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October 29th, 2010
 21st Century Shooting has just introduced what may be the most advanced powder funnel on the market. It has everything you could want. The top section is precision ground and polished for a smooth flow. The center has a see-through tube so you can watch the progress of your powder dropping into the case. At the bottom of each funnel is a precision brass collar insert that allows the funnel to stand on the case without tipping off. The collars are offered in nine, caliber-specific sizes: 17cal, 20cal, 22cal, 30cal, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, and 7mm. In addition, 21st Century offers custom-milled collar inserts fitted precisely to your cases. That way you can get a perfect fit on neck-turned brass. Just mic your casenecks and 21st Century will craft a custom insert.
Each funnel, with one caliber-specific insert, costs $21.75. Additional standard inserts are $5.75. Call 260-273-9909 for pricing on custom inserts.
October 14th, 2010
 The 2011 edition of the Hodgdon® Annual Manual has just been announced, and should be at newstands in January 2011. Now in its 8th year, the Hodgdon Annual Manual includes over 5,000 rifle and pistol loads, with information on 29 Hodgdon, 19 IMR® and 10 Winchester® brand powders, with updated propellant burn rate and usage charts.
The new 2011 Manual features 31 cartridge updates including the new 30 AR Remington and 338 Marlin Express. The latest manual of course incorporates the 44 cartridge updates from 2010, which included data for the 6.5 Grendel and 6.5 Creedmoor.
Extensive reloading information is provided for popular cartridges such as the 223 Remington, 204 Ruger, 6PPC, 6mmBR, .243 Win, 308 Winchester, .30-06, 338 Federal and more. In addition, the 2011 manual boasts 70 pages of shooting and hunting feature articles by top outdoor writers.
New Superformance Powder Data Included
The 2011 Hodgdon Annual Manual includes comprehensive load data for the two new Hodgdon powders, Hornady® Superformance™ and Hornady LEVERevolution®. This pair of advanced, high-speed propellants are currently used in Hornady’s factory ammunition. Both powders can provide a significant performance boost in many popular cartridges.
The 2011 Hodgdon Annual Manual costs $8.99 at news-stands or $11.99 delivered via mail from Hodgdon. To order call 913-362-9455, visit Hodgdon.com, or write to Hodgdon Powder, 6231 Robinson, Shawnee Mission, KS 66202.
September 21st, 2010
Here’s a word to the wise — not all full-length sizing dies are properly dimensioned to carry out the important task of “bumping” shoulders back on fired cases. With some dies the task may simply be impossible (without die or shell-holder modification). In fact, you may find that your attempt to bump the shoulder may actually INCREASE the dimension from base of case to shoulder datum!
 We recently had some four-times fired 6mmBR Lapua brass. Using a Harrell’s collar that indexes off the shoulder, we measured the length from base of case to top of collar at 1.570″ (with primer removed). We noticed a little more resistance to bolt closure compared to fresh brass, so we decided to bump the shoulders back two thousandths. As a point of reference, we measured the same dimension (base of case to top of Harrell’s collar, primer out) as 1.5675″ on once-fired Lapua 6mmBR brass.
 This Can’t Be Right …
To bump our shoulders we had an RCBS Gold Medal bushing full-length sizing die. Per the manufacturer’s instructions, we started with the die backed off 1/2 turn from contact with the shell-holder with the press ram at full height. We lubed and sized one case and then measured it. The shoulder had not moved. OK, no problem, we screwed the die down to contact the shell-holder (at full ram height) and tried again. This time the measured dimension was actually longer by a couple thousandths. The brass which measured (with collar) 01.570″ before sizing now measured 01.572″ — we were going in the wrong direction!
“Bumped” Shoulder Stretched .003″
Frustrated, we screwed the RCBS die in 1/8th turn past touching to allow “cam-over” which is necessary with some presses to actually push the shoulder back. We sized the case again, and this time the dimension had grown another .001″, to a total length of 1.573″! Wondering if there was something wrong with our calipers, we took the full-length sized brass (which previously had chambered just fine) to our 6BR rifle and tried to chamber it. Sure enough, the headspace had been lengthened by .003″ and the brass would not chamber at all.
 Die Was Too Long Inside to Bump Shoulders Properly
What was going on? Here’s the explanation: the interior cavity of the die was too long so the shoulder surface inside the die was never actually making contact with the shoulder of the brass — and the die could not be screwed down any further. As the RCBS die, which was fairly tight in the bottom half, reduced the diameter of the brass, the case actually grew in length. While the brass was sized at the bottom it grew upwards because the “shoulder” section on the inside of the die was too high. As we “squeezed” the brass at the bottom it simply flowed upwards, increasing headspace.
With this RCBS die, in its current configuration, there was no way we could bump the shoulder back, even by .001″. The die would likely function effectively if we ground a few thousandths off the bottom, but we don’t think a die user should be obliged to make such a modification.
