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April 30th, 2020

New Forster Bench Rest Powder Measure — Precise and Efficient

Forster Products Benchrest bench powder measure reloading cast iron 1/10th grain dispenser

While Long Range Benchrest, F-Class, and ELR competitors may want to measure their powder charges very precisely using expensive Force Restoration scales, for many shooting disciplines, a good thrown charge will do the job. And now, with Forster’s very smooth and precise new Bench Rest Powder Measure, many shooters may want to try throwing their charges. We honestly think you may be surprised at how accurate and repeatable this new measure is…

If you’ve been looking for a simple, efficient way to measure and throw your powder charges, you should give Forster’s Bench Rest® Powder Measure a try. The design of the cast-iron constructed tool features a long, narrow, powder charge reservoir that minimizes shearing, even with long extruded powders. Forster says, with most powders, and a little operator practice, this new Bench Rest Powder Measure can “achieve repeatability within 1/10th of one grain while throwing a charge every 4 seconds.”

Forster Products Benchrest bench powder measure reloading cast iron 1/10th grain dispenser

Here are comments from two early testers:

“Forster’s Powder Measure throws the IMR stick powders I use (IMR 4895, 4064, 4320) easier and more accurately than the other measures I have owned, those being Redding, Hornady, Belding & Mull.”
– Chris Straughn, longtime reloader and tool aficionado

“Forster’s Bench Rest Powder Measure is a welcome addition to any bench. The precision design and CAST IRON construction of this measure is part of the Forster tradition. The heart of the measure is the measuring chamber contained in the massive cast iron Charging Arm. The mass of the arm in conjunction with the small Cutting Surface in the measure itself provides for the smoothest rotation of any measure on the market. Large IMR extruded powders do not impede the smooth operation of the Bench Rest Powder Measure making it the most repeatable measure on the market.” — Vernon Smith, engineer and reloader since 1974

The Powder Measure (order number 010631) and optional Stand (order number 017941) are now available for sale and ready for immediate shipment. You can purchase direct from Forster or from leading retailers Grafs & Sons, and Midsouth Shooters.

Permalink Gear Review, New Product, Reloading 3 Comments »
April 28th, 2020

Vihtavuori Explains Powder Grain Shapes

Vihtavuori loading propellant reloading powder N133 N150 N140 N550 ball flake stick extruded perforated powders

POWDER GRAIN SHAPES — What You Need to Know

The shape of powder grains has a profound effect on the performance of the powder charge, as it concerns both pressure and velocity. There are multiple powder shapes including flake, ball, and extruded or “stick” (both solid and perforated).

All Vihtavuori reloading powders are of the cylindrical, single-perforated extruded stick type. The differences in burning rate between the powders depend on the size of the grain, the wall thickness of the cylinder, the surface coating and the composition. Cylindrical extruded powders can also have multi-perforated grains. The most common types are the 7- and 19-perforated varieties. A multi-perforated powder grain is naturally of a much larger size than one with a single perforation, and is typically used for large caliber ammunition.

Other types of powder grain shapes include sphere or ball, and flake. The ball grains are typically used in automatic firearms but also in rifles and handguns. The ball grain is less costly to produce, as it is not pressed into shape like cylindrical grains. Flake shaped grains are typically used in shotgun loadings.

Vihtavuori loading propellant reloading powder N133 N150 N140 N550 ball flake stick extruded perforated powders

Web thickness in gunpowder terminology means the minimum distance that the combustion zones can travel within the powder grain without encountering each other. In spherical powders, this distance is the diameter of the “ball”; in flake powder it is the thickness of the flake; and in multi-perforated extruded powders it is the minimum distance (i.e. wall thickness) between the perforations.

The burning rate of powder composed of grains without any perforations or surface treatment is related to the surface area of the grain available for burning at any given pressure level. The change in the surface area that is burning during combustion is described by a so-called form function. If the surface area increases, the form function does likewise and its behavior is termed progressive. If the form function decreases, its behavior is said to be degressive. If the flame area remains constant throughout the combustion process, we describe it as “neutral” behavior.

