powder hopper holds one pound; the shot hopper holds 25 pounds; and its steel resizer ring will work with either high- or low-base brass. Its cast aluminum frame is held together with steel rods and links.
A Hydraulic Conversion Kit to convert The Grand to full hydraulic operates with two foot switches, one for up and one for down. Releasing pressure on the switch automatically stops the operation of the press. The unit features quick-disconnect hoses and is capable of boosting operation to a whopping 660-shells (26+ boxes) per hour. RCBS says that complete installation only takes between 15 and 30 minutes. This unit costs $900.
SPOLAR POWER LOAD
The gold-anodized finish of the Spolar Gold Premier allows this superbly well-thought-of loader to look as good as its reputation. Its vibrating electronic shot, powder and primer settling system is just one of the Gold Premier’s features.
With a gold anodized finish and handsomely crafted construction, the Gold Premier is rated very high for workmanship. At $1,295 for a single gauge, the machined aluminum Spolar Gold progressive loader (www.spolargold.com), originally designed by the late trap shooting champion Frank Simpson, costs much more than other top shotshell presses and plenty of adequate shotguns, too. If you still have a few extra bucks after paying for your reloader, you can add a foot-operated hydraulic mechanism with quick-disconnect hoses for an additional $995. Spolar says its hydraulic operating system allows a completed shell to fall into your shooting box every three seconds and you can set up the hydraulics and hoses in 10 minutes or less. After this, you may still want to add $265 for gauge changing materials and $580 for a custom reloading table.
If quality construction is important, you will enjoy the fluid movement made possible by closely machined tolerances and sealed ball bearings in many of the moving parts. Left-handers will appreciate the ambidextrous nature of the Gold’s left- or right-side handles, too. An exceptional feature of the Gold Premier is that it can be disarmed and everything halted during a loading cycle. Dies are removable of course, and the charge bar can be unhooked without spilling shot and powder.
The Spolar Gold Premier is loaded with features. It has a vibrating electronic shot, powder and primer settling system. All four of the competition gauges – 12, 20, 28 and .410 – are available and they can be changed in less than five minutes without making extra adjustments to your settings. Shells can be removed at any station, and your wad and shot drop almost simultaneously. This machine has a locking system to prevent any unauthorized meddling. The Gold has a 25-pound shot capacity and comes with a shell counter. Spolar says they are the only manufacturer that loads “a minimum of 100 factory test rounds with your recipe prior to shipping” a unit to you.
HORNADY
You can buy a Hornady 366 progressive reloading press in 12-, 20-, 28-gauge or .410-bore for $430 from www.outdoorguides.com. Look for additional information on the Hornady site at www.hornady.com. Nevertheless, the 366 features full-length base and hull resizing, automatic primer feed, swing-out wad guide, three-stage crimping, automatic advance and automatic ejection of the finished shell. For $180, you can purchase die sets for additional 2-3/4-inch shells in other gauges. Additional lead shot bushings are $6.
LYMAN
In 1878, William Lyman invented the tang-mounted peep sight. That was the birth of Lyman Products and today, 125 years later, the company (www.lymanproducts.com) includes Pachmayr, Trius, TacStar and A-Zoom.
To be confident in your reloading, you must have an accurate scale and, in this area, cheap is inexcusable and contains the seeds of unhappiness. Of course, your shot bar and bushings should give you the confidence that they are correct, but what about that afternoon that the kids keep barging in to your reloading shrine or you have a grudge against your spouse? Are you certain you can proceed without being distracted? Did you double-check ingredient weights now and then for each recipe you loaded?
A 1,000-grain powder scale works extremely well, adds very little noticeable time to the overall loading procedure and permits greater accuracy of your weights and measures. You also use an accurate scale to give you peace of mind and keep your spouse from collecting on the insurance. Here is an example of why a precise scale is useful.
You must occasionally check the accuracy of your loads, especially if you switch loads or switch between lead and non-toxic shot or steel. The Lyman 1200 will work equally well for shotshells and cartridge reloading. Always recalibrate before you check weights; it takes less than a minute.
Steel shot bushings are available for most reloading presses, but they may be thought of as limited-application tools. Smaller pellets work as indicated and will flow through bushings well. Large steel pellets are often difficult to volumetrically meter through a bushing, however, as they seem to hang up wherever they can. Nobody makes so many hunting loads with large pellets that they should not be able to take the time to weigh each pellet charge.
The comparisons hunters often make to lead shot loads seem to compel them to overload steel. Hunters have, for years, assessed load application by payload weight and have associated certain weights with a lethal hunting load. For example, everyone knows that 1-1/8 ounces of lead is a target load, right! However, 1-1/8 ounces of steel is a magnum payload, the pellet equivalent of around 1-1/2 ounces of lead. For a 12-gauge, a 1-1/2-ounce load is a magnum, by anyone’s definition. (Actually, this misapplication of low velocity, high volume steel shot loads is somewhat to blame for steel shot’s poor image.)
So here are a couple of Lyman scales that are excellent for the reloading bench. The LE-1200 Electronic Scale has a 1,200-grain-weight capacity, powder pan, calibration weight and digital display. It will work equally well with shotshells and for rifle or pistol cartridge reloading. One touch converts it to metric (gram) mode and its compact size makes it almost inconspicuous on your loading bench. Power is available through a wall outlet or a 9-volt battery (not included). Order direct from Lyman and you will pay $265 for the LE-1200.
The LE-800 is a slight step down, although it actually measures up to 850 grains, not just 800. The LE-800 works on AAA batteries, and a set is included. The smaller scale is $183.
Lyman has several suggestions that will help you get accurate readings from their electronic scales. First, scales should always be used in an area free of air currents. Second, each time you use it in a new reloading session, go ahead and recalibrate. Because Lyman electronic scales operate at the touch of a finger, this only takes a few seconds.
Next, if you move your scale into a new room that may have a different temperature and/or humidity, the company suggests letting the scale stabilize for a half hour before zeroing and calibrating. Speaking of recalibrating, each scale comes with a set of instructions beginning, “Do not calibrate the scale with the powder pan on the platform, as this will cause incorrect programming.” The Lyman website includes detailed instructions for each model scale.
