Reloading in old days?

[LiveLife]

While browsing online for some upcoming birthday items, out of curiosity, read what wikipedia had to say about reloading/handloading - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handloading

There were plenty of information covering modern process/equipment/components (even covered reasons for reloading, accuracy tips, maximizing case life and minimizing powder cost, etc.) but almost nothing on history.

I know that shooters handloaded ever since the early days of pistol/rifle, but I am curious what reloading equipment they used in western days after centerfire cartridges were introduced. How did they resize, prime and powder charge their loads? Those seeking accuracy simply buy new bullets or did they reload?

 

[mongoose33]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/leadertimes/sports/s_494658.html

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_297865.html

Not very detailed, but suggests handloading is only about 70 years old or so.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've seen reloading tools from the 1800's that included a bullet mold, decapper, sizer and seating die all in one tong tool. These were probably intended for those who stayed away from civilization for extended lengths of time.

As for how long reloading has been going on, I know I've been at it for 47 years, and it had been going on a long time before I started. I've read material from prior to World War I about reloading and what was available. (For those who don't know their history, that was approximately 1914-1919)

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[armoredman]

Handloading been going on since we had metallic cartidges, I'd say. What about the Ideal loader history? http://castpics.net/IdealMouldHistoryPartI.htm This link says 1884 for his product beginning, and he worked in the Winchester loading tool section. Of course, it's the Internet, subject to scrutiny.

 

[Oyeboten]

Yes...re-loading for Centerfire Metallic Cartridge got going pretty well soon as Centerfire Metallic Cartridges were introduced.


Seems like for some decades this was predominately via Hand Tools special made for the purpose, and with Bench Re-Loading Presses an expensive item usually for Shooting Clubs or Military departments to own and use.

 

[Afy]

Cool info... I enjoyed all the links. Thank you.

 

[Zeke/PA]

Phil Sharp's "Complete Guide to Handloading" is a giant volume of info on reloading in days of yore in both the pre WW II and after years.
Much of the info in this well researched publication can still be applied to current reloading issues.
I refer to my copy from time to time to answer a reloading question on for example, an old or obsolete caliber.

 

[P97]

I still have the Lee hand-loading tools I bought and used in the 50's. That's been over 50 years ago. I'd say there has been methods of reloading since there have been guns to shoot. I doubt there has ever been total reliance on factory ammo.

 

[Jim Watson]

Reloading started as soon as the separate centerfire primer came out in the 1870s.
You can't reload a rimfire or the early inside primer centerfires, but as soon as Mr Berdan and Col Boxer had done their work, it became straightforward.
The buffalo hunters of the 1870s ordered powder, primers, and factory made paper patched bullets to reload with between hunts.
Not to mention Tonto melting down silver dollars for Kemo Sabe to shoot. (Thats a joke, son, a joke.)

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/ideal-combination-tool-lightning-burgess.htm

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/1882-winchester-loading-tool-2.htm

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/confederate-mold.htm

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/smith-wesson-loading-tool.htm

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/1894-reloading-32-40.htm

rc

 

[LiveLife]

Thanks for all the posts and links.

Dang rcmodel, those cowboy guys must had some strong hand grips - tight squeeze.

 

[P97]

Not to mention Tonto melting down silver dollars for Kemo Sabe to shoot. (Thats a joke, son, a joke.)

That's a good one Jim.

 

[GMFWoodchuck]

Yeah, BDS. I wouldn't want to shake those cowboys hands for fear of my hands being crushed.

 

[griz]

There are stories of flintlock hunters retrieving their fired round balls for casting them again, and some made their own black powder. So I guess us cheap people were around before there were metallic cartridges.

 

[rcmodel]

those cowboy guys must had some strong hand grips

Even more tougher was the ones that used the steel pliers handle loading tools with the bullet mold on the end! Do you know how hot a bullet mold has to be to cast good bullets?

Those guys must have had hands tougher then Woodpecker Lips!

rc