Case expansion is critical when loading pistol ammunition. Too little case mouth expansion, and you’ll fail to place/retain bullets, and you’ll also shave the bullet if you’re loading hard cast lead bullets. Too much case mouth expansion, and you’ll over-work the brass and cause it to fail prematurely. So let’s take a look at some […]
Lyman Borecam Digital Borescope: Overview and Comprehensive Test Drive
Have you ever wondered what’s going on inside your rifle’s barrel? Is the bore in good condition? Is the bore clean? You may have wondered the same things about your pistol barrels. Until recently, borescope tools have been beyond the reach of everyday gun owners- not now! Since Lyman has introduced the Borecam Digital Borescope, […]
Expanded 10-Shot Load Development for 6.5 Creedmoor
Loading your own ammunition enables you to achieve results with your rifles that are simply not possible with factory ammunition. The key to achieving optimal results is the painstaking process of load development for each scenario and firearm you need to load ammunition for. Here’s the big challenge: there are so many variables you can […]
Ultimate Reloader Deal: 10% off Quick Change Ultramounts from Inline Fabrication
Have you been wanting to upgrade your press mounting situation? Does your press wobble? Do you have two presses, but only one spot on the bench? The Inline Fabrication Quick-Change Ultramount is the answer! For a limited time (until March 12 2018) you can save 10% on Quick-Change Ultramounts from Inline Fabrication! Just add a […]
Precision 6.5 Creedmoor Step by Step
This story is a part of a larger series pertaining to 6.5 Creedmoor- but for this particular “installment” I wanted to do something a bit different. So this time, I’m going to show a single cartridge as it makes its way from cleaned-and-fired brass all the way to being ready to shoot (all condensed down […]
Inline Fabrication Ultramounts Compared Side-By-Side
If you’ve been watching and reading Ultimate Reloader stories for long, you’ve undoubtedly noticed a familiar presence on my reloading bench- the Inline Fabrication Ultramount system! I’ve been using the Ultramount system for years, and have “standardized” on the quick change Ultramount as my press mounting solution. Just recently I added a “Junior” Ultramount to […]
SHOT Show 2018: A Brief Recap
Let’s just say this: The SHOT Show is absolute insanity. Last year (2017) saw 65,000 attendees, and the 2018 SHOT Show was most likely close to this number. I heard from someone that if you walked all of the aisles and saw all of the booths, you’d walk a total of about 6 miles! It […]
New Lyman Brass Smith Presses: See Them First Here on Ultimate Reloader
OK Guys- 2018 is going to be EPIC here on Ultimate Reloader! Seriously, lots of cool new products, and some new adventures I’ll be talking about soon. One of the exciting new partners I’ll be working with this year is Lyman Products! Lots of cool things to talk about, one of them is the new […]
SHOT Show 2018: What do you want to see?
Well, this is the exciting week of the SHOT show! I’ll be there, and can’t wait to check out all of the new gear, meet some amazing people, and hang out with friends! The big question for you all: What do you all want to see? Please leave a comment, and I’ll do my best […]
Don’t Blow up that 1911: Reload 45 ACP the Safe Way
I haven’t blown up a gun, but I know it happens every day. Usually, reloaded ammunition is a part of the equation when a gun goes “Kaboom”. Reloading ammunition is a serious responsibility and isn’t without danger. Perhaps that’s part of the appeal- you’re literally working with explosives and building ammunition. While it’s possible to […]
In Memory of Jim Findlay, One of the Greats
It’s hard losing a friend that you enjoy spending time with, one that brings out the best in you and challenges you to excel. Recently, I lost such a friend: Jim Findlay, A.K.A. “Jim the Plumber”. Jim meant a lot to a many of the people in the Pacific Northwest Shooting scene- he’ll be missed […]
L.E. Wilson Stainless Case Trimmer: Overview, Setup, Trimming
Any shooting sport that takes precision to the extreme will involve exacting brass prep as a part of the reloading process. In order to achieve such exacting standards, case length and case squareness must be held to exacting tolerances. L.E. Wilson has spent the last 81 years perfecting their case trimming system, one that was […]
Ultimate Reloader LEE Give-Away: Winner Announcement
