January 25, 2013
By Dylan Polk
Whether they're for hunting, competition or target practice, there's probably no greater satisfaction in the shooting world than developing that perfect load. Reloaders are a special breed in the shooting world, possessing the tools, technical know-how and dedication to their craft.
But to be good at it, you've got to have the right tools, and reloaders are always looking for the hottest new equipment about to hit the market.
From the technologically advanced to the old-school, vendors at the 2013 SHOT Show rolled out their brand new reloading products for the coming year, and since you probably couldn't make it out to Las Vegas, the Shooting Times online crew was there to get a sneak peek at what's around the corner.
Forster Datum Dial Forster Products introduced its brand new Datum Dial ammunition measurement system at the 2013 SHOT Show. Able to measure relative distances between selected points of cartridges, bullets and cases, the Datum Dial is easily interchangeable and consists of only four components, with measurements provided in exact variations; reloaders don't need to body plus bushing/insert length from each measurement.
Price: $107
Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime Who has the time to sit there loading primer tubes one primer at a time? The brand new
Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime primer tube filler uses a motorized agitation system to load up to 100 primers into a tube in a matter of seconds; those filled tubes can then be easily transferred to your progressive press. The Vibra-Prime comes with a set of tube adapters and drop pin to ensure smooth transfers, and it runs on two AA batteries (not included).
Price: TBD
Goex Olde Eynsford New from
Goex Black Powder , Olde Eynsford gunpowder uses select grade materials and refined manufacturing processes. Olde Eynsford also uses consistent grain size, which provides improved shot-to-shot performance.
Price: TBD
Guncleaners GC Series Designed specifically with shops, ranges, refinishers and manufacturers in mind,
Guncleaners' GC Series ultrasonic cleaners are dual chamber tanks that, according to Guncleaners, offer an improved cleaning method than other cleaners on the market, using a 40 kHz frequency simultaneously with a higher frequency, penetrating and removing debris even more efficiently. Both models — GC-531 and GC-740 — come with two baskets, two covers, instructions, rolling work stand and a supply of cleaning concentrate and lubricant. Visit
Guncleaners.com for more info.
Price: TBD
Hodgdon 2013 Annual Manual A great resource for reloaders favoring
Hodgdon ,
IMR and
Winchester powders, the Hodgdon 2013 Annual Manual includes 37 rifle cartridges with brand new bullet data, including more than a dozen loads for the .17 Hornet. The manual also includes 19 more cartridges for the best-selling CFE223. Pick it up at the
InterMedia Outdoors Store .
Price: $10
Hornady Hot Tub Perfect for cleaning brass — and lots of it — the
Hornady Hot Tub sonic cleaner is capable of cleaning an entire 16-inch AR upper, and can also be fitted with baskets to clean brass, gun parts or both. The Hot Tub includes a degas function, can clear air bubbles from the solution before cleaning and can be set to run various lengths.
Price: $658.33
Hornady Lock-N-Load Beam Scale Forget these newfangled gadgets; some reloaders just prefer doing things the old-fashioned way.
Hornady's Lock-N-Load beam scale is accurate to within 0.1 grain, with measurements laser-etched and easy to read.
Price: $82
Hornady One Shot Tumbling Media Want to produce bright, shiny brass for those new loads? Don't go for the sonic cleaner; reach for the tumblers. Made from ground corn cob,
Hornady's One Shot tumbling media will remove tarnish and other residue from your cases.
Price: $12
MEC 600 Slugger Touted as "the one
MEC machine you need in your line-up," the new MEC 600 Slugger reloads slugs with a simple pull of the handle. Available in 12- and 20-gauge, the Slugger is completely customizable and produces perfect slugs every time.
Price: TBD
RCBS Summit Single-Stage Press Unlike most reloading presses, the
RCBS Summit Single-Stage Reloading Press features bench-top operation; the case doesn't move, and the reloading die comes down to the case. The Summit also features ambidextrous operation, full frontal access and accepts bushings for 1-inch die bodies.
Price: $270
Redding Competition BR-30 Powder Measure Varmint hunters, your prayers are answered. The new
Redding Competition BR-30 powder measure is designed for the optimum charge weight of the .17 Hornet with a charge weight range of 10 to 50 grains — emphasis is placed in the 30-grain range. The BR-30 is built of cast iron and hard chrome, and includes a micrometer that eliminates backlash and offers better precision and reliability.
Price: $294
Redding Master Hunter Die Sets For hunter-reloaders looking to develop the ultimate hunting cartridge,
Redding introduced its improved Master Hunter Die Sets. Inspired by the company's National Match Die Sets, the Master Hunter Die Sets includes Redding's Full Length Sizing Die along with its Competition Seating Die, and is available in a wide variety of calibers, including .223 Rem., .243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., .308 Win., .30-06 Springfield and many more.
Price: $194
Redding Micro-Adjustable Taper Crimp Die To make the process of making precise adjustments simpler,
Redding introduced its brand new Micro-Adjustable Taper Crimp Die. Top adjusting, the Micro-Adjustable Taper Crimp Die features a knurled micrometer-type barrel at the top, providing about ±.100-inch adjustment after setting up. The die also features an internal crimping sleeve, which can be reversed for two different cartridges that have similar body diameters. Available for .38 Super/9mm, .40 S&W/10mm Auto and .45 ACP/.45 GAP.
Price: $90
Check out more SHOT Show coverage from the Guns & Ammo Network.
