Law enforcement professionals trust the Gold Dot bullet design with their lives every day. Speer offers consumers the same performance in a new line of personal protection rifle bullets. Their exclusive manufacturing process bonds the uniform jacket to the core one atom at a time, ensuring proper expansion and nearly 100 percent weight retention. The result is superb accuracy and immediate, threat-stopping performance.
Personal protection rifle bullets come in a variety of popular calibers. Gold Dot technology virtually eliminates core/jacket separations and produces a very uniform jacket. Extreme accuracy and reliable performance to eliminate any threat with consistent penetration and expansion through common barriers.
Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection in .224 caliber is manufactured in 55-, 62-, 75-, 120-, and 140-grain pills. The .277 caliber slugs are available in 90- and 115-grain; .308 (300 Blackout) in 150-grain; .308 in 150- and 168-grain; and .310 caliber in 123-grain. All are distributed in 100-count packs.
With a tapered, precision-drawn jacket and a long nose, the Grand Slam bullet is engineered to blow through the thick hides, heavy bones and tough bodies of the world’s biggest game, without sacrificing accuracy. On impact, internal jacket flutes allow consistent expansion, yet the bullet retains most of its weight for deep penetration. Long nose profiles produce flatter trajectories.
Now available in an even wider array of bullet diameters, including a 140-grain 6.5mm/.264, 100-grain .243 caliber, and 120-grain .257 caliber; all shipping in 50-round packs.
Shooters have more options to hit the mark at extreme range with six offerings in the Speer® Target Match bullet line. The carefully crafted projectiles have what it takes to go the distance, thanks to a low drag profile, high ballistic coefficient, precision jacket and consistent hollow point design. Now available in 6.5mm/.264 caliber, .224 caliber, and.308. The .224 caliber slug comes in a. 77-grain OTM configuaration.
Standard FMJ bullets sacrifice accuracy by adding a separate piece of jacket to cover the bullet base—or leave exposed lead. Speer® TMJ® bullets, however, totally encapsulate the lead core for cleaner, more accurate performance. Handloaders now have two additional TMJ rifle bullet options to choose from, a 55-grain .224 caliber or a 150-grain .308 caliber projectile, in 100-count packs.
The first true all-range hunting projectile is available as a component bullet. Unlike other bullets that can fail to perform on impact at lower velocities, Federal Premium Edge TLR uses the exclusive Slipstream polymer tip to initiate expansion at long range. At close range, the bullet’s copper shank and bonded lead core retain weight for consistent, lethal penetration. Its long, sleek profile offers an extremely high ballistic coefficient and AccuChannel groove technology improves accuracy and minimizes drag. Available in bullet diameters and weights to load the most popular cartridges in long-range hunting. Copper shank and bonded lead core retain weight for deep penetration at any range, with reliable expansion at 1,350 fps.
Edge TLR bullets come in .308, 175-grain; .308, 200-grain; .277, 140-grain; and 7mm, 155-grain slugs.
The world-famous Trophy Bonded Bear Claw is a deadly-reliable bullet from Africa to Alaska, and now it’s available to handloaders in the most popular bullet diameters for large and dangerous game. Its bonded jacket and core provide controlled expansion and retain more than 95 percent of the bullet’s weight to penetrate deep.
Manufactured in .375, 250-grain; .375, 300-grain; .416, 400-grain; .458, 500-grain; and .474, 500-grain configurations.
The legendary Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer Solid is available as a component bullet for handloaders. The time-tested design bonds a lead core to a thick brass jacket to achieve bone-crushing penetration on the toughest, most dangerous game on the planet. Its flat nose minimizes deflection for a straight, deep wound cavity, and the grooved shank improves accuracy across an array of rifle platforms.
Built in .375, 300-grain; .416, 400-grain; .458, 500-grain; and .474, 500-grain varieties.
Federal Premium offers its famed Trophy Bonded Tip as a component bullet. The proven design stands apart from all other big game bullets, combining bonded construction, a bone-crushing solid copper shank, boat-tail design and a high-performance polymer tip that tightens groups at long range. Polymer tip material provides the industry’s highest heat resistance for the most consistent ballistics, and boat tail design gives flat trajectories and match-grade accuracy. Offered in bullet diameters and weights perfect for the most popular big game cartridges.
