Hornady’s digital Sonic Cleaner literally blasts the dirt and carbon buildup from inside and outside the cartridge case.
The Universal Case Prep Accessory Kit features eight small tools to fine-tune trimmed cartridge cases prior to reloading. Packaged in a folding zippered storage pouch are a pair each of primer pocket reamers (small and large), primer pocket cleaners, primer pocket uniformers, and inside and outside deburring tools to eliminate the sharp edges on a trimmed case mouth. A new Carbide Cutter Head for the Lyman Case Trimmer and a new Universal Carbide Case Trimmer are available. (The Carbide head holds its sharp edge much longer than the regular steel trimmer head.)
GSI INTERNATIONAL
If you reload using one of the Dillon XL 650 or RL 1050 or Super 1050 reloading machines, GSI International has a new Rotary Bullet Feed to speed up the reloading process. The Conversion Units contain all parts necessary for feeding one caliber of bullet, including the feed ring, bullet column, feed wheel, seat stems, bushing and GSI toolhead assembly. (XL 650 users will need to move some items from their regular toolhead to the GSI toolhead, such as the sizing die, powder die and system, powder check, if used, and the crimp die.) The GSI toolhead for the 1050, with the Bullet Feed Mechanism integrated into the left side, replaces the standard 1050 toolhead. The new system includes a new casefeed post and bracket which mount directly into existing machine holes. Also included are a camming plate for the bullet feeder’s index lever and a gas spring to handle the added weight of the bullet and feeder. The 1050 Rotary system includes the GSI toolhead with feed mechanism, extended case feed post with brackets, clear plastic feed tub, an indexer camming plate, and gas spring with locating block. Items to be moved from the standard 1050 toolhead include the case feed cam, primer push-rod, ratchet cam, fasteners, sizing die, powder die and system, powder checker (if used), and the crimp die.
The GSI Rotary Bullet Feeder uses a small DC electric motor to rotate the feed ring counterclockwise. (For the USA, the 110 VAC input becomes, via a transformer, a 12 VDC output.) The feed rings are caliber specifi c, and many popular calibers such as 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .223 Remington, etc., are currently available.
REDDING RELOADING EQUIPMENT
Redding Reloading Equipment has a number of new die sets available, plus some new calibers in the regular die sets. (The G-R Carbide Push-Thru Base Sizing Die to resize the base section of fired .40 S&W cases were mentioned last year, and it’s a excellent die for reloaders of large quantities of .40 S&W ammunition using once-fired brass.) Now available in the regular Series D die sets for bottleneck case are full length and neck-sizing dies for the .260 Remington Improved (40°), 6.5 Creedmoor, .370 Sako Magnum, and .458 SOCOM cartridges. (Individual dies and Deluxe sets are available, but no trim and form dies for these cartridges.) Redding has new National Match Die Sets available for the .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield cartridges. These three-die sets, which list for over a pair of C-notes, include a full length sizing die, competition bullet seating die, and a taper crimp die. (Taper crimp dies are available for handgun cartridges that headspace on the case mouth, and for the following additional rifle cartridges: 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 Remington SPC, .30-30 Winchester, 7.62x39mm, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .300 Remington Ultra Magnum.)
Benchrest shooters and any other handloader interested in obtaining maximum accuracy from their handloads can now obtain an “Instant Indicator” Headspace and Bullet Comparator for two additional cartridges, the .204 Ruger and .338 Lapua Magnum. (The Instant Indicator, with or without the dial indicator, is currently available for 34 different rifle cartridges. It can be used on any family of cartridges that have the same shoulder angle.) It is supplied with the proper bore diameter bushing, surface contactor, shoulder contactor, headspace gauge, and complete instructions. Its use permits the sorting of bullets and sized cases for uniformity – uniformity of shoulder bump, bullet seating depth, trimmed case uniformity, and comparison of fired cases to sized cases for headspace differences. It can even be used to sort cases fired in different rifles, determine when cases need trimmed, and sort loaded ammunition for uniformity.
