avoiding double charges

[glc24]

I do my 40 S&W and 45 ACP on my Dillon 550. Lights everywhere, and I visually look into each case when charged. No exceptions. My 5.56 are done on a LEE single stage. Charges are through a Frankford Arsenal Platinum Powder Measure. I then check every charge with my Chargemaster Lite! Then it's dumped into the case using a funnel.
Anal! Maybe! But I've never had a mishap!

 

[Reeferman]

Glad you were not seriously hurt.

With auto indexing presses it's hard to double charge.

Question for you Lee users. Will the Lee allow you to do a double short stroke without advancing? Or was there a jam that you were required to clear?

On my LNL-AP if I have to stop to clear a problem I clear all stations and deal with those at the end of the session.

Yup me too. Even with a powder cop I still look in every case.

 

[Bang!]

I look in every case as I set the bullet. In my mind I’m setting the bullet on the powder. Even with powder checking dies I still have to look in the case. The powder check dies work great. Surprisingly accurate. But I share my reloads with family so every case still gets the visual check. Put the bullet on the powder.

 

[Dudedog]

I like the RCBS lockout die in my LNL but of course you need a free station.
Powder cop you need to watch, lockout die you don't

Powder cop
http://ultimatereloader.com/2010/10/08/rcbs-powder-checker-die/
http://ultimatereloader.com/2010/09/26/hornady-powder-cop-die-overview/
other "Powder cops are about the same"

RCBS Lockout die
http://ultimatereloader.com/2010/09/19/rcbs-lock-out-die-part-i-theory-of-operation/
http://ultimatereloader.com/2010/09/21/rcbs-lock-out-die-part-ii-setup-and-maintenance/

As far as weighing loaded rounds in pistol I don't think there is anything to be gained with mixed brass and even same headstamp brass can vary by a couple grains.
So say you are loading 4gr of a fast powder hiding in the bottom of the .38 special case. 3 of 4 charges would probably fit.
Case A is say 2gr lighter than case B, Bullet A is 2gr lighter than bullet B, you won't see the double charge. (assuming B case and B bullet are normal, case C and bullet C could be heavier.
Say even 1gr and 1gr heavy on one round 1 gr and 1 gr light on one round so between the heavy and the light one you have 4gr.
Bullets are usually within 1gr brass can be all over.
Even loading 6grs I don't know if you would see it.


.

 

[MikeInOr]

I do run the Dillon powder check on the 9mm and 45acp heads for my 650xl (I have one powder check that I move back and forth between the 2 heads). It did save my butt when I ran out of powder once. I ended up pulling about 30 - 45acp loads figuring that they would most likely be lite charges as the powder measure made it down to the last few charges. The powder check will alert on a double charge or no charge but it has to be a pretty big variance to alert on a lite charge.

I would recommend the Dillon powder check if it will work with your press. There is an extra hole in the head plate for the activation rod of the powder check to go through.

 

[entropy]

I set my 505 to the weight I want, and use Lee Dippers. I select the one just below the desired charge weight, dump a full scoop of it in, scoop up a little more and hand trickle that in until the level points at '0'. I visually look into the case. Then I immediately seat and crimp. Simple. I rezero after every batch or walk away from the scale. (Habit from lab work days.)

That's how I avoid double charges. Needless to say, I don't have a progressive press.

Glad you weren't hurt.

 

[doubleh]

I don't use a Progressive press and, for me and my opinion only, this is one reason. I started reloading in '69 and in 70 had a squib. Since then I have incorporated, no matter how inconvenient, a look in every case that has been through the charging operation, either on the press or off. I have a Mini Maglite on my bench expressly for this purpose. I don't rely on "powder checker dies" or any mechanical device or fluffy powders but what my old eyes tell me. Since then reloading for 12 different cartridges, both rifle and handguns, and not experienced any squibs nor Kabooms.

The MK I eyeball is pretty useful. I use two loading blocks. I put the cases to be loaded in one, charge a case and place it in the other and look in it when doing so. I have an overhead LED light and don't need a flashlight to see in the case. Of course I'm using a single stage press as I have no need for a huge amount of ammo at all. I've used this system for many years and have never had a double charge or squib. The only thing that's changed over the years is switching from an incadesant to LED light source.

