Lee loadmasters thrower ran dry

[Doug.38PR]

last Night I was reloading 38 special using unique power. I'll loaded about 120 rounds dropped into an ammo bucket then I decided to load six nickel plated cases just to shoot right away for a little quick fun. I noticed on one of them is the sixth round primer was loaded in backward so I dumped the powder back into the thrower and noticed that very little powder was poured in and look at the thrower and the thrower was empty. Oh shoot says I. I load the five nickel plated rounds to see if any of them have actual powder. Shot each onechecking after each shot. Two of them the primer just sounded off in launch the bullet just inside the fourth cone. Two of them when about halfway down the barrel. The fifth one fired successfully but was very low powered. Now I'm wondering whether or not there's one or two bad rounds in the 120 that I just loaded. I'm inclined todo you think the 120 you're okay just because there was one round out of that six final that did successfully fire even though it was low powered.

I do know that each shell did have some degree of powder in it because I checked it each and everyone of them as I loaded them

 

[venomballistics]

guy ... with all else equal, powder is the heart and soul of the reloading process.
We keep an eye on that like a mistress.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Get the Bullet Puller out!

 

[SMSgt]

Three cheers for progressive presses!

You really need to pay closer attention. Now you have a bucket full of squib-possible rounds.

 

[Rule3]

Shoot them one at a time and check the barrel every time.
Bring your bullet pusher dowel.

I loaded some semi auto rounds once that would not cycle the gun but shot OK'ish So that's what I did. Made for a nice long day at the range.

 

[Rule3]

Three cheers for progressive presses!

You really need to pay closer attention. Now you have a bucket full of squib-possible rounds.

And Unique in combo!

 

[gwpercle]

You have no idea when the powder ran out. You know good and well the bullets have to be pulled, and all have to be reloaded.
Whenever powder hopper gets low, it starts dropping inconsistent charges.
No powder and low powder charges are not good.
This is a reason I load on a single station press and drop powder into each case while I'm lookig at each one and then do the flashlight double check.
No if's and's or but's....break them down and start over.
Nothing wrong with Unique...it wasn't the cause of the empty hopper.
Gary

 

[gwpercle]

guy ... with all else equal, powder is the heart and soul of the reloading process.
We keep an eye on that like a mistress.

Or our teenage daughter's.

 

[Rule3]

You have no idea when the powder ran out. You know good and well the bullets have to be pulled, and all have to be reloaded.
Whenever powder hopper gets low, it starts dropping inconsistent charges.
No powder and low powder charges are not good.
This is a reason I load on a single station press and drop powder into each case while I'm lookig at each one and then do the flashlight double check.
No if's and's or but's....break them down and start over.
Nothing wrong with Unique...it wasn't the cause of the empty hopper.
Gary

True, my bad It's LEES fault

 

[dave_g]

I did this same thing once loading 45 acp. I thought I had figured out when the powder stopped and set those rounds aside. Then at the range I found that I hadn't gone back far enough and ended removing a squib.

Back in the shop I tried weighing each cartridge to see if I could find the ones that were 5 grains lighter. That produced very inconsistent results as 5 grains just isn't enough to ensure there was no powder. Some cases are lighter and my cast bullets vary by a couple of grains too. I finally gave up and pulled them all. About 200 rounds.

It's a pain, but you'll get good at pulling bullets. And you'll have some primed brass to start with next time.

 

[venomballistics]

Or our teenage daughter's.

one could make a hilarious connection between the analogies ...
I will, however, leave it an unsaid implication so as to retain some plausible deniability

 

[SMSgt]

If my powder dropper gets down to 1/3 full, I refill it. Beats the heck out of worrying about inconsistent drops.

 

[MasterTech1960]

This is why I use a RCBS powder check die on my Lee classic turret press. I look at it every time plus the powder hopper is right in front of my big head.

 

[Doug.38PR]

Banging bullets out and dumping them and powder into a bowl. Got 60 unloaded so far.

So many things to pay attention to on a progressive. Thing if it is, I was checking each cartridge as I loaded and all had powder in the bottom. I even caught one double loaded. So far all the shells I've taken apart have had good powder in them. All it takes is a few bad apples to ruin the barrel. Live and learn

 

[Snowshooter]

Banging bullets out and dumping them and powder into a bowl. Got 60 unloaded so far.

So many things to pay attention to on a progressive. Thing if it is, I was checking each cartridge as I loaded and all had powder in the bottom. I even caught one double loaded. So far all the shells I've taken apart have had good powder in them. All it takes is a few bad apples to ruin the barrel. Live and learn

This is the right move. I bet you will look at that hopper every other round now.

 

[venomballistics]

Banging bullets out and dumping them and powder into a bowl. Got 60 unloaded so far.

So many things to pay attention to on a progressive. Thing if it is, I was checking each cartridge as I loaded and all had powder in the bottom. I even caught one double loaded. So far all the shells I've taken apart have had good powder in them. All it takes is a few bad apples to ruin the barrel. Live and learn

Yes, this is exactly why I never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever recommend a progressive press.
The way I see it, if they have to ask, they are not ready for one.
If the hand loader is out of questions, then they are ready, but have no need to ask.

I would sooner misplace my scale than let the measure drop below 1/3rd.

 

[Doug.38PR]

Well the do crank out rounds a lot faster than a single stage.

 

[rwsmith]

Yeah, besides....

If my powder dropper gets down to 1/3 full, I refill it. Beats the heck out of worrying about inconsistent drops.

Powder hoppers throw more consistently when they are at least 1/3 full. In other words, getting even close to empty isn't a good idea. I find that even using Lee scoops that if I keep plenty of powder in my 'hopper' (butter dish) I get more consistent loads. Don't be stingy, you can always dump it back into the canister.

 

[venomballistics]

Well the do crank out rounds a lot faster than a single stage.

That only counts if you can use them with absolute confidence.

 

[wheelgun1958]

Weigh them.