A fire in the home is always to be feared. And a fire in your reloading room can be disastrous. Near your reloading bench you probably have flammable solvents, and maybe gunpowder. What would happen if an electrical fire started in your reloading room? Would you be alerted? Do you have a proper fire extinguisher at hand?
Here’s a true story from Forum Member Joe O. (aka “Joecob”) that provides a valuable safety lesson. After Joe started up his old tumbler, an internal connector worked loose, causing an arc which started a fire in his basement reloading area. Luckily Joe had a functioning smoke detector, and a fire extinguisher.
Very few of us would worry about fire when we plug in a tumbler or other AC-powered reloading tool. But there is always the possibility of a malfunction and a fire. Quick thinking (and a handy extinguisher) prevented serious damage to Joe’s reloading room and house — but things could have been worse (much worse), had Joe not responded quickly.
Fire in the Reloading Room — Report by Joecob
The day before ‘Sandy’ hit I was cleaning brass the way I always have. I set the vibratory tumbler on the back of my reloading bench in the basement. I loaded the media hopper with 40 fired empty brass cases (and walnut media), plugged the cord in, turned the tumbler on and went back upstairs to watch TV. I could hear the tumbler running in the background.
About half an hour later I heard the basement smoke alarm go off. I ran downstairs. Flames were licking from the melting plastic of the tumbler.
I grabbed the nearby ABC cannister extinguisher and squirted out the fire and soaked the charred bench areas with water. Good thing I had the extinguisher! And I was glad I religiously store powder and primers properly — away from the bench (and everything else).
What caused the fire? It looks like an internal AC connector finally vibrated loose enough to arc and ignite the plastic. WHEH! I had been using that thing for 25 years the same way without mishap. Guess I should have known to periodically check the guts of a thing that plugs in and vibrates for a living?
Today I went out and bought a new even bigger ‘Pro’ ABC extinguisher, plus a dual-detector smoke alarm, and an ultrasonic cleaner. That experience was scarier than the storm. I hope this true account might help someone else to avoid a bad experience.
In his account, Joe refers to an “ABC” cannister fire extinguisher. The “ABC” refers to the fire classification rating: Class A (trash, wood, and paper), Class B (liquids and gases), and Class C (energized electrical equipment) fires. There are many brands of ABC-rated extinguishers.
The rechargeable Kidde 210 unit (sku 21005779) contains four pounds of a multipurpose monoammonium phosphate dry chemical extinguishing agent. It has a discharge time of 13 to 15 seconds, a discharge range of 10 to 15 feet, and an operating pressure of 100 PSI. The seamless aluminum cylinder measures 4.5 inches in diameter and 15.7 inches tall. The Kidde 210 has a 6-year limited warranty. This is Amazon’s #1 Best Seller among Fire Extinguishers.
This is a grim tale. A man almost lost the use of his right hand, and did suffer terrible injuries to his fingers. All because he picked the wrong bottle of powder off the shelf. We have run this story before, and we will continue to run it every year, as a caution to our readers. This mistake is easy to make, but the consequences can be dire. Always, always double-check your powder labels before you start the hand-loading process. If you don’t, you may not have a hand to load with next time…
Similar Labels, Disasterous Consequences
The shooter, Denny K., was assembling some rounds for his brand new 7mm-08 Savage hunting rifle. He thought he was loading with Hodgdon Varget. Instead he had filled his powder measure with Hodgdon TiteGroup, a fast-burning pistol powder. The labels are similar, so the mistake is understandable. But the results were devastating. Here’s what 41 grains of TiteGroup can do in a 7mm-08:
Posting on the Firing Line, in a thread entitled “Lucky to Be Alive”, Denny writes:
“This is the hardest post to post. I know if I had read it a week ago my comment would have been: ‘You have no business reloading’. I had everything perfect, except pouring the wrong powder in the powder measure. I type this slowly with my left hand, embarrassed but … possibly saving someone else a tragedy or, like me, a long drive to the Emergency Room and surgery to save my finger.”
