In the gun community, it’s no secret that reloading ammo is one of the hottest new trends making the rounds. Most reloaders are active gun enthusiasts that shoot regularly and want to save money on ammunition. While that’s a valid reason to pack your own brass, there are other compelling motivations. Here are a few situations where reloading brass is superior to buying fresh ammo.
There’s an Ammo Shortage
If it seems like there’s a shortage of a particular kind of ammo nearly every year, you’re not imagining things. Not long ago, every caliber of ammo from .223 Remington to 9mm Parabellum was selling for a significant premium. If you’re a reloader, you don’t have to switch from 7.62 NATO to .308 Winchester or vice versa to save a buck.
You have a Custom Barrel
Rifle barrel twist rates are one of the things that make every make and model just a little different from the rest. “While stock ammo generally delivers okay performance for most barrels, adding or subtracting a few grains will ensure excellent ballistics for a particular gun,” according to AZ Bulk Brass. Reloading allows you to get the most from your unique barrel twist.
Reduced Recoil is Preferred
There are a multitude of scenarios where attaining lower recoil at the expense of muzzle velocity is ideal. For instance, maybe you’re an older shooter that can’t handle the recoil of your favorite firearm anymore, or perhaps you’ve injured your shoulder or suffer from intermittent arthritis and need to make your rounds a little less hot for comfort’s sake.
You need Pinpoint Accuracy
As we all know, nearly every major or minor aspect of a firearm and the ammo that it eats can affect MOA results. Reloading brass will allow you to fine-tune how far you’ll get from the bullseye when human error isn’t factored in. If precision hits matter for hunting or competition purposes, reloading your own brass is a pretty easy decision.
Unusual Shooting Conditions
Specific gunpowder recipes and primers are usually meant to perform over a wide range of conditions. For those in extremely humid or bitterly cold climates, performance can deviate from the manufacturer’s advertised specs by a wide margin. By reloading brass yourself based on weather conditions, you can get predictable results no matter what your local thermometer or barometer is saying.
To Reload or Not to Reload
While reloading brass is beneficial for some shooters, it’s not right for everyone. First off, the necessary equipment will cost you a little bit up front. Secondly, it takes a few tries to get the process right. However, if you’re an avid shooter and a perfectionist that likes saving money over time, reloading makes a lot of sense.
