The Ultimate Reloader Reloading Blog
RCBS is constantly looking at ways they can make their products better. One such example is their latest die set: “MATCHMASTER”. Aimed at people reloading long-range precision ammunition, this die set builds on the familiar RCBS Gold Metal die set SKUs with a few key refinements. Here I’ll show these dies loading up some Starline […]
Here we are! Time for another UR update. Hope everyone is having a great summer, I am for sure. I’ve been shooting pretty much every day, and have been working on some great projects and stories. In this update, I’ll announce the Lyman All American 8 turret press winner, and give you all a chance […]
It’s that time of year again: big game hunting season! Bear season started just a week ago where I live, and I’m hoping for success in the coming weeks! And then there’s Deer season, lots to look forward to. And that means it’s time to get hunting ammunition sorted out, and perhaps try something new. […]
Annealing Made Perfect makes a GREAT brass annealing machine: the AMP Mark II. Until now, Annealing Made Perfect sold to the US market only through retailing partners. Now you can buy direct from Annealing Made Perfect in the US, and to celebrate, I worked with the team at Annealing Made Perfect to offer the biggest […]
Why do we have standards that are “close but not quite compatible”? I ask myself that frequently when it comes to technology, tools, and firearms. I ran into this exact issue a few days ago when I went to install a scope on my TC Compass. The only scope rings I had that would work […]
If you reload ammunition, you should care about metallurgy. If you demand accuracy and long life from your brass, the process of annealing your cases will become an important part of brass prep and maintenance. If you form cases, you’ll likely want to incorporate annealing into the process so that you can get the best […]
When you’re working on precision reloading, there are some measurements that are straightforward, and some that take some extra care and tools. When you’re measuring Cartridge Overall Length (COL) for example, you can use a set of digital calipers and just measure the length of the cartridge from base to bullet tip. But when you […]
A few months ago I competed in a “mostly rifle” match called the Findlay Cup. An unexpected part of this competition was shooting steel with handguns at ranges from about 20 yards all the way out to 100 yards. I used my Glock for this part of the match, and did pretty well. I really […]
Time for another UR Update! Summer is in full swing, and I’ve been enjoying shooting every day of the week. Before we know it, Fall (and hunting season) will be here. For now, I’m really glad for the great weather and Summer activities. Let me fill you in on what’s been going on, and share […]
There are many times when I have need to clean small lots of previously fired brass. It could be for load development, a cartridge that I don’t shoot much of, or it could be separate cleanings for each headstamp for a particular cartridge (sorted by headstamp). In these scenarios, I prefer a moderately sized cleaning […]
Every once in a while I meet someone that blows my mind: someone that holds the secrets to advancing something I’m working towards. At the 2019 SHOT Show, my meeting with Emil Praslick fell into this category. I’ve really just started my journey reading wind for long-range shooting, and during my 20 minute conversation with […]
I’m excited about this 6mm Creedmoor project because I’m trying some new things! That’s what keeps rifle shooting interesting: going in different directions, trying different cartridges, different rifles, and loading different ammunition. In case you missed it, I did a full post (which you can read here) on the HOWA 1500 Barreled Actions from Brownells. […]
I absolutely LOVE my Forster Co-Ax single-stage reloading press. It’s got precision, efficiency, and made-in-USA quality. It even looks nice (See the Forster Co-Ax highlight in my 14- press shootout HERE). The one thing that has frustrated me has been the small-to-large shellholder changeover process and vice-versa. It’s not a big deal, but if I […]
Hope everyone is having a great Summer! I’ve been busy with some awesome projects, stories, and new technologies. More on all that to come! In this update, I wanted to catch everyone up on what’s happening with Jimmy Barber (the Vietnam vet that was kicked out of a Maui restaurant over wearing an Ultimate Reloader […]
For a LONG time I’ve wanted to build my own HOWA 1500 rifle, and I decided now was the time! HOWA actions are known to shoot really well- they are made in Japan, and the quality shows. But what if you want to build something “just the way you want it”, and you don’t want […]
I’ve used ALL KINDS of digital scales for reloading: everything from jeweler’s scales, to branded reloading scales, and even lab-grade scales. Since I got my A&D FX-120i, I thought it would be interesting to test these “precision” scales (term can be loosely applied at times) using a consistent and comprehensive test methodology. In this article, […]
