Editing Handloading (section)

== Equipment ==
[[File:Dillon RL 550B Reloading Station.jpg|thumb|A standard handloading workbench setup]]
Inexpensive "tong" tools have been used for reloading since the mid-19th century.  They resemble a large pair of pliers and can be caliber-specific or have interchangeable dies.  However, modern handloading equipment can be sophisticated  tools that emphasize precision and reliability.  There are also a myriad of various [[measuring tool]]s and accessory products  on the market for use in conjunction with handloading.

=== Presses ===
[[File:Hornady Reloading Press.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hornady]] single-stage reloading press ("O" frame) with die]]
The quintessential handloading equipment is the '''[[machine press|press]]''', which uses compound [[lever]]age to push the cases into a [[die (manufacturing)|die]] that performs the loading operations.<ref name=nonte_2>Nonte, chapter 2, "Choosing Tools and Equipment"</ref> Presses vary from simple, inexpensive single-stage models, to complex "progressive" models that can perform multiple operations with each pull of the lever, like an [[assembly line]], at rates exceeding 500 rounds per hour.<ref name=progressive>{{cite journal|title=Dillon RL-550B automatic case feeder: the best gets better |author=Charles E. Petty |journal=Guns Magazine |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_7_52/ai_n16419701 |date=July 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907072456/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_7_52/ai_n16419701 |archive-date=2007-09-07 }}</ref>

Loading presses are often categorized by the letter of the [[English alphabet]] that they most resemble in shape:  "O", "C", and "H".  The sturdiest presses, suitable for bullet swaging functions as well as for normal reloading die usage, are of the "O" type, which has a frame that completely encloses the die mechanism.  The "C" frame, usually a less sturdy press, is suitable for most handloading operations other than bullet swaging.  Iron, steel and aluminum construction are seen with all presses.  Some users prefer "C" style presses over "O" presses, as access to the operational area is much more open.  Shotshell style presses, intended for non-batch use, for which each shotshell or cartridge is cycled through the dies before commencing onto the next shotshell or cartridge to be reloaded, commonly resemble the letter "H".<ref name=nonte_2 />

''Single-stage press'', generally of the "O" or "C" type, is the simplest of press designs. These presses can only hold one [[die (manufacturing)|die]] and perform a single procedure on a single case at any time.  Each operation, resize, deprime, bullet seating, bullet crimping, etc., requires the user to change the dies or setup. When using a single-stage press, cases are loaded in [[batch production|batches]], one step for each cartridge per batch at a time. The batch sizes are usually kept small, usually 100 cases or less at a time.  Single-stage presses are commonly used for high-precision rifle cartridge handloading, but may be used for almost any reloading operation.  Single stage presses are also popular for load development prior to [[mass production|producing]] large numbers of cartridges on a progressive press.<ref name=nonte_2 />

''Turret presses'', most commonly of the "C" type, are similar to a single-stage press, but have a mounting disc (also called a die head) that [[indexing (motion)|indexes]] at each die position. This allows multiple dies to be mounted to the machine and quickly rotated into position.  Batch operations are performed similar to a single-stage press, different procedures can be performed by simply rotating the turret to place the appropriate die into position.  Although turret presses operate much like single-stage presses, they eliminate much of the setup time required by removing and installing individual dies.<ref name=nonte_2 />  There are also automatic indexing turret presses which rotate the turret one position with each pull of the handle.  These presses allow the user to quickly change caliber by swapping die heads (turrets) and produce one complete round with 3-6 pulls of the handle.<ref>https://leeprecision.com/reloading-presses-turret-press</ref>

''Progressive presses'' are far more complex in design and operation and initial setup usually takes longer.  However, the benefit is increased output. Progressives can handle several cases at once.  These presses have a rotating shell holder/plate that indexes at each individual station with each pull of the lever.  Progressives can hold 3 or more dies in interchangeable toolhead assemblies. The toolhead assembly allows the user to quickly change calibers with minimal readjustment of the dies. The dies, and sometimes loading modules (which can include case hopper/feeder, primer feeder, powder measure and/or bullet feeder), are mounted to be in alignment with the corresponding index position on the shell holder/plate. Progressives can have 4 or more stations, extra stations allow for the addition of optional equipment such as a powder level checkers. Progressive presses can load hundreds of cartridges an hour with their streamlined efficiency. All the user has to do is pull the lever to produce one finished round per stroke.<ref name=progressive />

