Regardless of whether you want to calculate the bushing diameter for a sizer die, or to measure case neck thickness uniformity, a good ball micrometer (AKA Tubing Micrometer) is invaluable! I’ve been using these tools for a long time now, but I’m rather excited about my new EZ-DATA Ball Micrometer from iGaging! Packed with Features […]
Tag: Reloading
224 Valkyrie at 600 Yards: Bolt -vs- AR with Unexpected Results
Do you ever get tired of shooting paper targets? I know I do! Sure, the engineer in me loves to shoot groups, analyze chronograph data, and “hone things in” – but there’s got to be a “purpose” for shooting, and my purpose extends well beyond punching holes in paper. And that’s where a good range […]
TriggerTech Special Remington 700 Drop-In Trigger In-Depth Overview
I’m really liking the custom Remington 700 rifle I built chambered in 224 Valkyrie. One of my favorite things about this rifle is the trigger, a TriggerTech Special drop-in for the Remington 700. If you haven’t already, you’ll want to check out the post and video where I installed the TriggerTech Special, and the KRG […]
Black Friday 2018 Featued Deal: 25% Off KMS Squared Lighting Kits, Deals from Midsouth Shooters Supply, Precision Reloading, Inline Fabrication, Starline Brass
Just like everyone else, I’m sure you’re looking for deals today- Black Friday 2018… And I have some awesome deals and discounts to share with you for 2018! 25% Off KMS Squared Lighting Kits Yes, as you heard in the video, for a limited time (until 12/2/2018) you can get a whopping 25% off ALL […]
Athlon Midas TAC 6-24x50mm HD Riflescope: In-Depth Overview
A good riflescope is paramount if you want to succeed at long-range shooting. A scope with great optical quality and the right features can really “enhance your game” whether it be long-range hunting, target shooting, or a competitive shooting like PRS match events. The last time I shot in a PRS event, I really wished […]
Beginner’s Walkthrough: Progressive Loading Pistol Ammo Showcasing 45ACP
I’ve been reloading ammunition for a long time now, but a lot of my readers and viewers haven’t loaded a single round of ammunition. Many of you all are contemplating getting into the sport, or considering upgrading to a progressive reloading press. I thought I would do something a bit different this time- and take […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P8: Barrel Break In, First Groups, First Loads
Breaking in the barrel for a rifle you’ve built is a truly unique and exciting experience. Will the gun blow up? Will the rifle shoot well? Will my new trigger meet my expectations? It’s like sea trials for a new ship, but with a precision instrument. As I was finishing my Remington 700 224 Valkyrie […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P7: AICS Magazine Conversion
When you go “off the script” (like building a 224 Valkyrie bolt-action rifle) you can expect some challenges. One such challenge with this kind of build is getting a reliable magazine configuration setup. A lot of guys have spent a lot of hours tinkering with magazines, springs, followers, lip geometry and more with a common […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P6: KRG Bravo Stock, TriggerTech Special Trigger
All of the hard work I’ve put into this 224 Valkyrie Remington 700 build is about to come together, literally! With a complete barreled action assembly, it’s time to install our trigger, and then mate the stock and barreled action together. I can hardly wait to take this rifle to the range! And by the […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P5: Custom Thread Protector
A threaded muzzle is great, but if you aren’t using a muzzle brake or suppressor, you’ll need something to protect the (fragile) threads! That’s where a thread protector comes in handy. One of the best ways to make a thread protector is with a cut-down section of barrel blank. Good thing I had this “extra” […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P4: Muzzle Threading and Barrel Install
Here’s my philosophy: why not have a threaded muzzle? If you want to use a muzzle brake or a suppressor, you’re all set! If you don’t use a muzzle device, you put a thread protector on, and you’re good to go. So now that we’ve completed the breech-end barrel work, let’s move on to the […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P3: Chambering and Machining
