Electronic Counter for Watching Your Primer Supply

[billybob44]

I guess you could do it that way, but it seems a little awkward to me. I just pull the unprimed case out of station 1 and toss it in with the other unsized cases, then finish loading the other three primed cases. Then I refill the primer tube, and go on. It also is a good stopping point to check weights and replenish brass and bullets.

I don't see a significant advantage of a beeper telling you it's empty rather than just feeling that it's empty or seeing that the follower is bottomed out. It's still empty and you can tell either way.

Also, using my advanced ciphering skills, I have been able to ascertain a peculiar one-to-one relationship between primers used and rounds loaded. It's uncanny.

Actually gw I'm with you all the way. My main idea on my first post was to show that I could the same thing with a no charge coat hanger that the OP does with his neat little electronic giz-moe.
Usually if I'm going to continue to load on my 550, after seating on the "no primer" mode, I pull out the powder charged case, re-fill the primer magazine, stroke it, seat the primer, re-install the powder charged case, rotate, and go on.

 

[GW Staar]

GW Starr:

I know, I know, I said I was old school...along with Hornady and others.

I'm happy that those electronics are working for you, but remember I'm a dinosaur and will be extinct before I could even think about changing.

PS: My press is green too, so could you send me all those pesky tubes you fought with for 38 years?

Did not mean to ignore you Tilos, from one dino to another, I found that upgrading my RC to the Pro 2000 gave me an huge energy shot. I think I'm good for a lot more years of reloading than I would have been, doing it the old way. As for the tubes and the Rock Chucker, if SHTF, what do you think I'm going to head for my mountain retreat with...the RC or the twice as big and heavy Pro 2000?

 

[straitnate14]

Very cool!

 

[GW Staar]

Actually gw I'm with you all the way. My main idea on my first post was to show that I could the same thing with a no charge coat hanger that the OP does with his neat little electronic giz-moe.
Usually if I'm going to continue to load on my 550, after seating on the "no primer" mode, I pull out the powder charged case, re-fill the primer magazine, stroke it, seat the primer, re-install the powder charged case, rotate, and go on.

Yeah, I understand. We all have to figure out contingency operations. The stuff that you describe works for you and your trusty 550, and keeps your session going. By no means does my new tool remove all operator errors, just one. What I love best is how much faster I can crank them out without losing quality control. Finally I can experience the potential of the new APS system, especially after strip #9 (225 primers loaded) and not having to fill and change tubes. Or after strip #40 and still no tubes to load, nor empty strips sneaking up on me.

Before...the 25-count strip was a slight operational disadvantage...that I had to work around. I did work around it by putting only 15 bullets in the "In-tray." Then when the bullets were gone, I knew I had to add a strip. So then I poured 25 bullets in the tray...when they were gone I added a strip, and so on. I used small dixie cups with pre-counted bullets in them, so I could just grab one and pour it out in the in-tray. THIS little tool, like I said before, is a God-send for me. And should be for every other Pro 2000 user.

The point, really, is making the press you bought work the hardest and best it can. If other press users can see a reason to convert the counter idea for their use great, it not, it sure doesn't bother me.

Whats interesting to me, is the bad timing of my thread! I don't think one Pro 2000 user has even seen it yet! I know Peter Eick is out of town and away from the gun forums, and I haven't heard a word out of any of the others either. I'll be interested in what they think.

 

[billybob44]

Yeah, I understand. We all have to figure out contingency operations. The stuff that you describe works for you and your trusty 550, and keeps your session going. By no means does my new tool remove all operator errors, just one. What I love best is how much faster I can crank them out without losing quality control. Finally I can experience the potential of the new APS system, especially after strip #9 (225 primers loaded) and not having to fill and change tubes. Or after strip #40 and still no tubes to load, nor empty strips sneaking up on me.

