Abstract: A tool for use in conjunction with a firearm to facilitate the performance of various functions with regard to the firearm. The tool includes a cartridge case simulator which is mounted at a distal end of a tubular rod. The end of the simulator opposite an end at which a bullet is to be positioned for subsequent identification of a desired location relative to an intended corresponding cartridge case is provided with an aperture, and an axial passage in the simulator, thereby, communicates with an axial duct in the tubular rod, the rod and simulator being axially aligned. A gauge shaft is disposed for reciprocal movement along the axial aligned passage and duct. A distal end of the shaft is intended to engage the base of a bullet so that the bullet can be urged to a desired axial position relative to a mouth of the cartridge case simulator.

Abstract: A die for performing multiple operations on a cartridge case in a single operative stroke of a reloading press. The die will uniformly coat the exterior of the case with lubricant, eject the spent primer, resize the exterior of the case, wipe and lightly lubricate the neck interior and resize the neck interior in one operation. The die has an insert that is replaceable and interchangeable with another to accommodate different calibers. A reservoir supplies and uniformly distributes lubricant to a lubricating pad in the entry of the die.

Abstract: A reloading press that is convertible between different capabilities. The press utilizes a basic structure to which interchangeable conversion sets are individually mounted to provide a reloading press with a capability. To change the capability of the press, one conversion set is interchanged with another. The interchange of the conversion sets permits a user to convert the reloading capability of the press such as from a single station to an indexable multiple station. The conversion sets include top plates for holding a tool or tools, and a shell holder mountable to the ram. Components may be added or interchanged between conversion sets to convert the capability of the press further such as converting from one caliber to another or converting a multiple station press from manual to automatic indexing. The basic structure utilizes a rugged support extending from the base for supporting the interchangeable top plates.

Abstract: A primer pocket cleaner for cartridge cases has a bundle of bristles mounted in a base with a retractable spring surrounding the bristles. The base is mounted in a motor to rotate the bundle of bristles. The spring keeps the bundle of bristles together while allowing them to vibrate as a cartridge case primer pocket is pressed against the end of the rotating bundle of bristles not mounted into the base.

Abstract: A bullet holder for extracting a bullet from the cartridge casing that includes an elongated body portion having arm members pivotally connected at one end and movable toward one another in a pincer-type movement. Intermediate the arm members is positioned a bullet retaining portion having a plurality of oppositely positioned recesses forming holes of selected diameter corresponding to selected bullet calibers. The assemblied cartridge casing and bullet is secured in the chuck of a loading press. The chuck is moved to an initial position for engaging the bullet by the holder in a selected one of the holes formed by the recesses. The arm members are squeezed to frictionally engage the bullet so upon downward movement of the cartridge casing, the bullet is retained stationarily positioned to separate the cartridge casing from the bullet.

Abstract: An improved cartridge case flash hole uniformer having a hardened self-cleaning reaming and chamfering blade for use either as a hand tool or with a power drive for providing the consistent case to case uniforming of flash holes to facilitate the communication of a uniform bloom of detonating primer flash from the primer pocket by way of the flash hole into the cartridge case power chamber in turn for consistently generating uniform propellant charge ignition, and thereby enhance the cartridge factor accuracy of reloaded ammunition from round to round for match and precision bench rest shooting applications.

Abstract: The drive adapter for a conventional hand operated firearm cartridge reloader that includes a drive shaft which is oscillated about its central longitudinal access to provide the actuating functions for the reloader. The drive adapter is operatively connected to the drive shaft of the reloader for oscillating the reloader. The drive adapter includes a fluid pump, a double acting fluid oscillator which has an output shaft and a coupler for operatively connecting the output shaft of the oscillator to the drive shaft of the reloader.

