Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
There are aspects of this hobby in which you can pick what you want in terms of gear. For example, I have a large selection of dies from several different manufacturers. I even have different brands of dies mounted on the same toolhead.
And there are other areas where you go down a path, and you are rather dedicated to that path. For example, once you pick a Lyman or RCBS lubersizer - you're going to be using Lyman & RCBS sizing dies.
Other gear is close enough to being a standard that we can often make it work. Lee mold handles come to mind. They are compatable with a lot of different mold blocks.
I think tools tend to move towards standards quicker than other things. There's a reason that ratchets and sockets use square drives of 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", etc. and not some odd ball fraction or different drive shape. When a good design comes along, other companies capitalize on it.
My gut feeling is that all industries move towards standards. The real question is which designs become the standard and which ones get lost in the race?
And there are other areas where you go down a path, and you are rather dedicated to that path. For example, once you pick a Lyman or RCBS lubersizer - you're going to be using Lyman & RCBS sizing dies.
Other gear is close enough to being a standard that we can often make it work. Lee mold handles come to mind. They are compatable with a lot of different mold blocks.
I think tools tend to move towards standards quicker than other things. There's a reason that ratchets and sockets use square drives of 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", etc. and not some odd ball fraction or different drive shape. When a good design comes along, other companies capitalize on it.
My gut feeling is that all industries move towards standards. The real question is which designs become the standard and which ones get lost in the race?