An ammunition press for manufacturing or reloading ammunition cartridges. The ammunition press includes a slide bearing about which the ram of the ammunition press moves to provide smooth operation of the ammunition press. A configurable spent primer system is provided to enable a user to select how they want to collect spent primers or other debris from the ammunition press. According to a user's preference, the ammunition press can also be customized to provide a cam-over or non-cam-over sensation as the user operates the ammunition press. A light is integrated with the ammunition press for illuminating a shell holder that holds the ammunition shells (sometimes called cases). Components of the ammunition press and associated methods are also disclosed.

A neck sizing die for shoulder breeching ammunition cartridge cases that uses the shoulder to align the case, not the body. Alignment occurs before resizing. Resizing is done in a two-step process: a bushing is used to shrink the neck diameter and then an expansion button is used to increase it. Bushing and button diameters are highly selectable and easily changed. Cone-and-cup interfaces ensure concentricity of the case shoulder to the bushing or button. The unique alignment technique and two-step sizing method produces a case with a neck having an interior diameter of the user's choice with the interior wall of the neck aligned to the shoulder. This results in a case that will more reliably position the bullet concentric with the bore of the barrel than existing tools and methods.

A neck sizing die for shoulder breeching ammunition cartridge cases that uses the shoulder to align the case, not the body. Alignment occurs before resizing. Resizing is done in a two-step process: a bushing is used to shrink the neck diameter and then an expansion button is used to increase it. Bushing and button diameters are highly selectable and easily changed. Cone-and-cup interfaces ensure concentricity of the case shoulder to the bushing or button. The unique alignment technique and two-step sizing method produces a case with a neck having an interior diameter of the user's choice with the interior wall of the neck aligned to the shoulder. This results in a case that will more reliably position the bullet concentric with the bore of the barrel than existing tools and methods.

Provided is ammunition decapping apparatus 10 comprising a decapping platform 12, a case receptacle 14, a die gantry 40 arranged over the decapping platform 12 and including a reciprocating die mount 42, and a case feeder 46 configured to operatively feed a case upright onto the decapping platform 12. Also included is a case urger 48 configured to urge a case fed from the case feeder 46 into the case receptacle 14, and an actuator arrangement 50 configured to actuate the case urger 48 and die mount 42 so that a case is fed into the decapping receptacle 14 and a die 44 mounted in the die mount 42 is able to decap the case.

Provided is ammunition decapping apparatus 10 comprising a decapping platform 12, a case receptacle 14, a die gantry 40 arranged over the decapping platform 12 and including a reciprocating die mount 42, and a case feeder 46 configured to operatively feed a case upright onto the decapping platform 12. Also included is a case urger 48 configured to urge a case fed from the case feeder 46 into the case receptacle 14, and an actuator arrangement 50 configured to actuate the case urger 48 and die mount 42 so that a case is fed into the decapping receptacle 14 and a die 44 mounted in the die mount 42 is able to decap the case.

The invention disclosed is an ammunition cartridge case dryer for use in the cleaning, drying and reloading of ammunition cartridge cases. It comprises an upper housing, a base, means for forcing air into a hollow space defined by the upper housing and base, an array of cups or nozzles that are located on the upper surface of the dryer and are adapted to receive a wet cartridge case. The nozzles have apertures in communication with the hollow space such that air can be expelled through said nozzles into said cases for quick drying.

The invention disclosed is an ammunition cartridge case dryer for use in the cleaning, drying and reloading of ammunition cartridge cases. It comprises an upper housing, a base, means for forcing air into a hollow space defined by the upper housing and base, an array of cups or nozzles that are located on the upper surface of the dryer and are adapted to receive a wet cartridge case. The nozzles have apertures in communication with the hollow space such that air can be expelled through said nozzles into said cases for quick drying.

Devices and methods facilitate a precise, measured amount of adjustment to a die used for the reloading of ammunition cartridges. A lock ring assembly and notched threads generate audible or tactile user feedback, preferably in the form of clicks as the lock ring advances by a precise, predetermined amount axially relative to a die body. The lock ring assembly may be a unified structure, wherein the entire lock ring assembly turns as a unit. In this embodiment, one or more ball detents in the lock ring assembly interact with notched threads on a proprietary die body. Alternatively, the lock ring assembly may be a two-part assembly that can be used with existing threaded dies with continuous un-notched threads. The die body, whether notched or not, may be used in any reloading application in standard presses, including cartridge sizing, crimping, bullet seating, or case mouth belling.

Devices and methods facilitate a precise, measured amount of adjustment to a die used for the reloading of ammunition cartridges. A lock ring assembly and notched threads generate audible or tactile user feedback, preferably in the form of clicks as the lock ring advances by a precise, predetermined amount axially relative to a die body. The lock ring assembly may be a unified structure, wherein the entire lock ring assembly turns as a unit. In this embodiment, one or more ball detents in the lock ring assembly interact with notched threads on a proprietary die body. Alternatively, the lock ring assembly may be a two-part assembly that can be used with existing threaded dies with continuous un-notched threads. The die body, whether notched or not, may be used in any reloading application in standard presses, including cartridge sizing, crimping, bullet seating, or case mouth belling.

A progressive press for loading or reloading ammunition casings has a base containing a reversible press motor with speed control, and vertically-oriented nuts mechanically connected to the motor and having vertically-oriented power screws extending from the nuts. The screws are affixed to a tool head which can receive dies and other tools for loading and/or reloading ammunition casings. A rotatable shell plate receives ammunition casings and advances the casings through a series of operations performed by different dies and other tools. Using a control system, the press motor can be operated to extend the screws and lift the tool head when the shell plate is advanced, and to retract the screws and tool head to perform operations on the casings when the shell plate is stationary.