The Still-Sealed Bottle of Varget
Denny did not initially comprehend exactly why the kaboom happened. He thought maybe his new Savage rifle was at fault. Then, on his return home, he discovered something…
Denny wrote: “The seven-hour period it took to go to ER, transport to Trauma Center and surgery made me think it was a Savage rifle issue. Brand new rifle, new brass, triple-checked loading data. The next day I was humbled when I realized the Varget powder was still sealed.
I knew what powder to use. I thought [Varget] was what I used. Not until the following day did I realize the Varget was still sealed.”
At that point, Denny realized what caused the accident — “operator error”. He knew he had to warn others about using the wrong powder: “I knew I needed to share my mistake, even though it is embarrassing, just to remind people. I’ve been reloading for 30 years…”
Editor’s Comment: Denny was not a novice reloader. His experience demonstrates that this kind of mistake can be made by any hand-loader, even one with decades of experience. Be safe guys, take your time when you load your ammo. Remove powders from measures after your loading sessions (pistol powders can look very similar to rifle powders). And by all means CHECK the LABEL on the jug. As the TiteGroup label says: “A little goes a long way.”
It’s not a bad idea to separate your pistol powders from your rifle powders, or perhaps even load for pistol in a separate part of your workshop.
Today’s the day — SHOT Show 2023 has officially opened with thousands of gun industry exhibits at the Venetian EXPO and Caesars Forum center. The big event, the largest gun/shooting/hunting convention on the planet, will attract tens of thousands of visitors to Las Vegas for the next four days. SHOW Shot 2023 concludes on Friday, January 20, 2023. Our Daily Bulletin will provide reports from SHOT Show all week, highlighting interesting new firearms and shooting sports products. If you want an “insider’s view” of SHOT Show, check out the SHOT Show Facebook Page and SHOT Show Instagram Page.
CLICK HERE for the searchable database of all SHOT Show 2023 exhibitors.
SHOT Show Level 2 of the Venetian Expo, just hours before the event opened this morning.
Notable Products on Display at SHOT Show 2023
New Forster Co-Ax XL Reloading Press
The folks at Forster Products surprised us all with a remarkable new Co-Ax XL Press. This is bigger than the classic Co-Ax so it can handle cases up to .50 BMG. This new press features a floating quick change die station, floating “universal” shell holder, and integrated LED lighting.
Our friend Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com has an exclusive video showcasing the features of the new XL Co-Ax press. Gavin posted: “The Co-Ax XL is a lot like the standard Forster Co-Ax, but on a larger scale to accommodate cartridges up to the mighty 50 BMG!”
MPA Matrix Air Professional Air Rifle Chassis
Leading rifle chassis-maker MasterPiece Arms (MPA) has released the new Matrix Air Professional Chassis. Built for stability and precision, the Matrix Air Pro is rugged and sturdy. Compatible with RAW HM1000X and FX Crown, the Matrix Air Pro can handle Plenums and 300, 580, and 700CC bottles. This game-changing Airgun Rifle Chassis offers simple installation and a large variety of accessories. MPA President Phil Cashin noted: “Over the past several years, there has been a huge growth in the Competition Precision Airgun market. Masterpiece Arms has recognized a significant need for a Precision Oriented Airgun Chassis. The Matrix Air Professional Chassis answers that need.”
Elite Iron Revolution Bipod
Elite Iron offers the impressive Revolution Bipod. Designed for long-barreled rifles in .338, .375, and .408 calibers, this unique bipod design provides exceptional strength, stability, and adjustability. Every bipod is hand-constructed to individual customer specifications, ensuring the highest quality fit and standards for even the most demanding environments.
AMP Bullet Seating Press — Computer Controlled
The AMP Press from Annealing Made Perfect combines a motor driven ram, a distance sensor, and a load cell to deliver extremely accurate and precise Force / Distance bullet seating measurements. It is designed for use with inline bullet seating dies. For the first time, this data can be stored and sorted according to a multitude of variables. This allows users to enhance their case preparation, so as to achieve more consistent “neck tension”. It also allows users to batch their loads accordingly. Users can store sessions for each caliber. Current bullet seating sessions can be compared to previous ones to accurately see how loads are changing (if at all) over time.
