Question, does anyone reload a cartridge w/out any powder to get test the proper depth and crimp on there first go around?

I was thinking (oops when I get my equipment) to load a few and test the OAL/CrimP etc.

What say Ye ?

Thanks,
Jim

I've never intentionally loaded a round w/o powder so the answer is "no" I don't use an empty shell to calibrate the dies. I use the first one to fine tune the dies and if all goes well I don't have to pull it!

I've always made dummy cartridges with no primer and powder and each type of bullet I use in a given caliber.Makes it easy to adjust the bullet seating stem and die when changing from one bullet to another.

I have a dummy round with no primer or powder for every caliber and different bullet I load. I go very slow while doing this and setting up my dies. Once you load this dummy round up, toss it in the die case with the dies. That way when you go to load up that same bullet, you can put the dummy round in the press, run it up, screw the die down until it bottoms out on the dummy round, then screw the seater plug down until it does the same. Set your lock ring and you're set up. Be sure to keep pressure on the press arm so you don't back the ram out while adjusting your dies. There may be a bit difference, but it gets you in the close enough to work area. I have found that after using the dummy round to set up my dies, if any adjustment is needed, the dies usually needs to be screwed in a quarter turn further or so. I've never had to back a die out when setting up like this.

You beat me to it. Barely, but you did.

I made up Dummy rounds w/o powder or primer for use in adjustment of bullet seating with all the bullets I regularly reload. I reload on a single stage press, seat bullets then crimp them in seperate steps. The dummies make seating adjustments much easier. It's a good trick but you don't hear many people talk about it anymore. I do still use them but it is just such a common part of setting the dies I had forgotten I did it.
Gary

I have used dummy rounds to gauge a long bullet in a rifle.

This is exactly what I do. Down to every single detail.

I make up dummies also, good old fashion common sense IMO.

DUmmy rounds are great! Why waste pwoder & primer setting dies up?

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Me too. Every different bullet gets at least one dummy round, but mostly 4 or 5...

I have a Dillon Square Deal B press and all the dies are attached to a holder plate. When I set up a new caliber of dies for the first time I will make a few dummy cartridges with no powder and no primer to set the bell, seating depth and crimp. After that the adjustments stay exactly where they were because the dies and plate come out as one unit and never move.

I don't like the idea of idea of playing with live rounds when setting up a caliber conversion. After I am done setting the dies I pull the bullets and reuse the components.

Looking to get the loads set up once (not sure if that is true/once), plus learning how.
The first time (when the equipment gets here) should be interesting and I have multiple heads/dies so once set up it should be easier I'm thinking.

Reloading .45acp/38Spl

Thanks everyone for the info/help,
Jim

Only time I've done anything like that was using primer only to fire home made wax wadcutters...great for indoor basement shooting.

Absolutely As mention by several above.

Did anyone else post:

and use a fine tip sharpie and put the bullet weight and OAL on the side of the cartridge?

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Still Running Against the Wind

I load 6 different lead bullets and 10 different Jacket bullets
JUST for my 38 speaial.....................
Yes I make a dummy round for eack box of bullets with the correct OAL to make things a lot quicker and easier.....unless some use the same oal.

Call me an anachronism. Call me a red herring. Call me a 19th century buffalo hunter.
I have never had a problem setting up or adjusting dies for a new load.
In my view, loading ammo is a heads-up operation, and can be done efficiently with eyes open and brain engaged. Once I have the OAL right and the case mouth properly oriented to the cannelure, I back the seater stem off and advance the crimp to the desired amount, then reset the seater. I am a single stage guy and this has worked effectively for 40 years.
I reckon if anyone is loading numerous calibers & bullets, then an efficient shortcut would be helpful. That is, if you're doing 'production' level numbers, then you might save a little time & tedium by having setup dummy rounds ready to go.
I rarely load more than 100 per batch. I spend more bench time with case prep. I always have a ton of brass ready to load.
I am a reloadin' fool.

I think for the OP who is new to reloading (actually anyone)
it is great to have a dummy round or two to test in the barrel you can see if it feeds, Chambers, ejects whatever.

In one caliber say 45 ACP I have several bullets I use. I can set the seating die very quickly to adjust for whatever bullet (at least get pretty close) then do some fine tuning and check OAL.

If I last loaded a 230gr FMJ and then want to load a 185 LSWC, it makes set up a lot easier.

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Still Running Against the Wind

dummies for setup purposes .... yup but its not the first thing I do.
the first few small run batches are try and see sort of experiments.
If the bullet causes the load to suck for you ... why make a set up dummy for it?
be patient and get your feet wet, sort out the wheat from the chaff, then make up your dummy rounds based upon results.
brass is the new gold, don't waste it

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it just needs more voltage

Yessir, I do the Dummy rounds, write on them with a fine pt. sharpie the case length, bullet & wt. and the coal . I put them in a dedicated RCBS reloader tray to store them. When I am done I also write the specs for whatever I just loaded on a post it note and toss it in the die box. That way if like me you arent 100% sure what you loaded last it will tell you if your dies are good to go again or need to change it up for a different load. Same for my powder measure, what powder and what weight it is set for and into the hopper tube goes the post it note. I suffer from chronic CRS

10 Spot

Yep and use that dummy to see if it wil cycle through an auto,sometimes

i just use a primmer and dig the nose into a bar of soap ,to

shoot roaches that the clorox and bug spray don't kill(I hate roaches).

Just kills the roaches and leaves a soapy light green Irish spring mark

that can be rinsed off.

Bob

I make dummy rounds, too, but instead of re-adjusting my seating die I just buy a different seating die for each load/bullet combo. that I shoot. The Lee seating dies are cheap enough that it's not worth my time readjusting one when I can just drop in a different die.

That is an option. As for me, I like the mechanical parts of reloading. Setting up the dies is enjoyable to me.

I was taught to make a dummy round as described and file a hole in the side of the brass to avoid confusion.

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Front sight and squeeze