Fired brass recovered from ranges is never in pristine condition. Reloaders must inspect their cases for damage, and while cleaning is not a necessity, it does certainly improve the look and feeding of cartridges. Tumblers filled with various media do a great job of cleaning and polishing brass, but separating the brass from the media is another job that can be made much easier with the Rotary Case/Media Separator from Lyman. A separate inner basket stays put as cases and media are poured in, and the free-spinning crank handle is easy to use. The Case/Media Separator includes latches that keep it sealed while in use, and the system quickly separates out the cleaned brass from your media, which can be reused. (http://www.lymanproducts.com; 800-225-9626)
The American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) instructional DVDs offer expert advice on a wide range of topics in an easy-to-access format. For reloaders interested in non-standard or less common ammunition, there is the Taming Wildcats: How To Design & Fabricate Custom Cartridges DVD course. This course may not be suitable for beginners, but it does make it easy for more experienced reloaders to learn how to design and manufacture their own custom cartridges. Another AGI DVD, Handloading for the Long Range Shooter, is taught by rifle-builder and competitive shooter Darrel Holland, who covers everything the reloader needs to know to achieve maximum performance for their specific conditions and needs. Holland covers bullet, powder and primer selection for specific distances and targets in a step-by-step approach in the hour-long video. AGI has just released a brand new course, Reloading A-Z. This extensive course on DVD consists of 10-plus hours of detailed instruction that will take you from a basic knowledge to advanced reloading and comes with testing and a certificate of completion. There has never been a reloading course that covers the subject as in depth as this one. (http://www.americangunsmith.com; 800-797-0867)
It is no secret that reloading ammunition can be a dirty process, and you don’t want any of that stuff staining your clothes or staying on you after you are done. This is why experienced gunsmiths often wear aprons. The Kimber Armorer’s Apron, which comes in stain-hiding black with a white logo, is ideal. The 65/35 poly-cotton blend is durable and easy to clean, and the two front pockets are great for keeping tools and other items close at hand. (http://www.kimberamerica.com; 888-243-4522)
Anyone who has spent time around firearms and their requisite cleaning procedures has fully internalized the unmistakable smell of Hoppe’s No. 9 Bore Cleaner. This solvent was perfected over 100 years ago in 1903 and remains unchanged to this day. This man perfume is the most popular solvent used for removing lead and powder fouling as well as rust. (http://www.hoppes.com; 800-423-3537)
The GSI International Rotary Bullet Feeder is designed to work with both the Dillon XL 650 and RL 1050 reloading presses. The primary components of the system include the Rotary Bullet Feeder and tool head assembly along with a mounting pole and feed column. The feeders are designed to work with 9mm, .38 Special, ,357 Magnum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP and .223 Remington bullets. The tool head assembly, which replaces the Dillon tool head, holds the feed column, standard dies and powder drop and well as GSI International’s specialized bullet seating die, which is included with the system. All of the mechanics that actually drop the bullet onto the top of the case are contained within the tool head assembly. (http://www.gsiinternational.com; 877-951-1890)
Primers are extremely important, and X-Treme Primers promises quality at a price that makes reloading even more worthwhile. These primers are designed for optimal sensitivity, reliable ignition and perfect seating in the primer pocket with both progressive and automated loaders. X-Treme Primers use mixes that are both non-corrosive and non-mercuric to keep your firearms running clean. (http://www.xtremebullets.com; 800-482-2103)
Reloaders looking to save even more money can also manufacture their own cast-lead bullets. But lead is a soft metal, so it is important to keep these bullets in as pristine a condition as possible until they are loaded. The Cast Bullet Box from MTM Case-Guard is ideal for this job. It is made from a tough polypropylene that will protect your bullets, and the transparent design allows you to easily identify and find what you need. It has a solid latch and includes labels for marking.(mtmcase-gard.com; 937-890-7461)
Cartridge reloading is not difficult, but it does require a bit of study and awareness of the proper steps and procedures. Fortunately, there are plenty of extra items and accessories that can make the process easier to learn and safer to practice. Each type of reloading—from shotshells to pistol and rifle ammunition—also has its specific concerns and related accessories to help both the beginner and experienced reloader.
