How I Reload (Pic Intensive)

[D Rock]

Thanks for posting, very good description and pictures.

Dave

 

[SgtLumpy]

I agree. Only question I have is why you seat a cannelured revolver bullet to a OAL instead of the center of the cannelure? In this pic, you claim this is exactly the seating depth you want, but it shows the cannelure will be completely outta the roll crimp generally used for .38 special and cannelured bullets.

It's not a roll crimp. It's a Lee crimp/seat die. That's a taper crimp when it's light, roll crimp if you crank it down farther.

It's a plated, not jacketed, bullet. Don't want, don't seem to need, much crimp at all. About one wrench flat on the die plus just a smidge. They don't walk when the other five are fired.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[SgtLumpy]

I do like the thoroughness of your presentation with emphasis on safety and accuracy.

An excellent presentation for buying a Dillon 550 progressive.

SgtLumpy: PM sent with explanation.

I refuse to entertain "My Dillon is supurb, your Lee is junk" PMs.

Have a nice day.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[SMSgt]

Nice presentation. As long as you produce a quality round safely, how you get there is unimportant. Sometimes folks place too much emphasis on speed. Consistency is more important.

 

[moxie]

I'm impressed. Thanks.

 

[k53]

A great post, and I also believe a great example of a post that needs to be stickyed!

I really like the thought that went into the bench. Very good engineering principles used. I load on a old turret press, so its nice to see what's involved in setting up, and using the progressive presses. Thanks!

 

[rwsmith]

Very thorough.....

Very thorough and 'compleet'. Clear pictures.

 

[Smaay]

Excellent writeup, I also have a Loadmaster. I use it for reloading 9mm, 38 super, .40, .223, 300AAC, and .357/.38.

The only issue I have withe the press is if the indexing bar does not catch the frame and slide out. Ill loosen the bolt on the bottom and clock the shell plate carrier clockwise a little, but then the primer tray does not catch the 2 bumps to shake the tray. so its one or the other for me.

Jeff
ex Army EOD by the way

 

[SgtLumpy]

... I also have a Loadmaster...

...The only issue I have withe the press is if the indexing bar does not catch the frame and slide out. Ill loosen the bolt on the bottom and clock the shell plate carrier clockwise a little, but then the primer tray does not catch the 2 bumps to shake the tray. so its one or the other for me...

Here's a really good description of how to setup the indexing. I had never known you could adjust the length of the index rod via the threaded plastic thing on the back till I stumbled on to this guy on YouTube.

Lee Loadmaster index setup - YouTube


Sgt Lumpy

 

[Mr-shatters]

This is great! Terrific pics as well. One method I use that I'll just throw out there:

When I'm starting out, I'll load my primer tube with a specific number of primers- 10, 20 or 50. I'll then count out the same number of empty cases. Bullets just come out of the mfr packaging, but this way I always keep my primers to case ratio in check. It's a little slower, but when I'm working up a load I don't make more than 10-20 at a time. Once the formula is locked in, I'll do a tray of primers at a time, 50 with 50 empty cases lined up.

Best of luck everyone. Stay safe.

 

[Comrad]

That's why I buy mine at the LGS. Very impressive set up and great explanation for me, a guy who had no idea what it takes to reload.