New Handguns for 2023 — Video Previews
Thousands of handguns will be showcased at SHOT Show 2023. This video covers seven relatively new design pistols that will be on display at SHOT Show 2023. These are: 00:34 The CZ P-10 F; 02:06 Rock River Arms STK 100; 03:44 SAR9 Compact; 05:04 Smith and Wesson M&P M2.0 10mm; 06:22 Bond Arms Roughneck Derringer; 07:08 Mossberg MC2sc; and 08:39 Cabot Guns Apocalypse.
Want to see even MORE new pistols? This Survival Gear video features has ten other recently introduced pistols. Most of these will be featured at SHOT Show 2023.
SHOT Show is a Massive Event — 800,000 Square Feet of Products
Based on current bookings, SHOT Show 2023 will encompass over 800,000 net square feet. That’s the equivalent of 14 football fields. There should be over 2600 exhibitors this year. CLICK HERE to search for exhibitor booths by company name.
There’s a new advanced powder dispensing system on the market — the SuperTrickler. This is an extremely advanced, push-button control powder dispenser that aims to offer the speed and precision of the AutoTrickler V4 in a unitized product with all the components — powder container, fast dispenser, and precision trickler — in one device. Below are four videos that show the SuperTrickler in action.
The SuperTrickler was designed by Rex Petersen of Denmark in collaboration with Australian Peter Kowald, a retired automation/process control engineer. Peter concentrated on the software, while Rex designed and crafted the mechanical functions. The SuperTrickler prototype attracted worldwide attention. It is now manufactured and sold from Denmark to customers worldwide.
The design team states: “Rather than just dropping powder, the SuperTrickler has been designed from the get-go to be part of a compact system approach to reloading, which is affordable to the home user. Apart from the precision balance, it does not rely on third-party products and has a responsive touch-screen interface to a stand-alone microprocessor that enables powerful … features such as laddering, data logging, automatic power-up, robotics interface and much more. When true precision matters for reloaders that want more, the SuperTrickler is a very fast, feature rich, expandable and future-proof investment in the art of reloading.”
The SuperTrickler is available by itself, or as a bundle with an A&D FX-120i force restoration scale. Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars NOT including shipping. If you have questions about the SuperTrickler, you can get answers via the SuperTrickler Facebook Group. There is also a SuperTrickler thread in our Shooters’ Forum. Units have started shipping but there can be significant wait times from order to arrival.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Palmetto SA — PSA 16″ Barrel Complete AR 5.56 Rifle
⏺ Very good deal on complete 5.56 AR rifle with top rail
Well the corrupt politicians in Illinois have passed a so-called “Assault Weapons Ban” that will prohibit sales of many semi-automatic modern sporting rifles. That’s the 9th state that has done this. If you think it’s time to finally get that Black Rifle before ARs are outlawed in your jurisdiction, here’s a great deal from Palmetto State Armory. Get a complete modern PSA AR with 16″ barrel for $599.99, $400 off the regular price. This includes an adjustable stock plus flip-up MBUS sights. And you even get FREE Shipping to your FFL. This SHOT Show Sale is good for this week.
2. Brownells — January Black Rifle Sale, up to 45% Off
⏺ Major discounts on uppers, lowers, stocks, triggers and more
Now through the end of January 2023, Brownells is running a major Black Rifle Parts Sale. You can save up to 45% on a wide variety of AR-platform rifle components. On sale are lowers, uppers, complete rifle kits, triggers, bolt carriers, handguards and more. You’ll find all the part you need to build a Modern Sporting Rifle for home defense, varminting, or 3-gun games. if you own a lower, consider the Foxtrot Mike .223 Wylde Rifle Build Kit. It has a fully assembled upper with barrel and all the lower parts you need. This is on sale now for $499.99, marked down from $766.49, a 35% Savings. NOTE: On many of these items you can save even more with Brownells Discount Codes. These codes may work through 1/31/2023: JAN60 ($60 Off $475+); JAN35 ($35 Off $275+); JAN20 ($20 Off $150+); and TA10 (10% Off 150+).
