Here on Ultimate Reloader you can count on a LOT of AR-15 content coming over the next year: everything from reloading .223/5.56, to hunting, a lot more with suppressors, and some custom AR-15 rifle action! In this post, I’ve got some great highlights including the LEE Auto-Drum powder measure, the RCBS Pro Chucker 5 progressive […]
Tag: 308 Winchester
LEE Auto-Drum Powder Measure: From Unboxing to Loading Pistol
The powder measure is one of the most important components integral to any reloading press setup. A good powder measure can make for smooth reloading room workflow, help to produce consistent and accurate ammunition, and also help to ensure your safety when shooting your handloaded ammunition. LEE Precision has recently released a new product who’s goal is to […]
Overview: New Enduron Powders from IMR
It’s always exciting to see new reloading products that make things “that much better”. That was my first impression when trying Hodgdon’s CFE-223 and CFE-Pistol powders. These powders have performed great, and I love the fact that copper de-fouling is “built in”. There’s a new crop of powders from IMR that feature copper de-fouling plus […]
Ruger Precision Rifle: Loading 6.5 Creedmoor with the Hornady Lock-N-Load Iron
It’s time to take the reloading for the Ruger Precision Rifle to the next level! I’ve been loading ammunition “factory style” (new brass) on the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP 5-station progressive, and now it’s time to go single-stage. I’ve already gotten GREAT results- with groups in the sub-3/4″ range (a first-group-of-the-day 5-shot group measured just over […]
Hornady Lock-N-Load Iron Press Kit: Unboxing and Overview
If you are like me, you’ve been eagerly awaiting the availability of the new Hornady Lock-N-Load Iron reloading press system. I have been working with Hornady on getting the first videos up for this press, and literally received the first kit off the line. In this series, I’ll cover this new press system and kit […]
Ruger Precision Rifle Part 5: 6.5 Creedmoor Load Prep
It’s been fun getting to know the Ruger Precision Rifle platform. It’s a precision shooting instrument, but you can only get maximum precision if you reload for your rifle. There are so many variables specific to each instance of each specific rifle that can affect the precision of the ammunition you shoot. Some of these […]
Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Unboxing, Overview, and Setup
The Hornady Lock-N-Load AP 5 station progressive reloading press is a popular tool for loading both pistol and rifle ammunition. I’ve published a lot of content related to this press, but one thing I have not yet covered is unboxing- so here you go! Time to take a look up close at the very latest (2016) version of […]
RCBS Pro Chucker 5: Loading .223 Remington
It’s time for Part 7 in the series I’ve been covering on the RCBS Pro Chucker 5. This time we’ll get down-and-dirty loading .223 Remington, something any AR-15 owner will be interested in! I like to show different loading setups in each blog/video, and this time I thought I would try the “.223 equivalent” of […]
Ruger Precision Rifle Part 2: 600 yard and 1000 yard Range Day with the 6.5 Guys
In my last post, I walked through the unboxing, overview, setup, and sight in of the Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. With only a quick 100-yard sighting completed, I was off to the range the next morning with Jim Findlay and the 6.5 Guys: Ed Mobley and Steve Lawrence. Sure, I had fired a […]
Essential Gear: Using the L.E. Wilson Rifle Case Gage
There are certain tools that can save you a lot of time, effort, and money. For reloaders of ammunition, a case gage is one such tool. Have you ever gone to the range and discovered an issue with your handloads? I certainly have. While a case gage can’t prevent all ammunition problems, it is what […]
Cleaning Brass with the RCBS Ultrasonic Cleaner
Brass prep is a critical part of the reloading process, but it can be a huge pain to deal with. I’ve traditionally been a dry tumbler, but I’ve been curious to try some new processes including ultrasonic case cleaning, and stainless media wet tumbling. In this article I’ll give you the low-down on my experience […]
Hornady Rifle Bullet Feeder Part 5: Loading 308 for the AR-10
I am known to be a bit of an extremist. If shooting an AR-15 is fun, wouldn’t shooting an AR-10 be more fun? I actually enjoy both, but I do shoot my DPMS LR-308B quite a bit. That means I’m loading 308 Winchester quite a bit, and that’s what this post is about: loading for […]
Hornady Rifle Bullet Feeder Part 4: Loading 30 Caliber Conversion Kit
