The Dreaded Double Charge

[dverna]

Started thinking about this and what people are doing to prevent it. I see lots of gizmos and I admit I have one (Powder Check dies for the 1050 added about 10 years ago). Mirrors, LED lights, visual inspection....

At 70 I have been doing this for a long time and have been "lucky" so far. Started to wonder why, because I have the wrong mindset for reloading. For me, it is a means to and end...getting affordable ammunition in as little time and with the minimal effort possible. Never had a double charge....why??

100,000's of thousands of rounds. And I expect 99% loaded on those "tricky" progressive presses. Most of my pistol reloads have been .38 Spl...one of the easiest cases to double charge.

I have used two Stars, a Green Machine, three 1050's, 650, two 550's and two SDB's for metallic. MEC 650, MEC 9000, Dillon 900SL, Ponsness Warren 800C, PW 800+ with AutoDrive, and Spolar with Hydraulic for shotshells. Loaded a bit on a buddy's Camdex but it is an "ammo plant" so not counting it.

At least for me, the auto-indexing progressive press is the safest way for me to reload. I have one 1050 and one 550 for pistol reloading. The 550 is nice for smaller runs and cheap caliber conversions but I prefer running the 1050

It would be interesting for those who have had a double charge to weigh in on how you think it happened. I suspect most double charges occur using a single stage or turret press.

[M-Tecs]

The 650's and 1050's have auto advance so you really have to work at getting a a double charge on them. I do run powder check dies and I have reamed all the drop tubes to limit powder bridging issues. Close to 1/2 million rounds loaded without an issue.

Double charging in the loading block and on non auto advance machines covers 99% of the double charges I have heard of.

[mdi]

Progressive presses just don't fit my lifestyle, for a few reasons, so my post is marginally connected to the subject.

I started in '69 and perhaps motivated by fear (?) I have not relied on any tool/product/gizmo to prevent double charges. In 1970 I had a squib and since then I look (actually look) in every charged case I reload. Some are more difficult to see deep inside and I cannot tell if a charge is a few grains off, but I can definitely tell if there is no powder in a case or twice as much as supposed to be. No squibs nor any Kabooms since the early '70s...

[gwpercle]

I load on a single stage press .
I visually inspect the powder level when powder is placed into a case .
I Visually inspect the loading tray filled with charged cases with small light .
I Visually inspect the case just before placing a boolit into the flared mouth for seating .

That amounts to three visual inspections of the cases powder level before the boolit is seated .
Worse than the dreaded double charge is the dreaded NO charge ... and that's why I eyeball the powder three times ... looking for the double , single and no charged cases .

I never had an interest in progressive loading machines ... too much going on all at once to keep track off ... My Daddy always said to keep it simple son !
Gary

[gumbo333]

dverna I'm older, been loading mouse fart loads a long time, mostly 45\70 or 30/30, but other bottle necks also. I so!d my turret press years ago. I use 2 presses, a black Orange Crusher and a simple cheap Lee open C press, and go slow. I resize and prep all the cases, prime, then bell the case mouths. Then I load 1 case at a time. Measure the powder on a scale, dump it in and look in the case to see it is charged once, set a boolet on the case and seat it with the Lyman then move it to the Lee press and lightly crimp. Done. Then go to the next case. Slow, safe, one at a time. I have lots of light. I usually don't load a whole bunch at a time. I'm just old and slow. Finding accurate reduced loads can be a ton of fun. Happy Holidays to all.

[sukivel]

I think it’s hard to have a double charge on a 550. My motion sequence has me picking up another bullet while pulling the lever, and when it get back into normal position I index it manually with my left hand and then place the bullet on the open case, while grabbing and placing a fresh case at the same time.

Only way to double charge is if I don’t index the shellplate, but if that didn’t happen a bullet and case would have nowhere normal to go. So 3 things would have to go afoul before I double charged a case. It’s never happened. One thing gets out of sequence and I stop and step back and look closer.

