Handloading Automation

[Lion454]

This is some engineering. Would you trust it?

 

[coreydb]

The trickler powder measurer is spot on for repetitive precision; pricey, but serious ELR and PRS competitors use this for their re-loads. I would trust the automation as long as I can see the processes performed; this just eliminates two steps in the handloading process. If you just do hunting hand loads, then you're looking at convenience, a limited number of rounds per year, thus the cost is subjectional. If you're considering reloading volume, then another type of re-loading machine would best serve you.

 

[PARA45]

Not for me. In my opinion, it takes away the joy of reloading. I like everything involved in the process of reloading and I enjoy the time behind the bench working on the reloads.

 

[deewayne2003]

Not for me, too many things to go wrong.

 

[Newboomer]

Not for me, too many things to go wrong.

Not for me, too many things to go wrong.

I had a progressive loader for awhile until it started kicking out double charges and blew up my rifle. I trickle every load by hand on a single stage now right down to 1/10 grain. I want to see every detail. Rifles are too expensive to take chances with.

 

[deewayne2003]

I had a progressive loader for awhile until it started kicking out double charges and blew up my rifle. I trickle every load by hand on a single stage now right down to 1/10 grain. I want to see every detail. Rifles are too expensive to take chances with.

A buddy of mine in Washington bought his Dillon 1050 from a man that had blown up 3 handguns!

The seller said “they don’t make components like they used to!”

My buddy, an engineer that decommissions nuclear vessels at the Bremerton ship yard took the press apart and reassembled it before using and he said honestly I’m surprised it was only 3.

 

[coyote wacker]

Been reloading since the late 60's. I alway have tried what ever is new, but still load measuring one shell at a time. Tried a Dillon progressive it was nice but, I never trusted it.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I use a Redding powder measure for my handgun rounds but weigh every fifth charge. I also visually check each case before seating the bullet.
Rifle ammunition gets trickled.

 

[BFaucett]

It reminds me of something....

by Rube Goldberg

"Goldberg is best known for his popular cartoons depicting complicated gadgets performing simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg


Cheers! Bob F.

 

[PARA45]

I have three Dillon 550s, and knock on wood, I’ve had no issues with any of my reloads.

 

[tarbe]

"Handloading Automation"

Now there's an oxymoron for you!!!

Not for me. I handload my handloads...to the extent possible.

Minimizing the handloading makes handloading no longer handloading.

Of course, I am a Luddite!

Rant/off

 

[MacJenkins]

I had a progressive loader for awhile until it started kicking out double charges and blew up my rifle. I trickle every load by hand on a single stage now right down to 1/10 grain. I want to see every detail. Rifles are too expensive to take chances with.

I’m interested to know more. What rifle cartridge and what was the charge that double charge fit in the case?

 

[analog_peninsula]

When using a progressive, every powder charge needs to fill up over 50% of the case capacity. If you simply do this, you can never double charge.

 

[coyote wacker]

Some of the biggest complaints I have seen and herd about buying reloaded ammo is inconsistency. Many at commerical indoor shooting ranges. From squib loads to way over charged blowing primers out, split cases to bullets caught in the barrel.

 

[deewayne2003]

Some of the biggest complaints I have seen and heard about buying reloaded ammo is inconsistency. Many at commerical indoor shooting ranges. From squib loads to way over charged blowing primers out, split cases to bullets caught in the barrel.

What you describe is why I started loading, to get away from inconsistent factory ammo.

 

[Woodcarver]

2 of the 3 guns I've seen wrecked by faulty ammunition were a direct result of an inconsistent progressive powder measure. The other was also faulty ammo, and a shooter not paying attention; don't know how that ammo was put together.
Interestingly, the most damage was a squib that detonated in a (formerly) beautiful, nickel plated, 2nd Gen Colt SAA. Blew the top of the cylinder off and bent the top frame. Squeezed 2 bullets out far enough to jam against the frame. We were all pretty surprised that he didn't catch a piece of shrapnel. The 2nd was also an undercharged round in 45ACP that didn't clear the barrel. The next round ruptured the barrel and cracked the slide on a 1911 clone (the shooter said he just thought he missed the steel, so he fired the 2nd round). Both of these guys said they used a progressive. The rifle was another stuck bullet that bulged the barrel with the next round. Didn't hear how he loaded.
I'm too OCD to trust an automated press. Seen too much variation in charges thrown from enough different powder measures, even with ball or flake powders. Consistency is a primary goal, and I don't see that coming out of a progressive press. Reloading is also one of my escapes from the world, so there is no interest in speeding up the process.

 

[Miletic]

This is some engineering. Would you trust it?

Then there is no need to manually fill. This is an auto process in which errors occur that are also characteristic of factory ammunition. When I load, I first weigh the gunpowder on a digital scale, and then transfer what I have measured to a mechanical scale. While she weighed and calmed down, I put the next filling on the mechanical scale. And so in a circle. I check each case100 times and I always wear thin gloves on my hands so as not to leave finger marks on the case. A hand-loaded bullet should be a work of art and the loading process the Holy Grail. I don't think there is any point in extremely precise filling of automations. Of course there is for IPSC