Ben Cartwright SASS Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I have never had a squib on my 550 (knock on wood) recently I thought I might have done a double charge of 231 in a 38 Special. I wasn't sure and am in the process of pulling 400 bullets, have done 200 so far, all were fine. I actually switched back to Trail Boss to fill the case so I could see it better. I tried a mirror in the back over the seating die but the shellplate when it moved up hit it. To me, maybe I have a big head, I find it hard to see inside a 38 special or 357 case if using a non-bulky powder. can anyone give me some ideas on how best to check powder to avoid squibs and doubles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Vark WSO Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Ben - When I started reloading on my 550 I had the same concerns. As an avid CAS shooter using .38 Specials - I do use Trail Boss and that helps - very bulky, easy to see. But I do like to use other powders occasionally - a proper load doesn't come very high up in the case and the powder is darker. To avoid squibs or double charges - I scoured the forums and found this - someone else's ingenuity - not mine. I went to Wally World and got a BBQ light(outdoor/patio section) - LED bulbs, AAA batteries, and magnetic base. Grips the strong mount with a death hold. The neck is long and flexible. Then went to an auto parts store and got a mirror on a telescoping handle and some different diameter rubber tubing. Removed the handle on the mirror - had a short stub with a round end - and cut a piece of the tubing and pushed it into the hole on the back left side of the frame of the press. Then cut a piece of smaller rubber tubing, put the round end of the mirror in it, and pushed that into the bigger hole in the rubber stuffed into the frame. You can now move the mirror around and see the powder in the case when the BBQ light is shining at the right angle. Sometimes I stand, sometimes I sit on a stool - so need to adjust the mirror from time to time. With the right angle, you can see the bottom of the case and powder - does not interfere with the ram. Photo attached. In addition to the light and mirror - I clean my brass inside and out (after depriming). This makes it much easier to see small volumes of dark powder in the bottom of the case. How to clean brass has taken up many threads on many forums - but I will add here that I use a tumbler (not vibrator) with water, Dawn dish soap, Lemishine, and stainless steel media. I attached two more photos of some very nasty range pick up .45 ACP brass - before and after cleaning. Just food for thought. Hope this helps. OVW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Light is the answer. And paying close attention to what you are doing of course. Not to be a dick, but like I have said before, if you are using a powder that fills the case up to prevent an overcharge then you need to go back and reevaluate your procedures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Vark WSO Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Not to be a dick, but like I have said before, if you are using a powder that fills the case up to prevent an overcharge then you need to go back and reevaluate your procedures. Trail Boss powder was created for Cowboy Action Shooting. Smokeless, fast burning, for large cartridges originally designed to be filled with black powder. Fluffy donuts that (mostly) fill the case and would overflow if double-charged. Easy to see you have a charge - almost impossible to double-charge. A great alternative to Bullseye or Tite Group (or others) that are much easier to get an unnoticed double drop and a resulting KB. If a guy is watching his cases to check for powder - there is nothing wrong with his procedures - he's just using a powder that is easier to see. And yes - light is the answer. OVW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCBDoubleTap Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Instead of pulling the other 200 bullets why not weigh each of the loaded rounds? If one of them weighs more than the others by whatever your powder charge was (say 5 grains or so), then the heavy round would be a suspect for a double charge. A digital scale makes this comparison easy. I've weighed all of my reloads (I'm just a beginner at this) and found that they don't usually differ by more than 1 or at most 2 grains. I expect that most of that difference is the difference in the weight of the brass itself. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Cartwright SASS Posted February 16, 2012 Author Share Posted February 16, 2012 I am a brass scrounger and in weighing 20 rounds they varied as much as 8 grains, when I pulled the bullets they were all right on 4 grains of 231. I use Trail Boss because I like it, in my 45-70 it is as accurate at 100 yards as 5744 (or is it 5477) with 3.9 grains in a .38 it has a real whollop and gets the POI right on POA at 10 yards. I also use it my 44-40, haven't tried it in the 30.06 but did nice in the 30-30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Cartwright SASS Posted February 16, 2012 Author Share Posted February 16, 2012 Old Vark I like that idea with the Bar-B-Q light, I had tried the mirror but hadn't thought to stick it in the hole. A friend recommended a dental mirror I will try both but with the light! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyreb Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I am seeing the same problem with loading 147 grain subsonic 9mm loads with Universal Clays. My solution is a dab of velcro on the exposed side (left) of the tool head and a Streamlight Key-mate micro flashlight. I add with velcro to the key-mate and stick it to the side of the toolhead facing down into the case. This way I avoid 110V wires crossing the bench and the "wand" of the conventional desk lamps others utilize for this purpose. The Key-mate can be found on Amazon for about 9 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Vark WSO Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 (edited) Ben - Here is the light at Wally World - out of stock on line but I found mine in a local store. Can't make it a hyperlink for you since I am a noobie (not enought posts). http://www.walmart.com/ip/Barbecue-Grill-Light/8587359 About $18. Mechanic's mirror will be bigger than a dental one - fits snugly in the small length of rubber hose stuffed into the hole in the frame. I found this idea in a forum a couple of years ago - may have been this one. OVW Edited February 16, 2012 by benos created hyperlink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Cartwright SASS Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 I rigged this up with a desk lamp and some duct tape, it actually works i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad65/n1usd/SW%20forum/Dilloncloseup.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMD-KY Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 RCBS Powder check in station 3 and an RCBS seat/crimp die in station 4. Its a little awkward at first but it works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Cartwright SASS Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Replaced duct tape with velcro can now move mirror around and also see right to the bottom of a 38 special case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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