first time-progresive

[thrillerrob]

I just purchased my first progressive reloader ( a used 550 ) . So i just loaded 100 round of .45acp and it was stressful.

My question is how do you guys get over the fact that that you don't inspect every primer until you have a completed round, or check the powder every ten rounds. Is this something that will pass in time with more faith in the machine. Were you guys really nervous at first then it passed or do you still stop every 10 rounds and do a complete check.

[chim-chim7]

I started on a single stage press where things can be checked more easily. Once everything is set and you have done a few thousand rounds you will come around. The best thing is to make small batches and go shoot them. Document everything. When all your rounds go boom and accuracy is up your confidence will grow. Its good that you are nervous, it shows you have common sense and are not just pulling the handle with fury.

[XDRoX]

Its good that you are nervous, it shows you have common sense and are not just pulling the handle with fury.

+1

You sound like a good reloader. With that being said, you will in time grow less nervous. When I reload I check the powder measure once in the beginning. It's always exactly right. I load a couple hundred, dump them into a jar or container, and take them to the range and shoot them. I never check primers or anything else.

Contrary to what a lot of people think, as long as you don't miss a load or double a load, not much bad can happen. A high primer will most likely not go off or require a second strike. In a revolver it can tie up the cylinder.

I shouldn't say this but I'm sure I've shot cracked cases with zero ill effect except finding a really cracked case when I emptied my revolver.

Stay aware, and don't double charge a case, and you're GTG.

[Antihero47]

I agree. When I first got my fully progressive xl650 I had to check the primers during the first few reloading session starts. Then I just had to pay attention to the primer drop and make sure no primers that didn't seat fall into it.

You get used to the feel of the primer resistance and trust it after a few sessions. I also always visually checked that powder was in the casing.

[pdugan6]

i really want to get into reloading. that is the next step and looks like fun knowing that you can control the quality of ammo that is produced. anybody know where a person can get a rockchucker supreme starter kit for cheap?

[Antihero47]

i really want to get into reloading. that is the next step and looks like fun knowing that you can control the quality of ammo that is produced. anybody know where a person can get a rockchucker supreme starter kit for cheap?

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=RC09357

[jwest]

i really want to get into reloading. that is the next step and looks like fun knowing that you can control the quality of ammo that is produced. anybody know where a person can get a rockchucker supreme starter kit for cheap?

Also - Cabelas:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS-RC-Supreme-Master-Reloading-Kit/728426.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=/catalog/search.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Drockchucker%2Bsupreme%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=rockchucker+supreme&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

On sale and looks like there are rebates - or Bass Pro Shop:

http://www.basspro.com/RCBS-Rock-Chucker&153;-Supreme-Master-Reloading-Kit/product/10200311/-311373

Regards,
jwest

[jwest]

I just purchased my first progressive reloader ( a used 550 ) . So i just loaded 100 round of .45acp and it was stressful.

My question is how do you guys get over the fact that that you don't inspect every primer until you have a completed round, or check the powder every ten rounds. Is this something that will pass in time with more faith in the machine. Were you guys really nervous at first then it passed or do you still stop every 10 rounds and do a complete check.

Well, you should be nervous - like others have said, that is a good sign.

Your eyeballs are the best. Some of us have festooned LED lighting in strategic locations so you can see if the primer is gone after you do the primer press step. Also, usually, note I am saying usually, if there is a problem with the primer you will have some difficulty indexing - so that is an obvious tell-tale sign.

It is a good rule of thumb to check things every 10 rounds or so; but the more visual check enhancements you do, the better.

When I load .50AE, for instance, I sometimes will check every primer after the primer step - I just pop the case out - turn it over, and inspect. Since I don't reload in 'bulk' on this round, quality is a lot more important than quantity. If in doubt, pop the case out and take a look.

If you forget to prime, don't worry, after the powder charge step you will be leaving a trail of powder that will make indexing difficult and it will be obvious that something is wrong. After you clean up that mess a few times it will make you a more careful primer check person - not saying you will forget to prime but I think it will happen eventually.

