Reloaded shells are more black...normal?

[horsey300]

So update to this post. I Made another 40 rounds today. I upped the load to 5.5 (5.3 is start, 5.9 is max). And the new light under the turret was HUGELY helpful. I could see inside every round and could see the powder each time.

Took those 40 to the range and the cases are much cleaner and needless to say, no squib issues. Will continue to visualize the charge in each round moving forward. Thanks for all the feedback! I have another question but will do a new post for that.

I'm gonna throw in something from MY experience with cfe pistol and the drum, I have no issues with the drum for my .223, .38, .357 loads, but for my pistols using cfe, I verify every 4th round, it doesn't drop as nice as bullseye, 2400, benchmark, h322 etc. I do like cfe towards the max side of the loading for the accuracy and clean cases, but I don't like the variations I see, maybe it's just me, but food for thought, also, when you set up your drum did you cycle it around the press every time you made an adjustment to powder drop weight? The extra movement and vibration of the press will get different charges than stationary use. Good luck and stay safe!

 

[lordpaxman]

I'm just not running a powder check because it was pulling powder out of my cases.

My lock out die has a plastic foot that needs to be cleaned with one shot cleaner otherwise it pulls powder as well. There are actually two different sized feet that can be used. It’s either some type of protectant on it, or, occasionally it’ll build up static that can attract powder. In any case, I still like the added measure of something backing up my eyesight.
As said above, weighing loaded rounds only works if the variables allow it and can detect a missed powder drop. And I wouldn’t want to do that for the thousands that come off the progressive.
I make it a point to eyeball every powder drop on the progressive ...but...occasionally... there’ll be that moment of did I really look or did I just peek?

 

[packetloss]

...but...occasionally... there’ll be that moment of did I really look or did I just peek?

LOL yes. Exactly. So far I've been good but I just like to be really certain when dealing with dangerous and potentially deadly processes.

I have the Dillon powder check, which as far as I know only comes with one size foot. I tried cleaning it with graphite but it looks to me like it's crunching some powder against the side of the case and just pulling it back up. I weighed a few after the powder check and I was losing as much as .3 grains of powder. Not enough to cause a squib, but it kind of defeats the purpose of using a powder check and reloading my own ammo if it's not consistent in the loads. Knock on wood but so far my Dillon powder measure (using a 750) has been great in terms of consistency (I weighed about 100 loads and all were within .1 grains) and no double loads or empties.

 

[Texas10mm]

I wipe that plastic foot with a used dryer sheet. That keeps the powder cling to a minimum.

I have a Dillon powder check in a box somewhere. I much prefer the RCBS Lock-Out die.

 

[Dudedog]

I like my RCBS lockout die. (and my Hornady one I got from tightgroup Thanks Tightgroup!)

Edt: Lockout is nice since you don't have to watch it, If I have to watch a powder check (for pistol ammo) it's as easy to look in the case.