The only thing I don't like about the flake powders is that they don't meter too well. I haven't used Red Dot, but use quite a bit of Blue Dot.
Power Pistol is my usual go-to for several of my handguns, especially when doing full power loads, as it gives good velocities near the top of its load range. GeoJelly didn't mention what loading manual he is using, but I see a lot of variance between different manuals for the same cartridge; I also see a variance from the powder jug label when it shows load data, and from bullet manuals (Speer, Sierra, for example) when they show load data. I use Hornady manuals exclusively; not because I think it is best, but it's what I started with ten years ago, even the high end is safe, and I've stuck with a known quantity that is consistent and gives good results.
Another thing to think about is a phenomenon that is sometimes seen in lightly loaded cases, where there is a large "dead space". If I can find the link to the article, I'll post it here. I'm on my laptop and don't have the data with me, but I have it on my desktop.
Much like how I load. I divide my reloading into different "processes" that I try to do together. First thing is throw the fired cases in the tumbler to clean them, then I deprime and size them, and then bag them until the next step. Second is to prime them and flare them, and then they go in a bin so they're ready for charging and seating. Since I use a single stage press, I'm not switching dies except for the part of the process I'm at. I rarely crimp semiauto loads, never found it necessary, even for full-boat 10mm loads, and haven't had any issues with setback.
When charging, I either have the cases head-up in the block, or I take them directly from the bin, charge them, and set them in the block. I'll do 100 at a time, charging and seating. I use a digital scale, and I determine what charge weight I want from the manual, then set my powder throw by throwing a charge into the little pan, weigh it and repeat three or four times until I get withing a 1/10th variance between throws. Then I throw another 5 times and measure each one to see if the weight changes more than 1/10th grain. If stable, I start charging the cases directly from the powder throw, setting each charged case in the block. Then I start seating, and always measure the COL of the first three to make sure the die is set correctly; after that, I measure every tenth case to make sure nothing has moved. I always look into the case as I set it in the shell holder to seat the bullet, a final check for a double charge or no charge. I don't pay any attention to my phone if it rings while charging cases, and I don't have the radio on, nothing to distract me. I've seen way too many "Kaboom pictures" from overcharged cases, don't want my hands or face ripped up. On rifle cases, I weigh each charge, set intentionally low, and trickle to the desired weight. Takes longer, but is very precise.
For you guys who charge, then seat each round, are you using a carousel press with all your dies in place? I know my Lee dies allow charging through the flaring die, but I never do it that way.