Lesson Learned: If your full-length die can’t bump your brass even when it is screwed down all the way (to cam-over if necessary), then you need a different die or you need to modify your die. As proof of this, we took out my trusty Redding 6mmBR full-length sizing die. This was set up (from experience), one-half turn off contact with the shell-holder. In that position, the Redding die easily bumped the shoulder of a fired case .002″ with no trouble whatsoever. We started at 1.570″ and ended up 1.568″ — right where we wanted to be. The task that couldn’t be done with the RCBS Gold Medal FL Die was accomplished easily with the Redding die. After lubing the case, we simply raised the ram to full height, and this moved the shoulder back .002″ as measured with the Harrell’s collar positioned on the shoulder.
July 1st, 2010
Lapua’s new 22-250 brass has finally started to arrive on dealers’ shelves. Forum member William P. (aka “Heath”) just got two boxes of the new brass. Both boxes have the same lot number. Heath was kind enough to sort the brass and report his findings.
 
Based on Heath’s 200-count sample, we can say this new brass is very, very consistent in weight. The total weight spread (delta) for 200 cases was just 1.4 grains! And the vast majority, 83%, were within 0.7 grains in weight (160.3 – 161.0). For the varminter, sorting may be superfluous. Once again, Lapua has produced a superb new product, and we love the new, blue plastic boxes.
FYI, you 6mm shooters should know that the Lapua 22-250 brass can be made into quality 6XC brass. And it’s even easier to create a 6-250 wildcat. In May, Robert Whitley explained how he created a tack-driving 6-250 Wildcat from the new Lapua 22-250 brass.
June 25th, 2010
 With the high cost of manufactured ammunition, the reloading market continues to grow, and Redding Reloading is growing with it. With the goal of doubling its production capacity, Redding has invested over $1,000,000 in the past two years in new equipment. Just this month, Redding added two more American-made CNC machines. These latest machines complete Phase One of Redding’s strategic growth plan.
Redding Expands Its New York Production Facility
At a time when some historic firearms factories (such as the Marlin plant in North Haven, CT) are shutting their doors, Redding is buying land and putting up new buildings. As Phase Two of Redding’s growth plan, the company is acquiring adjacent real property to expand Redding’s manufacturing facility. The planned physical plant expansion begins in late summer, 2010. This will add an additional 40% of dedicated production and warehousing space to the company’s current facility in Upstate New York. For more information, contact Redding Reloading Equipment, 1089 Starr Road, Cortland, NY 13045, or visit Redding-Reloading.com.
 CLICK HERE to download 2010 Redding Reloading Catalog PDF
June 23rd, 2010
 Midsouth Shooters Supply has some excellent deals in its 2010 Summer Shooting Flyer. To download the complete flyer as a PDF file, CLICK HERE
Midsouth has knocked $44.00 off the price of the RCBS Chargemaster — it’s now on sale for just $279.99. If you need a media separator, Midsouth’s “house brand” rotary sifter is a steal for $19.29. There are many other great deals in the flyer.
Special Replacement Parts Packs for AR Shooters
Midsouth has done something really fantastic — it has created affordable kits that include all the key internal parts and pieces that can wear out (or get lost) on an AR15. Great idea. AR manufacturers should provide kits like these with every complete rifle sold! For under $30.00, Midsouth’s Field Repair Kit includes: firing pin, 2 firing pin retainers, bolt cam pin, 3 bolt gas rings, buffer detent, buffer detent spring, extractor springs, & pads, disconnector spring, disconnector, hammer spring and trigger spring.
May 29th, 2010
 Since it was first released in 1965, Cartridges of the World by Frank Barnes, has been considered the definitive print resource on firearm cartridges. The current 12th Edition, edited by Holt Bodinson, was released late last year. The 568-page 12th Edition now describes over 1500 cartridges (from 0.1 inch to 0.95 inch caliber). This edition has interesting new articles on cartridge design and performance. The book includes dimensions, illustrations, a short history, and sample loading data for over 1500 different cartridges, including virtually every significant cartridge introduced since the early 1870s, with separate chapters on rimfires, shotgun shells, sporting rifle cartridges from the United States and Canada, Britain, and Europe, plus handgun cartridges, military cartridges, and limited production “wildcat” and “proprietary” cartridges. You won’t find all the narrow-focus or obscure wildcats, but the book is still a useful resource, well worth owning. It’s a “must-have” item for any serious cartridge collector.
Frank C. Barnes (1918-1992) began collecting information on handgun cartridges at the early age of 12, thanks to his father, a police officer. Frank Barnes was an innovative cartridge designer, who invented the original 308 x 1.5″ Barnes, predecessor of the 30BR case. Before Frank began a law enforcement career, he was a college professor. Frank was also a pilot, and a race-car driver.
Cartridges of the World was first published in 1965. It’s lived through 12 editions and can be found on many reloaders’ bookshelves today. Suggested retail for the book is $32.99, but MidwayUSA currently sells the 12th Edition for $19.99 plus shipping (Midway item 242319). Amazon.com offers the book for $21.77 with free shipping on combined orders over $25.00.