The cylindrical, perforated powders are progressive; the burning rate increases as the surface area increases, and the pressure builds up slower, increasing until it reaches its peak and then collapses. Flake and ball grains are degressive; the total powder surface area and pressure are at their peak at ignition, decreasing as the combustion progresses.

So how does the shape affect pressure and muzzle velocity? In general, it can be said that powder that burns progressively achieves a desired muzzle velocity at lower maximum pressure than a powder that burns neutrally, not to mention a degressive powder. As grain size increases, the maximum pressure moves towards the muzzle, also increasing muzzle blast. Muzzle velocity and pressure can be adjusted by means of the amount of powder or loading density, i.e. the relationship between the powder mass and the volume available to it. As the loading density increases, maximum pressure grows.

Learn More with FREE Vihtavuori Reloading APP »

Vihtavuori loading propellant reloading powder N133 N150 N140 N550 ball flake stick extruded perforated powders


This article originally appeared on the Vihtavuori Website.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Reloading, Tech Tip 1 Comment »
April 27th, 2020

Bargain Finder 240: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week

AccurateShooter Deals of the Week Weekly Bargain Finder Sale Discount Savings

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.

1. Camera Land — Kestrel Sportsman Weather Meter, $249.99

kestrel wind meter

All shooters need accurate wind velocity and direction info. One of the best wind tools is the Kestrel. Forum member Knotwild found an amazing deal on the excellent Kestrel Sportsman Ballistics Weather Meter. This unit features the enhanced Applied Ballistics G1/G7 solver, including Aerodynamic Jump, Spin Drift, and Coriolis corrections for accurate long-range shots. Grab the Kestrel Sportsman for just $249.99. This same Kestrel Sportsman costs up to $500 elsewhere.

2. MidwayUSA — Swarovski – Kahles Demo & Refurbished Sale

Swarovski - Kahles Demo & Refurbished sale

Swarovski and Kahles scopes are often considered top-of-the-line but are rarely found at a discount. Head over to MidwayUSA and check out the Swarovski & Kahles Demo and Refurbished Sale. There’s a great selection of rifle optics and spotting scopes for just about every discipline. If you’re looking to save serious $$ on top-notch glass for that new rig you’re building, here’s your chance.

3. Amazon — BOG DeathGrip Tripod, $124.99

BOG DeathGrip Tripod

Whether out in the field, at the range or shooting a PRS match, keeping your rifle stable in varying conditions is a must. If you’re tired of carrying a monopod and bags around, here’s your chance to replace them with something more practical and functional. Grab the BOG DeathGrip Tripod and you’ll have a stable platform to shoot from any position. It features a 3-position leg lock for use in prone, kneeling, sitting and standing positions. This stable shooting platform features an adjustment knob that controls up to 50 degrees of tilt and a clamping head that pans 360 degrees with tension adjustment.

4. Bruno Shooters Supply — Savage Action Sale

savage action sale

Many shooters want a custom gun but balk at the $1000+ cost of a custom action. They may settle for factory Rem 700 action but forget about Savage. Savage makes a really solid action on which you can build a very accurate varmint or match rifle. The founder of this site shot a Savage-action 6BR at 600-yard steel matches for many years. With a Pac-Nor barrel, that Poor Man’s Hammer 6BR delivered solid quarter-MOA accuracy and held a range record for many years. For a good price on a Savage Match action complete with trigger, check out Bruno’s Savage action sale.

5. Natchez and Midsouth– RCBS Reloading Kit Sale

rcbs press sale

Given pandemic concerns, many folks have decided to start loading ammo in larger quantities. For those just getting started in reloading, here are two excellent kits from RCBS. The RCBS AR Tactical Reloading Kit offers their Reloader Special 5 press and even comes with AR Series Dies: 5.56/.223, .308/7.62, .300 AAC Blackout, 7.62×39. Or you can choose the Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit if you’re looking for a stronger press and more commonly sought-after accessories. Either way these are excellent starter kits, offering great value for money.

