Could Have Turned Out Worse

[Grunt67]

Well, I'm just old school. I guess. Possibly because I'm old.
I use a single stage co-ax press, powder measure, plus, measure each charge on a scale. The scale is checked with a set of check weights. Also, look inside the case before seating a bullet.
Slow? Yep, but it's served me well for over 50 yrs.
BTW, that photo was not me. I stole it from another forum.

[CT_Shooter]

I use a single stage co-ax press, powder measure, plus, measure each charge on a scale. The scale is checked with a set of check weights. Also, look inside the case before seating a bullet.

I use a single stage Lee press and the exact same procedure as you; each time, every time; without music or other distractions. Simple and consistent.

[220]

good to hear all's well and the fact that there was no damage to your Henry speaks well for it .... don't know if you are familiar with a Hornady Powder Cop die ====> https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-050063-P ... 137&sr=8-1 .... we ordered one to use with our multi stage press out of concern about being able to monitor individual case loads .... bottom line, if you keep an eye on it, it works as advertised .... it has notified us of more undercharges than overcharges ....

Even better is the RCBS lock out die
I have both it and the hornady powder cop. The RCBS die physically stops the press going to full stroke if the powder charge is high or low.
A few experiments I have done with it as little as .5gr over or under activates it.

[JEBar]

Even better is the RCBS lock out die
I have both it and the hornady powder cop. The RCBS die physically stops the press going to full stroke if the powder charge is high or low.
A few experiments I have done with it as little as .5gr over or under activates it.

info appreciated, I'll have to look into one

[runnin n gunnin]

I have heard about the RCBS but never looked into it. Think I will, thanks 2020

[JEBar]

Even better is the RCBS lock out die

per info in the link directly below "For use with straight-wall pistol calibers, 9mm and larger, and only on progressive reloading presses " .... it is priced at $59.79 .... its limited range of use is a consideration

https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Threads-875 ... merReviews


link below is to a good (short) video showing how it works ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JFCylEc04o

[Headhog]

Even better is the RCBS lock out die

per info in the link directly below "For use with straight-wall pistol calibers, 9mm and larger, and only on progressive reloading presses " .... it is priced at $59.79 .... its limited range of use is a consideration

https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Threads-875 ... merReviews


link below is to a good (short) video showing how it works ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JFCylEc04o

That RCBS Lock Out Die seems to be the way to go. Stopping the press, as opposed to just a visual check, is a very positive sampling method. I can see the limitations since it may not pick up a slight over or undercharge, but then again a visual detection may be hard to spot also. It is pricey at almost twice the cost go the Powder Cop, but it very easy to get careless or distracted when watching an indicator. I will look into this more going forward, but in the meantime my Powder Cop in on duty.

Paul

[fortyshooter]

I keep a light to the left side of my press where I can see and verify the powder load before I put the bullet in place and also do spot checks of load weight. I don't use any auto feeder for bullets or primers. Also I keep a eye on the Dillon Powder Dump station to make sure the slide goes all the way forward and back.

[RanchRoper]

With my Lee 4 stage turret press I am hands on every with every round. Easy to inspect progress. So far so good.

[Rifletom]

Another fuddy-dud here. Single stage RockChukar is all I've ever used. Might be slow, but, it's accurate. No hurry on my part whatsoever. I check every round. Why, I loaded up 50 .45acp rounds today after breakfast. 5.5gr BE-86/230gr coated cast for the Pietta. Something different after lunch.

[runnin n gunnin]

We all have our tried and true methods and techniques and work arounds.

I use a Hornady LNL progressive for all of my pistol, of which I shoot a lot, as well as .223. The reason is, I have tendinitis in both thumbs from shooting for 40 years and it reduces redundant movement of having to handle a single cartridge four or five times to hand load it. I normally load 3 to 5 hundred rounds at a time for these calibers.

For my 7mm, .308, 45-70 I use my Redding Turret press as I am only loading 50 rounds at a time.

