1.  Case Cleaning and Inspection:

(This is done after you have cleaned your brass using a tumbler)

Using a soft cloth, wipe each case clean to remove any dirt or cleaning media, as this can scratch the case and resizing die. Inspect the case for anything that would keep it from being safety reloaded, such as split case mouths, case head separations, excessive bulges and other case defects. Any case found to be defective should be discarded.

2.  Case Lubrication:

You’ll need to lubricate the cases before they go into a sizer die to prevent case from becoming stuck in the die (if you are using a carbide sizer die you would eliminate this step) as well as reduce resizing effort and prevent excess working of the brass.  There are several different ways to do this in addition to a wide variety of products available to use.  I use the following:

RCBS Case Lube Pad - Taking three or four cases at once, you simply lay them on the pad and roll them back and forth a few times with the palm of your hand. You will need to buy the lubricating oil as well to apply to the foam pad.

Hornady's "One Shot" Case Lube - It is a non-petroleum based product and will not contaminate powder or primers. You arrange cases in a loading block or on a clean cloth, spray at a 45 degree angle to lubricate case mouth as well as entire exterior of the case. It dries completely in about a minute and is then ready to resize.

Imperial Sizing Die Wax - This comes in a small round compact. You rub some on your fingers every few case or so, and apply it with your fingers during handling.

3.  Shell Holder:

Snap a shell holder into the press ram with a slight twisting motion.  The shell holder will securely grip the head of the cartridge case.  To determine which shell holder to use for a particular cartridge, check the ShellHolderChart I made with all the different brand shell holders.

Shell Holder

4.  Install the Sizer Die:

Thread the sizer die into the press until the die touches the shell holder when the ram is at the top of the press stroke. Raise the press handle and turn the die down another one eight to one-quarter of a turn and set the large lock ring. (If you’re using a carbide sizer die, leave a 1/16″ gap between the bottom of the die and the shell holder.)

5.  Insert the case:

With the press handle in the up position, slide a case into the shell holder.

6.  Resize the case:

Gently but firmly, lower the press handle all the way to the bottom and run the case all the way into the sizer die. This will resize the case to is original dimensions and knock the fired primer out the bottom of the case. Next, raise the press handle. This will lower the case and expand the case mouth (on bottle-neck cartridges), correctly setting the case neck diameter to hold the bullet properly.

7.  Trim the Case:

Cases sometimes stretch and become longer than the specified maximum length.  These cases must be trimmed to allow for proper chambering and for safety reasons.  New unfired brass does not need to be timed, and from my experience, once fired factory ammunition usually doesn’t require trimming.  But, check you case measurements and compare to your reloading manuals data to be sure.  The trimmer works like a small lathe and can be used to trim most cases up through 45 caliber.

8.  Chamfer and Deburr:

If your case required trimming, you must chamfer and deburr it to remove any burrs left on the case, allowing a new bullet to be easily seated into the case. Insert the pointed end of the Deburring Tool into the case to remove burrs and chamfer the case mouth. Fit the other end over the case mouth to remove exterior burrs, both only requiring a few twists.

9.  Expand the case mouth:

(For straight-wall cases)

This is a separate step that is required for reloading straight-wall cases. Because of their design, straight-wall cases need to be expanded in a separate expander die. install the expander die in the press, place a sized case in the shell holder and run it into the die. The expander plug should be adjusted so the case mouth is belled or flared just enough to accept the new bullet.

10.  Primer Pocket Cleaning:

(Omit this step if using new brass)

Using a primer pocket cleaning brush, clean any remaining powder residue from the primer pocket.  Also, you should clean the inside of the case neck.  Simply insert the brush into the case mouth and gently brush in and out a few times.  Both of these brushes come in size small and large.  Below, pictured on the right is the primer pocket brush, and on the left is the case neck brush.

10.  Priming the Case:

(The method described below is what I use to prime cases, a hand-held priming unit, instead of using the primer “arm” that is built into the press.  I find it to be more accurate and am able to have more quality control over each individual reloading step.)

Lee hand-held "Auto Prime"

Step 1 – Select the shell holder for the cartridge you are reloading and place into the Lee Auto Prime.

Lee Auto-Prime Shell Holders

Step 2 – Scatter primers in the tray, then shake the tray horizontally until all the primer are positioned anvil side up.

Step 3 – Slide case into shell holder.  Allow one primer to enter the center and squeeze the handle.  This seats the primer into the case.

• Step 4 – Slide case out of shell holder and check for proper depth placement.

11.  Powder Charging:

Consult your reloading manual to learn what kind of powder and exactly how much is recommended to reload your cartridge.  One way to measure powder is to use a  uniflow powder measure. It will dispense a precise, uniform charge with each crank of the handle.  Fill the measure with powder and dispense several charges to establish flow and to settle the powder in the hopper. Return this powder to the hopper. Use a reloading scale to adjust the powder measure. Weigh every charge until several consecutively thrown charges each show the desired weight. Recheck the weight about every ten cases.  There are a couple of products that you can purchase to help speed up the process and improve accuracy.  I first bought a RCBS Powder Measure and a Micrometer Adjustment Screw.  You remove the standard metering screw, lock ring and bushing, and these are then replaced by the micrometer unit.  The micrometer screw does not measure weight, only volume.  But this allows the reloader to record the micrometer reading for a specific charge of a given powder and, by using the micrometer, return to that setting at a later date when the charge is again being used.