6. Midsouth Shooters — Lee APP Press, $54.88

lee app press sale

Sorry folks — this was such a great deal, the Lee APP Press sold out on Monday. However, the Deluxe version of the APP press, which includes a case-feeder, is still available for $75.49. The Deluxe APP Press features an innovative case/bullet feeder with Jaws that automatically open and grasp the bullet or case and move then into operating position.

Processing brass is a necessary evil in the reloading world. Many processing chores are best done with a dedicated press, but that can get expensive. Lee saw the need for a inexpensive yet efficient processing press and brought out the Lee APP Automatic Processing Press. This can efficiently handle tasks such as decapping, case sizing, and primer pocket swagging. Here are two videos that show how this unique Lee APP press operates.

7. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Vibra Prime, $56.19

vibra prime

Filling primer tubes can be time consuming and hard on the hands. If you’re looking to fill those tube faster and with less effort check out the Frankford Arsenal Vibra Prime. With the ability to fill just about any brand of tube in less than one minute, this is a great time saver. This editor uses this tool all the time — and considers it a “must have” for every reloading bench.

8. Powder Valley — CCI & Federal Rifle Primers

rifle primers

Reloading components have been a tough to find commodity lately especially primers. If you’re on the hunt for standard or magnum rifle primers we found CCI 450 Small Rifle Magnum primers as well as the Federal GM205M Small Rifle MatchGrade primers at Powder Valley and with a limit of 5 per person that’ll still get you more than enough primers for the rest of the year. Powder Valley also has large rifle primers in stock at good prices.

9. CDNN Sports — Taurus Spectrum .380 ACP, $179.99

rifle primers

Here’s a very compact, easy-to-conceal carry gun that can fit in pants pockets and small purses. All edges are smooth and rounded for ease of carry, with minimal “printing”. These Taurus Spectrum .380 ACPs are available in four color combos: Black/gray, Black/tan, Black/green, and a stylish White/blue/gray combo. We tried these pistols at SHOT Show. They are comfortable in the hand and the trigger is decent. Right now this Taurus Spectrum pistol is just $179.99 at CDNN Sports, making it one of the least expensive handguns on the market.

10. Graf and Sons — Hinged Rifle Ammo Box Sale

rifle ammo box

It can be hard to find good compact ammo boxes for rifle ammo loaded with long match bullets. We like these Frankford Arsenal 50-round and 100-round hinged rifle ammo boxes. These are slightly taller than most plastic ammo boxes, so they are better suited for longer, match-length ammo. These Frankford boxes hold match ammo securely without taking up a lot of space like the big, green ammo carriers with handles.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Hot Deals, Optics, Reloading No Comments »
April 25th, 2020

Bill Gravatt Returns to Creedmoor Sports as Managing Director

Bill Gravatt Capstone Precision Group Creedmoor Sports Sinclair Managing Director

Serious shooters know Bill Gravatt. He served as President/co-owner of Sinclair Int’l, worked with Creedmoor Sports for many years, then became President of the Capstone Precision Group (Berger, Lapua, SK, Vihtavuori). Bill guided Capstone through the successful acquisition of Berger Bullets by the Lapua Group, introducing new products and increasing product availability. His time at Capstone was marked by one success after another. Now that Bill has achieved his goals with Capstone (which he may continue to serve as a board member), he is returning to Creedmoor Sports in the role of Managing Director.

As the Managing Director of Creedmoor Sports, Bill will direct all operational and marketing activities for the company. Gravatt had worked for Creedmoor Sports as a consultant several years ago before taking over as Capstone President. Previously, Bill was President/Co-owner of Sinclair International, now owned by Brownells. Gravatt has over 27 years of experience in the shooting industry.