I know some folks have arthritis or carpal tunnel and have to look for alternate methods.

[Headhog]

Overall I have 3 different presses bolted to my reloading bench. I use each one for a different caliber and purpose.

First is my old standby my RCBS Jr. single stage press (bought in '74 or 75) that I used for everything I reloaded then. Today it is for all my high power rifle loads. That includes .223, 308 Win, and 30-06 Sprg. Those are the only high power rounds I load.

Back in the early 80's I added my first progressive press which was an RCBS Green Machine in 38 spl. This was a real Rube Golberg press in that the rounds marched inline shuffling across the press. I needed the production rate of this press because I was shooting revolver matches several times a month and with a young family I just couldn't reload fast enough to keep up with my shooting. Sometime around '97 is wanted to add 45 ACP to that press. When I called RCBS the told me they had discontinued that press and would exchange it out for one of their Ammomaster presses if I paid the shipping. Done deal and that is the press I still use for 9mm, 38/357 and 40 S&W all small primers rounds.

Then in early 2000 I stumbled upon a Hornady Projector progressive press that was the predecessor to the Lock-N-Load. Ran that for several years but it was a tinkers delight. So this time I contacted Hornady and they offered me a trade in deal for a Lock-N-Load. That press is used for my large pistol primer loads in 45 Colt and 45 ACP. Once I got the LNL fine tuned, it's a very reliable press and produces great ammo.

Although I'm now getting old and slow I still shoot in pistol matches (IDPA) at least 4 times a month and at least one 2 gun (pistol & .223) a month. I just like burning up smokeless powder, I think it's addictive.

Paul

[runnin n gunnin]

WOW Headhog ! It just goes to show, never throw anything away ! Speaks volumes to RCBS and Hornady for customer care.

Wheel gun competition? Outstanding. I was weaned on a wheel gun early in my career, transitioned to 45acp for 30 years. 4 years ago I was going to crack my shadow box and pull the two model 19s I had mounted. Family said "NO its a family heirloom ! So, I picked up 4 and 6 inch 686's and just added 4 and 6 inch Pythons. I love the discipline of shooting the wheel guns!

[Headhog]

WOW Headhog ! It just goes to show, never throw anything away ! Speaks volumes to RCBS and Hornady for customer care.

Wheel gun competition? Outstanding. I was weaned on a wheel gun early in my career, transitioned to 45acp for 30 years. 4 years ago I was going to crack my shadow box and pull the two model 19s I had mounted. Family said "NO its a family heirloom ! So, I picked up 4 and 6 inch 686's and just added 4 and 6 inch Pythons. I love the discipline of shooting the wheel guns!

Yes both RCBS and Hornady are great companies. I have confidence in both their products and service.

Can't beat this early model 19's. I have one and it a 2" version I still take out to the range occasionally. Great actions and as accurate as you are.

Paul

[Pitchman1968]

It is quite easy to become distracted when handloading..... phone calls, texts, wives asking for assistance during a reloading session, FEDEX/UPS drivers needing a signature upon delivery, etc, etc. I, like CT_Shooter's above response, use a a single stage press. My wife and son understand not to disturb me during a reloading session.
A few years ago I looked into progressive presses for both metallic case and shotgun hull reloading, but never bought one because I want to control every step in the reloading process such as hand measuring every powder charge. This is not very efficient, but, at the range, I am very comfortable shooting rounds loaded this way.

[runnin n gunnin]

It is quite easy to become distracted when handloading, wives asking for assistance -

YUP ! !

My wife and son understand not to disturb me during a reloading session.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR TRAINING TECHNIQUE ! ! !

[Pitchman1968]

They think reloading is a very dangerous process; and if I am disturbed I might blow the house up!

[runnin n gunnin]

I'll have to try that !

[Rifletom]

They think reloading is a very dangerous process; and if I am disturbed I might blow the house up!

Now this fella is thinking! Bravo!