July 27th 2023This article was originally published in the Sierra Bullets Blog.Sierra Bullets surveyed a few handloaders about their favorite reloading accessory or tool. “What is your favourite ‘don’t understand how you lived without it’ reloading item?” Below are some of the answers. We were surprised to see high-tech items with micro-processors mentioned, like the AMP Annealer and the AutoTrickler Powder Dispenser. The rugged RCBS Rockchucker, and the Dillon 650 were also on the list of favorites. If I had to choose, it would have to be my Forster Co-Ax Press. I like how easy it is to change dies, and that you don’t need traditional shell holders. It’s an awesome tool! “Sierra Bullets Ballistic Technologist Philip Mahin replied: “A comparator to measure from the case base to the ogive. This allows me to repeat the same seating depth next time I visit the combination. “Ballistic technician Carroll Pilant replied: “Dillon’s 550 and 650 press. Rich Machholz, a Ballistic Technician, answered: “My universal die decapping is as handy as the pocket on a shirt. “Ballistic technician Philip Mahin replied: “A comparator gauge is used to measure the distance from the base of the case to the ogive on the bullet. This allows me to repeat the same seating depth next time I visit the combination. “Jon Addis replied: “Putting an A&D FX 120i scale with AutoTrickler on the bench changed the way I load. It is accurate to within 15 seconds. It saves time and reduces the variable. The Area 419 Billet adjustable base for the trickler, and the Billet Powder Cup” make the system even better. Ballistic Technician Paul Box replied: “The Lee hand priming device. Former Ballistic Technician Robert Treece replied: “My homemade dentalpick. I use it to check for incipient separations between the case head and the case. It’s normal to see a ‘bright circle’ near the case head. However, after several firings, the case could start to separate. If the pick hooks in a crevice, DON’T TRIM THE CASE. It will separate in your die. “Dan Blake replied: “My Annealing Made Perfect annealer. This induction annealer, I believe, is the best available. Consistent neck tension is one of the biggest contributors to small Extreme Spread muzzle velocities. David Palm, Process Engineer, answered: “Homemade lubricant for cases.” “Plant Engineer Darren Leskiw replied: “Beyond normal equipment, I would say my electronic balance. The beam balance was good for the last 9 years, but it wasn’t as easy to use as an electronic scale. Ballistician Gary Prisendorf replied “RCBS Rockchucker Press. It’s built like a truck and will last me a life time. Chris Hatfield, Production Manager, answered: “RCBS Single Stage Reloading Press. “Maintenance & Machine Shop Leader Craig Westermier replied: “RCBS rock Chucker. “Production Resource Manager Dan Mahnken answered “RCBS Rock Chucker! One Rock Chucker will last a lifetime. “Sierra Bullets Ballistic Tech Duane Siercks replied: “I’m not sure what you would call this equipment but the item that comes into mind would be my shoot house/reloading room. I used to have to cram everything into a small corner or an unheated shed. After we purchased our current home, I built a detached garage and positioned it so that the window looked down on a 250-yard range. I built a room with A/C and heat. It has my reloading table and a shooting stand. The shooting bench allows me to slide the window open and shoot down the range. It’s very convenient to not have to load up everything to go to range. It makes load development much easier and more efficient. I don’t remember how I survived without it. I also wonder what I was doing before I bought the Lyman DPS Powder Dispenser 1200. This has made it so much easier. I also have a Lee Precison Universal Decapping Die, which I would happily spend money on again. It may seem like a small item, but it is very useful. The Lee could accommodate some very large cases, which some of the other models were too small to handle.”
Similar Posts:Tags: AMP Annealer, AutoTrickler, Case lube, LEE Decapping Die, Lyman Powder Dispenser, RCBS Rock Chukcer
