Speeding up precision rifle reloading

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MartyK2500

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Since the Covid I got more and more work, more than I can handle currently working 55 hour weeks.
My reloading time is somewhat compromised.
Looking into ways to really speed things up while maintaining my high standards for quality. With less spare time, I’d love to spend more time shooting and less reloading.

Here are my reload steps, let’s see what can be done with this!

1. Clean brass with Krazy Kloth.
Will be switching over to corn cob tumbler, don’t think I’m sacrificing anything here.

2. Annealing brass with AMP MKll.
Anyone tried the amp mate? Can I really automate this process with amp mate and go do other reloading stuff in the same room while I let it work on it’s own?

3. FLS die with expander ball removed, expanding mendrel die.
I currently run these on a co-ax. I would be tempted to run both of these on a dillon 550. Anyone using progressive presses in PR reloading?

4. Primer pocket clean with cordless drill and K&M primer pocker uniformer.
This step is real quick already.

5. Trimming with Forster 3in1 trimming head and forster original trimmer lathe. So far Giraud looks quicker. Any good? Is it to be found in Canada?

6. Neck turning. Using the forster original trimmer lathe with forster neck turning head.
Is there any process that’s quicker?
I do have to turn every firing as I’m getting donuts.

7. Priming/powdering/seating.
Currently priming with forster bench primer.
Powdering with FX120 with auto throw/trickle.
Seating with Forster mic die in co-ax.

Was thinking I could prime/powder/bullet seat in my dillon 550.
Powder using my funnel adapter still using the fx120 to throw charges.
Seat 50 thous too long, load large batches, and run them in my co-ax the day before shooting to seat them back to propper length.


Am also curious about how you guys go about it when time saving is needed.
Love reloading but also would love to get more range time!
 
Only thing I can comment on is the F/L sizing on the Dillon. In my experience it works but its easy to bump the shoulder back excessively. I would want an accurate method of measuring headspace before I used my Dillon
 
For .308 I have a precision MIC plus a go gauge to calibrate it
For 6.5x47 using a mitutoyo caliper with hornady comparator and a go gauge to calibrate

This is one of the steps I’m hesitating the most.
I like a precise 1.5/2 thou shoulder bump, and believe that maybe my 550 (even if next to new) has more slop than this.
 
I used to find that trimming on my Wilson was my least favourite part of reloading, especially with several hundred brass at a time. I have a Giraud now and my only regret was not getting one sooner. I think you can only order direct.

My buddy has an AMP mate, Gen 1. When it works it's great, but it's a bit finicky.

Check this out, mainly post #15 for links on using a progressive.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/presses-for-prs-reloading.6956953/

This is interesting too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4nnV9guYg0&feature=emb_title
 
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Rookie{OMC} said:
Your #5 - I don't have ant experience with a Giraud, nothing but good things I've heard.I found this and am really happy :

ht tps://store.xtremegunshootingcenter.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=158_182
Click to expand...

Looks like a Giraud knockoff. I sincerely hope that they have made enough changes to the design in order to not violate the patent.
 
Johnny
Will look into amp mate gen ll if it exists as of yet.
Sometimes finicky stuff needs a tune, but I’ve also seen finicky stuff just being stubborn.

Giraud is now on my priority list of things to buy!

Your search results off that other forum yield much higher volumes than here.
Seems like a reading binge is in order to see what’s going on there.


Rookie, thanks for the link, didn’t know the existence of this store, which seems to have a good inventory of precision rifle gadgets.

Don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner, using 2 cups for the fx120 looks like an awesome idea thanks for sharing!
 
Johnny
Just read and looked into reviews of the Area 419 zero press.
I honestly cannot see why a single stage turret press would be quick than a Forster Co-Ax.

Griffin86
PM sent
 
Precision reloading and speeding up the process is counter productive. I conduct precision reloading and always take my time.......check, double check and check again. Good luck!
 
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I get what you are saying and I agree.
But, I do wish to find ways of going quicker without sacrificing anything, it can and will be done!

The best example would be an amp mate.
If my brass anneals on it’s own while I am trimming another batch, no quality is sacrificed, and all of a sudden my production just got better.

Got 3 precision rifles to feed, and would like to have more frequent range visits this year, higher round counts when I do get the 900M berm, and still not neglect my work or family time.
Time is more precious than money right now, hence why I’m looking for cool gear!
 
MartyK2500 said:
I get what you are saying and I agree.
But, I do wish to find ways of going quicker without sacrificing anything, it can and will be done!

The best example would be an amp mate.
If my brass anneals on it’s own while I am trimming another batch, no quality is sacrificed, and all of a sudden my production just got better.

Got 3 precision rifles to feed, and would like to have more frequent range visits this year, higher round counts when I do get the 900M berm, and still not neglect my work or family time.
Time is more precious than money right now, hence why I’m looking for cool gear!
Click to expand...

I would highly recommend the AMP Mate I've put just over 4,000 cases through mine now it is way better then sitting there putting them in one at a time. Some cases don't like to feed as well as others but most if comes down to getting the shell holder set right.
 
MartyK2500 said:
Johnny
Just read and looked into reviews of the Area 419 zero press.
I honestly cannot see why a single stage turret press would be quick than a Forster Co-Ax.

Griffin86
PM sent
Click to expand...

I can't see it being quicker. Plus you are looking for $1.6k + shipping/taxes and 338 cal max.
 
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