Sounds like you are off to a great start.

Good Luck,
jwest

[IntoForever]

Mine won't index if the primer isn't properly seated. As I place the bullet I can see into the case and the light should barely illuminate the powder letting me know it's right. When I put the rounds in the plastic box I load them round side down and run my fingers across the primers to ensure full seating. Also, if I'm interrupted during reloading, all cases are checked prior to continuing.

[Oceanbob]

That last part about

Mine won't index if the primer isn't properly seated. As I place the bullet I can see into the case and the light should barely illuminate the powder letting me know it's right. When I put the rounds in the plastic box I load them round side down and run my fingers across the primers to ensure full seating. Also, if I'm interrupted during reloading, all cases are checked prior to continuing.

Getting interrupted is very important. Especially when you're on a ROLL.

I have also noticed a muscle memory glitch when I move from my Dillon 1050 to my Dillon 550B. The 1050 primes on the downstroke and is cannot be 'felt'
(no resistance). The 550 of course is a quick upstroke thing and when I first sit down at the 550 to run some 10MM I have to FOCUS on the routine, especially if I've just loaded 600 .45 rounds on the 1050.

Double charging on the 1050 isn't an issue. It's auto indexing is positive and steady. The only problema would be an interruption like the case feeder or primers needed to be topped up. In that situation I always remove and restart the case sequence.

Double charging on the 550B is also hard to do. IF you have a habit pattern on your routine (and a good light on the bullet seating station so you can see inside the case without effort). Lately the 10MM I've been running require
15.9 grains of AA #9....that load fills most of the case to about 3/8 of an inch below the top; leaving just enough room to seat the 155 grain JHP.
A double charge would obviously spill all over the place.

I have however, missed a primer seat in the Dillon 550B. And Jwest is correct; it rains powder all around the plate....

But OP, as you get more proficient your stress will vanish.

[checkenbach]

I do things a bit differently, but it works for me. I never go from spent case to loaded round in any given reloading session.
I tumble, then resize/deprime and bell in one session. Brass is put into plastic shoe boxes from Walmart until I get time to do light primer pocket work.
After pocket work is done, (steel brush on electric drill), then I prime a batch of how ever many rounds I think I'll load in that caliber, or for an upcoming match. Whenever I get time, or run out of loaded ammo, I'll drop powder and seat bullets in the primed cases(a BUNCH) in another session. I use a Hornady LNL progressive and I never have more than three cases on the machine at any given time, it seems a bit too busy to me, less chance for error as well. Just my take on it, but pretty low stress also.

[yoitsbruce]

with a batch that i just finished i usually line them them up give them a quick look over. you gain a feel to know when the primer is seated well and if they wobble when standing up i would put them back on the primer and reseat them. i also chamber a random sample to make sure they fit and are up the the standards of the reloading manuals

[IntoForever]

with a batch that i just finished i usually line them them up give them a quick look over. you gain a feel to know when the primer is seated well and if they wobble when standing up i would put them back on the primer and reseat them. i also chamber a random sample to make sure they fit and are up the the standards of the reloading manuals

If I had a poorly seated primer, I would pull the bullet, dump powder then try to seat it all the way. I'd hate to have a pop with a charged cartridge. My current machine won't spin if it's not seated and I can try again after dumping the powder out into the scale. I've had a few primers get dented after a flake of powder somehow made it on top of the primer ram, which is why I reload with glasses and my electronic ear muffs.

[LGB Loader]

you gain a feel to know when the primer is seated well and if they wobble when standing up i would put them back on the primer and reseat them. i also chamber a random sample to make sure they fit and are up the the standards of the reloading manuals

YIKES ! ! !

Please don't do this.

LGB

[LGB Loader]

you gain a feel to know when the primer is seated well and if they wobble when standing up i would put them back on the primer and reseat them. i also chamber a random sample to make sure they fit and are up the the standards of the reloading manuals

YIKES ! ! !

Please don't do this.

LGB