Why process matters

[gonoles_1980]

Yesterday I was loading up some 357's. I load 100 at a time, in trays of 50 each. I had to get up after loading the first 50.

My process:
Setup the scale, zero, then use scale weights with .5gr of my desired weight. If I have to adjust, I go back to the zero step and then scale weights again.
Set the powder dispenser to what I have marked for the average VSD in my logs
Throw the powder, weigh, it should be very close, if I have to adjust the VSD too much, I recalibrate the scales and start over.
I check the weight of the powder throw after the first 5 throws, then every 25 afterwards.
Brass without gunpowder is primer side up in the trays
Once loaded with gunpowder it's primer side down (obviously )
I then run a flashlight check over the two trays right to left then up and down checking the levels inside the brass.
I then seat the bullets, depending the the type, seat and crimp in the same step.

When I came back to start loading again, I had loaded up about 10 cases and then noticed the tray I was pulling from was all primer side down. Had to dump those 10 cases and refill. The process caught the mistake.

 

[PWC]

Pretty much the same as you but when the powder goes in, the case doesn't leave my left hand until a bullet is seated. Then primer up in the tray/box.

If i'm interrupted or distracted, here is no doubt where I stopped the process. No brass with open powder.

 

[edwardware]

I too use Stamps up or Mouths up to separate process steps, and always look at a rack of charged cases before seating.

 

[lordpaxman]

When I came back to start loading again, I had loaded up about 10 cases and then noticed the tray I was pulling from was all primer side down. Had to dump those 10 cases and refill. The process caught the mistake.

Good catch! I would hope your flashlight step would have caught this as well. When I’m loading single stage with blocks and need to pause, I have a lock out/stop card where I note what was done last and what needs to be done when I get back. Process is really important and should be stressed to new reloaders as much as equipment and technique. Good luck!

 

[gonoles_1980]

lordpaxman I like that lock out/stop card idea. I should keep an index card at the table with me. Great idea to add to my process. And yes, I think the flashlight check would have caught it too and I would have had to dump 50 cases noticing one tray had twice as much as the other tray.

 

[WestKentucky]

Single stage...
I use old ammo box inserts, cleaned and primed in a bucket, primed to the trays mounts down, drop powder back in tray mouth up, and my left hand automatically and instinctively brings over a bullet to set in the case mouth. The next time I touch those cases is when I’m seating bullets. If I change boxes of bullets then I stop at my last bullet and then verify setup before I drop powder again.

Lee Turrett
Pull handle 4 times and put in a fresh loaded case with a stop in the middle to put a bullet over the powder that just got dropped into the case. Same exact process, just 1 at a time rather than 100 at a time.

 

[bassjam]

One of the reasons I started reloading with the lee turret press was the process meant less room for errors. An empty shell goes into the press, and a finished cartridge comes out.

Of course I'm not a benchrest shooter trying to get the best possible accuracy out of my guns, so a turrent is more than fine for my needs.

 

[dh1633pm]

I am sorry, I can't figure out where your process broke down? You came back, loaded 10 and then found what? The primer down indicated filled right?

 

[mdi]

I established my technique many years ago and if I have a brain phart, or interruption (extremely rare) I know exactly where I left off. I put my primed brass in a bowl. I pick one up, charge it and put it in the loading block (when I pick up an empty case I also glance at the primer). I only charge cases from the bowl and have never had a double charge. Only charged cases go in the block. After charging, I look in every case, and when I pick one up to put in the press for bullet seating, I glance again. I started looking in every charged case after I had a squib in 1970 and that was the last one. While I can't tell if a charge is 1/2 grain off, I can see an empty case or double charge. I don't have to think hard about my process or setting up my bench for a session, that is just the way I do it (like I don't have to think about every stroke when I'm shaving) it is habit...

I don't think there is only one way to safely reload, only one technique, but I do think one should establish a routine that includes "fail safe" measures, checks, as a solid part of the process right from the beginning. If brand new to reloading, write it down and practice it until it becomes an unchangeable habit...

 

[reddog81]

I am sorry, I can't figure out where your process broke down? You came back, loaded 10 and then found what? The primer down indicated filled right?

I had to read it a couple of times also. I think it means the cases had already been filled once and he was doing it a second time.

I concur with bassjam - A turret or progressive press eliminates many of the possibilities for human error.