I agree double charging seems easier to do on single stage.


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[dannyd]

Use a RCBS lockout die works great. All the gear works great if used properly. But I'm like a lot you about progressive press's: But it's about guns the closest thing I have to Semiautomatic is a lever gun.

[farmerjim]

I load most of my pistol cartridges with Herco powder. It is so fluffy that it is impossible to double charge. Most of the loads are compressed on the upper end of the tables. I do look in every case as it is charged and can usually spot any that are more than .1 grain off.

[ShooterAZ]

I had one double charge in my life. It was back in 1997 when I first got my Dillon RL550. It was when loading 45ACP and I must have forgot to advance the shellplate. Blew the grips off of the gun, blew the floorplate out of the magazine, spattered me with fragments, and scared the heck out of me. It was a 1911, and everything else on the gun was fine. The lesson for me was that if ANYTHING unusual happens on the press, I will remove all the cartridges and inspect everything before resuming loading. I also got a reading lamp and put it next to the press so I can visually inspect inside each case. The other thing I learned was to just slow down and take my time. Getting in a hurry can be dangerous!

[ukrifleman]

My reloading regime is as follows;

I prepare and store all my brass in batches of 50.

I zero my Redding No.2 beam scale, set the desired charge then verify with RCBS check weights.

If I am using a charge that is less than 50% case fill, I always double charge a fired case so that I will recognise a double charge.

I prime my cases as a separate operation before reaching for powder and bullets.

I place the next primed case upside down in the neck of my powder funnel on the bench for 2 reasons, I can verify that the primer is seated correctly and the case is empty of powder.

I throw a powder charge and put it directly into the beam scale to verify the weight then decant it into the case and immediately seat the bullet.

I never charge more than one case at a time.

Once I have loaded a batch, I pick each cartridge and shake it to verify that there is powder before putting it in the ammunition box.

I use a Lee Turret press and yes it is a slow way of doing things, but I know that the rounds loaded are consistent and as safe as I can make them.

This method has served me well for nearly 50 years.

ukrifleman

[slide]

ShooterAZ, Very good advice. I load on a 550B and (knock on wood) have never had a double charge. With todays generation they want to load 1000 rounds per hour. Turn off the tv,radio, anything that might distract you. No kids playing. Slow down, enjoy the process. Focus! If you can't focus at that particular time walk away,do it later.

[dannyd]

My reloading regime is as follows;

I prepare and store all my brass in batches of 50.

I zero my Redding No.2 beam scale, set the desired charge then verify with RCBS check weights.

If I am using a charge that is less than 50% case fill, I always double charge a fired case so that I will recognise a double charge.

I prime my cases as a separate operation before reaching for powder and bullets.

I place the next primed case upside down in the neck of my powder funnel on the bench for 2 reasons, I can verify that the primer is seated correctly and the case is empty of powder.

I throw a powder charge and put it directly into the beam scale to verify the weight then decant it into the case and immediately seat the bullet.

I never charge more than one case at a time.

Once I have loaded a batch, I pick each cartridge and shake it to verify that there is powder before putting it in the ammunition box.

I use a Lee Turret press and yes it is a slow way of doing things, but I know that the rounds loaded are consistent and as safe as I can make them.

This method has served me well for nearly 50 years.

ukrifleman

It's hard to shoot 25,000 rounds a year like that

[GregLaROCHE]

Whatever method you use, you’ve got to pay attention.

[onelight]

I agree with slide keep distractions to a minimum .
I have seen double charges and no powder on a Dillon 550 and a Lee 1000 and Lee loadmaster they were caught before a bullet was seated in all cases , they happened when there was a stoppage from primmer problems , die adjustments or case feeder problems you need to check every station after a stoppage.
The only powder checker I have ever used was my eyes I look at powder level before I seat a bullet if that means I have to add lights I add them , if I need to sit or stand in an awkward position I do so .
One of the things I like about pin tumbling cases is it makes it much easier to see the powder level in long pistol cases. My Lee turret I have never seen a double charge but I use it on auto index and look before seating. With a single stage with 20 to 50 charged cases in a loading block it is very easy to set under a light to compare levels.
Loading since 1970 has not happened to me yet , I hope it never does.

