This is a good topic! I have all the gismos and then some that aren't mentioned here, but I will say probably the best all-around tool I have purchased for my autoloaders is the Sheridan slotted case gages, for example I load for several 308win and 6.5Grr and 223 Wylde rifles, AR or M1a, FNFAL 308win AK plat forms , using these Gages I can size all my brass for any of these rifles back to the spec's so the brass will run out of any of the calibers or rifles without any issues! using only 1 resizing die, and I only size with a Redding body die for everything I size, it doesn't matter what caliber, I get 100% flawless operation, even from brass I pick up off the range, my 2ct
What’s your favorite reloading piece
- Thread starter Fern
- Start date
ISS
Gold $$ Contributor
Easy, my Rockchucker A4.
Since buying it in 1978 I have loaded accurate ammunition from 22 Hornet to my old wildcat 22-378 (the Eargensplitter-Loudenboomer) to 550 Gibbs and probably a hundred cartridges in-between. Even pistol before I became flush like y'all. If you started riding a tractor for 90-cents an hour in 1964 like I did even a Lyman 310 Tong Tool looked pretty good. My first CF rifle was a 25 Krag with an 8X Fecker Scope. FL reloading with a bullet mould and the Tong Tool.
After two weeks, the old farmer decided I could run a straight furrow and bumped me to a buck an hour. I also got fifty-cents for each Crow I shot and a buck per Groundhog. Three 60+ hour weeks and the $300 Krag was paid for. Then the rest of the summer funded me the finest car a coming 16 year old ever owned: 1957 Fairlane 2-door Hardtop with the super hot 312 Paxton motor. Another $300. I hit school that fall as a Sophomore with that car and cash money in the bank and my pants pocket. The ladies then as now, greatly admired a man with cash and a car.
All the extras y'all have mentioned, need a press to turn your dreams into reality. I have loaded for live varmints since the mid-60's on that press before moving up. I loaded the ammunition I took to Africa three trips hunting game. I loaded the 450 Rigby and 550 Gibbs I shot a Cape Buffalo and three Elephants with.
Since buying it in 1978 I have loaded accurate ammunition from 22 Hornet to my old wildcat 22-378 (the Eargensplitter-Loudenboomer) to 550 Gibbs and probably a hundred cartridges in-between. Even pistol before I became flush like y'all. If you started riding a tractor for 90-cents an hour in 1964 like I did even a Lyman 310 Tong Tool looked pretty good. My first CF rifle was a 25 Krag with an 8X Fecker Scope. FL reloading with a bullet mould and the Tong Tool.
After two weeks, the old farmer decided I could run a straight furrow and bumped me to a buck an hour. I also got fifty-cents for each Crow I shot and a buck per Groundhog. Three 60+ hour weeks and the $300 Krag was paid for. Then the rest of the summer funded me the finest car a coming 16 year old ever owned: 1957 Fairlane 2-door Hardtop with the super hot 312 Paxton motor. Another $300. I hit school that fall as a Sophomore with that car and cash money in the bank and my pants pocket. The ladies then as now, greatly admired a man with cash and a car.
All the extras y'all have mentioned, need a press to turn your dreams into reality. I have loaded for live varmints since the mid-60's on that press before moving up. I loaded the ammunition I took to Africa three trips hunting game. I loaded the 450 Rigby and 550 Gibbs I shot a Cape Buffalo and three Elephants with.
Gabe22BR
Gold $$ Contributor
Looks like everyone naming gizmos, certain pieces….
Here’s my take-
it’s the little silver knob on THE door !!!
That leads to the place where all the magic happens-
I don’t have specific “piece”.. as I’ve made powder funnels to fit my cases, or cups to fit the tricklers, or gauges to measure bullets, or loaded rds.. all comes down to piece & quite to get it done …
Here’s my take-
it’s the little silver knob on THE door !!!That leads to the place where all the magic happens-
I don’t have specific “piece”.. as I’ve made powder funnels to fit my cases, or cups to fit the tricklers, or gauges to measure bullets, or loaded rds.. all comes down to piece & quite to get it done …wkdickinson
Gold $$ Contributor
- Forster COAX Press - 30+ years old and still a joy to use
- AutoTrickler V4 - totally amazing machine
- K&M Arbor Press & Wilson Seating Die - just recently purchased, so with more use it may move up the list.
