Single Stage Reloading!

[seagiant]

Hi,
I was enjoying using my 1950's reloading gear tonite and thought I would show how I use the rarely mentioned "loading block" that makes it so easy! I have one I got in the 80's that will hold just about anything I load as it has holes on each side.

The pics below will show most everything but I deprime in this case using my Super Deluxe Pacific and a 4 die RCBS set. Oh,I'm reloading standard 9MM Luger ammo,using a RCBS 124Gr. TC boolit that I cast from WW material. This is for my BHP for shooting plates. After depriming I set in my primers and while doing this use the loading block to keep everything straight. Back to the press to bell the case mouth and then charge the cases on my Saceo powder measure. This is where using the loading block can avoid mistakes. After charging all your cases with powder hold the block and look into each case for a double charge! Only takes a sec. but can save a bad day at the range!

After that it's back to the press to seat the boolits and then taper crimp. Taper crimping is just an operation I would never leave out! I feel it is nessary for auto/ACP type cartridges! I always wipe my boolits noses before putting them to bed in their boxes for the range! I'm showing this more for the new guys that want to reload but don't have the scratch for the latest wiz-bang,"I can load a zillion an hour." reloader!

Just about all this equipment that I show here was making ammo 40 years ago and still works perfectly!

[StratsMan]

Well, I'm a little envious of that Lachmiller Primer Seater... wish I had one...

How do you bell the case? You mention it in your process, but I don't see the step in the photos... or did I miss that?

[Rhoa4396]

Hi Seagiant, although my equipment is a bit different, I use a loading block the same way you do and powder all my casses in the loading block using a powder drop. After I fill all the casses, I take a small flashlight and shine it from the side at maybe a 60* angle so that there is a shadow cast inside the cases by the case neck. This shadow falls across my powder in the cases and I can quickly go up and down each row. If there is a powder charge that is not right, it will become immediatley apparent by the shadow on it. So far, every time I have found a case where the level was different like this, upon checking the charge on my scale, the powder weight was spot on..... inspecting the headstamp of the case has shown that the headstamp was different which translates into different volume levels of the case. It only takes a second to go up and down each row and is nice insurance to prevent a squib load( or extra powder. I love loading blocks.

Ken
=====

[Dan Cash]

The only insurance against overcharge is to use a powder charge that fills the case more than half full, charge the case and immediately seat a bullet. You are welcome to eyeball the charged case but using a loading block as described is an invitation to disaster.

[winelover]

The only insurance against overcharge is to use a powder charge that fills the case more than half full, charge the case and immediately seat a bullet. You are welcome to eyeball the charged case but using a loading block as described is an invitation to disaster.

That's the way I've been doing it for over 35 years. Never used a reloading block. Even easier with the RCBS Chargemaster Combo. By the time you seat a bullet, the next charge is ready.

Winelover

[Lloyd Smale]

cool equiptment but im still not willing to go back to spending an hour to make a box of ammo i can shoot up in a half an hour.

[GT1]

The only insurance against overcharge is to use a powder charge that fills the case more than half full, charge the case and immediately seat a bullet. You are welcome to eyeball the charged case but using a loading block as described is an invitation to disaster.

Well, no, the way the OP describes it has been how batch loading has been done over the years.
The reason you do one step at a time all the way through is to not break up what you are doing, the argument being one is less likely to make a mistake.
It defines single stage batch loading. ;-)

Too bad there are so many great powders that don't bring the case even close to half way full, but that is another reason to use utmost care when reloading.

[seagiant]

Hi Stratsman,
You bell the case mouth with the expander die and it is done after the priming and before the powder charging.I only had so many pics available and this is not a tutorial on reloading! I have been loading like this off and on since day one which for me is about 30 years and have NEVER had a double charge! I'm actually a little surprised by some of the comments made about using a loading block???? The loading block makes all the difference to me when I single stage load!

