The purpose is not to select the 2 most important items of reloading equipment but rather to select the most standout equipment that is within reasonable cost parameters. That is in our opinion.
For example, weighing of powder is a critical process in reloading, but if we do not classify a big differentiation in reasonably priced scales then we would not necessarily select a powder scale. We limited to only 2 items of choice.
Our first choice is a case trimmer that indexes of the shoulder of a case. No more lathes. Above are the WFT and Trimit models. If you choose a body that caters for die inserts (flexibility between calibers) then choose Trimit because the micrometer gets you back to case length measurements easier than having no micrometer.
I choose WFT 1 (their first model) because I prefer to have a fixed unit for each of the calibers that I reload for. Once set-up my trim length will be uniform for the rest of my days. I spend a bit more for the convenience and peace of mind.
With Trimit or WFT the process of trimming is that quick and easy that I trim every case after sizing – quicker than measuring case length. There are many articles about the benefits of uniform case length.
Our 2nd choice is the Forster Co-Ax press. This press has been around for many years and still it comprises of unique and important features not found with other single stage presses.
Case concentricity matters. The Forster Co-Ax shell-holder free-floats to allow case and die alignment. I have bought and given away lathe trimmers, hand primers, scales, presses but my Forster press is now 15 years old and there to stay until something better comes along.
It is tough choosing only 2 items. If we had availability in SA I would probably have selected LabRadar because it makes other velocity measurements obsolete. This unit does not yet have approval for SA.
There is equipment which, when we get through future week selections of Top Gear, will become apparent why they did not make our selection.
We not selecting the most important equipment in reloading, but that equipment that we consider to be “stand-out from the crowd” gear; and which is within reasonable cost parameters. To challenge ourselves we limited the choice to 2 items only.
