Reloading conversation with Mike
 

Three pics. I'll walk you through them.

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...a/P1020577.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...a/P1020576.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...a/P1020575.jpg

Picture one. right under the bear head... a vibrating tumbers that handles up to 18 pounds. Purchased from Harbor Freight tools for $149 on sale. It's twice the size as any of the reloader models out there, and twice as quiet.

still picture one. RCBS powder measure with micrometer setting. I like it alot. also, an RCBS scale. And yes... the four hole turret press from Lee

Picture 2. loading blocks. right behind the Lee press, you'll see the wilson max gage.

picture 3. about 4000 rounds of .357 JHP ( I misordered from Montana Gold. Oh well...) above that, 1000 rounds of Montana Gold 200 gr Flat points.

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...a/P1020579.jpg

pic has three removable turrets. 1/4 turn and its off.

Shell separators. yellow is 45, blue is 40 and 38, black is 9mm

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...a/P1020578.jpg

Mike, here is my reloading routine: I have deliberately removed the "auto index" function of the press, as my preference is to load in "batch mode." I believe I have better QC using this method.

1. sort brass. I use the sorting sieves that are in the pictures above.

2. place brass into vibrating tumbler. It is located right below the bear's head. Wait 2 hours, come back and shake out the cleaning media. I use a 50/50 mix of Lizard/bird Walnut litter from the petshop, and corncob. I also add a capful of New Finish auto polish once in awhile.

3. Deprime all rounds on the turret press.
4. Optional, but I'm anal. Clean primer pockets. Used to NOT do this, then got a motorized prep center for christmas. Now I do it. This is the perfect time to check for large or small primer cases in .45ACP. separate small and large primer cases.

5. Bell each cartridge on the turret press.

6. Take cartridges upstairs and use a hand primer to prime all cartridges. This way I can talk to my wife while I do this mundane chore.

STEPS ONE THROUGH SIX CAN BE DONE WHENEVER YOU HAVE COLLECTED ENOUGH CASES TO MAKE IT WORTH YOUR TIME. I COMPLETE THESE STEPS, AND THROW THE PRIMED CARTRIDGES INTO MY "READY TO LOAD" CONTAINER. USUALLY HAVE ABOUT 500 MADE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.

7. load the loading blocks.

8. Charge the rounds. The RCBS uniflo with stand will allow you to charge 25, then you turn the loading block around and run the other 25. I check charge weight every 10 rounds.

9. Inspect visually EVERY case to be sure that it hasn't been double charged. It's called "eyeballing".

10 while still in loading block, I set a bullet into the belled cases.

11. Using the Turret, I seat and taper crimp each round. Personally, I do not use the Lee Factory Crimp Die. I have one, but its an extra procedure that... if you set up your seat/crimp die correctly... you shouldn't need. Its an "extra step" to me. Some others might find it useful.

12. I check every single round using a Wilson Max guage. It checks the critical dimensions. If the round is bulging at the base, it will not fit. If its too long... it will not fit. Well worth the purchase. I also sample test Cartridge Over All Length (COAL) using a Vernier Caliper.


ALL... DavisMH76 (Mike) and I were having a great conversation via IM this morning concerning reloading. This thread was started to show him my setup, and how I do things. Much of the conversation was contained in the Instant messages. So... if you have any questions, OR if I missed something... OR if you have a better way to do something in reloading... PLEASE chime in! Please remember, these are my procedures. They may or may not work well for you.

DaFadda

This post is my new all time favorite

where did you get the micrometer powder tool on your powder dispencer? I like it....