In the world of shooting, some tasks may seem small but have a significant impact—one of these is reloading. The two primary reasons why reloading is essential are minimizing downtime (allowing you to focus on accurate shooting) and maximizing practice time at the range.
Among the many reloading options available, SpeedTube Loaders stand out as an efficient solution. In this article, we’ll explore this tool along with four other reloading devices to help you decide which one best suits your needs.
Manual Reloading
Also known as handloading, manual reloading refers to loading bullets into a firearm by hand one at a time, without the help of tools like speed loaders or magazines. It’s the most basic way to reload, often involving placing each round into the chamber or tube. While it may seem slow and tedious, manual loading serves as a good foundation for shooters to build muscle memory and help them understand their firearm better as beginners.
This method is common with beginners who want to learn proper handling techniques, or with experienced shooters who enjoy the hands-on aspect of the process. However, in fast-paced situations—like competitions or timed drills—it can be a bit of a drawback, which is where reloading devices come in handy!
Tube-fed Speedloaders (Rifles)
Next up are the SpeedTube Loaders we mentioned earlier—designed specifically for rifles with tube-fed systems. The standout feature of our 22LR Speed Loader Tubes is their ability to reload your firearm 7x faster than manual reloading, thanks to their unique design. The transparent body makes it easy to ensure your bullets are correctly aligned, reducing the chance of misloading. Plus, the slim and lightweight build makes them convenient to pack and carry wherever you go.
Speed Loaders for Pistol & Revolvers
The concept of speed loaders is to load all chambers of a revolver simultaneously rather than inserting individual rounds one by one. They are especially useful for revolvers, which can be slower to reload compared to semi-automatic pistols. Speed loaders are primarily designed to fit revolvers with swing-out or top-break cylinders, allowing all rounds to be dropped in all at once.
For revolvers with fixed cylinders, such as single-action models, reloading must still be done one chamber at a time because these cylinders don't open outwards for easy access. Pistol magazine speed loaders also exist, but they function differently by assisting with faster loading of magazines, relieving the pressure on your fingers when inserting rounds manually
Clips and Magazines
The terms clips and magazines are often used interchangeably. Misusing each term is a solid giveaway that one needs to dig a little deeper into shooting. So, our team looked into this and thanks to Target Barn’s helpful article, we are able to help clear the confusion.
Clips are metal devices that hold rounds of ammo together for seamless loading into a magazine. On the other hand, magazines are spring-fed devices (or chamber) that hold rounds ready for loading directly into the firearm. The difference between the two is essentially what it’s loading into. In short, clips load magazines, and magazines load the firearm.
There are three common types of clips: Stripper, En Bloc, and Moon clip. Meanwhile, there are two common types of gun magazines: Box (internal and detachable), and Tubular. Learn more about them here!
Magazine Loaders
Similar to a revolver reloading tool but with an additional advantage. Magazine loaders allow you to load many magazines in advance, saving you time and effort. This means you can focus on shooting at the range without pausing to reload between sessions.
Final Thoughts
Each reloading device or technique offers unique benefits, tailored to meet specific needs. The key is to choose the one that complements your shooting style and goals. Manual reloading is great for building muscle memory and developing firearm handling skills. Speed loaders offer unmatched speed and efficiency, perfect for competitions or timed drills. Stripper clips and moon clips, on the other hand, are ideal for shooters looking to load multiple rounds quickly while keeping things compact and organized. Pick the tool that aligns with your priorities, whether it's skill development, speed, or convenience.