 

[kmw1954]

Funny why people think which press one uses makes a difference.

I have a single stage RCBS JR3, Lee 3 hole turret, Lee Pro1000 progressive and a new Lee Breech Lock Pro... Doesn't matter which press I'm using the process is the same, Look into the case to verify powder or no powder before ever placing a bullet. Which may be why I'm only getting 150/200 on my progressive presses. If one is not paying attention to the task and accident can happen on any press!

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

This is exactly why I love to use Unique and Herco in my 9mm and .357 mag. These are bulky powders that fill the case nicely. A double charge will overflow the case, this gives me the confidence I need to allow my children to shoot my reloads with me. When I load .38 special with Bullseye, this is not the case. I think I could triple charge that loading and not overflow the case. When I finish off this last pound of Bullseye I'm going to try something different with better case fill.
I had many great suggestions on this board to try Trail Boss or Sport Pistol, I think I'll try both.

 

[hdwhit]

I don't load on a progressive press, but I do include several steps in my written reloading procedures to help minimize the possibility of a squib or an over-charge.

I load in batches (generally 50 cases at a time) and so powdering prepared cases is a separate step.

After the charges are measured and put into the cases, I bring the case block under a bright light, tilt the block to about a 45 degree angle and look at where the light passing the case mouth falls on the powder charge. With just a little practice, it is easy to see inconsistencies in the charge.

Except for 25 ACP, I also weigh each completed round after assembly and disassemble any round that is significantly over- or under-weight. I don't weigh my cases, but I do sort them by headstamp. I know the conventional wisdom is that this step is ineffectual because normal variance in components will obscure the difference. In my case, every time I have had a case significantly over- or under-weight, there has been a problem. And in 40+ years of weighing reloaded rounds, I have never had a squib or a double-charged round get through the final weigh-in.

 

[rjbmjb]

I bought a powder cop, but switched to the RCBS lockout die. Murphy's law says that the one time you get distracted and don't watch the powder cop, that round will have no charge or a double charge. I admire reloaders who can focus on the process and never miss looking into a case or checking the powder cop, but I am sadly not one of them. Most of the time when there is a problem with the press, I catch it before the case reaches the lockout die, but it has caught a couple of low or no charged cases in the years I have been using it, and I am much more confident cranking on my LnL AP since I got it. Once you get used to it, the lockout die is easy to set up and will work with any press that has an open station (one of the reasons I bought the LnL AP is the five stations allow me to use the powder check die for all the rounds I load on it).

When I load rounds on my single stage or turret press, I use my lyman electronic dispenser. I charge the case and seat the bullet while I am waiting for the dispenser to meter the next charge.

 

[jmorris]

If one is not paying attention to the task and accident can happen on any press!

This one has loaded many thousands for me, most of them when I’m not even in the room.

 

[cheygriz]

I use a powder check die, but far more importantly, select a powder that will overflow the case if souble charged.

If loading on a single stage, I fill the loading block, then run it under the powder measure to chsrge all cases very rapidly. I look into the mouth of the cases to verify there is powder. Never had a squib, and a double charge is impossible with an overflow powder.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use a Hornady powder cop die to check powder level.I'm mostly concerned that the cases are near properly charged and want to look for gross under charge or gross over charges. It is easy to include checking the powder cop die in my scan while reloading.

The Hornady powder cop die is easy and quick to adjust. I have the capability of loading 10-15 different cartridges including some bottleneck rifle cartridges on my progressive presses so adjusting an RCBS lock out die is not really an option for efficient reloading set up. The cost of multiple lock out dies or the time invested to re-adjust the dies is too great to be efficient.

I do resize cases at a different time as I do loading them and I do prime off the press so I have eliminated several steps on the progressive presses. It makes the loading process a bit easier where I can concentrate on the charging cases/bullet seating process and not get sidetracked by the resizing and primer seating process.

Additionally, whenever I have a jam or process interruption, I always clear out the cases around the powder measure to eliminate the chance of double charged or lack of charge cases getting by the powder cop die. This makes me more comfortable that I am loading acceptable ammunition.