“I’m excited to re-join the customer-focused and talented team at Creedmoor Sports. Having served them as a supplier for three years, it’s good to be back in retail to directly serve our precision shooting customers”, said Gravatt.

“The entire staff at Creedmoor Sports is extremely excited to have Bill back! Bill’s leadership skills and commitment to customer satisfaction is second to none. Creedmoor Sports is committed to continuing our quest to be the leader in the precision shooting market and Bill is the right person for this journey”, said Greg Kantorovich, President of Creedmoor Sports.

Watch for Bill Gravatt Interview Soon
Last week AccurateShooter’s Editor conducted a wide-ranging interview with Bill Gravatt, covering numerous topics. We discussed trends in competitive shooting, development of new products and new cartridges, how to grow the shooting sports, and Bill’s goals at Creedmoor Sports. We hope to present this interview in early May. Stay tuned.

Reloading Procedures with Bill Gravatt

Here are three helpful videos Bill Gravatt created for the Creedmoor Sports InfoZone:

How to Seat Bullets with Inline Press

How to Trim Cases with L.E. Wilson Trimmer

How to Clean Cartridge Cases

Permalink - Videos, News, Reloading 1 Comment »
April 18th, 2020

Comparative Burn-Rate Chart Lists 163 Powders

Hodgdon IMR Winchester Burn Rate Powder speed table relative table chart

Day after day, one of AccurateShooter’s most-visited web pages is a reference guide featuring a comparative burn rate chart, ranking powders from fastest to slowest. Compiled by Hodgdon Powder Co., this Burn Rate Chart displays the relative burn rates of 163 different powders. Here is the latest table, released by Hodgdon in November of 2019.

You’ll want to download this Powder Burn Rate Table. This table shows the latest IMR powders including the Enduron series (IMR 4166, 4451, 4955, 7977), highlighted in green. This 163-entry comparison table provides vital information for hand-loaders. Note — this invaluable chart is not limited to Hodgdon and IMR propellants. This burn rate chart ranks powders from eight major powder-makers: Accurate, Alliant, Hodgdon, IMR, Norma, Ramshot (Western), Vihtavuori, and Winchester.

This chart provides useful information for all hand-loaders. When doing load development, and testing one powder versus another, it’s generally wise to choose propellants that share the same relative burn rate, as least for starters.

NOTE: Hodgdon powders are blue, IMR Enduron powders are green, IMR standard powders are yellow, and Winchester powders are red. DOWNLOAD Chart HERE.


Latest POWDER BURN RATE TABLE from HODGDON/IMR

Hodgdon IMR Winchester Burn Rate Powder speed table relative table chart

CLICK HERE to Download Chart as PDF File

Story find by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
Permalink - Articles, Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Reloading 5 Comments »
April 16th, 2020

.22 Creedmoor Load Information from Peterson Cartridge

Peterson Cartridge Company 22 .22 Creedmoor wildcat cartridge load data recipe powder

Peterson Cartridge Company (“Peterson”) has released a lengthy, authoritative guide to the 22 Creedmoor cartridge, a popular wildcat based on the 6.5 Creedmoor or 6mm Creedmoor necked down to .224 caliber. We think the 22 Creedmoor would be a great long-range varmint cartridge, similar to the .22-250 Rem, but with a more moder, efficient cartridge design. In addition, some PRS/NRL competitors may turn to the 22 Creedmoor because it has less recoil and is flatter-shooting than the 6mm Creedmoor. In addition, .224-caliber match bullets are typically less expensive than heavier 6mm and 6.5mm projectiles. Less recoil, and less cost — what’s not to like?*

DOWNLOAD Peterson .22 Creedmoor Load Data Article PDF »

Along with load data, this article has specific sections dedicated to: Primers, Rifling Twist Rates, and Reloading Supplies. If you are considering building a .22 Creedmoor, we recommend you download the full Peterson .22 Creedmoor article, which is available in PDF format.