Here is a book that got me going when I started reloading as at that time there was no WWW or Internet and if you could not find a mentor you had to depend on books and go for it! This is my second copy as I wore out the first and found this like new at a used bookstore and got it. It has chapters on casting and shotshell loading just a really good beginner's book. As you can see Col. Nonte advocates using loading blocks![smilie=1:

[r1kk1]

I personally like loading blocks. I use them on the line during informal competitions. I can see the merits with or without one. I think it comes down to what you like. I make quite a few of my own for case prep, etc.

take care,

r1kk1

[Ickisrulz]

Many of the reloading tasks can be done on autopilot because they are not dangerous. When it comes to dumping a powder charge I pay strict attention and will not allow anything to interrupt me.

I use a loading block for pistol rounds. I double-check each case visually. This is a very safe method that admittedly relies 100% on me.

It would be nice to always use a powder that fills the case at least halfway, but it's not always practical for me.

[r1kk1]

It would be nice to always use a powder that fills the case at least halfway, but it's not always practical for me.

That is a very valid point!

same here,

r1kk1

[Bwana]

The only insurance against overcharge is to use a powder charge that fills the case more than half full, charge the case and immediately seat a bullet. You are welcome to eyeball the charged case but using a loading block as described is an invitation to disaster.

"Invitation to disaster", I have got to be the luckiest person alive then. I just counted my loading blocks: twenty seven. That's how I roll and have rolled for the last 40+ years. Like they say, "It isn't your equipment, it's how you use it." Of course without exception all, that's right, all, of the individuals who have had "ammo" problems at the IDPA and USPSA matches that I have witnessed loaded their ammo on progressive presses. Just saying. Of course many, many more progressive loaders had no problems; but, those that did accounted for all the bad ammo.

[r1kk1]

Not all. I was at a bowling pin shoot in Montana back in the early 90s. A double charged 44 special was very noticeable when the fella shot it. He was lucky with a double charge HP-38 and a Ruger revolver. The RSO stopped him. I've seen more squibs over the years of people not checking. These from guys with single stage setups and I believe distracted while loading. Probably watching TV or getting taken away from what they were doing. I hate interruptions. I've seen FTFs from progressives at matches.

Not matter what a fellow uses, only he/she is the QC person. I just sent 14 rounds back to Federal for a fail to fire in 327 Federal Magnum. 14 out of 50 is horrible QC. Period. Now waiting for my voucher.

take care,

r1kk1

[Sonnypie]

I don't like single stage reloading.

I LOVE single stage reloading!

But I have to run.
OK, I'm back. I got dismissed from the jury duty.

Rifle:
I have a bunch of different reloading blocks I use. And I gather the plastic inserts at the range if they appear usable to me. My 30-06 cases fit fine in 45 plastic inserts.
Stages. I do mine in 50 round stages, as well. But have a Flambeau as well as up to 120 round wooden blocks. But my current favorite is several 50 round wooden boards.
Once the cases are cleaned, they are stood neck down, they usually stand overnight in front of a box fan to dry completely. The cases stay neck down until neck sized and primed.Then stood neck up.
Then I powder them as a group of 50. I never have to worry about double charging, nor under charging because I watch the powder drop, move along in a cadence, and I stick my cases. (Stick my cases?)
Yes. I have a rod I set in my cases and it has a mark where the normal range is for the powder I use. It gets set into each of the 50 cases to measure (check) the powder level. I can "stick" a block in probably a minute to a minute and a half. Once I am sure they all pass muster, I pick one at a time to weigh, usually randomly, usually 15 cases from different locations.
Once a cases powder is weighed and passes my requirement for the charge, it goes right from the pan back into the case it came from via a funnel mounted along side my measure used for rifle loading. Then another case gets checked.
Then that block gets set aside while another is done the very same way. The blocks stack nicely on one another.
Then the batch moves to bullet seating. Each gets an inspected clean and prepared bullet set on the case ready to seat, then at block gets seated and set in an empty block until that block of 50 is done. The rounds at each corner, and one or two in the middle, are marked with my code to identify the components in each round in that block with a sharpie marker.
If they are test rounds, every one gets coded.
I can pick up any of my blocks, open any box of loaded ammo I've done, and tell you everything there is in those rounds. Down to the gas check material and thickness. It is written in permanent marker on strategic rounds, or every round. (And removed by cleaning in STM after firing)

Pistol:
Progressive there. But every round gets eyeballed for powder, and I hand primed.
An occasional round gets pulled for weight checks.
Even though I use a progressive for pistol, I go slow and methodically with it.

