reloaders elbow

[redman900]

i just finished reloading 300 rounds of .223 with a single stage cause my son is coming home from college and wants to go shooting and my elbow is killing me anybody else have this? and yes i asked Santa for a dillion 650xl

 

[stubbicatt]

My left elbow is killing me. Why it hurts is it is used when I set primers with the press. If I use a separate primer seating tool it doesn't hurt to reload.

 

[Rush_Fan]

Yes, when I go see my chiropractor and I complain of elbow pain, he knows I've been reloading again.

 

[gspn]

Mine has been killing me for four or five months. It could be the reloafing, or fishing, or mountain biking, or weightlifting...dont know what started it but it keeps me from doing all of them.:banghead:

 

[taliv]

I just did about 300 on a 1050 a few min ago. It is a lot easier but I still have to run it through twice. Once to size then trim then run it through again to load. Doing it on a single stage sure would get old !!

 

[56hawk]

I get the same problem with my 650 if I'm not careful. Have to make sure I don't get too close to locking my elbow. The more flex I keep in my elbow the less problem I have.

 

[EddieNFL]

Had the tendons in my left elbow scraped (again) last week. Lasted about four months last time.

 

[kelbro]

Exactly why I have to spread my loading over several days. It is a little better on the Dillons since there are less pulls per round. Haven't tried their expensive handle yet. Not sure if the angle helps or not.

On the RockChucker, I do one operation left-handed, the next right-handed, etc... and that seems to help too.

 

[BYJO4]

Try loading fewer at any one time. The repetition pulling the press handle is like spending too much time on a keyboard.

 

[Bentley4700]

I've even had to resort to lubing my pistol cases. It sucks getting old.

 

[T Bran]

I wonder if an air actuated cylinder would have enough omph to pull the handle for us.
Sure would be nice to have push button operation lol.
I sometimes feel the effects of age and abuse as well.
T

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

no need for pneumatic cylinders and such. a simple electric motor with a crankshaft on it will do just fine:

http://youtu.be/pR_711TaOSk

 

[W.E.G.]

You just have to work up to it.

Trim a couple thousand cases a day until the pain goes away.

 

[45lcshooter]

No guts no glory, no tears no sweat-no money because you bought factory ammo. Lol

 

[icanthitabarn]

My left shoulder was hurting for months and it puzzled me, I am kinda new to reloading and think it was just picking up the case and crossing to place them in press, at my right side.

 

[Coldfinger]

I too suffer the elbow and shoulder pain. I think its either old age, reloading, or the Army. I resorted to doing large batches of one stage of the operation at a time. Deprime, clean, and polish one day. Next day I size, inspect, and prime. The third day I charge cases and seat bullets.

 

[FROGO207]

I have to be careful not to get reloaders butt. If I sit too long in one place while reloading my legs/thighs will start to tell me I have to stand for a while. My elbow however never seems to bother.

^^ WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT PICTURE OF ME???^^

 

[Blue68f100]

If you sitting, try adj your chair height. If your setting to low it will add undue stain on the joints. My elbow is what forced me to a progressive when I started shooting handguns. My sit time is about the same buy my production is 4-5 times greater now.

 

[beatledog7]

After every 20-30 pulls, adjust your position in relationship to the handle just a bit: move a little left or right, up or down. No more than a couple of inches makes a difference. It really helps me.

And after 200 or so pulls, get up, walk around, and drink a glass of water. A lot of joint pain can be eased through proper hydration (helps the natural lubrication do its job).

 

[dickttx]

I recently acquired a LnL so that 100 rounds take 104 lever pulls, rather than the 400 my Lee Classic Turret took. My 76 year old shoulder can still get sore though. I usually limit myself to 100 rounds at a time. Makes a lot of difference where my stool is, in relation to the press handle. It is easy to get a little out of line and put more stress on the shoulder. I wonder if one of the roller handles with the bends might help too.
When I was a kid I kept telling my folks that a cotton sack and hoe handle would ruin me for life!!

 

[WNTFW]

I work my press standing. I find it helps prevent any pain as you can use your whole body. Press height is also a factor.

Wallet hurts more than anything. It cost money to save money ! ! !

 

[Slamfire]

Even though I am using carbide pistol dies, I find lubing the cases before they go through my Dillion 550B makes life so much easier. Reduces elbow stress and powder bumping, etc.

Since you are sizing 223, have you tried RCBS case lube or Imperial sizing wax?

 

[GLOOB]

You might want to try adjusting the length of the lever. I actually set mine much shorter than normal. About 2/3's the max length. This reduces the range of motion. I use this for everything, including 308. And I don't have any trouble, esp with 223 cases. Sizing 223 is easier than most unlubed pistol calibers.

When you reduce the lever length, you can push with your whole body that last bit where it gets hard without having to move your head/shoulders/torso as much. Just let gravity do the work while you hold your arm close to fully extended, but not locked.

The most difficult ram operation I have experienced on a regular basis is the expansion of 308 cases. Pulling the lever back up was the worst part. If this is what is causing you pain, you ought to try the Lyman M die.

 

[Baryngyl]

Yeah, I got torn rotator cuff tendons in both shoulders, I need to get them operated on some time next year I hope.

Just depriming 100 223 cases in the LEE universal deprimer about kills me.


Michael Grace

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I had thread like this on here last year, I bought the LNL-AP and my shoulder and elbow pain went away in couple months. I'm 54 and have had shoulder surgery already. I haven't had any trouble since.

I was reloading 400 9mm's,and 200 .357mags every weekend. My decision was easy.

A Hornady LNL-AP or a Dillon 650XL will stop the pain but it will still take about 2 months + to get over the tendenitis. That pain i'sn't any fun and I decided to spend the money on the progressive press than to keep giving it to my doctor. Now I have a fine machine and no more pain.

After you get one of these you will find you have a lot more time to do other things, like shoot.