Peterson Cartridge Company 22 .22 Creedmoor wildcat cartridge load data recipe powder

Peterson states, “Since its inception in 2007… the 6.5 Creedmoor has seen some pretty meteoric growth in popularity. That growth continues as of this writing, as the cartridge has now gone mainstream with hunters and shooters alike. As the popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor has increased, so has the number of wildcat cartridges based off of it. Some of those popular wildcat cartridges are the 6mm Creedmoor, the .25 Creedmoor, and now the .22 Creedmoor. This data sheet will cover the .22 Creedmoor.

To help our customers, and anyone else who shoots .22 Creedmoor, we decided to create this Data Sheet and distribute it. [In this LOAD DATA Document] you will find four (4) common bullets, and four (4) common rifle powders used when handloading the .22 Creedmoor cartridge. We then took the different bullet and powder combinations and loaded them up to the SAAMI Maximum Average Pressure (MAP) for the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6mm Creedmoor cartridges, which is 62,000 PSI. [O]ur goal was to provide a wide spectrum of bullet weights and the powders used with them.

All of the following data was gathered by our ballistician in our indoor ballistics lab located in our factory in Pennsylvania. Although we were able to gather pressure and velocity data in our lab, we have NOT tested these loads for accuracy. Again, these loads are just designed to give shooters information regarding what velocity, a given bullet and powder charge combination, will produce the SAAMI Maximum Average Pressure (MAP) of 62,000 psi.”

Sample .22 Creedmoor LOAD DATA

Peterson Cartridge Company 22 .22 Creedmoor wildcat cartridge load data recipe powder

IMPORTANT — Pressures can vary significantly with different Cartridge Overall Lengths (COAL). In addition, ANY change to ANY load components — primers, bullets, brass, powder — can affect pressure. Always load conservatively. In addition, because of variances in bore dimensions, some barrels may show higher pressures than others. Again, always start with conservative loads, well below MAX pressures.


*Actually there IS a potential downside — reduced barrel life. We expect that a .22 Creedmoor running hot varmint loads would experience shorter useful barrel life compared to a 6.5 Creedmoor. This is based on what we’ve observed with .22-250 and .22-250 Ackley barrels compared to our 6.5 CM barrels.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, News, Reloading, Tactical 10 Comments »
April 15th, 2020

The Honed-Neck FL Sizing Die Option — Alternative to Bushings

Custom honed FL dies non-bushing die Forster

Tired of messing around with neck bushings? Is there a simpler (and potentially better) solution for controlling case neck tension? Yes there is — the precision honed non-bushing die.

You can purchase a Forster non-bushing Full-length sizing die for many popular cartridge types for under $50.00. Then you can send that die to Forster, and Forster will custom-hone the neck for a $24 fee (includes return shipping). When done right, the honed FL die can load ultra-straight ammo with the precise next tension you prefer for your brass and bullet choice.

Alternative to Bushings — Honed Full-Length dies
Conventional, non-bushing full-length sizing dies can create ultra-accurate ammo with very low run-out. For some applications, we prefer a non-bushing FL die over a bushing die — so long as the neck tension is correct. But many FL dies have an undersized neck diameter so you end up with excess neck tension, and you work the brass excessively. Forster offers a simple, inexpensive solution — honing the neck diameter to whatever size you want*.

If you purchase a Forster non-bushing, full-length sizing die, Forster will hone the neck dimension to your specs for $24.00 including return shipping. This way you can have a FL die that provides the right amount of tension for your particular load. (The max amount of diameter change Forster can do is about .008″) Forster dies are relatively inexpensive so you can afford to have a couple of FL dies with necks honed to different diameters — such as 0.266″ and 0.267″ for a no-turn 6mmBR. The die itself is fairly inexpensive — currently Precision Reloading charges $44.54 for a Forster 6mmBR FL sizing die (Forster Part #018121).


Forster FL dies, necks honed to .265″, .266″, and .267″.

