Once you do enough reloading, you will notice slight variations in your seating depths. This is usually due to variations in the length of the cases themselves. Depending on your reloading equipment, you may also have slight variations with the depth of seating or crimping. This advice was given to me by a very experienced reloader with many years more experience than myself.

If you want true match grade ammunition, you will need to do a few things that reloading presses won't offer:

• Trim cases to uniform length
• Use the same primers
• Manually measure powder charges
• Pay careful attention to seating depth

Case length trimmer is usually required for rifle rounds. However, trimming your pistol cases and maintaining a uniform bullet seating allows the cartridge to seat in the chamber exactly the same way each time. Using the same primers and powder charges allow for consistent ignition and powder burns.

Shooting cartridge prepared as described above in a match grade pistol by an experienced shooter should yield noticeably better results than factory ammo or bulk reloads.

Here is a look at the HK Mark 23. The wear pattern and comparison to the USP. This is the best suppressor host I have ever shot.

In this article I will cover the basic tools and supplies needed for reloading. I provide examples and suggestion of what I use and why I like it.

To get started you will need these supplies to make or reload your own ammo:

• Brass cases
• bullets
• Gun powder
• Primers
• Case lube*

Bullets, brass, primers, and powder are obvious. You can usually get by without using case lube if you are loading pistol cartridges with carbide dies. If you are loading rifle rounds, you will need to lube those cases as they will not slide as easy (or at all) without it.

Your powder and primer selection will vary depending on the caliber and bullet you using. Cast lead bullets will use a different amount of powder than jacketed bullets. There are slight variations among primers, but they are not as critical as powder charges.

Most reloaders pick up their brass cases at local ranges. Such brass may be once-fired or many times fired, but is usually still good for reloading. Some reloaders buy brass cases online either new or used.

As far a equipment goes, you will need at least the following:

• Case tumbler
• Press (single stage or progressive)
• Dies in each caliber
• Scale (balance or digital)
• Caliper (dial or digital)

These items are not required to start reloading but will make your life easier in the long run:

• Bullet puller
• Cartridge gauge
• Swager (for military rifle brass)

Watch the Reloading Video Series on Youtube