Why doesn't some body

[cheygriz]

Introduce a new progressive reloader with automatic primer pocket swager, case feed, bullet feed and primer filler built in at the factory?

Dillon's 1050 comes close, but you still have to manually feed bullets and refill primer tubes.

 

[ReloaderFred]

My Load-a-Matic, by Tri-Standard Manufacturing, does most of that. It doesn't swage primer pockets, nor automatically fill primer tubes, but it feeds cases, primers and bullets automatically. It was built in 1954.......

Here's a picture of it:



And another view:



Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Reeferman]

How about a video of that Load-a-Matic in operation.

 

[ReloaderFred]

You're asking for a video from a guy who is just barely able to figure out how to post a picture, and has probably the slowest DSL in the country........... Besides, holding a camera in one hand, while pulling the handle with the other wouldn't produce the best of videos......

Sorry,

Fred

 

[LoonWulf]

rubber bands, forehead...DONE!

Theres a reason those loadamatics still go for as much as they do on ebay lol.

Im not sure primer pocket swagging is something that the majority of reloaders would really want.
Pretty much all strait from the factory components are going to be what "every body", yes them, wants.
Also, how much effort does primer pocket swagging take? Ive never dont it.

 

[jmorris]

Ammoload and camdex both make machines that will do all of that from the factory.

I have modded 1050's to do all of that and even have one that will sort out small primer pocket 45 ACP while loading the LPP cases.

 

[AR-Bossman]

Ammoload and camdex both make machines that will do all of that from the factory.

I have modded 1050's to do all of that and even have one that will sort out small primer pocket 45 ACP while loading the LPP cases.

Any chance you were the one who sold that sorting idea to ... I think it was ammobot

 

[jmorris]

No, but I imagine he watched my video a few times before he started building.

Likely the same as the Mark 7 guys.

 

[cheygriz]

I've had the opportunity to use an Ammoload and a Camdex in the past, when a very good friend was reloading commercially. Wonderful machines. Especially the Ammoload

Unfortunately, the average reloader, even serious competitors, can't afford the $50K and up price.

IMHO, we need a machine than can do everything a highly upgraded Dillon 1050 can do in the $1200-$1500 price range, set up and ready to load.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've also loaded on an AmmoLoad machine when I was rangemaster for our dept. I'd load an average of 60,000 rounds per year on it for our practice ammunition. Really great machine, until the primer column blows up and scares the bejeezers right out of you. The protective shield in front of the machine, and the blast tube did their jobs, both times.....

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[cheygriz]

Fred, I wasn't actually operating the machine when a primer column blew, but i was across the room. Still scared the Bejesus outta me! blew thje primer follower rod through the celotex ceiling.

 

[jmorris]

Unfortunately, the average reloader, even serious competitors, can't afford the $50K and up price.

IMHO, we need a machine than can do everything a highly upgraded Dillon 1050 can do in the $1200-$1500 price range, set up and ready to load.

Ah, now you are focusing your question. The reason why we don't have machines that can do it all cheaply is because there is not a large enough market for them.

If someone in China thought they could sell 4 million of them at harbor freight, in the third quarter of next year, they would have them in the catalog by then.

Same reason "professional" equipment always costs more than hobbyist equipment, supply and demand. FWIW, You can get a case and bullet fed machine from Lee that doesn't need collated primers, it's called the Loadmaster and would cost under $300 new with the bullet feeder and all the other bells and whistles. Only problem is that no one can get one to run 100%.

And that leads us to the most important feature that you forgot, "that works".

 

[AR-Bossman]

Ah, now you are focusing your question. The reason why we don't have machines that can do it all cheaply is because there is not a large enough market for them.

If someone in China thought they could sell 4 million of them at harbor freight, in the third quarter of next year, they would have them in the catalog by then.

Same reason "professional" equipment always costs more than hobbyist equipment, supply and demand. FWIW, You can get a case and bullet fed machine from Lee that doesn't need collated primers, it's called the Loadmaster and would cost under $300 new with the bullet feeder and all the other bells and whistles. Only problem is that no one can get one to run 100%.

And that leads us to the most important feature that you forgot, "that works".

LIke they say with Hot Rods... Cheap, Fast, Reliable... you can only choose two at the expense of the third.

 

[ReloaderFred]

cheygriz,

The primer follower is probably still in the ceiling of the rangehouse, and that was in 1978. The first time the AmmoLoad primer column blew, I had just filled it, so it was completely full. There's a lot of energy in a column of primers!

The second time, the column was just about empty, and it didn't cause that much damage, and I was able to fix the machine myself that time. The first time I had to take the machine back to the manufacturer, and he rebuilt the whole primer feed system. AmmoLoad has changed hands many times over the years, and at that time it was a very small one man shop in the back of a boat house in Newport Beach, CA.