The first Ultimate Reloader giveaway has ended, and I wanted to share with you all who won the awesome prize! I’m very happy for Judd Harris of Louisiana, congratulations! Judd plans on loading 308 Winchester with his new kit, and will use handloading as a hands-on compliment to his ballistics studies at the Sonoran Desert […]
FORSTER Reloading Dies: Overview and Setup featuring 6.5 Creedmoor
Reloading dies are perhaps the most critical tooling component involved in the loading of precision ammunition. Reloading dies have a huge effect on brass concentricity, case sizing dimensions and consistency, bullet seating depth, and bullet runout. So when you chose reloading dies for your rifle, you need to ensure you are getting the quality and […]
Ultimate Reloader Deal: Free Rifle Cartridge Pen with Brass Order from Capital Cartridge
Ever see something and think to yourself: “I need that”. That’s what I thought when I saw the rifle cartridge pen that Capital Cartridge is giving away as a bonus (through the end of the year): How can you get your own free pen you ask? Just fill your cart with $100.00 or more of […]
Ultimate Reloader Give-Away: Win a LEE Reloading Outfit from Midsouth Shooters Supply
This is an exciting day, the first Ultimate Reloader give-away! Check it out: Yes, with a few clicks here and there, you can enter to win the following: (one BIG prize) LEE Classic Turret Press kit LEE Auto Bench Prime Any LEE die set of your choosing All you need to do is to complete […]
MEC 9000E with Auto-Mate: Loading 12 Gauge in Style
Getting the MEC 9000E with Auto-Mate reminds me of a recent experience involving my Case 580 backhoe, and a shovel. After owning my ~16,000lb 4×4 backhoe with 4×4 and extendahoe, I had to do some digging with a shovel. Let me just say that about 5 minutes into digging with the shovel, I exclaimed out […]
MEC 9000E with Auto-Mate: Unboxing and Setup
In my small town, the shotgunning event of the week is the “Thursday night trap shoot”. I think it’s time for me to join in on the fun, and if I’m going to do well I need to do some SERIOUS practicing. And that means I need a LOT of 12 gauge shells. I have […]
Hands-On: KMS Squared UFO Press Light Kits for Dillon Presses
Winter is approaching, and for me that means it’s time to focus on indoor projects, namely reloading ammunition! Before this Winter season, I’m taking a look at all of my gear and “systems” and making improvements where possible. One such project is strategic lighting improvements. Enter the KMS Squared UFO lighting system! A while back […]
Quick Tip: Clean New Dies The Easy Way
A package just arrived on your front porch: could it be those new reloading dies? In all the excitement, it’s tempting to take the dies right out of the box and to start using them straight-away. But it’s very much worth while to take a few minutes to clean the dies prior to use. By […]
Ultimate Reloader Deal: Save 15% on all Processed Brass at Capital Cartridge
If you live in an area like I do, you’re getting ready for cold weather, snow, and more time indoors. Winter is coming, and that means it’s time to load ammunition in the warmth of your shop, garage, or home! If it’s time to load, you’re going to need brass, and now you can save […]
Reloading the 22 Nosler: An Overview
This article is a conclusion of a multi-part series covering 22 Nosler from “start to finish”. I started with 22 Nosler by shooting a PRS match, and then worked through loads and fine-tuned my setup to get maximum performance, longevity, and reliability out of my loads. If you haven’t already, you’ll want to check out […]
22 Nosler Overview: Cartridge, Ballistics, AR-15 Conversion
Specialty cartridges for the AR-15 are nothing new. For decades, shooters and engineers have been continually experimenting with different cartridge designs and permutations with the goal of enhancing AR-15 performance in some way. The goals themselves are varied, each with a different scenario in mind. The 25-45 Sharps necks the 22 caliber .223 Remington cartridge […]
Ultimate Reloader Deal: Save on .223 and .308 Brass from Capital Cartridge
Do you have an AR-15 or AR-10 that needs a constant supply of ammunition? Or better yet, do you have both an AR-15 *and* and AR-10 that you shoot on a regular basis? It’s time to do some bulk loading of .223/5.56 and .308/7.61x51mm ammunition, that’s what I say! To make your rifle reloading easier, […]
Budget Precision .223: Results and Conclusion
When I started the “Budget Precision .223” project- I had high hopes. Hopes that I’d like a bolt action rifle in .223, hopes that I’d find a great load, hopes that everything would work together (including the LEE Deluxe Challenger Press Kit), and most of all that I’d have fun. Well, all of those things […]
