kildar Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Getting ready to reload for 40 S&W but have been cautioned about double charges. A good light pointing down into the powder loaded cases is recommeded. To those who follow this advice what's your light setup look like? What kind of hardware are you using? Pictures would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonT Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 The light was purchased at Office Max and works well for me. Sorry I'm no photographer. DonT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b.s._nm Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 (edited) Getting ready to reload for 40 S&W but have been cautioned about double charges. A good light pointing down into the powder loaded cases is recommeded. To those who follow this advice what's your light setup look like? What kind of hardware are you using? Pictures would be appreciated. Have been loading for some time(both40sw and 45, 9mm) and I'm just using a small gooseneck lamp to the left of my 550 press that I shine down toward the powder charge station. The base sets to the rear so it leaves good access to set the bullet in on the next case. With the new fail-safe type powder measure, I have found that I would have to be very negligent to throw a double charge. The powder measure bar cannot come back to be recharged until the handle is virtually all the way up and then it snaps back. I do however like to see every powder charge just to know something didn't stick or something and throw a squib load. At any rate it doesn't take that much light to see the charge so just a simple table top gooseneck lamp works great for me. Good luck. Take care. Keep the right side UP!!! Bob Edited November 7, 2007 by b.s._nm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1911user Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I'm using a normal desk lamp pointed down over the 3rd station on my 550. I can verify powder levels in stations 2 or 3 with no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boz1911 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Any type of gooseneck/desk light should work ok. UniqueTek sells a small light that actually goes in the center of your dieplate, good idea , doesn't work though, can't see crap with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satx40 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I use a desk lamp shining over stations 2 & 3. I also have an inspection mirror taped to the 550 by station 3. Before I insert the bullet I check the level of powder in the case. After a while checking the level becomes automatic. Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kildar Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 (edited) I use a desk lamp shining over stations 2 & 3. I also have an inspection mirror taped to the 550 by station 3. Before I insert the bullet I check the level of powder in the case. After a while checking the level becomes automatic.Inspection mirror! Never thought of it but it's a great idea. Still would need a good light though. Edited November 8, 2007 by kildar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruStreet Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 I bought this one to use on my 650 It works great for me. Click Here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayouSlide Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I'm with TruStreet. I bought mine (look identical) at Harbor Freight for about the same price. But I use two, mounted via the magnet base, on either side of the base of my strong mount on my 550. That way I have additional illumination on both sides of the shell plate, and great feng shui due to the fetching symmetry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oraysor Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I found a high intensity light on a flex mount that let’s me position where needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kildar Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 TruStreet, Outstanding suggestion. Very much what I had in mind. Wish it wasn't battery powered. How long do the AAA last? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UW Mitch Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 TruStreet,Outstanding suggestion. Very much what I had in mind. Wish it wasn't battery powered. How long do the AAA last? With 3AAA it's running 4.5V. If you're handy with a soldering iron, you can get an AC adapter from Radio Shack that does 4.5V and make a plug-in for it. Heck you may even have a 4.5V adapter around the house, and you'd only need to get the female end to plug into. Good luck! ~Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chills1994 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I'm using a conduit clamp, a machine threaded screw (stove bolt), and a book reading light sold at Walgreens. Total cost might be 4 dollars. The clamp is of the correct diameter to slide over the knurled part of the bullet seating die. The machine (thumb) screw on the backside is what locks the conduit clamp tightly to the bullet seating die. The little LED light I bought from Walgreens. Heck, it might have been on clearance like "2 for 3 dollars". I think it is a light that you clip onto the (hard) cover of a book so you can read your book while you're flying in an airliner or in bed but not enough light that it disturbs your wife/girlfriend. It throws enough light down into the case mouth so that I can see if I have no charge (a squib) or a double charge. The only catch is remembering to shut it off when I'm done reloading. They are so inexpensive I haven't even bothered trying to swap in new batteries; I just buy a brand new light. The advantage this has over the incandescent gooseneck style lights is that it puts out no heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruStreet Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 TruStreet,Outstanding suggestion. Very much what I had in mind. Wish it wasn't battery powered. How long do the AAA last? If you remember to turn it off when you finish & use a good Battery like Duracell , you can get over a year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket35 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I got this one at walmart for like $10-15...uses standard 40watt bulbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vluc Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 goose neck halogen desk lamp. Huge amount of light. I see both the powder drop and the bullet seating so I check powder twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VoodooDaddy Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Old USB hub USB light Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kildar Posted November 10, 2007 Author Share Posted November 10, 2007 Old USB hub USB light VoodooDaddy, Is that a fan? Wow and two lights. I guess I was thinking too small. I like your style VoodooDaddy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VoodooDaddy Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 It’s actually three light, one for each station on my 550. And you got to have a fan, sometime it get a little stuffy in the basement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
askomiko Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 (edited) Here's my "powder check" for 223. Edited November 10, 2007 by askomiko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chills1994 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Thats an interesting pic. I haven't done any rifle handloading (reloading) on my 550 yet, so I am guessing then that you do the bullet seating (crimping too?) on station #4?? That must mean that your left hand is just up there to spin the thumb wheel (the star thingey) and your right hand is doing all the work: loading a case in at station #1, setting a bullet on top the case at station #4, and .... AND cranking on the handle. Hmmm.... it would almost be neat if Dillon would set up the presses then to be ambidextrous, where you could swap the handle to the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
askomiko Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 (edited) No, I don't use crimp in 223, no need imo. I pull the lever, check the powder, lower the shellplate, place bullet as usual (left hand), index the plate, grab a new case with right hand, repeat. It's so easy to check the powder in large and short pistol cases, whereas .223 is next to impossible without looking from straight up with a bright light. Edited November 12, 2007 by askomiko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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