If you are of the old, pre-digital dinosaur order when batteries were not required to operate all of your toys at Christmas, you may want one of the Lyman Mechanical Beam Scales. The 2-pound Model 500 offers 505-grain capacity and is accurate to 1/10-grain. It offers “positive pan positioning and magnetic dampening” for $73. Step up to the Model 1000 mechanical and you can measure up to 1,005 grains with the included scale counterweight.
MISCELLANEOUS GEAR
Dicksie Spolar says that if you add a foot-operated hydraulic mechanism with quick-disconnect hoses – an additional $995 – a completed shell will fall into your shooting box every three seconds and the hydraulics set up in less than 10 minutes.
Hull Marker: Have you ever fished in your pocket and pulled out a reload and not really been certain what it was? Was it a #6 or is it an #8-1/2? This could be a problem on the skeet range and when bird hunting, too. You can avoid mixed up or mismarked shells with a hull identification stamp kit. You could also apply a color-coded sticker from an office products store (to the base perhaps, not on top of the crimp where a sticker might change the load’s pressure parameters) or you can just experiment with indelible inks to see which felt-tipped pen works best. Whatever you choose, marking your reloads is an excellent idea, especially if you load more than one type of shell and have trouble keeping things straightened out.
Hull Skiver: Hull skiving removes a thin layer of plastic from the mouth of the hull and tapers hull openings for easy component placement and better fold crimps. The aluminum oxide abrasive coating is long lasting. Buy the Skiver for $10 or simply or carefully use the fine-grit sandpaper from the garage.
Roll Crimping: Handloaders sometimes rely on a six- or eight-fold crimp when a roll crimp would be better, say the experts at Ballistic Products (www.ballisticproducts.com).
Factory ammo uses fold crimps because the process is dictated by high-speed machinery. As a reloader, you can choose based on performance rather than on someone else’s convenience. Roll crimped shells are especially excellent for buckshot and slugs or sabots, for heavy payloads and any custom hull lengths. They also give consistent closure resistance and deliver consistent chamber pressures.
With the right tools, roll crimps are easy to build and your shells look pretty darn good when they are finished. Roll crimps are made with a special bit that, through a combination of heat and pressure, turns over the final 1/4 inch of a hull inward and down, until the edge contacts the overshot card that sits on top of the payload. The roller that makes the crimp is about $30 and it is specific by gauge. A special hull vise to hold the shell is about $40 and, considering the aggravation in dropping or spilling, may be well worth the cost.
This article is an excerpt from Reloading for Shotgunners 5th Edition.
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Basic Equipment: Getting What You Need
One way to enter the water, as it were, is to get acquainted with other reloaders and see what they use and don’t use, and quiz them on the whys and wherefors of their equipment. Ask a friend if you can try his equipment. This way you can get a feel for the tools, how they work, and begin to come to some decisions regarding what you might like and what you find difficult or unnecessary.
The reloading bench is the foundation of your work area. There is no standardized design, and it may well serve a dual purpose as a kitchen counter on which reloading tools are temporarily mounted. If you must use a temporary surface of this type, your reloading press and sizer/lubricator should be permanently mounted on a solid 2×6 or heavier plank that can be securely attached to the counter top with C-clamps. The counter must have a solid top since the levering force exerted on the bullet sizer and the loading press can pull the counter top loose.
If you have the space, a solid desk or workbench arrangement is best. General requirements are that it have enough weight or be attached to the floor so that it will not rock back and forth in use. It should be solid enough that the top will not pry loose under the stress of cartridge and bullet sizing. Whether or not it is to be a thing of beauty depends on how much of the public will view it, in a dining room or corner of an apartment, or if it will stay in a garage or basement area. If ammunition and powder are to be stored in the same area, the bench should in a spot that is climate controlled. It should have at least one large drawer and be close to shelving or cabinets where bullets, primers, powder, cases, loading manuals, etc., can be located within easy reach. The top should be smooth and free of cracks, holes and splinters.
While you can build a bench of your own design out of whatever scrap lumber you have at hand, an easier way is to use plans from the National Reloading Manufacturers Association. (That organization is now inactive, but you can go to Chapter 18 where your editor revisits those plans, and actually gives you the complete plans right in this book.) If you’re handy with tools, you can buy all the components from your local lumber yard or building materials store for around $100 and assemble it yourself.
A basic reloading bench should be sturdy and have plenty of storage space. The individual design is up to the maker. This bench was built from plans formerly available from the National Reloading Manufacturers Association, which is now inactive.
The NRMA bench is heavy, solid and able to support all manner of tools and presses, The plans have been around for more than 20 years, and thousands of reloaders have built them. The plans call for heavy dimension lumber and plywood, so build it where you will use it.
Once you have your bench, the next step is to choose the basic reloading tool, the heart of your operation–the press. Before parting with any money, it is best to start with the maximum amount of experience and knowledge. This returns to the above-mentioned issues of speed, economy and precision. Your first question should be: Am I going to load for pistol, rifle or both? Shotshell reloading requires it’s own special loading equipment and will be dealt with later. If the answer is to reload both handgun and rifle cartridges, then you will want to buy a press that is intended for rifle cartridges that will do handgun ammunition as well.
Economy Versus Speed
The most basic type of bench-mounted loading press is the O-frame or C-frame press, so called because the frames are shaped like these letters. Both are rugged and simple. They are also referred to as single-stage presses since they mount a single loading die in the top. Each operation–decapping and sizing, neck expanding and bullet seating–requires that the die be unscrewed and the next die screwed in place for each operation. Most reloaders perform each operation in batches, so you don’t spend all your time changing dies. The manufacturers promise a production rate of about 100 finished rounds per hour.
Similar to these are the arbor presses, which mount a single die in the bottom. Arbor presses require a special straight-line type of die that is not compatible with the top-mounted variety used in standard presses. The price range and speed are about the same. Arbor presses are small and compact, and have the advantage of being on a flat base and not requiring permanent bench mounting. This makes them handy to take to the range where ammunition can be fabricated while you shoot. In addition to instant gratification, this portability saves time and material put into long runs of test ammunition.
More expensive and faster are the turret and H-frame machines that allow a full three-die set to be mounted along with a powder measure. All dies are in place and the cartridge is moved from one station to the next, or the turret is rotated to bring the next die into position. Production is estimated at 200 rounds per hour, but the price is higher.