Before...the 25-count strip was a slight operational disadvantage...that I had to work around. I did work around it by putting only 15 bullets in the "In-tray." Then when the bullets were gone, I knew I had to add a strip. So then I poured 25 bullets in the tray...when they were gone I added a strip, and so on. I used small dixie cups with pre-counted bullets in them, so I could just grab one and pour it out in the in-tray. THIS little tool, like I said before, is a God-send for me. And should be for every other Pro 2000 user.

The point, really, is making the press you bought work the hardest and best it can. If other press users can see a reason to convert the counter idea for their use great, it not, it sure doesn't bother me.

Whats interesting to me, is the bad timing of my thread! I don't think one Pro 2000 user has even seen it yet! I know Peter Eick is out of town and away from the gun forums, and I haven't heard a word out of any of the others either. I'll be interested in what they think.

Good stuff gw. I started this hobby in the mid '70's'. My first press-RCBS RockChucker-rides on the right side of my bench. During the '80's' Dillon had a Christmas time add program, and I posted a "I want one of these" on the fridge, and my SWEET Wife had a RL550 under the tree. This press rides on the left side of my bench.
To me, these two companies (RCBS+Dillon) are Top Notch in every way. I have added on accessories, and die sets from both companies as the years have gone bye. I have a few tools from the three letter "Red" company, but not many. Have fun loading...Bill...

 

[jmorris]

Actually gw I'm with you all the way. My main idea on my first post was to show that I could the same thing with a no charge coat hanger that the OP does with his neat little electronic giz-moe.

But your coat hanger doesn't count. Then again you don't need electronics to count.

Here is what I used to keep track of how many cases were in a batch on my roll sizing machine.

 

[GW Staar]

But your coat hanger doesn't count. Then again you don't need electronics to count.

Here is what I used to keep track of how many cases were in a batch on my roll sizing machine.

I don't even know what a roll sizing machine is for. In that application I'm assuming you didn't need a down-counter with a preset, plus another automatic resetting preset, either. Maybe you spent $30 on it or $0, depending what your rummaging came up with, typical of your McGiver (use what's around) mentality. The biggest advantage you have in your projects is superior metal-working skills. (slight advantage?) Must be nice! I'd like to see a Jmorris version of my "Forster in Style" trimmer mod! Would be all steel of course, no PVC! Said I'd like to see it, didn't say I could build it. I'm experienced with raw materials used to build buildings, not machines.

 

[jmorris]

I don't even know what a roll sizing machine is for. In that application I'm assuming you didn't need a down-counter with a preset, plus another automatic resetting preset, either.

A roll sizer rolls the case between two dies resizing the base of the case and extractor grove, or places that a regular sizing die and push through sizing dies can’t get to.
The counter was $2 from a local surplus store and it only has two functions count up and reset. So you would have to know where to stop and twist the knob to reset.

I like your setup for what you need, I was just pointing out you could still count without a stick. Of course I also can remember I have 8 primer left when the low primer alarm sounds on my 650’s, or is that 7? Great, now I need one...

I'd like to see a Jmorris version of my "Forster in Style" trimmer mod!

No you wouldn't, it's just a power window motor with threads.

 

[GW Staar]

I would if you got serious about it.

See, what I envision from you is...instead of a pully-driven, gravity fed, vertically mounted PVC structure, powered by a big electric screw driver, you'd set up a stepper motor underneath, set to raise and release just so, using a foot switch and a stainless steel structure, and a gear motor out of a paper shredder. You're probably smarter than that and just bought the Giraud.

I've been living with my trimmer project for a year now. Probably going to do another very amateur video of it to show people it really works...PVC and all.

Wasn't interested in the Giraud, I have a hard enough time holding cases over my uniformer. My hands and fingers don't handle that kind of thing too well.

 

[Tilos]

GW Staar:
I'll pm my address so you can send me those old priming tubes

I'll pay shipping if you want to send the RC too

 

[GW Staar]

GW Staar:
I'll pm my address so you can send me those old priming tubes

I'll pay shipping if you want to send the RC too

Okay Tilos....Now, I'm ignoring you.