Name the Absolute Best Auto-Reloader Available

[RandyD]

I want to load the equipment with components for making rounds, flip a switch to turn it on, walk away and come back some time later with 100, 500 or a 1000 rounds (whatever) having been re-loaded to my custom spec. Please tell me that such equipment already exists.

I don't believe the equipment you want exists. Most machines need an operator present to insure it is running properly.

Many of us approach the task of reloading as a hobby that supports our hobby of shooting.

[stevec223]

Lol...

[Oceanbob]

[boopiejones]

I think what you’re looking for is the target sports usa prime ammo model COE-FFL03

That’s the model I own. Push one button and it spits out ammo by the case load.

[Kensei]

Someone who doesn't have an hour a week to manually press out several hundred rounds on a progressive seems like someone who could afford to but buy factory loads.

Or at least someone who could afford to replace their gun when they blow it up.

[CJ4]

So a person who knows nothing about reloading wants not merely a progressive, but a Camdex-level kind of equipment.

Sounds like a plan, good luck shooting for the moon before you've learned how to walk.

BS Stanford Engineering (Mechanical)
MS ERAU Engineering (Aerodynamics)

If I thought it was going to be rocket science, I would have asked my peers in the Industry. Common sense told me to come to a place having experienced re-loaders instead of people like me who simply know how to design and build aircraft and non-atmospheric flight vehicles.

Just point me in the right direction to help cut the learning curve - that's all I'm asking. I will take care of the rest and be sure to learn as fast as I am capable. I can learn new things fairly quickly. Learning quickly is part of my nature. Just be my compass and point steadfastly. Thank you.

[CJ4]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/f...splay.php?f=89

Search here and get ready for the Dillon 1050 fanboys to come out

Thank you. Do you know of anything faster than this, however?:



I was hoping for something fully automated(?)

[superdave50]

Many have pointed you correctly.

This probably being the best for you



Beware of Icarus' wings

[BajaJames83]

sounds like your looking for at least a 1050 with a mark 7 unit.
mark 7 did just come out with their own loader that mighy be worth looking into as well.

i have a mark 7 1050 setup that gets plenty of use.

[CJ4]

That's a ton of shooting.

50 Rounds Warm up (Point & Shoot, Sightline, Grip Check, SA Awareness)
50 Rounds Focus Drills (1/4 to 1/2 speed w/breathing techniques)
50 Rounds Speed Drills (Full Speed w/breathing techniques)
50 Rounds Cover Drills (Focus on correcting errors in previous 150 rounds)
50 Rounds Weak Hand Drills (Center of mass focus. No strong hand support.)

• 250 rounds total
• 1.0 to 1.5 hours per session
• x2 per week if possible (w/expected 30% miss rate)
• Including Indoor/Outdoor Ranges (Basic Maintenance Drills)
• Including Indoor/Outdoor Stages (IDPA\USPSA-like Full Speed Drills)

Focus and Speed Drill categories encompass a wide variety of task oriented objectives, goals, criteria and applied techniques.

Scheduled third-party Professional training 1-2 times per year (depending on time available and logistics) to increase skill, knowledge and expertise while learning new concepts from a wide variety of experienced (competent) Instructors.

There will be some weeks where I just won't be able to make it to the range - that's the way it goes.

30% miss rate equals 9 months of total exposure at 1.5 hours per session max. If I use that wisely then improvement over time should be the outcome. At just 250 rounds per visit, every round must count for something that increases competence.

[CJ4]

*commercial machines run into the $100,000-200,000 range for new machines.* Just google "commercial reloading machines" to get an idea.

Thanks! There seems to be a huge margin of potential levels of involvement. Had no idea there were that many equipment options (arrangements and setups) out there. Lots of homework to do.

Outstanding. Thanks again.

[Milsurp Collector]

Dillon Super 1050 $1800 https://www.dillonprecision.com/supe...8_1_23877.html
Mr. Bulletfeeder $470 https://www.dillonprecision.com/mr-b...131_26506.html
Mark 7 Reloading 1050 X Autodrive for Dillon 1050 Press $2749 https://www.midwayusa.com/product/36...press-110-volt

That's $5019 without reloading dies, case cleaning equipment, etc.

BS Stanford Engineering (Mechanical)
MS ERAU Engineering (Aerodynamics)

If I thought it was going to be rocket science, I would have asked my peers in the Industry. Common sense told me to come to a place having experienced re-loaders instead of people like me who simply know how to design and build aircraft and non-atmospheric flight vehicles.

Just point me in the right direction to help cut the learning curve - that's all I'm asking. I will take care of the rest and be sure to learn as fast as I am capable. I can learn new things fairly quickly. Learning quickly is part of my nature. Just be my compass and point steadfastly. Thank you.

One comment: my dad is an engineer (NASA JPL), and my brother is an engineer (Apple). I have met many engineers and I'm familiar with the personality type.