3. Precision Reloading — 10% Off Whidden Dies and Products
⏺ Superb Whidden sizing and seating dies in stock and now 10% Off
Whidden Gunworks makes some of the best dies and reloading tools you can buy. And right now at Precision Reloading you can save 10% on a wide selection of Whidden die sets, individual dies, bump gauges and more. For example, a 6BR Ackley (6BRA) FL bushing Sizing Die is $102.05, marked down from $111.39. And a 6.5 Creedmoor Micrometer Seating Die is $125.01, discounted from $138.90. Dies for a wide variety of cartridge types, regular and magnum, are on sale now through 11:59 pm on 1/19/2023.
4. Amazon or MidwayUSA — RCBS Summit Press, $164.02
⏺ Unique compact design, also great for loading at the range
Do you need a press that can be mounted on a bench with limited space and no overhang? Consider the RCBS Summit Press. This press has a small footprint design making it very compact, versatile and easy to transport to ranges. With a 4.5″ opening, this has great frontal access and there is no linkage below the press. The case does not move — instead, the die is lowered onto the case. The Summit Press works with standard 7/8″-14 threaded dies, or 1-1/4″-12 with the reducing bushing removed. Our tester found this press to work great — READ FULL REVIEW. If you want an RCBS Summit Press — act quickly. Get it now for $164.02 on Amazon with free shipping for Prime members. It is also offered for $164.02 at MidwayUSA (shipping extra). These are great deals. The same RCBS Summit Press sells for $230 elsewhere!
5. Palmetto State Armory — Norma TAC-22 Ammo, $3.99/box
⏺ Excellent rimfire ammo at a GREAT price — .22 LR Deal of the Year
We’ve found no other .22 LR ammo that rivals Norma TAC-22 at anywhere near the price — just 8 cents per round ($3.99/box). If you shoot NRL22 or just practice for fun, grab some Norma TAC22 .22 LR ammo at Palmetto State Armory. On sale at just $3.99 per 50-round box, this TAC-22 ammo is a truly great bargain. In our test, it out-shot some ammo that cost $8 per box. During testing with a CZ 457, one of our Editors had multiple 5-shot groups at 50 yards that were typically one ragged hole (all shots touching). He observed “It’s amazingly good ammo for the money”.
⏺ Rugged backpack includes First Aid Kit and survival tools
This rugged EVERLIT Survival Backpack includes a 68 oz. Hydration Bladder. In addition the pack comes complete with 23 tools and accessories including compass, flashlight, glow sticks, multi-function pliers, saber card, paracord, poncho, shovel, thermal blanket and a well-equipped First Aid Kit! You get all this for $69.95 at Amazon — a pretty amazing deal. This is a great product for hikers and hunters. Choose either tan or black backpack for the same $69.95 price.
7. Amazon — Smart Weigh Gem20 Digital Scale, $18.69
⏺ Great little accurate, repeatable scale at amazing price — Watch the VIDEO!
The Smart Weigh Gem20 scale is a very inexpensive option for weighing chores in the reloading room. At this low price (under $20 currently), this is a great option as a back-up or travel scale used at the range. Of course it cannot perform like a $400+ scale, yet verified purchasers, including the maker of the video above, have praised the scale. Watch the video to see how precise it is — the scale measures kernel by kernel. Use the “mode” button to select grains. The scale can also weight in grams, ounces, and other modes. Use the tare function to zero with powder pan. This scale ships with two 10g calibration weights.
The 9mm Luger (9x19mm) is the most popular centerfire pistol cartridge. Every handgunner should keep a good supply of 9mm ammo on hand for days at the range. Here’s a great deal on quality, major-manufacturer 9mm FMJ pistol ammunition. Get 1000 rounds of Fiocchi 9mm 115gr FMJ ammo for just $259.99. That works out to just $13.00 per 50 count box, or $0.26 per round — a great deal.
