Let’s start off with the simplest and most common approach to reloading at the range, loading pre-prepped brass that has already been cleaned, sized, trimmed if necessary, and primed. This is one of the easiest ways to begin field reloading and remains a favorite among competitive and precision shooters. It limits the number of tools and steps required, yet provides real-time control over load development and consistency.
In this post, part of the L.E. Wilson “Reloading at the Range” educational series written by Bill Gravatt, we’ll outline the tools, methods, and setup that make this technique both practical and highly effective.
Basic Steps in Range Reloading with Pre-Prepped Brass
The reloading process for pre-prepped brass can be broken down into four key variables. Each one is easy to control and measure during your range session:
- Choose a powder (first variable)
- Throw powder to the desired weight (second variable)
- Choose bullet (third variable)
- Measure and seat bullet to the desired depth (fourth variable)
Pretty simple, right? Now, let’s look at what you’ll need to make it work efficiently.
Powders, Bullets, and Load Data
Before heading to the range, bring a small selection of powders and load data suitable for your cartridge and bullet types. If you plan to test multiple designs, such as flat base, hybrid, or different ogive shapes, label and organize each for clarity. Having at least one known starting load helps maintain safety while allowing for controlled experimentation.
Many reloaders also carry a few brands and weights of bullets to fine-tune ballistic performance on-site. Keep them sorted in labeled boxes or trays to prevent mix-ups under range conditions.
Reloading Press Options
Your press choice plays a major role in convenience and precision. For range reloading, there are two excellent categories of presses to consider:
1. Arbor Press
An arbor press is the most convenient, and arguably the most accurate method for bullet seating in the field or at home. Arbor presses are designed to work with inline bullet seaters such as the L.E. Wilson Seating Die. These seaters mimic real chamber alignment, ensuring minimal bullet runout and consistent seating depth.
Popular models include options from L.E. Wilson, K&M, Harrell, and Sinclair. The Wilson Arbor Press offers ample press head throw to handle nearly every seater the company produces, making it one of the most versatile choices for precision handloaders.
2. Threaded Press
A second, perfectly valid option is a small threaded press. This design uses standard 7/8-14 threaded dies and offers versatility for both seating and sizing. When selecting one, make sure it provides enough throat opening to handle the cartridge case and bullet length you plan to load. Some smaller models are intended primarily for case sizing and may not have enough clearance for bullet seating.
L.E. Wilson’s Bench Press features a throat opening of approximately 4.0”, compared to about 2.25” on older Sinclair presses. Both can be C-clamped or permanently bolted to your bench at the range for stability. The Wilson’s larger throat makes it capable of handling nearly all common rifle cartridges used in field loading.
Powder Dispensing Systems
When reloading at the range, your powder dispensing setup determines how quickly and precisely you can adjust loads. The traditional combination of powder measure and scale works perfectly fine, but modern electronic dispensers have made range reloading more efficient than ever.
- Powder Measure and Scale: Choose a quality measure with a stand that can clamp securely to a bench or mounting board.
- Electronic Powder Dispensers: Units like the RCBS ChargeMaster, Lyman Gen6, and Hornady Auto Charge are popular among benchrest shooters. Many include built-in scales for convenience.
- Power Considerations: If your device runs on AC only, confirm that your range provides power. Otherwise, bring a portable power pack, many reloaders prefer these even for multi-day matches.
Bill shared a great example: at one match, he discovered there was no AC power for his RCBS dispenser. A friend loaned him a portable power pack that worked perfectly, so much so that he bought one immediately upon returning home!
Additional essentials include a powder funnel, a trickler (if needed for fine adjustments), and a small bag of Bounce® dryer sheets for wiping powder reservoirs, drop tubes, and funnels to prevent static cling.
Seating Depth Measurement Tools
Accurate bullet seating requires the ability to measure and adjust depth precisely. The following tools make this process easy and repeatable:
- Seating Depth Tool: A Stoney Point (now Hornady) OAL gauge provides an excellent baseline for establishing bullet contact with the rifling.
- Bullet Comparator or Ogive Checker: Tools from Sinclair or Hornady let you measure bullets consistently from the ogive, not the tip, for more reliable depth control.
- Calipers: Use either digital or dial models to measure COAL and fine-tune seater adjustments.
Bullet Seater Options
- Inline Bullet Seaters: Compact, portable, and extremely precise. The L.E. Wilson Inline Seater is ideal for the range and works perfectly with an arbor press.
- Threaded 7/8-14 Seating Dies: Excellent for use with threaded presses. Just make sure you have the correct shell holder for your cartridge.
This combination of tools allows you to adjust nearly every variable: powder, bullet, and seating depth - while keeping the primer and case constant. It’s an efficient system for developing new loads or refining old ones.
Why This Method Works
Bill notes that he uses this pre-prepped brass method whenever he’s testing loads rather than competing. It saves a tremendous amount of time and reduces distractions, allowing the shooter to focus on performance data. When working with new brass that requires fire-forming, he switches to full reloading at the range (covered in the next article in this series).
In short, loading pre-prepped brass gives you control over every variable that affects accuracy, without the need to drag your entire shop to the field.
Conclusion
Reloading at the range with pre-prepped brass is simple, efficient, and remarkably precise when supported by quality equipment. Whether you use an arbor press, a compact threaded press, or a full setup, L.E. Wilson’s reloading tools deliver the accuracy you need wherever you load.
Explore essential tools for your range setup:
