Frankford Arsenal Reloading Equipment: Our Honest Review
By Amis Thains Updated 5 min read
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You are staring at a new progressive press and wondering if Frankford Arsenal's build quality holds up compared to legacy brands. This review breaks down the X-10's performance, common owner complaints, and where it actually saves you time.
In short: The Frankford Arsenal X-10 is a capable progressive press that offers modern features like LED lighting and integrated ball bearings at a lower price point than legacy competitors. While Dillon Precision remains the benchmark for raw industrial durability, the X-10 is a solid choice for shooters who want automation and precision without a premium brand tax.
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Automates the most tedious stations so you can focus on consistency and volume without manual feeding errors.
Who It Is For (And Who Should Skip It)
The X-10 suits hand-loaders moving from single-stage to progressive flow, especially in the .224 to .338 range. It is ideal for shooters who value a clean, integrated toolset and want to cut down on manual die changes. The other half of this decision is checking x-10 kit inclusion.
Skip it if you strictly hand-load only large magnum cartridges like .375 H&H or .458 Winchester Magnum, as the X-10’s capacity may feel limiting for those extreme cases. It is also less suited for those who prefer the massive, cast-iron weight of a Dillon for heavy, high-volume commercial-scale production.
Frankford Arsenal does not manufacture its own reloading dies. The press is designed to work with standard commercial dies from other brands. If you are looking for an all-in-one system where the maker sells the press and the dies, look elsewhere.
Safety first: Always verify your load data from the powder manufacturer's manual before starting the press.
Includes the 10-station layout and universal bullet seating die for immediate use.
- 10-Station Design: Built for maximum versatility with automatic, specialized stations
- Precision Engineered: With integrated ball bearings and an included Powder Measure, the
What Stands Out About The Build
The frame uses integrated ball bearings to smooth out the indexing motion. This reduces the wobble common in older presses and makes the handle turn with consistent resistance.
- LED Illumination: Lights in the tool head keep your view clear, which matters when inspecting primers or bullet seating depth in low light.
- Stable Base: The footprint is wide enough to resist tipping, even when running heavier rifle cartridges.
- Modularity: Stations are designed to be added or removed as your needs change, rather than buying a fixed 5 or 9 station unit.
Compared to a standard single-stage press, the X-10 handles the primer pocketing and bullet seating in automated cycles. This keeps your hands out of the hot zone and allows for faster case throughput.
Pairs with the press for precise micro-adjustments to bullet seating depth.
- Experience precise micro-adjustments to the seater depth of the bullet with a built-in
- Holds bullet in place while seating and has an adjustable seating depth
The Drawbacks Owners Notice
Brand perception often leads to comparisons with Dillon. The X-10 is not as heavy or ‘industrial’ as a Dillon Squelch. If you are loading thousands of rounds a week for a customer, the Dillon’s build is a safer bet for longevity. Before you buy anything, it is worth looking at handling a large batch of bullets with a tool.
Software and electronics on some Frankford tools have had mixed reviews for stability. If you are not comfortable troubleshooting minor electronic glitches, stick to mechanical components. The X-10 is largely mechanical, which helps, but be aware of the brand’s general reputation for rapid product iteration.
There is no dedicated Frankford press for the extreme large magnum cartridges. Check the current spec sheet for maximum case capacity before buying, as this can vary by production run.
Pro tip: Keep a log of die settings for each caliber so you can quickly re-calibrate if the press is moved.
Setup And Use Tips
Mount the press on a sturdy, level bench. Progressive presses are unforgiving of movement; even a slight shift can cause indexing errors.
- Install the bullet seater die and lock it in place.
- Run the empty case cycle until the case is seated correctly.
- Load primers and bullets into the magazine.
- Perform a full cycle to verify powder throw and seating depth.
- Check headspace on the first three rounds of a new load.
Use a brass lube spray on the case necks. This prevents galling on the die and makes the decapping station run smoother. Always use a flash hole punch to clear the primer pocket before priming, especially with older or tumbling-processed brass.
Alternatives Worth A Look
If the X-10 feels overkill or you prefer a legacy brand, look at the RCBS Rock Chucker. It is a single-stage workhorse that is cheaper and simpler but lacks the automated speed. There is more on lee master press details in a separate guide.
For the gold standard in progressive reliability, the Dillon XL is the benchmark. It is more expensive, but it is built like a tank. If you are choosing between Frankford and Dillon, the Frankford is the value buy; the Dillon is the insurance policy for heavy use.
Frankford’s other tools, like their case trimmers, follow the same philosophy: feature-dense and affordable. The press fits into that ecosystem well if you already use their case prep centers.
The bottom line
The Frankford Arsenal X-10 is a strong option for shooters who want progressive speed without the Dillon price tag. It makes sense if you load rifle cartridges in the .224 to .338 range and value modern features like LED lights and smooth indexing. If you need raw industrial durability for extreme volume or large magnums, step up to a Dillon.
- 10-Station Design: Built for maximum versatility with automatic, specialized stations
- Precision Engineered: With integrated ball bearings and an included Powder Measure, the
Frequently asked questions
Is Frankford Arsenal as good as Dillon?
Frankford Arsenal offers more features for a lower price, but Dillon is heavier and more proven for extreme high-volume use. For most civilian loaders, the X-10 is a very capable press that won’t wear out quickly, but Dillon remains the ‘professional’ standard for raw build weight.
Does Frankford Arsenal make reloading dies?
No, Frankford Arsenal does not manufacture reloading dies. They focus on presses, scales, and case prep tools. You must buy separate commercial dies (like Lee, Hornady, or Redding) to use with their presses.
What is the biggest issue with the X-10 press?
The most common complaint is the lack of a dedicated large magnum configuration and the fact that it is not as heavy as a Dillon. Owners also note that the frame is lighter, so it must be bolted down securely to prevent rattle during the decapping station. We go through the ds 750's case work step by step in its own article.
Can I use the X-10 for pistol calibers?
Yes, but it is less efficient. Progressive presses are best for rifle cartridges where the bottleneck shape allows for easy case feeding. Pistol reloading is often better on a single-stage press unless you are doing massive volume.
How does the X-10 compare to a single-stage press?
The X-10 automates the decapping, priming, and powder charging steps. This saves time and reduces operator error, but it is less flexible for one-off custom loads. A single-stage press allows you to manually adjust every step for each round.