The new Powder Trickler from RCBS attaches to Uniflow and Little Dandy powder measures and dispenses a precise propellant charge into an electronic scale pan.

Reloading component and equipment suppliers have a lot of new products this year. Here are several items that caught my attention while perusing all the new shooting-related gear.

One prominent company in this business is Alliant Techsystems (ATK) and its Civil Ammunition group. The ATK family includes Federal Cartridge, RCBS, Alliant Powder, CCI, Speer, and other shooting-related product companies. RCBS displayed several items that offer handloaders an opportunity to achieve better results when reloading and shooting. Alan Schufeldt, operations manager, demonstrated a simple-to-use powder-dispensing accessory that attaches to the RCBS Uniflow and Little Dandy powder measures. Mounted in a special

Advanced Powder Measure Stand, the new Powder Trickler System is compatible with most mechanical or electronic scales. You first set the measure to throw a powder charge that's just a bit less than the desired weight. Then, using the integral powder trickler, you dribble more propellant into the pan until your scale indicates the exact charge weight is reached. After a little practice, it took less than 10 seconds to dispense a precise quantity of powder.

It is such a simple idea!

Sierra 6.5 123-Gr. HPBT

I asked Schufeldt why someone hadn't already done it. He chuckled and replied, "Someone did. I happened to be rereading an old 1952 issue of American Rifleman, and a small ad caught my attention. A private individual offered a similar design that we thought was worth trying. As you see, it works great and really speeds up the powder weighing process." Coupled with a conventional powder measure, it offers a low-cost alternative to buying a fully electronic powder dispensing system.

Also new from RCBS is the Quick Change Powder Funnel that includes a 4-inch drop tube and five interchangeable adapters to accommodate loading cartridges ranging from .17 to .50 calibers.

Another item from RCBS that caught my eye is the R.A.S.S.--that's an acronym for Rapid Acquisition Shooting System. And what, you ask, does that have to do with reloading? Schufeldt acknowledged that a portable shooting bench was a stretch from the company's usual product line, but he reminded me that reloaders had to shoot what they loaded and the R.A.S.S. is intended to help them maximize performance.

New for 2007 Hornady has announced loadings for six new rounds.

I had tested the new R.A.S.S. shooting stand the day before at the National 4-H writers' seminar where Kent Sakamoto, RCBS product line manager, demonstrated how it worked. I fired .338 Federal ammo loaded with a new 200-grain Fusion bullet in a Sako Model 85 rifle. After adjusting the rest so that I was comfortable, I could barely feel the recoil from the stiff .338 Federal rounds. I pointed out that the bench needed a place to put ammo. Sakamoto responded that when production units are ready, an accessory tray would be available.

The R.A.S.S. quickly adjusts to almost any lateral and vertical position. You push with your feet to rotate the seat and rest about a central post. The rifle can also be pointed up or down 20 degrees by pushing a release lever and lifting or lowering the mounting beam. Vertical position can be fine tuned for precise alignment on a stationary target using the wheel on the end of the adjustment cylinder. Each of the four support legs has fully adjustable feet to accommodate safely setting the rest up on rough terrain. It will surely be part of the gear I take on my next prairie dog shoot.