What Reloading Accessory Has Proven To Be Most Valuable?

[Ala Dan]

Just like the title of the thread says, "what reloading
accessory has proven to be most valuable" in your
way of thinking? Please go to the polls and vote!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[gggman]

My vote goes for dial caliper. Lots of other handy accessories listed there, but I wouldn't be able to reload without a caliper.

 

[Unisaw]

Tumbler. I can't believe how many hours I wasted on washing and drying brass before getting a tumbler.

 

[HSMITH]

Other: My lubrisizer. It allows me to size and lube bullets I cast with my homebrewed lube that not only works better but costs less than 10% of commercial lubes.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I voted for the Powder Trickler. I have the nice RCBS one. Best 15 bucks I have spent. Saves a lot of time, and makes my loads super consistant.

 

[BenW]

I think some of the stuff in the poll is really more in line with convienient rather than valuable. To me a dial caliper is valuable because it lets me make sure I'm safely making cartridges. A powder measure or primer feed would be convenience features because they let me load more quickly and efficiently.

 

[Chuck Dye]

My mentor

Having a knowledgeable experienced friend, or knowing a willing stranger (who will quickly become a friend) is worth vastly more than any gadget.

If you already are a knowledgeable and experienced friend (or stranger), pass it on!

 

[tc300mag1]

Factory crimp die for me less loaded rejects

 

[Dave R]

The biggest improvement for me in productivity was when I got the powder measure. I never use the trickler any more. The powder measure is accurate enough. Really boosts throughput vs. scooping and weighing individually.

Hand primer is a close 2nd, though.

 

[AndABeer]

While I wouldn't put it at the top, my electric primer tube filler is fairly high on the list. Using pick up tubes was extremely nerve racking.

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

dial caliper gets used for a lot more than just loading .....

 

[P95Carry]

Ala Dan ...... huge choice!!!

Being an engineer ... dial calipers are ''part of my furniture'' anyways ... but ya know - it's hard to come down on just one item .. multiple choice here would have been easier!

I voted Factory crimp .. mainly cos since having those I do feel ... rifle in particular - that consistency has gone up. However .. I have so many of the other things that ... these days ... I really would not want to be without, so choice is hard... can I say ALL!

BTW ... a suggestion I have made before ..... it is very easy to make a trickler ... well more a ''shaker'' I guess ....... over flare a 45 ACP case .... and into that insert a 44 mag case ..... one rejected for a small split works best. One needs deprimed .. put some powder in and use like a salt shaker ... pretty much a granule at a time comes out ... does what I need, and always has!

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey-Hey-Hey Chris P95 -

You and I think a bit alike; cuz I too voted for the FCD.
Makes life a whole lot easier! Never thought of making
my own trickler; guess I'm too lazy, uh? Use the trickler
mainly when double checking "thrown" powder charges
from a measure. Guess its just habit? But I'm somewhat
of a perfectionist; I like for things to be "on the money"!

Might include the dial caliper, also? Gee, I guess all would
have been the correct choice.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[swifter]

Other... My collection of loading manuals, books, and my records over the last 30 years.

Tom

 

[Papakeith]

I had to vote other. The most valuable piece of equipment for me so far has been my bullet puller. Following in a close second is a maximum cartridge gauge.

 

[Edward429451]

If we're talking Most valuable accessory, then it'd have to be the regular powder scale of course. I loaded an awful lot of rounds with just press, dies & scale. Pour powder in cereal bowl and tap it into the pan.

Calipers are extremely useful but I've loaded 1000's without one. Just been using them the last 8 or 10 years. Dunno how I got along without them but I shore did.

 

[Third_Rail]

Labels! I've loaded many different loads in the same caliber, 100s of each. Since they all go into different boxes that look the same, I'd be lost without labels... I have six 7.62x54R loads alone....

 

[Chainsaw]

I would vote *other* and say the RCBS Trim Mate is the best thing I ever bought. It has allowed me to deburr inside and outside of the case mouth, and de crimp military brass quickly as well as clean the primer pocket without finger fatigue.............Chainsaw

 

[Corey ACP]

I had to vote "other" as my all time favorite accessory is my 8 year old daughter. I can't even look to the basement where my, "room" is located without her tagging along.....She has a great memory and is a big help to sort various brass, bullets,and the occasional, "oops", I spilled the spent primers all over the floor........As well as my constant companion

 

[Mal H]

A lot of the items listed are conveniences, and a lot of them are necessary. But, to me the one thing that is a show stopper for accurate reloading if you don't have one is a scale. I can use a high quality ruler to replace a dial caliper if necessary. I can find work-arounds for many of the other necessary items or they are included in other devices not in the list (e.g., a primer seating device is part of the press), but without a scale, reloading is a guessing game and there ain't no room for guessing.

 

[cracked butt]

Dial caliper and scale, wouldn't even attempt to reload without both at hand.

 

[Sisco]

Another vote for the kenitic bullet puller. Would've wasted a lot of componets when I first started out if it hadn't been for that.

Labels: I use Avery removable file folder labels available at WalMart or Staples. Enough room for the data yet they pull off easily. Stick pretty good while you're using them though, I even use them under the hood of my vehicles to record mileage at oil changes.

 

[Jeeper]

I voted other.

I load alot of pistol ammo on my dillon and that cheap frankford vibrating primer tube filler is the best thing ever. Man does that save you some tmie and work.

 

[BigG]

Hi Dan and everybody, I have to weigh in with REGULAR RELOADING SCALES. I can't tell you how many times it's come in handy. Mine is a Texan, going on 40 years old and still going strong.

 

[MarineTech]

Probably the best $50 I spent on reloading equipment was for my Lyman power deburring kit. The kit includes the rotary tool, large and small primer pocket reamers and cleaners, inside & outside deburring tools, and cleaning brushes. Prior to this, I used manual tools for all these tasks. The Lyman tools cut my case prep time down to 1/2 or 1/3 of what it was and has probably saved me from carpal tunnel problems.