what is your favorite tool on the bench for rifle loads?

surveyor · April 12, 2014, 08:13 PM

pistol and rifle loads differ by the amount of case prep and powder handling..

so I am wondering what are some of your favorite tools on the bench?

mine are a rcbs chargemaster, a cts trimmer and a rcbs case prep center..

mainly becuase the time savings in case prep and powder weighing..

BuckRub · April 12, 2014, 08:20 PM

calipers- without them you're just guesstamating everything that has to do with sizing, and even finished round

nemesiss45 · April 12, 2014, 09:10 PM

My redding trickle charger. It makes throwing dead on charges quick and easy.

I am also starting to love my digital scale. I bought a cheap one to see how it would impact my process before taking the plunge on a high(er) end model. I use it almost all the time now. I double check it on my lyman beam scale, every time for my target loads and every 5 or so charges on my plinking ammo. So far it hase been at least as accurate as the beam and much more pleasent to work with.

1stmar · April 12, 2014, 09:59 PM

Surveyor I agree with you. Hornady auto charge, cts trimmer and cts case prep. Dramatically decreases case prep time. Recently bought an isonic ultra sonic cleaner, on the fence with it. Guages are handy, they'd be a close 3rd.

BOOMST1CK · April 12, 2014, 11:43 PM

My favorite tool? A big ole cup of joe

... Reloading and coffee go together like bullets, and guns.

BuckRub · April 13, 2014, 08:12 AM

Boomstick won this one. Yes coffee is it.

Jay24bal · April 13, 2014, 10:31 PM

For rifle loads, the digital scale is the winner. So much easier to read, and you get an instant reading as opposed to letting it settle. I throw charges and then trickle up for all my precision rounds, so the scale is a great tool.

For handgun rounds, the Lee Auto Disk is the biggest time-saver I have ever used.

AllenJ · April 14, 2014, 09:18 AM

Since I don't drink coffee I'll have to say it's my Chargemaster

Mohave-Tec · April 15, 2014, 05:28 PM

Swivel craft light with magnifying lens.

mxsailor803 · April 15, 2014, 06:27 PM

Easy, RCBS Prep Station and my 2 sets of calipers (1 digital, 1 dial).

Longshot4 · April 15, 2014, 07:20 PM

I like all of the above but I have found that my old Lee priming tool is one of my favorite. Now since I don't have a hornet shell holder for the priming tool I miss not being able to use it for the hornet. I have lots of shell holders for it but not one for the Hornet. The rock chucker is not preferred for priming the little guy.

GTOne · April 15, 2014, 11:26 PM

Most used: Calipers
Favorite: Hornady Case Prep Trio

Pond, James Pond · April 16, 2014, 12:59 AM

There are several tools that are essential, but the favourite should be something I am simply glad I bought, rather something that needed to be bought.

That prize goes to the Lee PPM.

I hated loaded rifle cases before. With no means of getting an accurate load in one go, I would trickle, remove and retrickle powder on my Safety Scale for what felt like ages and a batch of 50 .308 would take a couple of hours and my back would have withered in the process.

The PPM, although not so accurate with stick that it doesn't need a bit of topping up, makes the job perfectly pleasant and not a chore.

Failing that, my Hornady chamber OAL gauge because of the doors it opens in exploiting a good accuracy charge.

YoungGun · April 16, 2014, 03:22 AM

Giraud case trimmer.

Yg

Mohave-Tec · April 16, 2014, 07:06 AM

What's a PPM?

jmorris · April 16, 2014, 07:27 AM

The one that saves the most time for 308 and .223 are 1050's and Dillon trimmer. Can size/deprime, trim and swage well over 1000/hr.

Jay24bal · April 16, 2014, 09:18 AM

Quote:

What's a PPM?

Lee Perfect Powder Measure

And I agree, it is a great, inexpensive tool. I have one for each rifle I load for.

Brian Pfleuger · April 16, 2014, 09:55 AM

Chargemaster Combo, no doubt. I wouldn't load rifle rounds without an automatic dispenser.

TATER · April 16, 2014, 05:05 PM

Wooden Kabob skewers and Chop sticks, …right now, I can't tell you a single purpose.

But, I am always using them.

JimDandy · April 16, 2014, 05:08 PM

The Press. Resizing with your cheeks is a pain in the butt. And don't get me started on Bullet Seating.

skizzums · April 17, 2014, 07:22 AM

hornaday one shot

Panfisher · April 17, 2014, 09:54 AM

A few years ago I would have given a different answer, now its a pair of cheap reading glasses, with 1.5 or 2X magnification.

Ozzieman · April 18, 2014, 07:09 AM

Wilson case trimmer

Optivisor with a light, never load without it.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/441...-14-lens-plate

F. Guffey · April 18, 2014, 07:23 AM

A given, if I am reloading it is assumed I have reloading tools, for me the most appreciated tool that came from the outside is the feeler gage.

The feeler gage is a standard, it is a transfer, that makes it my favorite companion tool to the press.

F. Guffey

jmorris · April 18, 2014, 07:42 AM

Not sure I have ever used a feeler gauge in reloading in almost 30 years, what is your application?

