First Impressions of Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit
The Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit promises to be a game-changer for progressive reloading, especially for those of us already invested in the Frankford Arsenal X10 press. For years, I’ve been chasing that perfect balance of speed and precision in my reloading process, and the prospect of a dedicated bullet feeder had me genuinely excited. This kit aims to eliminate the bottleneck of manually placing bullets, allowing reloaders to achieve truly automated, high-volume production.
I’ve spent countless hours reloading everything from pistol rounds for competitions to rifle ammunition for hunting. Manually seating bullets, while meditative at times, drastically slows down the process. Other bullet feeders exist, of course, but I was particularly drawn to Frankford Arsenal’s integrated solution, hoping for seamless compatibility with my existing X10.
The Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit arrived in a surprisingly compact box. My initial impression was positive; the components looked robust and well-machined. Compared to some DIY bullet feeding contraptions I’ve seen (and even attempted), this looked like a professionally engineered solution. I chose this kit over a full Dillon setup primarily for cost, hoping to get similar performance with a smaller investment.
Initial excitement was high, tempered by the usual trepidation of any new piece of reloading equipment. I was eager to see if this Frankford Arsenal offering could truly deliver on its promise of faster, more consistent reloading.
Real-World Testing: Putting Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit at my home reloading bench, which is a dedicated space in my garage. The controlled environment allowed for focused setup and observation. I started with 9mm rounds, as that’s my highest-volume reloading caliber.
Performance was initially a mixed bag. The feeder itself worked relatively smoothly, but getting the seating depth consistent took some tweaking. After about an hour of adjustments, I was producing rounds at a significantly faster rate than before, even though the seater die didn’t fully allow me to use my preferred match grade seating die.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of consistent use, the Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit has proven to be a valuable addition to my reloading setup, but it’s not without its quirks. The feeder mechanism itself remains reliable, consistently dropping bullets into the seating station. I’ve reloaded several thousand rounds with it so far.
Wear and tear is minimal, with only minor scuffing on the bullet collator bowl. Cleaning is straightforward, requiring just a wipe down with a dry cloth to remove any powder residue. While it significantly speeds up the bullet seating process, its reliance on its seating die is a significant drawback for precision handloaders.
Breaking Down the Features of Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit
Specifications
The Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit is designed exclusively for use with the Frankford Arsenal X10 progressive reloading press. It includes a bullet collator, a bullet feeding tube, and a bullet seating die. The caliber-specific conversion kits ensure proper bullet alignment and feeding for various handgun calibers.
The collator uses vibration to orient bullets correctly before feeding them into the tube. This is crucial for consistent and reliable operation. The bullet seating die is proprietary and designed to work in conjunction with the feeder, offering a streamlined bullet seating process, even if it’s not the best seating die available.
Performance & Functionality
The Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit dramatically increases reloading speed. After dialing in the seating depth, rounds were consistent and within acceptable tolerances. The main weakness is the reliance on the kit’s seating die.
It meets expectations for high-volume reloading, but falls short for those prioritizing ultimate precision. For those who want to crank out lots of ammunition quickly, it is a very solid choice.
Design & Ergonomics
The kit is constructed from durable polymers and metal components. The design is functional, though not particularly elegant. There’s a noticeable learning curve in getting the collator vibration and seating die depth just right.
Durability & Maintenance
The Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit appears to be built to last, though long-term durability remains to be seen. Maintenance involves keeping the collator and feed tube clean and free of debris. Parts replacement should be relatively straightforward if needed.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit comes as a standalone kit; no significant customization options are available. Because the seating die is proprietary, it cannot readily accept other bullet seating dies. Additional caliber conversions are available separately.
Pros and Cons of Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit
Pros
- Significantly increases reloading speed for high-volume pistol rounds.
- Relatively easy to set up once the initial learning curve is overcome.
- Durable construction suggests long-term reliability.
- Integrated design ensures seamless compatibility with the Frankford Arsenal X10 press.
- Reduces hand fatigue associated with manually placing bullets.
Cons
- Proprietary seating die limits the user to one option.
- Seating depth adjustment can be finicky and time-consuming.
- Limited caliber support compared to universal bullet feeders.
Who Should Buy Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit?
Perfect for high-volume pistol reloaders using the Frankford Arsenal X10 press. Competitive shooters who need to produce large quantities of practice ammunition will benefit the most. It is also a worthwhile investment for anyone reloading pistol ammunition on a progressive press, who values speed over precision.
Those who prioritize extreme precision and prefer using specific seating dies should avoid this product. Reloaders who load a very wide range of calibers will also be better served by a more versatile, universal bullet feeder. A must have accessory for this kit are more bullet tubes.
Conclusion on Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit
The Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit is a worthwhile investment for reloaders seeking to boost their pistol ammunition production speed. While the proprietary seating die and finicky adjustments are drawbacks, the significant increase in reloading speed outweighs these issues for many users. The Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit offers a compelling value proposition, particularly for those already invested in the X10 press.
I would recommend it to reloaders who understand its limitations and value speed above all else. If you want to increase your reloading speed without sacrificing too much precision, this is it. Add this Frankford Arsenal X10 Bullet Feeder Conversion Kit to your X10 today, and experience the power of automated ammunition production!