Uniflow Powder Measure

Micrometer Adjustment Screw

Once you have a consistent and desired powder charge achieved, begin loading your cases using a powder funnel.

12.  Bullet Seating:

(These next few steps are, again, mostly for bottleneck cartridges. The steps are slightly different for straight-wall cases)

Bullet Seating Die

Thread the seater die a few turns into the press. Put a case in the shell holder and lower the press handle, running the ram with the case to the top of the press stroke. Turn the die body down until it stops. The crimp shoulder in the die is now pressing against the top of the case mouth. Now, while looking at the headstamp on top of the die, back the die out one complete turn. This raises the crimp shoulder above the case mouth. Secure the die in position with the die lock ring.  Next, unscrew the seater plug enough to keep the bullet from being seated too deep.  With the handle in the up position, insert a properly, primed and charged case into the shell holder.  Take a bullet and place it into the case mouth with one hand while you lower the press handle with the other, easing the case and bullet up into the die.  After raising the handle, note the seating depth of the loaded round.  If the bullet needs to be seated deeper into the case, run the seater plug down. Run the loaded round back up into the die, raise the press handle and check the seating depth again. It may take a few adjustments to get the proper and final bullet seating depth. Once proper seating depth is achieved, tighten the small seater plug lock ring.

Finished!  Your first reloaded cartridge is ready to be fired.

More Women are Packing Heat

Reported by: Frank Wiley Email: fwiley@fox23.com Last Update: 2/02 10:30 pm

Sign-up now for your own “Online Advisory Panel” by the NRA!   Here, you will have the opportunity to share your opinions about the NRA and its partners, current events, brands, national politics, and more.  Keep in mind that your participation here is completely private and secure.

http://nra.civicscience.com/home_in

MY Second Amendment Spectrum

Thomas Allen Coburn↓

↓Me

James Inhofe↓

Tom Cole↓

Mary Fallin↓

Left————————————————————————Right

Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show:

November 14 & 15, 2009

http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com/

QUIKTRIP CENTER – -EXPO SQUARE (TULSA FAIRGROUNDS)

MORE THAN 4,100 TABLES!

SHOW HOURS

Saturday:  8am-6pm        Sunday:  8am-4pm

ADMISSION (Each Day)

Adults – $10      Children (under 12) – $3

At the Wanenmacher Gun Show, there will be an NRA booth, where you can have the opportunity to become an NRA Member, renew your membership, or even sign-up to be a “Frontlines” Volunteer.  As an EVC for Oklahoma’s District #5, as well as an NRA Recruiter, I will be there working at the booth on November 14 from 1-4pm, in addition to Tulsa’s EVC Michael Phillips.  I will be happy to answers any questions and give you information on getting started as a Volunteer for the NRA-ILA.   If you haven’t already planned on attending, I suggest you make plans to do so….you won’t be disappointed!

This is a copy of my own personal story, available in the NRA News Archives, along with a live stream from the interview.  So, check out my interview with Cam along with many other Armed Citizen and Hero of the Day interviews at:

http://www.nranews.com/#/news

May 19, 2009

An NRArmed Citizen

By Cam Edwards

Heather Fitzgerald was working in her garage before sunrise the other morning when she received a very unwelcome visitor. An intruder had crawled underneath her partially opened garage door and was advancing towards her. That’s when Fitzgerald grabbed her gun and fired two shots, sending the would-be robber back underneath the door and out into the pre-dawn darkness.

Heather Fitzgerald isn’t just an armed citizen, she also happens to be the NRA Election Volunteer Coordinator for Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District! It’s not surprising that an armed citizen would also be an NRA member, but I think this is the first EVC Armed Citizen story that we’ve had the opportunity to cover here on NRANews! Heather Fitzgerald was nice enough to join us on “Cam & Company,” so be sure to check out her interview in the Interactive Program Guide.

CAM’S MY HERO!  NOT ONLY DO I LOVE HIS SHOW, BUT I ALSO THINK HE’S A GREAT PERSON…….DOWN-TO-EARTH, GRACIOUS, KNOWLEDGEABLE, KIND, AND NOT TO MENTION A FELLOW OAKIE!

