Reloading Efficiency and Error checking.

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Kuyong_Chuin

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Okay I made this video today so someone can check to see if I am doing everything correctly and if you can spot ways to improve efficiency in my reloading. Sorry I didn't realize the camera so zoomed in and I did make a mistake and forgot to raise the ram while loading the powder on one of the rounds but I fixed that error. Let me know what you guys think. You guys are the closest thing I have to a mentor right now. Thanks for your input and help.

http://youtu.be/gfIYgsscvCI
 
I can see a few things that might help-your bench isn't very solid,too much movement when you use the press.I hand held priming tool is not expensive and is a big time saver.I didn't really have a mentor either,but I tried to talk to anybody I could,and asked a lot of questions.When I first started,there was no internet,so a lot of my learning was the hard way.Read a lot,ask questions when you have them,and enjoy your journey.I was 17 when I started,and now at 52,I am still learning.Even after thousands and thousands of rounds loaded,there is still a lot that I don't know.Always,always be safe.If something doesn't feel right,stop and find out what to do.There are a lot of guys on this site who will fall all over themselves to help you.
 
WVRJ said:
I can see a few things that might help-your bench isn't very solid,too much movement when you use the press.I hand held priming tool is not expensive and is a big time saver.I didn't really have a mentor either,but I tried to talk to anybody I could,and asked a lot of questions.When I first started,there was no internet,so a lot of my learning was the hard way.Read a lot,ask questions when you have them,and enjoy your journey.I was 17 when I started,and now at 52,I am still learning.Even after thousands and thousands of rounds loaded,there is still a lot that I don't know.Always,always be safe.If something doesn't feel right,stop and find out what to do.There are a lot of guys on this site who will fall all over themselves to help you.
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The bench is a temporary one till I get my entertainment center built. I'll then reinforce this stand and use it for a bench.
 
The best advice given to me, which I just started loading this year, was to buy a Lee Pro Auto Disk for all of my pistol production. Made my life a whole lot better. I only use the big powder thrower for rifle cases now, and will eventually try out the double disk setup and see if it gets my 223 cases at the right measure.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/348753/lee-pro-auto-disk-powder-measure


Seriously, it saved my a lot of headache, and fumbling around on the bench. It's been very accurate so far. I have loaded about 1500 45 rounds, and about 1500 9mm rounds so far with it.
 
I think once you have more confidence/experience with your equipment (and fix that bench) you wont have to measure the OAL each time. Same goes with a powder measure. I dump powder in all the cases after belling as one step. However, I weigh the charge every 5-10 to make sure the measure is still calibrated. I use an RCBS uni-somthing-or-other. Some powders meter better than others too. The key for my setup, is to be consistent in the motion when throwing powder to get a consistent charge.
 
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Blue68f100 said:
Depending on powder you use you may not ever be dead on every drop. The reason I don't use Unique.
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I am using Longshot powder. This is what is on my list to buy or fix as so as I can afford to get it. A new powder thrower, a tumbler, a brass catcher that will work no matter which hand I am shooting with, a chronograph, more bullets and primers. All of this I'll have to get a little at a time. First I need some good warm weather so I can do my wood work and fix the bench with the left over plywood from the entertainment center that I am building.
 
Gonna comment as I watch the video.

Toss the digital scale. Get a decent beam scale...gravity always works.

Get a loading block and mount your powder measure to the edge of the table. Charge the cases in the loading block. I ise a headlight to verify every case is charged properly. That way you won't have to use the powder thru die to charge, just to flare the case. Much quicker.

I simply don't have time to watch a half hour video. But some of these menial tasks such as resizing, priming and case mouth belling can be done with a Hand Press while watching your favorite TV show. Crank them out by the hundreds.

About 1000 45acp, using a simple Hand Press. And I'm warm and comfy in my recliner.

84DCD8B6-0BC5-494C-A79A-67B4A2B87C6D_zpsdm8wcywl.gif
 
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I see alot of parallels in the building of my first computer in the early 90's, and learning the ins and outs of a Dillon xl650.

Both had a bit of a learning curve, and say what you will, It didnt matter what I did, I still had to give up a "pound of flesh" in time. It seemed the longest time no matter what I did, that 486dx50 would not boot, and I could not load more than 5 or 6 rounds before something went wrong.

Then one day, it all just worked. Dont know why, I really don't think Ive done anything different except I put in the time and the Gods looked down and were tired of laughing at me and let it all work.

That computer is now a sleek Macbook Air, and I just finished loading 1000 rounds in just about an hour.

be safe.
 
Ok. I am by far no expert, I have only been reloading a few months. But here's the way I do it, on the same lee press. I reload 9mm and .223. I do it in an assemble line line fashion, and not all at once. But each stage is completed fully. Usually in 300 round increments.

1. Deprime all my brass.
2. Tumble all that brass.
3. Prime all that brass.
4. Set up to load powder. I load the powder hopper, throw powder and adjust accordingly until I have the charge volume I want. Load 50 primed cases into a loading tray. Drop powder into a primed case, and check weight again. If its good, I take the tray, and drop powder into 10 cases. I do this by leaving the cases in the tray and bring the whole tray under the powder dropper and just moving along in a line. On the 11th drop, I pull that case and dump the powder onto the scale to check the weight. I continue this until all cases are loaded. I made an extension on the powder dropper out of a piece of wood and longer screws so 1/2 the depth of the tray can be loaded with powder, then rotated 180 and the other side loaded. Then I take a flashlight and look in each case to see powder level. You have to be VERY methodical about this step to ensure there is no missed or double charge. Double charge a case to get a visual as to whatbthatbpowder level will look like in comparison to a normal load.

Depending on how much time I have for step 5, which will be done at the same time of step 4, I may load powder into one more tray for a total of 100 rounds.

5. Set oal, Seat bullets. Check oal every 10th.

The key for me is to do it in stages. Depriming and priming is kind of mindless so I can do it late at night when I'm tired and listen to the radio while I'm doing it. Step 4 and 5 need total dedicated attention.

I also use a shot of one shot case lube into a ziplock bag of 223 or 9mm cases and it seems to go a long way.

If you prime on the press, I have found if I reach around with my left hand to use the auto prime, and keep my right on the press ram handle, it speeds up priming.

Hope this helps.
 
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