My process works for me. It may not work for others. The point being, find a process that makes you comfortable that you are not loading under or over chargd loads and stick to it.

 

[kmw1954]

Mr Morris that hurt! Sorry but that would be too much like going back to work. Way more sophistication than I would ever need. I've spent too much time working production maintenance to then bring it home to my reloading bench. Once again, the reason I use the Lee Pro1000 and the Lee Breech Lock Pro, they are very simple machines. You've probably got more invested in that PLC and switches than I have in my complete Breech Lock press. But I do enjoy your handi work!!!

 

[RecoilRob]

Aren't plated bullets recommended to be loaded to cast velocities only? Pushing them too hard could possibly have left a jacket in the barrel while you saw the core strike the target it could still leave a bore obstruction which would spike pressures of the next round.

 

[greg_r]

Lockout die and a bulky powder that fills the case. LED strip lights mounted to the press. I do like the mirror idea that was posted earlier. I use a LCT for a lot of my reloading.

I also have a couple of RCBS single stage presses. I simply charge all cases in a loading block and check the powder levels at the same time.

On my hunting and target loads, every charge is metered and trickled to the exact weight I am looking for.

 

[Walkalong]

Hmmm.... that line/indentation is odd. Could that have been

Already there?

 

[Walkalong]

Aren't plated bullets recommended to be loaded to cast velocities only? Pushing them too hard could possibly have left a jacket in the barrel while you saw the core strike the target it could still leave a bore obstruction which would spike pressures of the next round.

No, and highly unlikely. The plating is bonded (Some better than others) and not a jacket that can come off in one piece.

 

[Walkalong]

One of the things I like about the LNL is the seating takes place up front where it is easy fr me to see each charge I seat a bullet over. Yes, it is now up to the reloader to never forget to check vs a powder cop die etc.

 

[Skgreen]

The point being, find a process that makes you comfortable that you are not loading under or over chargd loads and stick to it.

Yep.
Some of the methods described here ~would not work for me~.
I can also use the 'I've never had a problem!!!' rationale, yet my method is substantially different from some of those listed here.
Have fun/be safe!

 

[JohnB-40]

I load on a RCBS single stage press. I charge the cases,then I check all loads visually with a LED flashlight before I seat a bullet. One load I do pay special attention to is using W231/HP-38 for sub 1100 fps in 357 cases. As I use quite a few of these,I made up a visual load checker out of a bit of dowel and a red sharpie. I check a rack of 50 after charging and again before seating bullet. I have caught one double charge doing this .

 

[labnoti]

Aren't plated bullets recommended to be loaded to cast velocities only? Pushing them too hard could possibly have left a jacket in the barrel while you saw the core strike the target it could still leave a bore obstruction which would spike pressures of the next round.

Fair question. The published velocity limit on the Berry's plated bullet I was using is 1250fps. Over that, I suspect copper fouling and leading would result, the same as with any soft cast bullet. It wouldn't likely present a barrel obstruction after only a few rounds, but it could accumulate. But the load I was using was chronographed to 895fps. The 1.875" j-frame barrel minimizes velocity. The barrel and gun were also newly returned from the factory, cleaned. The barrel is not fouled.

 

[jmorris]

Mr Morris that hurt! Sorry but that would be too much like going back to work. Way more sophistication than I would ever need.

But the part that detects the powder charge is just a Dillon powder check die I connected to the switch.

It’s normally a tone alarm, I always test them and the low primer alarm every 100, like this.



They can be quite sensitive detecting even small changes in case volume.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

First up it took some guts for OP to show that blown revolver. My problem was with rifle cartridges with a small charge of relatively fast burning powder. My solution was to charge rifle cases separately. Visual inspection would not work with 16 grs. of 2400 in the bottom of the 308 case. These loads were for lead bullets. An RCBS powder check was used in four hole LCT. Works great. All this was after having double charges. It did not do a KB but it did not do the Savage 110 much good. Thanks again to OP for sharing his mishap. Working up loads for a 308 Ruger American as we speak...at a snails pace.