Steve Rasmussen of IowaHighPower.com gave this a try. In fact, he had three dies made — each with a different neck dimension. Here’s his report: “My original Forster 6BR FL die sized the necks down a lot [to about 0.260″]. I sent my die in and asked if they could supply two more FL dies (for three total) to have the necks honed to 0.265″, 0.266″, and 0.267″.” In addition to the purchase cost of two more FL-sizing dies, Steve paid $36 ($12 per die) for the three dies to be honed.

Steve’s honed dies produced very straight loaded ammo:
“Brass springback after sizing is running 1 to 1.3 thousandths. My loaded rounds are running 0.2697-0.2699 using [older Gold Box Lapua brass]. So far the dies are working well. I sized 80 cases with the 0.266″ necked die. The shoulder is running 0.4582″ and 0.300″ up from the base is 0.4684". I spun 20 of ‘em and 16 had a runout of one thousandth (0.001) and the other 4 at 1.5 thousandths (0.0015).”

*Here is Forster’s description of its Die Honing Service:

We custom hone the inside neck diameter by using a diamond stoning process. We enlarge the inside diameter to your specification to prevent over-sizing of the case neck due to thick neck walls. You may require this service for multiple reasons: 1) If you use some brands of brass cases which have thicker neck walls. 2) If you do not intend to outside neck turn case necks that have thickened after repeated firings. Please specify desired inside neck diameter. Note: 1) No more than .008″ stock removal from your existing die neck diameter is possible. 2) Honing is done in increments of one half thousandth of an inch (.0005″), meaning that your specified inside diameter must be either.XXX0″ or .XXX5″. FEES: $24.00, includes shipping within continental U.S. (lower 48 states). Please allow 1-3 weeks

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Reloading 1 Comment »
April 14th, 2020

Tech Tip: Lapping the Inside of Seating Stems

Erik Cortina bullet seating stem polish lap lathe

Here’s a simple task you can do that will give your seater die a more perfect fit to your match bullets. You can lap the inside of the seater stem so that it matches the exact profile of the bullet. This spreads out the seating force over a larger area of the bullet jacket. That allows smoother, more consistent seating, without putting dents, creases, or sharp rings in your bullets.

Erik Cortina bullet seating stem polish lap lathe

This process is demonstrated here by our friend Erik Cortina of Team Lapua-Brux-Borden. Erik, one of the nation’s top F-Class shooters and a skilled machinist, explains: “Here I’m lapping my new seater die stem with lapping compound. I chuck up a bullet in the lathe and lap the inside of the seating stem. I put lapping compound on the bullet and also in the stem. You can do the same with a hand drill and bore paste. You can see in the piture below how much contact area the stem has on the bullet after being lapped. This bullet is a Berger 7mm 180-grain Hybrid. ”

Erik Cortina bullet seating stem polish lap lathe

READ Related Article on Polishing Seating Die Stems »

Q1: Is Lapping Seating Stems really necessary?

It can be helpful but it’s not necessary to make your seating stem an exact match to a bullet, particularly if you’re loading hunting or varmint rounds. But it is helpful to do some mild internal stem polishing. This should eliminate any ring (or dent) that forms on the bullet jacket during seating.

bullet seating stem lapping Erik Cortina
Photo credit Sierra Bullets.

Sharp edges on a seating stem can cause a ring to be pressed into the bullet jacket — especially with compressed loads that resist downward bullet movement.

Q2: Is there any down-side to the process?

Not really. However, if you shoot many different bullet types for a particular cartridge, you may not want to conform the stem aggressively to one particular bullet design. Lightly lap the inside of the stem to remove burrs/sharp edges but leave it at that. A light lap will prevent a ring forming when seating bullets.

bullet seating stem lapping Erik Cortina
Photo credit Sierra Bullets.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Reloading, Tech Tip 2 Comments »
April 14th, 2020

Why Cases Can Stick in Dies — And How to Cure the Problem

This article originally appeared in the Sinclair International Reloading Press.