Abstract: An apparatus to recondition used ammunition cartridge cases in order that they can be reloaded and reused. A stand includes a base and an upright column. A plurality of bearing sleeves are located in the column disposed about parallel horizontal axes. A plurality of tool holders have shafts that are rotatably assembled in the column. The tool holders carry cartridge case reconditioning tools of the type that operate upon a cartridge case upon rotation with respect to it. The tool holder shafts are interconnected by circular gears. The rotation of one shaft results in rotation of the other shafts. A crank is connected to one of the shafts for rotation of all of the shafts. One of the cartridge case reconditioning tools is for deburring the inside mouth of the case, another is for deburring the outside mouth of the case, and a third is for cleaning the primer pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing cartridge cases, particularly for distinguishing between different fuzing systems of cartridge cases for center fire cartridges, comprises sensing means, which are reciprocable along the longitudinal center line of the cartridge case from and to a predetermined initial position, and means which oppose a displacement of the sensing means from the initial position. Means may be provided for indicating a displacement of the sensing means from their initial position. The apparatus may constitute a cartridge case processing tool for use in a machine for loading cartridge cases for center fire cartridges or may be integrated in the sizing die of such machine. The sensing means may comprise mechanical sensing means or an optical sensor, which is adapted to be inserted into the cartridge case and is opertively connected to an indicator.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning the exterior of tubular members comprising a tubular body having a longitudinal axis along which a central cavity extends with an open end and a closed end at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis. The side walls of the tubular body have a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending from the open end to the closed end. A spindle mounted to the closed end of the tubular body is used for mounting the cleaning tool to a rotatable drive. Brushes adapted for engagement with the opposed slots to prevent rotation are inserted into the tubular body which is then fitted over the tubular member to be cleaned.

Abstract: An ammunition reloading die having a generally cylindrical axially bored body and an external thread for mounting it in a reloading press. In one embodiment, a case sizer element is threaded onto and is removable from the nominally lower end of the die body into which cases are pressed for sizing the outer diameter. A stepped mandrel is insertable in the die body. It has a decapping pin extending from its nominally lower end. A bullet seating plug is screwed into the upper end of a body's bore for backing up the mandrel when a case is being pressed onto the mandrel to expand and flare the mouth end of the case and to expel the spent primer from the case. A new primer is installed and the case is charged with powder and a bullet is set in the mouth after which the case is pressed into the die body while the mandrel is removed but the bullet seating plug is installed in the die body in which case pressing the case into the die body seats the bullet and crimps the case in the bullet.

Abstract: An apparatus for a firearm ammunition hand loader. The apparatus provides for the installation of gas checks onto the base of a cast bullet, and sizing and lubricating of the bullet with the gas check on. This is achieved by use of an index table that provides, in a progressive, continuous action, the mounting of the gas check and the sizing and lubrication of the bullet with the gas check mounted thereon, with greater ease and speed than previously known single stage operating devices.

Abstract: A battery operated, portable hand controlled cartridge case trimmer which indexes on the entire length of the case and permits resizing based on the total explosive expansion of the cartridge. A special clamping means secures the cartridge case for trued engagement by a cutter assembly having a cutting edge for length, a cutting edge for inside chamfer and a cutting edge for outside chamfer.

Abstract: A handloader tool for use in the fabrication of cartridge shells. The tool accomplishes uniform flash hole sizing. The tool includes a depth gage section which results in a cutting tool being inserted to a constant uniform depth into the cartridge flash hole. The cutting tool has an angled upper portion to provide a uniform chamfer of, for example, 60 degrees at the flash hole exit area.The overall tool assembly further includes a slidable centering cone to provide means wherein the cutting tool is always inserted at a desired straight angle into the flash hole area.The invention further includes a method of flash hole uniforming using the described handloader tool.

Abstract: To permit automatic ejection of shells in a progressive shell loader, a cam is mounted near the turret holding the shells. As the carriage is raised and lowered, two pawls and an index wheel turn it so that the shells advance toward a final station. Immediately prior to the final station, the cam engages a spring-biased lever to cause it to eject the reloaded shell. The pawls engage camming surfaces formed on the bottom of a single-piece index wheel to turn it.

