Interested in getting a complete “turn-key” reloading setup geared towards cranking out large quantities of pistol ammo? You may want to check out the new “Ammo Plant” from Hornady! Here’s what’s included in the kit: Lock-N-Load AP Press Lock-N-Load AP Bullet Feeder Lock-N-Load AP Case Feeder Lock-N-Load AP Die Bushing 10 pack Spring Case Retainer […]
Author: Gavin
Frankenlöder – 9mm with Hornady-RCBS Bullet Feeder Setup on Dillon XL-650 – Part I
Dillon XL-650 Press + Hornady Dies + RCBS Bullet Feeder + Hornady Bullet Feed Die In this multi-part Frankenlöder series, we’ll be using the Dillon XL650 to load 9mm Luger. What’s going to make this scenario interesting is the fact that we’ll be using Hornady dies, including the Hornady 9mm pistol bullet feed die. In […]
Cool 1911 Animation – Learn how it works!
There are a lot of great resources available online related to firearms. During a detail strip of my 1911 pistol recently, I found this cool animation that shows how the 1911 pistol functions. The cool thing about it is that you can choose what parts of the pistol are visible, and even toggle some to […]
Happy Thanksgiving from Ultimate Reloader!
Hello everyone, wanted to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving! I hope that you all are able to spend time with family, and enjoy good food together. Today I’m feeling grateful for the freedoms that we enjoy here in America, and also our forces fighting overseas that are helping to preserve those freedoms – thanks to […]
You know what they say about one man’s trash!
A while back I was doing some cleaning in my crawl space, and found this old beer can under the visqueen. I immediately though to myself – hmmm, construction workers haven’t changed at all in the last 50 years. I had the mental picture of the guys back in 1960 finishing a hard day’s labor […]
Introducing Frankenlöder – Macabre Combinations of Reloading Gear
One of the fun things about working with different types of reloading gear is experimenting with different combinations of equipment. Some times reloading dies from one press work in another press – sometimes they don’t! I’ve had several reader requests along the lines of “will this powder measure work on that press” and many variations […]
Range Report – 44 Special Hard Cast in the Smith and Wesson 629
I get a lot of satisfaction out of shooting “bullseye” style when I go to the range. It’s a lot of fun to put in practice time, and to see that practice time (whether dry firing at home, or range time) translate to smaller and smaller groups. It’s also rewarding to spend time with a […]
AR-308 – Loading 308 with the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP
Overview In my Last Post, I covered loading 308 Winchester for the AR-308 rifle on the RCBS Pro-2000 5 station progressive reloading press. I also showed the RCBS Rifle Bullet Feed kit in action. This time, we’ll use the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP reloading press (also a 5-station progressive press), but this time with a case […]
AR-308 – RCBS Pro-2000 and 30 cal RCBS Rifle Bullet Feeder
Now that we’ve covered the precision loading process for the AR-308 project, it’s time now to move on to progressive reloading. This will enable us to load ammunition very quickly. If we select the right equipment, and are careful and strategic to setup this equipment, we can also attain very high consistency for the ammo […]
New Revolver Book from Grant Cunningham
I’m excited to announce that my friend Grant Cunningham (nationally known revolver expert) has published a book with Gun Digest! Grant’s Blog has long been on my list of regular reads, and I can’t wait to get my copy of this new book. Grant really does some great work on fixing and customizing guns as […]
AR-308 – Precision Loading Pt. 4 – Seating Bullets Checking Concentricity
In my last video, I covered priming and charging cases, see AR-308 – Precision Loading Pt. 3 – Priming and Charging Cases. Now we need to seat bullets, and also check/correct for concentricity of the bullet. If we have a consistent charge, a benchrest primer, consistent case neck thickness, and a properly/optimally seated bullet, we’re […]
Pre-season sale on the Ultimate Reloader Combo Pack for Hornady Lock-N-Load!
For a limited time, save $10. on the Ultimate Reloader Combo Pack for Hornady Lock-N-Load! Just $75.oo during this promotion. For complete details on what’s included in this kit, please see the product page.
