Here’s my philosophy: why not have a threaded muzzle? If you want to use a muzzle brake or a suppressor, you’re all set! If you don’t use a muzzle device, you put a thread protector on, and you’re good to go. So now that we’ve completed the breech-end barrel work, let’s move on to the […]
Tag: Ultimate Reloader
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P3: Chambering and Machining
Sometimes you have to do a lot of “prep work” to get to the “fun work”. Well, after building out our build-sheet, and preparing and aligning the barrel, we’re now to the fun part of this build! That’s right, it’s time to start machining the tenon, and cutting the chamber! Series navigation: 224 Valkyrie Remington […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P2: Barrel Prep and Alignment In the Lathe
How you secure your barrel in your lathe, and the attention to detail aligning the barrel’s bore to the lathe spindle axis will both have a big effect on the outcome of your barreling work. In this post, we’ll continue our 224 Valkyrie Remington 700 bolt-action rifle build with a focus on a few things: […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P1: Planning the Build
I’ve always wanted to build a Remington 700 custom bolt-action rifle, and now is the time! As a part of the lager 224 Valkyrie project (two rifle builds, reloading, ballistics, …) this smaller collection of videos and articles will outline a complete Remington 700 build- from start to finish! Later, we’ll compare ballistics and accuracy […]
Quick Look: Lyman 68pc Master Gunsmith Took Kit
Gunsmithing is a lot of fun, but it’s a lot less fun when you don’t have the right tools (or can’t find your tools). Every professional or casual gunsmith therefore needs a good selection of tools, and a system of organization for those tools. So when I saw the new 68pc Master Gunsmith Tool Set […]
224 Valkyrie: Dual Rifle Build Details and Overview
This is going to be perhaps the most in-depth project I’ve taken on here on Ultimate Reloader- building two rifles, working up load data, measuring ballistics, and a bunch of related field work (hunting, and who knows what else). I’m excited to get started, and to share these experiences with you. What is it I’m […]
Dynamic Duo: Hornady Lock-N-Load Quick Trickle + G2 1500 Electronic Scale
When I first saw a picture of the Hornady Lock-N-Load quick trickle, I “got it” immediately. One of the ways I like to measure precise powder loads is to dump a “bulk low charge”, and then trickle up to the exact value. But there are some issues you’ll face if you use conventional equipment for […]
Test Your Trigger With the Lyman Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge
How do you know *for sure* how your trigger is performing? There are a variety of options spanning simple mechanical gauges all the way up to the DVORAK TriggerScan for “laboratory grade” trigger profiling. If all you need is an accurate peak force measurement, the Lyman Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge is a great option. […]
Winner Announcement: Precision Reloading MEC Sizemaster Giveaway
Hello everyone! The MEC Sizemaster Summer Giveaway (which you can read about HERE) has ended, and I have some exciting news: the winner of this giveaway! Congrats Scott! A big congratulations to the winner of this give-away: Scott Hoge of Lancaster California. Here we see Scott with his companion: Max the yellow lab :). We […]
RCBS Summit Press: Unboxing, Setup, Overview, Loading 6.5 Creedmoor
There are a lot of reloading presses out there that look the same, work the same, and are essentially “variations on a theme”. And then there’s the RCBS Summit– a press that literally turns the concept of the single stage reloading press on its head! Why? Because instead of moving the cartridge and shellholder, it […]
Win a 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle and Reloading Package! Lyman Summer Sweepstakes 2018
If you’ve been reading and watching my posts and videos, you know I LOVE 6.5 Creedmoor. And I’m excited to tell you all about an awesome give-away that Lyman has going RIGHT NOW! As a part of their “What’s On Your Bench” 2018 Summer Sweepstakes contest, they are giving a way a complete precision reloading […]
Enter To Win a Complete MEC Sizemaster 12 Gauge Reloading Outfit
OK everyone, it’s GIVE-AWAY TIME! I just started loading with the MEC Sizemaster (see my post here) and absolutely love this shotshell press. So I have teamed up with Precision Reloading and MEC Shooting Sports to put together a complete 12 MEC Sizemaster reloading outfit with pretty much everything you’ll need to start reloading shotshells. […]
MEC Sizemaster: Unboxing, Overview, Loading 12 Gauge Shells
