Newbie Question - Single Stage Powder Drop

[formula502]

Sorry for such a basic question, but I lurk here a lot and really love this forum.

I have zero reloading experience and am looking at getting started with a single stage setup. I figure it's a good idea to go slow at first.

My question is how do you drop powder with a single stage setup?

Do you attach a measure to the press, flare & drop, then put the charged cases aside and seat later?

Do you use a funnel to charge a whole tray of flared cases w/ a standalone measure, then seat in the press?

I'm just trying to picture the process.

Thanks in advance.

 

[formula502]

Sorry for such a basic question, but I lurk here a lot and really love this forum.

I have zero reloading experience and am looking at getting started with a single stage setup. I figure it's a good idea to go slow at first.

My question is how do you drop powder with a single stage setup?

Do you attach a measure to the press, flare & drop, then put the charged cases aside and seat later?

Do you use a funnel to charge a whole tray of flared cases w/ a standalone measure, then seat in the press?

I'm just trying to picture the process.

Thanks in advance.

 

[FrankD45]

When I used a single stage press I also had a stand alone Redding powder measure/drop. After the priming stage, I would remove the primed case and drop a charge in it. I would then stage the charged cases in a loading block until I was ready to seat bullets. If you don't want to invest in a stand alone powder measure you can use the dipper and scale method to charge the primed cases. As I recall it was also good practice to place the cases in such a way as to avoid double charging or charging an un-primed case.

I hope that helps,

Frank

 

[Scheebs]

These are good questions. Welcome to the hobby of reloading.
I too use a single stage press simply because I don't shoot thousands of rounds at a time, and I find it soothing to reload at a leisurely pace.
As for your questions, it depends on the type of powder I'm using. Ball powder meters very well from my powder drop and I fill a flared case, insert bullet and seat, making one complete catridge at a time.
If I'm using flake, I find it doesn't meter well so I use an electronic thrower hooked up to my electronic scale. With this setup I always batch load to fill a tray, then add bullet and seat in a later process.
Either way, I always follow this sequence before charging: clean, size, flare, prime. Each of the proceedures are done to hundreds of cases before moving to the next step.

 

[formula502]

Thanks for the info so far...

So does the part of the measure that outputs the powder (spout?) typically neck down small enough so that you just hold the case under it and flip a lever?

Is there a "third hand required" balancing act with a little funnel on each case?

I'm trying to read & look at pictures & what-not, but I have a feeling these questions are so basic/obvious they're not even spelled out.

 

[FrankD45]

The "spout" on my Redding is like an inverted funnel. You hold the cartridge neck in the "funnel" and cycle the handle and drop a charge.

Don't worry about asking "basic" questions. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

I hope that helps,

Frank

 

[31 Pump]

I am fairly new myself so I will tell you how I do it to be precise and careful.

I size and deprime my brass first and then clean them. I do this so hopefully the primer holes get cleaned as well. This does cause me to sometimes have to clean out the flash hole where a piece of walnut hull from the vibrator gets stuck in there but I just like them clean. I then flare the brass just enough to get the bullet started. Next I set up my seating die, powder measure and scale. I throw every charge from the powder measure into the scale pan and adjust it with a powder trickler to make sure it is exact. I then pour it into the case and seat the bullet then go to the next one. I know this takes a little longer but I never worry about a double charge. I am in no hurry and am more interested in making sure it is done correctly and safely than speed.

I know this isn't the only way but it works for me.

Glenn

 

[tomf52]

I size and deprime my brass first and then clean them

31 Pump - The one thing you may want to consider is using a universal decapping die that does not resize for the first step of your procedure. Resizing before cleaning is a good way to damage/prematurely wear your resizing die.Another method of doing this would be to wash all your brass first. Then go ahead with your same routine.

 

[walnutred]

When I'm using a single stage press I place all of my cleaned, sized, primed, flared cases on a shell holder on the bench. I then take the powder drop in hand and drop a charge into each case. Next a take a flashlight and visually inspect all of the cases looking for an accidental double charge.

If one of the kids is helping the procedure is slightly different.

 

[jrplourde]

Originally posted by walnutred:
Next a take a flashlight and visually inspect all of the cases looking for an accidental double charge.

I never charge a whole block of shells. When I have all shells sized, primed and expanded I then charge one shell and insert into the press and seat the bullet. No worry about double charges. By the way, you will need a simple press and dies, powder dispenser and a scale at minimum and DO NOT FORGET A MANUAL. LYMAN'S IS A GOOD START.

Bob