Progressive reloading - tips from USAMU

[popeye4]

An interesting article on loading match ammo and progressive presses from those that know.....

https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/4/29/progressive-presses-uniformity-of-headspace-powder-charges-and-priming/

[robert101]

I get the point of the article and only disagree with the amount of variation of the ammunition. The article does state that tolerances will vary from a single loaded round to a progressive type loading condition. I agree but not concerned about this in my pistol ammunition. When loading match grade rifle target ammo I can see (and measure) the difference. The article also doesn't suggest a performance measurement of the difference in say group size. That could be one of the major arguments for their approach but not verified by a scientific type of measurement or justification of their approach.

[noylj]

It appears to be more concerned with bottleneck than pistol and it seems to follow the "if it makes it more consistent, it must be more accurate" philosophy rather than actually TESTING variables for effects.
I see no use in using a progressive to make match bottleneck ammunition and prefer to batch process it and watch each step.
As they admit they don't prime on the press, and they have to size and remove the case and check case length and trim as required before placing the case back in the press, batch processing just seems a lot more reasonable for QC purposes alone.

[popeye4]

I have both an XL650 and Rockchucker. I use the Dillon for straight wall pistol rounds and the single stage for loading the match rifle ammo. Since I'm shooting highpower (and using a gas gun) I have to do all the brass prep which is much easier (for me) off the press. I therefore pretty much would only use the Dillon to charge and seat bullets, and with a Harrell's powder measure I can do that as fast with the Rockchucker.

Can't argue with results, though, USAMU wins a lot of matches.