⏺ Good, low-cost device for sighting-in hunting rifles
Need to sight-in that new hunting rifle? A handy in-chamber laser boresighter can get you on target quickly. The Hunter Select no-neck, shoulder-only .308 Win version ($10.99) should work with the entire .308 Win family, plus the 6mmBR and 6.5 Creedmoor families. In addition, also for $10.99, there are cartridge-specific units for .223 Remington and .30-06 Springfield (also works for .270 Win). These Hunter Select laser boresighters are cheap, easy to use, and effective. NOTE: Not all colors in stock currently.
⏺ Excellent, comfortable earplugs with 33 dB Noise Reduction Rating
These Howard Leight NRR 33 Max plugs are your Editor’s favorite foam earplugs. The flared outer edge creates a good seal and helps with fit. Between shooting, motorcycling, and mowing lawns, I probably have Max plugs in my ears 2-3 days a week. This is a very good price for a bulk pack of 50 pairs (100 plugs). NOTE: With the lower NRR thin earmuffs (NRR 21-22), we recommend running plugs under the muffs.
If you read our lengthy article on Ultrasonic Case Cleaning by Jason Baney, you’ve seen the remarkable results that can be achieved with this method, as shown by the photo above. Ultrasonic cleaning has many advantages over traditional tumbling methods of case cleaning. There is no dust or media residue to remove from the brass, and when done right, the cases come out clean and shiny, inside and out, even the primer pockets.
In its Benchtalk Archives, Brownell’s has an excellent article discussing Ultrasonic Case Cleaning. Brownell’s staff compares results, with measured dwell times from 5 to 75 minutes, using both Mpro-7 and HCS 200 cleaning solutions. Tests are performed with once-fired and 5X-fired Tactical 20 (Tac20) cases, as well as once-fired .260 Rem Cases. The article also compares the results from ultrasonic cleaning vs. tumbling in walnut media. Below are Brownell’s results for Tac20 cases with the HCS 200 (non-acidic solution). Go to Brownell’s article for MPro7 results and Rem 260 results.
HCS 200 Cleaning Solution Test
Procedure — Solution was de-gassed for 15 minutes, then 63 Tac20 cases were placed in a single layer, in stainless steel mesh basket. The temperature of the starting solution was 102° F. When the cases were removed the temperature was 110° F.
Once-Fired Tactical Twenty Cases (HCS 200) — Observations 5 minutes: The exterior of the cases are not significantly brighter/cleaner. The primer pockets and case interiors are still dirty. 10 minutes: Exterior of the cases are brighter. 70% of the cases show some degree of cleaning of the primer pockets. Little difference seen inside the case, but case mouths are cleaner. 15 minutes: Case brightness is about the same. Still only 70% of the primer pockets are clean, but a larger portion of each is cleaner. A Q-tip swabbed inside the cases shows that carbon/powder residues are loosening up. 20 minutes: Case exteriors are brightening up. 80-85% of the primer pockets are about 90% clean. The insides of the cases and case mouths are cleaner. 25 minutes: Cases are brighter/cleaner than even new brass. 80-85% of the cases have almost completely clean primer pockets. The inside of the cases are 80-90% clean. 30 minutes: The insides of the cases and case mouths appear to be completely clean. 87% of the primer pockets are virtually 100% clean. 13% of the cases had stubborn primer pocket residue that could not be completely removed. 60 minutes: Eight cases (13%) were placed in the tank for another 30 minutes to try to remove the remaining residue in their primer pockets. Six out of the eight cases were completely clean.
Five-Times Fired Tac20 Cases — Observations 30 minutes: Based on the above observations, I didn’t begin to observe these 5-time fired cases until after 30 minutes: The exterior cases are bright/clean. Brighter than new cases. The primer pockets on 75% of the cases are 75% clean. The remaining cases had primer pockets that were only 25% clean. The inside of the cases appear to be clean. 65 minutes: 25% of the primer pockets were 95% clean, 25% of the primer pockets were 90% clean, 25% of the primer pockets were 85% clean; and 25% were 80% clean. 75 minutes: 75% of the primer pockets were 90% clean.