====Shotshell presses====
Shotshell presses are generally a single unit of the "H" configuration that handles all functions, dedicated to reloading just one gauge of shotshell. Shotshell reloading is similar to cartridge reloading, except that, instead of a bullet, a wad and a measure of shot are used, and after loading the shot, the shell is crimped shut. Both 6 and 8 fold crimps are in use, for paper hulls and plastic hulls.  Roll crimps can be used for metallic, paper, and plastic hulls.  The shotshell loader contains stations to resize and deprime the hull, reprime the hull, measure powder, insert the wad, measure shot, and crimp the shell.<ref name=shotshell>{{cite web |url=https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/,DanaInfo=shop.rcbs.com+MainServlet?storeId=webconnect&catalogId=webconnect&langId=en_US&action=ProductDisplay&screenlabel=index&productId=2831&route=C04J002 |title=RCBS Products - Shotshell Reloading Presses |access-date=2007-09-14 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 
[[File:MEC Single stage press.jpg|thumb|MEC 600 Jr Mark V shotgun reloading press]]

Due to the low cost of modern plastic shotshells, and the additional complexity of reloading fired shells, shotshell handloading is not as popular as cartridge handloading.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/touching_shotshell_reloading.htm |title=Touching on Shotshell Reloading |author=Randy Wakeman |publisher=Chuck Hawks}}</ref>  For example, unlike when handloading rifle and pistol cartridges, where some of the various components (cases and bullets of the same weight) from different manufacturers are usually interchangeable, shotshell loads are usually restricted to using only the particular brand or design of shotshell hull, a specific brand/style of wad or shot column components, primer and powder that are called for in the recipe. Substitution of components is not considered safe, as changing just one component, such as a brand of primer, can increase pressures by as much as 3500 PSI, which may exceed SAAMI pressure limits.  Reloading shotshells is therefore more along the lines of precisely following a recipe with non-fungible components.

Where shotshell reloading remains popular is for making specialized shotgun shells, such as for providing lowered recoil, for achieving better shot patterns, to make low-cost "poppers" (blanks) used to acclimate hunting dogs to the sound of gunfire without actually shooting projectiles or to manufacture obsolete shotshells that are no longer commercially manufactured.  Handloading also allows the loader to make other improvements or features not available in commercially loaded shotshells.

Metallic reloading presses are not usually dedicated to reloading a single caliber of cartridge, although they can be, but are designed to allow for reloading various cartridge calibers through changing the dies.  In contrast, shotshell presses are most often configured for reloading just one gauge of shotshell, e.g., 12 gauge, and are rarely, if ever, reconfigured for reloading other gauges of shotshells, as the cost of tooling and time to switch gauges on a shotshell press often exceeds the cost of buying a new shotshell press outright, as shotshell presses typically come from the factory already set up to reload one gauge or bore of shotshell.  Hence, it is common to use a dedicated shotshell press for reloading each gauge or bore of shotshell used.

The price of shot for reloading shotshells over the last several years has also risen significantly, such that lead shot that was readily available for around $0.50/lb. (c. 2005) now reaches $2.00 per pound (2013.) Due to this large increase in the price of lead shot, the economy of reloading 12 gauge shotshells vs. just using promotional (low-cost) 12 gauge shotshells only starts to make economic sense for higher volume shooters, who may shoot more than 50,000 rounds a year.  In contrast, the reloading of shotshells that are usually not available in low-cost, promotional pricings, such as .410 bore, 12 ga. slugs, 16 ga, 20 ga., and 28 ga., becomes more economical to reload in much smaller quantities, perhaps within only 3-5 boxes of shells per year. Reloading .410 bore, 12 ga. slugs, 16 ga., 20 ga, and 28 ga. shells, therefore, remains relatively common, more so than the reloading of 12 gauge shotshells, for which promotional shotshells are usually readily available from many retailers.  These smaller bore and gauge shotshells also require much less lead shot, further lessening the effect of the rapid rises seen in the price of lead shot.  The industry change to steel shot, arising from the US and Canadian Federal bans on using lead shotshells while hunting migratory wildfowl, has also affected reloading shotshells, as the shot bar and powder bushing required on a dedicated shotshell press also must be changed for each hull type reloaded, and are different than what would be used for reloading shotshells with lead shot, further complicating the reloading of shotshells.