]]> http://nrailaevc.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/armedcitizen/feed/ 0 nrailaevc http://nrailaevc.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/identify-and-work-with-your-evc/ http://nrailaevc.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/identify-and-work-with-your-evc/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:21:46 +0000 nrailaevc http://nrailaevc.wordpress.com/?p=85 ]]> Identify and Work with your EVC

Oklahoma’s Current EVC’s:

OK-01 Michael Phillips      Tulsa, OK     918-747-5934

OK-02 Vacant

OK-03 Vacant

OK-04 Justin Summers     Norman, OK     405-210-3618

OK-05 Heather Fitzgerald     Oklahoma City, OK     405-620-0590

I am the above listed, Heather Fitzgerald, acting as EVC for Oklahoma’s Congressional District #5.  There is a wide variety of ways to be involved as a Volunteer with the NRA-ILA, making it YOUR choice of the type/specific things you would enjoy doing, along with feeling rest assured that you will NEVER be pressured to do more than you want to or give more time than you committed to.  Plus, in signing on with me as a “NRA-ILA Volunteer” you will be kept up to date on all issues, legislation, elections, meetings, etc. by receiving my monthly newsletter, in addition to other correspondence and emails from me as needed.

If your interested, please feel free to email me at: grassrootsevc@me.com

Section 1. Short title. [Sections 1 through 6] may be cited as the “Montana Firearms Freedom Act”.

Section 2. Legislative declarations of authority. The legislature declares that the authority for [sections 1 through 6] is the following:

(1) The 10th amendment to the United States constitution guarantees to the states and their people all powers not granted to the federal government elsewhere in the constitution and reserves to the state and people of Montana certain powers as they were understood at the time that Montana was admitted to statehood in 1889. The guaranty of those powers is a matter of contract between the state and people of Montana and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Montana and the United States in 1889.

(2) The ninth amendment to the United States constitution guarantees to the people rights not granted in the constitution and reserves to the people of Montana certain rights as they were understood at the time that Montana was admitted to statehood in 1889. The guaranty of those rights is a matter of contract between the state and people of Montana and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Montana and the United States in 1889.

(3) The regulation of intrastate commerce is vested in the states under the 9th and 10th amendments to the United States constitution, particularly if not expressly preempted by federal law. Congress has not expressly preempted state regulation of intrastate commerce pertaining to the manufacture on an intrastate basis of firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition.

(4) The second amendment to the United States constitution reserves to the people the right to keep and bear arms as that right was understood at the time that Montana was admitted to statehood in 1889, and the guaranty of the right is a matter of contract between the state and people of Montana and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Montana and the United States in 1889.

(5) Article II, section 12, of the Montana constitution clearly secures to Montana citizens, and prohibits government interference with, the right of individual Montana citizens to keep and bear arms. This constitutional protection is unchanged from the 1889 Montana constitution, which was approved by congress and the people of Montana, and the right exists as it was understood at the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Montana and the United States in 1889.

Section 3. Definitions. As used in [sections 1 through 6], the following definitions apply:

(1) “Borders of Montana” means the boundaries of Montana described in Article I, section 1, of the 1889 Montana constitution.

(2) “Firearms accessories” means items that are used in conjunction with or mounted upon a firearm but are not essential to the basic function of a firearm, including but not limited to telescopic or laser sights, magazines, flash or sound suppressors, folding or aftermarket stocks and grips, speedloaders, ammunition carriers, and lights for target illumination.

(3) “Generic and insignificant parts” includes but is not limited to springs, screws, nuts, and pins.

(4) “Manufactured” means that a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition has been created from basic materials for functional usefulness, including but not limited to forging, casting, machining, or other processes for working materials.

Section 4. Prohibitions. A personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in Montana and that remains within the borders of Montana is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce. It is declared by the legislature that those items have not traveled in interstate commerce. This section applies to a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured in Montana from basic materials and that can be manufactured without the inclusion of any significant parts imported from another state. Generic and insignificant parts that have other manufacturing or consumer product applications are not firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition, and their importation into Montana and incorporation into a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition manufactured in Montana does not subject the firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition to federal regulation. It is declared by the legislature that basic materials, such as unmachined steel and unshaped wood, are not firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition and are not subject to congressional authority to regulate firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition under interstate commerce as if they were actually firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition. The authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce in basic materials does not include authority to regulate firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition made in Montana from those materials. Firearms accessories that are imported into Montana from another state and that are subject to federal regulation as being in interstate commerce do not subject a firearm to federal regulation under interstate commerce because they are attached to or used in conjunction with a firearm in Montana.

Section 5. Exceptions. [Section 4] does not apply to:

(1) a firearm that cannot be carried and used by one person;

(2) a firearm that has a bore diameter greater than 1 1/2 inches and that uses smokeless powder, not black powder, as a propellant;

(3) ammunition with a projectile that explodes using an explosion of chemical energy after the projectile leaves the firearm; or

(4) a firearm that discharges two or more projectiles with one activation of the trigger or other firing device.

Section 6. Marketing of firearms. A firearm manufactured or sold in Montana under [sections 1 through 6] must have the words “Made in Montana” clearly stamped on a central metallic part, such as the receiver or frame.

Section 7. Codification instruction. [Sections 1 through 6] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 30, and the provisions of Title 30 apply to [sections 1 through 6].

Section 8. Applicability. [This act] applies to firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition that are manufactured, as defined in [section 3], and retained in Montana after October 1, 2009.

- END -

Latest Version of HB 246 (HB0246.ENR)