Abstract: A method and device (A) for cutting a shotgun shell (14) for shooting in a shotgun chambered for shorter shotgun shells includes a base (10) and shell receiving tube (12). A shell (14) is held in tube (12) above a knife (32) in such a manner that a circumferential slit is formed in shell casing (20) around the inside edge (24) of crimp (22). The knife is carried on a movable knife blade holder (40) which moves toward base (10) to engage the knife in the crimped edge as the shell is rotated. Upon shooting of shell (14), the crimp material separates from casing (20) leaving the shell of a shorter length. In this manner a two and one half inch (21/2") shell is obtained from a two and three-quarter inch (23/4") and three inch (3") shells which may be reloaded or disposed of.

Abstract: A cylindrical mandrel is inserted through the neck of an ammunition case coaxially with the body of the case after which a collet is driven axially onto the neck to form the inside diameter of the neck to the outside diameter of the mandrel without changing the diameter of the case body. In another embodiment an annular bushing of elastomeric material is confined in a space around the neck and the bushing is compressed axially to cause it to bulge radially inwardly so as to apply a force for forming the neck to the mandrel.

Abstract: The process for dimensioning the neck of a used cartridge casing comprising providing an extrusion ram having a head and shank, inserting said head through the aperture of said neck, said head having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said aperture, applying substantially uniform pressure circumferentially to the outer surface of said neck to reduce the inside diameter thereof to slightly less than the diameter of said head, withdrawing said head through said aperture while retaining said pressure on said outer surface of said neck, thereby causing excess metal in portions of said neck to extrude axially toward the outer end thereof, and thereafter trimming excess of said extruded metal from said outer end.

Abstract: A combination ammunition re-loading die having an elongated housing. The housing is externally threaded at both ends to enable entry of either end into the die holder of a reloading press. An expander post is integrally formed at one end of the housing. The other end is provided with a cartridge receiving end opening. A threaded opening in the post receives a threaded shaft projected through to the cartridge receiving end opening. The projected end of the shaft carries a re-loading member, e.g. a bullet seating plug or de-priming pin. The shaft is adjustable within the post opening to adjust the position of the member. The housing can be inserted in the die holder to first present the expander post to the cartridge, and then inverted to present the bullet seating plug or de-priming pin.

Abstract: A method for orienting and stacking primers one on top of another in a vertical upright position inside of a tubular receptacle.An apparatus with a slotted hopper and a gate to orient and stack primers in a removable tubular receptacle one on top of another in a vertical fashion. The apparatus can include a vibrator to facilitate orientation of the primers in the hopper and to speed passage of the primers through the apparatus. The apparatus may further include a handle to allow it to be held in one hand. In an alternative embodiment, the tubular receptacle is not removable from the gate. Another embodiment has a smooth hopper and a tubular receptacle to receive and stack primers one on top of another.An alternative embodiment of the apparatus has a removable gate and a removable receptacle to accommodate different sized primers.

Abstract: An apparatus for resizing rifle cartridge cases comprising the die fixedly positioned with respect to a frame and a ram operated by a lever mechanism adapted to raise a case into a resizing cavity within the die. A punch is loosely supported in the die and includes an extractor pin at one end for removing the primer from the head of the rifle case. The die is covered by a head cap including a threaded stem adapted to abut against the punch. The head cap includes a lateral flange adapted to be engaged by levers for forcing the punch against the head of the case when the case is to be removed from the die. The punch also includes an expansion sleeve for resizing the neck of the cartridge as the case is extracted from the die and an expanded end of the punch loosely suspends the punch within the die when the case has been removed.

Abstract: A hand held cartridge case reloader has a first elongated handle body on which there are spaced apart laterally extending members. The upper member is threaded to receive standard cartridge reloading tools. The lower member is bored to receive a reciprocable ram for holding a cartridge case at its upper end. A second handle body has a pivotal connection to the lower end of the ram and another pivotal connection to the lower end of a link whose upper end is pivotally connected to the lower end of the first handle body adjacent the ram.

Abstract: A decapping tool applicable to Berdan style cartridges operative to hydraulically eject primer caps from spent cartridge cases and useful with standard shooter's reloading presses to communicate pressurized fluid via a necked tool sealingly contacting spent cases at the inner surface around the primer cap recess to communicate thereto impulsive fluid pressures generated by a struck piston at a remote end of said tool.

