Oops! My first squib.

[tbob38]

When I'm loading on a single stage or turret (used as a single stage), I use a 50 cartridge loading block. I dump all cases by volume.

Then I TILT the block and (with a good light source), I visually inspect EVERY cartridge to make sure that A) all of the casings have powder and B) the powder charges are visually equal (no double charges).

At that point I set the block down and begin seating bullets.

Repeat for the next 50 when done.

This allows you to more rapidly load a batch of ammo, but does NOT sacrifice the visual inspection point.

This is the method I usually use.

 

[Fire_Moose]

I'm thinking I'd like to rig up a little mirror so that I can easily see the powder charge that is dropped in each case.

That's what I did, epoxied a pen clip mirror to the press. Adjustable too!





Sent from my CZ85 Combat

 

[joed]

I don't know.

But if one is missing a powder charge?
How can you be 100% sure another one isn't double charged??

And NO, it isn't just a fact of life.

If you have even one, you need to seriously review your whole reloading procedure so it simply cannot ever happen again.

rc

I couldn't have said it any better. I've never had a double charge but have had squibs. And that is the reason I no longer use Unique. But you have to wonder if there is a double charge somewhere.

 

[joed]

There was a time when I went through a series of squibs on a Dillon 550B. In one batch of .44 Spl I hit 2 squibs. I was determined that I would never put up with another squib.

Both squibs were produced using Unique. The next day the 550B went up for sale and the next weekday I ordered a 650xl from Dillon with powder check die. I no longer use Unique and I will not own a progressive press that doesn't have a powder check die.

It's not about "If" you're going to get a bad charge but "When".

 

[UpTheIrons]

Once again, thank you all for your comments.

And I am NOT offended by the sharper remarks, either. Sometimes we all need a good butt-chewing to get back on track and not do something stupid. Again.

I've taken a number of your ideas and added them to the crock-pot of my mind to let them simmer and settle into a new and improved loading procedure.

I'm definitely adding a lock-out die to the mix.

I'm adding as much light as possible, and probably a mirror, too.

I'm moving the press on the bench a bit so that it is easier to move around it.

Moving the press will physically move me into a better position that I can maintain for longer periods of time so I don't get tired or stiff or distracted and just keep going to "finish X more rounds".

Moving into that position will make it easier to see into the cases (with or without a mirror) to double-check the lock-out die.


As an experiment, this afternoon I took a handful of fired cases (no chance of them firing with dead primers), marked 'em up with a Sharpie, and ran some charges in them to see what I could see. It takes a triple charge of HP-38 to almost overflow a .45 ACP case and is glaringly obvious.

A double charge is not as noticeable. With a bullet seated it is a compressed load though, and therefore silent when I shake it, while a properly loaded round does have that "salt-shaker" sound (or whatever you call it - in a .38 SPL it is really obvious).

I'm not keen on pulling 300 bullets, but I'll do it if I can't clearly tell with the shake method. No sound, pull it. Shaking sound, good to go.

Looking at it again, it was almost certainly a short-stroke squib. But, since I said "almost", I've got to look very carefully at the whole process, as y'all have made abundantly clear.

Thanks again.

 

[JC98]

I almost had a couple squibs with my Lee Turret. The auto disk was not completely returning and was throwing a light charge. Something you might also want to watch for. I cleaned up the rough edges added a little graphite and have not had a problem since.

 

[Trent]

There was a time when I went through a series of squibs on a Dillon 550B. In one batch of .44 Spl I hit 2 squibs. I was determined that I would never put up with another squib.

Both squibs were produced using Unique. The next day the 550B went up for sale and the next weekday I ordered a 650xl from Dillon with powder check die. I no longer use Unique and I will not own a progressive press that doesn't have a powder check die.

It's not about "If" you're going to get a bad charge but "When".

I've seen (rarely) Unique "bridge" in the powder dumper and not come out the tube. That's what the little "whacker" thing is for on most powder dumps.

On a progressive, USUALLY the motion of the press is sufficient to make it unbridge itself.

But I have had some instances with 223 and 45 both, where I do the downstroke, size/fill powder/seat, then go to do the full upstroke, only to have an empty shell come out of the powder bridge, and have powder dump chaotically all over the assembly when the disc rotates. Makes quite a frigging mess, have to stop what I'm doing, clean it all out of the works, and carefully reset everything to continue.

That's one of the inherent drawbacks to progressives. Usually when something stops the process, you've got umpteen things you have to check on to get everything set back up to start again. Did you do the full upstroke before stopping? If not, you may have a primer not seated, or not seated fully. Did you do the full downstroke? Did the shell plates fail to index?

I always put a great deal of thought in to "what comes next" after I have a stoppage on a progressive.

 

[Garmangabis]

I agree with ATLDave, weigh every round.

 

[Fire_Moose]

Just remembered....

Shortly after getting my Lee classic turret I was loading some 9mm and noticed a very small charge drop (Cuz I look in every case) turns out when I reassembled the pro disk measure I didn't tighten the Hopper screw enough. The jerking and turning of the turret caused the Hopper to switch h to closed. Watch out.

Sent from my CZ85 Combat

 

[Trent]

Fire Moose -

That can be considered a common problem on all powder dumps.

On my Lyman dump, it has thumb screws to tighten the cams in place. Those occasionally work themselves loose. Which sucks, because you get VERY slight powder increases as time goes on, if they do come loose!)

Every time I dump 50 rounds I spot check the first, the last, and a random one somewhere in the middle, to make sure the dump is staying consistent.

On my Dillon I stop about every 50 rounds and toss the powder in the casing on my (empty) powder check station on to the scale, to make sure it's still correct. THAT powder dump is a lot more solid than the other one I use, but I've noticed that if the powder hopper is very full or nearly empty it starts to throw charges a bit differently, and with less consistency. (depends on the powder, some are worse than others!)

There's never such a thing as "too much" quality control, in my opinion.

 

[blarby]

There's never such a thing as "too much" quality control, in my opinion.

Amen !