With the recent rampant rise in lead shot prices, though, a major change in handloading shotshells has also occurred.  Namely, a transition among high volume 12 gauge shooters from loading traditional 1-1/8 oz. shot loads to 7/8 oz. shot loads or even 24 gm. (so-called International) shot loads have occurred.  At 1-1/8 oz. per shotshell, a 25&nbsp;lb. bag of lead shot can only reload approximately 355 shotshells.  At 7/8 oz. per shotshell, a 25&nbsp;lb. of lead shot can reload 457 shotshells.  At 24 grams per shotshell, a 25&nbsp;lb of lead shot can reload approximately 472 shotshells. Stretching the number of hulls that it is possible to reload from an industry-standard 25&nbsp;lb. bag of lead shot by 117 shells has significantly helped mitigate the large increase in the price of lead shot.  That this change has also resulted in minimal changes to scores in shooting sports such as skeet and trap has only expedited the switch among high volume shooters to shooting 24 gm. shotshells with their lesser amounts of shot.

With the recent shortages over 2012–2013 of 12 gauge shotshells in the United States (among all other types of rifle and pistol ammunition), the popularity of reloading 12 gauge shotshells has seen a widespread resurgence.  Field use of the International 24 gm. 12 gauge shells has proven them to be effective on small game, while stretching the number of reloads possible from a bag of shot, and they have subsequently become popular for hunting small game. Since shot shells are typically reloaded at least 5 times, although upwards of 15 times are often possible for lightly loaded shells, this transition to field use of 24 gm. loads has helped mitigate ammunition shortages for hunters.

Shotshell presses typically use a charge bar to drop precise amounts of shot and powder.  Most commonly, these charge bars are fixed in their capacities, with a single charge bar rated at, say, 1-1/8 oz. of lead shot, with a switchable powder bushing that permits dropping precisely measured fixed amounts of different types of powder repetitively (e.g., MEC.)  On the other hand, some charge bars are drilled to accept bushings for dropping different fixed amounts of both shot and powder (e.g. Texan.)  For the ultimate in flexibility, though, universal charge bars with micrometers dropping fixed volumes of powder and shot are also available; these are able to select differing fixed amounts of both powder and shot, and are popular for handloaders who load more than just a few published recipes, or, especially, among those who wish to experiment with numerous different published recipes.  Fixed charge bars are rated for either lead or steel shot, but not for both.  Universal charge bars, on the other hand, are capable of reloading both lead and steel shot, being adjustable.

Like their pistol and rifle counterparts, shotshell presses are available in both single-stage and progressive varieties. For shooters shooting fewer than approximately 500 shells a month, and especially shooting fewer than 100 shells a month, a single-stage press is often found to be adequate.  For shooters shooting larger numbers of shells a month, progressive presses are often chosen.  A single-stage press can typically reload 100 hulls in approximately an hour.  Progressive presses can typically reload upwards of 400 or 500 hulls an hour.

Shotshell presses are most commonly operated in non-batch modes.  That is, a single hull will often be deprimed, reshaped, primed, loaded with powder, have a wad pressed in, be loaded with shot, be pre-crimped, and then be final crimped before being removed and a new hull being placed on the shotshell press at station 1.  An alternative, somewhat faster method, often used on a single stage press is to work on 5 hulls in parallel sequentially, with but a single processed hull being located at each of the 5 stations available on a single stage shotshell press, while manually removing the finished shotshell from station 5 and then moving the 4 in-process hulls to the next station (1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5) before adding a new hull at the deprimer (station 1) location. Both these modes of shotshell reloading are in distinct contrast to the common practice used with reloading pistol and rifle cartridges on a single-stage press, which is most often processed in batch modes, where a common operation will commonly be done on a batch of up to 50 or 100 cartridges at a time, before proceeding to the next processing step.  This difference is largely a result of shotshell presses having 5 stations available for use simultaneously, unlike a single-stage cartridge press which typically has but one station available for use.

In general, though, shotshell reloading is far more complex than rifle and pistol cartridge reloading, and hence far fewer shotshell presses are therefore used relative to rifle and pistol cartridge reloading presses.

