Progressive presses in the stone age?

[Wannashootit]

Electronic powder scales have gotten very affordable...
Now that the technology is affordable, why have no manufacturers incorporated them into their progressive presses?

Sure would be nice to have a precisely metered charge dropped into the case, instead of the archaic case-activated powder drop I currently use (Hornady LNL). It's accurate enough for most powders (though Varget frustrates!), but why not have the precision of an electronic scale?

I'm not looking for a comparison to another manufacturer's press or powder drop...strictly talking about the technology itself. Far as I know, no manuf. has a system like this.

Why not? Seems it would be simple enough; the case would enter the stage where the powder drop is located, could be activated by electronic sensor or other means...

 

[nfresquez]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

I would guess that speed is one of the main issues along with the fact that the scales dont like movement,drafts,static you get the idea.

It would be nice to have a weighted charge instead of a volume charge though.

 

[vman]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

I think it would be too expensive for the majority of handloaders, expensive to manufacture and easy to break.

In theory if it were a solid setup it would be lovely to have.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

If I were to guess, I'd say they are slower than the press, the scale would not like the vibration on top of the press, and the powder packing under vibration changes the accuracy of some of the measures. Slower as in you can make three to ten rounds a minute depending on the press. I don't know if any of the dispensers on the market could measure that fast. Scale vibration jars the sensor which changes the measurement. On my bence with my PACT dispenser I know that if I fill 50 cases and seat them I have to run the memory function again becasue the powder is packed tighter and dispenses differently. I can run more than 50 wihout that problem but don't want that many cases out at once. At the same time with the dispenser on the same bench as the press I get enough vibration from seating to screw up the dispenser if i try to seat and dispense at the same time.

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

Vibration is a valid point, but I see it as "solveable"

While it might not be as "compact" a setup to have some sort of digitally weighed dispenser attached directly to the press, I'd be happy with some sort of remotely mounted setup that could simply be gravity fed through a tube, down into the casing when a casing is sensed (through some means) to be in position to receive the charge.

Anyway, just dreaming... after a few hours frustration trying to accurately meter Varget by volume I needed to vent...
I would happily scarifice speed on the press for accuracy. What's the alternative? If I remove the shell from the press to receive a digitally weighed charge it'll take more time...

If I have to throw the charge three or four times to get the "right" one it's taken more time (and a lot more frustration). I really like the results I get from Varget, but it's shape does not allow for any sort of precision metering by volume.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

Copy this

Long range shooters are to small a part if the community to really put forth the effort I'm guessing

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

Great idea!

Thanks for the pics- but I can't tell what's holding the powder drop tube in place?

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

nothing.

Take a dremel and sand it down so it fits in the hole.

Everytime a case comes up it lifts and centers the powder funnel on itself.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

Dillon makes a die that works with a drop tube and funnel in specific calibers. BUT...rrflyer has a neat idea!

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

Yes, he does. Beat me to saying measure and fill by hand. I was going to say a funnel on a dispenser die. I could figure out the electronics and make some brackets, I think most of us could do brackets. Would it be worth a company doing it? I don't know either.

 

[EWP]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

I have a Lee rifle powder through charging die(the one for their Auto Disc PM) and a Lee funnel(cheapest setup) that I use on my LnL AP for charging Varget if I use the progressive press. I find it faster to just charge each case in the loading blocks using my Charge Master and seat on the single stage when not crimping after seating.

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?

Thanks.
The Lee powder charging die looks like a good compromise, I didn't know such an animal existed.

Now if only RCBS had a Chargemaster that would dispense, weigh, and then dispense again through a tube, we could gravity feed right into the case

 

[YAOG]

Re: Progressive presses in the stone age?



LOL! I have come full circle and simply use my Dillon RL 550B like a single stage press that I don't have to change dies on to do different operations. I just wish it had more stations!