I'm never in a hurry. I always concentrate on the task at hand. And don't stop to pee unless I have a marker in place to pick up the place I left off.
I don't care if I only load 1 and hour, I know it was done as right as I could humanly possibly load it.

[Romeo 33 Delta]

Pistol or rifle, I use the same technique ... the loading block holds the PRIMED cases ... when they are charged with POWDER the very next step is seating the BULLET.

It guarantees that I will NEVER have a DOUBLE CHARGE.

It takes me about 5 minutes to prime 50 cases and about 30-35 minutes to finish the job. I usually do 2 or 3 boxes a day and it doesn't get tedious at that rate.

[Rhoa4396]

The only insurance against overcharge is to use a powder charge that fills the case more than half full, charge the case and immediately seat a bullet. You are welcome to eyeball the charged case but using a loading block as described is an invitation to disaster.

Um ... I never said anything about double charges, I 'mentioned' squib charges in particular, but also mentioned spotting "inconsistencies". Even when you're using a powder-charge that more than half fills the case, there's always the potential for inconsistencies in thrown charges because of such things as powder bridging or variance in your rhythm while filling. You could still have an undercharge in one case and an overcharge in the next without overflowing the case. People using progressive presses often use powder-cop dies to prevent that from getting thru without being spotted.

OTOH, when I load .223, I drop the power charge on the scale and then trickle the powder up to the final charge before pouring it thru a funnel into the case. Even when doing that, I still fill all the cases in my "batch" and then visually check them as described before seating their bullets.

Personally, I fail see how doing a final visual check is an invitation to disaster, especially using a single stage press like I have for the last 34 years.

Ken
===========

[94ranger]

Hi Stratsman,
You bell the case mouth with the expander die and it is done after the priming and before the powder charging.I only had so many pics available and this is not a tutorial on reloading! I have been loading like this off and on since day one which for me is about 30 years and have NEVER had a double charge! I'm actually a little surprised by some of the comments made about using a loading block???? The loading block makes all the difference to me when I single stage load!

Here is a book that got me going when I started reloading as at that time there was no WWW or Internet and if you could not find a mentor you had to depend on books and go for it! This is my second copy as I wore out the first and found this like new at a used bookstore and got it. It has chapters on casting and shotshell loading just a really good begineer's book. As you can see Col. Nonte advocates using loading blocks![smilie=1:

First post!

Found that book in a sale at a library and got it for about $3. Really got me interested!

[429421Cowboy]

I love loading blocks! I also love picture threads!
I can't afford more than one press so our Rockchucker pulls double duty for our rifles as well as high volume pistol reloading. Plenty of ammo has been loaded over the years with handtools of all stripes, makes me appreciate at least having something bolted to a bench! I visually check all my cases at least twice before putting a boolit on them and then i shake my reloads to make sure they have powder in them. Only other thing i have to add is that i prime/bell my cases then put them mouth down in one block, then turn them over and charge, then put in a different block to insure i never charge a case with powder already in it, helps prevent double charges to but i load powders that would overflow the case.

