problems with progressive press

[majormarine]

hi, i don't know anything about reloading but i have this concern in mind: with manual hand press, you are required to go through everything; so, if anything goes wrong (ie. double charge), it is your own fault.

on the other hand, with progressive press, it's sort of 'automatic' and you don't have to go through every steps, but is there any chance for a progressive press to go wrong (ie. double charge, no charge, etc)? when human error is taken out of consideration?

 

[acrashb]

Not really, since failure to observe the correct operation of the press is part of human error.

However, parts can break that will result in squib loads, no-primer loads, or doubles. The same things can happen on a single-stage setup if you aren't paying attention, although the chances are lower.

 

[joe-nwt]

However, parts can break that will result in squib loads, no-primer loads, or doubles. The same things can happen on a single-stage setup if you aren't paying attention, although the chances are lower.

I'll call BS on that, especially the last part. You have to pay attention to a progressive just as you do a single stage if don't want squibs. Nothing can break on a progressive that would prevent you from feeling whether a primer was seated or not. And lastly, the same process has to happen to get a double charge whether you are on a single or progressive: you have to stop paying attention and pull the handle twice.

Progressives are not complicated or dangerous, really. What they do is save you atremendous amount of time for certain loading situations. They may not be the best for certain ammo using certain powders for a specific level of accuracy, but for others, particularly pistol, they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

IMHO

 

[JohnC]

for good insurance if you have a postion free on the press get a lock-out die (RCBS) or the Dillon powder level die (intended for XL 650) which beeps if you have no- or double-charge conditions

 

[Janeau]

If you are afraid of automatic indexing, just buy a Dillon RL550B.
You have to manually turn the shellplate. You can also back up if you find something wrong. This press can turn 500 rounds + an hour.
You can verify visually each round, on most progressive before pulling the handle.

Nothing to worry about..go progressive..

 

[acrashb]

I'll call BS on that, especially the last part. You have to pay attention to a progressive just as you do a single stage if don't want squibs. Nothing can break on a progressive that would prevent you from feeling whether a primer was seated or not. And lastly, the same process has to happen to get a double charge whether you are on a single or progressive: you have to stop paying attention and pull the handle twice.

'BS'? Not even close.

If the primer feed fails, you can certainly not notice the 'feel' on a progressive with all the other operations - sizing, expanding, seating. Seating the primer is a minor part of 'feel'.

If the 'progressive' part of your press fails and you aren't paying attention (either mechanical or operator failure), bingo - double charge. Single-stage is a whole different game, as you can easily visually-inspect your load tray before moving to seating the bullet.

Same thing for squibs. A powder bridge in a progressive will leave the case entirely or partly empty. On a single-stage, you'll see it during tray inspection. Moreover, the most popular progressive (Dillon, IMO) uses a sliding charge bar that is more susceptible to bridging than an RCBS-style drum rotor.

Progressives are not complicated or dangerous, really

Right you are, and I never said differently. One just has to pay more attention to a progressive. You can mitigate over/under charges with a lockout die or powder sensor if your progressive has enough stations and you add a bit of cash. Primers get inspected when you put your ammo in your ammo box. So you can work around the issues, but they're still there.

 

[joe-nwt]

If the primer feed fails, you can certainly not notice the 'feel' on a progressive with all the other operations - sizing, expanding, seating. Seating the primer is a minor part of 'feel'.

Hmmm. OK I load on a Dillon so I cant speak for other progressives, but, on a dillon, you prime on the upstroke. The only part of the process going on at this time is priming and you can most definately feel the primer being seated. Do not all progressives prime on the upstroke? Trying to visualize a progressive doing otherwise..............

If the 'progressive' part of your press fails and you aren't paying attention (either mechanical or operator failure), bingo - double charge. Single-stage is a whole different game, as you can easily visually-inspect your load tray before moving to seating the bullet.

Yep. The important part here is paying attention. If you didn't see the "progression" you might forget to look at your reloading tray also. If you are paying attention as you should be, you will see the powder in the case, you will see the progression, and you will have no problems.

Same thing for squibs. A powder bridge in a progressive will leave the case entirely or partly empty. On a single-stage, you'll see it during tray inspection. Moreover, the most popular progressive (Dillon, IMO) uses a sliding charge bar that is more susceptible to bridging than an RCBS-style drum rotor.

The charge bar is not the problem, it's the powder-through funnel where the bridging occurs occasionally, usually with long stick powders, never heard of it with ball of flake (except 800X! )

I would venture most progressive reloading problems are not with the press at all, but with distractions that cause a loss of attention. When this happens, you really have to think when you start up again, particularly with the non-auto-indexing presses.