Redding Instant Indicator in a progressive press?

[memilanuk]

Anyone here using a Redding Instant Indicator in one of the stations on a progressive press as a checker? Specifically I was thinking of putting one in station #4 of a 550, to check the seating depth (length?) of loaded rounds to catch the one or two that are a fuzz off before they plop into the bin.

 

[powderbrake]

I am not sure you would get consistent readings. The 550 head floats, and if you don't have a case in each of the first 3 positions, the head will cock to one side. While you normally have cases in all positions, the head location is slightly dependent on the force on the #1 sizing location. A case that is a little more or less difficult to resize may cock the head slightly, and you said you were looking for "a fuzz off".
I reload multiple rifle calibers on my Dillon 550's, and I make a habit of checking the base to ogive length occasionally as I am loading. Generally it is pretty consistent, within .001 or occasionally, .002 which I can accept for non competitive rounds. It is not as consistent as a Wilson Micrometer seating die. The bigger culprit is different lot numbers on the bullets. I have found .006 difference in ogive locations of the same part number of a different lot number. This is the area of the bullet that varies the most from lot to lot, except for the tip to base which is all over the map.

 

[Zero333]

What powderbrake said... I use a 650 and concur. If I seat a bullet with out the other stations doing their job at the same time, the bullet will seat 0.005" deeper than when all the relevant stations are doing their thing at the same time.

 

[memilanuk]

Okay, lets assume that I'm actually running a clamped tool head with floating dies, with all the case prep being done on one tool head, and the seating and charging being done on a separate dedicated tool head that currently just has a decapping die in station #1 (to clear any media from the flash holes after tumbling the lube off), a powder die in station #2, and a Forster Ultra BR seater in station #3. Powder is being dispensed from an FX-120i + AutoThrower + AutoTrickler mounted on an dedicated platform next to the press. I'm looking at putting a Redding Instant Indicator in station #4.

The process as it stands now is at least as consistent as with the same dies mounted in my Co-Ax, and surprisingly enough, more so than my Wilson .308 die can manage. It's roughly equivalent to what I get from my custom 21st Century hand die, but with a whole lot less PITA. Trust me, I've tested the ever-living heck out of this. Not my first rodeo

There's still a little bit of variation in seating depth, every once in a while, even with bullets sorted by BTO and OAL - I'm sure as hell not mixing lot #'s. It might be due to some slight variation in the surface of the bullet where the seating cone contacts the ogive, or it might be something else. Either way, I'd like to catch it on the press rather than having to manually check every single round by hand, off press.

 

[Carolina Hillbilly]

I use one on a 650 while processing brass (6.5 x 47, 260, 308, etc) and I love it. I use the Whidden floating die toolhead. I have a fl size Whidden die in #1, a body die in #2 (to add balance), and the indicator in #4. It is setup to verify headspace was set exactly for that particular case. If the headspace is long, I re-anneal that case and process again. If I’ve shot that bunch a few times, I remove the #1 die, leave the body die, and set the indicator die to get oal. It’s quick and easy to find any long cases, meaning I trim the lot before I load. It saves a lot of time and unnecessary handling of every piece of brass.

Based on my process, it would probably be worth a try for your application.

 

[powderbrake]

Okay, lets assume that I'm actually running a clamped tool head with floating dies, with all the case prep being done on one tool head, and the seating and charging being done on a separate dedicated tool head that currently just has a decapping die in station #1 (to clear any media from the flash holes after tumbling the lube off), a powder die in station #2, and a Forster Ultra BR seater in station #3. Powder is being dispensed from an FX-120i + AutoThrower + AutoTrickler mounted on an dedicated platform next to the press. I'm looking at putting a Redding Instant Indicator in station #4.

The process as it stands now is at least as consistent as with the same dies mounted in my Co-Ax, and surprisingly enough, more so than my Wilson .308 die can manage. It's roughly equivalent to what I get from my custom 21st Century hand die, but with a whole lot less PITA. Trust me, I've tested the ever-living heck out of this. Not my first rodeo

There's still a little bit of variation in seating depth, every once in a while, even with bullets sorted by BTO and OAL - I'm sure as hell not mixing lot #'s. It might be due to some slight variation in the surface of the bullet where the seating cone contacts the ogive, or it might be something else. Either way, I'd like to catch it on the press rather than having to manually check every single round by hand, off press.

It sounds like you have the situation under control. You can check the accuracy by measuring the base to ogive on several loads, recording them, and comparing them to the Redding indicator readings.

 

[Della]

I’m doing exactly as the OP describes with a pinned toolhead in a 550C. Works great for 223 and 6.5 CM.

Just wondering if a 6BR indicator would work the same for a 6BRA?

 

[PatMiles]

On a 550 with a pinned tool head you should have no problems with repeatability. The base of the case sits on the machines platform, the shellplate just rotates the case so even with shellplate wobble, repeatability is not a problem.
On the 650, even with a pinned tool head, the case sits in a cut out in the shell plate which is affected by the amount of wobble between the platform and the shellplate and if all stations, with a die in the tool head, have a case in them. It is possible to minimize the shell plate wobble but a bit will exist due to the design of the 650.

 

[Alfred]

6BR will not work for 6BRA, the body is cut like a chamber so the difference in the angle of the sidewalls will prevent the case from being fully inserted. If you really want to have your gun smith ream it with your chamber reamer.

Al

 

[Della]

Thanks Al.

 

[Della]

6BR will not work for 6BRA, the body is cut like a chamber so the difference in the angle of the sidewalls will prevent the case from being fully inserted. If you really want to have your gun smith ream it with your chamber reamer.

Al

So just to confirm. This is doable if I order the the Redding 6BR instant indicator and have my smith ream the die body with the reamer used to chamber the barrel? Is essentially the only difference a less tapered case wall and 40 degree shoulder?

I really like having every round checked as it rolls off the press.

Thanks for any help.

 

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

Redding instant indicator works well in my Hornady progressive

 

[6BRA]

6BR will not work for 6BRA, the body is cut like a chamber so the difference in the angle of the sidewalls will prevent the case from being fully inserted. If you really want to have your gun smith ream it with your chamber reamer.

Al

Could you please go into more detail on this. An instant indicator doesnt fit the case cartridge like a resizing die and the 6BR case is used for the 6BRA all the time. Only shoulder angles have changed. The headspace feature on the indicator comes around the neck and single point contacts the neck. So I am confused on the need for a reamer and why a 30 to 40 deg neck would make a difference as a contact point. TIA

 

[Della]

It works fine.