AR-308 – Precision Loading Pt. 3 – Priming and Charging Cases
In my last post, I walked through the process of using the Redding Case Neck Gage to sort our 7.62×51 (Military 308 Winchester) brass into buckets based on both thickness and uniformity. Below is a picture showing the distribution. The numbers I’m using here (0.016″ +/- .0005″ for example) reference the total variation in thickness, […]
Poll: Do you ever clean primer pockets?
AR-308 – Precision Loading Pt. 2 – Case Neck Thickness and Uniformity
Now that we’ve cleaned, sized, trimmed, and finished the basis brass prep steps, it’s time to sort the brass that we’ve prepped so that we can uses batches of consistent brass for precision loads. We are now at the final stage of brass prep as covered in the brass prep overview post. For this stage, […]
AR-308 – Precision Loading Pt. 1 – Case sizing and trimming
It’s time to start loading some precision 308 Winchester ammo for the LR-308 project! Our rifle is all tuned up and tricked out, and now we need some capable ammunition to shoot. In this video, I’ll walk through the process of validating sizing die setup with the new Redding Instant Indicator, and we’ll see how […]
Dillon XL-650 Quick Switch Kit – Magnum/Special
As tinkering guys, we are always looking to make our machinery smoother, faster, better, and more efficient. If there’s a way to squeeze more out of our equipment, chances are one of us will think of a way to make that happen! One of these tinkerers is Doug Williams. Doug is a big fan of […]
AR-308 – Brass and Brass Prep Basics
Now that we’ve finished provisioning the LR-308B rifle for the AR-308 project, it’s time to gear up for precision handloading! Before we start loading, we need to get brass, and prep that brass. It turns out that for precision rifle loading, much of the labor and attention to detail is really related to the brass. […]
AR-308 – Redding equipment overview
One of the things I like most about these kinds of projects (AR-MPR, AR-308) is the opportunity to showcase new reloading equipment (new to the market, or new to my shop :)). For the next phase of the AR-308 project, we’ll transition to a focus on precision single stage reloading. This will involve things like […]
AR-308 – 308 Winchester Cartridge Overview
The 308 Winchester cartridge is one of the most popular, flexible, and accurate rifle cartridges in existence. Whether it be for big game hunting, military sniping, competition shooting, or just having fun, the 308 Winchester is well suited and very capable for these applications. The fact that this cartridge is so popular means that brass […]
AR-308 – Millett TRS-1 Scope Install
Following up on the last post covering the Millett Tactical TRS-1 scope, in this video I’ll cover the mounting procedure for this scope using a pair of Millett tactical scope rings (medium height). I’ll also demonstrate the use of the Wheeler Engineering Firearms Accurizing Torque (FAT) wrench. This is a simple scope mounting procedure where […]
45 ACP Progressive Reloader Roundup
Hello all- In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Colt 1911 pistol, I thought I would put together a post that showcases various progressive reloading presses cranking out 45 ACP ammo! This caliber is very versatile, and continues to be a favorite for both target shooters, law enforcement, and self defense. There are plenty […]
Hornady Bullet Feeder – Have you used it?
Hey everyone, just wanted to recap the information and videos that I’ve posted on the Hornady Bullet Feeder for pistol cartridges. Here are the previous posts related to this bullet feeder: Hornady Lock-N-Load Bullet Feeder – Loading 45 ACP Hornady Lock-N-Load Bullet Feeder – Die Stations Hornady Lock-N-Load Bullet Feeder – Overview Hornady Lock-N-Load Bullet […]
Read “The Blue Press” online!
Did you guys know that you can read “The Blue Press” from Dillon Precision online? This publication is more than just a catalog, there’s also articles in each issue. Check it out! Read the Blue Press Online
Spray paint to match Hornady red?
A bunch of you have asked me what color I used on my steel pedestal for the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP – plans available here: (I later painted it gray to blend in with multiple presses…) Lock-N-Load Steel Stand / Pedestal Plans Available! You can find a good match for the Hornady red color by using […]
