Reloading 101: Hornady's How-To & Handloading History

by
posted on May 13, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Watch our ARTV video above to learn about Hornday Manufacturing and reloading custom 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition.

Text on faded reloading press image stating "Hornady: Reloading Today"


Family-owned company Hornady was founded as a response to a flooded market of post-World War II ammunition unsuitable for hunting. Company founder Joyce W. Hornady worked tirelessly to create a bullet hunters and shooters could rely on.

Vintage image of man shooting wood-stocked rifle with scope at a shooting bench.

The first bullet to come from Hornady was a .30-cal. 150-gr. spire point, which continues today to be one of the most popular bullets available. For Hornady, sales continued to flourish advancing through the 1950s and '60s.

Shooters came to Hornady for its reliable bullets and it was at this point, in the early 1970s, that the company began to diversify into products outside its scope of current offerings. With the acquisition of Pacific Tool Company, the company found itself in an emerging market of hobbyists and professionals wanting the most accurate ammunition possible.

Two men at a reloading bench with tools adjusting a Hornady Iron Press.

Hornady Manufacturing offers advanced products driven by competitive shooters, reloaders, hunters and enthusiasts worldwide. Whether providing monolithic or swaged bullets designed for long-range competition use, hunting and personal defense, Hornady's specialty, today, extends past reloading components and tools.

Currently in its 10th Edition, Hornady presents its all inclusive reloading manual with over 1,000 pages of bullet information, data and techniques, of which encompasses over 200 chamberings covering the entire process from start to finish, a real value for the professional and up-and-coming reloader alike.

Reloading tools on bench with a gun powder scale.

In our American Rifleman TV video above, Joe Kurtenbach joins Hornday’s Seth Swerczek to learn about the reloading process for 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition using Hornady’s Iron Press, Match Grade dies and accessories. Watch our American Rifleman TV feature video for the details, and to learn more about Hornady Manufacturing and the products it has to offer, visit hornady.com.

Latest

Supreme Court Of The United States (Swag)
Supreme Court Of The United States (Swag)

The Supreme Court Goes 9-0 on United States v. Hemani

In United States v. Hemani, The Supreme Court decided that the federal statute that prohibits the possession or ownership of firearms by a person who “is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” violates the Second Amendment when applied to regular marijuana users.

FN Improves Iconic MAG Machine Gun

The FN MAG, better known to Americans as the M240 machine gun, has been in U.S. military service since 1976, and this year, the platform has gotten some serious upgrades.

Switching It Up In West Texas: The WTO SwitchLug System

The SwitchLug by WTO is designed for popular rifles, and it’s a modern system that doesn’t require buying new rifle.

President’s Column | On a Scale of One to 10, Houston Was a 20

As they say, the 2026 Annual Members’ Meeting in Houston is a wrap. More than 73,000 freedom-loving Second Amendment supporters—the highest number since the COVID pandemic—joined us for three days of celebrating freedom.

The Smith & Wesson Academy Reopens

One of the latest expansions at S&W's new Maryville facility is the addition of an entirely new training ground, the new home of the legendary Smith & Wesson Academy.

New for 2026: EAA Balikli BLK Bolt-Action Rifles

This year, EAA Corp. expanded its catalog with a new hunting rifle, the Balikli BLK bolt-action, which has high-end features for its price, as well as compatibility with broad aftermarket.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.