Small charges / Big blow - ups.

[Chris]

I haven't used my Dillon in a while, so I was thinking to blow the dust off it and try something different. Why not use the progressive to resize, seat primers, expand the case mouth only? Then take the cases back to the powder measure and single stage press for loading. I can't be the first guy to have tried this, but it would save some time and still let me experiment punching paper.

 

[Bret4207]

Bill,


On other forums, newbies won't even look up load data, they will ask you, much easier.

Ben

It ain't just newbies Ben. I've seen well known gunwriters, guys who write about reloading, on sites asking for basic reloading data. Why wouldn't a professional, a guy who later bragged on being a "published author", not have at least one reloading manual on hand? This was a few years back, but jeeze! And that's to say nothing of the Data Miners out there that simply let someone else do the work and then claim credit without ever trying
any of the data themselves.

 

[Bret4207]

I use 2 loading blocks. The primed cases in one, then I drop the powder and the filled case goes in the other block, usually having a bullet placed in the case mouth immediately.

I have a Hornady LnL progressive, new in the box. Been sitting there for a good 10 years now. Haven't even gotten the shell plates yet...

 

[Brother_Love]

Well, this thread has pushed me to make a confession. I hoard Reloading manuals! There, I said it! I have old ones, new ones, I love them all.

I feel better now.

 

[VZerone]

I use 2 loading blocks. The primed cases in one, then I drop the powder and the filled case goes in the other block, usually having a bullet placed in the case mouth immediately.

See, Bret is one that I mentioned. Good method Bret!

On people asking for load data, well people are lazy today Bret.

 

[Ben]

usually having a bullet placed in the case mouth immediately.

I still say that is the key to not throwing a 2nd charge into that case.

Very Good !
Ben

 

[KeithB]

I understand why some folks don't want to be the online replacement for a good loading manual but I have to differentiate between the "too lazy to look up what I need" requests from the "what powder and charge works for you in a XYZ gun" requests. My attitude toward lazy people is a little different from my attitude toward people looking for something better than what they've already tried, or asking about safe limits on charge weights, or info on wildcat/oddball calibers or new powders that have no published data in some calibers.

 

[Ben]

Keith,

You make a VERY GOOD point !

Ben

 

[KeithB]

Well, we are all here to SHARE our experiences, but I can appreciate not wanting to be the substitute for somebody else gaining that experience on their own. There is a lot of good reading other than loading tables in most manuals, if you don't own one you will never read (hopefully) all the other useful (including safety) info.

 

[HM8485]

After 25 years of rolling my own, starting with the Lee Loader and a hammer, then a Lee single stage, I upgraded to a Lee Turret Press to avoid having to reset my dies every time I changed caliber. I took the rotation mechanism off and use it as a single stage. Doing all the cases at once on each stage was actually more comfortable for me. I also distrust progressive loaders, and never could afford one anyway. I am new to this site and appreciate the open sharing of tips and safe time-saving trips. I am experimenting with PC bullets and AA2460. The starting load in the AA manual will cycle beautifully with very mild recoil in the M1. I have also tried Alliant Bullseye and 2400 in both the M1 (used as a straight pull) and the O3A3 Springfield with good results. I have to reload in my unheated barn and near freezing temperatures have slowed my efforts. But I can reload 30.06 for about 9 cents a round!

 

[Rcmaveric]

I blew up my Grendel with 2400. Now not only do i visually inspect, i also weight them on my digital scale. It only takes a minute to weigh all the rounds and a double charge will make itself quite apparent. I only have single stage press and the Lee handloader. It is way to easy to get distracted during powder charging.

 

[Bret4207]

I understand why some folks don't want to be the online replacement for a good loading manual but I have to differentiate between the "too lazy to look up what I need" requests from the "what powder and charge works for you in a XYZ gun" requests. My attitude toward lazy people is a little different from my attitude toward people looking for something better than what they've already tried, or asking about safe limits on charge weights, or info on wildcat/oddball calibers or new powders that have no published data in some calibers.

People like that need to obtain Ken Waters "Pet Loads". Unless it's some new Mall Ninja Super Tactical cartridge, chances are Ken wrung that sucker out 20 years back and will give you the straight scoop.

 

[KeithB]

Agree w you about quality of Ken Waters 20+ year old book. How many powders have been introduced in the last twenty years? How many have been discontinued? Are there still shortages/out of stock conditions of any powders? I don't know the answer to those questions.