I can recall using my MEC 600 Jr. Mark V, and thinking to myself- it would be nice if this press had a priming system built in… Fast forward to today, and I found what I was looking for with the MEC Sizemaster. It also has a powerful collet sizing system which reminds me of […]
Accuracy Showdown: My AK -vs- My AR at 100 Yards
Ever since I mounted a scope on my Serbian N-PAP M70 AK-variant rifle, I wanted to see what this rifle could do at 100 yards. Yes, 100 yards is outside of the “sweet spot” for this rifle, but I still thought this would be fun! I thought to myself: “While I’m at it, let’s compare […]
223 -vs- 5.56: FACTS and MYTHS
If you’ve been on the internet long, undoubtedly you’ve read a lot of mis-information about 223 Remington and 5.56 NATO. If you’re like me, you also find it difficult to find answers and specifics related to these two cartridges and rifle chamberings. The 5.56 NATO chamber is “larger” than the 223 Remington chamber- but my […]
Winchester 70 Rebarrel Part 2: Start to Finish Process
Also published on our sister website http://makingwithmetal.com Building a precision rifle is an exacting process. You need to have knowledge, skills, tools, and a LOT of patience. In my last post, I talked about the planning, preparation, and experiences involved in completing this rifle build. In this post, I’ll walk through the steps I performed […]
Winchester 70 Rebarrel Part 1: Overview
Also published on our sister website http://makingwithmetal.com Metalworking and shooting are both passions of mine, so it follows that gunsmithing would be a natural fit. For me, here’s a powerful draw towards gunsmithing projects that involve accurizing, enhancing, and re-building firearms. So when I discovered that my Winchester Model 70 Heavy Varmint 22-250 rifle needed a […]
Reloading at the Range: Step By Step
When you reload precision ammunition, it’s an iterative process. Fire forming brass, working up loads, testing function, honing in on that “prefect load”. And the iterative nature can cause the process to take a LONG time! Going to the range every week can be a stretch for some people, and if you need to check […]
Compared! Brass Smith Ideal, Victory, and All-American 8 Presses
It’s exciting every time I get my hands on a new reloading press. So you can only imagine how exciting it is to get three new presses into the shop, all three new on the market! Lyman is just now rolling out these three new reloading presses to the consumer market, and I’ve reviewed all […]
224 Valkyrie: Project Planning Update July 2018
“It’s better to take your time and do something right than to rush”. That’s what I keep telling myself. And these words are well suited to describe my in-progress 224 Valkyrie project. After the 224 announcement and reveal last October, I felt an urgent need to get hands-on with this cartridge “right away”. In hind […]
First Look: Brass Smith Victory Press from Lyman
Here it is! The last in a line-up of three unboxing and setup videos covering all of the new Brass Smith reloading presses from Lyman. This story is all about the Lyman Brass Smith Victory Single Stage press with on-press priming. Be sure to check out the Brass Smith Ideal and Brass Smith All American […]
New: 224 Valkyrie Brass from Starline
Are you excited about 224 Valkyrie? I am! And it’s great to see more rifles and components geared towards this far-reaching AR-15 cartridge. And one of the exciting new products in this category is 224 Valkyrie brass from Starline! Starline Rifle Brass Why am I excited about 224 Valkyrie brass from Starline? Here are a […]
New from Lyman: Brass Smith Precision Powder Funnel Set
If you’re loading precision rifle ammunition, you’ll need a reliable way to dump powder charges into your cases. A good powder funnel is the answer! But some funnels will have too much static cling, holes that are too large or too small, and not seat well on the mouth of the case you’re charging. The […]
TriggerScan TS-11 Trigger Profiling Tool: Overview and Pistol Trigger Scans
The trigger is one of the most important components for any handgun, rifle, or shotgun. Trigger dynamics will affect accuracy, high-speed shooting characteristics, gun safety, and more. So it stands to reason that a good understanding of complex trigger dynamics is imperative when making a firearm purchasing decision, evaluating an old firearm, or quantifying changes […]
Forster Bushing Bump Die in 6.5 Creedmoor: Overview and Setup
If the goal for your reloads is precision without a compromise in function, the Bushing Bump Die from Forster is worth a look! Normally you’d have to choose between full-length sizing and neck-only sizing with the drawbacks inherent in each type of sizing. With the Forster Bushing Bump Die you get precise control over neck […]