====.50 BMG and larger cartridge presses====
Reloading presses for reloading .50 BMG and larger cartridges are also typically caliber-specific, much like shotshell presses, as standard-size rifle and pistol reloading presses are not capable of being pressed into such exotic reloading service.  The reloading of such large cartridges is also much more complex, as developing a load using a specific lot of powder can require nearly all of a 5&nbsp;lb. bottle of powder and a load must be developed with a single load of powder for reasons of safety.

=== Dies ===
[[File:Dies 7.5mm Swiss.jpg|thumb|right|Reloading dies and shell holders for 7.5mm Swiss]] [[Die (manufacturing)|Dies]] are generally sold in sets of two, three or four units, depending on the type and shape of the case.  A three-die set is needed for straight cases, while a two-die set is used for bottlenecked cases. The first die of either set performs the sizing and decapping operation, except in some cases in the 3-die set, where decapping may be done by the second die. The middle die in a three-die set is used to flare the case mouth as well as allows powder to be added to the case (and decap in the case where this is not done by the first die), while in a two-die set the entire neck is expanded as the case is extracted from the first die. The second or third die in the set seats the bullet and may apply a crimp. A fourth die is often used to apply crimps after the bullet is seated.<ref name=nonte_2 /> Sometimes an additional "die" is used to mount powder measures which makes dispensing powder into the case a part of the process. This die usually flares the case mouth to allow easier bullet insertion.

Standard dies are made from [[hardened steel]], and require that the case be lubricated for the resizing operation, which requires a large amount of force. Bottleneck and longer straight cartridges require lubrication of every case, due to the large amount of force required, while shorter straight wall cartridges (9mm or .45ACP for example) can get away with alternating lubricated and unlubricated cases.  Carbide dies have a ring of [[tungsten carbide]], which is far harder and slicker than tool steel, carbide straight wall dies do not require lubrication, however bottle neck dies do.<ref name=nonte_2 />

Modern reloading dies are generally standardized with 7/8-14 (or, for the case of [[.50 BMG]] dies, with 1-1/4×12) threads and are interchangeable with all common brands of presses, although older dies may use other threads and be press-specific.

===Crimping Dies ===
Sometimes die sets include a separate die for crimping and this is done as an extra operation.  There are two types of crimp, roll and taper.  Crimping is required for several reasons such as autoloading firearms, firearms with a tubular magazine or pistols with massive recoil (.500 S&W), where the cycling or recoil of the firearm may cause the bullet to move in the case,  resulting in poor accuracy, increased pressures or malfunctions. Some reloaders will only crimp only if absolutely necessary.

Roll crimping is usually appropriate for everything except cartridges that headspace on the case mouth (I.E. 9MM and .45ACP).  Magnum straight wall and bottleneck cartridges ar usually roll crimped.  Bullets that require roll crimping usually have a cannelure on the bullet, this prevents bullet deformation when crimping.

Cases which headspace on the case mouth, on the other hand, require a taper crimp, because they require a flat surface at the case mouth; roll crimping will cause headspacing problems on these cartridges.

===Special Dies===
There are also specialty dies. Bump dies are designed to move the shoulder of a bottleneck case back just a bit to facilitate chambering. These are frequently used in conjunction with neck dies, as the bump die itself does not manipulate the neck of the case whatsoever. A bump die can be a very useful tool to anyone who owns a fine shooting rifle with a chamber that is cut to minimum headspace dimensions, as the die allows the case to be fitted to this unique chamber.<ref name=bumpdie>{{cite web|url=http://www.forsterproducts.com/Pages/precision_dies.htm |title=Precision Plus Bushing Bump Sizing Die |access-date=2007-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070902000618/http://www.forsterproducts.com/Pages/precision_dies.htm |archive-date=2007-09-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Another die is the "hand die". A hand die has no threads and is operated—as the name suggests—by hand or by use of a hand-operated arbor press. Hand dies are available for most popular cartridges, and although available as full-length resizing dies, they are most commonly seen as neck sizing dies.  These use an interchangeable insert to size the neck, and these inserts come in 1/1000-inch steps so that the user can custom fit the neck of the case to his own chamber or have greater control over neck tension on the bullet.<ref name=handdie>{{cite web |url=http://www.kinneman.com/browseproducts/KCP-Hand-Die-Reloading-Kit.HTML |title=KCP Hand Die Reloading Kit |access-date=2007-09-14}}</ref>

=== Shellholders ===
[[File:Shell holders.jpg|thumb|Different views of a standard type of shell holder.]]
A shell holder, generally sold separately, is needed to hold the case in place as it is forced into and out of the dies. The reason shellholders are sold separately is that many cartridges share the same base dimensions, and a single shell holder can service many different cases. While most modern single stage presses use a standard shell holder some older presses may need special holders.