How Does Ultrasonic Cleaning Work? The Brownell’s Benchtalk article explains: “Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves (generally between 20-80 kHz) to remove a variety of contaminants from objects immersed in a liquid. The result of these high-frequency sound waves is a process called cavitation. These high frequency bursts of ultrasonic energy produce a three-dimensional wave of alternating positive and negative pressure areas as the sound wave passes through the solution. During negative pressure, microscopic cavitation bubbles form and will continue to grown until they reach resonant size. As the positive sound wave passes, the pressure rises rapidly and implodes these tiny bubbles. Before these minuscule bubbles implode they store a tremendous amount of energy. These bubbles can be as hot as 10,000 degrees and have as much as 50,000 lbs per square inch of pressure. This sounds alarming, but you have to remember that these bubbles are microscopic in nature and pose no harm to anything, unless you are a carbon /powder residue deposit on a cartridge case!
When this cavitation bubble implodes near your brass case, it transforms the bubble into a jet about 1/10th of its size. This jet of energy can travel as fast as 400 km/hour. At 43 kHz, as is the frequency for our L & R HCS 200 ultrasonic cleaner, this is happening 43,000 times per second. This micro-burst of extreme energy is responsible for removing contaminants from the surface of your cartridge brass. Ultrasonic cleaning can reach into crevices and inaccessible areas and remove surface debris that can’t be cleaned by any other process.”
Do you have some ammo that got loaded incorrectly, perhaps with the wrong powder? Then you’ll want to disassemble the ammo for safety’s sake. You can use an impact puller to do this task, but if you have more than a dozen rounds or so, you may prefer to use a collet-style bullet puller. These work very quickly and positively, making quick work of big jobs. The efficiency of the collet-style puller is worth the investment if you frequently disassemble ammo. These devices retail for under $35.00 (collets sold separately). Normally, you’ll need a specific collet for each bullet diameter. But collets are not that costly, so this isn’t a big deal, particularly if you only load a few calibers, such as .223, 6mm, and .308.
Hornady and RCBS use different mechanisms to tighten the collet around the bullet. On the red lever Hornady Cam-Lock Bullet Puller, a lever-arm on the top of the bullet puller serves to tighten the collet around the bullet. Simply rotate the lever from the vertical to the horizontal position to grab the bullet. Lower the ram to remove the case. The bullet will drop out when you return the lever arm to the vertical position. This is demonstrated in the video below:
Hornady Cam-Lock Bullet Puller Demonstrated
Collet bullet-pullers resemble a loading die with a lever or handle on the top. They screw into a standard reloading press. Hornady and RCBS both make collet-style bullet pullers. They use the same basic principle — the device tightens a collet around the bullet, and then the bullet is separated from the case by lowering the press ram. NOTE: Collet pullers may leave small marks on your bullets, unlike impact (kinetic) pullers.*
Like the Hornady tool, the RCBS Bullet Puller employs a collet to grab the bullet. However, the RCBS tool tightens the collet in a different way. The head of the RCBS tool is threaded internally. By rotating the lever arm clockwise in a horizontal circle you squeeze the collet around the bullet. To remove the bullet, after lowering the press ram, simply spin the lever arm back in the opposite direction. The use of the RCBS tool is demonstrated in these two videos:
RCBS Collet Bullet Puller Demonstrated:
WARNING: When removing bullets from loaded cartridges, always make sure there are no obstructions or debris in your shell-holder or under the loaded round. NEVER engage a primer seating accessory on your press when working with loaded rounds. You can cause a round to discharge by contacting the primer! Also, we recommend you keep your head and torso away from the bullet puller tool at all times.
*By contrast, impact pullers rarely mark bullets, particularly if you put a little bit of foam or paper wadding in the closed end of your impact puller. When dismantling loaded rounds, powder kernels can get trapped in the wadding, so you should remove and replace the wadding before changing to cartridges loaded with a different powder type (assuming you intend to save the powder).
Looking for a good load for a new rifle? Or perhaps you want to try a new powder and bullet combo for an existing rig. One of the best places to start for load data is Hodgdon’s online Reloading Data Center for pistol, rifle, and shotgun reloaders. Check out the Reloading Data Center at www.HodgdonReloading.com.