[C.F.Plinker]

I use one of the old Flambeau loading blocks with my single stage press. This one has 60 holes on each side (one side for large cases and the other for smaller cases). The thing I liike about it is that I start with the cases to one side and as I do a particular operation I move the case I just worked on to the other side. This way there are always two empty rows between the cases that that need to have something done with them and the ones that have had it done. If I need to stop for any reason it is easy to see where I stopped. Additionally, when I prime a case it goes in primer side up. This lets me check to make sure that each case is primed correctly and insures that there is no powder in it. Once it is powdered, it goes in base down (DUHH) and gets checked with the flashlight. Then they are all topped with a boolit before I start seating and crimping.

[FrankG]

Ive always liked single stage batch loading . I dont load when rushed . For me it isnt a job that has to be done but one I enjoy doing . I have the same red load blocks and a big stack of various others that Ive made over last 40 or so years . I tried a Piggyback right after they came out didnt like it because I couldnt visually check powder level as I always had . I bought a Dillon , same problem , it bothered me I could not visually check the case after charging . Both are gone and I am happy with my slow (to some ) method . For me the batch loading with a single stage sets my mind at ease knowing all loads are equal .
I have five single stage presses that get used . Sometimes when working on a load and cant get out to test because of weather I can leave it set up and maybe work on something else for a while .
For pistol , Ar's and AK's I throw the charges with a powder measure in low to medium loads but still weigh every 11th charge and do the final visual before seating bullets .
My bolt guns and single shots get fed scale weighed charges .

But ...this is what works for me :)

[Rhoa4396]

I use one of the old Flambeau loading blocks with my single stage press. This one has 60 holes on each side (one side for large cases and the other for smaller cases).

This sounds like the one I use but I's have to go down and check to see if there's a name on it anywhere. In my case, unless I'm doing a "throw then trickle to desired weight", I leave them in the tray, and move the tray from one case to another under my powder drop. I've found that if I do a "throw- tap - tap, throw - tap - tap" on the handle It keeps extremely close throw weights. There seems to be less chance of messing up that way too.

I have a question. Years ago I saw a "tool". It was just a stamp pad that was a cone of sorts. You inserted the case base first into the cone which centered the case. You then pressed a center 'piston' from the other side of the cone which held a rubber number stamp. With this you could stamp an identifying number on the primer of your loaded ammo. In this way you could identify loads you were using. You could also later use it to identify the fired case from the different loads. When you de-prime the case to reload, the number was removed along with the primer and you could then re-mark new or different loads. the beauty of it was that it centered any case. The plunger was spring loaded back to the neutral position and pressed with your finger or thumb to mark the case.

I'm not very good at descriptions but does anybody remember these or know where I could get something like that?

Ken
=====

[Char-Gar]

I have been loading my ammo with single stage presses and loading blocks since 1958 and have no plans to change.

[Rhoa4396]

I have to admit, although I've used either my RC or my Bonanza, I've been looking at progressive presses recently. I almost bought one right before Christmas. I'm getting set up to do some major marathon loading(for storage). I did this once before back in the late 80's and it's time I do it again. This time though it's going to be for a few more firearms than before so the job is even bigger this time ...

Oh well, I guess I have to think of it as eating an elephant... you still do it one bite at a time.

Ken
===

[seagiant]

Hi Ken,
Like I mentioned on another thread,I've owned most of the mid-priced progressive reloader in and out of the market. STAR,Dillon,and Hornady.Like I said there the STARS (3) were a joy to use,but they are also gone! The Dillion 550B and Hornady LNL were like buying a boat or a convertable top car,my happiest days of ownership was the day I bought them and the day I sold them! This is of course MY opinion!

All of this to suggest that you look at the RCBS 2000 reloader,I have not owned one but if I was going to get another progressive it would be the RCBS but for no other reason than the priming setup. Good luck!

[Sonnypie]

I have been loading my ammo with single stage presses and loading blocks since 1958 and have no plans to change.

Well, yeah.
But you are really, really stubborn, too. :kidding:

Truth be known, I'd still be single stage if a friend hadn't given me the RCBS Auto 4X4 I use for 45 ACP. ;)
But all my rifle ammo is single stage.

