Specialty Tools

We stopped by the Hornady booth at SHOT Show to get the run down on what is new for 2015. From bullets, factory ammunition and reloading equipment, Hornady is always at the forefront of innovation. So what’s the latest? Hard hitting pig rounds and less expensive carry ammo…read on.

Reloading is a gear heavy sport! So there are always options for that reloader on you list. Sneak a peak at their set-up and see what they’re missing. And then check out our suggestions–we’ve got something for every price range.

We’re continuing our coverage of reloading with an in-depth look at the options available for trimming up cases. This is how you ensure your recycled brass will fit in your gun.

SERIES Part 1: Want to Reload Your Own Ammo? Basic Questions to Consider Part 2: The Reloading Process Part 3: The Gear You’ll Need and What It’ll Cost You Part 4: Brass Cleaning and Preparation to Load Part 5: Brass Resizing Part 6: Trimming Cartridge Cases Part 7: Repriming the Cartridge Case Part 8: Powder, Propellants, and Pressure Part 9: All About Primers Part [...]

But the actual reason behind this sweeping change in guidelines may have a darker goal: to increase the cost of offering gunsmithing services. The changes were implemented without warning or input from the people and the industry.

The new Lyman Cyclone Rotary Case Tumbler has shown that you don’t have to trade one kind of mess for another, and you can achieve cleaner brass in far less time without all the noise and dust.

Not far into my journey to reloading, it became obvious I was going to need some case prep tools. Never one to shy away from keeping Visa in business, I decided to go big from jump street rather than piecemeal the products along the way. I picked the biggest and baddest options available from Hornady.

In my journey into reloading as a cherry boy, I have done some things that are at the very least questionable, if not downright sketchy. I think we can all agree that a red Solo cup and a Gerber baby spoon are not proper powder-measuring tools, though they do work in a pinch.

Scroll through any forum for ammunition reloaders, and you’ll often see the same advice for newbies: start small. Don’t buy an expensive die set until you know how to use a basic set from Lee or Hornady. This is good advice, generally speaking, but if you buy basic now and then decide to upgrade later, your final bill will be even higher. That’s why I was drawn to the Competition die set from RCBS.