Near the top end, short of buying an ammunition factory, are the progressive loaders. These are semi-automated machines with feed tubes and hoppers that are filled with cases, bullets, primers and powder. Once the various feeding devices are filled, the operator simply pulls a handle and manually feeds one component, usually bullets or cases, inserting them into a slot on a revolving plate, and the machine does the rest, moving the case from station to station. The finished rounds come popping out at the end of a full plate rotation cycle and are collected in a convenient bin. Production rates are from about 500 rounds per hour to 1200. Plan to do a lot of shooting if you invest in one of these. You should also plan to have plenty of space since a progressive stands better than 2 feet high and weighs up to 50 pounds. Speed Versus Precision
The Dillon RL 1050 will load 1000 to 1200 rounds per hour. A progressive loader of this sort represents a sizable investment and is definitely not for beginners.
All of the presses mentioned will produce high quality, precision ammunition, or at least as precise as you make it, since quality control is up to the operator. Careful adjustment, precise measurement, and inspecting every step in production are your job, and if you do it well, the results will show in the finished product. Progressive loaders are designed more for speed than precision. In the case of handgun ammunition where benchrest accuracy is not expected, they are the best investment for a shooter who really burns a lot of ammunition.
These are also purchased by clubs, police departments and professional reloaders who sell their ammunition. While progressives churn out tremendous quantities of ammunition, they generally require a fairly complicated set-up period, and if there is a change of caliber of ammunition, this can mean a different set of feed tubes and plates as well as dies. Because they are complicated, progressives require more tinkering and cleaning to keep them running smoothly. Automation of the process means you depend on the machine to do it right every time. That doesn’t always happen. Precision Versus Economy
As mentioned above, precision and economy lie mainly with the single-die and turret/H-frame (multi-station) machines. Progressives only pay when there is a demand for high-volume production of one caliber at a time. The price differential between the single-stage and turret/multi-station machines is close enough that it is probably worth the extra money to invest in the latter if you are going to do more than a very modest amount of reloading. They have the advantage of holding a full die set and a powder measure.
This means the dies are seated and adjusted once, for the most part, unless you are reloading a number of calibers. The production edge will be noticed as the amount of ammunition you make increases. For a shooter reloading a single caliber––mainly for hunting––someone who does not do a lot of practice and may assemble no more than 200 to 2000 rounds a year––the best buy would be the simple, reliable O- or C-frame machine. It will do the job.
As firearms technology has advanced, guns have become more powerful and sophisticated. Cartridge case design has had to keep pace with this evolution. In reality, cartridges are often designed first and then guns are designed or adapted to fit them.
The basic design of contemporary centerfire cartridge cases include some of the following variations: 1) Straight walled rimmed. These date from the 19th century. They include the 32 and 38 S&W revolver cartridges, the 45 Long Colt and the 45-70 rifle. They also include modern cartridges such as the 38 Special, 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum revolver cartridges. 2) Straight-tapered. An effort to improve extraction led to this design. It is now nearly obsolete, the 38-55 being the only current survivor. 3) Rimmed bottleneck. These include late 19th century smokeless powder cartridges such as the 30-30 and 30-40 , 303 British, and .22 Hornet. 4) Semi-rimmed straight. These include currently made 32 Auto and 38 Super Automatic cartridges. The semi-rimmed design was to facilitate feeding through box magazines, with a slight rim to keep the cartridge from entering the chamber. 5) Semi-rimless bottleneck. Now rare, the 220 Swift is an example. 6) Rimless-straight. A common example is the 45 Colt automatic. 7) Rimless-tapered. These incude the 9mm Luger and 30 M-1 carbine. 8) Rimless-bottleneck. This is an improved smokeless design from the 1890's. Most modern rifle cartridges use this design. 9) Rimless belted. This design is used only on high-pressure magnum rifle cartridges such as the 458 Winchester Magnum. 10) Rebated head. This case features a rimless head smaller than the body permitting a slightly increased case capacity. Examples include the 284 Winchester rifle and 41 and 50 Action Express cartridges.
CASE SELECTION
When buying cartridge cases for reloading, the first thing you want to be sure of is that you have the right one for your gun. Most civilian guns are marked on the barrel regarding the ammunition to be used in it. Military arms, however, are not, or at least not very often. When in doubt, check it out with a good gunsmith. If there is no question about caliber, you want to get new or once-fired cases from a reputable source — marked with the headstamp of a known manufacturer and not from the “Royal Elbonian Arsenal.” Military cases referred to collectively as “brass” are often sold at bargain prices.
What headstamps tell you. Commercial ammunition is marked with the caliber and name of the manufacturer, at least in this country. Military ammunition is stamped with the code of the arsenal or manufacturer and the date of manufacture. Top, L. To R. 45-70 current head stamp; pre WWII commercial Winchester and Remington head stamps – good candidates for being mercuric primed; inside-primed military centerfire from the 1870's and 80's. “R” indicates a rifle load, “F” is the code of the Frankford Arsenal, “2 82″ indicates it was loaded in February 1882. Bottom, (left) a Frankford Arsenal round loaded February, 1904. Right, Spencer 52 cal rimfire was made by the Sage Ammunition Works.
Sometimes they are a bargain if they are fired only once and are not battered up by being run through a machine gun. The best military ammunition bargains are loaded ammunition. That way you get to shoot it first. Military cases do, however, have a few drawbacks. Assuming they are not Berdan primed, they may have been fired with corrosive primers. A wash in hot water and detergent will remove corrosive primer salts after firing.
The main problem with military cases is the crimp holding in the primer. Removing this crimp means a heavy-duty decapping pin and either chamfering the primer pocket or removing the crimp with a primer-pocket swage die, as explained in the chapter “Reloading Rifle Cartridges.”
With the exception of new unfired cases in the box, all cases should be given an initial inspection. Bulk, once-fired, military and commercial cases may have loose debris including primers (live and dead) rattling around inside them that should be removed. Cases should be sorted by manufacturer and kept in separate containers. Although the dimensions for all cases of a particular caliber are basically the same, internal dimensions (caused by varying wall thickness and head thickness) and the size of the vent in the primer pocket will vary. This will yield different pressures and velocities.
Mixed cases will thus give less accurate shooting. Varying pressures can be dangerous if the load you are using is a maximum one. If for instance this load is worked up using one type of case with a fairly thin wall and thus a comparatively large internal capacity, in combination with a small vent, the internal pressure will be significantly lower than one with a thicker wall, smaller capacity and larger vent.