Abstract: To enable a shell to be automatically primed during operation of a loader, the primers are mounted within a chute to fall by gravity to an opening where a lever is pivoted by a cam as the shell carriage of the loader moves in a vertical direction within the frame of the loader. The motion of the lever moves one of the primers from the chute into position underneath the shell carriage for insertion into the shell casing as the carriage moves downward against the base of the loader frame. The lever arm is spring-biased into position underneath the rim of the holder and contacts a cam mounted to move up and down with the carriage upon the actuating of the loader handle by an operator. The shell is deprived during the upward movement of the carriage and the downward movement.

Abstract: A semi-automatic cartridge reloading machine of the type including a lower travelling platen with a rotatable support for sequentially positioning a plurality of cartridges in each of a series of operating stations and including an upper stationary platen with a plurality of tools or dies depending or extending downwardly and spaced circumferentially about the upper stationary platen and centered over the rotatable support defining a plurality of operating stations is provided with mechanisms for automatically rotating the support to reposition the cartridges in subsequent operating stations at the completion of each reloading step or operation, automatically centering cartridges and removing spent primers from cartridges, automatically belling and admitting powder into cartridges, automatically introducing and inserting new primers into cartridges, automatically introducing and inserting bullets into cartridges, and automatically crimping and seating bullets into cartridges simultaneously and in conjunction

Abstract: Cartridge reloading presses wherein either a turret carrying multiple dies or a turret carrying multiple cartridges is caused to index rotationally relative to the axis of a vertically reciprocable ram. The indexing mechanism includes a ratchet element having a circular array of downwardly pointed teeth surrounding a vertical hole. This element is fixed to the ram. A hexagon rod having a nominal 120 degree twist near its lower end fits through said hole with clearance. A plastic ratchet element having upwardly pointed complementary teeth surrounding a hexagon hole fits snugly on the hexagon rod. When the ram moves upwardly the two ratchet elements are disengaged so the rod does not turn. During the ram downstroke, the ratchet elements engage while the plastic element is still on the untwisted part of the rod. Near the end of the downstroke, the engaged and locked plastic element runs onto the twist, causing the rod to rotate to thereby rotate a turret engaged therewith.

Abstract: An ammunition case reloading press is based on an O-frame die cast from a low strength metal. A case carrying ram is driven reciprocably through a bottom member of the O-frame toward and away from a die in a top member. A compound lever system is actuated by a manual operating arm to drive the ram. A stop prohibits the links of the lever system from toggling into dead center position to thereby limit the stress of the O-frame. The operating arm is designed so it will flex to signal the user that unnecessarily great resistance is being offered and that the die should be adjusted relative to the ram to reduce the stress. The operating arm and lever system pivots are askew to a vertical plane passing through the frame so the arm swings clear past the side of the O-frame and so there is a clearer line of sight to the opening in the O-frame where the cases are placed on and removed from the ram.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resizing a spent firearm cartridge using a press for reshaping the cartridge is disclosed. The press includes a base block, two parallel rods vertically positioned transversally with respect to said block, and a pressure bar slidably attached to the rods. A U-shaped handle operates the pressure bar to force a cartridge into a die, and thereafter removing the cartridge from the die.

Abstract: The thermoplastic shotshell reconditioning tool includes an elongated member having a front conductive tip portion adapted to be heated to a high temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material of the shotshell tubular portion. A reduced diameter portion of the member is disposed rearwardly of the tip portion to retard axial heat transfer toward a rear handle portion. A generally cylindrical shell conditioning portion is disposed immediately rearwardly of the reduced diameter portion for receiving the heated mouth portion of the melted shell tubular portion to permit it to cool as the heated tip portion advances axially toward the base end portion of the shotshell. The outer surface of the tip portion is heated with a blow torch to a high temperature in the range of 250.degree. F. and 350.degree. F. The heated tip portion is manually inserted into snug contact with the crimped mouth portion of the expended shotshell to melt it for reshaping purposes.

