Lee Challenger with Uniflow

[Boats]

Someone (maybe someone here?) told me about an adapter that allows a Uniflow Powder Measure to mount to a Lee Powder Through Die.

I found the beast on eBay for a few bucks and bought one, even before I had bought the Uniflow.

Yesterday I got it all together, put together the Uniflow with a large micrometer attachment, and went to bed.

Today I mounted the Challenger on the bench, and the Uniflow on the Challenger, and everything seems to work fine. I did a bunch of powder drops with the little bit of RL-15 I have, and was able to quickly calibrate the Uniflow to drop a consistent 24gr of powder.

Then I actually tried it with some .223 brass in the press, and it at least minimally puts powder in the brass.

Unfortunately, I don't have any IMR 3031 on hand to do some real testing. Tonight after work I'll go buy some and try to build some .223 rounds in batch mode with the Challenger.

Here's what it looks like so far:

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b606/pitlog/Reloading/DSC03138_zps550dccd8.jpg

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b606/pitlog/Reloading/DSC03139_zps02b0bdb3.jpg

[Boats]

I got a chance to play around with the Uniflow for a while and wasn't real happy with the results.

I use RL-15 for my .223 and it has to kind of get chopped up in the Uniflow while cycling. More of an annoyance than anything.

The real problem was that I would drop a load and when I lowered the ram, a bunch of powder would fall out of the drop tube. Not sure what's going on but about half the load is going in the shell, and the other half on the floor.

I'm thinking it's something I can fix, but didn't have the time tonight.

Tomorrow is another day.

[Boats]

I got to fiddling with the Uniflow & Breechlock Challenger tonight and discovered that I hadn't put either of the green translucent drop tubes on the Uniflow.

So I selected the larger of the two and screwed it in. It still fit the adapter that fits it to the Lee press just fine.

Now the system drops really precise measures of powder and I have no problem adjusting it by .1gr increments. All of the powder is now going in the case.

This is great for me, as the slowest part of loading for my rifles was measuring out the powder. Now it's the quickest. i bet I can charge 8 cases per minute or better now.

For anyone using a Lee Challenger press, this is a great way to charge cases.

[Lane]

I use the Challenger Breach Lock press for small quantity batches - such as self defense loads. I use my Dillon 550B for mass producing range ammo and squibs.

I agree, charging the loads is painful. Did you need a special adapter to mount the Uniflow to the expander die? I'm wondering if this would work with my Lee powder measure...

Lane

[DaFadda]

Pitlog, below is my uniflow in a dedicated stand. For the life of me, I can't figger out why you're using the Lee single stage to hold the uniflow for charging cases. The way this is set up, you'll have to handle each and every round for the charging process.


I think the additional stand is about 20 bucks on Ebay and allows me to batch load a fifty count loading tray at one time. I think I'd go nuts if I had to handle each round to charge. Here's a couple of pictures of what I'm talking about. Hope this helps...

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g407/DaFadda/P1020577.jpg


http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g407/DaFadda/P1020576.jpg


DaFadda

[Boats]

Pitlog, below is my uniflow in a dedicated stand. For the life of me, I can't figger out why you're using the Lee single stage to hold the uniflow for charging cases. The way this is set up, you'll have to handle each and every round for the charging process.

I think the additional stand is about 20 bucks on Ebay and allows me to batch load a fifty count loading tray at one time. I think I'd go nuts if I had to handle each round to charge. Here's a couple of pictures of what I'm talking about. Hope this helps...

DaFadda

Thanks, Fadda. I'm not too sure how to answer except to plead ignorance.

So what do you do, load up a tray with primed brass and then use a funnel under the Uniflow? I'm trying to figure out what you do if you are not touching the cases.

There was a stand up for bid on ebay, but for just a hair more I found it on Midway and bought one.

Thanks for the reply. This is my first experience with a single stage press and also with the Uniflow. Up till now, everything has been done by hand and on a Classic Turret Press.