Any handloader with a loading press and a set of dies, but lacking other essentials, might check out the Redding Versa Pak Reloading Kit. It contains all the other items, powder measure, case trimmer, case lube and pad, powder funnel, powder scale, etc. that simplify the handloading process, including a new Hodgdon reloading manual and a DVD titled “Advanced Handloading Beyond the Basics.”
RCBS
Bullet pullers and feeders seem to be the hot items at present for reloading equipment manufacturers. RCBS has a new Pow’r Pull kit and two two Bullet Feeder kits for their progressive presses. The Pow’r Pull features a rugged one-piece body, plus cap, and comes with three chucks to accommodate cases heads from the 5.7x28mm to the Winchester WSM and Remington RUM families. (By the way, NEVER attempt to pull bullets from rimfire cartridges using an inertia bullet puller.)
The RCBS Bullet Feeder kits are available in two sizes, one for 22- or 30-caliber rifle cartridges, and one for handgun calibers from 9mm to .45 ACP. The Feeders operate on 110 VAC, with adapters for United Kingdom, Australian, and continental European use included. Designed to fit onto most 7/8"x14 threaded progressive presses, the Feeders orient the bullets to drop into the feed mechanism, but are for jacketed or FMJ bullets only and not for use with lead bullets, cast or swaged. Hopper capacities are approximately 250 (22-caliber) or 100 (30-caliber) bullets for the rifle caliber feeder and 200 for the handgun caliber feeder. The Feeders carry a two-year warranty and are said to increase the loading rate by as much as 50%.
The RCBS Bullet Feeder set up on the RCBS progressive loading press. It feeds the bullets, base down, directly into the feeding tube, ready to be dropped into the case mouth.
Keeping loading presses, dies, etc., cleaned and lubed is a necessity for both successful and long-term operation. RCBS has a couple of Die/Press Lube Kits: one kit for loading dies and a separate one for loading presses. These kits contain the necessary chemicals and brushes to permit proper cleaning and ensure equipment longevity.
Unprimed brass and a couple of loaded cartridges from TR&Z USA. Left to right: 6.5x51R; 7.7x58mm Japanese; 7.92x33mm Kurz; and 7.63mm Mauser.
RCBS has added six new calibers to their loading die lineup. These include the .30 T/C and .338 Marlin Express to the Group A line, and 6.5 Creedmoor, .30 Remington AR, .338 Norma Magnum, and .416 Ruger to the Group D line. Full-length die sets and neck sizer dies are available, but no trim dies at present. Not exactly new, but for those handloaders of the really big bore, RCBS has die sets for the .416 Barrett, .460 Steyr, and .50 BMG cartridges, in addition to a Safari Series line covering seven calibers from the .404 Jeffery to the .505 Gibbs. If what you need isn’t available, RCBS does have a listing of nearly 650 “special order” die sets. (Note that the firm no longer produces one-of-a-kind custom die sets.)
HORNADY
In addition to having some new cartridge loads available, plus a couple of new cartridges for U. S. shooter, Hornady Manufacturing has several new components and a couple of great equipment items for handloaders. The Lock-n-Load Power Case Prep Center was introduced last year. Combining a power trimmer with primer pocket uniformer, cleaner, reamer, flash hole deburring tool, case mouth chamfer and deburring tools, etc. , the Case Prep Center takes up little space on the reloading bench. The two new Hornady tools include the Lock-n-Load Auto Charge and the Sonic Cleaner.
The Auto Charge has a scale capacity of 1,000 grains and will weigh accurately to within 0.1 grains. Finished in Hornady red with a clear plastic hopper, the machine features an easy-to-use keypad with backlit display, manual and automatic dispensing options, plus trickle function, overcharge protection, and several other unique features. A side-mounted clean-out spout or drain makes emptying the hopper a real breeze. An electric Hornady powder scale with a 1,000-grain