Safety with Progressive Reloading Equipment

Progressive presses (or progressive loaders) are defined as reloading tools that perform multiple operations on different cases for each stroke of the handle. They are intended to increase the number of rounds per hour that can be produced by one operator. However, the basic safety requirements for progressive loaders are exactly the same as for any reloading tool or process. Learn those rules before attempting any reloading.Because the progressive reloading press is more complex, its user must practice additional safety rules for a safe experience. Many things happen at once. The progressive tool requires more attention to detail to insure that each station (or step) is performing in a safe manner. We strongly urge that you learn the basics of reloading on single-stage equipment before moving to progressive equipment.

1. Read and understand all safety and operating instructions before using the tool. Each model of tool is unique and mechanically complex; its manufacturer is the sole best source for instruction in safe operation. If you don't understand the written instructions, contact the manufacturer for clarification.
2. Don't become a "speed addict". The temptation is to see how many cartridges you can pile up in an hour. To do so is to plan for disaster! Load at a leisurely pace until you become thoroughly familiar with the tool and its personality. Attempting to greatly increasing the rate by muscle power can lead to poor ammo and the risk of injury, either when loading, or when shooting the resulting ammo. Establish a reasonable pace.
3. Never modify a press. Manufacturers include safety devices and control points for safety. Modifications may disable these designs and create the risk of injury and/or poor ammo. Never attempt to perform service on the press beyond what is recommended in the written instructions.
4. Use a heavy bench and securely mount the press to it. Vibration is a normal part of progressive loading. Excessive vibration is not. If the press shifts or jerks about, it can throw cartridges out of alignment with the dies and cause a jam, an over- or under-charged case, or an improperly seated primer.
5. Keep the press clean. Eventually, the best-designed progressive loader will accumulate powder and primer residue with normal use. This build-up can cause malfunctions. Clean the machine regularly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Lubricate only as recommended by the tool maker. Excessive oil can accelerate accumulation of unwanted residue that can degrade equipment operation.
6. Operate the press smoothly with a uniform stroke. Loading with "jerking" motion can cause premature wear of the press, result in spilled powder, or cause poor primer seating. A smooth stroke produces the best ammo, and makes it easier to spot problems.
7. Learn the feel of the press. Knowing what "normal" feels like is important in sensing events that are abnormal.
8. Stop if something feels "wrong." Once you know your press, be sensitive to what its feel tells you. If you suspect something feels different from normal operation, investigate immediately and fix the problem before proceeding.
9. Never use force. If the press jams, work the problem, not the handle. Remove cartridge that are in progress and find the problem. Forcing the handle can damage the press or cause an accident.
10. Avoid compressed loads. Many progressive loaders do not have the leverage of single-stage presses and compressed loads can interrupt the loading cycle. The tool head can deflect enough to cause a case at another station to be improperly processed. Remember, many things happen at once on progressive presses. Something that happens at one station can affect cases and cartridges at other stations.
11. Remember inspection. The greatest handicap with progressive loaders is that the opportunity for in-process inspection is less than with single-stage equipment. If necessary, set a timer for 10 minutes and, when it rings, stop and pull a cartridge or case from a station for inspection. This takes only a few seconds and insures that your ammo is uniform and of high quality. Make sure one of these checks is for powder weight. Rather than cycling the measure with the press stopped, remove a charged case and weigh the powder inside. "Dry-cycling" may produce a different charge weight than that produced by normal cycling. Adjust the measure if the charge weight appears to have drifted off your target value.