Beyond separation by manufacturer, cases should be checked for splits in the neck, heavy corrosion and any anomalies indicating pressure or headspace problems or serious battering in the firing process, such as seriously damaged necks, that would render them unreloadable. Oil, grease, grit and dirt should be removed before reloading.
READING HEADSTAMPS
The headstamp markings of cartridge cases contain valuable information that will prove useful in buying ammunition and brass cases. Commercial manufacturers mark their cases with their name or trade mark, the caliber of the cartridge and the name of the cartridge, e.g., WW 45-70 Govt. This tells you it was made by Winchester/Western and it is the 45-70 Government cartridge originally made for the 45 caliber Springfield army rifle.
Markings on cartridge cases made for the military contain similar information, plus a two-digit date of manufacture.
L C is the Lake City Ordnance Plant. W R A is Winchester Repeating Arms Company. R A is Remington Arms Company. A stamp of R A 79 indicates the cartridge was made by Remington in 1979. American military cases are not marked by caliber. Early cartridges made in the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia were marked F or FA 3 05. This indicates the source and the month of manufacture (March) and the year 1905.
This is not ammunition you would want to shoot, especially if it shows any sign of corrosion. American-made military ammunition used corrosive priming into the early 1950's. Different arsenals switched to non-corrosive priming at different times with all being changed over by 1954. Non-corrosive priming will require less cleaning of your gun.
CASE CLEANING
Vibrator/tumbler case cleaners use ground corn cobs or ground walnut shells to clean cases through abrasive action. This is probably the best system for cleaning large numbers of cases.
Most shooters like to keep their cases shiny and bright. They look better and are easier to find on the ground. Shined cases are less likely to collect dirt and grit and can be easily checked for damage caused by corrosion. Dark cases hide flaws that may run deep.
There are two basic methods of case cleaning. The first is wet cleaning. This uses a concentrated, acid-based cleaner that is mixed with water. This must be done in a glass, plastic or stainless-steel pan. Warming the pan, with the cases in the mixture, on the stove speeds the process. The cleaned cases must be rinsed to remove all residue and oven dried on “warm.” Too much heat can ruin the heat treatment of the cases. Cases should be decapped before wet cleaning.
Dry cleaning is tumbling the cases in an abrasive cleaning media made of ground corn cobs or ground walnut shells. This requires a motor-driven tumbler or spinner-type tool into which the cases and media are put for cleaning. The cleaned cases must be wiped free of dust, and any media trapped inside must be removed.
CARTRIDGE CASE & AMMUNITION STORAGE
“Store in a cool dry place” is good advice for keeping about anything, but this isn't always possible. Depending on one's paranoia and/or notion of thrift, the decision may be made to buy a large quantity of cases. Sometimes quantity simply accumulates in the form of various loadings, always expanding with the addition of new guns to a shooting battery. Ultimately the questions arise: how long will this stuff last (both cases and finished ammunition) and how do I take care of it?
In answer to question one, the shelf life of modern ammunition (both commercial and good handloads) is virtually indefinite if kept under ideal conditions — sealed, cool and dry. Most of us don't have this kind of storage. Experts have preached since time immemorial the avoidance of heat and damp when storing. Actually, heat and damp by themselves don't do all that much damage to quality ammunition. Heat does drive off volatiles in lubricants and exposed propellent-powders and to a degree accelerates decomposition in smokeless powders.
Liquid case cleaners contain a mild acid and require no more equipment than a stainless steel, plastic or glass pan to soak them in. Cases should be decapped before cleaning and either air-dried or oven-dried at no more than 150 degrees F.
Heat and damp together are most injurious because water absorbs pollutants and heat accelerates chemical reactions between these pollutants and ammunition. The triple threat in airborne pollution consists of acids, ammonia, and sulfur compounds. All occur naturally in the atmosphere in addition to being man-made pollutants. They are also found in a variety of household products. Salts, through direct contamination, are a fourth hazard. Pinpointing the exact reason why a particular batch of ammunition went bad is a mystery to be solved by an expert metallurgist-detective through chemical analysis and examination of cartridge surfaces with a scanning electron microscope.
I have often heard it said that certain metals “crystalize” and become brittle with age. I put this question to Professor Bryan Wilde – a metallurgist and director of the Fontana Corrosion Center at The Ohio State University. He assured me this was not the case. Cartridge brass has a crystalline structure.
When exposed to pollutants in the atmosphere, notably ammonia, a breakdown of the alloy begins as ammonia dissolves the copper. Acids in the atmosphere dissolve the zinc in a process known as “dezincification.” In areas where the metal is stressed – case necks, shoulders and crimps – the crystal edges are farther apart, thus speeding the breakdown in a process known as “season cracking.”
Season cracking begins as tarnish, gradually turning into deep corrosion which often follows the edges of the crystals, giving the surface a frosted appearance, leading to the impression the metal is changing its structure. This phenomenon was first recorded in nineteenth-century ammunition used by the British in India, where it was exposed to the ammonia-rich fumes of cow dung and urine in a hot, humid climate.
Salts occur in perspiration and are a problem mainly because they are hygroscopic – they draw and hold water which combines with the salt to corrode metals the wet salt mixture contacts. Sulfur, notably sulfur dioxide (SO2), causes a tarnish when it combines with lead and copper to form sulfides. When SO2 combines with water (H2O) the result is sulfurous acid (H2SO3). Lead and lead alloy bullets are subject to damage mainly from acids. These attack lead, causing a hard white crust to form. If the bullet can be hand-turned in the case there is not a hermetically tight seal and sooner or later moisture will enter.
Manufacturers continue to come up with better priming, powder, lubricants, case materials, sealants, and packaging. What you buy represents the manufacturer's state of the art combined with his sense of economy at the time the product was made.
Plating cases with nickel and plating or jacketing bullets with copper inhibits corrosion by acid. Non-hygroscopic bullet lubricants keep moisture away from bullets and out of case interiors. Paper boxes absorb moisture but are no problem if kept dry. Those that contain high levels of acid residues should be disposed of and the cartridges repacked in plastic boxes which are chemically inert and if sealed, keep most moisture out. Therefore, if the cases/ammunition are in good shape when stored, and if kept dry and cool, they will remain in good condition for decades.
