AzShooter Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I've been loading on a Dillon 550 for years. Recently had an accident with a double charge. One in over 200,000 rounds. But it destroyed my gun and scared me!I bought a 650 because it has the auto indexing feature and should eliminate any chance of a double charge.Today I went into the garage and loaded 500 rounds at a nice even pace. I know I can go faster but sitting in a wheel chair does not make for the best technique. I ordered a new stool today.I'm loading Bayou Bullets. 135 grains with VhitaVhouri N320. After testing with my chronograph I came to find 3.2 grains will make minor (out of my gun).I love the consistency from the press. Powder is withing +- .02 grains and OAL is about the same which translates into very accurate loads.I wish I would have switched to the 650 years agol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NFLcavediver Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 That would be my reason to buy a 650. I had the same thing happen to me many years ago. Same results with the gun and me. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12glocks Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I switched to the 650 after a squib on my 550 and I do like the machine better. I feel that its safer in way. It is awesome for processing as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Service Desk Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Brothers you are not alone. I destroyed an absolutely awesome K frame custom gun in 1990 the same way. I have been a 650 and 1050 convert since that day for all handgun ammo reloading. My 550 is used solely for hunting rifle reloading and does a great job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I've never had a double charge (sounds scary), but I've had squib loads - can be just as bad. (Bullet sticks in barrel, and 2nd shot blows up gun). But, I got an in-line light for my SDB, and now LOOK into EVERY case before I seat the bullet. And, I can't double charge with 7 grains on WAC in a 9mm case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 And, I can't double charge with 7 grains on WAC in a 9mm case. One of the perks of shooting open! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3gunDQ Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Sorry to hear of your misfortune and I am glad you were not injured. I love my 650! It is possibly the best money I ever spent. Add a powder check for piece of mind, and safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NFLcavediver Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I reload on a single stage press right now, so I can see every load. But when I pull the trigger on a progressive it will be a 650. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9x45 Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 AZShooter, wouldn't a double of 3.2 grains N320 spill over the case? My experience is neither double charges or squibs KaBoom guns, but bullet setback does. Years ago we tripled charged a .45acp test barrel at BarSto, and it did not blow up, but set the bullet back on a book load, around .050", KaBoom. Squibs will bulge the shite out of a barrel, but not KaBoom. Here is an excerpt from the latest Front Sight, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9x45 Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Well, I thought N320 was a low density powder, but on the burn rate chart, TiteGroup is #10 and VN320 is #18, which suggests similar densities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzShooter Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 6.4 grains of N320 fits in a 9mm case. Of all the excuses for blowing up the gun the only logical one is a double charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 6.4 grains of N320 fits in a 9mm case. Of all the excuses for blowing up the gun the only logical one is a double charge. You don't think set back will blow up a gun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intel6 Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Setback wasn't his problem, he ruined a 929 revolver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Setback wasn't his problem, he ruined a 929 revolver.I guess I missed that part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxbat Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 (edited) Sorry to report, but it is perfectly possible to do a double-charge and a squib on a progressive machine. It is pretty much impossible as long as things are going right. But strange things do happen, and to clear some jams, etc. you have to sometimes move things manually. Read: create a room for errors. With good discipline it is safe, but you have to REALLY concentrate on what you are doing. In my many years of loading on progressive presses I had one or two double charges, and also made about 100 squibs. AVOID DISRUPTIONS LIKE SYPHILIS! Edited November 24, 2015 by Foxbat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDA Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Well, I thought N320 was a low density powder, but on the burn rate chart, TiteGroup is #10 and VN320 is #18, which suggests similar densities. Powder density and burn rate are not correlated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TANFARM Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Am I missing something here?......are we assuming that theses 650's do not use the Dillon powder alarm???? I don't see how it is possible to double charge any pistol round with a properly adjusted powder monitor !! Is a slow study so don't poke fun if I miss the obvious.......happy Thanksgivng to all!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxbat Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 (edited) Powder checkers are for sissies. On a serious note - yes, it should catch MOST of the problems, so if you are nervous, then you should use it, by all means. I don't use it on any of my presses. Edited November 25, 2015 by Foxbat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustybayonet Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I have been trying to keep with unique, because you powder will pour out of a 9mm long before you could ever over charge it. Fine for plinking, and most any round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustybayonet Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Am I missing something here?......are we assuming that theses 650's do not use the Dillon powder alarm???? I don't see how it is possible to double charge any pistol round with a properly adjusted powder monitor !! Is a slow study so don't poke fun if I miss the obvious.......happy Thanksgivng to all!!!!!!! My get here is that the 550 has no powder check, so the OP went to a 650 to. Have a powder check station. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDA Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Am I missing something here?......are we assuming that theses 650's do not use the Dillon powder alarm???? I don't see how it is possible to double charge any pistol round with a properly adjusted powder monitor !! Is a slow study so don't poke fun if I miss the obvious.......happy Thanksgivng to all!!!!!!! My get here is that the 550 has no powder check, so the OP went to a 650 to. Have a powder check station. Actually, it sounds like the OP went to the 650 to get auto indexing which he believes will prevent a double charge. I personally don't think auto-indexing guarantees anything as you can still screw things up. But, it does help as does a powder check, avoiding disruptions, being alert, checking cases for powder visually, good lighting, a good load with a powder that isn't too dense, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTDMFR Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 (edited) Sorry to report, but it is perfectly possible to do a double-charge and a squib on a progressive machine. It is pretty much impossible as long as things are going right. But strange things do happen, and to clear some jams, etc. you have to sometimes move things Read: create a room for errors. With good discipline it is safe, but you have to REALLY concentrate on what you are doing. In my many years of loading on progressive presses I had one or two double charges, and also made about 100 squibs. AVOID DISRUPTIONS LIKE SYPHILIS! Although I load on a 650 with a powder check, I'm still extremely paranoid about double charges and squibs. After all, the powder check rod and powder fail safe rod only work if they're installed, and I've forgotten to install each of those at least once. So, for every pull of the handle, I do a quick visual check that the powder check rod and fail safe rod are installed and moving as they should be. Also, any time there's a stoppage, I pull everything off of the shell plate and finish them up on my Lee Classic Turret. No squibs or double charges yet, and I'd like to keep it that way. Edited November 25, 2015 by FTDMFR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxbat Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I think your success lies NOT in the fact you are using the powder checker (you did not say how many times you caught a double there - lemme guess: never? ), but in the other step - pulling EVERYTHING out any time there is something wrong. As I mentioned, this is the time mistakes can happen - when you interfere with the continuous process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash74 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 With a 550, make sure you look into the case everytime you place a bullet. If anything is off, pull the case and start over. Maybe this is why I only get 200 rounds an hour done with mine. (Crossing fingers) Thankfully, I have not had any issues with squibs or double charges since I have had my 550. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitrohuck Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 as has been stated, a progressive press will not guarantee against a Squib/Double/Setback I ruined my brand new-to-me 2011 barrel with a squib round made on the Lee 5 station progressive press... that press also had so many problems that it was rare I could even churn out 50 rounds without a hiccup, so I was constantly messing with it, and sure enough a squib got by me. I upgraded to the Dillon 650 and never looked back. I bought the powder level checker, it really annoyed the crap out of me and constantly required re-adjusting, so I ditched it once I got an LED light setup on my press. I do not put a single bullet down on a case until I visually have checked the powder, and with the Dillon Powder dispenser so far I've had zero issues. Always visually inspect, it is your final safety check, regardless of any sensors you have hooked up to any stations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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