Progressive presses, however, may use shell holders specific to the press manufacturer, and will generally only fit a certain make and model of reloading press.<ref name=nonte_2 />  A different type of shell holder is also required for use with some hand priming tools (e.g., Lee Autoprime tool)<ref>https://leeprecision.com/hand-priming-tool-shell-holder-set</ref> as well as trimming tools.

=== Scale ===
[[File:Powder Scale.jpg|thumb|right|Hornady Powder Scale]]
A precision [[weighing scale]] is a near necessity for reloading.  While it is possible to load using nothing but a powder measure and a weight-to-volume conversion chart, this greatly limits the precision with which a load can be adjusted, increasing the danger of accidentally overloading cartridges with powder for loads near or at the maximum safe load. With a powder scale, an adjustable powder measure can be adjusted to more precisely meter the powder charge.  Additionally, periodically checking the powder charge during a reloading session can make sure that the measure is not drifting. With a powder trickler, a charge can be measured directly into the scale, giving the most accurate measure.<ref name=nonte_2 />

A scale also allows bullets and cases to be sorted by weight, which can further increase consistency. Sorting bullets by weight has obvious benefits, as each set of matched bullets will perform more consistently. Sorting cases by weight is done to group cases by case volume, and match cases with similar interior volumes.

There are 3 types of reloading scales:

* Mechanical reloading scale (they are measured manually with no usage of power).
* Digital Scales (they need electricity or batteries to operate).
* Digital Scales with dispenser (they unite both reloading scales and dispense options into one version).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hans|first=Wimberly|date=6 May 2021|title=Digital reloading scale|url=https://gearsadviser.com/best-digital-reloading-scale/|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Gearsadviser}}</ref>

=== Priming tool ===
[[File:Priming Tool 2.jpg|thumb|right|An [[RCBS Precisioneered Shooting Products|RCBS]] hand primer]]
Single-stage presses often do not provide an easy way of installing [[primer (firearms)|primer]]s to ("priming") cases.  Various add-on tools can be used for priming the case using the press, or a separate tool can be used.  Since cases loaded by a single-stage press are done in steps, with the die being changed between steps, a purpose-made, separate, priming tool is often faster than setting up a press to prime.  Also, hand primers can be more consistent in setting primer depth due to being able to "feel" what the tool is doing.<ref name=nonte_2 />

=== Powder measuring ===
Powder is measured by weight (usually grains or grams) but can dispensed by volume. Beginning reloading kits often include a weight-to-volume conversion chart for a selection of common powders and a set of powder volume measures graduated in small increments.<ref>https://leeprecision.com/powder-measure-kit</ref>  By adding the various measures of powder the desired charge can be measured with a safe degree of accuracy.  However, since weighing individual powder charges or using "dippers" can be time-consuming, a powder measuring dispensor is often used.  A powder measure has a changeable or adjustable cavity to adjust the volume of the charge.  A [[powder measure]] accurate to {{convert|1/10|gr|mg}} is desirable.<ref name=nonte_2 />

A final type of dispenser is an all in one electronic scale and trickler.  These will automatically dispense the next charge after the pan is returned to the scale.

Additionally, a powder trickler can be used to slowly add powder to a volumetrically measured charge on a scale to bring the charge up to the desired amount.  Tricklers allow vey precise powder charges.
<gallery>
File:Powder Dispenser.jpg|Hornady Powder Measure
File:Lee dipper set.jpg|Lee dipper set
File:Lee dipper.jpg|Individual Lee dipper
File:Lee Powder Measure.jpg|Lee Powder Measure
File:Belding & Mull Powder Measure.jpg|Belding & Mull Powder Measure
File:Dillon Powder Measure.jpg|Dillon Powder Measure
File:RCBS Powder Measures.jpg|RCBS Powder Measures
File:RCBS Trickler.jpg|RCBS Trickler
</gallery>