In the Data Center, you’ll find thousands of load recipes for pistol, rifle, and shotgun. Rifle shooters will find dozens of loads for their favorite Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders such as H4198, H4895, Varget, H4350, and IMR 8208 XBR. And Hodgdon’s Reloading Center is “mobile-friendly” so it works well with smartphones and tables. Navigation is easy, and you can set the search criteria easily choosing your favorite powder or bullets. After choosing a cartridge, you can pre-select specific bullet weights and powder types. That quickly delivers just the information you want and need. You won’t have to scroll through scores of entries for bullets or powders you don’t use.
NOTE: This shows results for two bullet weights and two powder choices. With more powders and bullets selected you will get more results. The “BUY NOW” buttons link to the Hodgdon webstore.
Reloading Center is Smartphone-Friendly
Mobile users will notice that the current Hodgdon Reloading Center is “user-friendly” for smart-phone and tablet users. Controls have been optimized for touch-screens, and buttons are large and easy to use.
How to Get Started with Handloading
Getting started in Reloading? Ultimate Reloader offers a helpful introductory video that covers the basics. In addition, a recent Ultimate Reloader article reviews the types of reloading presses, plus the other gear you’ll need, from dies to powder dispensers.
Sierra Bullets has released extensive load data for the popular 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. This medium-sized cartridge has become one of the most popular chamberings for tactical and PRS shooters. The 6.5 Creedmoor combines excellent accuracy, good mag-feeding, good barrel life, moderate recoil, and reasonable component cost. That’s why this cartridge has caught on quickly, and is now one of the most popular chamberings in factory rifles.
Developed in 2007 by Dennis DeMille and Dave Emary, the 6.5 Creedmoor is a shortened and improved 30 TC cartridge case that was inspired by the .308 Winchester design. This short action design was created to maximize case capacity and a wide range of loading lengths, while still fitting in standard short action magazines. With the correct twist barrel, the versatile 6.5 Creedmoor can take advantage of the wide range of bullet weights available in 6.5 mm (i.e. .264 caliber). Reloaders should keep in mind that the 6.5 Creedmoor works best with medium to medium-slow powders such as H4350, Varget, Win 760, and RE-17. The light recoil and adaptability of the efficient 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge has already proven itself in high power, precision rifle series and benchrest competitions. Couple that with respectable barrel life and its intrinsic accuracy potential and you have a recipe for success which should insure its legacy for decades to come.
Here are three tables from the Sierra Bullets Reloading Manual (5th Edition). IMPORTANT — This is just a sample!! Sierra has load data for many other 6.5mm bullet types, including FB, Spitzer, SBT, HPBT, and Tipped MK from 85 grains to 142 grains. To view ALL 6.5 Creedmoor DATA, CLICK HERE.
INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION
LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.
INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION
LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.
INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION
LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.
Two More Great 6.5 Creedmoor Reloading Resouces
Want More 6.5 Creedmoor Load Info? View Starline’s 6.5 Creedmoor Guide by Gavin Gear:
PRB 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor Load Survey
The Precision Rifle Blog compiled Load Data from PRS Competitors, for both 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor. This is a good place to start. PRB surveyed the match loads for “173 of the top-ranked precision rifle shooters in the country”. CLICK HERE.
LEE Precision has a new six-station Progressive Press with some impressive engineering. Given its very affordable $364.50 street price and the features, this new Six Pack Pro 6000 Progressive Kit will definitely draw some customers away from Dillon, RCBS, and Hornady.
This press has clearance for magnum rifle cases, offers auto-indexing, and does not require a set of separate tool heads. Just swap the dies in and out quickly using LEE Smart Lock bushings.
The press includes the combination tool rack, bin bracket and free ammo bin. When you purchase the full Six Pack Pro 6000 Kit, shown at right, this comes complete with LEE Breech lock reloading dies (your choice of cartridge), Universal Case Feeder, Auto Drum Powder measure, and appropriate shell plate.
