Depth stop on an "off gun" cylinder loading press?

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Tallbald

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I crafted an oak frame press for myself, using a commercial steel quick acting toggle clamp for the mechanism. Tried it out and it has more power than I expected. Rammed the ball and waxed wad down onto the Triple Seven charge deeper than I planned on my Ruger Old Army cylinder. Sort of hard to "get a feel" for the pressure, but I like the leverage for ease. I did make a threaded brass end for the ram to protect the chambers, but the shortest setting is still deeper than I want.
Do commercially made presses have stops for the correct depth? Or do you work to "get a feel"? I can make one with a little thinking.
Thanks. Don.
 
That's why I just seat firmly. I don't know how to be more consistent than that.
 
Are you trying to compress the powder into a subatomic particle?:what:

The ball should be pushed all the way onto the powder, even compressing it some. I can't believe you're causing a problem......
 
I would be very Leary of using a depth stop. A depth stop would need to be precisely matched to the specific load and even then could be dangerous if any component (powder, was, filler or ball) was undersized and caused an air gap.
 
My press from Belt Mountain has a collar on the ram with a set screw. Once the proper load and ball/bullet depth is established the collar is held against the cylinder face and the set screw tightened. Subsequent loads will now be seated to that depth.
 
If something requires a bit of feel to get right -- like properly seating a ball to just take up against a charge, or slightly compress that charge, if the charge volume might be deliberately made different from time to time -- then the mechanism you're using shouldn't be made to give you so much mechanical advantage that you can't feel the necessary feedback.

Can you shorten your lever arm to give you less leverage and more "feel?"
 
BullSlinger said:
A couple of the substitute powders say not to compress. Just be gentle if using them.
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with all of the substitute powders but Triple 7 is the one often mentioned concerning compression. What they stated was very minimal compression when loading cartridges but "firmly" in any other use. I sent them an email asking for a better understanding of what "firmly" was because people on forums were always saying T7 shouldn't be compressed but they didn't find it worth their time to respond.

I've compressed it firmly as I do any other powder and see nothing erratic. The group size and POI are identical to the Olde Eynsford powder I also use but it would likely take more than 15 yds to really see it I suppose.
 
Thanks to those who answered my question. Used correctly, any stop I craft for my press will give me consistent ball and wad depth in conjunction with a carefully measured and predetermined volume of powder. I've long been taught that consistency in loading is conducive to fewer shifts in point of impact. That's my goal. And I do see too, as suggested, that I can shorten the length of the press lever handle with no negative effect. Doing that tomorrow.
 
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