 

[PWC]

Just my opinion, and we all know what opinions are worth, charging large, relatively, lots of cases with powder, is more suseptable to problems than charging and seating the bullet immediately. I know not all presses allow this.

I enjoy the relaxing loading process and do not usually load more than 100 at a time, on my 80 yr old Pacific "C" press usually less than an hour. All brass prep is done before I charge, seat, and crimp as necessary.

It is true, everyone must establish a safe process for how they accomplish the basic reloading steps with the equipment they have.

 

[ballman6711]

My process is pretty simple and hard to mess up. I load on a single stage and don't get in a hurry.

1) Tumble brass.
2) Inspect tumbled brass. Set fifty pieces in loading block spent primer up. The rest (usually a few hundred) go in a labeled zip lock bag for future use.
3) Size and deprime fifty pieces. Each piece is placed back in block mouth up.
4) Flare and prime fifty pieces. Each piece is placed back in block primer up.
5) Drop one charge and weigh it, then pour charge in brass, set bullet, seat bullet, place loaded round in block bullet up. (Check first round for OAL) Repeat fifty times.
6) Crimp (taper or roll as needed) fifty rounds. Each round is placed in block primer up.
7) Plunk and rotate all rounds in barrel chamber or cylinder if it's a revolver.
8) Place rounds in ammo box with 3x5 card noting ALL details of finished round including date made.

Total time for 50 finished rounds using my process is about two hours, not counting time spent in the tumbler.

Process is very important, and should be followed very strictly. Mine works for me, and has kept me out of trouble so far. Others have their own way, and if it works for you and keeps you safe, then follow your process every time.

chris

 

[.38 Special]

Weird. When I get interrupted I just stop pulling the handle. Then when I get back I just start pulling the handle again.

Do you guys have presses that only allow you to do one step at a time?

 

[roval]

i leave the progressive in the up position/ handle down if i get interrupted.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I had to read it a couple of times also. I think it means the cases had already been filled once and he was doing it a second time.

I concur with bassjam - A turret or progressive press eliminates many of the possibilities for human error.

That is correct, I was pulling from the already filled brass. Don't own a turret or progressive, I suspect the Lee Single Stage I have will last longer than I will. It's sufficient for my needs.

 

[Blue68f100]

i leave the progressive in the up position/ handle down if i get interrupted.

That is what I do even on my SS press. When the ram is up you know what you just did, and whats next.

 

[dh1633pm]

Thanks, I just wasn't getting that part. I look in each case before I put them under the powder dispenser. Goes without saying a double load in a pistol is bad for your health. A double load in a rifle makes a mess on your reloading bench.

 

[Obturation]

As soon as I drop powder I set a bullet in the case mouth, loading on a single stage means I can't seat the bullet immediately but there's no doubt if a case has been charged. It's worked for me.

Everyone should have a process and stay consistent .

 

[film495]

I use two blocks and move from a start block to a finished block for each step.

 

[MauriceSam]

I use two blocks and move from a start block to a finished block for each step.

Exactly what I do. One block on one side of press and other block on other side of press. I try to not stop in the middle of loading. (Wife says supper is ready, I'll be there when I get to stopping point). Have been interrupted once in the process over many years loading and ended up forgetting to finish crimping rounds in two boxes. Was using a single stage press at the time. Was shooting and ended up with a bullet lodged in barrel. Started using multiple single stage presses after that to keep steps going and finally got a turret press for pistol rounds. Like previously said, one piece of brass in press and all steps complete. Always stay focused on task and if interrupted, step back and find where you truly stopped instead of where you THINK you stopped

 

[mmb617]

I'm another single stage guy. Primed ready to charge brass is in a bowl on the left side of the powder dispenser, block and scale on the right. As the cases are charged they go in the block.I weight check the first 3, then every 10th one after that. When the block is full I look into the cases under a good light and then move that block up beside the press. Once cases are charged they always get finished that session. If I'm interrupted for a few minutes there's no doubt about where I left off.

 

[mdi]

Some of the above posts reminded me of when I helped a friend reload ( he competed and used a boat load of 45 ACP rounds each week). He had a Dillion, don't remember the Model no., but it was auto-everything. I sat there and pulled the handle. No thinking involved, no fun, no "feel", just pulled the handle. Any satisfaction from a job well done? Nope, just a sore arm...

I like reloading...