Reloading gives you complete control over the quality of your ammunition, both excellent and terrible. Consistency and accuracy with all items of your ammunition becomes your responsibility, and therefore, you have full control over the quality control process.
When reloading ammunition you can safe on the cost of buying and the safety of your reloaded ammunition rests in your hands.
People who are unfamiliar with the process of reloading are concerned about the safety of this practice. There are risks in reloading, but these can be effectively mitigated as follows:
The easiest way to learn the basic rules of reloading ammunition is to watch a person who is an old hand at this process. Ask questions, pay attention and you will soon learn that it is not as complicated as you would have thought.
Have a close look at the type and quality of equipment before purchasing your own. Depending on your budget, buy the basics first, but buy quality.
Load your ammunition; fire your ammunition; check your results; and make adjustments to correct or improve your results until you are completely satisfied. In this process you will become familiar with the various elements in the reloading process. You will learn about internal ballistics (what happens inside the weapon from the moment the firing pin hits the bullet until the projectile leaves the barrel) and the external ballistics (the behaviour of the projectile in flight).
A fascinating part of the reloading process is the fact that you keep on learning, adding to your knowledge and experience while you obtain better results time after time.
Many SAHGCA members reload ammunition for their own use. There are interest groups that offers a valuable source of advice to other members or newcomers. Enquire from your branch chairman about establishing a similar group for the branch. The Reloading Association South Africa (RASA) is another rich source of information as well.
