[oneofthose]

Yes, a good reminder. A few months ago I ran some of my favorite 38 special cast bullets loads (3.2 gr. titegroup & Lyman 358429) through a recently acquired old colt. I chrono'd the first 5 rounds, stopping when I had one that sounded weak and only registered 355 fps......

Vigilance.

 

[Taterhead]

Good reminder. The other issue with powder bridging is that the first case might be under charged, but then the following case might get the balance of the charge plus the normal charge. I have to say that I haven't experienced bridging with pistol/shotgun powder. IMR 4350? That's another story.

 

[BobbyS]

Being distracted by a podcast probably isn't a good idea either.

 

[oneofthose]

Good reminder. The other issue with powder bridging is that the first case might be under charged, but then the following case might get the balance of the charge plus the normal charge.

Yes, exactly. I'm glad I found the 355 fps round before I found the one that might have peeled open the top strap. That's one of the risks with using powders like titegroup in cases the size of 38/357. You can barely see 3.1 grains in the bottom, and it's hard to tell the difference between 2.5, 3.1 and 6.2.

 

[fredj338]

That is why I advocate reloaders resist becoming handle pullers. It's easy to put gadgets all over the press to monitor the process, but I believe what I see. Always visually check the charge before seating. Batteries fail, wires come loose, things stick, look in every case, use the gadgets as a backup.

 

[Gpruitt54]

Yep, better make that background to music selection. When I am listening to a podcast, it tends to take a good deal of attention away from what I am doing. Excellent reminder.

 

[Kentguy]

Schrag4,

I just want to agree with others, NO DISTRACTIONS... I too like to visually see what is going into each case.

I couldn't agree with you more... "Stay diligent - don't get complacent!"

 

[Schrag4]

Alright, guys, I'll make the switch to music during the loading phase. I find that when I put a podcast on in the background, I tend to miss a lot of it because it doesn't have my attention primarily. However, I suppose I'm opening myself up to risk in the event that a subject comes up that I'm passionate enough about. I'll save the podcasts for casting and powder coating sessions, and cleaning the guns - tasks where I'm not carefully measuring powder charges or cartridge lengths.

 

[BobbyS]

Sometimes, even with nothing else going on, losing focus is easy by just letting your mind wander to something else. When I start doing that, I finish the brass in the shell-plate, get up for a little bit, get some water to drink, then go back to it.

 

[dervisivitz dokes]

I've had that happen once fortunately the bullet never left the case. I thought it was a bad primer but when I pulled the bullet there wasn't any powder in the case. Stuff happens, but even if it lodged in the barrel you'd know something was off at least you should before firing the next round.

 

[ustate]

At least you caught it in the middle of making a single box and not the middle of a run of a couple hundred. Glad you noticed it.