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SINCLAIR STAINLESS STEEL PILOTS

SINCLAIR STAINLESS STEEL PILOTS Reviews & Ratings

SINCLAIR STAINLESS STEEL PILOTS

We manufacture pilots for our flash hole tool and our Neck Thickness/Variance Gauge. Our pilots are precision machined from stainless steel on CNC turning centers to properly fit new, unfired case necks. Available for rifle and pistol cartridges from 22 thru 45 caliber. Not for use on .50 BMG. 50 BMG flash hole diameter is larger.

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Reviews Summary
The SINCLAIR STAINLESS STEEL PILOTS have received mixed reviews. While some users appreciate their performance and ease of use, several complained about sizing inaccuracies causing poor fit with brass. Issues with loose components and inconsistent dimensions have led some customers to seek alternatives, indicating a need for improved quality control.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Product Quality
50%
Customer feedback on product quality is varied. While some users praise the pilots for their functionality, others highlighted significant issues with sizing accuracy, resulting in misfits during use. This inconsistency appears to affect overall satisfaction.
Ease of Use
40%
Several reviewers noted that the pilots are easy to use and work as intended, contributing positively to their reloading tasks. This ease of operation stood out as a plus for those who had a positive experience.
Sizing Issues
60%
A recurring concern in the reviews is the sizing of the pilots. Multiple users reported receiving items that were undersized or inconsistent with the specified dimensions, leading to frustration and erratic measurements in their reloading processes.
Customer Support
30%
Reviewers expressed mixed experiences with customer support, particularly regarding technical inquiries about sizing. While some found assistance helpful, others remained dissatisfied with the guidance provided for their issues.
Product Components
20%
A few customers pointed out issues with loose screws included in the packaging, which can be an oversight during manufacturing. This exhibited a concern over product assembly quality and packaging.
5
Well made
Just one warning. Watch out for the set screw when you open the package. It was just loose in the bag and off it went! Never did find it so off to the hardware store. Otherwise very nice item
5
Underrated
Works great!
5
Underrated
Quick,easy to use, have it in 6mm & 6.5mm. Woulden't trade it.
5
NECESSARY FOR WALL THICKNESS GAUGE
Works as intended
2
Nice but worthless
As the description reads, they're for checking neck runout on new case necks. But who checks even new brass neck runout without expanding to ensure any factory deviations are pushed out and the inside of neck is consistent. Even Sinclair's reloading procedure recommends it. However, Sinclair's smallest expander measures .2815" and #26284 pilot stop measures .2735, an .008" difference leaving a lot of slop. Review also applies to the 223 pilot and the review there by another is pretty much valid!
1
Too Small, Bad Fit
The pilot is well machined to the wrong dimensions. The one I received measures 0.3460". Even when I use an undersized sizing die on my 357 magnum brass, it's a loose sloppy fit. I tried the 9.3mm stop, and found it measured 0.3555" to 0.3560". That will fit very tightly in some, but not all, of my .357 brass. And I can use lapping compound to take the diameter down slightly. However, there's nothing I can do for the "35 caliber" part, since it's already so undersized.
1
Way Undersize pilot
The 22 cal pilot I received measured .212. Tech support said they were designed to be .007 undersized. If you assume the 22 cal intended was .224, then .007 undersize should have been .217 and not the measured ,212. This leaves so much slop when the neck is placed over the pilot that when rotating the case for a measurement, results are erratic.The same pilot issue occured with the 30 cal pilot. I sent the whole thing back tool and pilots and purchased a Redding. The Redding pilots are .004 below caliber which is perfect. Sinclair would have a very competitive product if their pilots were sized correctly.