PapaBonez Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Well about a year ago a local competitive shooter with a ton of years reloading experience helped me set up a Dillon 550B for reloading 9mm ammo for my daughter and I to use at matches. Well for the first 10 months things went smooth. The load he suggested that I use was 3.1 gr of Titegroup pushing a 147 gr Berry's bullet. Six weeks ago, my daughter got distracted while reloading and double charged a round and it cost me a customized Browning HP. Last night I loaded 100 rounds, with plenty of powder weight checks, and I know I was watching each round as I loaded it yet today one of those reloads blew up a Gen 1 Glock 19 that I've had and fired prob about 200,000 rounds through. Well now I dont have a clue what is going wrong. Any suggestions? I'm considering changing from Titegroup but right now really am confused and nervous about putting anything I've made into any of my guns till I get this figured out. So I come here and instead of just reading am making my first post and its one asking for your opinions and thoughts. Till then, Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atbarr Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Man I hate to her this! I have a 550 and I LOOK into each brass before I place the bullet. Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bsbllrooster Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Visual check before each bullet is placed onto the casing. You'll be able to actually see if there is a double charge. Attention to detail is really all you can do. There are some powders that may fill your casing more then others and if you double charge, some may spill out or at least the case will be very full and obvious that it is a double charge. I can't tell you which powders those are because I don't know but I'm sure someone on here can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ignantmike Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 not sure about titegroup....but i use unique and it is hard to double charge....it fills the case nicely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LikesToShoot Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Man I hate to her this! I have a 550 and I LOOK into each brass before I place the bullet. Sorry Yup, look at every case. A small pen light sits real good at an angle in the tool holder center hole and provides good light of the shell plate holder. I'm glad to read there wasn't any physical damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeOKC Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Make sure to reload when you are not distracted and can focus. If I have a bad day or a lot on my mine I stay away from my reloading press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z40acp Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I don't know how full the case is with titegroup but use a powder that you can not double charge with. Buy some of those led lights they sell to brighten up the area. Check each case before putting in a bullet. You would will be able to tell if the level is close to the same in each case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff F Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I still do everything on a single stage For this reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flb Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Sorry to hear about your guns and hope no one was injured. I also use the 550 and used titegroup. I only loaded a few rounds and quit using the powder because of the small amount used. You can easily double charge or even triple charge and it could be easy not to notice. I wll not use a powder that a double charge will not fill the case almost to the top. I also look in the case to visually inspect before indexing. Titegroup shot great but just not the powder for me. canthit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mscott Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 (edited) I'd be looking at possible bullet set back. Push a loaded round against a bench and see if the bullet moves into the case. You could also chamber a round a coule times and then measure it's oal. Edited January 26, 2013 by mscott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfish Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 After this happening twice I think I would consider gettting an auto indexing press Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xcaliber Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Before each loading session, weigh about 5 charges just in case something changed. Get one of those flexible work lights and position it to shine into each case at the charging station. You have to be practically OCD when you are reloading. No distractions of any kind and when you start having trouble paying attention, stop and take a break. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atbarr Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 In my opinion, a 550 is a very safe press. It's just like a Glock, the safety is between your ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmw5142 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Bulkier powder that fills case 1/2 way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH45 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I'd be looking at possible bullet set back. Push a loaded round against a bench and see if the bullet moves into the case. You could also chamber a round a coule times and then measre it's oal. Especially if using old brass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PapaBonez Posted January 26, 2013 Author Share Posted January 26, 2013 Thanks for the replies. I was very cautious this last time after my daughters oops and installed a LED light right over the powder stage but then again, with 3.1 gr I might not be able to tell if it double fed. At least thought I was cautious. I am likely to switch to a bulkier powder and will defiantly check the OAL after seating chambering it. The first time I can understand a double powder as my daughter was distracted, but my OCD was in overdrive when reloading this time and heck I even measured the powder every 10th round just to make sure. Brass was virgin pre-primed so I'm doubting it was a brass issue. I really do appreciate the comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.roberts Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 heck I even measured the powder every 10th round just to make sure. This may have been where you went wrong. The less you mess with it, taking brass in and out and whatnot, the better off you'll be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neomet Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I assume the crimp die is tight? If the locknut backs off the die will loosen, your crimp goes away and you will get the aforementioned bullet setback and a kaboom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProGunGuy Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 auto indexing. if you forget to push the lever its really easy to get a double. Also find a powder that is "fluffy". I use WsT and it pretty hard to double charge a case with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodownzero Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 After this happening twice I think I would consider gettting an auto indexing press I wouldn't. It isn't any safer. Having used both, I think it was easier for me to pay attention to what I was doing when I was using a 550. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowShooter Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Auto-indexing press, and use the RCBS Lock-out die. It detects double-charge or empty case automatically and stops the press. I don't load without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphamikefoxtrot Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I agree that the issue was caused by the excessive stopping and starting if weighing charges so often. Get it set, then get in a rhythm. Fidgeting with it is what gets you out of a rhythm and what causes doubles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougCarden Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I slept on this because I don't want to come off as a jerk. By your own admission either you or your daughter have double charged loads and blown up guns. I am of course glad that you and your daughter are ok! Reloading is a very meticulous task. You have to multitask, and devote your attention to it 100%. If not, you or others can get hurt. It is that simple. Almost all the double charges I have heard of were on manual rotating machines like the 550. You either need to get a Firm routine going while loading and not deviate from it, or have someone else reload for you. Believe me, I understand distractions. When I am loading and get pulled away from the machines, I dump the powder from the stations and start up again, whatever machine I am running as a precaution. I say this trying to help. I have some friends that can't reload. They just don' t have the attention span, and that is OK. We are all different. Hopefully you have figured out how to devote all your attention to that task when you are doing it. The next person that could get hurt is an RO or anyone standing next to you. Take your time, pay attention, and enjoy your new hobby! If you need anything, just ask. I would have loved to have this forum when I was just starting reloading!!!!! Good luck, DougC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babaganoosh Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I think it was the distraction of taking every 10th case out to weigh it combined with the manual indexing that did you in. It could happen with a progressive as well but I can see how it would happen with a manual indexing a little easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cecil Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I don't have a 550... i have a 650 with powder checker... and i use W231 ... would be a RED FLAG to double charge.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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