April 12, 2014, 08:13 PM	#1
surveyor Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2007 Posts: 770	what is your favorite tool on the bench for rifle loads? pistol and rifle loads differ by the amount of case prep and powder handling.. so I am wondering what are some of your favorite tools on the bench? mine are a rcbs chargemaster, a cts trimmer and a rcbs case prep center.. mainly becuase the time savings in case prep and powder weighing..

April 12, 2014, 11:43 PM	#5
BOOMST1CK Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2014 Posts: 117	My favorite tool? A big ole cup of joe... Reloading and coffee go together like bullets, and guns.

April 13, 2014, 10:31 PM	#7
Jay24bal Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 735	For rifle loads, the digital scale is the winner. So much easier to read, and you get an instant reading as opposed to letting it settle. I throw charges and then trickle up for all my precision rounds, so the scale is a great tool. For handgun rounds, the Lee Auto Disk is the biggest time-saver I have ever used. __________________ I like guns. Once Fired Brass, Top quality, Fast shipping, Best prices. http://300AacBrass.com/ -10% Coupon use code " Jay24bal "

April 15, 2014, 05:28 PM	#9
Mohave-Tec Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2013 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 118	Swivel craft light with magnifying lens. Last edited by Mohave-Tec; April 15, 2014 at 07:47 PM.

April 16, 2014, 12:59 AM	#13
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	There are several tools that are essential, but the favourite should be something I am simply glad I bought, rather something that needed to be bought. That prize goes to the Lee PPM. I hated loaded rifle cases before. With no means of getting an accurate load in one go, I would trickle, remove and retrickle powder on my Safety Scale for what felt like ages and a batch of 50 .308 would take a couple of hours and my back would have withered in the process. The PPM, although not so accurate with stick that it doesn't need a bit of topping up, makes the job perfectly pleasant and not a chore. Failing that, my Hornady chamber OAL gauge because of the doors it opens in exploiting a good accuracy charge. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

April 12, 2014, 08:20 PM	#2
BuckRub Junior member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,046	calipers- without them you're just guesstamating everything that has to do with sizing, and even finished round

April 12, 2014, 09:10 PM	#3
nemesiss45 Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2014 Posts: 526	My redding trickle charger. It makes throwing dead on charges quick and easy. I am also starting to love my digital scale. I bought a cheap one to see how it would impact my process before taking the plunge on a high(er) end model. I use it almost all the time now. I double check it on my lyman beam scale, every time for my target loads and every 5 or so charges on my plinking ammo. So far it hase been at least as accurate as the beam and much more pleasent to work with.

April 12, 2014, 09:59 PM	#4
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Surveyor I agree with you. Hornady auto charge, cts trimmer and cts case prep. Dramatically decreases case prep time. Recently bought an isonic ultra sonic cleaner, on the fence with it. Guages are handy, they'd be a close 3rd.

April 13, 2014, 08:12 AM	#6
BuckRub Junior member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,046	Boomstick won this one. Yes coffee is it.

April 14, 2014, 09:18 AM	#8
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	Since I don't drink coffee I'll have to say it's my Chargemaster

April 15, 2014, 06:27 PM	#10
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	Easy, RCBS Prep Station and my 2 sets of calipers (1 digital, 1 dial).

April 15, 2014, 07:20 PM	#11
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	I like all of the above but I have found that my old Lee priming tool is one of my favorite. Now since I don't have a hornet shell holder for the priming tool I miss not being able to use it for the hornet. I have lots of shell holders for it but not one for the Hornet. The rock chucker is not preferred for priming the little guy.

April 15, 2014, 11:26 PM	#12
GTOne Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2011 Location: IL Posts: 210	Most used: Calipers Favorite: Hornady Case Prep Trio

April 16, 2014, 03:22 AM	#14
YoungGun Member Join Date: February 3, 2000 Posts: 90	Giraud case trimmer. Yg

April 16, 2014, 07:06 AM	#15
Mohave-Tec Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2013 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 118	What's a PPM?

April 16, 2014, 07:27 AM	#16
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	The one that saves the most time for 308 and .223 are 1050's and Dillon trimmer. Can size/deprime, trim and swage well over 1000/hr.

April 16, 2014, 09:55 AM	#18
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Chargemaster Combo, no doubt. I wouldn't load rifle rounds without an automatic dispenser. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

April 16, 2014, 05:05 PM	#19
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	Wooden Kabob skewers and Chop sticks, …right now, I can't tell you a single purpose. But, I am always using them.

April 16, 2014, 05:08 PM	#20
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	The Press. Resizing with your cheeks is a pain in the butt. And don't get me started on Bullet Seating.

April 17, 2014, 07:22 AM	#21
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	hornaday one shot __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

April 17, 2014, 09:54 AM	#22
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	A few years ago I would have given a different answer, now its a pair of cheap reading glasses, with 1.5 or 2X magnification.

April 18, 2014, 07:09 AM	#23
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Wilson case trimmer Optivisor with a light, never load without it. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/441...-14-lens-plate __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

April 18, 2014, 07:23 AM	#24
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	A given, if I am reloading it is assumed I have reloading tools, for me the most appreciated tool that came from the outside is the feeler gage. The feeler gage is a standard, it is a transfer, that makes it my favorite companion tool to the press. F. Guffey

April 18, 2014, 07:42 AM	#25
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	Not sure I have ever used a feeler gauge in reloading in almost 30 years, what is your application?