=== Case trimmer ===
[[File:Hornady Case Trimmer.jpg|thumb|right|Hornady Manual Case Trimmer]]
Cases that have been fired and reloaded numerous times will need trimming due to brass flowing forward during firing, especially bottleneck cases. How much a case will grow depends upon load pressure, cartridge design, chamber size, functional cartridge headspace (usually the most important factor), and other variables. Periodically cases need to be trimmed to bring them back to proper specifications. Most reloading manuals list both a ''trim size'' and a ''max length''. Long cases can create a safety hazard through improper headspace and possible increased pressure.<ref name=nonte_2 />

[[File:Lee Trimmer.jpg|thumb|Lee hand trimmer]]
Several kinds of case trimmers are available. Die-based trimmers have an open top and allow the case to be trimmed with a file during the loading process. Manual trimmers usually have a base that has a shellholder at one end and a cutting bit at the opposite end, with a locking mechanism to hold the case tight and in alignment with the axis of the cutter, similar to a small lathe. Typically the device is cranked by hand, but sometimes they have attachments to allow the use of a drill or powered screwdriver. Powered case trimmers are also available. They usually consist of a motor (electric drills are sometimes used) and special dies or fittings that hold the case to be trimmed at the appropriate length, letting the motor do the work of trimming.<ref name=nonte_14 /><ref name=trimmers>{{cite web|url=http://www.forsterproducts.com/Pages/case_trimmers.htm |title=The Forster Case Trimmer System |access-date=2007-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405020430/http://www.forsterproducts.com/Pages/case_trimmers.htm |archive-date=2007-04-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Case Cleaning===
[[File:Case Tumbler.jpg|thumb|right|A vibratory ("dry") case Tumbler]]
Cleaning can be done with an [[ultrasonic cleaner]], or more commonly with a [[mass finishing]] device known as a "case tumbler".  Tumblers use [[abrasive]] [[granule (geology)|granule]]s known as ''tumbling media'' (which can be stone or ceramic granules, fragments of [[corncob]] or [[walnut]]/[[coconut]] [[nutshell|shell]]s, or small segments of [[stainless steel]] [[wire]] often called "pins") to [[burnishing (metal)|burnish]] the cases, and can be either a [[vibratory finishing|vibratory]] type ("dry tumbling") or a water/[[detergent]]-based [[tumble finishing|rotary]] type ("wet tumbling").  In either type, when the cleaning is completed, a "media separator" is needed to [[sieve]] out and remove the abrasive media.  In the "wet" rotary tumbling, a [[food dehydrator]]-like [[convection oven|convection dryer]] is sometimes used to eliminate moisture retention that might later interfere with handloading.

===Primer pocket tools===

[[File:Assortment of primer pocket tools..jpg|thumb|Assortment of primer pocket tools from RCBS, Hornady, Lee and Lyman with a handle.]]
Primer pocket cleaning tools are used to remove residual combustion debris remaining in the primer pocket; both brush designs and single blade designs are commonly used.  Dirty primer pockets can prevent setting primers at, or below, the cartridge head.  Primer pocket reamers or swagers are used to remove military crimps in primer pockets.<ref name=nonte_4 />

Primer pocket uniformer tools are used to achieve a uniform primer pocket depth.  These are small endmills with a fixed depth-spacing ring attached, and are mounted either in a handle for use as a handtool, or are sometimes mounted in a battery-operated screwdriver.  Some commercial cartridges (notably Sellier & Bellot) use large rifle primers that are thinner than the SAAMI standards common in the United States, and will not permit seating a Boxer primer manufactured to U.S. standards;  the use of a primer pocket uniformer tool on such brass avoids setting Boxer primers high when reloading, which would be a safety issue.  Two sizes of primer pocket uniformer tools exist, the larger one is for large rifle (0.130-inch nominal depth) primer pockets and the smaller one is used for uniforming small rifle/pistol primer pockets.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/may96circle.html |journal=Performance Shooter |author=Bryce M. Towsley |title=Winner's Circle: X-Ring 45 ACP Loads |date=May 1996 |access-date=2008-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611025034/http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/may96circle.html |archive-date=2008-06-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Primer pocket swages can be either standalone, bench-mounted, specialized presses, or, alternatively, a special swage anvil die that can be mounted into a standard "O" style loading press, along with a special shell holder insert with either a large or a small primer pocket insert swage that is then inserted into the position on the "O" press where a normal shell holder is usually clicked into position.  This way, both small and large primer pockets on different types of military cases can be properly processed to remove primer pocket crimps.  Both types of presses can be used to remove either ring crimps or stab crimps found on military cartridges when reloading them.  Reamers for removing primer pocket crimps are not associated with presses, being an alternative to using a press to remove military case primer pocket crimps.