[1hole]

"You are welcome to eyeball the charged case but using a loading block as described is an invitation to disaster"

You are welcome to any system you wish to use but I've use the same system Rhoa4396 describes since '65, and without a single failure but some people can screw up an anvil with a spoon. However, if anything can possibly be more consistant - and safe - than eye-balling each charged case while sitting in a block has yet been invented I haven't heard about it. Immediate seating after charging breaks up the charging rythum AND precludes visual 'side by side' comparisions of the powder column and ONLY THAT can prevent skips/doubles/squibs.

[Rhoa4396]

Hi Ken,
Like I mentioned on another thread,I've owned most of the mid-priced progressive reloader in and out of the market. STAR,Dillon,and Hornady.Like I said there the STARS (3) were a joy to use,but they are also gone! The Dillion 550B and Hornady LNL were like buying a boat or a convertable top car,my happiest days of ownership was the day I bought them and the day I sold them! This is of course MY opinion!

All of this to suggest that you look at the RCBS 2000 reloader,I have not owned one but if I was going to get another progressive it would be the RCBS but for no other reason than the priming setup. Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback. My spotter/shooting partner uses(d) a progressive press... but after blowing up a .45 for the THIRD time, he asked to borrow my RC. He's not had a mishap since ...but I still don't have my press back.:-?

I was a high speed packaging mechanic for a number of years at General Foods so tinkering with machines to get them working correctly is not a problem. Flawed concepts in their engineering can be a bit harder to overcome. I have a hangup about what I'll feed 'my' guns, so even "if" I get a progressive, I'll probably use it to size and deprime in bulk before tumbling and still prime separately.(sigh... old habits are hard to break) It's one of the reasons I keep looking at the LNL. ease of moving and re-moving dies. I don't care for that spring though. I haven't really sat down with it yet, but I'm thinking the case retention system Lee uses on their 5 station progressive might be easily "adaptable" to replace the spring on the LNL.

The RCBS 2000 does looks interesting, although I'm not so sure about the aps system... I understand the old fashion primer tube is now a factory accessory that's available if one doesn't like the primer strips.. decisions decisions... that RCBS2000 looks better all the time... now if I could figure out what to hock.... (grin)

Ken
========

[Katya Mullethov]

Old man Potterfield's baby boy is powdering a loading block full of cases with an RCBS in this months Midway flyer .

I just cant bring myself to do it that way . Too easily confused , I'd say .

[Rhoa4396]

[QUOTE=..... powdering a loading block full of cases with an RCBS in this months Midway flyer .

I just cant bring myself to do it that way . Too easily confused , I'd say .[/QUOTE]

Whether from confusion, problem with the powder drop, or from a mythical gremlin, that is the beauty of taking a final visual with them all side by side... problems or variances stand out. If something looks 'different' you can dump the case on the scale right then and there. If it's fine just pour it back into the case thru a a funnel.. if it's not right... it gives you a chance to see what else went wrong you didn't know about.

In the end, it's your hand, or your face next to that explosion so you have to do what you're comfortable with.:shock:

[Char-Gar]

Well, yeah.
But you are really, really stubborn, too. :kidding:

Truth be known, I'd still be single stage if a friend hadn't given me the RCBS Auto 4X4 I use for 45 ACP. ;)
But all my rifle ammo is single stage.

Stubborn? Well, I call it beng prudent. I do not need the best and most recent, unless it is signifcantly better than what I have.

I did embrace the transistor radio in 1960 and last month got a new Pickup that has Sirrius radio in it. I have a color TV set now and am into the Internet. I am still not certain about the long term viability of flying machines though.

