Double Charges on a Dillon more common

[buenhec]

After hearing everyones opinion, I think I may move on to te Dillon 550, especially if I am going to begin reloading 223 for my AR as well as 45. My only concern, is I keep hearing from lots of people that have a 550 that at sometime or another they have accidentally double charged a load. Is this because it does not auto index? Something my little Lee would never let me do.

 

[Anotherguy]

IMHO if you double charge a load it's because your not paying close enough attention. Everyone should know their equipment and how it operates. I prefer a manual index machine myself. Been reloading on a Dillon 550 for 16 years without a problem.

 

[Spartacus451]

Double charging on the Dillon is no more common then double charging with any other non auto-indexing press. Dillon offers several auto-indexing presses like the SDB, 650, and 1050.

 

[target1911]

IMHO if you double charge a load it's because your not paying close enough attention. Everyone should know their equipment and how it operates.

+1

 

[jmorris]

With every 223 load I’ve ever tried it would be impossible to double charge as it would spill out of the case. It is possible with many pistol loads. If you think one might get past you, just get a 650 with the powder check system (it also checks for low charges as well).

 

[Waldog]

I am a happy owner of the Hornady LNL. It has auto indexing. Every single "KABOOM" I have read about on the web was associated with the Dillon 500. The Dillon 550 is an outstanding press and double charges is NOT THE FAULT OF THE PRESS. However, because the Dillon 550 has been around for years and is very popular, there are MORE of them out there in use. The Dillon 550 is a manually indexed press. I firmly believe that you SIGNIFICANTLY reduce your chances of a double charge with auto indexing. Double charges are caused by carelessness on the part of the operator, NOT the press.

 

[Vitamin G]

Not to thread hijack or anything, but how do you reload rifle rounds on a progressive?

Don't you have to take the case out and trim it after resizing?

 

[SASS#23149]

I"ve often wondered if trying to go too fast is where the double charges happen? If you're going at a steady pace and paying FULL attention,double charges are pert near impossible on a 550.I use one,but I don't care about rounds per hour like some folks do.
A slow to moderate pace will do 250 rounds per hour,safely. If you shoot once a week tha's over a thousand rounds reloaded in a weeks' time,with time to think about what is going on.

 

[Hutch]

Vit-G, you don't have to do that.

 

[GaryL]

I double charged a couple last night. No big deal, I was not doing production, but special test loads. But let me explain - wanted to leave the press setup as is, so I was pulling cases from station 2 (powder drop) and hand weighing a different powder into each case. I needed to bell the cases, so I would get the setup charge and dump it into the hopper, then load the test charge. Unfortunately, I came across a couple of cases with loose primer pockets and pulling those, removing the primers for reuse, and in doing so ended up with a couple of double charges which completely filled the cases without spilling, but were getting dumped into the hopper anyway.

I have loaded a lot of rounds without double charges, and many of those were with Bullseye in large cases. It's doubly important to pay attention to loads with a low case charge.

But, I have taken to finding loads where a double charge is obvious, I have good lighting at the press, and I visually inspect every round. A good rythym and following the same sequence of operation every time doesn't produce double charges.

I'd bet that double charged rounds are simply the result of inattention to detail and/or taking short cuts, and that putting those same individuals on a single stage press will eventually produce a squib load they fail to notice at the range, with unfortunate results.

 

[ilbob]

Don't you have to take the case out and trim it after resizing?

All of my rifle loading has been done on single stage presses, and I measure the case length after resizing. Very few cases needed trimming, and virtually all those that did were either new cases, or once fired ones.

Granted most of my rifle reloading was 30-06 bolt rifles, but I also did some in 223 and 308 for semis, and found about the same thing.

You can remove the case from the press after sizing and measure and/or trim it if needed and then put it back in, put that is a lot of work.

I know some rifle reloaders take out all but the sizing die, run all the cases through it, measure and trim if necessary, then take the sizing die out and put the others back in and run them through again. But as I said, all my rifle reloading has been done on single stage presses.

Double charging is almost always the operator's fault, not the press.

 

[redneck2]

My only concern, is I keep hearing from lots of people that have a 550 that at sometime or another they have accidentally double charged a load.

