Preferred Safety Checks during Process

[MySuomi]

As I was loading several hundred rounds of 380 ACP I pondered the safety protocols I have adopted for my pistol reloads. And I was wondering what other people do. Actually I was thinking that I am being overly cautious and slowing myself down for minimal payoff. So I thought I would ask.

Here are my safety checks during the reloading process:

• Starting off I confirm the powder weight of the first 3 or 4 rounds.
• Thereafter I confirm every 5th round unless something felt wrong.
• After I have 50 rounds, I grab a light and visually check all 50 for doubles.
• As I seat the Bullet I check the length (OAL) of every 5th round.
• After bullet seating, I plunk test every round.

Note: I do not check the length of pistol brass before reloading. Also, I am using a single stage press. I am not sure if you can even do these checks on a progressive.

Just curious if my process seems overcautious or perhaps inadequate. Thanks for any input.

 

[grogetr]

Not sure there is such a thing as to cautious. I use a turret press so I finish each round as I go. I check powder weight and aol about every 20 and look in every case as I go. If the length that you have set plunks ok you shouldn't have to recheck everyone. Do what makes you comfy, better to be extra careful than not enough.

 

[edwardware]

I check powder weight at setup, and maybe every 500 rounds thereafter. If your measure is drifting every 10 rounds, you should fix it.


Also, eyeball or powder cop die down every case.

 

[Virginia Jim]

Check primer seating depth.

 

[Texas10mm]

I check the powder drop before I start to load. If it's good I just start pulling the handle and seating bullets.

Once I'm done with the run I run them all through a gauge and check for high primers.

 

[Muddydogs]

Do what makes you feel comfortable. I'm like you and check my powder throw more then I probably need to but if something feels wrong or the gut says do it I check, I'm not one of them to check a few throws at the start then go 500 rounds before I check it again. If I load on a single stag press I weight every charge but if I'm loading on a single stage the loads are important loads.

 

[cfullgraf]

Here are my safety checks during the reloading process:

• Starting off I confirm the powder weight of the first 3 or 4 rounds.
• Thereafter I confirm every 5th round unless something felt wrong.
• After I have 50 rounds, I grab a light and visually check all 50 for doubles.
• As I seat the Bullet I check the length (OAL) of every 5th round.
• After bullet seating, I plunk test every round.

Checking the first few powder charges is a good idea. It makes sure you are where you want to be. If the powder measure does not seem to be settling down, I check more frequently at first. The settling of the powder column in the reservoir affects how consistent your powder measure will operate. I generally throw 15-20 powder charges after I first fill the powder measure before I make my first measurement.

Checking then powder charge of every fifth round should not be necessary if your equipment is operating properly. See the last note below.

I generally check the powder charge about every 100 rounds whether I'm loading on a progressive or single stage.

For single stage loading, I always look inside the cases in the loading block to see if the powder level is about the same for every case. My progressive press has a powder cop die. Again, I'm looking for double charges or no charges with it.

I check COL for the few few rounds after seating the bullet and then only periodically there after to make sure nothing has moved.

Being cautious is a good idea. As you get more experience with your equipment and understand it's capabilities, then you can stretch out the intervals between checks. I always verify settings at the start of a new reloading session even if I left the press set up for the same cartridge/load from the previous session.

 

[AJC1]

I dont do a powder check at all ever. I verify my scale before I start and check the scale as I feel necessary. It depends on your process. This is with a chargemaster. If I am using a powder dump I practice for 20 and measure every one. Then check my consistency after a batch of random samples. Your process determines saftey along with your level of consistency.

 

[Walkalong]

On my LNL I run a bunch of charges through the measure to settle it down, then check three or four thrown charges to make sure they are what my data says they should be, then start loading. I see every charge I place a bullet over, and I keep an eye on the measure to make sure it hasn't loosened up and changed setting, just like I check for loose settings on or simply loose dies every once in a while.

 

[MySuomi]

Thanks for the input. I think I will add a primer check to my process and keep being cautious for a while. I only have about 3000 rounds under my belt so caution makes sense.

I think one of the things that is making me uncertain is my shift from a chargemaster to using the Hornady powder

I am now using the powder thrower since the chargemaster is very slow. So I had been measuring every single charge. On my single stage it would take hours to get the job done. So, I decided to use the traditional method. Much, much faster. But, I have to get used to trusting the equipment.

 

[presspuller]

One of the things that I do that I think is important, I NEVER set a case mouth up until it has powder in it. I can tell which cases have powder just by seeing which way they are turned in the loading block.
I don't think you can be too cautious, it's what keeps us safe. If you are comfortable with your operation it doesn't matter if it has more steps than other people.

 

[jmorris]

I use a powder check die, checks every round. It even detects cases with exact powder charges but small differences in internal volume.



