NewB....First 98 round loaded off to Chrono tomorrow..... Few Question

[Tiny]

You might wonder why would you only load 98. Well I had a weird incident with one primer where it wouldn't seat and the anvil starting being pushed out (brass might not have been all the way in the plate). The second is a MIA primer. I got to the end of the batch and ran out. I am sure there was 100 when I started (new box).

I found 5 live primers in my primer catch can. I can only assume that when I was cycling the machine to set powder charge, that they rattled out and fell down into the catch can. That is my assumption. Has anyone else ever had this issue. Should I disengage the primer rod when I am setting and checking power?

I am loading 9mm on a New Dillon 550b. (purchased here .... Thanks Brian)

Is it safe to look in the carpet for the MIA primer with a magnet if not what are the suggested methods?

Edited August 4, 2012 by Tiny

[Sarge]

When I loaded on a 550 I always put primers in the machine as the VERY LAST STEP. I'm still a little puzzled as to how you got primers in your spent primer cup unless you were priming cases the depriming them and not even aware you were doing it. You might want to slow down and get better aquainted with the press as it is pretty easy to set a live primer off when trying to deprime one.

Also, you might want to try to find the MIA primer in the carpet. There are stories on here of them getting sucked into a vacuum and detonating. Not good for the sweeper either.

[GrumpyOne]

Well, primers come in packages of 100. If you have 98 rounds, one primer messed up seating, the other is MIA in the carpet, then either you are mistaken about the 5 live primers in the primer catch cup, or you didn't de prime 5 rounds. Or did you put the 5 you found catch bin back into the primer tube? Either way, I'd check all the primers on the 98, as any doubt is enough to warrant it. Secondly, when you find a magnet that will pick up brass (I'm pretty sure primers are all made of brass), you'll be a millionaire over night ..... I second what Sarge said, load primers last, after powder and dies are set correctly.

[Steve RA]

I think the anvils are steel, but, am not sure on that.

[GrumpyOne]

I just ran a magnet through about 3k spent primers, mixed kinds.....not a single one was picked up. They were Wins, Rems, CCI, etc.... It was a very strong magnet too....

[Tiny]

Thanks all. All 98 rounds went bang and I was able to make 130 power factor with 3.8 gr loads. They shoot great so I will load the rest of my MG124 gr JHP that way. I have learned a ton on this forum thanks to all you experienced reloaders who share. I would have never tried this with out this forum.

I have warned the wife to avoid vacuuming the loading area (corner of the bedroom) until I find it.

I was working up a load in 20-40 round groups and I had 100 primers loaded. In hindsight I could have loaded only enough primers for the batch after powder was set. Thanks for that tip I am about to start working on .223. I am about to get in full on research mode anyway. I read a lot before starting anything especially this since I do not want to pay fora new firearm or face.

I bought 100 55g HPBT at the gunshow but a friend at my LGS recommended that I go with 69g for three gun to help with long range steel.

I bought a lb of Alliant R15 which seems to be a good starting point from my initial reading.

Thanks again for all the help.

[Youngeyes]

If you have live primers in the cup it might mean that you recycled the rd in the sizer station more than once. You primed the first time, than deprimed the live rd and reprimed it on the second. The first live primer ended up in the cup. Been there done that. Enjoy reloading but keep all your attention on the loading. If you second stroke on the powder die you'll double charge a case.