As the saying goes, the devil is in the details. This quote refers to the finer points of a larger task and the challenges they present. While handloading in itself isn’t terribly difficult, each of its individual steps leaves plenty of room for improvement. Products that improve powder handling, die maintenance and, especially, load refinement go a long way in shortening your loading sessions while maximizing your output. Here are five that I’ve found to be exceptionally beneficial:
Lyman’s 51st Edition Reloading Manual
Most of us have found this manual to be invaluable during the early stages of handloading, as it provides excellent step-by-step instructions. In the beginning, I leaned on earlier versions to help me understand tasks like setting up dies and understanding when it’s time to trim a case. Today, Lyman continues its practice of providing clear-cut education in its 51st Edition Reloading Manual.
It is packed with load data that includes many of the newer components that didn’t exist when the last edition was printed. Its glossary also includes sections on entire cartridges that weren’t around when the last book was inked. Lastly, this edition also includes a chapter on progressive presses and the fine nuances of getting them to do what you wish. Lyman carries its tradition of using powders and bullets from all major manufacturers, as well as generic unbranded data for several cartridges. This is helpful when you are looking for a starting point with a lesser-known projectile. LymanProducts.com
Hornady Die Wrench Deluxe
Once a die is set into a press, making adjustments can become an impossible task. The tight confines of a progressive toolhead leave little to no room to swing a conventional wrench, forcing you to resort to unorthodox tools for what should be a simple job. Hornady’s Die Wrench Deluxe is cut to be tight enough to work in these spaces and handles four unique operations.
The open end of the wrench fits common die flats and allows for fine tweaking once you have them locked into place. The extreme closed end of the wrench fits snugly around locking rings to loosen and remove dies altogether. Just forward of this opening is a secondary closed area that fits Hornady’s spindle nuts to adjust the tension being used to hold the decapping assembly in place. Lastly, this tool features a contoured nub that fits into shell plates to keep them from spinning when you need to tighten or loosen its retention screw. Hornady.com
782 Gunworks “Hundo” Loading Block
It might seem trivial, but the general 10x10 loading block design doesn’t represent my typical load development experience. More often than not, I’ll be shooting just one five-round group of any given powder charge. Therefore, the elongated 5x20 782 Gunworks Hundo is a little more my speed and keeps me from grabbing charged cases from the wrong spot. When I’m rolling out the final load, I also find that it uses up bench space more efficiently and makes for an overall tidier work area.
Built from American-sourced 6160 T6 aluminum, the Hundo is tough as nails and can take far more trips to the ground than polymer versions of this classic tray. On the same note, each space is drilled through completely to expedite the clean-up of inevitable powder spills. Staving this off is a carefully designed contour that is designed to securely hold the most common cartridges associated with precision shooting. 782Guns.com
Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 Precision Reloading Scale
If you’re going to go through the work, it pays to be as precise as possible. Getting load development right the first time can be the difference between heading back to the range to practice or heading back to the drawing board to start from the beginning. Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 Precision Reloading Scale measures out to the hundredth of a grain to eliminate the +/- .1 grain deviation associated with common reloading scales. It’s also one of the few scales that is programmed with grains as its native unit of measure, removing the rounding errors that come when converting over from grams. The kit includes a static-free powder pan as well as a multi-sectional windscreen to allow for customization when dealing with a draft. CreedmoorSports.com
Creedmoor Sports Multi-Caliber Bullet Comparators
Next to the powder charge, the distance the bullet is from the land would be a cartridge’s next most critical factor for accuracy. Adjusting or repeating this requires measuring the distance from the case head to the ogive, which takes a purpose-built tool called a comparator. Typically, a comparator must be reconfigured for each diameter, which is annoying when you plan on loading multiple cartridges in a single reloading session. Creedmoor Sports comparators carry the ability to measure up to six different bullet diameters simply by rotating the measuring position. A pair of knurled knobs hold the device in place, allowing the user to adjust to their given caliper and rotate or remove without the need for any tools. CreedmoorSports.com
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