A second problem that still crops up is brittle brass. After cartridge brass is formed it gets a final heat treatment called “stress relief.” This process involves less heat than annealing and is done to bring the brass to the optimum degree of springiness. Occasionally a batch will get through that is improperly treated.
It will perform fine when new, but after ten or more years, the brass will have returned to its original brittle state. This is exacerbated by the process of firing and resizing. Cases will split and sometimes burst. Any corrosion taking place will hasten this process. One advantage of the old gilding-metal cases is that they were less subject to corrosion and stress changes because they were softer.
Beyond cool and dry there isn't much to be added regarding shelf-storage. For the longest run, the best means is a military ammunition can with a rubber gasket along with a fresh packet of desiccant, closed on a dry day and opened as infrequently as possible. If ammunition is stored in a can or tightly sealed cardboard container, don't break the seals (letting in pollutants) to have a look.
Second-floor rooms are perhaps the best for shelf-stored ammunition, avoiding attic heat and basement damp. Cartridges should be stored away from cleaning products containing ammonia, bleaches, or acids. If it must be stored in a basement, run a dehumidifier and keep ammunition off the floor. It is a good idea to make timely checks of shelf-stored cartridges in non-sealed boxes – twice a year is fine – to inspect for case tarnish or a haze of white corrosion forming on lead bullets.
To the above might be added a list of dumb things not to do. Slathering a gun with Hoppe's No. 9 may do well to keep it from rust, but if this is the one kept for home defense the ammonia in No. 9 spreading onto the cartridges therein will eat right into them. The same is true for any ammonia-bearing solvent cleaner. A rust inhibitor such as WD-40 spray may work preservative magic, but WD-40 is designed to penetrate and will do so in the seams between primers and cases, eventually working into the priming compound and neutralizing it. Leaving cartridges in leather belt loops may look nifty, but if the leather has residual salts or acids in it these will eat into the metal, etching a ring which adds nothing to the looks or strength of the cartridge case.
Lastly, it should not be forgotten that cartridges are interesting. People can't keep their sweaty hands off them. Ask any collector how often he wipes down his collection after “showing” it to friends. Two suggestions passed to me by collectors are treating specimens with a light coat of rust inhibiting grease or liquid car wax of the Rain-Dance variety as the best defense against repeated attacks of finger-borne corrosion. Like the guy at the gas station used to say: “Rust never sleeps.”
This article is an excerpt from the ABCs of Reloading, 9th Edition.
As you may remember, GOA had alerted you last month to press reports indicating that the NRA might endorse Reid. Followers of the Wall Street Journal read on July 2 that:
The chief lobbyist for the National Rifle Association made an interesting admission to The Weekly Standard following a Wednesday report by RedState.com that the powerful gun lobby might back Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in his general election battle against Republican Sharron Angle.
It's not that they might endorse Reid — because they might, said chief lobbyist Chris Cox — but that the issue doesn't appear to be as much about the records of Reid and Angle, but rather the specter of a Senate run by either Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois or New York Sen. Chuck Schumer.
GOA asked you to contact the NRA and to urge them NOT TO ENDORSE Reid. Well, as of last week, the NRA officially announced that they would not endorse him!
This is extremely good news, because it makes it more likely that gun owners in Nevada will now be able to make a more informed decision in November. Now, if we can just encourage the NRA to take the next step and endorse the pro-gun Sharron Angle! Read more
Monday's 20-16 vote fell one short of the majority needed, but the Senate will reconsider the measure Tuesday.
The bill, AB1934, was introduced after a series of demonstrations by gun-rights organizations during which they encouraged participants to openly carry unloaded weapons. California law lets gun owners carry a rifle or handgun in a holster if it is not loaded.
The legislation would make it a misdemeanor to openly carry a handgun in any public place.
Democratic Sen. Mark DeSaulnier of Concord, who carried the bill in the Senate, said people often call police when they see weapons in public, not knowing whether they are loaded.
“I do not want to take weapons away from law-abiding citizens,” he said. “The Supreme Court has said we can put reasonable controls over handguns, and that's what this is.” Read more
Agreeing with the position of the NRA and the firearms industry, the agency explained in a news release that it “does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).”Further crushing the hopes of anti-gun and anti-hunting activists, the release added: “nor is the agency seeking such authority.”
“It’s outrageous that this petition even went this far,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA-ILA Executive Director.“We applaud the EPA for its understanding of the law and its common sense in this situation — both of which were totally missing in the petition filed by these extreme anti-gun and anti-hunting groups.” Read more
This Special Order Winchester Model 1886 sold for $11,000.
by Mark Kakkuri
James D. Julia was nervous. It was October 2008 and the firearms auctioneer from Fairfield, Maine, was listening to news reports warning of a possible collapse in world financial markets. Earlier that year, in March, his firearms auction business enjoyed a $12.7 million gross for a single auction, the largest ever, anywhere.
Now, it seemed like the financial world was unraveling and he was about to open another firearms auction. Julia feared that buyers wouldn’t be buying and the auction wouldn’t be successful. “Nobody knew it, but I was sweating bullets,” he says. Well known for their high quality firearms auctions, the James D. Julia Auctioneers started the October 2008 auction featuring a rare Colt Walker pistol with an estimated selling price between $500,000 and $1,000,000. Julia wondered how it would it fare in an economy that seemed to be on the brink of disaster. It sold for $920,000, setting a world record for the most expensive single firearm sold at auction.
Over the 40 years that Julia has been in the auction business, he’s sold over $130 million worth of firearms and military goods. In the past five years his auction company has averaged $15,000 per lot sold—six to eight times the industry average. The day after the record Colt Walker sale, the stock market lost 10 percent of its value. In general, economic times are indeed difficult— “it’s about as challenging a time you could ask for in recent years,” he says—but points to one simple reason for success: “There’s always a bunch of guys who will fight for a special item; they are passionate in their interest and desire. A true collector is not an investor in his things; they love and understand those things; that’s what drives them.”
Manufacturers of modern firearms, especially AR-15 rifles and concealable handguns—have also enjoyed record sales over the last couple of years. Julia, however, says sales in the firearms industry has nothing to do with the success of the auction industry. “Thank God for the fear mongers who purchased Glocks and such,” he says, “but it’s a totally different guy who buys collector pieces from gun auctions.”