Sometimes you have to do a lot of “prep work” to get to the “fun work”. Well, after building out our build-sheet, and preparing and aligning the barrel, we’re now to the fun part of this build! That’s right, it’s time to start machining the tenon, and cutting the chamber! Series navigation: 224 Valkyrie Remington […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P2: Barrel Prep and Alignment In the Lathe
How you secure your barrel in your lathe, and the attention to detail aligning the barrel’s bore to the lathe spindle axis will both have a big effect on the outcome of your barreling work. In this post, we’ll continue our 224 Valkyrie Remington 700 bolt-action rifle build with a focus on a few things: […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P1: Planning the Build
I’ve always wanted to build a Remington 700 custom bolt-action rifle, and now is the time! As a part of the lager 224 Valkyrie project (two rifle builds, reloading, ballistics, …) this smaller collection of videos and articles will outline a complete Remington 700 build- from start to finish! Later, we’ll compare ballistics and accuracy […]
Quick Look: Lyman 68pc Master Gunsmith Took Kit
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 […]
224 Valkyrie: Dual Rifle Build Details and Overview
This is going to be perhaps the most in-depth project I’ve taken on here on Ultimate Reloader- building two rifles, working up load data, measuring ballistics, and a bunch of related field work (hunting, and who knows what else). I’m excited to get started, and to share these experiences with you. What is it I’m […]
Dynamic Duo: Hornady Lock-N-Load Quick Trickle + G2 1500 Electronic Scale
When I first saw a picture of the Hornady Lock-N-Load quick trickle, I “got it” immediately. One of the ways I like to measure precise powder loads is to dump a “bulk low charge”, and then trickle up to the exact value. But there are some issues you’ll face if you use conventional equipment for […]
Test Your Trigger With the Lyman Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge
How do you know *for sure* how your trigger is performing? There are a variety of options spanning simple mechanical gauges all the way up to the DVORAK TriggerScan for “laboratory grade” trigger profiling. If all you need is an accurate peak force measurement, the Lyman Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge is a great option. […]
RCBS Summit Press: Unboxing, Setup, Overview, Loading 6.5 Creedmoor
There are a lot of reloading presses out there that look the same, work the same, and are essentially “variations on a theme”. And then there’s the RCBS Summit– a press that literally turns the concept of the single stage reloading press on its head! Why? Because instead of moving the cartridge and shellholder, it […]
MEC Sizemaster: Unboxing, Overview, Loading 12 Gauge Shells
I can recall using my MEC 600 Jr. Mark V, and thinking to myself- it would be nice if this press had a priming system built in… Fast forward to today, and I found what I was looking for with the MEC Sizemaster. It also has a powerful collet sizing system which reminds me of […]
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 […]
Winchester 70 Rebarrel Part 1: Overview
Also published on our sister website http://makingwithmetal.com Metalworking and shooting are both passions of mine, so it follows that gunsmithing would be a natural fit. For me, here’s a powerful draw towards gunsmithing projects that involve accurizing, enhancing, and re-building firearms. So when I discovered that my Winchester Model 70 Heavy Varmint 22-250 rifle needed a […]
Reloading at the Range: Step By Step
When you reload precision ammunition, it’s an iterative process. Fire forming brass, working up loads, testing function, honing in on that “prefect load”. And the iterative nature can cause the process to take a LONG time! Going to the range every week can be a stretch for some people, and if you need to check […]
Compared! Brass Smith Ideal, Victory, and All-American 8 Presses
It’s exciting every time I get my hands on a new reloading press. So you can only imagine how exciting it is to get three new presses into the shop, all three new on the market! Lyman is just now rolling out these three new reloading presses to the consumer market, and I’ve reviewed all […]
224 Valkyrie: Project Planning Update July 2018
“It’s better to take your time and do something right than to rush”. That’s what I keep telling myself. And these words are well suited to describe my in-progress 224 Valkyrie project. After the 224 announcement and reveal last October, I felt an urgent need to get hands-on with this cartridge “right away”. In hind […]