 

[Rick]

That's true enough Keith but Ken is still a great read and I still have "some" of those powders. And yep, a lot of great powders have gone away, some simply in favor of what is today considered a more environmentally friendly powder. Geez, green powder, what's the world coming to?

 

[JSH]

I usually load in lots of 500 for my match stuff. I had/have methods to run on a single stage that is fairly quick and easy, along with safe. I just have to have all my gear set up, prepped and ready.
I had a 550 for a while and the use of a 650 and a 1050. The 550, being a manual advance I did not care for.
I used a loaned Hornady for a while and liked it. Swapped my 550 and all the extras for a slightly used Hornady and a NIB as well.
I use these more as a progressive turret.
I still prime by hand.
I still charge on at a time.

Priming one at a time is also a case inspection time as well.
Charging one at a time, is also a last chance of a cull of some type getting by.

I prefer a load that a double charge will fill to the case mouth or over fill, where it is plenty obvious. Doesn't always work but that is what I have come to prefer.

I won't get into it but when I first came over here, it really rattled me of the use of minute charges of fast burning powders in bottle neck cases. Don't mean to ruffle feathers of those that do.

I always figured powder,primer,bullet,cases were cheap. Guns and hospital bills are expensive.

 

[Rick]

I always figured powder,primer,bullet,cases were cheap. Guns and hospital bills are expensive.

^^^^^^ This!

I've always preferred a heavy for caliber bullet and as slow a powder as will get you to the velocity your looking for. Most likely shooting steel and momentum on target played a roll in that. Regardless I prefer a powder charge that if a double charge doesn't over flow the case at the least you'll not seat a bullet, not much doubt that way. Even so more and more regardless of powder or charge I've come to just using the Chargemaster for everything.

 

[freebullet]

I run both, a single, & an lnl ap with case feed.

With newbs it's always the same. Start on the single. I can tell right off which will suck at progressive loading. "I thought we'd load on that thing" they say. Have to crawl before you walk I'd respond.

Funny how quick sentiment can change....

First sit at the progressive.
Ok, how good are you at doing 2 things at once?
Ok, this machine does 10, & if you don't pay close attention your ammo will be pipe bombs.
Can you make machines run & sing safely?
If not progressive may not be for you.

Several progressive press manufactures lost a sale after newbs realized it doesn't do all the work for you. It's not for everyone.

I always suggest the use of a lock out die or similar. On the old site I was accused of loading with my eyes closed for suggesting their use to a newb.

I use the lnl ap for bulk handgun ammo start to finish & loading bulk prepared rifle brass. It works for me.

 

[Elkins45]

Bill,

Seems today that young reloaders don't want to go the route we did.
We read, we compared, we went slow , etc. It took us many years to develop a knowledge base.

We now have the micro-wave generation.
Push a couple of buttons and you have instant gratification.
On other forums, newbies won't even look up load data, they will ask you, much easier. Seems it is important to get exactly what you want quickly with no effort on your behalf.

My old grandaddy always told me...." You can lead a mule to water but you can't make him drink. "

We are ( along with many of the rest of us on this forum ) of a different generation.

Ben

One of the least attractive aspects of the online firearms community is the way everyone who isn’t eligible for AARP gets lumped into the clueless slacker category. Not every new reloader is a dangerous fool, and not every baby boomer is a ballistics expert. There was a guy in his 60s where I shoot that only had eight fingers due to his reloading skills. I’m told the reason he isn’t there anymore is because his habit of dropping loaded revolvers into a duffle bag finally caught up with him, but I can’t verify that.

You make it sound like nobody ever blew up a gun until the millennial generation came along. Not true. It’s just that those of us of retirement age who are still reloading have either learned to be safe, or have blown ourselves up by now. We’re like the bacteria who survive the first course of antibiotics.

 

[Ben]

You make it sound like nobody ever blew up a gun until the millennial generation came along.

Elkins45

If I have generalized too much, I apologize.
However , I have zero doubt that there are large numbers of novice reloaders that display the characteristics that I've mentioned.

Ben

 

[Rick]

One of the least attractive aspects of the online firearms community is the way everyone who isn’t eligible for AARP gets lumped into the clueless slacker category.

There no doubt is some truth in that statement but there is a lot of truth in what Ben actually did say. After that statement you go on talking about blowing up guns and the truth is Ben never mentioned blowing up guns or any other type of accident. His post was about the instant gratification demands of the younger generation and in that is much truth.

Are there exceptions to this among todays youth? Of course, there are exceptions to any group of people, nothing is 100% but today the most common encounter isn't the exception it's give me the answer I want & don't expect me to do anything for it. The instant gratification generation.
.