Abstract: A bullet sizing and lubricating attachment for an arbor-type bullet reloading press is provided, the attachment being mountable to an existing press such that the stroke of the bullet loading plunger is utilized to drive a bullet through a sizing die in which it is lubricated as it is sized.

Abstract: A bullet seating die for use with an ammunition reloading press, the die including a member having an elongate bore for receiving a cartridge and a bullet seating member mounted in the bore. The bullet seating member is shiftable longitudinally within the bore by operation of a micrometer screw. Coacting grooves and a spring biased member produce a manually and audibly sensed click stop that indicates to the user preselected intervals of adjustment of the bullet seating member in the bore.

Abstract: A hand-operated reloading apparatus for resizing and trimming used rifle and pistol centerfire cartridges includes a hollow body having a cartridge-receiving portion for receiving and reshaping a used cartridge forced therein, and a coaxial cutter-receiving portion for receiving a rotatable cutter that trims the length of the used cartridge to its proper standard dimension while the cartridge is positioned within the cartridge-receiving portion of the body. The apparatus also includes a rotatable cutter and may also include a knock-out rod for forcing the used cartridge out of the cartridge-receiving portion of the body after it has been resized and trimmed.

Abstract: An extractor for removing an ammunition case from a sizer die in which the case is stuck after the gripping rim surrounding the head of the case has been broken. The extractor includes a body portion having a rim which is engaged by the end of a reloading ram. A screw projecting from the opposite end of the body portion is received by a threaded bore formed in the primer pocket of the case. The body portion is preferably hexagonally shaped so that it can be rotated ith a wrench to thread a screw into the primer pocket bore. Movement of the reloading ram away from the sizer die thus draws the case from the sizer die.

Abstract: A depth gauge for measurement of effective loaded cartridge length in relation to the dimensions along the chamber of the rifle or other firearm. The gauge comprises a caliber cap having an aperture corresponding in transverse dimension to the land diameter of the rifle barrel. A guiding body is longitudinally adjustable on the caliber cap and includes inside surfaces complementary to the cartridge diameter. A loaded cartridge is aligned within the body and caliber cap with its bullet nose resting within the aperture. The outer end of the body serves as a length reference by which comparisons can be made between the effective cartridge length and the rifle chamber dimensions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reloading a centerfire cartridge, the apparatus including a resizing die for resizing the cartridge and a single means for forcing a used primer out of the cartridge and for forcing the cartridge out of the resizing die. A flaring tool is then used to flare the cartridge neck and a priming tool is employed to force a primer into the base of the cartridge. Gunpowder is then placed in the cartridge, a new bullet is forced into the cartridge neck, and the cartridge neck is then crimped against the bullet.

Abstract: A device for conditioning expended shotshells comprising a support having one end thereof adapted to be connected to an apparatus for imparting vertical movement thereto. A swedge is secured to the support member and extends therefrom adapted for insertion into the expended shotshell to open the partially crimped end thereof and to remove the primer from the shell. The support includes a cup-shaped member having a ring-shaped spring mounted therein which is adapted to embrace the exterior surface of the crimped portion of the shotshell when the swedge is inserted into the shotshell. The spring smooths the crimped portion of the shotshell to facilitate subsequent loading of the shotshell.

Abstract: A centerfire cartridge priming tool intended for hand held use and including a one piece molded tool body and a shell casing holder integrally embedded in an end of the tool body. A lever is pivotally attached to the body adjacent the shell casing holder and is functioned to force a new primer into the priming chamber of the shell.

Abstract: A tool and corresponding method for removing folds and buckles in the matal of a propellant containment bag, in a round of ammunition, prior to the addition of explosive propellant. The tool includes a plurality of flexible fingers that are inserted into the propellant containment bag through the primer cap aperture. Once inside, the flexible fingers are expanded, pressing the propellant containment bag against the inside of the cartridge case. The tool is advanced to the far end of the propellant containment bag, thereby pulling taut the entire bag. The flexible fingers extend around the tail end of the projectile of the ammunition round, removing folds in the propellant containment bag that may interfere with the dispersion of propellant around the stabilizer fins or other features of the projectile's tail end, when propellant is subsequently added.