[tcbnick]

Ok I got to throw my hat into this ring. Sometimes I think we forget that not all reloaders shoot 1000 rounds a day. If I was real honest with myself I probably shoot so I can reload more. I find reloading and casting (that is from finding WW to the BANG) is enjoyable and relaxing, its MY Time in My Room with My stuff, gives me time to reflect, remember the good times with my hunting and shooting family, and try to remedy some bad. I still use a single stage press, all three, one boolit at a time. If I loaded any faster I might miss something, and I'm not talking about a powder charge. I'm probably being to sentamental here and I'm sorry, but hay, I still carry my MAN CARD.
Thanks Nick

[r1kk1]

What is relaxing for me is case forming duties on the single stage. I would not want to go back to it for a majority of my shooting, but that's me. I have a single stage shot shell loader that is great for hunting loads but will send a person screaming into the night being a league shooter. There are certain duties my semi-progressive won't due. I could not live without my single stage. It is there for a reason. I bought the semi-progressive in the 80s and used it for informal competitions ranging from bullseye to IHMSA and rifle silhouette.

Equipment is a personal thing. It is a wonderful thing to see some of the members with equipment that is no longer made churn out ammo. I remember some of the old names. I remember punching wads out for my Uncle's 10 and 8 gauge shotguns. That was in '68 and my brother went to 'nam. I was in elementary school and in '70 got my 375c press and later in the 70s a Champion press. A thief stole tons of equipment in my reloading shed in the 80s and although most of what I had is irreplaceable, I was able to repurchase the 375c and Champion. Part of my life was recaptured. It's a pleasure using those tools.

Thank God they are still being made but I miss the A press series of RCBS and the Big Maxx. I miss my Deitz shotshell press, I miss my old 800 P/W press, I sorely miss my Uncle's Texan.

Ya know, equipment is a personal thing.

r1kk1

[Char-Gar]

Reloading equipment is indeed a personal thing. But can also be a safety thing, depending on who is operating it. There are many reloaders (myself included) who should never be allowed within six feet of a progressive reloader.

[Bealzybub]

"I got a 99" flat screen mounted on top of my shark aquarium, know why? BOOM, cause I go big or I go home"

When I first decided to start reloading, before I even loaded a single bullet I decided on a Dillon RL550B. I am SSOOOOOOOOOO glad I didnt do that. I did the research and got good advice from a couple wise old sages not unlike some of the guys here. I took a step back and found a deal at a swap meet. RCBS junior press, it had a bunch of stuff with it. An old Herters balance beam, primer pocket brushes, a set of dies and a couple other parts and pieces. $75

Being as anal as I am and wanting precision I use the loading block. After the cases are prepped in the block they go. One by one they get charged. After completion double checked with the flashlight down the hole. No squibs yet but I'm glad I check because I have missed a few, the never get to the bullet seater empty though.

[seagiant]

Hi,
That was a good deal the RCBS junior is an excellent press quite capable for all of MY reloading. I found an orphan junior with no handle and called the nice lady at RCBS and when we found out how old it was she said send me the ram/handle block which I did and they redrilled and tapped so the modern handle would fit and sent it back(the block) with a new handle ,no charge!

[Bullet Caster]

It probably takes me about an hour to charge 50 rounds as I meticulously weigh each charge before it goes into the case sitting in the reloading blocks. If this is rifle ammo, it gets a condom after charging awaiting the next step. I use the rubbery ends from my e-cigarettes' filters that comes with two for each cartridge. They work great over my .30-0 cases preventing any spillage of the contents. I'm also a beginning reloader and have as of yet not trusted my powder dispenser to throw a definitive charge weight.

For pistol rounds, I bell the case mouth just before dumping in the powder from the powder measure that is mounted on top of my single stage Lee Breechlock press. That's where the Lee dies shine in that they have a powder through die which bells the case mouth in one operation. Since I'm a beginner I have to weigh those charges too so I take the charged, belled case from the press and dump the powder in my powder scale tray. I then weigh the charge adding to or subtracting from the weight till it balances. I then return the case to the press, lower the lever arm and pour in the weighed charge and set a boolit on top with my fingers signifying that the case is charged. If I could trust the powder measure it would go a lot faster to the next step of boolit seating and crimping, but I only have time on my hands and don't mind going slow at the beginning of my reloading career. So far no accidents so my necessity for attention to detail is paying off tremendously. However, in batch processing (early IBM 360 mainframe) one must pay close attention to the job at hand and not be distracted by outside forces like television or any other interruptions. Sometimes when reloading I do turn on the television to my favorite station and listen as I work but not watching it. BC

