Category: Blog

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Gift Ideas for Reloaders

Titan Press Covers

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means it’s time to start making your shopping list (and checking it twice). The easiest people to buy for are always those with hobbies; if you have a reloader in your family or circle of friends- you can’t go wrong with reloading supplies. We at Titan Reloading know that the reloading hobby can seem confusing from the outside, so we’ve cooked up this short list of easy gift options that any reloader will love.

Press Covers

Titan Reloading’s press covers are made from heavy cloth and are designed to fit neatly over a reloading press to prevent dust buildup and exposure to the elements. We have press covers for a wide range of presses; covers are designed to fit a press with mounted accessories just to ensure they’re as convenient as possible.

Shooting Accessories

Most reloaders are also avid shooters. Thus, shooting accessories make incredible gifts. Try the Sonic Boom exploding target for a bit of destructive fun, or a Jammit target stand to make shooting practice even easier. For the precision shooters in your life, the MTM K-Zone shooting rest is a powerful tool in sighting rifles and improving accuracy and Competition Electronics’ Pro Chrono Digital helps analyze individual shots for differences in velocity, standard deviation, and spread.

Bullet Molds

If you’re a bit more familiar with the type of reloading your loved one traditionally does, bullet molds can make an excellent gift. Titan Reloading stocks bullet molds for all sorts of ammunition types including buckshot, slugs, bullets, black powder, and more. If you need help picking the right mold, contact our friendly support staff or stop by the store.

Books

Titan Reloading is a big fan of the Lee Modern Reloading Manual, something many would consider the prime book on reloading and reloading supplies. If the reloader in your family doesn’t already have a copy of this book they will certainly be delighted to find it in their stocking Christmas morning.

For more information about our reloading supplies please visit www.titanreloading.com or contact us at 262-244-7023.

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Properly Storing Your Reloaded Ammunition

Reloaded ammunition

Reloading supplies are just one part of a successful reloading hobby. For most reloaders, the fun comes down at the range when testing out their reloaded rounds. Professional and competitive shooters reload for increased accuracy; others do it for greater control over their equipment or simply to save money. Whatever your reason for reloading, it’s important to remember that proper storage of ammunition plays a big role in successful shooting days and a safe working environment.

Here are some basic tips for storing ammo:

Control the Temperature
Your ammunition can handle regular, moderate temperatures, but will falter under extreme heat or long-term temperature fluctuations. Don’t leave your ammo in the car or anywhere else it might be exposed to catastrophic heat. Try to keep your ammo in a temperature-controlled area just to be on the safe side.

Control the Humidity
Humidity is a massive threat to your ammunition. Anywhere moisture is encouraged can prove to be a terrible environment for ammo storage. Corrosion is one factor here, but so is the way humidity affects the size and shape of your brass. When storing ammo, dry is definitely the environment you want to strive for.

Control the Access
Ammunition isn’t going to jump up and shoot someone, but does contain harmful chemicals that could cause problems for pets and children. If your reloading station is in your garage or home, invest in lockable storage containers for all of your supplies and ammo. Controlling who can access your gear protects both the people and animals in your house and the gear and ammo itself.

Overall, storing ammunition isn’t too complicated. Keep it dry and prevent it from seeing extremely high temperatures and it should last for years. Follow the same rules in storing your reloading supplies and you’ll fully protect your hobby and your investments. For more information about reloading supplies or maintenance questions please contact us at 262.244.7023 or visit www.titanreloading.com.

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Don’t Forget Safe Storage!

Storage of Reloading Supplies

Reloading is a rewarding hobby that helps you learn more about your firearms and saves you money in the process. It also enables you to create more consistent and accurate ammunition than is otherwise available. However, it’s unrealistic to think that you’ll spend all of your free time at your press, so it is important that you take steps to ensure your reloading supplies are stored safely.

The goal of good storage is protecting your reloading supplies from the elements and protecting people and pets in your household from your reloading supplies. Here are some useful tips:

Special Rooms

If possible, place your reloading station in a private, traffic free room within your home. This is by far the simplest method of keeping children and other unwanted guests out of your reloading supplies. If you can cordon off an area of your garage or home, you’ll be able to work in peace and protect your supplies and loved ones when they’re not in use.

Safes and Locks

It’s a good idea to keep dangerous supplies like powders and primers either in a safe or in locked containers. Your need for safety will depend largely on your household; naturally if it’s just adults in the house you don’t have to worry as much about your powder. Good containers are durable and water-resistant with a locking option.

