Many of us cut our teeth reloading ammo with a Lee Load-All.
The Lee Load-All is a dirt-simple, very inexpensive tool for reloading shotgun ammo.
It comes with a number of bushings to measure the volume of powder and other bushings to dump shot.
The shot-bushings are pretty straightforward. They are denominated in the number of ounces of lead shot they will dump.
The powder bushings are not straightforward. They are labeled with numbers like 95, 100, 116, 128 and so on. The "code" is that the number is approximately the number of cubic inches, in thousandths, that they will dump. So a 116 bushing will drop 0.116 cubic inches of powder.
Since the density of powder varies greatly.
Comparing loads using Winchester hulls, wads and Reminton primers the maximum Universal load specifies 15.3 grains, the maximum Longshot specifies 18.4 grains of powder, and the 800-X calls for 16.5 grains.
It is possible that you could be very safely using the 116 bushing with 800-X and if you mindlessly switched powders you would be 19% over max for Universal and 25% over max for Longshot.
Another consideration is that there is lot-to-lot variation and variation in reloader technique. While I make no claims to be an expert, I do have opinions. Charts are a great place to start but data rules.
Fill the hopper so it is about 2/3 full. Throw at least six loads into a container (an empty 12 gauge hull will work) and pour the six throws back into the top of the hopper. It individual grains of powder tend to be plate-shaped and will be randomly oriented when first put into the hopper but orient as they flow. Throwing at least six "warm-up" powder drops will minimize that variable.
Then, drop a charge and weigh it. My strong preference is that you administer two gentle slaps to the unit when you first move the slider bar to drop the powder into the bushing and than another two after you move the slider bar to the position where the powder will drop. It is my belief that this increases the density of the powder that loads into the bushing and guarantees that any grains that would adhere due to static will drop. Slapping also reduces the likelihood of the coarser powders "bridging".
Individually weigh ten, separate powder drops. Write each data point down immediately after measuring it. If the heaviest of the ten powder drops exceeds the maximum powder charge listed in a reputable reloading manual for the hull, primer, powder, wad and shot-weight that you selected, then drop a bushing size and repeat the exercise.
Noisy
The Lee Load All is one squeaky son-of-a-gun.
 |
| The mark made by the ejector pin is highlighted in yellow |
If that bothers you, then you can make it significantly quieter if you remove the spring guide-rod and polish out the depression made by the ejector pins.
The squeaking results from the individual coils on the spring temporarily hanging up on the "step" created by the ejector pin sink-mark...and then springing free. Polish out the step and the squeaking goes away.
You don't have to do a Bureau of Mint and Engraving quality job. A simple file or a bit of sandpaper wrapped around a dowel or shotgun hull will do the job. Just shave it up and down the edge until you cannot feel the ejector mark.
I concur about the "check ten" method. I would also calculate the average weight of the ten loads for a reference point for comparing with future batches, especially after changing lots or containers of propellant.
ReplyDeleteIt beats the thousands of measurement we had to make while proving out automated propellant loaders for DoD contracts, with full SPC calculations and a zero defect escape requirement since it was a "critical" characteristic.
Hey Joe if You want to get a little more life out of your plastic hulls when the crimps start splitting just cut them clean across under the crimp. A go to Ballistic Products.com and get a roll crimp-er. And go to a hobby store for a large paper punch with out looking i believe I use a 3/4 for 12 ga. and a 5/8 for 20 ga. You can buy already cut paper disk at BP but I like to save the flat pieces of these no theft blister packing that everything comes in. And punch my disk out of them. Two advantages is moist environment does not effect it and the clear disk makes it easy to Id shot size. It will mean you will need to change recipes to the roll crimp data. which I have found that I have always been able to not have to change powders and a lot of time I don't have to get new wads. Bob in BR
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea.
DeleteI know one guy who reloaded #12 shot in .44 Magnum shells and he used a couple dabs of glue to hold the paper disk in place. Many ways to skin a cat when things get scarce.
Those Roll crimp-ers chuck in a drill and take a little practice to use . when new they are finicky I found i would rub a light oil from a fingertip around the cut rim and start with high speed and go in slow. after a while the crimp-er gets polished and you no longer need the oil. And you get a feel for when the friction heat gets the plastic to melt and then give a little push to roll over.We have experimented with many different combos even down to making the mini shells. When a experiment is sketchy I built a cradle table and a remote trigger to test. I had a friend in Jr high school come to school he looked like someone drug him through brambles . He told me he got angry that the ducks were coming in to high so he reversed the ratio of shot and powder. He said he needed a new shot gun. I took note and will never forget that.
Delete7 1/2 in a 38 spl case. Chipmunk load, no escape at 7 paces.
DeleteAlittle east of Paris ...
Great and safe idea! Powder is critical and probably the most misunderstood part of loading.
ReplyDeleteReloading is another one of those adventures in life that isn't terribly complicated but can be totally unforgiving of mistakes or lapses in attention. And no matter how idiot proof a manufacturer makes the system there's always a new and improved breed of idiots being released.
ReplyDelete"Gee, honey. I really need to get these .577 Remingchester Magnum reloaded for the space alien invasion but if I make one, little mistake our address will become a smoking crater.
DeleteCan you watch the kids for just a little bit so I can pay FULL ATTENTION to this very critical task?
People don't realize some things require utmost attention.
DeleteI taught a friend about reloading metallic cartridge. Who had a next door neighbor who competes in cowboy action. And he asked my friend to teach him. My friend had told me he was visiting his neighbor and the neighbor wanted to show him 50 round loading block of rounds he was working on but when he picked up the block all the powder ran out on the bench, he was carefully measuring the powder charge but he missed the priming step (a whole 50 rd block at a time). One day I was visiting my friend and his neighbor wanted to demonstrate his cowboy action skills. He showed us his sped at fanning a single action revolver, then he grabbed his lever action rifle and I guess he was going to play like Rifleman, first round was obvious squib and i don't think he even noticed he was furiously trying to lever another round in to battery.We, yelling got him to stop. Luckily the charge (or lack of any ) stuck the projectile on the lands and would not allow another round to chamber. Moral being to little powder can be as dangerous as to much. I no longer will watch any more of his demonstrations. and I worry about his cowboy action buddy's. Bob in B R
By the way Joe have you got a LEE Load-All 1 It will fit in a pocket or back pack I don't think you buy them new any more. Bob in B R
Delete