[Le Loup Solitaire]

There is nothing wrong with SSR as long as you are making good handloads that are safe and accurate, and you are satisfied and happy with what you are doing. The most important and key step is the charging with powder and the checking of that step regardless of your equipment and method. Better safe than sorry. LLS

[stubshaft]

ALL of my rifle loads are single stage and some of the pistol test loads get the same treatment. I use a progressive for pistol calibers. I have loading blocks in a variety of base dimensions including the large 460 Weatherby ones. I usually turn the cases mouth down until they are charged then turn them over.

[.22-10-45]

Hello, everyone. My loading is alot like stubshaft's..single stage for nearly all..Ponsness Warren Metal Matic for revolver loads.
I couldn't load without loading blocks!..even on the Metal Matic, hand-primed cases are mouth down. I always use two blocks..empty primed cases mouth down..this is positioned on L.H. side of measure..on R.H. side block for charged cases. 5 cases get charged..& I stop & examine with small Mag-Light. If load gets a fibre wad under bullet..this is inserted flush with case mouth at this time, if not, a bullet is inserted in mouth. & case placed mouth up in plastic ctg. box.
I make my own custom fitted blocks of fancy grained walnut & maple..use Bridgeport & endmills, for nice flat bottomed holes.

[canebreaker]

Bill Cash, If I filled a case over half, I'd be afraid to shoot it. 38 spl 110 gr lrn 2.4 gr. bullseye.

[pmeisel]

For me it isnt a job that has to be done but one I enjoy doing

Yup. If I was in a hurry, I'd just buy factory ammo. I don't shoot enough that it would be a problem.... I like loading and don't want to hurry the experience with a progressive, it would be like hurrying through, well, you know....

[Echo]

I made a loading block 30+ years ago - drilled 99 (9x11) 1/2" holes in a block of plywood (10x10 is boring) and backed it with a sheet of masonite, with holes drilled in each space to shed any powder that might spill. While I will use the Dillon for standard 38, 45, or 40 loads, all else goes through my old RC, with sometime help through the Spar-T. Dump the powder from my Hornady pistol measure - when all 99 are dumped, visually inspect for obvious problems - dump one more in the 100th case, seat a boolit, then start setting boolits in the other 99. And press on.

[r1kk1]

Wow. This thread is how slow you can go and there is another thread on how fast you can go. Nothing in the middle for me. Not trying to offend anyone. Tools are tools. Two presses currently sit on my bench, a 550 and a Champion. I load on both. Yep rifle and pistol on both. No kabooms. I have a third press, an arbor press from K&M to load with occasionally. I do like to load cast in 45-70, 30-06, etc. and use both presses to accomplish tasks. The only thing the Quick Measure doesn't do is expand cases so the Champion gets a CH4D version of the M-die. Then after expansion, back to the 550 for seating and just enough crimp to take the bell out. I don't own a true progressive machine. My semi-progressive doesn't have case feeder or bullet feeder. So I don't fit in on the other thread. It's not unusual to use both presses in the loading process so I don't fit in here either. I see two tools and I use them. I've had single stage failures from **** linkages to faulty castings. Out the door they go. Can't remember how many powder measures came and gone during the decades. If the tool doesn't work as intended, it's down the road.

I guess I'm a middle of the road guy who averages about 250-300 on the 550. Less with rifle and cast bullets since after I either neck size the case and the primer is punched out, I use a cordless screwdriver to uniform primer pockets which help cleans residue out, check case length with a caliper, trim if necessary (hardly ever), and reinsert into station 1. Rotate, repeat 1 and station 2 gets the powder charge, use M-die to open case for a cast bullet on the Champion, back it goes, etc., etc.