Trophy Bonded tips are availble in .277, 130-grain; .277, 140-grain; 7mm/.284, 140-grain; 7mm/.284, 160-grain; .308, 165-grain; and .308, 180-grain bullets.
Federal Premium offers a wide variety of unprimed brass for a full range of common rifle and handgun cartridges, including the all-new .224 Valkyrie.
Federal Premium Unprimed Brass comes in .223 Rem., 100-count; .22-250 Rem., 100-count; .224 Valkyrie, 100-count; .243 Win., 50-count; .270 Win., 50-count; .270 WSM, 50-count; 7mm Rem. Magnum, 50-count; .30-30 Win., 50-count; .308 Win., 50-count; .30-06 Sprg., 50-count; .300 Win. Magnum, 50-count; .300 WSM, 50-count; .338 Federal, 50-count; .327 Federal, 100-count; 9mm Luger, 100-count; .40 S&W, 100-count; and .45 Auto in 100-count packages.
Precision and action shooters need consistent, clean-burning propellant that lets them perform to their peak when a competition is on the line. Alliant Powder Sport Pistol delivers on these demands with extremely reliable cycling, excellent charging and case fill, and ballistics that lend themselves to a range of popular loads. Sport Pistol delivers precise performance with all bullet types, but the low-muzzle-flash formulation was optimized for polymer-coated bullets. Other double base powders can dissolve the polymer coatings at the bullet base, and this exposes the lead to vaporization due to the intense heat during the ballistic cycle. The medium-fast burning Sport Pistol is also very temperature stable, so there is little velocity deviation to worry about at seasonal competitions.
Repeatable long-range accuracy demands propellant that behaves consistently across temperature extremes. Alliant Powder Reloder 16, like Reloder 23 and AR Comp, accomplishes this world-class stability using TZ technology. It manipulates the response of the material and resists the natural tendency to generate more pressure at higher temperatures and less pressure at lower temperatures. The Reloder 16 burn rate is slightly faster than that of Reloder 17, well within the 4350 burn speed band. This makes it ideal for traditional hunting cartridges such as .30-06 Springfield and .270 Winchester, as well as 6.5mm target loads and tactical applications where temperature stability is required.
To achieve outstanding accuracy in the widest range of conditions, shooters need propellant that performs consistently across temperature extremes. Like its sister product, AR-Comp, Reloder 23 does exactly that. Its sophisticated TZ technology manipulates the response of the material and resists the natural tendency to generate more pressure at higher temperatures and less pressure at lower temperatures. Reloder 23 is perfect for long-range target shooters seeking performance similar to Reloder 22 with world-class temperature stability.
Achieve awesome ballistics with Reloder 26 from Alliant Powder. The propellant’s burn speed falls between that of Reloder 22 and Reloder 33, and incorporates EI technology to produce extremely high velocities in magnum cartridges. Reloder 26 has a high bulk density that allows larger powder charges, and it provides a consistent, controlled response to temperature changes.
Shooters can now get the tight, consistent, long-range patterns of Alliant Powder Green Dot with significantly less fouling. The improved formulation burns much cleaner, with precise burn rates that produce dense, uniform patterns, as well as less felt recoil. Enhanced Green Dot is optimized for handicap trap loads, yet versatile enough for a variety of target and field applications. It offers Alliant Powder’s legendary lot-to-lot consistency and is proudly made in America.
Improved Alliant Powder Red Dot now burns significantly cleaner and offers better flow characteristics with the same clay-crushing performance the world’s best shooters have trusted since 1932. Red Dot is optimized for 12-gauge target loads, offers Alliant Powder’s legendary lot-to-lot consistency, and is proudly made in America.
Hodgdon has a new addition to their already extensive line of Hodgdon brand powders. This one was specifically formulated for loading 300 AAC Blackout cartridges. This newest addition, the CFE BLK, now joins the CFE 223 and CFE Pistol™ within that family of spherical propellants. Developed to provide full-function in the AR-type rifles throughout the range of bullet weights, CFE BLK works well to produce those subsonic reduced loads that have become popular today. It also performs well for loading many smaller capacity cartridges used for varmint hunting like: .17 Hornet, .17 Ackley Hornet, .218 Bee, .221 Fireball and many others.
