Progressive reloading

[Franco]

During my last year's indoctrination into reloading, I've made a couple of observations. First, to get a good crimp on many rifle loads (44 mag, 45-70, 30-30 lever, etc) that require heavy crimps, it's best to separate the bullet seating from the crimping even if they are capable of being performed on one pull. Second, unless the powder is very fine (e.g. H110, W296), then even with a micrometer type adjuster on my RCBS powder dispenser, most powders I use for my rifles (e.g. H4198) do not throw precise loads. I have to weigh each load. When I load with H110, I just test every 5th throw on my scale and it's usually perfect and almost always within 0.1 grains. However, with coarser powders, I'll be off as much as 0.4 grains each throw.

Given the above, is progressive reloading really limited to cartridges/loads that use a finer powder and don't require a heavy crimp? I've been reloading quite a bit and have considered a progressive loader but I'm not sure it makes sense for my calibers. Thoughts?

Related question. When I use finer powders, it's almost impossible to clean out the residue from my powder dispenser. So, I have to get out the vacuum, run paper towels inside, tap on the glass, etc to try and get the remaining bits out. Any advice on solvents that might do it better but not hurt the inner workings of the dispenser? I was thinking maybe straight ethyl alcohol or other powder solvent. Thanks much.

 

[lordgroom]

I wipe out the powder measure with a dryer sheet and blow out with compressed air. No problems.

I load rifle on my RCBS progressive. Some steps can't be accomplished at once. I decap on the progressive, remove to trim and debur. Back on the progressive for the remaining steps. My press (RCBS Pro2000) has enough stations to seat the bullet and crimp in 2 steps rather than one.

There is some variability among powder throws when I use stick or flake powders but the variation is not usually that big a deal.

 

[snuffy]

When I load with H110, I just test every 5th throw on my scale and it's usually perfect and almost always within 0.1 grains. However, with coarser powders, I'll be off as much as 0.4 grains each throw.

The basics of this question is whether to load to exact grains, or let the measure dispense on a volume basis. It sounds like you're worried about exact powder charges. No need for that. At least not if you're going to be loading on a progressive. All progressives load using volumetric measures. The dillon is an older version of a sliding bar under a hopper to control the weight of the powder charge. It's the LEAST accurate, and it doesn't handle the fine ball powders well,(leaks, makes a mess). The Hornady LNL uses the Hornady drum type measure with a case activated linkage. Not sure what the RCBS uses, but they all do their job by filling a set cavity with powder, then dumping it into a case.

To put this into perspective, bench rest shooters load on a volume basis. They don't load to an exact grain weight. They're some of the most accuracy conscious shooters on the planet.

As long as your load is accurate to start with, it should do fine being loaded on a progressive.

As for crimping, both the Hornady LNL and the dillon 650 have 5 stations. That allows for the addition of a separate crimp station as well as a powder check station. Again, not sure about the RCBS.

 

[loadedround]

1. I have never had any problems using WW-296 in my Dillon 550B with the Dillon Measure.
2. I usually decap and size my larger rifle cases prior to running them thru the Dillon(to clean off the lube), I find it faster that way.
3. Stuck powder in your measure is usualy caused by staic electricity and the more you wipe, the more charge you build up. I use some liquid dishwashing detergent on a wet rag on my measures or as said previously a laundry anti static cling strip. Both work extremly well.

 

[Walkalong]

I agree with snuffy on all counts, but .4 grains off is a lot, even for flake powders. Static will reap chaos with a measure, as will any left over residue from cleaning. If your measure is clean and staic free, it should do plus or minus .1 (or max .2 on occasion). Maybe that is what you meant by .4, plus or minus .2.

 

[Franco]

Thanks. Good advice. As to the .4, I've seen it as bad as +/- .4 but normally in the +/- .2 range. Normally I only see this much variation with the cylindrical powders like H4198 (looks like miniature hamster food). I did not realize that the progressive powder throws are volume based. I will have to look into that, but it certainly makes sense. I did know that most turrets have 5 holes but I just didn't think to buy two dies (one for seating and one for crimping). These are good ideas and would really speed my 44 mag loading (which is what I shoot most often). Thanks again.