As noted, get a powder that fills the case enough that you can see a double. If you use a real fast powder, double charges are more likely.

I've used a 550 for years with no problem. I personally detest auto index. PITA for rifle and for load development. If you stop the 550 for ANY reason, just pull out the rounds and set them on the bench, then finish them one at a time. Most of the time I don't use the locator buttons so I can pull any round out of any station.

I usually hand weigh and load rifle one at a time.

Not to thread hijack or anything, but how do you reload rifle rounds on a progressive?

Don't you have to take the case out and trim it after resizing?

I seldom trim to length after the first time. If you run moderate loads in moderate calibers, you shouldn't have to trim much. If you run hot loads in magnum calibers, you punish the brass.

 

[stubbicatt]

The RCBS X die is a wonderful accessory for use if you make sure you reuse only your own brass. Saves time and trimming for someone else to enjoy.

 

[jmorris]

vitamin g If you feel that you must trim every time http://www.dillonprecision.com/cont...8/Dillon__039_s_Rapid_Trim_1200B_Case_Trimmer is the set up you want

 

[Wildfire]

Double charge

One safe way of loading on a 550 is to us a powder that will spill over if double charged. It is dirty but Unique has more bulk. Some others will too.
The safest way is too look at each one, no matter what.

 

[qajaq59]

If you are depending on any press, Dillon or not, to keep you safe you are making a serious mistake. You simply must pay a lot of attention to what is going on. If you get tired or bored just stop and take a break.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive loaded many a hundred thousand rounds on 550s and have never had a double charge. If i did it surely wouldnt be the fault of the press. ANYTIME you are reloading you need to keep your mind on what your doing. The same thing can happen charging cases in a loading block with a powder measurer. If your the type that lets his mind wander when loading a 550 isnt for you but then any progressive press isnt for you either. As a matter of fact handloading in general isnt for you.

 

[VonFatman]

I've only owned a 650 Dillon (7 years) and just love it. If you really think you will be worried about a double charge or squib, move to a 650 and increase your production and rest your mind.

Bob

 

[retired/lasd]

I have used a SDB for over 10 years and use Bullseye powder for my 9mm and 38 rounds and I have never had a double charge. I have always been extremly carefull when reloading and the small light and mirror I have attached over the case at the powder point helps me to see the amount of powder in the case.

 

[Idano]

Something my little Lee would never let me do.

All reloading presses are capable of producing a double charged cartridge; that includes single stage and all progressive presses whether manual or automatically indexed. Quality reloading depend upon the person's attention to detail when reloading. In fact I would say an auto indexed progressive presses runs a higher risk of producing a double charge or a squib load because if the stages are not cleared correctly when an incident occurs, such as a bullet or primer seating issue to name a few you risk factor increases. This is why every article and all experienced reloads preach the rule of no distractions when reloading. Also you never put your full trust into the repeatability of your your equipment. I for one believe you should always randomly verify your powder dispense weight; I once found a piece of plastic that came out of the can of powder that worked it's way into my powder measure that displaced over a grain of power on 20 9mm rounds unit l found it during a random power check.

Bad reloads = bad reloading practices.

 

[KeithB]

opps double post

 

[KeithB]

I make a personal habit of looking in the case in station 3 before i set a bullet. Have never had a double charge or a squib.

 

[jmorris]

All reloading presses are capable of producing a double charged cartridge; that includes single stage and all progressive presses whether manual or automatically indexed.

Almost all. The 1050 has a latching “ratchet” that has to be manually over ridden if the operator fails to make a complete stroke. With this system in place you would have to remove the charged case from stage 6 and reinsert it in stage 5 to obtain a double charge.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

I agree with the above observations. The times I have had squibb loads (never had a double charge get by me that I know of) have been when I wasn't in the right frame of mind to be reloading. In order to control all of the stages, you must be "in the mood" to be paying strict attention to detail. When I know my mind is off wandering again, I shut down the press and call the neighbors to help me find the stray.

 

[pinkymingeo]

If you have an extra hole for it, the RCBS Lock-Out die works. A squib or double won't get past.