The Spark to Handload
Can Strike Anywhere

Both my grandmothers were married to farmers, so you were expected to pitch-in doing the daily chores. Everyone pulled their weight, no matter how young or old. This suited me fine, because deep down, it felt good to help out. Plus, I had one of the best jobs around for a 4- or 5-year-old: trash detail. Oh, how I loved it!

Burn, Baby, Burn

Back then, every farm and country home had a burn barrel — usually a 55-gallon steel drum — to dispose of trash. These rustic rusty receptacles were a natural attraction to any kid in his right mind. What’s better than burning trash?

But what really attracted me were the white-tipped, strike anywhere wooden matches. Just a quick flick against ol’ rusty and an instantaneous flame magically appeared. This simple chemical reaction fascinated me, to the point I’d stand there lighting several matches, studying them as they flickered when they erupted in flame.

I noticed the white head seamed to light first, setting the red part on fire in a controlled blaze. My grandmother misconstrued my “scientific observations” as “playing with matches” and told me to pick out a nice stick. I figured she was going to show me something, using the matches and stick. She showed me alright, but boy was I wrong on the hypothesis.

The thin willow stick stung like the blazes on my tiny hinny. Not to be discouraged, my fascination with strike anywhere matches continued and it wasn’t long before I figured out they make dandy “reactionary targets.”

Just make the BB hit the white match tip and the complex chemical reaction rewarded you with a cave man-pleasing fire. Granted, this wasn’t a common occurrence, but it did work when hitting the match just right. Low shots snap the matchsticks, while high and wide left my matches safe for another chance at ignition.

Aim small, miss small… aim right, fire bright!

Smoldering Mind

I never recovered from the fascination of chemical reactions. I like things that create energy, burn or go bang. But I’m no pyromaniac, I simply enjoy a nice fire and things having a controlled burn rate. Sound familiar?

An interest in guns and handloading was a natural progression from BB guns and the chemical reaction of strike anywhere matches.

A Life Of ‘Loading

Handloading gives one freedom from store bought ammo. After the initial investment of basic equipment, you’re home free for some cost-effective, accurate ammo. Many won’t save a dime; they’ll merely shoot more while putting a smug smile on their face and feeling proud for having shot ammunition they loaded themselves.

Besides saving money or shooting more, handloading will also allow you to fine-tune your loads for your guns. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve “saved” guns with handloads. Some guns just don’t like factory ammo options, but once handfed handloads, they become top performers.

Loading for discontinued calibers in your grand-pap’s favorite deer rifle may lead you down the path as the only way to shooting it. Handloading is definitely a handy skill to have as a serious shooter.

Getting Started

It’s as simple as getting yourself a single stage press, dies, a scale, some powder, primers, and bullets you like. Save all your factory-loaded brass. This is 75% of your cost for reloading. Lee Precision and RCBS have beginner kits providing everything you need to get started.

As time goes on, you’ll learn a lot and earn the self-satisfaction that comes with fine-tuning your handloads for your guns. What else are you going to do during those long, cold winter nights when it’s too cold to shoot? Handloading is a worthwhile endeavor and the urge to start can strike anywhere.

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