We handloaders are a spoiled lot. Think of something we need in order to transform fired cases into loaded rounds, and you can bet it is available. And with the exception of the adjustable powder measure that was introduced by Lyman during the 19th century, just about everything we use to reload ammunition today was introduced during the past 100 years. Quite a few of the items have been with us for less than a half-century, and some are only a few years old.

With this in mind, let's take a look at what I think are 10 of the greatest ideas in reloading.

Powder Measure

1. Powder Measure
A measure capable of being adjusted to throw various charge weights of powder has been around for a very long time, with the Lyman Ideal being one of the earliest models to become popular among handloaders. Lyman introduced the Ideal No. 1 during the late 1800s, and the friendly little machine eventually evolved into the present Model 55. Regardless of whether the Ideal measure sitting on your loading bench was made in 1908 or 2008, it will have the familiar swinging knocker hanging from its body.

Another early measure that enjoyed great success was the Belding & Mull Visible. Incredibly accurate even by today's standards, it was once quite popular among benchrest shooters, most of whom have now switched to custom-built measures available from Sinclair International.

Top of the line in accuracy among mass-produced models are the Uniflow from RCBS and the Match-Grade 3BR from Redding. And the ultimate in powder-dispenser systems do a great job of combining a programmable, electrically powered dispenser with an electronic scale. The PACT Digital Powder Dispenser, the RCBS PowderMaster, and the Lyman 1200DPS3 Powder System come to mind. Warning: Don't try one until you are ready to buy one; it can be terribly habit-forming.

2. Powder Scale
According to my research, the powder measure came along before the powder scale, and in the old days, handloaders who did not own a measure used tiny scoops, or charge cups as they were also called, to dole out powder charges.

Digital Powder Scale

Belding & Mull sold various sizes, as did Lyman. I believe the Pacific Gun Sight Company of San Francisco was first to offer a scale designed specifically for use by those who reloaded rifle and handgun cartridges. The first one came with a set of weights that weighed 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 20, and 40 grains. The operator hung whatever combination was needed on the balance beam in order to get as close as possible to the desired powder charge.

An improved model with sliding weights that remained on the beam was later introduced, but it was extremely slow to use due to the fact that it took the beam practically forever to settle down. And when it finally did stop moving, the slightest breeze or a heavy breath would start it bobbing again. The later oil-dampened balance beam was faster, and the magnetically dampened beam, which is still popular today, was faster still.

A marvelous invention called the digital powder scale came next, and the handloader was able to weigh powder, bullets, cartridges, and everything else faster than he had ever dreamed possible. They are available from a number of sources, including RCBS, Lyman, Lee, Hornady, and PACT.