After they are loading I run them all in and out of a case gauge before boxing them up and giving them a push row by row to make sure they all have sufficient neck tension.

 

[otisrush]

Here are my safety checks during the reloading process:

• Starting off I confirm the powder weight of the first 3 or 4 rounds.
• Thereafter I confirm every 5th round unless something felt wrong.
• After I have 50 rounds, I grab a light and visually check all 50 for doubles.
• As I seat the Bullet I check the length (OAL) of every 5th round.
• After bullet seating, I plunk test every round.

Note: I do not check the length of pistol brass before reloading. Also, I am using a single stage press. I am not sure if you can even do these checks on a progressive.

You do "more" than I do but I won't for a second suggest you can or should do less.

This is what I've settled into over the years:

• After I've set my measure and confirm it's discharging the correct amount, I check my powder throw weight after charging the first 10 cases, the next 10 cases after that, then after the next 15, and again after the last 15. (I use a Uniflow. I read a report years ago of someone who didn't lock down the adjustment knob and as he charged chases the charge got larger....and larger.....and larger.....). For subsequent groups of 50 rounds *in the same loading session* I'll check the powder measure after 15 cases, then after the next 15 cases, and then after the last 20 cases.
• During the charging process I periodically scan (check) 1/ load data that is posted over the bench; 2/ powder on the bench; 3/ scale setting; 4/ bullets on the bench.
• After 50 are charged I confirm powder is in each case using a flashlight.
• Seat bullets and check OAL on the first 5 cases.
• Ensure die seating stem lock nut is down tight.
• Seat the remaining 45 bullets.

I don't check OAL on cartridges after I've confirmed it's correct on the first 5. I don't plunk test any finished rounds.

 

[Jim Watson]

On the rare occasion that I single stage pistol ammo, I accumulate some sized, flared, and primed cases.
I cycle the powder measure 15 times to settle the powder, then fine adjust. I weigh the first three loads and every tenth or fifteenth thereafter. I have occasionally seen a slight drift but not very often.
When I have 50 (or a smaller test batch) in a cartridge block, I go down each row under a strong light to be sure each case has one and only one dose of powder.
I then seat bullets, twiddling the seating plug to the desired OAL if loading a different bullet than the last batch.
For revolver ammo, I am seating and crimping into the groove in one step; automatics get a separate taper crimp.

 

[Megawatt maker]

With pistol, I check every ten rounds or so for powder weight, and after the first 20 or so..Ill check the OAL. That about it till the run is done...then as the very last thing I do before I put them into storage..Ill weigh each and every round. Any outside certain points (depends on empty brass weight) Ill put those aside for further study.

I do the same with rifle, only Ill check every 5 for charge weight (if Im using a powder measure, if Im funneling each charge from the chargemaster, I skip this step entire)..
Again, with rifle, I ALWAY weigh each round. EVERYTIME.

Why? One time, loading 300 RUM, I found one that was 5 grains heavier. I pulled the bullet to figure out why....found an unspent primer in with the charge.

How it got there...no idea, but the "final safety check" as I call it saved my butt! I dont think anything good would have happened had I fired that round!

 

[mdi]

I do much the same as you. But during a load work up I weight each powder charge, check the first 8-10 for seating depth, and every 4th or 5th after that. I check the first 10 handloads via plunking. and every 4th or 5th after that. After I find "the load" I relax my standards and depending on powder, check ever 5th or so charge (fast powders with small "ranges", like some of my 380 powder charges min. to max. is as little as .3 grain, which I weigh every charge, no matter how well my powder measure is doing). I mostly batch load and I check each step as it is done; primer seating is checked as I'm priming, flaring checked as I'm flaring, etc. For me inspection is right up at or very near the top of my list of reloading steps, from picking up a case at the range all the way through putting a finished handload in a box...

 

[MySuomi]

I loaded about 500 .380 ACP this weekend. I am amazed at how consistent the Hornady Powder measure is. My target is 3.9 grains. The throws are 3.9 and 4.0 on my tests. As long as i don't bump the handle, or short stroke the movement it is surprisingly consistent. This is making me much more comfortable to go 5 to 10 rounds before testing the weight again.

I did add a primer check to my routine as a poster mentioned. I actually ran into one that was not seated properly. I also ran into a case that I had not primed at all.

Glad to see that I am not a total outlier on my safety checks. But, I still plunk tested all 500 since i had some problematic cases. I had right at 50 Maxtech headstamp cases that did not pass the test. Looks like I have to sort the brass and eliminate those at the start of my process. Some passed, some did not. Weird.

 

[ballman6711]

I also load on a single stage and just got started two years ago. I check almost everything at every stage.