AMAZON LINK: Cartridges of the World (12th Ed.): Complete Reference for Over 1500 Cartridges
May 26th, 2010
 Electronic powder dispensers are more popular than ever, and the RCBS ChargeMaster is still the top seller (though the new Hornady dispenser is worth checking out). We know you guys are always looking for the best deal on your reloading equipment. Well, right now, Natchez Shooters Supply has the RCBS Chargemaster Combo Scale/Dispenser on sale for just $279.95 (Natchez item #RC98923). That’s $40-$50 bucks lower than the price at most other vendors.
CCI Small Rifle Primers Available at Natchez
Some folks are still looking for CCI primers. Well Natchez has plenty of CCI small rifle primers in stock. Here’s what’s currently available, with prices. NOTE: If you need the BR4s, Powder Valley has them at $37.00/1000, which beats Natchez’s price by a wide margin. Federal Primers are still very hard to find. Powder Valley and Natchez are both out of stock.
- CCI 400, Small Rifle Primers, 1000 primers, $32.50
- CCI 450, Small Rifle Magnum Primers, 1000 primers, $36.16
- CCI BR4, Small Rifle BR Primers, 1000 primers, $50.43
CLICK HERE for Natchez May/June 2010 Product Flyer.
March 24th, 2010
If you have a older version of QuickLOAD that won’t run on a Vista or Windows 7 computer, take heart, Neconos.com now has the updated version 3.6 of QuickLOAD. Version 3.6 is fully compatible with XP, Vista, and Windows 7, AND the latest update has an upgraded database with MORE powders, bullets, and cartridges. In addition, G7 Ballistic Coefficients are now supplied for many bullets in the database.
If you are currently running an older version of QuickLOAD on an XP machine, and you plan to upgrade to Windows 7, you should order the new QuickLOAD v. 3.6, with disk exchange. You will need to send in your CD so it can be “personalized” with your serial number. Ed Dillon of Neconos.com explains: “If you have 3.0, 3.1 or 3.2 and are planning on using a VISTA or Windows 7 machine you must install a new, compatible QuickLOAD disk. Send in your old CD and we will replace it with a Vista/Windows 7 compatible CD for $14.95 plus S & H.” (Note — this latest version 3.6 disk is also backwards compatible with Windows ME, 2000 and XP). Call Neconos at 800-451-3550, for instructions on how to send in your disk for the upgrade.
Data-only Upgrade Also offered
If you own a more recent version of QuickLOAD that already works with Vista, or if you plan to stick with XP, you can can order a data-only version 3.6 upgrade. That is the simplest way to get the enhanced databases, with new powders, bullets, and cartridges. If you have CD versions 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, or 3.5, you can purchase a new data update that adds new powders, cartridges, and bullets to your existing QuickLOAD program. For the data-only update, you do NOT need to send in your original installation CD, or uninstall the program. The data-only upgrade should simply update your QuickLOAD databases and you can keep running your program as usual.
Read our QuickLOAD Review to Learn More
The full QuickLOAD program costs $149.95, bundled with the QuickTarget ballistics program as a FREE extra. The latest version of QuickLOAD has comprehensive data for more than 1200 cartridges, 225 powders, and 2500 bullets. QuickLOAD is a remarkably powerful software program that will help you choose the most efficient powders for your cartridge. It can predict the effect (on pressure and velocity) of small changes in seating depth, barrel length, and even ambient temperature. Check out our detailed QuickLOAD Review to learn why this software is an invaluable tool for the serious reloader.
March 18th, 2010
 Sinclair International has released its latest print catalog, the 2010-A edition. The new catalog has grown to 204 pages with more than 11,000 products. The new catalog features hundreds of new products from Sinclair, Redding, Hornady, Barnes, Redfield, Leupold, Nosler, Lyman, Lapua and more.
Trained Tech Staffers Provide Reloading Help
Sinclair Int’l President Bill Gravatt revealed that: “Our tech staff are all certified, NRA Metallic Reloading Instructors who can help answer questions regarding reloading and shooting accuracy”. In addition to live assistance (via telephone), Sinclair offers many useful reloading tips via its Reloading Press Blog.
With the product shortages and rising prices of ammo following the 2008 elections, more gun owners than ever are reloading their ammo. Sinclair Int’l has expanded its inventory to better serve both first-time reloaders as well as “expert” hand-loaders. Serious shooters know that Sinclair Int’l is one of the best sources for high-end precision reloading gear. Gravatt agrees that “[Sinclair] has … the more specialized tools for more advanced reloading tasks.”
To order Sinclair’s new catalog, you can call 800-717-8211 or submit a catalog request online. CLICK HERE to request a catalog. NOTE: You can also download a digital version of the latest catalog for FREE.
CLICK HERE to DOWNLOAD Sinclair International 2010-A Catalog (204 page PDF file)
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