Reloading Ragchew

Sorry for being gone so long. It's been a whirlwind in my personal life and work. Given everything going on, it's probably prime time for a Reloading News and announcements episode.

Freedom Munitions and thier parent companies have filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Reloaders are chewing their fingernails over how this will affect Xtreme Bullets

Facebook is shutting down groups for sale of pretty much any reloading componets. People are flocking to MeWe as an alternative, however I also recommend finding some forums to praticpate in.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

https://68forums.com/forums/

https://mdws.forumchitchat.com/

https://www.handloadersbench.com/

Finally Labradar has launched their app, which uses the Bluetooth already built into your device. It's only on android right now, but they have promised an IOS version. So far its basic but makes several tasks much easier than the on device buttons.

Labradar - https://amzn.to/2yqLkV0

SD Card - https://amzn.to/2tcDnO8

App - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.labradarmobileapp

Another Tuesday morning, another episode. This week a quick discussion on scale choices, there are thousands out there, what is best for you. Scales really fall in to a few categories

Cheap Pocket Scales (weed scales) - cheap, battery powered. Tend not to last very long and questionable accuracy. I would avoid, the price temptation isn't work the headaches

Basic reloading electronic - Better, there are a couple winners in this class. The best I have tried is the Frankford  https://amzn.to/2KDUE9t

Balance Beam Scales. Couple of good choices here, the Lee is a good inexpensive choice https://amzn.to/2s0H7ks or the RCBS is a good performer https://amzn.to/2rY3Y04

Higher end electronic scales - My favorite is the Gempro 250, it has served me well for years: https://amzn.to/2s5OgjN on the really high end https://amzn.to/2wZbQnO

No matter what scale, I recommend getting a set of check weights. You can get them very cheap here: https://amzn.to/2rXS8Dl

Start of the tumbled rounds myth and discussions about handloaded ammo for self defense

Let's dip a toe into the world of wildcat cartridges. The How, Why and more importantly Why Not?

A great reference for all reloaders to have on their shelf - The handloader's manual of cartridge conversions

https://amzn.to/2FvKJja

And another for the collector or general gun nerd: https://amzn.to/2rbucwB

The big double digits are here. Wanted to make a quick episode to go over my favorite dealers, err places to buy supplies.

RMR Bullets - Great quality, shipping times and just a good bunch of folks. Their in house stuff is excellent for the money

Shooters Pro Shop - One of my favorites for discount rifle bullets and jacketed pistol stuff

Missouri Bullet Company - Top notch outfit for cast bullets, you can order different hardnesses and diameters, very few places offer this kind of service

Ballistic Products Inc - Kings of shotgun reloading. Not only sell componets but publish load books, build their own tools

Powder Valley - One of the best sources of powder and primers for both price and selection

Redeye Reloading - Interesting finds, great deals

Midsouth Shooters Supply - My go to when I need a specific pack of bullets

Midway USA - Where else can you get rare brass, gunsmith tools and a air rifle all in one shopping trip

Casting:

Rotometals

NOE Bullet Molds

For local I like Cabelas for powder and primers, good selection and pricing. Around the Atlanta area Adventure Outdoors also has a wide selection of powder most times I stop by there.

Forums with good Buy/Sell/Trade sections for reloading

Cast Boolits

Greybeard Outdoors

Arfcom

So I had a squib at this last match...

Discussing the common causes of destroyed guns and how to prevent them. Really comes down to 3 common failures.

Products discussed during this episode:

Press LED Lighting - Great if you need to shed a little more light on the subject

https://amzn.to/2qJlG79

USB Borescope - This one will work with most android and PCs/Macs

https://amzn.to/2JSBLQz

Wireless Borescope - This one works with IOS devices too, along with PCs/Android, etc. No wires is tempting

https://amzn.to/2H9lnNS

WallControl Pegboard - I love this stuff, comes in dozens of colors and looks much better than normal pegboard

https://amzn.to/2H9GlMI - Full starter kit

https://amzn.to/2EUYbNk - Just the panels if you already have hooks

10 non-reloading items that should be on your bench. These make life easier and all of them are cheap

Canned Air - https://amzn.to/2Hki82O

Dryer Sheets - https://amzn.to/2GH1DAO

Funnel - https://amzn.to/2qgRyQf

Sharpies - https://amzn.to/2v4uZ6G

Post it notes - https://amzn.to/2GGZzZA

Micrometer - https://amzn.to/2qk9dX1 or find a used one from ebay or a machinest supply.

LED Light Strip - https://amzn.to/2GNdDAY

Power Supply - https://amzn.to/2JwQ6lE

Food/Postal Scale - https://amzn.to/2Jx7SF6

Ziploc Bags - https://amzn.to/2GMPkiv

Reverse Tweezers - https://amzn.to/2GIs4Gy

Discussing the reload-ability and requirements/intricacies of reloading the FN 5.7x28 cartridge

Discussion about a frequently debated topic in the community - Case cleaning

A discussion about what headspacing is and how it affects our reloading in both safety and accuracy

Products discussed in this episode

Headspace Gauges

Hornady Headspace Gauge Kit : http://amzn.to/2HLLGFP

Hornady Headspace Gauge Bushings - get this if you already have the case length gauge http://amzn.to/2G21gjn

Calipers

iGaging - http://amzn.to/2HNwsQj

Shars - http://www.shars.com/products/measuring/caliper/aventor-6-large-screen-ip54-electronic-caliper

Redding Competition Shell Holder Sets:

.223/5.56 Based Cases - http://amzn.to/2FVXQLw

.308/7.62 Based Cases - http://amzn.to/2IAT0oE

Win Mag, WSSM, etc Cases - http://amzn.to/2IAPZoH

There are others, these are just the most common

DIY Option

.002 Shim stock - http://amzn.to/2FSFuuW

Shim Stock pack (if you dont want to stack them) - http://amzn.to/2FKZSC7