News Dillon Acquires FW ARM's

[ikeo1]

This has been out for awhile but FW Arms, fwarms.com IP was acquired by Dillon Precision.

FW Arms was well known for making a good products for reloading equipment. I have their holddown and Decapping die. Now that they've been acquired the pins are now $5 + shipping vs the $3/ea. Mighty Armory is said to work with the decapping die and comes in at $4. I've read the MA pins are more durable, either way prices are increasing. These dies are used for medium volume when you're cranking out 10k+ brass / year. I typically do 15-20k and break pins pretty regularly. So this sucks, but I will say its good for the owner. They also had shell plates and that sort of thing.

Any of you guys use their equipment?

https://www.reddit.com/r/reloading/comments/1i6uib5/looks_like_dillon_purchased_fw_arms_design

 

[ar15robert]

Industry sure is doing a great job making reloading pricey.

I’m almost at point where reloading 5.56 is no longer worth it. I bought a 9mm couple years ago I can get loaded ammo for what it cost me to reload 1k.

 

[ikeo1]

Industry sure is doing a great job making reloading pricey.

I’m almost at point where reloading 5.56 is no longer worth it. I bought a 9mm couple years ago I can get loaded ammo for what it cost me to reload 1k.

Prices have jumped quite a bit, and tariffs are set to make Vihtavuori (VV) even more expensive than American powders. Domestic options like Titegroup and Accurate have already seen a 30-40% price increase. An 8 lb jug of Titegroup now runs $255 plus hazmat and shipping, while Alliant powders have climbed to around $330.

Primer prices have stabilized somewhat at $0.05-$0.09 per round, and projectiles range from $0.06-$0.10.

Cost Breakdown Per Round (CPR):

• Primer: $0.07
• Projectile: $0.07
• Powder: $0.04
• Brass: $0.04

Total: $0.22 per round (down to $0.18 if you reuse brass, and even lower with budget components).

Keeping in mind, if you’re buying powder in smaller quantities, the cost per round increases due to higher per-pound pricing. This breakdown assumes bulk pricing. I'm sitting on some older stock and haven't been shooting much. So my cost is around $0.15 as of now. I do buy brass from @sankor from time to time. Highly recommend if you're in SoCal. I usually use that for match ammo for consistency. Once fired nickle coated brass. Thanks to @Pewpewwagon for the deal on $0.05 primers all in our Deals & Coupons section

I will say, i do like the consistency of rounds when I reload. I just got some parts for my Mark 7 I need to put in, I've been slacking on. I'll post once its all setup and done.

 

[bonesurf]

JMO, the FW arms decapper was/is much better than the MA. I've used both. yeah it doesnt make sense to me right now to reload 9mm given that prices have dropped down to pretty much the same as reloading. .308 and .223 still make sense to me (as do all the other odd ball calibers). .45 is on the cusp of not being quite worth it. it's getting ALMOST cheap enough. I am talking about ball ammo, not any "special" loads.

 

[mindwreck]

damnit.. love FW. decapper, hold down, shellplates. Primetime system. good thing i bought hella extra pins by accident.. but i have yet to actually break one.. i broke the rod on the original design and they sent me the new shaft(even tho my own fault). I've had the decapper for at least 4 years now going on past 100k. just used it today to deprime about 3k of 9mm for tumbling.

 

[Eatdirt]

.308 and .223 still make sense to me (as do all the other odd ball calibers). .45 is on the cusp of not being quite worth it. it's getting ALMOST cheap enough. I am talking about ball ammo, not any "special" loads.

I
Then we get to the Ever Popular .44 Mag. And .44 spl
The shelf price makes me cringe !
I Stocked up ,,, on components a while back
Can't remember the last year I got a store bought box of .44 mag

 

[bonesurf]

I
Then we get to the Ever Popular .44 Mag. And .44 spl
The shelf price makes me cringe !
I Stocked up ,,, on components a while back
Can't remember the last year I got a store bought box of .44 mag

dont have a 44. but I have 38/357 and haven't bought range 38/357 in forever. only defense loads

 

[Pewpewwagon]

I don’t know where you guys buy ammo but, a box of 9mm not on sale is $18 after CA 19% tax. With my budget reloading I am able to keep it around $5 a box. I just picked up some Blue Dot for $15.60 a pound. It works fine in 9,45,357,12GA… I save a lot reloading but I don’t use premium components.

 

[bonesurf]

ffl03 and coe. velocity. free shipping over 200 and no tax. can get range 9mm for .22, .23/per delivered. given that its ballpark .18 or so maybe .16 its not work it to reload for me. not for "range" ammo
can get .45 for .36, .38. which is getting there cause .45 projectiles are more and you use more powder. borderline IMO
I haven't seen .223 below .42, .43 or so. so I still reload that, although I dont shoot it much these days.

 

[Pewpewwagon]

I think ammo is expensive in general now. I remember some years ago 270 WSM was $30-40 a box of 20. Now it’s almost $100 with tax.

 

[Pewpewwagon]

@doser yeah, me too? Reloading for me, it’s a hobby and saves money. It’s always worth it.

 

[DDranch/Anyracoon]

Have and use both the FW and MA decappers. I like the FW better. Dillon sells the decapping pins but still does not have dies for sale as yet.
I use the small diameter pins most of the time.

 

[roc_my_tims]

damnit.. love FW. decapper, hold down, shellplates. Primetime system. good thing i bought hella extra pins by accident.. but i have yet to actually break one.. i broke the rod on the original design and they sent me the new shaft(even tho my own fault). I've had the decapper for at least 4 years now going on past 100k. just used it today to deprime about 3k of 9mm for tumbling.

What automated machine are you using to process your brass. Ex. Mark 7 or ammo bot ect.