case prep on progressive

[merkelerk]

I have been reloading .223, 45 colt and 45 ACP on a single stage press for some time now, always with great results.

I am thinking of going to a turret or progressive style press to save time when loading for the handguns.

What becomes of the case prep (flash hole, case trimming, neck reaming etc.) when I use a progressive setup? Do I just load my tumbled brass into a hopper and start pulling the handle, hoping the build up in the flash hole is okay or that the case length is within limits?

I spend a lot of time prepping my cases, throwing a charge and seating a bullet is quick and easy, if thats the only real time saving part of a progressive, I'll save my money.

 

[t-star]

i've been doing this 38 years and have yet to trim a pistol case- basically, tumble and load- -9mm, 45, 44mag- if you use crushed walnut instead of corncob, there's very little chance of getting a particle in the flashole, ( particles are too big) and inspecting the flashole only takes a couple of seconds anyway- if you don't like what you see after tumbling, give a quick turn with the primer pocket cleaner, or a flash hole tool-

 

[Antoine22]

You don't need much case preparation when you reload pistol ammo. I throw all my brass in the tumbler for 3 hours and they are ready to reload. As for 223, it's a longer process. Most of my brass is from PMC and they have a crimped primer pocket.

Here's my process step by step.

1. Dump all my 223 brass in the tumbler for 3 hours
2. I lube my cases
3. I resize, de-prime and trim in one step with my Dillon press
4. I tumble again to clean the lube off my cases
5. The cases get chamfer inside and out and swaged when needed
6. Cases are new ready to reload. I prime, drop a charge, place a bullet, seat a bullet, crimp a bullet in 1 step.
7. And I'm done.

 

[Silverback]

I do the sames as the two guys above for pistol and rifle, the only time I ever trimmed pistol brass was when I got a few military 38 spl brass that had a wicked crimp on the bullet and the fired cases were long because of it.