The Original CZ Forum
GENERAL => Ammunition, questions, and handloading techniques => Topic started by: Wobbly on January 21, 2017, 04:40:35 PM
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Not all the items on your reloading bench will be found in your reloading "starter kit". There are numerous upgrades and accessories available from multiple sources now that will improve your ammo quality and increase the fun factor in reloading.
Reloading Press Upgrades
Reloading has gotten very popular and the number of companies making neat accessories and valuable reloading press upgrades has grown in recent years. Here is a list of the ones we know. If you know or can suggest others, please tell us. We'll be glad to add any to the list.
Here are sources with web sites:
• Ballistic Tools (https://ballistictools.com/store/dillon-press-enhancements) VA (Dillon upgrades)
• Dillon Upgrades (http://www.dillonupgrades.com)
• Double Alpha (https://www.doublealpha.biz/us/dillon-xl650-and-accessories) PA (650/750 Dillon upgrades)
• Entirely Crimson (https://entirelycrimson.com/) ID (Wide range of products)
• Inline Fabrication (https://inlinefabrication.com/) OR (Wide range of products)
• JoferUSA (https://www.joferusa.com/) FL (Dillon style multi-color toolheads)
• KMS Squared (http://kmssquared.com/products.html) (The very best LED lighting kits)
• UniqueTek (http://www.uniquetek.com/) AZ (Wide range of products)
In addition, here are some established Ebay sellers:
• A-Zone Gear (http://stores.ebay.com/A-Zone-Gear?_trksid=p2047675.l2563)
• JoferUSA (http://www.ebay.com/usr/joferusa-outlet?_trksid=p2047675.l2559) (Dillon 550 & 650/750 tool heads)
• J.W. Systems (https://www.ebay.com/sch/jw-systems45/m.html?item=231783630462&hash=item35f761867e%3Ag%3A3C0AAOSwv0tVQX3I&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562) (Dillon accessories)
• MaxMySafe Lite (http://stores.ebay.com/MaxMySafe-Lite-Tech-Distributing?_trksid=p2047675.l2563)
• Snowshooze (http://stores.ebay.com/snowshooze?_trksid=p2047675.l2563) (His XL650/750 upgrades are considered the best)
;) The Moderators
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Walmart Can Help You Reload
Here's a list of some handy items you can find at your local discount and hardware stores that will really help your reloading efforts....
Masking Tape
The 1 inch wide rolls of masking tape can be put to great use in 3 inch lengths to label ammo boxes. The tape adheres well to the plastic boxes, but peels off without complaint after the shooting is over. The tape can be easily transferred from the box to the target to make load/result identification easy later on when you get the targets home for analysis.
Magnets
One or more magnets stuck to the side of your iron bodied press, or glued to the side of your aluminum press can help take the mess off your desk top and provide an efficient place to store items needed everyday. It's a great way to keep common shell holders on a single stage press, or a convenient place to store those hex keys and other commonly used setup and adjustment tools on your progressive.
Corn Cob Pet Liter
Instead of buying product labeled "tumbling media" you can save a lot by simply buying corn cob pet litter. The media is usually rather course and not the best for small necked cases such as 223, but it works just as good as expensive stuff on large mouth straight wall pistol cases.
Liquid Car Wax
Pour a cap-full of Nu-Finish or similar liquid car wax into your dry tumbling media with each load. This liquid will coat your tumbled cases with a wax finish to help preserve and maintain the high-luster finish. Wax is also an excellent lubricant and will assist you in the sizing operation. (For wet tumbling use liquid ArmorAll Wash & Wax.)
Reading Lamps
Goose-neck reading lamps provide small, yet high intensity light which is right-sized for close-up use around the reloading press. These come in several types from LED to incandescent. Focused light in the work area helps promote reloading safety by preventing incorrect powder measurement and other errors. LED lamps offer the advantage of a "whiter" light while giving off less heat. Also check out the offerings from Inline Fabrication and KMS Squared made specifically for reloading presses.
Funnels
Every reloader should have a few medium-size funnels to help pour powder from the can into the powder measure and back again. Powder should never be left in the powder measure, and having a funnel on hand will help make the task of getting powder back into the can that much simpler.
You'll need at least 2 funnels: One with a 3/4 inch (minimum) orifice for fast dumping, and another with a smaller 1/4 inch opening. Sometimes when you pour the contents from your kinetic bullet puller hammer back into the powder can, you'll inadvertently pour in the bullet and powder. Having a funnel with a 1/4 inch opening is a handy way of separating and recovering the bullet from the recycled powder. Believe me, you do NOT want a bullet in the bottom of your can of powder ! ;D
Post-it Notes
Self sticking notes are a great way to mark favorite sections in your reloading manuals, and also a great way to label and help remember what powder you have inside your powder hopper.
Hope this helps ! ;)
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I can attest that the KMS Squared UFO lights are great additions to your press. Very well thought out and unobtrusive. Puts the light right where you need it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/J4wcgdYN/image1.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y2LzdwR2/image2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Yq1fwfTJ/image4.jpg)