Loading Time Again

The Dillon was all set and I prepared to load some 45 ACP.

I had a few teething issues in terms of getting the primers to seat in the brass and some issues with getting the powder measure. Both issues were due to loose screws and the powder die that had backed out a bit after so many years of disuse. The problems were very ably diagnosed and resolved by Dillon's excellent phone support and I was ready to go.

Once properly set, the powder measure consistently disbursed the same amount of powder with every pull of the handle and I was off to a good yet slow start back into reloading.

Being cautious, I checked the powder level in each and every case to make sure it was consistent, and checked each loaded cartridge overall length, which also was nice and uniform. Might as well get back into reloading slowly, deliberately, and carefully.

The strong mount and roller handle certainly gave the machine a different feel and it is now working like a champ.

Not a bad restart to reloading.

Reloading Bench Taking Shape

Tonight I installed the Dillon RL550B onto its new home on the bench:

As you can see, I did go ahead and order the strong mount and roller handle and they really change the feel of the machine.

The mount came with simple instructions and installed very easily and is made of some nice solid steel. The cartridge chute that comes with the mount is better and easier to mount than the 550B original which had to be separately bolted to the bench. This chute is bigger, sturdier and lines up perfectly.

Installed, the mount raises the height of the machine and makes cranking the handle a lot more ergonomic - it, combined with the roller handle really does feel better and very, very solid. I'd highly recommend this upgrade if you've got or are planing to get a 550B.

I also took this opportunity during the install to do a bit of preventative maintenance: I lubed the main shaft with synthetic motor oil which made it move a lot smoother.

The little press lying beside its big blue brother is my RCBS Partner Press single stage press, which looks like a toy by comparison.

I'm going to install the Partner Press later, on the right side of the Dillon and use it for rifle reloading, as I haven't reloaded rifle ammunition before. If I start loading a particular caliber in volume I'll switch it to the Dillon and just use the partner press for smaller runs of other calibers. Having not used it for years, the shaft on the RCBS was very unwilling to move, but a wipe-down with a bit of the synthetic oil on a paper towel on the press shaft and that's all it took to get it moving like it was brand new. If you've never oiled your press, give it a try, as I'm pretty sure you'll be pleased with how much easier it moves as a result.

I need to finish setting up the Dillon, add powder and primers and get a reloading session underway.

Reloading Folly Stories

Murphy's Law relates his reloading mishap as an important lesson to always check your cases while loading.

My great reloading folly occurred out of a combination of ignorance and reliance upon another.

This occurred back in the early '90s when I was a newly minted shooter in Toronto.

Having been a member of the local gun range for two years and having already received permission by the police to buy a .22 pistol a year before, I was ready to move beyond owning a .22 to something with a bit more oomph.

I went out and bought a beautiful used Smith and Wesson Model 29-2 4" .44 magnum from a more senior club member, who also graciously sold me reloads for it. The range was strictly lead bullet only, no jacketed ammo at all so it was reload or reload, your choice.

After buying reloads from him for awhile, I then went out and bought an RCBS Partner press kit, some 44 Magnum dies and entered the fun world of reloading.

That's where Dan came in. A buddy of mine, he was interested in shooting and professed he possessed far more knowledge than as it turns out he really had at the time.

I had about 100 rounds of empty fired brass and he offered to clean it for me before we reloaded it, and he assured me that he knew what he was doing.

Sure enough the cases came back sparklingly clean.

Together we carefully loaded them with 20 grains of 2400 behind a 240 grain LSWC, weighing every powder charge and being exceedingly careful. The cartridges looked perfect and had been loaded perfectly.

We then proudly take them to the range. Now 20 grains of 2400 is a kickingly good load with lots of sound and fury. In my 29-2 it was also an exceedingly accurate load, capable of clover-leafing all 5 shots at 25 yards, so we were ready for some fun.

The first round was fired - whooooosh---then---bang! That didn't sound right. We checked the barrel for any hangups and moved on.

The second round was similarly a delayed ignition with sparks actually visible as it fired. Again, we checked the barrel for any hangups and moved on.

The third round was similarly so slow that standing behind the gun you could actually see the bullet slowly moving towards the target.

What the heck?

It turned out that Dan had cleaned the cartridges all right - in the closed silverware case in a dishwasher. He then dried them in his oven - enough that no moisture was readily visible but still not dried enough.

We had unintentionally created the first ultra-subsonic .44 Magnum load.

This is why you keep your powder dry.

And also why you don't rely on other people's helpful offers to take your cases and clean them for you.

From that day forth, all reloading was done at my place under my supervision and no further wet powder charges ever occurred.

And eiaftinfo Gets It In One

eiaftinfo said... "reloading table?"

And he's right.

From that.

To This:

To This:

Total time: about 4 hours. Total cost: $96 $90.25 (After returning some unopened finishing nail and a wood screw package after realizing I already had enough on hand) in wood and screws for a nice solid bench that will give years of reloading service. The bench beats the comparable manufactured alternatives in terms of both cost and solidity.

I haven't mounted the Dillon Press yet, as I'm thinking of picking up the strong mount for it.

I also took the time to thoroughly clean up the armory/dive room and got rid of a lot of old boxes and lots of accumulated junk that really didn't need to stick around anymore. As a result, not only does the bench fit, but it is a much more user-friendly space and you can actually see the carpet.

And that's $50 on its way via Paypal to Tam. I hope she uses it towards the medical bills or towards something to take her mind off things medical. $25 for the right guess and $25 just because.