Clean and check:
Using a soft cloth, wipe each case clean to prevent dirt from scratching
the case and resizing die. Inspect the case for anything that would keep
it from being safety reloaded, such as split case mouths, case head separations,
excessive bulges and other case defects. Any case found to be defective should
be crushed with a pair of pliers and thrown away.
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Lubricate the cases (part 1):
Because of the force involved, you'll need to lubricate the cases before
they go into a sizer die. Spread some lube on the pad and lubricate the body
of the case. If you're using a carbide sizer die for reloading straight-wall
pistol cases, you can eliminate this step.
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Lubricate the cases (part 2):
Clean dirt and powder residue from inside case necks and simultaneously add
a light coating of case lube with a case neck brush. This will reduce resizing
effort and prevent excess working of the brass. Roll the brush across the
lube pad after every three or four cases for just the right amount.
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Install the shell holder:
Snap a shell holder into the press ram with a slight twisting motion. The
shell holder will securely grip the head of the cartridge case. Check the pistol shell holder
reference chart or the rifle shell holder
reference chart to determine which shell holder to use for a particular
cartridge.
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Install the Sizer Die:
Thread the sizer die into the press until the die touches the shell holder
when the ram is at the top of the press stroke. Raise the press handle and
turn the die down another one eight to one-quarter of a turn and set the
large lock ring. If you're using a carbide sizer die, leave a 1/16" gap between
the bottom of the die and the shell holder.
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Insert the case:
With the press handle in the up position, slide a case into the shell
holder.
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Resize the case:
Now, gently but firmly lower the press handle all the way to the bottom and
run the case all the way into the sizer die. This will resize the case to
is original dimensions and knock the fired primer out the bottom of the case.
Next, raise the press handle. This will lower the case and expand the case
mouth (on bottle-neck cartridges), correctly setting the case neck diameter
to hold the bullet tighter.
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Trim the Case:
After several firings, cases sometimes stretch and become longer than the
specified maximum length. These cases must be trimmed to allow for proper
chambering and for safety reasons. The trimmer works like a small lathe and
can be used to trim most cases up through 45 caliber.
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Chamfer and Deburr:
Cases that have been trimmed need to also be chamfered and deburred. This
will remove any burrs left on the case after trimming and will allow a new
bullet to be easily seated into the case. Insert the pointed end of the Deburring
Tool into the case to remove burrs and chamfer the case mouth. Fit the other
end over the case mouth to remove exterior burrs.
Expand the case mouth:
This is a separate step that is required for reloading straight-wall cases.
Because of their design, straight-wall cases need to be expanded in a separate
expander die. install the expander die in the press, place a sized case in
the shell holder and run it into the die. The expander plug should be adjusted
so the case mouth is belled or flared just enough to accept the new bullet.
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Prime the case (part 1):
Use the Primer Tray-2 for fast, easy primer handing. To use, first scatter
primers onto the grooved surface of the tray. Then, shake the tray horizontally
until all the primer are positioned anvil side up.
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Prime the case (part 2):
Place a fresh primer, anvil side up, into the cup of the primer arm and insert
a case into the shell holder.
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Prime the Case (part 3):
Lower the handle and push the primer arm all the way into the slot in the
shell holder ram.
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Prime the Case (part 4):
Now, gently and slowly raise the press handle. As the case is drawn out of
the die it will be lowered onto the fresh primer which will be seated into
the primer pocket. Inspect the primer to make sure it is properly seated.
In order to gain optimum primer sensitivity, the primer must be seated firm
firmly to the bottom of the primer pocket.
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Powder Charging (part 1):
Consult your reloading manual to learn what kind of powder and exactly how
much is recommended to reload your cartridge. Then weigh the recommended
charge on your scale.
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Powder Charging (part 2):
After accurately weighting the powder charge, pour it into the case through
a powder funnel.
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Powder Charging (part 3):
Another way to measure powder is to use a powder measure. It will dispense
a precise, uniform charge with each crank of the handle, eliminating the
need to weight every charge on a scale. Fill the measure with powder and
throw several charges to establish flow and settle the powder in the hopper.
Return this powder to the hopper. Use your reloading scale to adjust the
powder measure. Weigh every charge until several consecutively thrown charges
each show the desired weight. Recheck the weight about every ten cases.
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Bullet Seating (part 1):
Having primed and charged the case, you're ready for the next step - seating
the bullet. (These next few steps are, again, mostly for bottleneck cartridges.
The steps are slightly different for straight-wall cases) Thread the seater
die a few turns into the press. Put a case in the shell holder and lower
the press handle, running the ram with the case to the top of the press stroke.
Turn the die body down until it stops. The crimp shoulder in the die is now
pressing against the top of the case mouth. Now, while looking at the headstamp
on top of the die, back the die out one complete turn. This raises the crimp
shoulder above the case mouth. Secure the die in position with the die lock
ring.
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Bullet Seating (part 2):
Next, unscrew the seater plug enough to keep the bullet from being seated
too deep.
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Bullet Seating (part 3):
With the handle in the up position, insert a properly, primed and charged
case into the shell holder.
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Bullet Seating (part 4):
Take a bullet and hold it over the case mouth with one hand while you lower
the press handle with the other, easing the case and bullet up into the die.
After raising the handle, note the seating depth of the loaded round.
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Bullet Seating (part 5):
If the bullet needs to be seated deeper into the case, run the seater plug
down. Run the loaded round back up into the die, raise the press handle and
check the seating depth again. It may take another adjustment or two to get
the proper and final bullet seating depth. Once proper seating depth is achieved,
tighten the small seater plug lock ring.
That's It:
Your first reloaded cartridge is ready to be fired. Of course, this shows
only one case going through all the reloading steps. When actually reloading,
you'd take a batch of cases through each operation before moving on the next
step.
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for Photo
© www.reloadbench.com 1999 - 2005 All Rights Reserved
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