Flash hole uniforming tools are used to remove any burrs, which are residual brass remaining from the manufacturing punching operation used in creating flash holes.  These tools resemble primer pocket uniformer tools, except being thinner, and commonly include deburring, chamfering, and uniforming functions.  The purpose of these tools is to achieve a more equal distribution of flame from the primer to ignite the powder charge, resulting in consistent ignition from case to case.<ref name=VarmintAl />

===Headspace gauges and modified case gauges===

[[File:Miscellaneous headspace guages.jpg|thumb]]
Bottleneck rifle cartridges are particularly prone to encounter incipient head separations if they are full-length re-sized and re-trimmed to their maximum permitted case lengths each time they are reloaded.  In some such cartridges, such as the [[.303 British]] when used in Enfield rifles, as few as 1 or 2 reloadings can be the limit before the head of the cartridge will physically separate from the body of the cartridge when fired.  The solution to this problem, of avoiding overstretching of the brass case, and thereby avoiding the excessive thinning of the wall thickness of the brass case due to case stretching, is to use what is called a "headspace gauge".  Contrary to its name, it does not actually measure a rifle's [[headspace (firearms)|headspace]].  Rather, it measures the distance from the head of the cartridge to the middle of the shoulder of the bottleneck cartridge case.  For semi-automatic and automatic rifles, the customary practice is to move the midpoint of this shoulder back by no more than 0.005 inches, for reliable operation, when resizing the case.  For bolt-action rifles, with their additional camming action, the customary practice is to move this shoulder back by only 0.001 to 0.002 inches when resizing the case.  In contrast to full-length resizing of bottleneck rifle cartridges, which can rapidly thin out the wall thickness of bottleneck rifle cartridges due to case stretching that occurs each time when fired, partial length re-sizing of the bottleneck case pushes shoulders back only a few thousandths of an inch will often permit a case to be safely reloaded 5 times or more, even up to 10 times, or more for very light loads.

[[File:Modified case and ogive guage..jpg|thumb]]
[[File:Modified case and ogive guage in use.jpg|thumb|Modified case and ogive guage in use]]
Similarly, by using modified case gauges, it is possible to measure precisely the distance from a bullet [[ogive]] to the start of rifling in a particular rifle for a given bottleneck cartridge.  Maximum accuracy for a rifle is often found to occur for only one particular fixed distance from the start of rifling in a bore to a datum line on a bullet ogive.  Measuring the overall cartridge length does not permit setting such fixed distances accurately, as different bullets from different manufacturers will often have a different ogive shape.  It is only by measuring from a fixed diameter point on a bullet ogive to the start of a bore's rifling that proper spacing can be determined to maximize accuracy.  A modified case gauge can provide the means by which to achieve an improvement in accuracy with precision handloads.

Such head space gauges and modified case gauges can, respectively, permit greatly increasing the number of times a rifle bottleneck case can be reloaded safely, as well as improve greatly the accuracy of such handloads. Unlike the situation with using expensive factory ammunition, handloaded match ammunition can be made that is vastly more accurate, and, through reloading, that can be much more affordable than anything that can be purchased, being customized for a particular rifle.

=== Bullet puller ===
[[File:Impact Bullet Puller.jpg|thumb|right|Impact Bullet Puller]]
Like any complex process, mistakes in handloading are easy to make, and a bullet puller device allows the handloader to disassemble mistakes.  Most pullers use [[inertia]] to pull the bullet, and are often shaped like [[hammer]]s.  When in use, the case is locked in place in a head-down fashion inside the far end of the "hammer", and then the device is swung and struck against a firm surface.  The sharp impact will suddenly [[deceleration|decelerate]] the case, but the inertia exerted by the heavier [[mass]] of the bullet will keep it moving and thus pull it free from the case in a few blows, while the powder and bullet will get caught by a trapping container within the puller after the separation.  [[Collet]]-type pullers are also available, which use a caliber-specific clamp to grip the bullet, while a loading press is used to pull the case downwards.  It is essential that the collet be a good match for the bullet diameter because a poor match can result in significant deformation of the bullet.