Thanks to the incredible advancements in modern firearms technology, hitting a target at 1,000 yards is no longer considered a mythical feat achievable by only the most skilled marksmen. With the right setup, almost anyone can make this shot with ease. Of course, the key is having a reliable rifle platform coupled with a bullet and load that delivers consistent accuracy every single time.
hand-loading was and still is the only reliable way to achieve pinpoint precision. While custom or factory ammunition both have their pros and cons, they can both get the job done with aplomb. The decision to choose one over the other often comes down to availability of free time for reloading and personal preferences regarding accuracy. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of each.
Reloading ammo is far more cost-effective and time-consuming than factory ammunition. The main benefit of reloading your own ammo is that you can shoot more without breaking the bank. Though factory ammo is convenient and produced with consistent results, reloading gives you the confidence to customize your ammunition to your liking that can produce superior results.
Factory Ammo vs Handloading Ammo: Pros and Cons
Buying factory ammo is easy as it’s available in a wide range of stores or online, giving you the convenience of readily available ammo when you need it. While it’s true that you won’t have to spend time reloading, you don’t have the ability to tweak the load to what your gun shoots best. Additionally, factory ammo is typically accurate at 500 yards, but with higher extreme spreads in velocity, it becomes more challenging to shoot accurately at long range. Another downside is that the ammunition you’re looking for may be out of stock.
On the other hand, handloading ammo lets you have complete control over the ammo you’re loading. You get to handle every round, so you know they are exactly the same. With handloading ammo, you can make the rounds more accurate at long range. Moreover, you have more bullet options to choose from. However, reloading requires a lot of time and dedication. Furthermore, the initial investment can be over $1,000, and you’ll be solely responsible for any mishaps that may occur during reloading.
The initial investment for the high-end Reloading Equipment can be over $1,000 to do precision custom loads.
There are multiple components you will need to buy just to be able to load. On top of that, you will most likely need to buy several types of powder and bullets to find what shoots best. You will also need to purchase a chronograph in order to read the velocity of each shot.
Basics to start with, it is a choice in type, manufacture.
- Up-to-date Loading Manual ( You should include an older manual also)
- Reloading press
- Shell holder (Buy One Extra)
- Reloading die set of appropriate caliber (By extra expander ball, decapping pins, Decapping Rod because your going to break it when you start out)
- Case lubricant*
- Case lubricant pad*
- Safety glasses (especially for priming)
- Priming unit
- Primer tray
- Powder scale (graduated in grains avoirdupois)
- Powder trickler
- Powder funnel
- Two loading blocks
- Dial indicating caliper (graduated in 0.001” increments)
- Case trimmer with pilot
- Deburring tool
- Case removal tool (You can also make your own)
- Ammo Boxes
- Buy your Brass cases, powder, primers and bullets.
- Patients and research. Always take your time in Reloading and never rush or cut corners.