Best Piece of Reloading Equipment that stepped up your reloading precision

Legionnaire said:

My next major purchase will be an A&D FX120i, followed as soon as can be arranged by an Auto Trickler v.3. May even sell a rifle to fund the purchase.

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If you are serious, I have one that is in “as new” condition with original packaging.

I bought it to measure charges from my home made auto tricklers. Confirmed that I didn’t need it but might be just right in its next home.

I’m interested. Sending you a PM.

A chronograph is the real game changer.

I could name a dozen(s) items that improved the accuracy or speed (or both) of my processes, and accuracy of my finished products, but here are three that have made, and continue to make, measurable improvements: First is the Juenke Concentricity Comparator, which measures variations in the walls of cartridge cases and bullet jackets, and has proved invaluable in detecting erratic dimensional variations that have adverse effects on accuracy. Another valuable accessory is the Carstensen (JLC) press modification that permits instant and precise adjustments in degree of case sizing. The adjustments have a calibrated "click" like feel like a target sight. And when used in conjunction with a MacCluer Accugauge, a fired case can be measured and, if necessary, returned to desirable dimension(s) in about 10 seconds.

I keep seeing chargemaster and chargemaster lite on here. I have to say what got me alot more accurate is my auto-trickler / scale. It says RCBS on it and its green. I looked for the one that had the best reviews on several websites and I dont know if its a chargemaster or chargemaster lite. lol. but I know now that I have a chargemaster. That was what changed it all for me.

I see people say there is something more accurate. I have to agree. its not perfect. but if you sit and watch it... only let it hit one grain to raise to the level. sometimes it will dump 2 and say its correct. its not perfect. i dump the tray back in alot when I want them perfect. sometimes i take a grain out by hand. lol.

A Vernier caliper.

I'd have to say the LabRadar chronograph. It's not cheap, but this machine has completely spoiled me in a number of ways.

First, it's very versatile. It will give you velocities at five distances (of your choosing) from the muzzle for each and every shot. Second, it seems to be very accurate, with repeatable results. I've compared it's output with conventional sky screen chronies and where the (very few) discrepancies occur the LabRadar results seem more credible. Finally, and this is probably the most important, it's dead simple to drag to the range and set up. It all fits in a small bag, and there are no downrange components to put in place and align. It can all be set up in minutes on a hot range without ever stepping away from the bench. Because of this I'm more likely to throw it in the truck and take it along, even if it's only to test a single handgun load.

The initial outlay for the LabRadar stung a little, but so far it's held up well for about three years now and I'd happily buy it all over again. I can heartily recommend it.

Never really been concerned about ‘target’ accuracy. I’m satisfied with ‘hunting’ accuracy results. That being said I can appreciate the level of commitment some of the respondents have put in to attain even minuscule increases in that endeavor. So I’ll just add what’s made reloading more enjoyable for me keeping in mind that I started out with a Lee Challenger kit.

1) Redding T-7 X2. I consider them the Levon Kirkland* of turrets. Big. Solid and quick compared to single stages.

2) Putting a Little Dandy powder measure on top of the T-7s.

3) Lee Factory Crimp Die for every caliber I reload.

4). Going to a four die set up ( separate seat and crimp dies) from a 3 die process. That may actually have improved the quality of my ammo consistency in overall length and in turn settled down the FPS spread of some of my chrono'd readings.

* Look it up

Knowledge. Understanding what each step in the process does (or doesn't) do and how to troubleshoot. If a load isn't performing - what adjustments will make the difference? OAL, primer, powder, powder load, neck tension, bullet selection, crimp, sizing - knowing how each variable affects performance is important.

Time. Realize that all your work is being shot through "that" gun. Your perfect load will not be the same as mine, nor mine for you. Been reloading for 25 yrs or so but I've only spent 3 months in serious development. (was between jobs 20 yrs ago...) Tried a lot of other components since then when you could only get what was available, but never developed anything to match. Until I take retirement, I'll be shooting the same loads in the same guns and enjoying the same performance from them that I worked out long ago.

Tools. Meh, some help you go faster and some are more satisfying to use. But they are just the tools. Results are dependent on the operator.

I'm gonna embarrass myself, but... a decent set of check weights. I didn't know what I didn't know until I had them. Using coins to get my scale calibrated to where it was last session seemed like it would be "good enough", as long as one started low and worked up. Workable in theory, but some of my loads had room to expand, since I was not wanting to get close to the max and min charges, due to uncertainty. Once I could calibrate my scale properly, it allowed me a lot more room to charge, since I could be confident that what I was measuring was within tolerance of what testing labs used.

Redding Ultramag press

Sinclair bullet comparator and seating depth measuring tool.

Sinclair concentricity gauge

Belding and Mull powder measure.

Starrett micrometers.

A better UNLOADING tool - in the form of a 40X-BR benchrest rifle.

The Stoney Point/Hornady case gauge tool allowed me to set my case shoulders to exactly match my chambers. This practice improved the accuracy in many different rifles.

Redding competition shell holders . After years of using them , I’m still amazed at how consistent I can size my cases from head to datum . Just did 350 LC-15 case yesterday with a +/- of .0005 variance .

Not a piece of reloading equipment, a air conditioner. Turn it on a half hour before I want to reload and I can enjoy my time in the gun room.
Saturday night I went up there around 7pm.
At 1am she yelled up and asked what time I was coming to bed.
After I get done loading I prep brass. I csan spend hours & hours in my gun room playing with my reloading stuff.