Lead slinger Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 just focus on reloading to make sure that I dont double charge or mess up any other way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earplug Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I usually end up answering the phone, wondering what the dog is barking at in the front yard, rescue the dog from a door to door dude. My son or one his friends needs a bike fix or I get a bad radio station. After a hour of this stuff, I end up with a couple hundred rounds of reloads. If I don't get any distractions my back talks to me and I get grumpy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdpaz Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I recently discovered that paying attention to the process isn't enough. With absolute concentration and attention to detail I loaded 400 rounds of .45acp where random checks of COL were +/- .003, random checks of powder were +/- .1, and all passed the case gage. So all were essentially identical and all had exactly 43.48% too much powder. The full story: Last Saturday afternoon I decided to set up my 1050 to do .45acp. This was complicated by the fact that so far I had only used it for .40S&W so not only did I have to set up the .45 dies on a new tool head, I had to change out parts of the primer feed system to switch it over to large primers for the first time. Never having done it before, I managed to stretch it out to over two hours - largely because I had forgotten some of the necessary but only semi-documented adjustments from when I set it up initially. So now it is dinner time and I'm tired from fighting with the conversion but everything is adjusted except the powder measure so I have to try it out. I had worked up loads (for my revolver) on the 550 and was using 4.8 grains Solo 1000 with 230 grain Billy Bullets at a COL of 1.270 inches. I decided to reduce the charge to 4.6 grains. So I charge some cases with powder, weigh them, adjust the powder measure, and repeat until I'm right on 6.6 grains. So I start loading and it is really fast and smooth, without the minor hiccups the .40s had with their smaller cases, bullets, and primer. So I decide to keep going. But I'm careful, though. I'm stopping to check that nothing has loosened up, and I'm dropping random rounds in the case gage and measuring length, and of course I'm also weighing powder charges and they are holding right on at 6.6 grains so life is good. I plan to do 500 rounds but after 400 I'm too hungry to continue so I stop for the day. Sunday afternoon I come back to run the last 100 and first thing I do is check the powder measure and it is still throwing 6.6 on the nose. But I finally remember to think and it sure seems like I really want four point something so I check my notes and realize that yes, I am an idiot, and now have 400 rounds that have almost 50% too much powder. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisStock Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 I reload in the garage, and here in Florida, it can be hell n there during the day...100+ degrees there, and high 90% humidity. After I am done checking the powder weight for consistency, the fan goes on, and I have a pattern of listening to spent primers drop, observing powder drop/checking case lips from expansion, ensuring that the primer was seated when I rotate, checking the ammo for cracks when the bullet was seated. Too hot for the spouse and dogs, and no music to distract me... just a steady rhythm of each operation taking place, listening to springs flex, bars slide, the wheel turns. Oh yes, BTW... I enjoy the time in front of my press.... I find it soothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyZip Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I live in the desert, and it is usually over 100F in my garage until about 8 or 9. I take the brass out of the tumbler, load a dozen primer tubes, set the radio to anything at low volume and get going. I run my brass through the U-die and tumble one night and then load the next. I really like reloading. It is that all alone time that I can just veg and listen to the completed rounds falling into the plastic bin. I check them for consistency and high primers when I transfer them from the bin into ammo boxes. I am proud of the quality of my reloads. They are shiny, shoot well in my pistols, and I know that they have been QC'd more than necessary. I can do all that while listening to whatever, just don't ask me to tell you what I have been listeneing to , 'cause my focus is on reloading. JZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBo1 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 While reloading I pay attention to reloading. Same here. The penalty for a screw-up is way too high to be splitting my concentration with anything else. +3... +4 Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adouglas Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 NPR here. I listen to the radio whenever I have the chance, reloading or not, though if I'm doing something that requires me to pay close attention the radio is more of a background thing than something that I focus on. I find the mental stimulation actually helps me focus on the press. Reloading (especially with a progressive press) is repetitive and dull. That's a recipe for loss of concentration. I also say the mantra.... CHECK the charge PLACE the bullet and feel the case (one guy I shoot with uses 9x21s and I often find his cases mixed in with mine) Insert a new CASE WATCH for the primer as you pull and... SEAT the new primer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat355 Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 While reloading I pay attention to reloading. I look in each case for powder. I listen to the case feeder, the bullet feeder and press for weird sounds. I may have some music in the background sometimes but it is usally very low.JMHO, Chuck Ditto! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mull Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I too fall into the category of not really enjoying reloading. . I enjoy reloading but don't like to shoot. I just go to the range to see how well I reloaded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I don't know how you guys have so much time to do things when reloading.... Me, I drop the mag, reach for another one, look at the magwell, then aquire the next target. During a stage, I NEVER go over and turn on the radio or TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Blastem Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Not a D*** thing...I don't want ANY kind of potential distraction to take my mind off the loading process...Call me anal but I'm a for real safety nut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckS Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I too fall into the category of not really enjoying reloading. . I enjoy reloading but don't like to shoot. I just go to the range to see how well I reloaded. Reloading and shooting are just necessary evils that you need to endure so you can get to the gun cleaning. I love cleaning guns. I am working on a special load of Titegroup and HS-6 so I can maximize my cleaning opportunities... Later, Chuck (I do listen to music when I clean guns. Pink Floyd goes well with the fumes...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormbringer Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I spend time chatting with my 15 year old son. 1/3 of the ammo being loaded is for him, 1/3 for me and 1/3 for his sister (she is in University). I run a Hornady LNL AP and he acts as my brass feeder/brass inspector. It allows us to catch up on things.........pretty much guy/gun talk. I am going to miss it when he heads off to school in 3 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rexican Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I usually leave the tv on the history channel and watch it forrest gump style, or listen to some classic rock. I sometimes sit on one of those exercise balls you see in yoga classes, if I have a lot of loading to do. I enjoy reloading: I also find it relaxing. There are some really fascinating studies regarding personality type and level of external stimulation during monotonous vigilance tasks. Extroverts seem to perform better with low to moderate levels of on tasks that require repetitive movement and keeping focus. Oddly, this is what I relate studies to when I'm writing papers. There has to be a group for this kind of thing... I feel like I need to say "my name is Rex, and I have a problem" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beans Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 While reloading I pay attention to reloading. I look in each case for powder. I listen to the case feeder, the bullet feeder and press for weird sounds. ++++I have been reloading for over 38 years and when I reload it is all I do. No other distractions, no problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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