Cleaning Supplies

Traditional household cleaners can cause serious damage to your reloading supplies. It is best to keep them in separate storage area. Ammonia especially is harmful to your ammunition and your firearms if long-term exposure is allowed. Never keep cleaners and reloading supplies in the same area or container.

Reloading is our passion at Titan Reloading. For more information about the reloading process or how to keep your equipment safe and functional, please visit www.titanreloading.com or contact us at 262.244.7023.

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Tips for Setting Up Your Reloading Station

Reloading Station

When you first begin reloading, you’ll have a relatively simple setup with just a few types of reloading supplies. However, as your interest in the hobby expands it is inevitable that you will begin to amass more specialized equipment for a variety of tasks. If you don’t approach setting up your work station with future growth and organization in mind, you could end up with a serious problem. Not only does a sloppy work station make your reloading less efficient, it can also cause safety problems down the line.

Here are some simple tips for setting up a strong work station:

Organization

Keep all of your small supplies (brass, primers) in separate storage bins. Make sure you label the bins with specific information related to the reloading supplies they contain. Knowing exactly which supply is in exactly which container helps keep you efficient during the reloading process and prevents mistakes. Organization is critical in maintaining a safe work environment. Keep hazardous and dangerous materials sealed and either locked away or high enough that kids cannot reach them.

Cleanliness

Clean your work station after every reloading session. Do not leave loose loading supplies on your work bench. Maintaining your work station is important; spilled powder and loose brass represent wasted money and significant safety threats (especially if you have kids or pets). When you design your work station, use a bench or table that is easily cleaned and exceptionally sturdy.

Comfortable Chair

You’re going to be spending long hours sitting at your bench inspecting, prepping and checking final rounds. Buy a nice, comfortable, and ergonomic chair to ensure you’re comfortable while you work so you don’t rush your tasks. A comfy chair can make marathon reloading sessions much more enjoyable!

Log Books

It’s important to record your work for easy refreshing when starting a reloading session. Get dedicated log books to keep your records in and keep them at your bench. I use two, the Research Log and the Load Log. The research log is where I record my steps and notes as I’m working up the loads. I keep notes on load recipes and the results in groupings, firearm function, firearm cleaning etc. This log is especially useful in time as you never need to reinvent the wheel. Once I have found my desired results I record this data in the Load Log for easy access.

For more information or inquiries about reloading supplies please visit www.titanreloading.com or contact us at 262.244.7023.

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Gun Range Etiquette for New Reloaders

about Reloading Supplies

Heading down to the range to fire off your first collection of reloaded ammunition is a big day. You’ll probably feel a healthy mix of anxiety and excitement as you step up to the firing line. It’s not uncommon for new reloaders to worry that their ammunition might not fire correctly, or that other shooters will notice irregularities with their ammunition. Luckily, you can put most of those worries aside. As long as you show strong gun range etiquette, other shooters won’t take much notice of you or your reloaded ammunition.

Follow All Posted Rules
Using reloading supplies to pack your own ammunition does not exempt you from a gun range’s policies nor does it make you more knowledgeable than any other person at the range. Treat staff and customers with respect and understand that the rules apply to everyone. If you notice another shooter violating safety protocols, alert an employee rather than sparking a direct confrontation (unless there is an immediate and severe danger).

Listen to the Range Supervisor
The range supervisor, also called a range officer, is there to keep you and your fellow shooters safe. Follow his directions exactly as specified. Ignoring the range supervisor is not just a safety hazard — it could get you banned from the range. You are responsible for your actions at the range, but the range supervisor’s job is coordinating everyone’s actions for increased safety.

Contact the Range Before Showing Up
Not all gun ranges permit personally reloaded ammunition. It’s a good idea to call around to find out which local gun ranges are okay with you bringing your own ammo. And remember, just because the spent brass found around a range seems like a good way to grab free reloading supplies, some ranges have specific rules regarding whether customers are allowed to collect it. It’s always better to ask first.

It is your sole responsibility to learn the rules of any gun range and work to stay within them. Rules exist to prevent accidents and to ensure the safety of all shooters and observers. Working with reloading supplies does give you a deeper understanding of firearms, but does not exempt you from basic range etiquette. For more information or reloading supplies please visit www.TitanReloading.com or contact us at 262.244.7023 with any questions.

