Yikes! That's a lot of questions....
Don't know how old the powder is...picked it up at small shops. It has been open about a month, sealed tight, in a cool place. Humidity is so-so- I live near the ocean.
Carbide dies...no lubricant.
Polished with corn cob only...no additives.
Previously fired brass...the inside looks almost as clean as the outside.
I do have a pack of CCI primers and I"ll try them.
Loads...misc brass,
.45 ACPwith Hogdon Clays, Midstates 200 Grain Lead RN bullet, 4.5 gr powder.
.45 ACP with Hogdon HP-38, Magnus 200 gr lead SWC, 5 gr powder.
.38 SP with Hogdon HP-38, Magnus 125 gr lead RN, 4.6 gr powder
All with Winchester primers.
I'm using a measure, but only weighing periodically.The loads seem to be consistent.