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 […]
Tag: .223 Remington
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 $20. on Starline .223 Brass
Recently, I’ve been shooting a LOT of .223 in both AR-15 rifles, and my latest bolt action rifle, the TC Compass chambered in .223 Remington. With the Compass, I’ve had GREAT results with Starline’s new .223 Brass as you can read about here: Budget Precision .223 series on Ultimate Reloader. If you are one of […]
Budget Precision .223: Priming, Charging, Seating
In my last post, I covered the first half of the precision reloading process using the LEE Deluxe Challenger Kit. In this post, we’ll finish off the process by covering priming, charging, and bullet seating. When these steps are complete, we’ll have ammunition we can take to the range and shoot in the .223 TC […]
Budget Precision .223: Case Prep and Sizing
Now that we’ve setup and tested the TC Compass Rifle and un-boxed the LEE Deluxe Challenger reloading kit, it’s time to start loading some budget precision .223 Remington ammunition! I’ve already fire-formed some loads using Starline .223 Brass, and now it’s time to take a look at sizing/de-priming, checking our sizing setup, trimming brass to […]
Budget Precision .223: LEE Deluxe Challenger Kit Unboxing and Setup
Have you ever taken a “leap” hoping that things would work out, and then they did? That’s how this project (Budget Precision .223) has turned out so far. Would the TC Compass shoot as good as my other one in .308 Winchester? Could this scope live up to the reviews I read on Amazon? Yes. […]
Budget Precision .223: Project Kick-Off and TC Compass Setup
It’s a common misconception that you HAVE to spend big bucks to put together a precision shooting setup. Yes, a Porsche will have better fit and finish compared to a Subaru WRX STi, but the Subaru can still match the performance of some Porsches at a fraction of the cost. The Subaru may not be […]
Quick Tip: Setup Your Bullet Seating Die in Seconds
Some times a bit of planning ahead will save a lot of hassle in the end. When setting up your bullet seating die, having a sample cartridge can save a lot of time and hassle! If you plan ahead and save sample cartridges, your bullet seating die depth adjustment can be set in just seconds […]
.25-45 Sharps AR-15 Part 5: Precision Loads with the MEC Marksman
The quest for precision ammunition is something I never grow tired of. Well that is, if I’m dealing with a firearm of sufficient precision! If I’m not, I may resort to some gunsmithing because precision is just in my veins. So I’m excited to be working on precision loads for the .25-45 Sharps. I can’t […]
MEC Marksman Single-Stage: Unboxing, Overview, Setup
There’s nothing like a solid piece of iron. Cast iron tools and machines are a lifetime investment, and I love it when I look at a tool and see “Made in USA”. Recently MEC (the Mayville Engineering Company) made an interesting announcement. This company which is known for top-notch shotshell reloading gear announced they are getting into […]
LEE Rifle Dies: In-Depth Overview and Setup
If you’re in the market for a new set of rifle dies, the sheer number of options and types of dies can be a bit overwhelming! Lee rifle dies have a great reputation for value and performance, but there are a total of seven die set types available from Lee (in almost every conceivable chambering), […]
LEE New Auto Prime Tool: Overview, Priming .223 and .308 Cases
Priming cases is one of the most important steps in the ammunition reloading process. It can also be the most frustrating! If you want to optimize your reloading workflow, it’s imperative that you have a priming setup that’s easy to use and performs up to your expectations. In this post, I’m going to show LEE’s […]
Century Arms N-PAP AK Unboxing and First Shots
There’s nothing quite like the anticipation when you’re about to take a new gun to the range. You may have had your eye on a particular firearm for a long time, or put one on special order. Then comes the moment when you load the magazine and prepare for those first shots. That’s what I […]
TC Compass Hands-On: From Unboxing to 600 Yards
For value-minded rifle buyers, there’s never been a better time than right now! Over the last 10 years, the “standard equipment” list of features and attributes for entry-level rifles has gotten better and better. If you told me 10 years ago that I’d be able to buy a rifle for $350-ish that was loaded with […]
.25-45 Sharps AR-15 Part 4: Forming .25-45 Sharps from .223/5.56 Brass
I don’t like to spend a lot of money on brass- and I know I’m not alone! One of the great things about the .25-45 Sharps cartridge is the fact that you can take everyday .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO brass and form it into 25-45 Sharps. You can even take previously fired .223 or […]
L.E. Wilson Full-Length Bushing Sizing Die Now Available for 14 Cartridges
I was excited to be one of the first people to try out the new L.E. Wilson full-length bushing-type sizing die. When I got my .243 Winchester version, it was literally one of the first off the production line, and I picked it up from L.E. Wilson president Daniel Reichert himself! Since then, Dan has […]
.25-45 Sharps AR-15 Part 3: First Loads
After months of planning, getting my rifles, and setting them up- it’s finally time to start loading .25-45 Sharps! I’m not sure exactly why, but every time I start to load for a new cartridge, I get a feeling of anticipation and excitement. It’s one of the great things about ammunition reloading as a hobby- […]
Ultimate Reloader Deal: 10% Off Inline Fabrication Quick-Change Gear
If you’ve been wanting to streamline your reloading workflow and have multiple presses, now is the time to take a look at the Inline Fabrication UltraMount with Quick-Change! Here’s a video I put together showing how this system works: I have some good news: for a limited time, via an exclusive Ultimate Reloader Deal, you […]
.25-45 Sharps AR-15 Part 1: Kick-Off and Rifles Overview
I absolutely love the AR-15 rifle platform. The AR-15 is iconic and historic, it’s modular, it’s affordable, it’s compact and light weight, it’s fun to shoot- and it even looks cool! The AR-15 platform is also quite versatile- a great option for defense, target shooting and competition, and even varmint hunting. But what about big game […]
Ruger Precision Rifle: Loading Precision .243 Winchester Ammunition
It’s hard to believe we’re already at “Part 11” on the Ruger Precision Rifle series, but there’s so much to cover, and I’m having a ton of fun bringing these stories to you all. This time, we’ll talk about precision reloads end-to-end for the Ruger Precision Rifle in .243 Winchester. Here’s the walk-through video: Hopefully […]
Ultimate Reloader Deal: Save 10% Off Processed Brass from East Coast Reloading Supplies
If you are going to reload, you’re going to need brass, and plenty of it! East Coast Reloading Supplies (ECRS) is all about quality brass, and they can help you save time in the reloading room! Offering ready-to-load brass in a variety of popular chamberings, ECRS brass comes shipped to your door in neat-and-tidy re-sealable […]
