Sometimes It Is Rough Being A Gadget Junkie - Am I Alone?

[Matt Dillon]

Gadgets for evaluating my reloads has increased. Granted, I am a gadget junkie. Yes, I have a chronograph that takes an amazing amount of data on each round and it has helped considerably in my load development. Sometimes I wonder if I shoot just so I can reload. I really like doing both.

Am I alone here, or are others in tune with my addiction? If you are similar with this gadget for reloading issue, what new gadget have you recently acquired?

This is my latest. One of my shooting buddies that does about every type of competitive shooting our local club provides showed me his MantisX Training unit. That's all it took. I am feeling a little guilty as I ordered one this morning. Yeah, I know it isn't directly related to reloading, but it was the excuse I used to convince myself to order it. If I'm lucky, maybe I can improve my shooting some too.

My friends call me “The Inspector” after “Inspector Gadget”. You can’t have too many gadgets, too much ammo, too many guns, too many knives, or too many flashlights!

 

[Load Master]

My friends call me “The Inspector” after “Inspector Gadget”. You can’t have too many gadgets, too much ammo, too many guns, or too many flashlights!

I've been called that a few time along with a few other names I won't post.

 

[Walkalong]

Yeah I bet I could.

And I thought I had good eyes. (When I was younger at least.)

 

[jmorris]

I have no idea what a gadget junkie would look like.

https://www.youtube.com/user/jmorrismetal/videos?disable_polymer=1

 

[RainDodger]

I never thought there were others out there like me... good tools and cool gadgets are what makes life interesting. Sometimes I have to I make myself go shooting so I have more brass to process. It's a sad state of affairs.

 

[Offfhand]

Here Ya'go..

 

[rocirish]

yeh, some of you have it pretty bad.

 

[Load Master]

Here Ya'go..View attachment 764803 View attachment 764804 View attachment 764805 View attachment 764806 View attachment 764808

Oh my! Excuse me while I go find something to wipe the drool off the floor before someone slips and fall.

 

[Tony k]

Here Ya'go..View attachment 764803 View attachment 764804 View attachment 764805 View attachment 764806 View attachment 764808

You win!

 

[Demi-human]

I could get a very nice rifle for the amount spent in just the turners alone! And then the cutters and pilots, the ball mic for the brass, the adapter for the turning drill....oh man... is it Thursday yet?

 

[RMH]

Here Ya'go..View attachment 764803 View attachment 764804 View attachment 764805 View attachment 764806 View attachment 764808

You Win!

 

[Load Master]

Just a little update. I finally had a chance to try out the Mantis X Training unit. To be truthful, I first thought, this has to be gimmick. Well, after using it for about 200 rounds, I am liking it. It is fun to use. Setup the phone app gives instant feedback of each shot. The data is uploaded to your personal account and can be accessed from your phone or PC.

The Mantis X feedback is helping me improve my grip and trigger pull. The best part, you can change your grip on the fly and see how it helps or hurts your results instantly.

This is just a small sample of the data collected with each shot.

 

[Offfhand]

I my earlier post and photos on this thread about gadgets, here are a few other photos I failed to include: One good idea is storing loading dies end up so they take less space and are easy to find, the drawers in my loading bench hold forty sets of dies each, as shown. and sizing bushing and shell holders are easier to find when stored in fitted trays and boxes, as shown. As shown are more arbor presses and variety of primer seaters.

 

[Walkalong]

What hand primers are those standing up?

 

[tcoz]

Wow Offfhand, you’re definitely a serious reloader! I’m envious.

 

[Offfhand]

What hand primers are those standing up?

Mr. Walkalong, those are the OLD STYLE Hornady hand primer seaters, which are about two thousand percent better than the current Hornady seater. The reason I have several is because I find it more convenient to have each set for a different caliber than having to change shell holders. A failing of the old style seater was poor attachment of the tray lid. Which I correct by simply embedding a brass screw in the tray and holding the lid securely with a brass terminal nut. The attached photos explain better than I can.

 

[LiveLife]

Offhand, nice collection! Even Lee Auto Prime.

 

[Walkalong]

Mr. Walkalong, those are the OLD STYLE Hornady hand primer seaters

I wondered if maybe that was it, because of the resemblance. Thanks.

 

[Walkalong]

A failing of the old style seater was poor attachment of the tray lid

The old RCBS also had a poor attachment point, which broke early on. I use a hair tie (Pony tail holders) I stole from my wife.



Here is my old Sinclair primer in a holder a friend made.

 

[TheDomFather]

Gadgets for evaluating my reloads has increased. Granted, I am a gadget junkie. Yes, I have a chronograph that takes an amazing amount of data on each round and it has helped considerably in my load development. Sometimes I wonder if I shoot just so I can reload. I really like doing both.

Am I alone here, or are others in tune with my addiction? If you are similar with this gadget for reloading issue, what new gadget have you recently acquired?

This is my latest. One of my shooting buddies that does about every type of competitive shooting our local club provides showed me his MantisX Training unit. That's all it took. I am feeling a little guilty as I ordered one this morning. Yeah, I know it isn't directly related to reloading, but it was the excuse I used to convince myself to order it. If I'm lucky, maybe I can improve my shooting some too.

My man I am right there with you, I was just sitting here thinking I need to sell some of the gadgets I have collected that I no longer use! Now onto the next subject I am looking for a good chronograph. Do you have a good suggestion?
Dom

 

[LiveLife]

I use a hair tie (Pony tail holders) I stole from my wife.

I love elegant and simple solutions!

 

[mack]

Well after seeing Offhand's posts, I'll have to say that I'm evidently not a gadget junkie or just a piker.

 

[Load Master]

My man I am right there with you, I was just sitting here thinking I need to sell some of the gadgets I have collected that I no longer use! Now onto the next subject I am looking for a good chronograph. Do you have a good suggestion?
Dom

There are a number of good options on the market. I'm on my second year with the LabRadar. It is designed to set next to you with the muzzle of the gun placed past the unit. It uses Doppler radar to track the bullet continuously out to as far as 100 yards, not just one value. This allows you to see the velocity drop as the bullet as it travels down range. It has setting to measure arrows, pellet gun, pistol, and rifle. No worries about shooting the chronograph like other type of units.

 

[Offfhand]

The hard core gadget guy also knows he needs lots of loading blocks made of exotic woods..My favorite is Tennessee red cedar because it makes the loading bench smell so nice.

 

[TheDomFather]

The hard core gadget guy also knows he needs lots of loading blocks made of exotic woods..My favorite is Tennessee red cedar because it makes the loading bench smell so nice.View attachment 765872

Awesome did you make these yourself?
Dom