Way to speed up reloading?

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308sc

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Do you guys know how to speed up reloading?

I'm pretty fast at all the other stuff (50 minutes 30 rounds), but my powder handling system is what kills me in time...I use the lee "perfect powder measure" but I would like to by a dispenser very similar to it, but to where i don't have to add or subtract grains every time I dump a charge. Is this normal?

I'm want something that I can feel confident in knowing that i have the correct charge, without having to dump it on the scale every time. Are my expectations unrealistic?

well thanks in advance,


Ryan (308sc)

EDIT: This pertains to rifle reloading
 
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Are you locking in your perfect powder measue? I have two of them and when set they throw the same charge all day long. I'll even throw max charges with them. If you are getting the lock ring locked,you may have to slightly adjust the main screw that holds it together(tighten).If that doesn't work,email Lee Precision at leeprecision.com.I'm sure they will get back to you as they have to me when I've had questions.
 
Looks like you need a Lee Turret Press and the Lee Autodisk.

Or a full progressive.

Speed should never be your primary goal, FWIW. Safety first...
 
yes you are right, but I would like to speed it up a little bit.

You know, I don't reload because I like it. I reload so I can fuel my true passion: "time behind the trigger"
 
Really? I find reloading in and of itself to be almost as enjoyable as the trigger time. But that's just me, I suppose.

The Lee Autodisk is a great tool for picking up speed, though. Also get a hand primer.

Those little digital tricklers aren't faster than a normal powder thrower, anyway.
 
You should buy any piece of equipment you want, but

the Lee Perfect Powder Measure can be extremely consistent. Mine is. I never have to dump and weigh individual charges.

Two pieces of advice:
  • Try treating it with powdered graphite on all surfaces that the powder touches. The graphite will reduce static electricity greatly, and help the powder flow consistently.
  • Each brand of powder measure has certain powders that just don't seem to work. Perhaps you can try a different powder, 308sc.
 
I have the Pact electronic dispenser and scale combo....as long as you let it warm up for a little while before you use it and it will be great
 
Reloading is best suited towards those with the time and inclination to do it. If you do not, then you will have to shoot factory ammo or perhaps look at a 22LR?

There are many ways to speed up the processing. I would look hard and long at a Dillon 550 or Hornady Progressive press for loading rifle ammo. Buy once and cry once!

I would suggest using powders that are powder measure friendly....in the 223 I would suggest H335, TAC, N140....RL15....
 
I use the lee "perfect powder measure" but I would like to by a dispenser very similar to it, but to where i don't have to add or subtract grains every time I dump a charge. Is this normal?
Click to expand...

Are you only adding or subtracting 0.1-0.3 gr of powder when you throw a charge and weight it?
I haven`t found any measure that will always throw a perfect charge. Some come close, the "Quick Measure" from JDS works very well for me. Or the Harrels (sp?) that the BR shooters swear by, although I`ve no experiance with one. Even with these though you will find some variation at times. My JDS with ball powders will toss exact charges at least 8 out of 10 times and only be a tenth off when it is but it never is 100% when loading 50-100 rds of ammo. Useing stick or flake powders and the consistncy degrades a bit further but, very little with this measure. Some measures just plain don`t like stick powders at all in my limited experiance.

If you want a quicker way to dispense charges with the best (still not perfect) accuracy I`d go with one of the digital scale/dispencers. They are a touch slower then a thrower but if you dispence while dumping the previous charge in the case you`ll find them hard to keep up with.
If you are not loading max charged loads and the thrower you have is only showing a tenth or two variation from average I`d be happy with it. BR shooters never weight charges, they just throw and seat. The 0.1-0.3gr difference means nothing in a rifle cartridge as far as affecting velocity or accuracy. Even in larger pistol rounds, I doubt if you fired 20 rd of the same load with a charge .2gr apart you would see any measurable difference. Again, max loads aside.
 
I'm content with my uniflo. I won't claim that it will throw perfect charges all day long but +/- .2 max is acceptable to me since I don't go to close to max. Some powders will be more consistent then others of course.

I replaced my perfect powder measure with a uniflo purely because the uniflo is smoother in operation, because of the smoothness it allowed me to speed up safely.
 
My lee perfect powder measure works great with most of the powders I use, but it hates IMR 3031 so I just trickle thos cartridges. switching to W748 for 30-06 and 223 made a big difference, all throws will be +/- .1grains which has a negligible affect on accuracy in most circumstances. Just because it cost more doesn't mean it is better.
 
My PP measure works great with the powders I use (H335, H4831sc, AA#5...) It took a few times to get it to throw consistant, but even the instructions told me that it takes a pound or so to go through it to be consistant. I have confidence in it now, I check every 10 or so with the scale and its very rarely off. I do have to tighten the "screw" from time to time as well.

Is this PPM new or has it been in use a while?
 
What press?

I can do 50 rounds in about an hour on the single stage with the hand prime and Lee Perfect Powder drop.

A progressive or turret should speed that up considerably. The Lee Auto Disk on a progressive is very fast and can handle small rifle or any pistol. I think the 308 is about 45grs of powder, in general, and the double disk can do that for most powders. The biggest Auto-disk hole is 1.57, which equates to 24.3gr of BL-C(2), so the double disk can, theoretically :), do 48.6gr of BL-C(2). For the 168gr 308 Win, Hodgdon (their website) recommends 44-47gr(max) of BL-C(2).

I use this setup with .22-250, which isn't a far cry from the .308 as far as reloading.

From the literature, the adjustable charge bar goes up to 1.6cc. I have one but haven't used it yet.

The RCBS Uniflow can be fitted on a progressive.

Hodgdon Varget works great in 308 and powder droppers. IMR powders don't work in my Lee PP, but the SC and SSC versions should. I use RL 19 and 22 in the Lee PP as well. Winchester (ball) powders work well too.
 
Best way i know to speed up reloading requires the following items

1. Flat panel TV w/ DVD player
2. Comfortable chair
3. Mini-fridge
4. Good Scotch.
5. Cigars and Cigaretts "When not handling powder"
6. Space in the house well away from the wife.

With this proper setup you will "speed up" your daily activites to start your reloading as quickly as possible.
 
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