Despite the declining economy, Scott Weber, owner of Gunrunner Online Firearms Auctions in Burton, Ohio, also saw significant success in his firearms auction business last year but sees a closer connection between the political climate, general firearms sales, and sales from firearms auctions. Weber says 2009 was Gunrunner’s highest grossing year of their 10 years of auctioneering, “and we thank Mr. Obama for that!” Gunrunner sells 5,000 guns a year in online auctions and Weber says they’re on their way to doubling the revenue of 2009. “No recession here!”
In 2009, Kramer Sales, a firearms auctioneer based in Prairie du Chien, Wisc., sold around 1,500 antique and modern firearms. Owner Curt Kramer says that while they’re a smaller outfit, this is about double what they did in 2008. “We sold some really interesting firearms at auction this past year, from a .50 caliber WWII British Boyes anti-tank rifle to some great deluxe Winchesters, a Henry Rifle, and just about everything in between.”
By contrast, James D. Julia Auctioneers will sell around 800 guns generating from $8.5 million to $13 million. According to Julia, his nearest competitor will sell 3,800 guns to generate about $3 million and conduct 20 to 30 auctions a year. Julia conducts nine auctions a year. “We don’t aim for quantity but quality,” he says. Whether passionate collectors or political concerns are driving the firearms auction industry, the success has brought its share of surprises to the auctioneers.
“Our staff was not ready for the amount of firearms streaming into the store,” says Weber. He says the Gunrunner employees in one load picked up over 1,000 guns and recently received another collection of 500 handguns. “All day long the guns come in the mail or by truckload—it’s like Christmas every day!” Weber says this level of business requires Gunrunner employees to work until 11 p.m. every night just processing the paperwork for the firearms. “It’s great fun,” he says, “but I am working seven days a week.”
The surprising demand for firearms has also brought a demand for ammunition. “Ammo sales has been nuts for two years,” says Kramer, particularly of ammunition in not new but not old enough or in good enough condition to be collectible. “It’s just good shooter ammo,” he says. “Further, ammo prices in the retail stores have not dropped and my buyers realize it.”
Despite the record-setting sales and its position as one of the larger firearms auction companies, Julia considered the economic downtown and prepared for the worst. “I knew a recession was coming but I didn’t know when,” he says. “Just as soon as it happened I met with my staff and told them what to expect. First I told them that we’re not going to fire anyone; instead we’re going to do more for our client. So we implemented a policy change. If the goods to sell are expensive, we’ll sell at a zero percent commission. I called it the James D. Julia ‘Stimulus Plan.’
Another unique piece from a recent Kramer auction: a Civil War era Henry manufactured in 1864.
The key was to generate an attitude not of restriction but of more service to the customer. The goals were simple: We would get more stuff to sell, get more people in the door (at 0 percent), and make life hell for our competition.” As a result, Julia says last year his company sold a lot less than the $42 million in stuff they were supposed to sell; but they are now constantly negotiating with new clients.
According to Julia, when the market drops, it just gets tougher to sell but also to get the goods to sell. “Sellers are either people who have things that have to be sold—they’re just done with their stuff—or they’re of the opportunistic group, checking to see what profit they might get out of a sale.” Most opportunistic sellers will wait in bad times, he says.
Weber says Gunrunner’s challenge is getting 350 guns a month onto their auction block with accurate descriptions. “It’s tough to research some of the firearms—we are getting some of the rarest guns in the world into our auction facility— and it takes time to get the descriptions right so that we really know what we have.”
Moreover, the company needs more physical space. In fact, Gunrunner recently purchased more business space near their current location and Weber says they may need more immediately. “We will be doing two types of auctions a month. I’ve got a new crew hired and they’ll start a new 24/7 auction in June,” he says.
Kramer brings up a host of challenges he’s facing: time required to keep up with all of the state laws, managing nationwide shipments, and Internet and phone bidding. He says keeping up with technology keeps him busy and the firearms industry is expanding much faster due to the Internet and Web-savvy buyers who are always looking for a particular gun to upgrade or fill out a collection. “I am a computer-literate guy,” he says, “but we are doing a lot of things with Internet catalogs and live Internet bidding that I never thought I would be doing.”
Julia, Kramer, and Weber all share a favorable outlook for the firearms auctions business. Weber says that 2010 looks to be Gunrunner’s greatest year by far—double the business of last year. “It’s unreal!” he says. Kramer says 2010 has been very good so far: “Our March auction was our best attended sale yet and prices were very strong on all types of firearms.”
According to Julia, the auction business, while good, is not as easy as it has been in the past. The bottom line, however, is there. The industry’s advantages, he says, are the huge pool of goods which are a magnet for buyers and the tremendous pool of financial resources which allow him to spend a lot of money advertising the auctions.
“In great times you draw people in and they fight for things,” says Julia. “In bad times, you set realistic or conservative expectations (prices), and then have something people want. With a declining economy, people are preprogrammed to be more careful when buying and the auction creates the right atmosphere to take advantage of this. Get two bidders who think ‘I’m going to save some money and get what I want’ and they’ll drive the price up.” Mark Kakkuri is a freelance writer in Oxford, Mich.
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This Special Order Winchester Model 1886 sold for $11,000.
James D. Julia was nervous. It was October 2008 and the firearms auctioneer from Fairfield, Maine, was listening to news reports warning of a possible collapse in world financial markets. Earlier that year, in March, his firearms auction business enjoyed a $12.7 million gross for a single auction, the largest ever, anywhere.
Now, it seemed like the financial world was unraveling and he was about to open another firearms auction. Julia feared that buyers wouldn’t be buying and the auction wouldn’t be successful. “Nobody knew it, but I was sweating bullets,” he says. Well known for their high quality firearms auctions, the James D. Julia Auctioneers started the October 2008 auction featuring a rare Colt Walker pistol with an estimated selling price between $500,000 and $1,000,000. Julia wondered how it would it fare in an economy that seemed to be on the brink of disaster. It sold for $920,000, setting a world record for the most expensive single firearm sold at auction.