We have all been there…..you place a piece of tumbled brass in the shell-holder of your press, raise it into the die, and suddenly it is like somebody hit the brakes. The case is stuck in the die. Your first instinct is to reverse it out. You crank on the handle, and BANG! The rim rips off the case head and you are looking at a piece of brass stuck in the die.

A stuck case is one of the boo-boos that all of us reloaders have faced from time to time. If proper lubrication is applied, then it should not be a problem. No matter if you are a seasoned reloader or new to it, this situation can happen. Take your time, use the proper procedures, and you will be back in business in no time! This article explains how to avoid stuck cases (through proper lubrication) and how to use a stuck case removal system.

What Causes Stuck Cases
One of the first common mistakes reloaders face is the stuck case. It can be caused by too much or too little lube. Too much and a vacuum can be formed causing the case to become suctioned into the die. Too little lube and friction is the culprit. So what is the cure? There is no exact cure, but the best lube that we have found so far is just a dab of Imperial Sizing Die Wax on your fingers and applied in a thin coat on the body of the case, not the shoulder or neck. Too much of this wax can cause the vacuum effect, or can eventually load your die up with gobs of residue. If it is applied to the shoulder area, or the leftover wax moves up into the shoulder region of the die, you will see dents or dimples in the shoulder. [AccurateShooter.com Editor’s Note: For normal full-length sizing of small cases such as 220 Russian/PPC, 6mmBR, 6.5 Grendel, or 6.5×47 Lapua we recommend Ballistol (aerosol) lube. It is very slippery, goes on very thin, and does not gum up the die.]

A great way to ensure that your dies are clean is to use a simple chamber mop with a dab of your favorite solvent on it and clean out the die. Be sure all of the solvent is out after cleaning by spraying the die out with Quickscrub III or use a clean chamber mop. If you are storing your dies, you can apply a thin coat of a good oil to protect the steel such as TM oil or Starrett M1 Spray.

Using a Stuck Case Removal Kit
If you do stick a case in your die there are a few good stuck case removal kits available. Each one works in a similar fashion. I have found the Hornady kit very effective and easy to use.

Basically what you do is remove the die from the press. Unscrew the decapping assembly and pull it out as far as you can. You then need to drill/tap threads into the stuck case head (this is why it is suggested to unscrew the decapping assembly as far as you can to get it clear of the drill bits). Once this is done screw the die back into the press. You then install the included shellholder attachment on the shellholder ram, and thread it into the case via a small wrench. With some elbow grease you can reverse the stuck case out of the die with the leverage of the press, and not damage the die.

However if the case is stuck….REALLY stuck, you may pull out the threads on the case and you are still left with a stuck case in the die without any way to pull it out. If the case is really difficult to remove even with the use of a stuck case removal kit, do not try to be Hercules with the press ram. Here is a trick that may work. Take the die with the stuck case and place it in your freezer for a couple of hours. Then repeat the removal with the cold die. The freezing temperatures may cause the brass to contract, and make removal easier. If this does not work it is recommended to send it to the die manufacturer. They will be able to remove the case without damaging the die.

Another fix if you can remove the decapping assembly completely is to use a tap hammer and a punch or small wooden dowel to knock the stuck case out. This isn’t the best way since it is very possible that you will damage the die internally or externally on the threads, or both. Send the die to the manufacturer to have this done properly. You will be happier in the long run.

This article appears courtesy Sinclair International. It first appeared in Sinclair’s Reloading Press Blog.

Permalink - Articles, Reloading, Tech Tip 1 Comment »
April 13th, 2020

Bargain Finder 238: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week

AccurateShooter Deals of the Week Weekly Bargain Finder Sale Discount Savings

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.

