Murphy's Law

[austintexas]

I invited a new comer to reloading to come by and I would instruct him on loading up some 9 mm on my Dillion. I had just loaded 500 rounds for myself and I was going to let him use my machine with a little instruction. First screw up: I used my primer tube to dump 100 primers into my machine and got primers all over the floor, I forgot I had already filled the machine. Second screw up: the machine started to lockup, turns out one brand of his brass for some reason wouldn't release from the powder dump/expander , third screwup: With 2 rounds to go on his 150 rounds the whole machine locked up, DARN! This is on a machine I have loaded thousands of rounds of 9mm, 38 special and 357 magnum on. after apologized to Brian for bragging on how easy it is to reload ammo, I started to disassemble my machine, halfway thru I saw the wrist pin that holds the handle to the ram had started to slide out and jammed the machine. Easy fix. Murphy's Law struck again.
SWCA 892

 

[rosewood]

I invited a new comer to reloading to come by and I would instruct him on loading up some 9 mm on my Dillion. I had just loaded 500 rounds for myself and I was going to let him use my machine with a little instruction. First screw up: I used my primer tube to dump 100 primers into my machine and got primers all over the floor, I forgot I had already filled the machine. Second screw up: the machine started to lockup, turns out one brand of his brass for some reason wouldn't release from the powder dump/expander , third screwup: With 2 rounds to go on his 150 rounds the whole machine locked up, DARN! This is on a machine I have loaded thousands of rounds of 9mm, 38 special and 357 magnum on. after apologized to Brian for bragging on how easy it is to reload ammo, I started to disassemble my machine, halfway thru I saw the wrist pin that holds the handle to the ram had started to slide out and jammed the machine. Easy fix. Murphy's Law struck again.
SWCA 892

Things always act up when you are showing off..

I have various loading tools work great for years and then something gets out of place and you play heck trying to figure out what is wrong.

 

[jem102]

Let me check the chart: Yep, been there and done that. Your routine had been changed by an outside influence; new person and unfamiliar components. Best part is you ran through your system checks and corrected the issue. Well Done!

 

[Alk8944]

Murphy was an optimist!

 

[SMSgt]

My Herter's Model 3 single-stage press refuses to fail. Too dang simple.

 

[Nesmith]

Murphy's Law of Thermodynamics

At least Murphy's Law of Thermodynamics wasn't invoked:
If it can go wrong, it will . . . and catch on fire!

 

[Moo Moo]

These little stuff ups always seem to happen to me too. I get frustrated and then start to procrastinate before even starting. It's never as simple as going out to the machine, load the components, and start cranking out the rounds. And even if I do get a successful start, I'll usually get a "Dad, can you come and help me here". Or similar from the wife. It's hard to find the right time when I can be left alone, with plenty of time, to knock out 500 rounds.

 

[smoothshooter]

New reloaders should ALWAYS be started out on a single stage press. No exceptions.

To do otherwise is courting disappointment and possible disaster.
With a progressive press, too many things are going on at once.

 

[TJm15.38]

I've been reloading on a single stage RCBS Rock Chucker press since 1981. My reloading routine is a tried and true process with low risk. I can't see switching to a progressive reloader at this stage in life. I'll stick with what I have.

 

[oddshooter]

From oddshooter to smoothshooter,

Does starting on a Dillion 550 count if I used it as a single stage?

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

When I load a batch on the Dillon:

1)There is no communicating with me by anyone except for a real emergency (as defined by Ohio law as Fire, Blood, or Flood!)

2) there is no TV or radio, just music.

3) there is no Food, Beer, or Pop. Just a container of water.

4) 1000 primers are loaded into the tubes and the first 100 in the primer magazine. 1000 bullets are in the tray or half in tray and half in box by tray. Powder measure is filled and only that powder is on the bench. The Load is on a post-it, that is also rubber banded to the powder measurer. Brass is in the case feed hopper, with additional in a bucket on bench, ONLY that brass on bench!

Conclusion) 1000 rounds is about a 2 hour job on an already set up 550. When that 1000 is done I hit the head, if it's time have a meal, prepare the next session's components. Last thing is check in with family, if all is well, do the next 1000. I started loading with this press in 1984, by 1986 I had this system. The only squibs, or primer-less rounds have been when I was interrupted!

You can have any system you want, but without some system you will have problems.

Cell phones came into the picture about 1996 for me. THE CELL PHONE IS LEFT WITH THE WIFE OR HEAD KID. They can answer or not and check messages. I am only to be bothered for an emergency! (see #1. Routine calls from work are not emergencies!)

1/4 million rounds without a problem!

Ivan

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Did you expect anything different? lol
It could have been worse, a primer could have gone off. At least you got all but 2 of the 150 rounds loaded.

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

Kudos on spending the time to bring a new person into the hobby!

 

[AJ]

Started out on a Lyman 310 Tool and worked my way up from there. Still get bit in the butt on occasion.

 

[stansdds]

New reloaders should ALWAYS be started out on a single stage press. No exceptions.

To do otherwise is courting disappointment and possible disaster.
With a progressive press, too many things are going on at once.

That's how I started, only went to a progressive press when I started shooting IPSC/USPSA matches and was burning through hundreds of rounds of ammo every month. A single stage press is the most reliable, fool-proof, and easiest press for beginners.

 

[rosewood]

Nothing wrong with using a progressive and only having one case on the press at a time until one gets comfortable with the process.

Rosewood

 

[Bald1]

I recently had to restock my 9mm target supply. My press of choice was a cash register at the Runnings store. The clerk operated it quickly and without delays. $10 for 50. On the way out I grabbed a bag of jerky. Let's see your Dillion do that.

 

[AJ]

I recently had to restock my 9mm target supply. My press of choice was a cash register at the Runnings store. The clerk operated it quickly and without delays. $10 for 50. On the way out I grabbed a bag of jerky. Let's see your Dillion do that.

More and more folks are doing just that with the higher cost of components and lack of time to reload.

 

[Green Frog]

I recently had to restock my 9mm target supply. My press of choice was a cash register at the Runnings store. The clerk operated it quickly and without delays. $10 for 50. On the way out I grabbed a bag of jerky. Let's see your Dillion do that.

This sounds a whole like the way I describe my favorite recipe for a picnic, "I go to the Kroger [grocery] and turn right toward the deli." Sometimes DIY makes sense sometimes it doesn't. You have to evaluate the situation.
Froggie

 

[smoothshooter]

From oddshooter to smoothshooter,

Does starting on a Dillion 550 count if I used it as a single stage?

Not really.
The new guy should also prime cases separately with a hand tool to gain knowledge about the differences in feel between hard seating and easy seating, and the causes for the differences.