I weigh every powder charge, even though my Hornady measure is pretty consistent. I check all primers for seating depth by feel and sight, and most everything else as I go. About the only thing I don't check regularly is my oal. I check the first one or two in a session, and then check that the die hasn't moved as I seat the bullets. I'll usually check the last round for oal also. If anything is amiss or just feels wrong I stop and figure it out.

It takes me about two hours to load fifty rounds, but I always make sure that I have plenty of time when I reload and I don't get in a hurry. I also treat reloading as a hobby, and as such don't mind spending a bit of time to make sure it's right.

If it works for you do it. I am very laid back about most things, and over the top OCD with others.

Have fun and stay safe!

chris

 

[gonoles_1980]

I checked the VSD on my powder dispenser, I have it documented in my logs for each load (only use as a check). After I've zero'd the scale, and weighed with scale weighs near my load weight (scale weights check down to .5). I throw the powder, if I have to make more than a few minor adjustments to the rod on the powder dispenser, I step away, come back and double check everything. Once I have that done, I check after the first 5 throws, then every 25 afterwards. Once done, I do a flashlight check on the brass to check the powder levels twice in different directions (up and down/side to side).

 

[packetloss]

As I was loading several hundred rounds of 380 ACP I pondered the safety protocols I have adopted for my pistol reloads. And I was wondering what other people do. Actually I was thinking that I am being overly cautious and slowing myself down for minimal payoff. So I thought I would ask.

Here are my safety checks during the reloading process:

• Starting off I confirm the powder weight of the first 3 or 4 rounds.
• Thereafter I confirm every 5th round unless something felt wrong.
• After I have 50 rounds, I grab a light and visually check all 50 for doubles.
• As I seat the Bullet I check the length (OAL) of every 5th round.
• After bullet seating, I plunk test every round.

Note: I do not check the length of pistol brass before reloading. Also, I am using a single stage press. I am not sure if you can even do these checks on a progressive.

Just curious if my process seems overcautious or perhaps inadequate. Thanks for any input.

Yes a bit overcautious, however, better to be overcautious than be called stubby.

I reload on a Dillon and was super cautions for the first 2000 rounds. Used a powder check, measured OAL every 10 rounds, did random sampling of charges but everything was within spec. I now just check the first few rounds that come off and the last few rounds. I also now use a bullet feeder in station 3 instead of the powder check. I eyeball each round and while I can't visually tell the difference between 5 grains and 6 I can between 5 and 7. Never happened though, the Dillon seems to be reasonably accurate and consistent. I haven't ever seen a double load or no load, it just won't put one out unless I take the case out and move it back a station.

I'm also not loading anywhere near max pressure, so if I'm off by even 1 grain it's still within spec. I suppose if I were doing max or over spec loads I would be more careful.

 

[lordpaxman]

Thanks for the input. I think I will add a primer check to my process and keep being cautious for a while. I only have about 3000 rounds under my belt so caution makes sense.

I think one of the things that is making me uncertain is my shift from a chargemaster to using the Hornady powder

I am now using the powder thrower since the chargemaster is very slow. So I had been measuring every single charge. On my single stage it would take hours to get the job done. So, I decided to use the traditional method. Much, much faster. But, I have to get used to trusting the equipment.

You should add a calibration step for your scale prior to weighing any charges.
I have a Hornady powder measure on my progressive, and you should settle the powder in the measure before throwing any real charges. I use the baffle, fill the measure and then cycle it about 50 times at the production rate. I also try to keep it at least half full of powder.
Once I’m set on the powder weight, I’ll check it every 25 or so, and then decide if it’s still consistent if the next check is in 25 or 50. I attempt to make sure every case has powder before seating a bullet, but this is on a progressive. I see you check for doubles, make sure you check for empties as well. Good luck!

 

[deadeye dick]

As I was loading several hundred rounds of 380 ACP I pondered the safety protocols I have adopted for my pistol reloads. And I was wondering what other people do. Actually I was thinking that I am being overly cautious and slowing myself down for minimal payoff. So I thought I would ask.

Here are my safety checks during the reloading process:

• Starting off I confirm the powder weight of the first 3 or 4 rounds.
• Thereafter I confirm every 5th round unless something felt wrong.
• After I have 50 rounds, I grab a light and visually check all 50 for doubles.
• As I seat the Bullet I check the length (OAL) of every 5th round.
• After bullet seating, I plunk test every round.

Note: I do not check the length of pistol brass before reloading. Also, I am using a single stage press. I am not sure if you can even do these checks on a progressive.

Just curious if my process seems overcautious or perhaps inadequate. Thanks for any input.

Not at all. That's exactly how I do it. I have a Lee turret but use it like a single stage. Safety first. Doing it this way you should never have a squib or a FTF. To add I always set up my powder measure when I start the loading process. This way when I cycle the press for the decapping process the powder is jiggled and has a chance to settle down.