Did I say I like loading blocks? Yes I have a QM measure that is set up for black powder. Station 2 on the Dillon now gets the M-die and the Champion sports a compression die. With cast bullets and factory chambered rifles, I've not seen a difference on a target between the single stage or 550. If we are talking 6PPC then seriously, the Arbor press is the clear winner. I have used the press with Wilson dies on a factory 30-06 and jacketed bullets and it did not show enough improvement over the other presses. It does come onto its own with a match chamber and Lapua brass.

When on the range or hunting varmints I use a Lee "knuckle buster" hand press. It does the job. A little harder to operate with very long cases but it works.

I just don't fit in to a mould I guess. I love both of my tools and yet I don't do everything on one or the other, I put both to work and hopefully at the same session. I had the Champion way before the 550 or should I say 450. When I shot IHMSA I bought a 450. If I start shooting ATA, Skeet or Sporting Clays with regular enthusiasm, I will buy a Spolar or P/W progressive. I still will never part with my 375c and may incorporate it into the routine somehow. Don't know.

Well sorry for the long thread. It is such a contrast between this one and the other. The 550 does not handle body dies and shoulder bump dies very well. The Champion don't care. I broke the linkage on a Challenger press at the range case forming 7TCU. It went down the road. Funny thing is the same Lee hand press I have not broke! (Knock on wood).

take care everyone,

r1kk1

[W.R.Buchanan]

Guys : The whole idea is to make the best possible ammunition for whatever usage you have.

For some pistol shooters and the Cowboy guys that is 500 per hour just to keep up with their weekend shoots. Same with the Trap and Skeet guys.

The AR shooters likewise have to produce at an accelerated rate.

The Precision Rifle guys generally take longer as their game requires more precision in thier loads.

The average hunter who is loading for that could probably get by nicely with a Lee Loader and a Plastic Hammer.

Some of us are more diverse and have a variety of methods to load our favorite concoctions.

There's an **** for every seat here at Castboolits .com! Glad it's here. We all know more as a result!

That's what my signature is all about. The more you know the better you are!

Randy

[milprileb]

Speed has always be a defeating factor in single stage or progressive reloading in my experience. For me, my mistakes can always be traced to speed.

I can get volume out of my Dillon presses... it just takes me longer as I have slowed down for steady precision loads.

I get similar production from Rock Chucker and Co Ax presses... just takes me longer.

Its a hobby, if you gotta rush or have no patience, maybe take up skate boarding.

[Char-Gar]

Speed has always be a defeating factor in single stage or progressive reloading in my experience. For me, my mistakes can always be traced to speed.

I can get volume out of my Dillon presses... it just takes me longer as I have slowed down for steady precision loads.

I get similar production from Rock Chucker and Co Ax presses... just takes me longer.

Its a hobby, if you gotta rush or have no patience, maybe take up skate boarding.


Now there is a thought I can support 100%.

[QUON]

I use loading blocks for all my rifle rounds. Sometimes I powder them in large batches of 200 to 500 rounds at a time. Safety check with a lite is mainly for undercharged rounds. After 40+ years no problems on my end. but I had a friend who had trouble with lite loads. Shot 5 rounds at the range. Four was normal in noise,recoil & ejection in a semi-auto. The 5th round sounded lite,less recoil & the empty shell did not eject. Quite a few of the nearby shooters noticed this. Waited for a crease fire to check his traget. Only 4 holes on target. Shot 12 rounds ok. # 13 was lite & no ejection. Stopped using his reloads. No problems
after that. Pulled his remaining ammo later on. Found lite & heavy loads mixed in. Lucky he did not shoot any of the heavy loads. Found his ball powder was sticking togeter at time in his powder measure. Thus the lite and heavy loads. At that time he did not use the lite trick to eyeball the leval of powder in his cases. Loading blocks is a safety factor if you use it as a double check.