Double charge

[Brad]

Got to thinking the other day and I wondered if a double charge of Promo in a 45 ACP case would make seating a bullet difficult.
Oh crap, I can’t tell a difference on the press handle!
4.8 gr vs 9.6 gr and the press doesn’t even notice.
Just goes to show that even a bulky powder doesn’t make it impossible to double charge a case.

 

[S Mac]

Better pull that one before you forget.

 

[Brad]

No primer and it went into the trash. No way I was tempting fate.

 

[RicinYakima]

Modern presses, especially progressives, have so much mechanical advantage you are never safe with "feel". IMHO

 

[Brad]

Modern presses, especially progressives, have so much mechanical advantage you are never safe with "feel". IMHO

Ain’t that the truth.

 

[fiver]

I got some loads in the 9mm that go even higher than that using red-dot.
I didn't think I'd get the bullet seated but it went right on in without making even a crunching noise.

 

[Gary]

I starting to use Trail Boss for some of my handgun stuff.

 

[Ian]

I like loads that overflow the mouth if they get double-dosed, but unfortunately none of my handgun loads come close to that.

 

[RBHarter]

8.0 Unique should be pretty close to spilling in a 9mm .
10-11 in a 38 or 12-13 in a 357 .....
16-20 isn't much in a 45-70 but it would be a bunch in a 45 Colts .

According to Quick Load a 10 gr charge of Unique under a 350 gr bullet at 1.610 OAL is only 20kpsi . While typically a Ruger value that should be GtG in anything capable of handling 45 ACP also .

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I can tell from the picture that the OP is using a Dillon 550. That is an OUTSTANDING press, IMO.

It is actually very difficult to create a double charge situation with that press if you are following a set routine and paying attention.

Here's a safety tip for all users of the 550. If for some reason, you need to stop during a loading session, stop with the handle all the way down (ram all the way up and casings in the dies). That condition makes it nearly impossible to double charge a casing when you resume operation. There is no question about where you were in the cycle. When you raise the handle back up, you will push it forward, seat the primer on the casing in station one and advance the shell plate.

 

[Hawk]

I use a Dillon 550 and I've got a LED flashlight set up pointing straight down into the case at the bullet seating station, so I can see the level of powder in each case.
I use a lot of Unique, but it compresses so well, I want to see each powder charge.

 

[Brad]

I can tell from the picture that the OP is using a Dillon 550. That is an OUTSTANDING press, IMO.

It is actually very difficult to create a double charge situation with that press if you are following a set routine and paying attention.

Here's a safety tip for all users of the 550. If for some reason, you need to stop during a loading session, stop with the handle all the way down (ram all the way up and casings in the dies). That condition makes it nearly impossible to double charge a casing when you resume operation. There is no question about where you were in the cycle. When you raise the handle back up, you will push it forward, seat the primer on the casing in station one and advance the shell plate.

If I stop I always check for powder. I usually pull the case at the powder drop and bullet seat stations to verify thst they do/don’t have powder.
I never run more than 300 rounds at a single session to keep from getting tired and lax. A bit of rest and time away then I might run more.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

I was loading 2400 in .308. After a double charge situation I used and RCBS die that would signal an abnormal load. These were not on a progressive. I also changed the order in the way the cartridges were loaded. I'm experimenting using the 550-very carefully. There was a two part article in Blue Press about precision load with a 550. If interested, that's a good read. If my sequence is interrupted the involved charges are weighed plus regular checks.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I have loaded tens of thousands of rounds on a Dillon 550. They are excellent presses. I've never understood the anxiety that some people have with progressive presses. They are not super complex machines and if you're able to chew gum and walk at the same time, you should be able to safety operate one.
Pay attention to what you are doing. Don't try to multitask, don't daydream and you will be FINE.

The primer tube will hold 100 primers. If you need to take a break, the end of those 100 rounds is a good place to stop. If you need to stop in the middle of those 100 rounds, leave the ram in the fully raised position. When you return to the press there's no mistake about where you were in the cycle when you stopped.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

If I'm working away and get distracted there is an easy way for me to get centered. If there is a primed case in the first station. In the second station is a cartridge case. In the third station is a case with seated bullet. Remove all doubt and weight charge case in station two. Go slow and pay attention to what's going on. Got a low primer sensor second handed. It's a plus unless it goes off in my ear.