Fred

 

[RealGun]

Introduce a new progressive reloader with automatic primer pocket swager, case feed, bullet feed and primer filler built in at the factory?

Dillon's 1050 comes close, but you still have to manually feed bullets and refill primer tubes.

You still can't wisely put too many primers in one place at a time.

 

[jmorris]

The primer follower is probably still in the ceiling of the rangehouse, and that was in 1978. The first time the AmmoLoad primer column blew, I had just filled it, so it was completely full. There's a lot of energy in a column of primers!

With the collator you can do away with a rod but you still can't stop kabooms with a machine that is allowed to crush things.

 

[ReloaderFred]

With the collator you can do away with a rod but you still can't stop kabooms with a machine that is allowed to crush things.

The AmmoLoad is an old design, much like my Load-a-Matic. In fact, they look suspiciously alike. Both will "crush things", and if those "things" happen to be primers, then stuff happens suddenly, and loudly. I don't know if the newer automated machines have more safeguards or not, but I'm sure there has been some design improvements over the years. There has certainly been some fairly hefty price increases, so I would hope the improvements kept pace with the prices......

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[kingmt]

I like my Load Master. However I have to agree about it running 100%. I never did get the bullet feeder to work & wasn't real happy with the case feeders ether. The only benefit I see to the bullet feeder would have been not putting your hand inside the press since you still have to touch everyone. I felt about the same with the case tubes but I do like the pusher for the case.

 

[jmorris]

I don't know if the newer automated machines have more safeguards or not, but I'm sure there has been some design improvements over the years.

They have probes that check for debris, "ringers"/pocket size etc, that will shut down the machine if they detect a problem, to help reduce the number of kabooms.

http://www.ammoload.com/mark_x_stations.htm

 

[jmorris]

I like my Load Master. However I have to agree about it running 100%. I never did get the bullet feeder to work & wasn't real happy with the case feeders ether. The only benefit I see to the bullet feeder would have been not putting your hand inside the press since you still have to touch everyone. I felt about the same with the case tubes but I do like the pusher for the case.

I agree the Lee bullet feeder was the only Lee product I haven't been able to make work decently. The only thing I found that is was really good for was aggravating me.

The benefit of bullet and case feeders is recognized best when they are fed by collators. Without them, I agree one doesn't see a lot of increased productivity.

 

[kingmt]

That setup is nice but my time isn't worth enough to pay for it. I did like the tubes when I had my wife or kid feeding them.

 

[jmorris]

That setup is nice but my time isn't worth enough to pay for it. I did like the tubes when I had my wife or kid feeding them.

If you have time and it's worth less than money you can build the collators yourself.

That bullet collator is one I built from 6" PVC and 1/2" plastic.

I have also built case collators when I had more time than money.

But your concern is the answer to the OP's question of "why doesn't somebody", the cost automatically runs many potential buyers away.

One can buy everything "off the shelf" to satisfy the op's wants (just not from one place). The Dillon RF 100 primer filler is $325, $500-700 for a bullet feeder with collator and $1750 for a 1050. The over $2500 price tag isn't appealing to most reloaders though. There are many reloaders that think $200 for a press sounds expensive.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Introduce a new progressive reloader with automatic primer pocket swager, case feed, bullet feed and primer filler built in at the factory?

Dillon's 1050 comes close, but you still have to manually feed bullets and refill primer tubes.

Not to be a wise guy but... It sounds like you should just buy factory ammo. All you seem to want to do is hit a switch and walk away. Also, no machine has an unlimited supply of primers. One way or another they will need to be loaded.

 

[AR-Bossman]

Not to be a wise guy but... It sounds like you should just buy factory ammo. All you seem to want to do is hit a switch and walk away. Also, no machine has an unlimited supply of primers. One way or another they will need to be loaded.

No CURRENT machine has unlimited primers. Do you say the same thing to guys who literally push buttons to make their ammo? Ammo Bot....Mark 7...It's called automation. It's called wanting the most efficient reloading ability possible... without spending 100K to get it. I don't think we'll ever see it though.

 

[RealGun]

No CURRENT machine has unlimited primers. Do you say the same thing to guys who literally push buttons to make their ammo? Ammo Bot....Mark 7...It's called automation. It's called wanting the most efficient reloading ability possible... without spending 100K to get it. I don't think we'll ever see it though.

I think you start by liking reloading as a craft. For those who value it mostly so they can shoot thousands of rounds a month would be more into productivity. Some parts are boring or a nuisance, but safety and manufacturer liability cannot or should not be compromised beyond certain limits.

My latest improvement in productivity is the Hornady primer tube loader I bought last year. No more pecking primers.