Air conditioner
DaveTooley
Gold $$ Contributor
50 year old Rockchucker press along with a Culver powder measure.
Yup,. ^^^ this,..
My OLD Rockchucker press and I never, Buy or, build, a Rifle without having, access to, Quality,..
FORSTER, reloading, Dies, in My Cart of, Choice ! ( .22 GT is, my Next New, Rifle Barrel to, replace my .22-250 bbl. )
Old guy here and SLOW to, "Up-Grade",.. my chit.
But,.. I NEED to start looking at, an Auto Priming Tool / Gismo of, some sort,.. LOL !
( Yup, I'm still in,.. the Dark Ages ) And a Bit of,.. a Tite-Wad !
I Blame my Depression ERA Parents for,.. THIS ! ( LOL )
Since I Use, a LOT of different Ball Powders,. so, I have NO need of, an Auto Trickler.
My OLD Rockchucker press and I never, Buy or, build, a Rifle without having, access to, Quality,..
FORSTER, reloading, Dies, in My Cart of, Choice ! ( .22 GT is, my Next New, Rifle Barrel to, replace my .22-250 bbl. )
Old guy here and SLOW to, "Up-Grade",.. my chit.
But,.. I NEED to start looking at, an Auto Priming Tool / Gismo of, some sort,.. LOL !
( Yup, I'm still in,.. the Dark Ages ) And a Bit of,.. a Tite-Wad !
I Blame my Depression ERA Parents for,.. THIS ! ( LOL )
Since I Use, a LOT of different Ball Powders,. so, I have NO need of, an Auto Trickler.
Last edited:
powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
1) The Autotrickler V3 with the FX120i scale. 30 gr of Varget in 10 seconds to one grain accuracy.
2) A pair of Dillon 500 series Progressive loaders (I have owned a C&H progressive, 7 different Star Progressives, a couple of MECs and a Posness Warren shotshell loaders, and the Dillons are my favorites.)
3) My Teslong Borescope. I wish they had brought it out before I bought my very expensive Hawkeye.
4) My RCBS Rockchucker from the 70's. Still doing my rifle accuracy loading work on it.
5) My Giraud trimmer. Use the Hornady clamp type lock rings and never have to re-set the case holder.
2) A pair of Dillon 500 series Progressive loaders (I have owned a C&H progressive, 7 different Star Progressives, a couple of MECs and a Posness Warren shotshell loaders, and the Dillons are my favorites.)
3) My Teslong Borescope. I wish they had brought it out before I bought my very expensive Hawkeye.
4) My RCBS Rockchucker from the 70's. Still doing my rifle accuracy loading work on it.
5) My Giraud trimmer. Use the Hornady clamp type lock rings and never have to re-set the case holder.
Last edited:
Hoekight
Silver $$ Contributor
This is a great thread. I started out reloading for hunting rifles now it’s transitioned into f-class. After all the upgrades in my setup I can’t imagine going back without my Autotrickler V4. Also love my Wilson seating dies and Harrels arbor press, but honestly my Frankfort Arsenal universal seating dies makes as good of ammo as the Wilson. But the V4 was a game changer for me.
Although I am about to add some kind of case trimmer different than what I have and that will likely be the next thing on the list of couldn’t live withouts. I hate trimming, deburring and chamfering brass!!!
Although I am about to add some kind of case trimmer different than what I have and that will likely be the next thing on the list of couldn’t live withouts. I hate trimming, deburring and chamfering brass!!!
After 50 years of reloading, these are some of my go to tools
FX120i balance scale
K & M arbor press
LE Wilson chamber seating dies
AMP Annealer
Giraud trimmer
FX120i balance scale
K & M arbor press
LE Wilson chamber seating dies
AMP Annealer
Giraud trimmer
I’d have to say the Redding T7 press. I play around with a lot of different calibers/cartridges and end up necking multiple calibers down/up such as the 20, 22, and 6mm Grendel and a few 358 WSM’s to others. It is SOOO convenient to have multiple dies set up and run one case through them all and have a ready to trim/load case. I like that press more than any other I’ve used just for that.
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
My old Lee prime alls( large/small and their replacements if ever needed).
PDS
Gold $$ Contributor
Impressive piece of machinery! I bet it made a big difference on your credit card bill.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.