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Rules of Safe Gun Handling

Gun Safety Rules

At Titan Reloading, we’re big believers in your Second Amendment rights. We believe that carrying a firearm is one of the absolute best ways to protect yourself and your family from harm. Generally speaking, people seeking reloading supplies are experienced enough with firearms to handle them safely and with common sense. However, it’s always worth reiterating some of the core rules of safe gun handling — we see frequent accident reports that could have been avoided had these rules been followed.

Firearm Management

Firearms should only be loaded when you are prepared to use them, either via concealed/open carry or at the shooting range. At home, store your weapons and ammunition separately in a safe area that children cannot access. Your firearms are your responsibility. Your reloading supplies should also be stored in a secure location.

Pointing the Gun

The most important rule in firearm safety is this: Never, ever point a gun at something you are not intending to shoot. The muzzle of your weapon should always be aimed in a safe direction. Accidents can and do happen; you can avoid them with proper muzzle direction. Always assume a weapon is loaded and hot.

Trigger Discipline

Watch movies or television and you can tell the difference between trained shooters and actors pretending to know how to handle a weapon. Keep your trigger finger away from the trigger until it is time to pull — your finger should always be outside of the trigger guard unless you are actively shooting. Don’t be afraid to correct poor trigger discipline of friends and family.

Double-Check Your Target

Remember that bullets move at extremely high velocity and will often penetrate their targets. Know what’s in front of you, but also know what’s behind your target. You are responsible for the rounds fired, regardless of your intentions. Checking behind your target is a simple step that can avoid major problems.

Take a Firearms Safety Class

Regardless of your level of shooting experience, a firearms safety class can teach you how to handle a weapon, how to clear jams and other problems, and how to clean and maintain your weapons in between uses. Unless you’ve been trained in some official capacity (via the military or the police, for example), you will learn new things in a safety class.

Titan Reloading considers itself a member of the greater shooting community and hopes that all reloaders will act safely and responsibly when handling their weapons. For more information or to attend one of our classes please visit www.TitanReloading.com or contact us at 262.244.7023.

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What are the Benefits of Reloading?

Reloading Safety Basics

Thousands of shooting enthusiasts across the globe have discovered the unique joy of reloading their own ammunition. Armed with the right reloading supplies and a bit of knowledge as to how to use them, you too can experience the satisfaction of reloading. If you’re new to the hobby, it’s worth taking some time to understand the big benefits that come with the reloading process. It’s about more than saving money.

Reliability
Put simply, hand reloading your ammunition gives you more control over your loads and more precision in your ammo. Manufacturer-loaded ammo is packed on an assembly line and while ammunition makers strive for accuracy and consistency, hand reloading is far superior. If you care about reliability and accuracy in your ammunition, hand loading is the only way to go.

Accountability
When you load your own ammunition, you know exactly what’s going on with the rounds you fire. There are no surprises. You’re accountable for your ammunition and its performance on the range, end of story. Taking control of the reloading process puts the responsibility for ammunition performance squarely in your hands, which is one huge reason reloaders enjoy the hobby so much.

Self-Reliance
Understanding how to reload your own ammunition and how to use reloading supplies correctly ensures that you never have to rely on a manufacturer for reliable, consistent rounds; hence, enables you to take control of your ammunition supplies and to keep reloading ammunition you like even if manufacturers make changes to their products that make you unhappy. There’s no better tool for the serious shooter than that of reloading.

Learning to reload is a challenging but rewarding process that gives you greater flexibility in your ammo choices and greater power over the performance of your rounds. Not only is reloading more cost-effective, it’s more rewarding and more fun than purchasing manufacturer ammo. For more information or inquiries please visit www.titanreloading.com or contact us at 262.244.7023.

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More Safety Rules for Reloaders

Reloaders

At Titan Reloading, we’re big fans (obviously) of reloading as a hobby. We love helping new reloaders find their way around reloading supplies and reloading equipment, and we work hard to make the reloading community a welcoming place through our dedicated staff and our monthly reloading workshops. It’s important to us that reloading grow and thrive.

Safety is a major concern in reloading, for new and experienced reloaders alike. We’ve touched on safety before, but it’s always worth revisiting. Here are a few safety tips that can help you keep your reloading process safe and consistent:

Find Focus

Do not split your attention between reloading and another task. Wait for the kids to go to bed, leave the television in another room, and don’t converse with visitors in the middle of a reload. Reloading ammunition improperly has serious repercussions; treat the process seriously. If you can’t find a quiet moment, try again the next day.

