Bench 7

Summation

Inspect, record, and verify every round before it leaves the bench. Summation is where process discipline pays off — or where shortcuts catch up with you.

← Bench 6 — Seating Bench 8 — Iteration →
New to reloading? Start with Basics only. · Already reloading? Use Basics as a refresher, then dig into Control and Tune.
Basics
What you're doing and why
Every round gets a final check before it goes in the box. This isn't extra work — it's the step that makes everything else worth doing.
1
Visually inspect every round

Stand each round upright and look. Check for: bullets seated crooked, primers seated high, case mouth defects, any obvious dimensional issues. Pull anything that doesn't look right — you can always reload a component, you can't undo a squib.

2
Measure a sample for COAL

Pull 10% of the batch at random and measure COAL. All rounds should fall within ±0.005" of your target. If you're seeing more spread than that, find the cause before the batch goes to the range.

You'll need Calipers
3
Document and box the batch

Label your ammo box with the load data: caliber, bullet, powder, charge weight, COAL, primer, brass lot, and date loaded. A box with no label is a mystery round — don't shoot mysteries.

You'll need Ammo box + label or marker
Control
What you're controlling
Final measurements confirm the batch is what you intended. If something is off here, it's better to catch it now than at the range.
C1
Control Point 1
Batch Number

Assign every batch a number and record it in your logbook. When your Qual8 data shows a velocity shift, the batch number is how you trace it back to components.

C2
Control Point 1
Final Round Count

Count what you loaded. If your count doesn't match what you started with, find the discrepancy before you box the batch. A missing case usually means a pulled round that didn't get logged.

Logbook Record Layer

- Batch number and date
- Total rounds loaded
- Final COAL average and range (min/max)
- Any rounds pulled or discarded — and why
- Components summary: brass lot, primer brand/lot, powder brand/lot/charge, bullet brand/weight/lot

Bench walkthrough
Watch the bench in practice
When the video is ready, the walkthrough will appear in this framed area.
Bench 7
VIDEO COMING SOON
Summation walkthrough — final inspection, COAL verification, and batch documentation
← Previous Bench 6 — Seating All 8 Benches Next → Bench 8 — Iteration