Reloading Zone (16)

With ammo in hand, we head to the range for live-fire testing of both our .500 S&W Magnum loads as well as our .338 Lapua.

Those considering cranking it up to 11 might be a little reserved, but the good news is that the process doesn’t change too dramatically.

We kick things off with an in-depth analysis of the tools and components involved with making monster magnum cartridges. Frankfort Arsenal’s beefed-up F1 press will be used to work the larger cases.

Welcome back to another exciting season of Reloading Zone. This year, our host, Frank Melloni, is bringing the thump by going Magnum!

In our first episode Frank covers some of the basic equipment that you need to turn factory or fired brass into fresh ammunition. You can get much of this in one fell swoop with the RCBS Rock Chucker kit.

Once brass is fired from a pistol or rifle, it retains those chamber dimensions. In episode two, Frank explains and demonstrates the different methods of resizing the brass to ensure it will feed reliably again.

One of the advantages that the hand loader has is ability to try different powders & primers in custom-made rounds. In episode three, Frank covers the differences between powders & primers and explains how to pick the best ones for your application.

Once your cases are primed and filled with the correct amount of powder, it’s time to see a bullet. In the last episode, Frank explains & demonstrates how to obtain your optimal overall length and make a round that will function flawlessly.

Frank discusses both the wet and dry methods of case cleaning through a demonstration of Frankford Arsenal’s rotary and vibratory tumblers as well as the pros and cons of each method.

Frank covers the importance of trimming for both safety and accuracy, plus how to identify trim specs before using the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Prep and Trim Center.

Episode three covers pocket primer uniforming to ensure the same primer strike from case to case using tools from the Frankford Arsenal Case Prep Expansion Pack, plus ensuring repeatable flame transfer using the RCBS flash hole deburring tool.

Our final installment of Season 2 of Reloading Zone covers how to load rounds for testing followed up by a live-fire demonstration.