Most shooters think of MEC as one of the primary sources for high-quality shotgun reloading presses, but MEC has now entered the world of metallic handloading in a big way with their new MEC Marksman™ press. This single-stage press is constructed from ductile cast iron for superior quality and durability; compatible with all 7/8-14 dies and capable of reloading cartridges from .22 Hornet to .416 Rigby. It comes with the company’s patent-pending self-centering shell holder system and includes reloading accessories and essentials.
Lyman took a “step up” when they developed their Bleacher Block designs. Just as a stadium bleacher allows people to see over those folks in front of them, these new cartridge holding blocks allow for easier handling of cases. Its stepped design permits the user to more easily grip a single case without jamming their fingers down into a group of cases as is common when using traditionally-styled blocks. And because of their reduced footprint on your reloading bench it has the ability to free up more work space. Made of tough molded polymer the blocks come in three sizes to closely fit a wide range of cartridge case sizes.
The RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner-2 contains significant changes and improvement over the previous model. It is nearly 100 percent larger with a 6.3-quart capacity and comes with a second ceramic heater and transducer to produce a more thorough cleaning of your brass cases and firearm parts. The LED is easily programmable and the timer can be set for up to 30-minutes of continuous cleaning.
The Hornady M-1 Case Tumbler has the ability to clean and polish a large quantity of cases quickly and efficiently. When used with Hornady Tumbling Media the cyclonic and vibratory action of the unit cleans the brass to a brilliant shine. Included with the tumbler is a sifter to separate the polished brass from the media. The M-1 Case Tumbler has a capacity of up to 400 .38 Special cases, 180 .30-06 cases, or the equivalent of other similar-sized brass. Clean time varies depending upon the degree of cleanliness desired.
Hornady’s Lock-n-Load Cartridge Gauges allow the user to check their cartridge cases and ammo to ensure a correct fit in SAAMI chambers. These gauges are available in a diverse selection of the most popular cartridges for both handguns and rifles.
MTM Case Gard has been producing the R-50 series plastic ammo boxes for some time, but now a couple of added features make these boxes even better than before. They now feature a scuff-resistant, textured-surface, a snap-lock latch, mechanical hinges (with the exception of the 22-Horn-10) and come with load labels and an unheard of 25 year guarantee. But possibly best of all, these new boxes are equipped with stacking feet, which came about as a result of consumer feedback.
Redding continues to add new cartridge choices to their premium die sets. Two of the most recent of those are the .22 Nosler and the 6.5 Creedmoor. Branded as Premium Die Sets, these offerings include a Carbide Expander Button and a Micrometer Adjusting Seat Stem; packaged in distinctive black and gold boxes. The Standard Premium Die sets come with a full-length resizer die and a seating die, while the Premium Deluxe set includes those two dies plus a neck resizer die.
GBW Cartridge is a fast-growing company that produces a wide variety of factory-loaded cartridges, but they also have a new line of smokeless double base powers called Legend Power. Currently there are five varieties of powder available under the Legend name, which are intended for loading rifle and pistol cartridges. Those powders cover a broad range of uses and are identified as: 323 Pistol, 367 Pistol, 372 Pistol, 632 Rifle and 731 Rifle.
Dillon’s RL 550C metallic cartridge reloader features an increased frame cross-section and additional structural features, all working to add strength to the machine. Its thread-in arm pins offer the following benefits: a grease port for easy lubrication, easy disassembly for cleaning and service, and there is no need to remove the shaft and platform when removing the link arm.
Before now, Starline predominately produced brass for handgun calibers, with the exception of a few straight-walled rifle cases such as the .45-70. To satisfy customer demands, Starline has added rifle brass to their product line. Currently that brass consists of .308 Win, .358 Win and .444 Marlin, but cases for the .338 Federal and .243 Win will soon be available as well. These additions were made possible by a recent plant expansion and further investment in building new equipment and tooling.
The new year is an exciting time for most shooters. Those of us that work in the business—manufacturers, retailers, and media folks—always find ourselves energized by the new shooting-related products that get released. Being a self-proclaimed fanatic when it comes to all things handloading, I’ve discovered quite a few exciting items that I believe would be instrumental in helping us stuff a better shell. Scroll through the gallery above to check out over two dozen handloading products you need to know about.
To learn more about these handloading products, please visit the following sites.
