Hornady Precision Reloader’s Kit

Standard reloading equipment will produce perfectly adequate ammunition, but if you want to take it to the next level and increase the ‘precision’ element of your reloads, you need to add some precision equipment to your bench. Hornady now offers this large kit that includes a set of tools and equipment that allow you to manage many of the most critical variables in hand-loading, and to improve consistency significantly.

Cam Lock Trimmer

The Cam Lock Trimmer holds the case securely so there can be no ‘play’ in the achieved case length, and the whole tool is very heavily and rigidly built. The case rim thickness does not affect the case length achieved, so if you use more than one brand of brass, they will all come out the same length. The case is held in the tool by rotating a lever on the shell lock, and the adjustment nut allows case-length adjustments of 0.001”, allowing very precise trimming, time after time. A set of seven pilots are included, to hold the case centrally on the cutter, and these cover most common calibres.

Setting up the trimmer to the correct length requires starting with a case that is too long. Then, simply trim, measure, adjust, and repeat, until the desired length is achieved. Once the correct length is set and locked in, the results are very consistent and neat. The trimmer does not have a scale, which means you cannot record the setting and dial it in again next time. If you trim cases of different calibres and lengths, and so change the cutting length each time, it is well worth keeping and labelling a trimmed case to make setting up again much quicker and easier.

Case Prep Trio

The Case Prep Trio speeds up various case preparation tasks by providing a powered workstation. On the front of the unit, there are three 8-32 threaded stations, as well as a case chamfer tool and a deburring tool, which are included with the kit. Other tools like primer pocket cleaners and primer pocket reamers can be purchased separately. All three stations rotate at the same speed, and you can quickly get used to applying the right amount of pressure to get consistent results. Brushes to clean or lubricate case mouths also work really well on this tool. Plus, on each side of the unit, there are storage points for case-preparation tools.

Concentricity Tool

This tool allows you to measure and, if necessary, correct cartridge concentricity. If your bullets are not sitting straight in the case mouth, they will enter the rifling off-centre, and this will affect accuracy. Using the concentricity tool, you can check each round and ‘nudge’ any off-centre bullets into line using a nylon-tipped thumb screw, which will not damage or mark the bullets. The dial is accurate to 0.001” and it is easy to correct concentricity to within a very acceptable 0.002”-0.003”.

Addressing cartridge concentricity will be a new activity to the average reloader, but it really is a worthwhile activity. Checking a batch of .308 Winchester ammunition did identify a few bullets that were not correctly centred, and adjusting them seemed to iron out any ‘fliers’ on the target.

Dial Calliper

This stainless steel calliper has a shock-resistant dial and is accurate to +/- 0.001”. The build quality is excellent and the thumb wheel makes it easy to operate smoothly. The imperial dial is very easy to read and the slide can be locked in any position. Used in conjunction with the other tools in the kit, this calliper provides the level of accuracy required to produce high-quality ammunition.

Lock-N-Load OAL Gauge and Bullet Comparator

The distance that a bullet travels from the cartridge mouth to the rifling in the barrel, known as the bullet ‘jump’, is critical to accurate reloads, and being able to measure that distance can really improve accuracy. The Lock-N-Load OAL Gauge uses specially adapted cases (bought separately) and one of your bullets to accurately measure a COL that hits the start of the rifling. You can then adjust the COL of your rounds accordingly.

With the bullet comparator fitted to the dial calliper, you can accurately measure from the point on the bullet that first hits the rifling (not the tip), giving you a far more useful measurement. You can then make your ammunition shorter by the desired amount of bullet jump.

Headspace Comparator Kit

This kit is used with the dial calliper to measure variations in the length of brass before and after firing, and after resizing. Managing how much you resize your brass can extend its life, plus improve accuracy and consistency. Comparing the headspace between fire-formed brass and resized brass, you can work out how much you are bumping the shoulder of the case when you resize it, and make changes if necessary. Minimising case bump reduces the stress on your brass cases, which means they will last longer and can be reloaded a few more times. The kit includes bushings covering most calibres and a chart that shows which one to use.

Conclusion

Although the kit is relatively expensive, it contains equipment that will undoubtedly improve the accuracy and consistency of your ammunition. Being able to accurately trim cases all to the exact same length, measure and set bullet jump, and address bullet concentricity, takes reloaded ammunition to the next level by ironing out some of the most common variables. The Case Prep Trio speeds up case preparation and actually encourages you to do vital jobs that it is very easy to neglect because they are so time-consuming. All of the items in the kit are very well made and the quality of the equipment really does justify the cost. You do have to buy small items, like shell holders and a calibre-specific case for the OAL gauge, but other than that, it is ready to go.

So, if you want to take your ammunition from average to match standard, this kit is certainly a good way of getting you there.