In this post, I’ll give you an overview of the Hornady Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feed 30 caliber conversion kit (Hornady product # 095345). With this kit, you can convert your .22 caliber Hornady Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder to load 30 caliber bullets for cartridges like 308 Winchester, 30-06, and many others. In the above picture you […]
Video: Rifle Brass Prep Made Easy with the RCBS Trim Pro 3-Way Cutter
In a previous post, I demonstrated using machine shop equipment (a metal lathe and milling machine) for rifle brass prep. In this post, I’m following up on a suggestion to show the RCBS Trim Pro 3-Way cutter to collapse thee steps into one. Here’s the steps that I showed in the original post: Lube, size, […]
Hornady Rifle Bullet Feeder Part 3: Loading .223 on the Lock-N-Load AP
In recent posts, I’ve given an overview of the new Hornady Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder, and shown high-level setup details for this new piece of machinery. In this post we’ll get down-to-business and load some .223/5.56 rounds on the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP 5-station progressive reloading press. Be sure to check out the video below showing […]
Hornady Rifle Bullet Feeder Part I: Overview
With this post, I’m excited to kick-off a new blog series covering Hornady’s Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder. With a totally new and unique bullet feed die system and many other innovative features, this bullet feeder provides unique capabilities that I’m looking forward to showing you. We’ll cover an overview of this new system (this post), […]
Video: Use Your Machine Shop Equipment for Brass Prep
One of the most important aspects of reloading rifle ammunition is correct brass prep. This is especially true when you are reloading military brass like 5.56 NATO (similar to .223 Remington) and 7.62x51mm (similar to .308 Winchester). These military cases are a great deal, and in some cases you can buy once-fired machine gun brass […]
Starting to Loading Rifle, Part I: What You’ll Need
So you want to start loading rifle ammunition! Soon you’ll be realizing more accurate ammunition, complete control over cartridge characteristics, and also save a bunch of money. But first, there’s a bunch of information to absorb, and a bunch of things to buy. But what things to buy? That’s the reason for this article! There […]
Frankford Arsenal Vibraprime Speeds Up Primer Tube Loading
So how many rounds per hour does your press load? It’s a question we’ve all been asked. Well let’s see, if I can keep moving I can do about 700 rounds per hour, but I have to stop and refill powder, load primers, let’s figure about 500 rounds per hour with all of the stoppages […]
How to weigh the costs and benefits of reloading your own ammunition
We’ve all been there- walking past that neglected tool in the garage or exercise equipment in the den with accumulated dust so thick you could write your name in it. Then, you think back to the weeks that you agonized over which make/model to go with, and the rush of excitement when the delivery truck […]
Free Rifle Cartridge Guides
One of the first things you need to do when reloading your own ammo is to study up on the cartridge you’re loading for. A reloading manual is a great resource for this kind of information, but many times you need *more* data and information. Well, if you’re reloading for rifle, there’s some great free […]
5 Tips for Reloading Accurate Rifle Ammunition
There are many reasons to handload your own rifle ammunition. It’s fun, it’s economical, and you can attain maximum accuracy by carefully loading custom ammunition for your rifle. If you’re new to handloading rifle ammunition, here are some basic considerations for accuracy: Start with proven loads and load data Fire form your brass Optimize bullet […]
Tips for Preventing Stuck Cases
Excited to get started loading, I grabbed some .223 Remington brass that had been sitting for months since being sprayed down with lube. I prepared to validate my powder charge by running a single cartridge through the RCBS Pro 2000 progressive press. I pulled the lever to size the case, and *POP*, when trying to […]
Quick Tip: Indexing Your Dies
If you are reloading rifle ammunition on a progressive reloading press, you just may be one of those “attention to detail” kind of guys. Rifle reloaders tend to be a bit obsessive about their reloading supplies, equipment, and processes. But some times we overlook the simple details that can make a difference. If you’re loading […]
Range Results: AR-308 rifle – getting close to goal
Hey everyone- I’ve had quite a few inquiries as to how the range results are looking for the AR-308 project rifle. I didn’t set a formal accuracy goal for the project, but I would like to see consistent ~0.5″ groups at 100 yards. This involves shooting skills, load development, and time. This last week, I […]
