August 15th, 2021
Guide to Auto-Indexing Progressive Loading Presses
Regularly, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit publishes “how-to” articles about reloading on the USAMU Facebook page. Part 5 of a 6-part series on Progressive Presses is a very good article. This article will explain the proper procedures for Auto-Indexing Progressives. These progressives advance the shell-plate with each pull of the handle. Although Auto Progressives are extremely efficient, they require attention and focus because so many things are happening simultaneously. You must learn to pay attention to every station. This article is recommended for progressive press owners and those who are interested in becoming one. For more handloading tips, visit the USAMU Facebook page.
Progressive Loading Presses – Self-Advancing Shellplate Type
Photo courtesy UltimateReloader.com.
We recently discussed manually-operated progressive presses as a starting handloader. This type of press requires that the shellplate be manually advanced after each handle stroke. The advantage for beginners is that the shellplate does not move at any station unless the loader desires it to. This allows users to avoid having to clear malfunctions and not notice that the shellplate has advanced. (Refer to the USAMU Previous Article on Manual Progressives.
The next type of progressive press, which is more luxurious, advances the shellplate automatically when the handle is cycled. [Editor: Also known as an “Auto-Indexing Progressive Press,” Each stroke typically sizes and primes a case and, if necessary, turns on the powder measure and seats a bullet. Some have case feeders that automatically insert a new shellplate case with each cycle. Others require that the loader inserts a new case every cycle. Both types require that the loader insert a bullet into each sized/primed/charged box.
[CAVEAT] Although our Handloading Shop is equipped with several progressive presses for powder charges, all of our powder charges are thrown/weighed manually. Our presses do not have powder measures. Our progressives can be used for brass preparation, priming, and seating, but not for fully-progressive load.
While the manually-advanced presse can be a great tool for beginners, it can also be a blessing for those who have more experience. It can also be a boon for experienced users depending on their style. The manual press is reliable and allows for full inspection of each round as it’s loaded. The manual progressive can prove to be a problem if one gets distracted or loses focus. There is always the possibility of forgetting a powder charge and resulting in a squib loading. [Editor] A lock-out can reduce the chance of a squib-load or a double charge. See below.
The automatically-advancing progressives help prevent this by ensuring a powder charge will be dropped each time the handle is operated. This feature is often appreciated by experienced handloaders due to its ability to save time and effort. There are many factors that influence individual preferences. These factors include how comfortable one is with more complicated mechanisms vs. simpler ones, how often one converts calibers (case feeders frequently need to be converted), how many rounds one loads each year, and how easy it is to change primer mechanisms from small to big. Automatic progressives and their caliber converter kits are generally more expensive than manual progressives.
USAMU handloader who prefers simple, bulletproof machines and maximum efficiency when using converting presses, has two manually-advanced advanced progressives. One is for large primers and the other for smaller primers. He can change calibers in a blink of an eye. This suits his style, as he loads for many calibers. The opposite is true for another handloader. He loads for a few calibers but in larger quantities. For its speed, he prefers his self-advancing presse with case-feeder. To improve efficiency, he makes large quantities of ammo in each caliber before switching. Although his caliber conversion kits cost more than those for the manually advanced progressive, he uses less of them.
No matter what type of gear you choose, it is very important to purchase quality gear from a manufacturer that has a long-standing track record for quality and durability. Don’t jump on the latest, greatest model until it has a track record. This writer, for example, knows a loader who bought a brand-new, high-end, self-advancing model presses a few years ago, just after its introduction. It was released by the manufacturer before all the bugs were fixed, as is too often these days.
The RCBS Lock-Out Die is safer than sorry
RCBS makes a Lock-Out Die that senses the powder charge. If you have a double or undercharge, this will stop the Progressive press. Your Editor has the Lock Out Die on his RCBS Pro 2000. It has saved his bacon a dozen times over the years. It can be used on Hornady and Dillon progressives, as well as RCBS machines.
It wouldn’t fully seat primers at the correct depth. It would not be possible to adjust, force or fiddle primers to the correct depth. Inattention could lead to a slightly “higher” primer that protrudes above the case head. This could lead to slam-fires in semi-autos that don’t have spring-retracted firing pins like the M1A or M1A. He was desperate and had a friend who was a machinist examine the problem and make a new part. No dice. Its engineering did not allow for full primer seating, even for extended parts. He regrets not having listened to his shooting buddies who advised him to stick with the “tried-and-true” reliable performer they all used.
No matter which press you choose, check to see if the manufacturer has a list or a kit of commonly-replaced parts. Spring, pins, and other parts are always handy. In the unlikely event that one of these items breaks or is lost, it can save the day while one is loading for a match. A tip to improve your handloading efficiency and load rounds with minimal set-up/tear down time is to plan your handloading according to primer size. If your machine is set up to use small primers then load all the calibers you plan to use, before converting the press for larger primer calibers.
Our next chapter will discuss the peculiarities of progressive loading rifle cartridges. We’ll also discuss solutions for problems like excessive cartridge-case headspace variation in sizing, tips to ensure best powder charge consistency, etc. Be safe and have fun shooting!
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Tags: Auto-Indexing, Bullet Feeder, Dillon 650, Dillon 750, Dillon Progressive, Hornady Progressive, Progressive Press, RCBS Pro 2000, USAMU
