Progressive Loaders vs. Curmudgeon

Dear Curmudgeon: For Christmas I got a progressive loading device.  I am having reloading problems.  Every time I change to a new type hull, it takes me an hour (and many wasted hulls) to readjust the machine just to create a new load.  What gives? 

With any “progressive” loader, the operator must first memorize the instruction book or keep it handy.  And every cautionary comment.  (Even if the manual was written by the company’s accountants during the Chinese new year).  Before attempting to write you own manual – consider the many steps occurring at the same moment.  Describe the many steps and what occurs with each step.  It ends up something like describing to a teenager how to drive a seven speed diesel truck.  So read ALL the descriptive notations.      

If not approached in a conservative manner, a progressive or indexing loader may create wonderful opportunities for combinations of problems.  The key here is for CURMUDGEON to point out problem areas for you to avoid. 

Let’s say the “normal“ progressive device has eight stations.   A loading miscue at one station immediately slops over and halts the process of the other seven stations.  All stations must then be adjusted, changed, vacated, or beaten to death - before again moving forward. 

SIMPLE ADVICE TO AVOID PROBLEMS

A progressive loader is NOT for:

1. Your first reloading tool.    

2. Possibly not your second reloading tool.  

3. Hunting loads or any load calling for multiple components beyond

(a.) propellant, (b.) target wad and (c.) small (fine) shot.

4.  Extended length hulls as in 3” or 3.5”.  (Unless the loader is designed for this).

5.  New hulls, never crimped, because new hulls usually require more than one introduction to the crimp-starter (or need a sharp edge crimp starter). 

6.  Larger shot sizes. (Anything greater than #7 ½ American/Canadian size (.095”).                   Larger shot may bridge in the shot drop tube.  

7.  Anyone with a fragile grasp of temper.  

8.  Anyone not capable of resourceful resolutions for indescribable problems.

9.  Anyone who is easily distracted or has a wife who carries on mindless conversations while you reload.

10.  Cheap bastards like CURMUDGEON who nurses tired hulls until their last gasp of plastic.

Mind you: A progressive loader is designed to perform MORE than one function with every “push” or “pull” of the handle. This includes the up-stroke AND/OR the down-stroke.   There is no warning in most instruction manuals concerning the sudden loss of religion upon the pulling of the handle - and locking-up the device in assorted jams, failures, mysterious stops and the sound of fine shot falling against bare metal.

CURMUDGEON has utilized the speed and thrill of progressive reloaders successfully… and has turned out bushel-baskets of reloads.  But CURMUDGEON learned the hard way to follow strict rules of don’ts in order to achieve success.  There is a danger in allowing wild expectation to exceed careful reality.  Permit C to describe.  

On first impulse, the reloader is delighted with the possibilities of multiple reloading events - occurring with one push/pull of the handle.  Ah, yes a laborsaving device.  Yes, if our person follows very strict procedures.  Procedure is not plural here because once the progressive loader is set-up for a particular hull and wad – DO NOT CHANGE IT.   That is unless you enjoy self-inflicted (temporary, however sometimes turning into several hours) torment.  

CURMUDGEON’S first impulse is to become charmed with the idea of energy and timesaving. The formula of one push/pull of the lever = as many as eight completed operations.  These can be a golden moments if you, the reloading fellow, do not exceed the design limitations of the progressive tool.  You can turn out acres of loaded shells – if you restrain enthusiasm and follow the reloading designers  plan.  C knows the progressive reloading manufacturers (and wonderfully helpful people they are) receive many, many difficult phone calls and attempt to offer first aid and advice to all handle pullers.  (Some folks have set up hydraulic/electric driven progressive loaders without first having a shot at pulling the lever.)  If you have a nose for trouble, you might anticipate some difficulties arising with this arrangement.        

So let us begin with a straight-forward, new and shiny progressive loader.  

You installed it on your workbench (wife abhors anchor bolt holes being drilled in the dining room table) allowing for elbow room and following the enclosed installation plan.   

Insert a fresh hull into station-#1.   

The process moves along something like this.

Pull the handle DOWN.  

Station #1.  A fresh hull (#1) is resized. 

Station #2.  The previous hull (#2) is primed.  

Station #3.   Hull #3 gets a drop of propellant.

Station #4.   Hull #4 has a wad inserted.

Station #5.   Hull #5 gets a drop of shot. 

Station #6.   Hull #6 gets a crimp start.

Station #7.   Hull #7 gets a crimp finish.

Station #8.   Hull #8 exits, drops on the floor – or wherever.        

When the handle is pushed up, advancing loading table and the hulls move along to the next station.  You must place an empty hull in the first station and place a wad in the wad-guide station. 

(An experienced reloader will now tap the primer tray drop track to make sure it is doing its job and check to see if a primer is in feeding position.)

The handle is brought down (lowering/advancing the table).

And the cycle repeats.  The loading table INDEXES one position forward.  (Never - backwards.  Undoing is difficult.)   

This is the operation cycle of many indexed loaders and others may differ this way or that.   MEMORIZE the manual.  Then- write your own manual.    

A presumption is made that the operator is diligent and watches all operational steps like Sherlock Holmes. 

Progressive loaders require you to:

Toss out any condition-suspect hull before you step up to the plate.   

Any hull slightly less than in 100% condition is likely to jam. 

A blemish on the mouth of a wad is likely to cause a jam.

An “odd” appearing wad courts jams.     

Crunching noises become a first alert to jams. 

Backing up to get out of a jam – is impossible. 

Rule:  Jams occur down the line – in stations where they are impossible to easily “cure”.  Shutting down the line and beginning the cycle from scratch is the only route out of “trouble.”   

It is not the goal of CURMUDGEON to alarm those with progressive reloader interests.   But set your goals correctly.  Straight forward reloading of simple target or ultra simple field loads.  Reloading is not fairyland.  If your expectations are reasonable and you know what you are getting into - your success will be great.   Home brew mass-production produces more shooting and more skill.  So avoid the obvious problems and achieve great success. Reloading device inventors, planners, and manufacturer’s are constantly at work improving and polishing these intriguing devices.  Load on! 

CURMUDGEON

CURMUDGEON