You can buy the Six Pack Pro 6000 Kit set up for a variety of cartridge types: 9mm Luger, .32 S&W, .380 ACP, .38 SPL/.357 Magnum, .40 SW, .44 SPL/.44 Magnum, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, 300 Blackout, .223 Remington, and 6.5 Creedmoor. Each set comes with the dies and shell plate you need for that cartridge type.
The included dies for pistol cases are: Carbide full length sizing die, powder-through expanding die, bullet seating die. For rifle cartridges .223 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor you get: Full length sizing die, short or long charging die, easy adjust dead length bullet seating die, and factory crimp die.
Key Features of New LEE Six Pack Progressive Press:
Six stations
Very affordable price
Automatic priming system
Simple and reliable automatic indexing
Clearance sufficient for largest magnum rifle cases
Cartridge changeover in seconds, change primer size with no adjustments
Dies secured with LEE Smart Lock Bushings — no turret or tool heads needed
John Lee, President of LEE Precision, is proud of this new product: “I am pleased to announce the Six Pack progressive is now shipping. The Six Pack is the heaviest, most capable progressive press, we have ever made. The Six Pack is also one of the easiest presses to setup and operate. The only ‘adjustments’ are setting the dies and selecting and installing the correct primer size. The Six Pack Pro kit includes everything you need to start reloading a specific cartridge. The kit includes our new ‘Smart Lock’ Breech Lock quick change bushings.”
A fire in the home is always to be feared. And a fire in your reloading room can be disastrous. Near your reloading bench you probably have flammable solvents, and maybe gunpowder. What would happen if an electrical fire started in your reloading room? Would you be alerted? Do you have a proper fire extinguisher at hand?I grabbed the nearby ABC cannister extinguisher and squirted out the fire and soaked the charred bench areas with water. Good thing I had the extinguisher! And I was glad I religiously store powder and primers properly — away from the bench (and everything else).
If you read our lengthy article on 
The Brownell’s Benchtalk article explains: “Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves (generally between 20-80 kHz) to remove a variety of contaminants from objects immersed in a liquid. The result of these high-frequency sound waves is a process called cavitation. These high frequency bursts of ultrasonic energy produce a three-dimensional wave of alternating positive and negative pressure areas as the sound wave passes through the solution. During negative pressure, microscopic cavitation bubbles form and will continue to grown until they reach resonant size. As the positive sound wave passes, the pressure rises rapidly and implodes these tiny bubbles. Before these minuscule bubbles implode they store a tremendous amount of energy. These bubbles can be as hot as 10,000 degrees and have as much as 50,000 lbs per square inch of pressure. This sounds alarming, but you have to remember that these bubbles are microscopic in nature and pose no harm to anything, unless you are a carbon /powder residue deposit on a cartridge case!
When this cavitation bubble implodes near your brass case, it transforms the bubble into a jet about 1/10th of its size. This jet of energy can travel as fast as 400 km/hour. At 43 kHz, as is the frequency for our L & R HCS 200 ultrasonic cleaner, this is happening 43,000 times per second. This micro-burst of extreme energy is responsible for removing contaminants from the surface of your cartridge brass. Ultrasonic cleaning can reach into crevices and inaccessible areas and remove surface debris that can’t be cleaned by any other process.”
Like the Hornady tool, the 
Developed in 2007 by Dennis DeMille and Dave Emary, the 6.5 Creedmoor is a shortened and improved 30 TC cartridge case that was inspired by the .308 Winchester design. This short action design was created to maximize case capacity and a wide range of loading lengths, while still fitting in standard short action magazines. With the correct twist barrel, the versatile 6.5 Creedmoor can take advantage of the wide range of bullet weights available in 6.5 mm (i.e. .264 caliber). Reloaders should keep in mind that the 6.5 Creedmoor works best with medium to medium-slow powders such as H4350, Varget, Win 760, and RE-17. The light recoil and adaptability of the efficient 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge has already proven itself in high power, precision rifle series and benchrest competitions. Couple that with respectable barrel life and its intrinsic accuracy potential and you have a recipe for success which should insure its legacy for decades to come.
LEE Precision has a new six-station Progressive Press with some impressive engineering. Given its very affordable 
