Difficult to work up loads on the progressive press?

[callahan318]

This just occured to me. I do not have a lot of room on my bench, but can I use the 550 to work up my loads? Or is that something that should best be left to a single stage?

[Oreo]

There's no reason you can't use a progressive to work up your load. Just be careful to check every powder charge to make sure it's where you want it to be till you're comfortable that the recipe you've settled on is safe.

[918v]

You have to be real smart to work-up loads on a progressive.

[callahan318]

918v,

I am getting ready to put the 550 together tomorrow. I am ready the manual with a dose of Bacardy, and am wondering if you are serious or joking?

[918v]

Actually, I am serious. You have to be a master at multitasking to get something like that done. I'm happy with my four-station CH.

[callahan318]

Oh ok... I have done a lot of loading on the single stage, but in a very narrow scope, many just .223 for plinking, and 9mm as well. That is why I am asking...a little more complexity does not bother me in the least bit.

[DssG19]

Just because it's progressive does'nt mean you can't load a round at a time and check each charge.

[918v]

Have you seen Terminator-3? One day that Dillon will eat you.

[callahan318]

:lol: that was a good on 918, a really good one.

I will give it a try sometime over the weekend and let you guys all know how it goes...

shouldn't have any problems hopefully, and I will be sure to check each round.

[BigSlick]

Not too hard if you keep your wits about ya.

I do workups on the 550 and 650 from time to time, but rifle and/or small stuff I do on the T-7

SS just bores me to tears anymore

[BigDog[RE]]

This just occured to me. I do not have a lot of room on my bench, but can I use the 550 to work up my loads? Or is that something that should best be left to a single stage?

All I own are 550s and I work up loads all the time. You can run it like a single stage, one case at a time, BUT if you do, your OAL will be off by about .003"-.005". You need to have a case in station 1 (and even 2, it doesn't hurt) when you set the OAL in station 3, so the shellplate stays even and your OAL is consistent.

[freakshow10mm]

I do workups in the 550 all the time. Set aside 5 cases and bullets. Set your charge. Run them. Increase the charge, 5 more, etc.

[WalterGA]

Oh, well, here comes my $.02 worth. I guess "really smart" is in the eye of the beholder. In my humble opinion, one must have an I.Q. at least as high as that of an unborn rhinoceros, in order to work up loads on a progressive. :wink5: (and yes, I AM being VERY serious!)

[BigDog[RE]]

I've always said that if you can't figure out how to use a progressive press, you probably shouldn't be handling firearms...

[colorado4wheel]

I do workups in the 550 all the time. Set aside 5 cases and bullets. Set your charge. Run them. Increase the charge, 5 more, etc.

I do workups in the 550 all the time. Set aside 5 cases and bullets. Set your charge. Run them. Increase the charge, 5 more, etc.


:iagree:

It's not a big deal to work up a load on a 550. Some people like to make things sound hard just for internet drama I think.

[Rangerat]

http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1231

http://www.storesonline.com/images/common/imagewrap.img?picture.image.url=http://www.storesonline.com/members/696296/uploaded/CloseUp7x9@72.jpg&picture.width.max=250

This should make it a little easier after you have calibrated for the powder you are using.

[Steve Koski]

I work up loads on my 550 all the time.

Easy as pie.

Maybe easier.

[Steel Talon]

I prefer the single stage for working up a new load. Its far easier for me to control the different powder throw/s and the seating I desire. Once I get what I want then then back to the progressive.

Peace
ST~:coolgleamA:

[918v]

;8464']I've always said that if you can't figure out how to use a progressive press, you probably shouldn't be handling firearms...

I agree.

[Bogey]

I'm smarter than an unborn baby rhinoceros.

[Coloradoglocker]

You have to be real smart to work-up loads on a progressive.
As opposed to needing to be real stupid to work-up loads on a single stage? :treerat:

[WalterGA]

I'm smarter than an unborn baby rhinoceros.

Then, I can safely assume that you work up loads on a progressive?:)

[Bogey]

Then, I can safely assume that you work up loads on a progressive?:)

You're apparently smarter than a 5th grader? :rofl:


Sorry, Walter....I couldn't resist.:supergrin:

Yes, over my long and illustrious reloading career ( :rofl:) I have found my 550 incredibly easy to work with. There's just some minor adjustment idiosyncrasies I have to learn about.

[918v]

As opposed to needing to be real stupid to work-up loads on a single stage? :treerat:

Not needing, but despite the stupidity, being able to do so safely.

[P195]

Would someone explain to me just what you define as working up a load. I do it like Freakshow does. I start with recommended start load for the powder I am using, select the appropriate primer, OAL,and crimp, load 5 then bump it up .2 of a gr and repeat the process until I have a spread wherein none of the powder levels,etc. exceed the max. I then shoot the loads starting with the lowest, chrono each round, and check for any pressure problems. I continue shooting until I find a load that is accurate, and easy to shoot while staying safe. The 550 can do this.What am I missing? Am I doing it wrong?

[colorado4wheel]

Would someone explain to me just what you define as working up a load. I do it like Freakshow does. I start with recommended start load for the powder I am using, select the appropriate primer, OAL,and crimp, load 5 then bump it up .2 of a gr and repeat the process until I have a spread wherein none of the powder levels,etc. exceed the max. I then shoot the loads starting with the lowest, chrono each round, and check for any pressure problems. I continue shooting until I find a load that is accurate, and easy to shoot while staying safe. The 550 can do this.What am I missing? Am I doing it wrong?

Yes, you are not over thinking it and as a result not stressed.

[unclebob]

Would someone explain to me just what you define as working up a load. I do it like Freakshow does. I start with recommended start load for the powder I am using, select the appropriate primer, OAL,and crimp, load 5 then bump it up .2 of a gr and repeat the process until I have a spread wherein none of the powder levels,etc. exceed the max. I then shoot the loads starting with the lowest, chrono each round, and check for any pressure problems. I continue shooting until I find a load that is accurate, and easy to shoot while staying safe. The 550 can do this.What am I missing? Am I doing it wrong?
You are not doing anything wrong. You are doing what 90% of the rest of us do when we are working up loads. A trick is to mark the rounds with a felt tip pen. Either the brass itself or the bullets. Each load would be a different color. If you have ever gone to the range and dumped all the rounds on the ground you well know what Im talking about. Also make a list of what color is what load.