Engineers are very smart and well-educated. But they think their intelligence and education is easily transferable to any technical area outside their area of expertise. They think that if they are - for example, an aerospace engineer - that something like reloading is child's play and they should be able to skip the beginning and intermediate steps and go right to the advanced stuff. There is no amount of warnings that can persuade them otherwise, so I won't waste my time. They will ignore the advice of people who are experienced in an area because of their supreme confidence in their intellect and ability to quickly master any technical area. I won't call it arrogance or hubris, just extreme confidence in their ability to master a technical area.

My dad is in his 80s but he still works as a consultant with both NASA JPL and foreign space agencies to prevent problems that very bright but inexperienced and overconfident engineers overlook. He has been involved with the space program since Explorer 1 and he brings something - hard-won experience with all of the mistakes that smart people make - that those bright young engineers just don't have. The young engineers who are wise, not just smart, listen to him and follow his advice.

Good luck with your reloading endeavors.

.

[Gowking]

Here's the setup you're looking for:

https://www.markvii-loading.com/Mark...rive_p_13.html

No, no, no... clearly the OP is ready for this little gem:

https://www.markvii-loading.com/Revolution_p_332.html

[CJ4]

There is no "absolute best". Different machines are going to be the best for different people and different wants and needs.

Yes, I see that now. Thanks.

Camdex, Ammoload, Bitterroot, etc. are all commonly used by commercial reloaders.

Interesting and thanks for the Names. That's what I came for.

However, ANY commercial reloader is going to need to be monitored.

That's somewhat disappointing to hear.

Just flipping a switch and walking away isn't a good idea.

Ok, got it. Can you explain why? I am going to assume that your reply would be: Would you simply walk away from any manufacturing process? Which would be a good reply.

And, that is why I am here right now - to find out whether or not any of this equipment is capable of running hands-off and without perpetual (physical) monitoring.

This brings up questions like:

- What degree of physical monitoring is required?

- If I can let it run for 100 rounds and then come back to check on it, would that constitute "monitoring" and how long would it take to reload 100 rounds?

- If the time intervals between each 100 rounds (or 200, 300, etc., whatever) are large enough, then I might be able to schedule other things that coincide with reloading days. Or, am I going to be stuck with dedicating time on a calendar for reloading exclusively, so that it (the equipment and the process) has my undivided attention?

This is the kind of stuff that bad legislation forces me to consider. Ammo Registration is backdoor Gun Registration by another name. They are trying to be slick. They know the vast majority of firearms in California are not "registered" but are legally owned. So, they will track your ammunition purchases and know what Type of firearms you might have by logging the Caliber you buy on a regular basis.

Though you DROS'd one (1) 9mm semi-auto pistol, records show that you continually purchase 556, 762 and 300 AAC Blackout for some "odd" reason. Ergo, you've got more than just one (1) 9mm sitting at home somewhere and that's how they will know.

They are slick, but they are not brilliant. We know what they are trying to accomplish. Ergo, I'm going Reload. Therefore, mentally speaking, I'm already all-in on reloading. I just need to get setup correctly, that's all.

[CJ4]

I have a single stage, turret

Sounds painful.

...and Dillon 650XL.

Sounds only slightly less painful. This is getting a little depressing to learn about:

I can honestly say that starting from the ground up is a must. I know when something is wrong on the 650XL by feel that I learned by using the single. Good luck but it really does matter at starting with a single...

In your opinion, how long would it take to get up to speed on the basics by using a Single Stage? Or, is there a Progressive that you would start out with (if so, which one) to get through the learning curve before going Auto?

If the units are truly "automated" then what exactly is needed from me physically to make certain the rounds are being constructed correctly? Are the tolerances that far off with equipment that is Auto? Is that the state of OEM manufacturing in this business, or are the tolerances part of the way I set-up the equipment and that being a matter of "learning curve?"

I am trying to get to the essence of why one should start with a Single, rather than Auto right out of the gate.

How much of this is Art Form, as opposed to Mechanical Science? I was hoping for Mechanical Science to rule an reign, but I'm getting the feeling now that some of you feel there's a lot more Art involved.

I need 400-500 rounds per week on a ruthlessly consistent and reliable basis. Eventually, that's going to double as I bring Rifle Rounds into the picture. So, with a full training/practice schedule, I'm looking at 800 to 1000 rounds of mixed reloads (9mm, 45ACP, 556, 762, 308 and
300 ACC). The need for 308 and 300 ACC may go away later - it depends on number of factors that I can't get into here.

Occasionally, there will be some reloading of Barrett 416, but that's just for fun and not needed on a scheduled basis for training/practice like the above. Anything and everything else would be just for fun by definition.

So, how much time (focus) would be involved in producing 800 to 1000 reloads per week without fail using your current methods? That's really the question I should be asking here, I think.