Reloading Equipment up grades.

[skeeljc]

Here is my list to improve the quality of your reloads:

1. A good press. No slop and a good repeatable stop at the end of the stroke. Example: MEC Marksman.
2. Quality dies. Example: Redding, Forster, Wilson
3. Annealer. Example: Anneal Eez
4. Neck turning equipment: Example: K&M and a thickness micrometer like Holland.
5. A quality powder measure (Harrel's) or a good lab scale if you are shooting really long range.

If you are reloading large quantities (batches in the hundreds) you will need to automate some processes.
Auto powder dispensers, faster case trimmers, a progressive loader with an automatic power drive. A Dillon 750 with a Mark 7 Pro Autodrive can not only automate processes but can also improve repeatability.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Get your own reamers and custom dies made for the reamers.....

Regards
Rick

 

[LRPV]

I am going to up grade some of my reloading equipment. What would you guys do first. I am looking at either a AMP, Autotrickler or a Zero press.

Be a lot easier to make actual meaningful suggestions IF you let people know what you currently have.

If you’re running Lee Loaders, get a press.

If you’re running a Lyman powder measure with the balance beam that came in your kit, get a scale/thrower.

If you’re farting around annealing with anything other than a AMP, buy an AMP.

 

[Ccrider]

V3 throw and trickler would be first on the list. Then the Amp with the press being 3rd.
Bart

I have been throwing with a Harrell’s and using the v3 trickler upgrade. Is the autothrow worth investing in?

 

[Walt Krafft]

I have been throwing with a Harrell’s and using the v3 trickler upgrade. Is the autothrow worth investing in?

YES!

 

[mikld]

"Upgrade" as in better equipment or add to tool inventory?

 

[BartsBullets]

I have been throwing with a Harrell’s and using the v3 trickler upgrade. Is the autothrow worth investing in?

Oh Yeah! Very much worth it!

 

[Richard Coody]

I am going to up grade some of my reloading equipment. What would you guys do first. I am looking at either a AMP, Autotrickler or a Zero press.

In this order
Autotrickler
Amp
Coax press

Now that is assuming you have a rifle that can show the improvements on target. If you really want to learn precision reloading it all starts with the rifle.

And that is assuming you have quality dies, brass, bullets and other components

Upgrading just one step can be disappointing

 

[Ol Thumper]

My top three are

1 V3 Autotrickler
2. AMP
3 Area 419 press

 

[skeeljc]

The Area 419 Zero press looks like a great place to put money you don't have any other place to spend it. It is nicely designed and well built but is there any point in trying to align a shell holder precisely with a die when the case is held in a shell holder and allowed to move?? I think the Forster Co-Ax has proven that it is the die that does the aligning and the shell holder just needs to move the case into and out of the die.

 

[hkm]

All of these suggestions are excellent. I might offer that you would consider custom dies and if you don’t skim-turn your brass, take a look at that (before the custom dies). At those distances, everything that you can do to get repeatable, consistent reloads will help. I don’t know your budget, but the “Hole” is deep and ever-changing.

Scott

I turn brass on my300NI and some brass for my 6.5SAUM . I already have custom dies for both. Yes the hole is very deep. It all started with drawing a Nevada bull tag.

 

[hkm]

Be a lot easier to make actual meaningful suggestions IF you let people know what you currently have.

If you’re running Lee Loaders, get a press.

If you’re running a Lyman powder measure with the balance beam that came in your kit, get a scale/thrower.

If you’re farting around annealing with anything other than a AMP, buy an AMP.

I am using a RCBS charge master rock chuck press and a annealeez

 

[LRPV]

I am using a RCBS charge master rock chuck press and a annealeez

If I were you, I’d look at my dies, measuring devices (comparators, quality calipers), quality of projectiles (sorting of said projectiles), caliber and quality of brass.

of the 3 things mentioned that you want to change, I’d upgrade my scale/thrower. AMP would be next. You can win and or place highly in national level IBS benchrest competition using a rockchucker press to size your brass. Hell, I’ve even heard you can do well with a MEC.

 

[ronemus]

Definitely get the FX-120i/AutoThrow/AutoTrickler combo - it really does measure to the kernel; I've been using them for Reloder 33 for .338 Lapua, and it dispenses +/-0.02 gr with a rare +0.04 (all the more remarkable because a kernel of RL-33 is ~0.05 gr). I've been using a Pact dispenser for decades and the AutoTrickler is night and day better - just return the powder cup and the next powder charge is ready before I've finished seating the bullet on the previous one. With a finer-grained powder the performance should be even better.

 

[JimSC]

I am more concerned with what's on paper than what's on my bench so I spend all my money on barrels, powder, primers and bullets to practice. I don't have much left over for shinies and bling. Only thing I really splurge on is good sizing dies. My recommendation is to turn every spare dime into smoke and noise practicing technique and wind reading.

 

[Snuggie]

I went with the V3 then a Prazi Press. Both are works of art and extremely precise. Already had the annealer. Can’t go wrong with that combination!

 

[hkm]

Thanks everyone for the replies decided to get the Autotrickler V3

 

[Ol Thumper]

The Area 419 Zero press looks like a great place to put money you don't have any other place to spend it. It is nicely designed and well built but is there any point in trying to align a shell holder precisely with a die when the case is held in a shell holder and allowed to move?? I think the Forster Co-Ax has proven that it is the die that does the aligning and the shell holder just needs to move the case into and out of the die.

I could agree with that for sure and couldn’t argue your point but a Timex tells the same time as a Rolex and I like Rolex’s

 

[skeeljc]

I could agree with that for sure and couldn’t argue your point but a Timex tells the same time as a Rolex and I like Rolex’s

I am just happy with my MEC Marksman. It does not need to do anything more than it does.

 

[Ccrider]

YES!

Ok. I ordered the autothrow upgrade. Once I receive it, I will post regarding its utility compared to throwing with a Harrell’s and then AutoTrickling up.