one of the biggest things folks criticize using this powder in rifle cases is the chance of a double charge...

Well I have to take personal blame for Homer Simpsoning out on this one.. .. by not even thinking about the obvious that I do reloading...

It is all down to technique at the reload bench...

We have pointed out that it is mandatory safety to load one cartridge at a time... charge your case, and then seat a bullet before going onto the next...

However, what I have Homer Simpsoned on is a few other guidelines, that are so obvious to me, I didn't even think to share...

1. Don't use a powder dropper.. or whatever you want to call it..

I STRICTLY use a Lee Powder dipper and a 505 Beam Scale, and a powder trickler...

Say for a 10 grain load of blue dot in a 223 case... you can actually double charge this load, but CAN NOT double charge a 12 grain load...

HOWEVER, when using a Lee .7 cc dipper, that holds only about 8 grains of Blue Dot... to double charge the case, you have to use the dipper TWICE...( I can't help folks who can't count between one and two)...
then you trickle the load until your beam scale bar is level...

if it isn't level, you have too much powder if it is sticking up at an angle, and not enough if it is sticking DOWN at an angle...

This is a second measure of safety...

NOW with your funnel, pour the powder into your case...

Then seat a bullet....

this is the way I have always done it, and the way I do all of my loading...

yeah it may take longer, but just like driving slower in poor weather conditions, the result is safety... not time convenience...

With a Lee Dipper ( of the proper size), and a beam scale, you have to go out of your way to make a double charge, regardless of how small your charge is....

I wouldn't recommend a Dillion press for anyone doing Blue dot loads, just as I have discouraged its use in semi auto firearms..

I take blame here as I missed passing on, what I see as blatantly obvious.. and it is my fault for assuming everyone saw it in the same light that I did..( don't take this as I think those who don't see it as being dumb, as that is not what is meant)...

This simple overlooked "obvious" detail, came to me, on another web site, when someone was asking about who uses Lee Dippers...

I do every load I make this way, regardless of powder or cartridge.. folks have said it can take too much time... the way I look at it tho, is like driving slower in bad weather or driving down a mountain road... sure it may take more time.. but the safety obtained is well worth it..

so my apologies in not pointing out my load techniques, that I saw as an obvious solution to a viable concern, a long time ago...

if you want to load Blue Dot and have safety concerns about double charges... spend $8.00 at Sportsman's Warehouse or Cabelas and get yourself a set of Lee Powder Dippers...

and seat your bullets right after charging each individual case, before moving on to the next one...

Seafire,
I always take the case to be charged and put it upside down in the funnel that is setting wide part down. Then pick up the weighed charge and dump it in. Stand that case in a tray and move on. No way to double charge.

The best and fastest way I have found to check for a double charge is simply weight the completed round. After I am all done I weigh each round on my Lyman digital scale. Of course they will vary to some degree due to brass and bullet, but they should not vary as much as the charge of BL in my rifle cartridges.

John! Did you ever receive those graduated doll rods I sent you last year for varifying powder level in each case? Roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
John! Did you ever receive those graduated doll rods I sent you last year for varifying powder level in each case? Roger

Yes I did Roger.. in fact, I mentioned them on one of the other forums earlier today...

I use them.. and appreciate your generosity in sending them to me... it was thoughtful..

( I am trying to make this simple enough for beginners, since the panic about a double charge is surfacing.. it is all about load technique and payin attention with an eye on safety while reloading...)

I look in ALL of the cases after charging. I use a Flashlight and shine in in every one of them. Haven't found an mt case or an over charge yet but I'm still doing it every time I reload. Handgun or rifle it is still what I do.

seafire,
I weigh, charge and seat to avoid the issue ... ... never thought to use the Lee dippers and I have quite a few!
Cheers...
Con

My technique uses a powder measure that's bolted to the bench next to the press. I charge each case and immediately seat the bullet.

Éven as far away as the Highlands, I weigh(quite often use a dipper), charge and seat, one at a time. I am in no rush to do me harm , and that is the way I always introduce new people to reloading.

John

Even though I used to support the "Reduced" Blue Dot Loads, it seems the easiest and SAFEST way to avoid the problem entirely and completely - is to simply use the Reduced Loads shown in the Manuals.

As a Major benefit, they have been thoroughly Pressure Tested in $$$HIGH$$$ equipment and those Powders which indicated "Erratic Stability" - such as Blue Dot - are simply not included.

Best of luck to all you folks.

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:
Even though I used to support the "Reduced" Blue Dot Loads, it seems the easiest and SAFEST way to avoid the problem entirely and completely - is to simply use the Reduced Loads shown in the Manuals.

As a Major benefit, they have been thoroughly Pressure Tested in $$$HIGH$$$ equipment and those Powders which indicated "Erratic Stability" - such as Blue Dot - are simply not included.

Best of luck to all you folks.

While loads listed in manuals have been tested by someone somewhere, in their equipment, they have not been tested in my firearms.

I still have to work up every single load listed in those manuals as they have not been tested in MY equipment.

I find it funny you are still harping on this point, or should I say:

Lee powder dippers are a good idea. The best way to avoid a reloading accident, in my opinion, is for the reloader to FOCUS ON THE TASK.

If you are not capable of giving your full attention to the chore, buy factory ammo!

A wise man said "nothing can ever be made idiot proof, idiots are far too clever."

quote:

Originally posted by acsteele:
The best way to avoid a reloading accident, in my opinion, is for the reloader to FOCUS ON THE TASK.

...and, I'd like to add, always check TWICE before setting the bullet over Blue Dot or similar loads.

You can grab a 1/8" wood dowell, insert it into the case mouth till it rests on the powder, mark the dowell at the case mouth, then use it as a gauge for all of your other loads. It won't tell you if you are of a grain or 2, but it will let you know if you have zeroed or double charged right quick. Oh, and its cheap too....

John