Herein described is a small caliber ammunition production loading machine with a novel measuring location and device. The machine will load one cartridge at a time and is referred to as a single-out machine (see FIG. 1). The machine will be similar in nature to existing loading machines with the following key novel aspects: a) The cartridge overall length (OAL) will be measured both as an overall dimension which is industry standard and also at a key datum location on a bullet's ogive. Measuring to a repeatable datum point on the bullet's ogive gives a more accurate representation of the cartridge's ballistic ability.

An automatic processing press preferably includes a lower die carrier, a pair of support posts, an upper die carrier, an actuation device, a case slider and an automatic feeder magazine. The lower die carrier preferably includes a base portion. The case slider is slidably retained on the case slider support. The automatic feeder magazine includes a feed plate, a tube holder and a threaded stud. The threaded stud is retained by the base portion of the lower die carrier. The pair of support posts are retained in the base portion. The upper die carrier is slidably retained on the pair of support posts. The actuation device is pivotally engaged with the upper die carrier and the lower die carrier to move the upper die carrier downward. A bullet resizing die system and a case resizing die system are capable of being threaded into the upper and lower die carriers.

The micrometer adjustable ram is used within a frame having die mount and lever. A die is releasably secured within the die mount and a firearm cartridge is releasably secured to the end of the ram for resizing or bullet reseating. In operation, the ram extends into an extended position and the cartridge held at the end of the ram is inserted into the die held within the die mount. To adjust the length of the cartridge that is inserted into the die and thereby the amount of resizing and seating done to the cartridge, a micrometer assembly is provided within the ram that can be adjusted by the reloader. Furthermore, the micrometer assembly can be locked prior to use to assure that the ram, and cartridge held thereon, are coaxially aligned with the center axis of the die for more precise and repeatable resizing and reloading.

The micrometer adjustable ram is used within a frame having die mount and lever. A die is releasably secured within the die mount and a firearm cartridge is releasably secured to the end of the ram for resizing or bullet reseating. In operation, the ram extends into an extended position and the cartridge held at the end of the ram is inserted into the die held within the die mount. To adjust the length of the cartridge that is inserted into the die and thereby the amount of resizing and seating done to the cartridge, a micrometer assembly is provided within the ram that can be adjusted by the reloader. Furthermore, the micrometer assembly can be locked prior to use to assure that the ram, and cartridge held thereon, are coaxially aligned with the center axis of the die for more precise and repeatable resizing and reloading.

A precision depth measurement device precisely measures pocket depth and seated primer depth for consistent ammunition production. The device includes a drop indicator having a stem. The stem has an outer peripheral surface. A hub is annular having an inner perimeter surface. The inner perimeter surface is complementary in size to the outer peripheral surface of the stem. Thus, the stem of the drop indicator is insertable into the hub. A collar is removably couplable to the hub. The collar has a collar lip extending inwardly from an internal surface of the collar. The collar lip defines a collar opening at a base end of the collar. The collar opening is complementary in size to an ammunition casing wherein the collar receives the ammunition casing and holds the drop indicator in a perpendicular position relative to the ammunition casing.

A precision depth measurement device precisely measures pocket depth and seated primer depth for consistent ammunition production. The device includes a drop indicator having a stem. The stem has an outer peripheral surface. A hub is annular having an inner perimeter surface. The inner perimeter surface is complementary in size to the outer peripheral surface of the stem. Thus, the stem of the drop indicator is insertable into the hub. A collar is removably couplable to the hub. The collar has a collar lip extending inwardly from an internal surface of the collar. The collar lip defines a collar opening at a base end of the collar. The collar opening is complementary in size to an ammunition casing wherein the collar receives the ammunition casing and holds the drop indicator in a perpendicular position relative to the ammunition casing.

A dimensional inspection device for a cartridge includes a measuring body defining a first free body end with a first reference surface, and a second free end with a locking surface. The measuring body defines a cavity including a hole for receiving a cartridge and defining a hole axis, a hole end opening facing the first reference surface, and an opposite hole end bottom. The measuring body includes a threaded through hole coaxial with the hole axis between the hole bottom and the second free body end. An adjusting screw engages the threaded hole so rotation of the screw displaces the second reference surface along the hole axis. A lock washer has a threaded washer hole engaged with the screw body outside the measuring body so upon rotation, the lock washer moves. The lock washer clamps against the measuring body, locking the adjusting screw.

A dimensional inspection device for a cartridge includes a measuring body defining a first free body end with a first reference surface, and a second free end with a locking surface. The measuring body defines a cavity including a hole for receiving a cartridge and defining a hole axis, a hole end opening facing the first reference surface, and an opposite hole end bottom. The measuring body includes a threaded through hole coaxial with the hole axis between the hole bottom and the second free body end. An adjusting screw engages the threaded hole so rotation of the screw displaces the second reference surface along the hole axis. A lock washer has a threaded washer hole engaged with the screw body outside the measuring body so upon rotation, the lock washer moves. The lock washer clamps against the measuring body, locking the adjusting screw.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure include an ammunition sorting device. The ammunition sorting device can include a sorting tray. In some embodiments, the sorting tray can include a proximal sorting portion and a distal sorting portion. In some embodiments, a plurality of sorting lumens can be defined within the sorting tray. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of sorting lumens can extend between the proximal sorting portion and the distal sorting portion of the sorting tray. In some embodiments, a chute can be disposed adjacent the distal sorting portion of the sorting tray, the chute including a proximal chute portion and a distal chute portion. In some embodiments, the chute can define a plurality of chute lumens corresponding to each of the plurality of sorting lumens and extending between the proximal chute portion and the distal chute portion.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure include an ammunition sorting device. The ammunition sorting device can include a sorting tray. In some embodiments, the sorting tray can include a proximal sorting portion and a distal sorting portion. In some embodiments, a plurality of sorting lumens can be defined within the sorting tray. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of sorting lumens can extend between the proximal sorting portion and the distal sorting portion of the sorting tray. In some embodiments, a chute can be disposed adjacent the distal sorting portion of the sorting tray, the chute including a proximal chute portion and a distal chute portion. In some embodiments, the chute can define a plurality of chute lumens corresponding to each of the plurality of sorting lumens and extending between the proximal chute portion and the distal chute portion.