The first and perhaps the most critical fact all new handloaders must understand is the presence of an initial investment cost. If you’re the sort of shooter who wants more ammunition for lower cost, you may want to get into reloading purely to save money (or use the money you saved to make even more ammo). Reloading for EconomyĮconomy and pure quantity are perhaps the most common reasons to get into handloading. There are three main reasons why handloaders prefer to make their own ammunition instead of buying factory products:Įach of these reasons comes with different practices, methods, and good habits, all of which you should clearly understand if you want to achieve the best results. However, while it’s true that factory ammunition generally performs well and can be relied upon for most situations, sometimes it simply isn’t enough. Simply buying the ammo you know will fire and cycle reliably with 99.9% certainty is convenient. Many experienced shooters and reloaders may still regularly buy factory ammunition because it comes with a sense of security and a guarantee of quality and reliability. What Handloads Can Do That Factory Ammo Can’tīefore getting into the hobby, new handloaders need to understand that factory ammunition isn’t inherently bad. Learn how to reload with a purpose and how to produce ammunition that satisfies your needs reliably. Some even say that modern factory ammo is equal to or better than the best handloads. If you’re new to the activity, you may be wondering where to start or even what the point is, especially considering that factory ammunition is not unreliable. For others, it’s an activity with a purpose saving money, getting the tightest groups possible, or simply self-reliance. For some, those benefits are simply about supplementing or topping off the ammunition reserves and spending a relaxing afternoon. Handloading is an activity with many benefits for shooters.

8mm nambu dies