Don’t buy pistol dies until you watch this video

This guide outlines the essential components and steps for setting up a reloading station, focusing on pistol cartridges like 10mm and .45 ACP. It emphasizes the importance of durable equipment like the RCBS Rockchucker press and Lee carbide dies, while also detailing necessary tools such as calipers, scales, and powder measures. The guide also touches on consumables and optional accessories for case preparation.

This guide covers the setup of the Frankford Arsenal F-1 Single Stage Reloading Press and its integrated features, such as the LED illumination and quick-detach primer catch. It also details the use of the Frankford Arsenal Aluminum Powder Funnel, emphasizing its anti-static properties and caliber-specific bushings for efficient and spill-free powder delivery. The press is designed to accept standard dies and shell holders, accommodating a wide range of calibers.

This guide details the use of the Lee Precision Deluxe Carbide Micrometer 4-Die Set for precise bullet seating. The micrometer feature allows reloaders to record and quickly return to specific seating depths, enhancing consistency and efficiency. The set is presented as a valuable tool for achieving repeatable results in handloading, especially when switching between different bullet types.

This video reviews the Lee Precision 3-die set for 45 caliber reloading. The instructor highlights the carbide dies' low maintenance and the inclusion of a shell holder, which is often not standard. He also discusses the difference between the 3-die and 4-die sets, recommending the 4-die set with the factory crimp die for better results, especially for beginners who might struggle with the combined seating/crimp die.

This guide details the expert-level manufacturing process for Shilen Contour #4 Barrels, as explained by Steve Ostrem from Brownells. It covers the cold-forming technique, material options (Chrome Moly and Stainless Steel), stringent tolerances (.0005 inch groove, .0003 inch uniformity), and rigorous inspection methods using air gauges and bore scopes. The information is presented with high authority, reflecting deep technical knowledge in barrel production for custom firearms.

This video details the comprehensive manufacturing process of brass rifle casings by Peterson Cartridge. It covers the transformation of raw brass cups through multiple drawing, annealing, washing, heading, trimming, and tapering stages. The process emphasizes precision, quality control through extensive automated and manual inspection, and specialized treatments like neck re-annealing and anti-tarnish coating to ensure match-grade performance.

This guide details essential brass preparation steps beyond basic decapping and sizing for improved reloading accuracy. It covers cleaning, primer pocket uniforming, neck chamfering and deburring, and neck brushing. The video emphasizes that even new brass can benefit from these processes to ensure consistent bullet seating and optimal performance. The presenter, F-class John from Ultimate Reloader, highlights chamfering and deburring as critical steps that should not be skipped, regardless of time constraints.

This video debunks the myth that solid copper bullets require extremely high velocities for effective hunting performance. Through ballistics gel testing and analysis of 7 PRC loads using Barnes TTSX and LRX bullets, Gavin Gear demonstrates excellent expansion and weight retention across a wide velocity range, including lower velocities equivalent to longer ranges. The testing highlights the versatility and effectiveness of modern monolithic copper projectiles for various hunting scenarios and legal requirements.

This video details extreme pressure testing of the 6mm ARC cartridge using both a bolt-action rifle and an AR-15 platform. The experiment pushes the limits of Alpha Munitions brass with 8208 XBR powder, achieving velocities exceeding factory specifications and even 6 Creedmoor. The testing culminates in destructive attempts using a fast-burning pistol powder in an AR-15, demonstrating the significant forces involved and the potential for catastrophic failure. The presenter, Gavin Gear, emphasizes that these tests are for research only and should not be replicated due to extreme danger.