[John McCorkle]

I load on a single stage press .
I visually inspect the powder level when powder is placed into a case .
I Visually inspect the loading tray filled with charged cases with small light .
I Visually inspect the case just before placing a boolit into the flared mouth for seating .

That amounts to three visual inspections of the cases powder level before the boolit is seated .
Worse than the dreaded double charge is the dreaded NO charge ... and that's why I eyeball the powder three times ... looking for the double , single and no charged cases .

I never had an interest in progressive loading machines ... too much going on all at once to keep track off ... My Daddy always said to keep it simple son !
Gary

Yes, never had a double charge from a progressive but have had a Lee powder measure on a auto turret stick and give me a couple squib (no drop) loads. I had to toss 300 for fear of more being in the batch. Since I do the same on a single stage press....lost my appetite after that scare....thank goodness I felt and heard the difference in report and recoil and stopped shooting.

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[FLINTNFIRE]

Well a non auto advance progressive is most likely , single stage if you are not using a good light source and inspecting your loading block is next .

But lets face it inattention and distraction are your enemies , and as has been said anything feels or sounds wrong just as in shooting stop check verify , I use only auto advance progressive presses and use a light so you can see into case .

I also use loading blocks for single stage and I have a good LED overhead light and a good LED flashlight to inspect after charging , also know which powders and charges are prone to bridging and when charging I do as one of my mentors did a steady rhythm and a double tap of handle up and down on my rcbs measure ( he used a lyman 55 ) and he had a rhythm of flipping the knocker that I still admire to this day .

[onelight]

Yes, never had a double charge from a progressive but have had a Lee powder measure on a auto turret stick and give me a couple squib (no drop) loads. I had to toss 300 for fear of more being in the batch. Since I do the same on a single stage press....lost my appetite after that scare....thank goodness I felt and heard the difference in report and recoil and stopped shooting.

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I have learned with the Lee auto disk (I use the spring return on all mine ) if you hear that disk isnapping closed louder than normal it is warning you it is hanging up and needs cleaned and lubed .
I now lube the metal moving pats with Hornady one shot gun cleaner lube at the end of each session it takes about 10 seconds and have had no more problems.

[AndyC]

...I had a squib and since then I look (actually look) in every charged case I reload.

Same. I was the local range's up-and-coming young hot-shot in the late 80s - until I had a sequence of very public squib-loads.

That embarrassment led to me slowing down and looking into each case and I've not had a squib since - these days I have LED lights on my press, I still look and I have an RCBS Lockout die which stops the press as a backup to Eyeball Mk I.

It's probably my first and most-stressed piece of reloading advice to beginners - LOOK in the case.

[LUBEDUDE]

Keep in mind the dreaded bullet setback that can masquerade as a double charge.

That’s why I test every round by pushing the nose of the bullet against the edge of the workbench.

[mattw]

I load on a single stage press .
I visually inspect the powder level when powder is placed into a case .
I Visually inspect the loading tray filled with charged cases with small light .
I Visually inspect the case just before placing a boolit into the flared mouth for seating .

That amounts to three visual inspections of the cases powder level before the boolit is seated .
Worse than the dreaded double charge is the dreaded NO charge ... and that's why I eyeball the powder three times ... looking for the double , single and no charged cases .

I never had an interest in progressive loading machines ... too much going on all at once to keep track off ... My Daddy always said to keep it simple son !
Gary

You echo my thoughts and process to a tee. I have loaded on 1050's, for a business and I really do not like them. I have loaded a few 100k over the years on my trusty RCBS RC2 and RC4 with out a single double charge. It is all in the process and inspection phase. Also, I work without distraction, no TV, no music and no BS with the buds during charging.