Over the 40 years that Julia has been in the auction business, he’s sold over $130 million worth of firearms and military goods. In the past five years his auction company has averaged $15,000 per lot sold—six to eight times the industry average. The day after the record Colt Walker sale, the stock market lost 10 percent of its value. In general, economic times are indeed difficult— “it’s about as challenging a time you could ask for in recent years,” he says—but points to one simple reason for success: “There’s always a bunch of guys who will fight for a special item; they are passionate in their interest and desire. A true collector is not an investor in his things; they love and understand those things; that’s what drives them.”
Manufacturers of modern firearms, especially AR-15 rifles and concealable handguns—have also enjoyed record sales over the last couple of years. Julia, however, says sales in the firearms industry has nothing to do with the success of the auction industry. “Thank God for the fear mongers who purchased Glocks and such,” he says, “but it’s a totally different guy who buys collector pieces from gun auctions.”
Despite the declining economy, Scott Weber, owner of Gunrunner Online Firearms Auctions in Burton, Ohio, also saw significant success in his firearms auction business last year but sees a closer connection between the political climate, general firearms sales, and sales from firearms auctions. Weber says 2009 was Gunrunner’s highest grossing year of their 10 years of auctioneering, “and we thank Mr. Obama for that!” Gunrunner sells 5,000 guns a year in online auctions and Weber says they’re on their way to doubling the revenue of 2009. “No recession here!”
In 2009, Kramer Sales, a firearms auctioneer based in Prairie du Chien, Wisc., sold around 1,500 antique and modern firearms. Owner Curt Kramer says that while they’re a smaller outfit, this is about double what they did in 2008. “We sold some really interesting firearms at auction this past year, from a .50 caliber WWII British Boyes anti-tank rifle to some great deluxe Winchesters, a Henry Rifle, and just about everything in between.”
By contrast, James D. Julia Auctioneers will sell around 800 guns generating from $8.5 million to $13 million. According to Julia, his nearest competitor will sell 3,800 guns to generate about $3 million and conduct 20 to 30 auctions a year. Julia conducts nine auctions a year. “We don’t aim for quantity but quality,” he says. Whether passionate collectors or political concerns are driving the firearms auction industry, the success has brought its share of surprises to the auctioneers.
“Our staff was not ready for the amount of firearms streaming into the store,” says Weber. He says the Gunrunner employees in one load picked up over 1,000 guns and recently received another collection of 500 handguns. “All day long the guns come in the mail or by truckload—it’s like Christmas every day!” Weber says this level of business requires Gunrunner employees to work until 11 p.m. every night just processing the paperwork for the firearms. “It’s great fun,” he says, “but I am working seven days a week.”
The surprising demand for firearms has also brought a demand for ammunition. “Ammo sales has been nuts for two years,” says Kramer, particularly of ammunition in not new but not old enough or in good enough condition to be collectible. “It’s just good shooter ammo,” he says. “Further, ammo prices in the retail stores have not dropped and my buyers realize it.”
Despite the record-setting sales and its position as one of the larger firearms auction companies, Julia considered the economic downtown and prepared for the worst. “I knew a recession was coming but I didn’t know when,” he says. “Just as soon as it happened I met with my staff and told them what to expect. First I told them that we’re not going to fire anyone; instead we’re going to do more for our client. So we implemented a policy change. If the goods to sell are expensive, we’ll sell at a zero percent commission. I called it the James D. Julia ‘Stimulus Plan.’
Another unique piece from a recent Kramer auction: a Civil War era Henry manufactured in 1864.
The key was to generate an attitude not of restriction but of more service to the customer. The goals were simple: We would get more stuff to sell, get more people in the door (at 0 percent), and make life hell for our competition.” As a result, Julia says last year his company sold a lot less than the $42 million in stuff they were supposed to sell; but they are now constantly negotiating with new clients.
According to Julia, when the market drops, it just gets tougher to sell but also to get the goods to sell. “Sellers are either people who have things that have to be sold—they’re just done with their stuff—or they’re of the opportunistic group, checking to see what profit they might get out of a sale.” Most opportunistic sellers will wait in bad times, he says.
Weber says Gunrunner’s challenge is getting 350 guns a month onto their auction block with accurate descriptions. “It’s tough to research some of the firearms—we are getting some of the rarest guns in the world into our auction facility— and it takes time to get the descriptions right so that we really know what we have.”
Moreover, the company needs more physical space. In fact, Gunrunner recently purchased more business space near their current location and Weber says they may need more immediately. “We will be doing two types of auctions a month. I’ve got a new crew hired and they’ll start a new 24/7 auction in June,” he says.
Kramer brings up a host of challenges he’s facing: time required to keep up with all of the state laws, managing nationwide shipments, and Internet and phone bidding. He says keeping up with technology keeps him busy and the firearms industry is expanding much faster due to the Internet and Web-savvy buyers who are always looking for a particular gun to upgrade or fill out a collection. “I am a computer-literate guy,” he says, “but we are doing a lot of things with Internet catalogs and live Internet bidding that I never thought I would be doing.”
Julia, Kramer, and Weber all share a favorable outlook for the firearms auctions business. Weber says that 2010 looks to be Gunrunner’s greatest year by far—double the business of last year. “It’s unreal!” he says. Kramer says 2010 has been very good so far: “Our March auction was our best attended sale yet and prices were very strong on all types of firearms.”
According to Julia, the auction business, while good, is not as easy as it has been in the past. The bottom line, however, is there. The industry’s advantages, he says, are the huge pool of goods which are a magnet for buyers and the tremendous pool of financial resources which allow him to spend a lot of money advertising the auctions.
“In great times you draw people in and they fight for things,” says Julia. “In bad times, you set realistic or conservative expectations (prices), and then have something people want. With a declining economy, people are preprogrammed to be more careful when buying and the auction creates the right atmosphere to take advantage of this. Get two bidders who think ‘I’m going to save some money and get what I want’ and they’ll drive the price up.” Mark Kakkuri is a freelance writer in Oxford, Mich.
For the past three days I have visited with members of the Blackhawk! staff at their headquarters in Norfolk, VA. You know about Blackhawk!, the maker of some of the finest tactical gear in the world. Stuff that is built for the field by guys who have been in the field. You heard the story of how Blackhawk! founder Mike Noell, a Navy SEAL, found himself face-to-face with a landmine after a strap on his pack broke somewhere in northern Iraq. And how he promised that if he made it out alive he would make the best backpacks in the world… yeah, that's all legend. Well, the past three day, I have hung out with and learned from a cadre of men. None bragged. None went out of their way to tell storys, but occassionally topics would come up. We talked about breaching doors with a man who helped rescue Jessica Lynch and a sniper who helped knock down three Somalian pirates. There were guys who helped capture Bosnian war criminals and spent time in the hills of Afghanistan.
