Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A primer feed system, includes a feed bowl having a first end and a second end, an oscillation mechanism coupled to the feed bowl for imparting an oscillating movement to the feed bowl, and a feed ramp coupled to the second end of the feed bowl for supplying primers from the feed bowl to a cartridge reloading device, and at least one primer position sensor positioned adjacent the feed ramp, wherein the primer position sensor senses orientation of primers in the feed ramp.

Abstract: Among other things, a digitally controlled actuator has a connector for coupling to a drive mechanism of an existing hand-driven cartridge reloader, to actuate a series of processing cycles of the reloader in which supplies of components are subjected to successive mechanical processing steps to produce reloaded cartridges ready for use. There are sensors associated with the actuator and the reloader to (a) acquire digital information that is indicative of a state of progress of each of the processing cycles and of conditions of the reloader related to the production of the reloaded cartridges, and (b) deliver the digital information to a digital controller for controlling the processing cycles of the reloader. The digital controller is connected to receive the digital information from the sensors and to control automatic operation of the reloader in successive processing cycles to produce reloaded cartridges without requiring human intervention.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring the force required to discharge a firearm by pulling its trigger includes a housing and a rod including a trigger hook portion at a distal end thereof for engaging the trigger. A load cell is connected to the housing and to a proximal end of the rod such that the load cell generates an electrical signal in response to forces on the rod as the housing is pulled while the trigger hook portion is engaged with the trigger. The magnitude of the electrical signal is proportional to the forces on the rod. A microcontroller receives the electrical signal and calculates a force value based thereon. The microcontroller also continuously monitors the forces on the rod and identifies a trigger pull value of the firearm as being the maximum force on the rod until pulling on the housing is ceased once the trigger of firearm has released.

Abstract: A tumbler for ammunition cases is described for cleaning of the cases with a granular media inside a bowl. The bowl sits on a removable separator basin in a media sealed manner and both are removably mounted to vibrator. The bowl has an apertured-bottom through which media can be conveniently removed for separation from cases while the vibrator continues to operate. A peripherally-located funnel is provided at the bottom of the separator basin to facilitate discharge of media into a collection pan for reuse. Several embodiments are described.

Abstract: A device is described with which a gas check can be squarely placed onto the shank of a cast bullet in a bullet sizing apparatus. The device is a gas check seating body with a laterally located slot so as to fit into the apparatus while partially enclosing a push rod below its head while resting on a shelf. The head of the push rod rests on the gas check seating body and supports an ejector rod located in the bore of the swaging die with an upper end so located that a gas check can be conveniently placed thereon. A bullet shank can then be forced into the gas check so it will squarely fit onto the bullet.