reloading sequence question

[-tmo-]

have a question about the sequence of reloading and preparing cases.

if the case needs to be measured after its sized, at what point can you measure your cases when loading with a progressive press?

do you need to run all cases through a resizing die then measure then load it in the progressive resizing again?

 

[zxcvbob]

I don't trim straight-walled pistol cases. The cases I do trim (.30 Carbine and soon .30-06), I load on a single-stage press. If I was doing them on a progressive, I would use a Lee hand press first to size and decap the brass. (Can do this in an easy chair while watching TV) Then measure/trim, then load the prepped brass on the progressive.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Here we go again. Never do any reloading process while watching TV. You will miss something like a cracked case, etc...

I first tumble all cases before they go though any of my dies. I resize/decap on a single stage press and complete the rest of the loading processes on a Turret press. Making it easy for me to measure all my cases before they reach the turret press. I also (I'm rather particlar about my brass) measure revolver and pistol brass. revolver brass is returned to the proper case length, or the same as the rest of the cases in that set, to insure even crimps on all revolver cases...Pistol cases rarely lengthen. Though my Colt 1911 .45 ACP prefers cases at .890"

 

[lgbloader]

Bushmaster,
You are a little too paranoid!!!


... And you gotta be if you are handloading.

 

[-tmo-]

thanks i think i will go get a single stage today, i dont think i will be reloading while watching tv anytime soon, no need to take a 50 cent chance on a 2500$ rifle + whatever it does to me, if i screw up or have a lapse in concentration.

 

[MinnMooney]

Treat cases separately..... for safety's sake !!

This thread pops up evry so often and you'll see that many reloaders will skip all of the important safety/accuracy steps just so they can brag that they can load (fill in a number here) rounds per hour.
That is NOT the way to reload as any old-timer reloader will tell you. I like to call the "get-it-done-fast crowd" the split-barreled, missing fingers (or worse) group. They settle for 2 MOA accuracy (maybe a tad better or worse) and are taking a chance on having a catastrophic failure because they have brass that is too long (chamber pressure problems), crudded-up primer pockets (loose fitting or too swallow primers) and case mouthes that are neither chamfered or reamed so their chambers get scratched and bullets have a tough time entering the nect (crushed necks). A case NEEDS to be examined, checked for length, trimmed (maybe), primer pocket cleaned, chamfered and reamed before any more steps are completed in the recycling process.
If you're going to load "progressively" then take the time to do it correctly and safely. "Progressive" doesn't mean that you HAVE to go from tumbled brass off the floor to a finished cartridge in one, continued rotation of the merry-go-round. I do my sizing on my Rock Chucker then do all of the steps necessary to the casing for safe, accurate loads and THEN I start my progressive press into action.

 

[jhansman]

Never do any reloading process while watching TV.

Nonsense. I just trimmed 1500+ pieces of LC .223 brass while watching the tube, and ended up with a box of perfectly trimmed cases, and a small pile that ended up too short. You just have to pay attention to the task, not the tube.

Would I charge cases or seat bullets while watching TV? Lord, no.

 

[CBS220]

Some reloading processes are pretty much brain dead.

Trimming, depriming, and depriming are good examples.

As for cracked cases, you should be inspecting them before you place the powder charge as well! I don't see the issue there.

 

[zxcvbob]

Never do any reloading process while watching TV. You will miss something like a cracked case, etc...

Treat cases separately..... for safety's sake !!

You do need to examine each case. But that doesn't mean you have to examine it at the capping and sizing step.

 

[ForneyRider]

If you are neck-sizing, you don't have to re-size. Sorta.

Here is my experience with neck-sizing and trimming Rem 7mm Mag.

Factory load
shot them
neck-sized
trimmed
loaded(max) and fired
neck-sized
trim (only about 30%)

After 2 firings, the Winchester factory loads still have about half width of the factory crimp on the brass.

 

[Sunray]

"...case needs to be measured after..." No need to measure 'em except for length.
"...when loading with a progressive press?..." All case prep gets done before you start loading with any press.

 

[FlyinBryan]

for bottle neck rifle this is my order of operation.

1. general clean up, like dirt dobber eviction,loose dirt and such.

2. full length resize and deprime.

3. trim and chamfer.

4. tumble in walnut.

