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Reloading RIMFIRE ammo?

mazo kidmazo kid Member Posts: 648 ✭✭✭✭
edited April 2002 in Ask the Experts
I have heard of people doing this; does anyone out there have any experience in this area? I am an experienced reloader and would only be loading a few rounds for personal use. Thanks. Emery
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Comments

  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    I have heard of it being done, but it isn't reloading so much as loading the unprimed shell. You have to mess with getting the priming compound into the rim with an even distribution, getting the right compound, etc. etc. Not worth it, and not easily done.
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
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  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    easy to do just remove the firing pin dent, obtain some priming compound in it's liquid state, cast some hollow based heeled bullets...........April Fools
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Read an article years ago in which someone had done this. Lots of tricky issues: making a primer slurry and spinning just the right amount into the rim; determining the powder type / charge in the absence of any published data; obtaining the powder if it's one not generally available to public; assembling the load itself when the priming compound is in the rim. Post 9-11, I rather imagine anyone attempting to buy the chemicals & apparatus to produce the priming mixture (which is, after all, an explosive) could expect a visit from Uncle, perhaps at 0300. Personally, I wouldn't even consider it.
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  • azgunnut2@yahoo.comazgunnut2@yahoo.com Member Posts: 305 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Question ????
    at 79 cents a box ...Why would you even think about it ????????????
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  • niklasalniklasal Member Posts: 776 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I second that, azgunnut! :)

    NIKLASAL@hotmail.com
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've heard of people not reloading, but loading their own. I heard that some competition shooters purchase the new unloaded cases, then either mold or buy special bullets and powder and make their own loads for accuracy on their rifle. I heard its alot more expensive than just buying a brick of the stuff. I've been relaoding for a few years and haven't once yet seen a special press or a set of dies in any catalogs for loading .22lr's

    Visit me http://www.geocities.com/gunsmithlee
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've heard of people not reloading, but loading their own. I heard that some competition shooters purchase the new unloaded cases, then either mold or buy special bullets and powder and make their own loads for accuracy on their rifle. I heard its alot more expensive than just buying a brick of the stuff. I've been relaoding for a few years and haven't once yet seen a special press or a set of dies in any catalogs for loading .22lr's

    Visit me http://www.geocities.com/gunsmithlee
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  • TaiChiTaiChi Member Posts: 179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Pull the bullets out of the rimfire cartridges CAREFULLY !!!! Then insert the new bullet into the case CAREFULLY !!!! What are you trying to accomplish??? As the above posts have stated it is not cost effective, not safe and with the assortment of factory ammo now avalible not really practical.

    Just my thoughts
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  • mazo kidmazo kid Member Posts: 648 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks to all for taking the time to respond. I guess I gave the wrong impression; I am not looking to load .22s, rather some old fired cases I have acquired such as .38RF, .41Rf, .44RF, etc. to go in those respective firearms. Since these would be loaded with black powder, there is no load data to contend with. I realize this is also pretty dangerous, seating a bullet in a primed rimfire case. Seems the consensus is "don't do it", so I'll probably file this idea (along with a few others)in the "wouldn't it be neat to......." file. Regards, Emery
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  • KJACKKJACK Member Posts: 107 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have an older Gun Digest which shows how to reload .41 RF (for the Remington derringer).

    An old case is bored out off-center and an unfired .22 short (with no bullet or powder) is used as a primer. When loading the gun, care is taken (obviously) to line up the .22 part under the firing pin.

    The author put in a load of black powder and lead bullet (he may have used a round ball) and the results seemed to be slightly more powerful than some of the original .41s based on penetration into wood (not scientific, but interesting).

    I might be able to copy the article if you are interested. joferranti@aol.com
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  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Now that the 'why' is clear, I would like to apologize for my rather SA answer.
    From the dregs of my faiding memory I seem to remember hearing that rural russians (ammo not available) used to take the striking tip(s) from kitchen matches and make a primer slurry from them. What all was involved after that I don't know.
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I prefer one round to the head.
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