1. Mc3 Stocks — 20% Off All Stocks and Accessories

mc3 stocks accessories 20% off stayhealthy code

Here’s a great oppotunity — get 20% Off all Mc3 products during the April Stay Healthy 2020 Sale. Do you have a rifle you’ve been wanting to upgrade? You can get 20% off EVERYTHING in the McMillan Mc3 store. Save on Hunting Stocks, Tactical Stocks, Bottom Metal, Magazines and other accessories IMPORTANT: To save 20% use Code STAYHEALTHY during checkout. Thanks to ELR Researcher for this tip.

2. Precision Reloading — HUGE Clearance Up to 50% Off

22lr ammo

Precision Reloading is running a Big Clearance on a wide range of products including bullets, loaded ammo, reloading tools, dies, holsters, storage boxes, and more. You find some truly great deals, with many items up to 50% off. There are over 400 items on sale, including Berger, Barnes, and Nosler Bullet Sample Packs, cleaning kits, and more.

3. FREE FL Die Set with RCBS MatchMaster Dispenser

rcbs matchmaster scale

Have you been wanting to try the impressive new RCBS MatchMaster powder dispenser but you’ve been waiting for a special deal? RCBS is now offering a FREE Die Set Promo. Purchasers of a MatchMaster Scale/Dispenser qualify for a free set of MatchMaster Dies, with a $185.00 MSRP. This Promotion applies to MatchMaster machines purchased from any retailer including Amazon, Graf & Sons, and Midsouth Shooters. After completing your purchase, submit the RCBS Redemption Form to get your FREE set of MatchMaster FL dies. Die sets for 23 different cartridge types are available. MORE INFO HERE.

4. Midsouth — Aguila .22 LR Ammunition in-stock

22lr ammo

Has the recent run on supplies got you thinking that you could use some more rimfire ammo? Well Midsouth Shooters has a full selection of reliable Aguila .22 LR ammunition at very affordable prices. A wide variety of Aguila .22 LR rimfire ammo is currently in-stock and ready to ship.

5. Bruno Shooters — McMillan Stock Sale

mcmillan stock sale

McMillan makes some of the best stocks available, with proven designs for just about any discipline or action type. If you’ve been in the market for a new stock, head over to Bruno Shooters Supply. Bruno’s has discounted a wide selection of McMillan stocks including popular tactical, hunting, and benchrest stock designs. Save money and avoid the manufacturer’s waiting period.

6. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Savage AXIS II w/scope, $399.99

savage axis rifle sale

If you’re in the market for a good basic rifle packaged with a 3-9x40mm scope, here’s a great deal. Sportsman’s Warehouse has the Savage Axis II with optic for just $399.99!. Currently this package deal is offered with 12 different chamberings including the popular .223 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, and .30-06 SPR. This is a great value for a basic hunting rig.

7. Natchez — Bushnell Gold Binoculars, $49.99

bushnell binocular sale

We love high-end binoculars, but it makes sense to have a lower-cost set of binoculars that you might keep as a spare, lend to a friend on request, or use on camping trips. Right now Natchez is selling Bushnell 8x42mm Custom Gold Binoculars for the crazy low price of only $49.99. Hard to beat that price (under fifty bucks) for a brand name optic.

8. Amazon — Tactical Survival Knife, $18.95

tactical knife

Good knives are vital tools, particularly during times of crisis. When we saw this cool tactical survival knife for only $18.95 we couldn’t resist sharing. With a G10 handle and full tang design this tactical chopper is equally at home around the shop as it is out in the field. The knife features a serious square-front 3.5″ blade, and ships with a rugged nylon carry sheath. Choose either Black or Silver, both with 3mm-thick stainless steel blades. A this price you could grab a pair — one in each color.

9. Amazon — 30 Compartment Storage Drawers Rack, $24.97

storage box sale

Are you sitting around in Coronavirus lockdown trying to figure out what to do? How about organizing your reloading area with these handy wall-mounted storage bins. At just $24.97 for 30 units — nearly 50% Off the regular price — this storage set is a great bargain. Use these for bullets, brass, ammo boxes, small tools — you name it. At this price you can get all those odds and ends put in their place and be ready for when the world gets back to normal.

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