5. tumble in corncob.

after this its ready to load. i am using a load master and have only been reloading for a week or so.

the folks here have sped up my learning curve and helped me more than i can express in this reply.

stage 1: nothing. no sizing die in my press, i sized and deprimed on my single stage

stage 2: no die here either, this is where loadmasters prime.

stage 3: auto powder measure

stage 4: bullet seater

stage 5: factory crimp die.

finished rounds.


i use and really like the imperial sizing wax. its in a little tub like that stuff office workers use to keep thier fingers moist to turn pages or count money or whatever, and all you have to do to lube during sizing is wipe your finger across it every few cases during sizing and just use that hand to handle the cases and they get lubed that way. its almost like your not even lubing at all, and is very easy on your dies and cases.

my method also keeps lube out of the loading press. it gets cleaned off during the tumbling.

good luck with it.

 

[Idano]

-tmo-,

Follow Bushmaster and MinnMooney advice and process your brass separately. I have a progressive press and I always process brass as a separate reloading step. I have rubber maid containers I bought at the dollar store full of processed brass ready to be reloaded. Every time I go out shooting or return from hunting I toss the brass in the tumbler while I am cleaning the gun(s). When I am done with the guns I resize the brass, trim and gauge check the brass then clean the primer pockets before tossing them in one of the rubber maid containers. When I am ready to reload I'll dump 500 rounds in the case feeder and off I go reloading. By the way I still never reach those throughput numbers everyone claims, usually I get between 300-400 rounds an hour and that is with a case feeder. It takes time to occasionally check your powder throw, box up the 50 or a 100 rounds at a time, add more powder, refill the primers, and refill the bullet tray

 

[mallc]

+1 for Idano

Dillon 650 progressive.

For general range work. Lot size is coffee can:
1) Shoot
2) Tumble and aside

When I get a coffee can or so -
3) Deprime - small universal decapper on Redding T7
4) FL size and trim with Dillon 1200 on a RCBS Reloader Special and then back in coffee can
At lesure -
5) Inspect, deburr, chamfer, maybe clean primer pockets and then back in the coffee can.

When I get low on on that size -
6) Change-over the Dillon to the proper caliber
7) Load up a few primer tubes
8) Check charge weight
9) Half a coffee can at a time into case-feeder and work an hour or so at a shot until I'm done.
10) Dillon goes back on shelf until it time for the next production run.


Redding T7 Turret.
For target. Ammo lot size of 50 rnds per box:
1) Shoot
2) Tumble by lot and aside
3) Deprime - small universal decapper on Redding T7
4) FL size and trim with Dillon 1200 on a RCBS Reloader Special and then into tray.

At lesure -
5) Inspect, deburr, chamfer, ream primer pocket and clean pockets, polish necks with Scotch bright back in the tray.
6) Hand prime with RCBS Universal tool and back in tray
7) Install appropriate dies in T7- If their not already there
7) Setup powder dispencer and check charge
8) Charge case and then seat the bullet in one operation and into ammo box.
9) Weight every few rounds to confirm range and weigh a charge now and then.


I don't really shoot that much better with T7 rounds, but, loading them is more fun!
Scott

 

[Griz44]

I am all DITTO on the inspection part.
I load a lot of 45ACP.
1. Tumble everything as soon as it hits the shop (walnut)
2. I spread them out in a shallow pan and spray them with cabelas case lube.
3. Turret #1 - run them through decapper/resizer. I love the case feeder!
4. INSPECT CAREFULLY, length, mouth, pocket, etc.
5. Tumble again - corncob and polish
6. INSPECT, check pockets for media, look for any cracks
7. Mount turrent #2 in press.
Station #1 - universal decapper, just to be SURE the flash hole is clear
Station #2 - Universal mouth flare - just a kiss to make sure the mouth is round, the LEE also primes at the station and the die keeps the seating exactly on target
Station #3 - neck expansion and powder through die for the charge
Station #4 - bullet seating
Station #5 - Taper crimp with FCD
Back into the tumbler for 3 or 4 minutes to make them PRETTY!

Go shoot, and start all over.

I cast my first 500 homegrown bullets yesterday. Can't wait to load them up and see how they shoot!

 

[Walkalong]

+1 for Bushmaster and Idano.

Pay attention to detail and be careful. Ever read on forums about kabooms? Wonder where they come from? I don't.

Be careful, be safe, good shooting.