Unsolicited Review of 3D Loading Blocks

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dgod

dgod

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I had the privilege of receiving a pair of the "TheGerman"s 3D Printed Loading Blocks. These were made for the .223/5.56 caliber. They are setup for 55 shells/Loads. This allows for separation of loads all on the same block. The fit was very good, absolutely a great Idea. I especially like the smaller size. These loading blocks are nowhere near the size of the MTM or RCBS loading blocks.

If I had to say something I didn't care for, it would be the size of the Cartridge Fit, that was printed on the outside edge that showed .223/5.56, it was difficult to read, probably due to lack of space. My Suggestion would be to leave it off, the block is Great, cases set in the holes very nicely,

I will have more calibers as soon as "TheGerman" comes up with their development.

Contact Tom at "[email protected]", tell him dgod sent you, yu won't be disappointed.

Great Product

Dan
 
Looks interesting, dgod. I went to primercatcher.com but no loading blocks are shown anywhere on their web site. Where are they?
 
Thanks for the review dgod!

The blocks aren't on the website yet because I initially just made a few for myself and put the two I did not need anymore in the PIF section. Years ago (before the 3D printer time...), I cut one for 45-70 out of wood and just did not want to do all the work again, so I designed and printed a few in plastic.

Cost for the material is about $8 (shipping about $5) and I would need to design them for other calibers than .223. Let me know which calibers you are looking for!
This is how it looks for .223
block02.jpg
 
Looks good, brother. Should we watch the website for updates or will you post here?
 
I'll post here and after getting the stamp of approval here, will add it to the website for the rest of the world.

I have the following calibers ready and am still checking if I can get the cost further down, but assume it will end up between $11 and $13 shipped ($5 shipping, rest for the material).
.223/5.56, .300 blackout
.40 S&W
.308 Win, .30-06​

Black or green was what I thought - any other preferences?
 
TheGerman,

Did I send you a list of Calibers? I'll take a 308 and a 30-06 in Black please, let me know where to send the $$

Dan
 
Color doesn't matter, either Red or Green would be fun.
Black is acceptable if that's the material you have on hand.

I'd like to try two in 308/30-06. Let me know the final amount.
 
Dan, Ants - the one for .30-06 and .308 are interchangeable, the shells have the exact same max. diameter,

I'm working on 9mm, .38/.357, .45 acp, .45 LC, .300 Winmag, .45-70, .500 S&W
 
TheGerman said:
Dan, Ants - the one for .30-06 and .308 are interchangeable, the shells have the exact same max diameter.
Click to expand...
Yes, we know.
That's what makes this loading block so useful, cases fit properly because
they don't try to accommodate a thousand other rifle/pistol cartridges at the same time.
Yet, any case with the same base diameter fits perfectly well.
 
Last edited:
This is kind of an oddball, but I might be interested in one or two of these in 9x18 Makarov. You pretty well cover the rest of my needs for now.
Wouldn't the .30-06/.308 also work for the .45 ACP?
I am curious though - Why 55 instead of 50?
 
The 9x18 Makarov has almost the same diameter as the 9mm Para/Luger/Nato, so not even the need to design a new one for that.

The .45 ACP has a diameter of 0.48", the .308/.30-06 of 0.473" making the latter a tiny bit larger, so yes, it would fit - but for the longer rifle cartridges, I make the holes deeper so they get a bit more side support, dropping a way shorter case in there may make it more difficult to get it out/handle it.

I go with 55 holes so I can always leave one row empty when moving through the process from left to right. Makes it easier to see where I stopped in case the wife calls me with "something more important" away from the bench while reloading.
 
TheGerman said:
The 9x18 Makarov has almost the same diameter as the 9mm Para/Luger/Nato, so not even the need to design a new one for that.

The .45 ACP has a diameter of 0.48", the .308/.30-06 of 0.473" making the latter a tiny bit larger, so yes, it would fit - but for the longer rifle cartridges, I make the holes deeper so they get a bit more side support, dropping a way shorter case in there may make it more difficult to get it out/handle it.

I go with 55 holes so I can always leave one row empty when moving through the process from left to right. Makes it easier to see where I stopped in case the wife calls me with "something more important" away from the bench while reloading.
Click to expand...

Yeah I thought about the Mak thing after I posted. The only reason I would need the trays in the first place is to mark my brass and Mak is one of the few calibers I have to do that for.
Good to know about the number of holes. I load on a progressive only, so the processes of single stage loading aren't always apparent to me.
 
Very nice but the frankford arsenal caliber specific reloading blocks are $3.99 from midwayusa.com
 
That is a really great deal - can't beat the price of high volume injection molded ones and Frankford Arsenal products are typically reasonably good for their price.
 
Using 308 loading blocks for 45acp:

Drop a bullet into each hole in the loading block first. The 45 case sits on top of that so it can be grabbed easily.
 
TheGerman said:
I go with 55 holes so I can always leave one row empty when moving through the process from left to right. Makes it easier to see where I stopped in case the wife calls me with "something more important" away from the bench while reloading.
Click to expand...

Great idea actually. I use 2 blocks side by side when I run on the single so I can segregate the steps out. This certainly simplifies that.
 
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