Frankford Arsenal X-10 Review: Hands-On Testing
By Amis Thains Updated 5 min read
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You are looking at a premium 10-station progressive press but wondering if the X-10 actually handles the brass you want to load. This page breaks down the real-world performance and setup requirements so you know if it saves you time or adds work.
In short: The Frankford Arsenal X-10 is a high-end machine built for speed and convenience with clean commercial brass. It is not the right choice for beginners or those relying on military range pickup. You want it if you load high volumes of pistol calibers and want to minimize manual handling.
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It automates case feeding and priming, saving hours on commercial brass with less manual handling.
Who it is for (and who should skip it)
The X-10 is for the reloader who wants to push out 9mm or pistol calibers fast. It is a system, not just a press. It includes a powder measure and case feeder right in the box, which saves you from buying those accessories separately. The other half of this decision is arsenal x-10 reloading kit.
Skip this press if you are brand new to reloading. The setup is complex and not user-friendly for first-timers. If you are loading a low volume of rifle cartridges by hand, a standard four-station press is better. The X-10 is designed for volume, not for the occasional magazine of ammunition.
You are a good fit if you already load commercial brass and are looking to cut down on your time at the bench. The machine shines when you have a stack of clean, prepped cases ready to go.
Pro tip: Do not buy this machine if you plan to load military brass as your primary source. It is not the right tool for that specific task.
The integrated case feeder and powder measure are the main value here, saving you from buying those accessories separately.
- 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 in the X-10 design
The biggest win is the ten-station layout. Each step—size, prime, charge, seat, crimp—has its own home. This means no double-duty stations and a smoother workflow. You avoid the bottleneck of trying to prime and size in the same stroke.
The included ball bearings make the shell plate rotate like a top. You get smooth indexing, which keeps the powder measure from spilling. This is critical for keeping your bench clean and your charges consistent.
Frankford also added integrated LED lights in the tool head. This is a small feature that makes a big difference late at night or in a dim shop. You can see exactly where you are working without dragging a separate lamp around. Loaders in this spot often ask about assessing the m-press value as well.
- 10 dedicated stations: No compromises on case handling.
- Built-in powder measure: Consistent charges without extra setup.
- Roller handle: Less wrist fatigue during long sessions.
- LED illumination: Brightens the tool head for precise work.
The drawbacks you need to know
Setup is not for the faint of heart. Aligning the case feeder and primer systems takes time and patience. You must check the manual and go through the calibration steps carefully. If you are not mechanically inclined, this is where you will struggle.
The press itself cannot handle military crimped primer pockets. It will push the case into the die, but it will not open the pocket back up. If you are using range pick-up brass, you must prepare it first with a swage.
This is a vital part of the workflow to plan for if you process a lot of reloaded or surplus brass.
It is not silent. You get a steady mechanical hum and click with every cycle. It is not a noisy nuisance, but it is not quiet either. If you reload in a shared garage or near a sleeping household, this might be a factor to consider.
Safety first: Never load military brass with crimped pockets into the X-10 without swaging them open first. It will not process them correctly and can cause issues with your dies.
How to set it up for brass processing
Since the press can’t open crimped pockets, you need a way to prep your brass before you put it in the X-10. The Frankford Arsenal Case Prep Center is the go-to tool for this. It opens the pockets and lets you remove primer residue and copper fouling in one pass. Loaders in this spot often ask about automated case feeding performance as well.
Swage your brass to open the primer pockets, then sort and clean it. Once your brass is in the correct spec, the X-10 handles the rest of the process from size to crimp smoothly. This workflow is essential for anyone who wants to use the X-10 on non-commercial brass.
For your first run, go slow. Dial in the case feeder alignment. Check that the cases are feeding into the plate without double-feeding or misaligning. Once you have it dialed, you can ramp up to several hundred rounds per hour. The automatic feeder keeps the plate populated so you are not constantly reloading cases by hand.
It is the dedicated tool needed to prepare military brass so the X-10 can process it correctly.
- 110V Case Prep Center with 4 power tool stations can run up to 4 heads at one time
- Inside chamfer tool, outside debur tool, small primer pocket scraper and large primer
Alternatives worth a look
If the X-10’s setup feels like too much work, look at a machine with a removable toolhead. The Dillon Precision RL550C is a solid alternative. It lets you swap calibers without losing your powder settings, which is a major time-saver if you load multiple cartridges.
For someone who wants a complete beginner kit, the Frankford Arsenal Essentials Reloading Kit is a better start. It gives you a single-stage press and the basic tools to learn the process before moving to a progressive system. You gain the fundamental skills without the complexity of a ten-station machine.
Pro tip: The RL550C requires manual indexing. You advance the plate yourself, which gives you more control but is slower than the automatic feed on the X-10.
The removable toolhead feature on the RL550C makes changing calibers much easier than the X-10.
- Precision Reloading with Progressive Efficiency – Combines the repeatability of
- Quick & Easy Caliber Changes – Removable toolhead keeps dies and powder settings
The bottom line
The Frankford Arsenal X-10 is a great machine if you load high volumes of clean brass. It is not the right tool for a beginner or for someone who mainly uses military brass. Get it if you are ready for the setup work and want speed. Loaders in this spot often ask about frankford arsenal m press as well.
- 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
Does the Frankford Arsenal X-10 break easily?
No, there is no widespread issue with the press breaking. The case feeder and primer system are the parts that need careful attention during setup. Once dialed in, they are reliable and consistent.
Can the X-10 handle military brass?
Not directly. The press cannot open crimped primer pockets on military brass. You must swage the pockets first with a tool like the Case Prep Center before you can load it on the X-10.
Is the X-10 good for a first reloading press?
No, it is not. The setup complexity and the need for calibration make it a poor choice for a beginner. Start with a single-stage press to learn the fundamentals first.
What is the best use for the X-10?
High-volume loading of clean, commercial brass in pistol calibers like 9mm. It excels at pushing out several hundred rounds per hour with minimal manual handling.