I could not help but wonder where we would be as a nation without people who risked so much, for so many while so few really knew what they were doing. All of these men said the same thing: “It was my job. I was part of a team. I could do nothing alone.”
The movie version of Navy SEAL is so far from the truth it is almost laughable. I prefer the term I have heard so many times: Quiet Professionals. They are men who work hard, trust in their training and seemingly want nothing more than a nod of approval for a job well done. I felt honored and humbled to work with such men, to be around them for even a short time was great.
Proxibid is the world’s largest provider of live auction webcasting services and offers firearm's collectors access to thousands of high-quality items each month.
If you’ve purchased firearms at auction you’ve likely experienced the thrill of winning a great piece at a competitive price, as well as the agony of defeat when leaving an auction empty-handed. Online bidding provides collectors with the opportunity to bid on, and win, high-quality pieces without having to travel to the live auction. What does this mean for the average collector? Instead of spending precious time and resources away from work, home and family, collectors who purchase firearms online are happier than ever. They are actively participating in auctions online and because they aren’t traveling, expenses are drastically reduced.
These collectors are spending more time with their families, are enjoying life and are still able to grow their collections – often finding more precious items than before because they’re able to participate in more auctions. Not all Online Bidding Services are Created Equally When purchasing firearms online, consider that not all live auction webcasting services are the same. • Choose a provider that works with only licensed auction companies to ensure you are acquiring firearms from a trusted source. • Be certain that your provider has a proven track record and employs the latest technologies to ensure your bids are accurately represented. • Select a provider who offers live audio and video streaming of the event to guarantee the best user experience possible. • Work with a provider who offers access to auction archives, which allows bidders the opportunity to research the market value of items on which they plan to bid. • Make sure the provider you choose has a secure Web site to protect your online purchases.
While there are several online auction providers, not every live auction webcasting solution emulates the live auction. Be sure your provider allows you to purchase times-the-money, all-one-money, and in buyer’s choice lots – ensuring that you experience the same level of interaction and excitement as if you were at the live event.
In addition to selecting a provider who offers a leading live auction webcasting solution and access to firearms you need, be sure the provider offers world-class customer service and speak with an auction specialist who works directly with bidders on a regular basis to ensure their needs are met as they bid in online auctions.
How Does Live Webcast Bidding Work? When participating in live webcast bidding, it is critical that the bidder is aware of the strategic interaction taking place between your bid, your online provider and the auctioneer. Once a bid has been placed via the Internet, rest assured that a real person – an agent on staff with your provider or a ringman on staff with the auctioneer – will represent the Internet bids until the high bid has been reached and the hammer has been dropped.
Bidding online is easy. Most online auction providers require bidders to have an account to participate in their auctions, and also require bidders to register per event as a means of protecting both the buyer and seller since terms and conditions are unique to each individual auction and bidders must agree to the terms of the auction before they can bid. Auction companies often have varying requirements to be accepted to bid in auctions, such as deposits, bank letters, or previous bid history. Because bank letters and deposits can sometimes be difficult to obtain, allow ample time to gather the required items for your registration well in advance of the auction. Be sure to allow at least 24-48 hours for the auction company to review and accept your bidder registration.
Select a live auction webcasting service that is interactive and intuitive to ensure a smooth bidding experience. Choose the auction in which you wish to participate, launch the online bidding application and audio/video stream and you’re ready to bid.
We recommend selecting a provider that offers bidders the opportunity to leave pre-bids and absentee bids for its auctions. If you cannot participate in a live auction webcast, simply leave a bid, up to your maximum amount, and the online bidding solution will represent your bid, up to your maximum bid amount, using increments that the auction company has set prior to the live auction. Tips for Effective Live Online Bidding When bidding online for your next firearms purchase, be sure to consider the following: • Research the firearm prior to the auction to ensure you are making an educated purchasing decision. • If you have questions regarding a particular piece, be sure to contact the auction company directly prior to the event. • Review the auction terms and conditions and be certain that you understand them before you agree to them, including buyer’s fees and shipping guidelines. • Register for events as quickly as possible to ensure enough time for approvals. • Leave pre-bids to ensure your bids are always represented in the event you cannot attend an auction. • Place your bids early and often! If you are interested in a piece, don’t wait to place your bid. Remember, you are competing with other Internet bidders, as well as with those in the live audience and the onsite software operator needs time to represent your bids before the hammer drops. • Understand your shipping options and additional costs, including buyer’s fees, and budget accordingly prior to placing your online bid.
Procuring high-quality firearms specific to the needs of your collection can be difficult, but online bidding solutions can help you save precious time and resources. Don’t let all of the terrific pieces crossing the auction block online each month pass you by. Join the thousands of savvy firearms collectors who have already begun procuring pieces online and find out for yourself why more collectors than ever are buying live online.
Proxibid is the world’s largest provider of live auction webcasting services and offers firearm's collectors access to thousands of high-quality items each month.
About Proxibid Omaha-based Proxibid brings auctioneers and bidders together for a world-class online auction experience. Since 2002, the Company has worked with more than 2,000 auctioneers to bring more than 23,000 auctions to a global, online audience. With registered bidders from more than 180 countries, no other provider in the industry connects more buyers and sellers than Proxibid. The Company’s proprietary live Internet bidding service and Web site were developed by auctioneers and industry-leading professionals to provide our bidders with the most user-friendly and comprehensive online auction experience possible.
Proxibid’s customer service and support is unmatched in the industry. The company’s toll-free support center is open before, during and after every live auction, and is staffed with bi-lingual auction specialists who assist both bidders and auctioneers. For more information about Proxibid, please visit us online at www.proxibid.com.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
Today it is a fundamental, Constitutional right for the individual to carry a weapon for the purpose of self defense. Unfortunately, California government has chosen to ignore the Heller and McDonald decisions of the US Supreme Court. It will take a Federal Court order to force the State and local governments to comply with the two decisions. Which may be about to happen in the Peruta case.
The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry
