The initial 4.5-hour classroom session will be offered at the OSC clubhouse. This room can easily accommodate 20 students, but I want to limit class size to 10 at a time. This permits some flexibility in scheduling the class sessions and encourages individual participation.
After the initial classroom session, bench instruction will be scheduled over the following weekends for 1 or 2 students at a time, at my residence. (That's where my 400-lb loading bench and presses are set up, and it’s far easier for you to come to them rather than for them to come to you!)
Once everyone has had their press time and produced some ammo we will all meet again for the final session, about a month after the initial session. This should give you plenty of time to read the massive textbook. At this final session we will wrap up the paperwork (review the course, take the exam, and distribute certificates).
With the course now completed, I would hope that everyone sticks around to test fire their new rounds of ammo out on the range.
The textbook is the NRA Guide to Reloading. This book is an excellent introduction to reloading for the beginner. It is not complete in the sense that it covers every aspect of reloading in detail. Other references attempt to do that. There is a vast literature on the subject, not all of it useful to the beginner; much of it is out of date. Reloading is a constantly changing activity. This book will get you started, and it will set you up in the correct way to acquire more knowledge. It is not a loading manual; it will not give you recipes for your favorite loads. There are many good loading manuals available with thousands of tested loadings; this textbook will help you to understand the data in these manuals.
(Don't rush out and order a copy of this book. I have your copy; it's included with the student packet when you enroll in the course.)
Reloading is a complex activity; it is not for everyone. It requires your constant attention to details and safety. You must be committed to acquiring knowledge and developing skills. You must have a healthy respect for the limitations of the information, equipment, and processes that you will use. And most of all, you must have the discipline to follow instructions to the letter. The reloading bench is no place to be sloppy or to experiment.
Is reloading for you? Take this test: Look up a recipe in a cookbook and go out and buy the ingredients to make a cake or cookies from scratch - not a box of "just add water" mix, but the actual "make a mess in the kitchen, use every bowl in the house" individual ingredients. If you cannot follow the recipe and produce something edible that you would be proud to serve your family, then you have no business trying to make ammo!
A comment on safety: Just as no live ammo is permitted in the room during an NRA Firearms course, NO FIREARMS will be permitted in the classroom or at the loading bench during an NRA Reloading course.
As currently planned, the metallic cartridge reloading course will emphasize pistol cartridges over rifle cartridges since this is where your instructor has the most experience. The specific cartridge caliber(s) we use can be based on student preferences which will be surveyed during course registration. I'm currently set up to reload the following pistol calibers:
| 9 mm | .40 S&W |
| .38 Special | .45 ACP |
| .357 Magnum | .45 Long Colt |
Currently I'm set up to reload only the following rifle cartridge:
| .223 Rem |
I can reload the following shot shells:
12 gauge 20 gauge If you insist on learning how to reload using another cartridge, I can try to accommodate you provided that you can supply your own reloading dies and components (brass, primers, powder, and bullets). Contact me to discuss this issue before you enroll.
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On the reloading bench I have 2 presses set up permanently. One is a simple single-stage Lee Challenger press (left) which is great for learning the reloading process. The second is a Lee Turret press (center) which is a little more complicated and better suited for the reloader with more experienced. The turret press can be (and will be) set up to function as a single-stage press. (Actually, this is how I do the bulk of my own reloading.) I do have third very simple single-stage Lee Reloader press (right) which I use almost exclusively for cast bullet preparation. I do not use a progressive press; they are complicated and are definitely not for beginners. |
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I have 2 very simple Lee Load All II shot shell reloading presses (right), one for 12-gauge and one for 20-gauge, but there is space to use only one press at a time. |
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Conditions and time permitting, I'm planning to demonstrate the use of the ballistic chronograph during the ammo testing session. It's a very relevant supplement to the course since it provides important measurements to evaluate the quality of your ammo.
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Time permitting after the loading bench exercises, students may have an opportunity for an extremely brief introduction to bullet casting (which is a completely separate activity involving a totally different set of experience-based skills). |
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I must emphasize, these are courses for beginners. If you have experience producing your own ammo, then these courses are not for you. (I am not prepared at this time to break all your bad habits or to deal with the more advanced issues you'll raise!)
The cost of the NRA Basic Metallic Cartridge Reloading course is $40; if you'll be supplying your own components, I can lower the price to $35. (I'm trying to keep the costs down, but unfortunately, prices on ammo components continue to go through the roof, and there is no end in sight to this trend.) This price include all course materials, student textbook, supplied reloading components, and range fees.
The cost of the NRA Basic Shotgun Shell Reloading course is $35. This price include all course materials, student textbook, supplied reloading components, and range fees.
Students taking both courses can take a $10 discount. (You don't have to sign up and take both courses at the same time.)
All students must supply their own eye protection at the loading bench, just as on the firing range. We'll be working around mechanical equipment with parts under spring tension and handling components which can go bang if mistreated. I also recommend a shop apron or something to protect your clothing; you may inadvertently come into contact with some greasy or oily parts on the presses, and some of the components may by dirty. A light jacket or sweater is also recommended if you are prone to getting chilled, as I don't keep the room very warm. My home is not child-proof, so don't bring your kids.
If interest is very high, either course will be offered again as needed. It is my goal to offer these courses on a regular schedule, at least annually, more frequently if interest permits, as long as we have enough to justify reserving the clubhouse.
From all of the experienced reloaders in the club, I'm still collecting donations of all kinds of components to use as examples:
bullets, especially jacketed varieties
cases, especially a variety of basic rifle types (rimmed, rimless, belted, etc.)
good examples of classic mistakes, defects, and problems
examples of overpressure
incredibly bad bullet seatings
vials of different powers (contact me first)
outstanding examples of things you would normally hide away or quietly dispose of
Reloading is a great way to enhance your enjoyment of the shooting sports, and it’s a great indoor activity to pursue when bad weather drives you off the range. I know some reloaders who derive as much pride and satisfaction producing their own ammo as they do shooting it. I would invite you to explore this aspect of our firearms heritage.
Visit this web site for the latest information.
Enrollment is now open for the next class. You can take and submit the registration survey via e-mail.
If I don't see you regularly at the club and you are interested in taking one of these courses. contact me (Eric) to arrange payment and to pick up your textbook.