Don’t Guess or Estimate

Reloading supplies have specific ways they’re meant to be used. At no point in the reloading process should you be guessing or making estimations. Follow a safe, proven workflow and do not deviate from this workflow until you’re certain you understand every element of reloading. If you get stuck, contact the product manufacturer or your fellow reloaders for help.

Use Proper Storage

Keep your powder and primers away from children and away from sources of heat. Store each of your reloading components in a designated, labeled space so that you always know where things are and how to find them. Keep reloading supplies secured when not in use and clean your workspace thoroughly after every reloading session.

Hygiene

It sounds strange, but hygiene matters in reloading. Lead is a potentially dangerous chemical. You should never eat or drink at your reloading bench and should always wash your hands after each session. Do your best to keep your hands in the work area while working to prevent lead from ending up on your face, neck, or anywhere else.

For more information about reloading safety or which reloading supplies will work best for your needs please visit www.TitanReloading.com or contact us at 262.244.7023.  Our workshops are free to attend and occur on the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. – look forward to meeting you!

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Curious About Reloading Supplies? Stop By Our Workshop!

Reloading supplies

Like other hobbies, when you first get started with reloading you’ll find yourself overwhelmed with information. There’s vocabulary to learn, gear to buy, workflows to master, and tons of other details to understand before you can become a safe and efficient reloader. If you’re curious about getting started in the world of reloading but don’t know where to begin, consider attending one of Titan Reloading’s free reloading workshops.

Our workshops take place on the second Thursday of every month and start promptly at 7:00 p.m. in our showroom (660 Grand Ave., Hartford, WI 53027). The workshop is a great place to learn more about reloading supplies, processes, and efficient work habits. Veteran and rookie reloaders are all welcome; it’s important to us that we support the reloading community as a whole. We do prefer that attendees RSVP ahead of time so we know what size crowd to expect; or you can contact us to mark down your reservation. We do have limited space in the showroom but can accommodate small and medium groups as needed.

Reloading is a rewarding and sometimes challenging hobby with an infinite learning curve. There’s always something new to discover, whether it be a more efficient use of your reloading supplies, a different type of brass to pack, or a new method for reloading that gives you more accuracy in your shots. The more you talk to other reloaders and share your experiences, the better you’ll get at reloading. Our workshops are designed to be a tool through which reloaders can interact and share, building better habits and learning new things along the way.

Titan Reloading offers a wide range of reloading supplies and we’re happy to walk you through the basics if you’re considering taking your first steps into the world of reloaders. For more information  about reloading, our showroom, or our free reloading workshops, please visit www.TitanReloading.com or contact us at 262.244.7023.

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The Value of Experimentation

Reloading Supplies

As you become more comfortable with reloading your own ammunition, your interests will likely shift from simply loading safely and correctly to loading ammunition that is consistent and accurate. Optimizing your ammunition for performance and consistency is one of the greatest challenges of being a reloader, and it’s also one of the most fun and exciting elements of the hobby. Experimentation, when done safely, is an excellent method for fine-tuning your reloading practices.

Different Reloading Supplies
Reloaders with years of experience often have one particular set of supplies they prefer. Brass, for instance, has more than one manufacturer and it’s inevitable that you’ll like the work of one more than the other. The best way to figure out which you prefer is to test as many different types as you can. This goes the same for almost all reloading supplies; different supplies give you different results right down to the tools you use to do the job.

Building on the Work of Others
The great thing about the reloading community is that it is very open to new reloaders. Visiting a reloading forum (or stopping by one of our monthly reloading workshops) is an excellent way to find out which setups have worked best for other reloaders and to get feedback on your ideas. Once you have a baseline as established by the community’s collective knowledge, you can fine-tune your workflows within that baseline for optimum results. This also helps you to stay safe while you experiment.

Finding the Fun
For many beginning reloaders, reloading can feel a touch stressful. There’s a lot of pressure to get the measurements and the process right, and you can lose yourself in the details. Once you’re comfortable, however, you’re free to start making informed decisions on the best way to move forward with the reloading process, allowing you to have a little more fun when working with your ammunition. Safety should always be a priority, but testing different reloading setups is certainly an exciting day at the range.

Reloading is about more than having the right reloading supplies. It’s about finding the right supplies for you, and figuring out how best to deploy those supplies for your needs. For more information or any inquiries please visit www.TitanReloading.com or contact us at 262.244.7023.