Tom

[DaFadda]

Pitlog..... "ignorance" is simply not knowing yet..... stupidity I reserve for .... well.... I'll let you know that one on Nov. 7th. lol.... You might want to purchase a "powder baffle" that goes inside the green powder tube. It really helps to settle the powder and even out the pull. If you feel that you're "cutting" powder, or the pull handle is not pulling smoothly.... A..... and I emphasize "A" drop of oil on the "crank bearings" (sorry... don't know what else to call them... the Round thang that the the micro adust is attached to) works wonders to smooth out the operation. Theres a series of pics below, taken with one hand while holding the loading tray in my left. No funnel needed. You put the cartridge right up to the green dispenser hole.

Pic one. Far right cartridge is where I start. I work right to left in the first row, then backtrack left to right on the second row... following the sequence until I end up at round 25. You scan see my thumb right next to the 25th round. You can also see the large tab right under my thumb.

Round ONE

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g407/DaFadda/P1030411.jpg

ROUND TWO
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g407/DaFadda/P1030412.jpg

Round THREE
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g407/DaFadda/P1030413.jpg

Round TWENTYFIVE You can see the Tab under my thumb.
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g407/DaFadda/P1030414.jpg

I then turn the loading tray around and repeat the process, again beginning from the far right and working in a serpentine pattern until the tray is fully loaded.

Round 26 You can now see the large Tab on the right side instead of the left.

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g407/DaFadda/P1030416.jpg

I have enough confidence in my uniflow and micro adjust that I'll now do 25 rounds, then weigh a charge to be sure. Very very seldom do I need to make an adjustment.

After you've loaded a tray.... You WILL EYEBALL each cartridge to ensure that you didn't double charge or squib charge anything. Then... place your bullets onto the top of all 50 rounds. You're then ready to seat and crimp.

After seating and crimping (I do it in one pass. While I own a "factory crimper" I just don't find it does much for me except add an extra step)... I highly recommend that you use either a L.E. Wilson or Dillon go/no go gauge that will check the critical dimensions. Short version is: If it fits the gauge, it'll fit your chamber. I check every round, although there are those who tell me that its unnecessary. BTW.... they're the same people who always seem to have battery, fire and ejections issues. I don't seem to have that problem, because.... possibly.... I check my work at the bench? Go figger.

Hope this helps!

[DaFadda]

Pitlog... one more thing... I use the same procedure every single time I reload. Every time. No one is allowed in the room when I'm charging cartridges, no radio, no tv, Mrs. will tell people that I'll call them back. (Love that woman!!) I stay focused on the task. Seen too many pictures of kabooms to screw around with this stuff.

The way the stand is constructed, it is impossible to load more than 25 in an RCBS tray without turning it around. If you eyeball the powder charge whenever you turn it.... get it.... designed in "idiot proofing".

Long winded post... but... hey.... Mrs is out with her girlfriends and I have the house to myself....

DaFadda

[Snipersnest]

Great info Mike. If and when I get back into reloading, I'll be sure to keep those tips in mind!

[DaFadda]

btw... works exactly the same way when charging 5.56/.223. For this cartridge, use the smaller of the two dispenser tips provided. (Cleaned, but not prepared 5.56 cartridges used in photo. Deprime, bell, prime, etc. before charging)

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g407/DaFadda/P1030418.jpg

[Boats]

Fadda,

Thanks for the excellent posts!

Funny that you mentioned the baffle. I ordered the stand and a baffle from Midway yesterday and should have them real soon now.

Unfortunately, I have to drive up to NY tomorrow for the weekend and won't see the bench again till part way into next week.

But I'll give it a shot. I use trays that are 5x10, so shouldn't have a problem getting all the cases under the drop tube.

Thanks again,

Tom

[DaFadda]

Pitlog... this is my reloading schedule of how I do things.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1815