I dug through that thread and watched a bunch of the videos
@Papercidal referenced and I've rethought how I'm going to do this project. Not giving up, but sort of starting over.
I don't know the chemistry of any of this -- there's even a primer compound that is totally inert until you put a drop of water on it, then some chemical reaction occurs, and it becomes volatile. My original plan was to make a paste like Federal does and then pop that into cups through a measuring grate -- except I have no idea what will happen to this stuff if I put water or acetone or denatured alcohol on it. I think it is better to follow the instructions of the people who know a heck of a lot more about this than I do, so that is what I'm going to do.
Apparently, when specific pressure is applied, the 22 reloader (and I presume the stuff I have is the same) compound will compress into a pellet. So I bought a cheap arbor press at Harbor Freight. I figure consistent compression pressures are probably important for performance, and I want to be able to test various compression pressures, so my next step is drill out a hole in the shaft and tap it so I can put a torque wrench on the press, like this:
https://concretedog.blogspot.com/2018/03/quick-arbour-press-modification.html Except without a lathe because I don't have one.
After that, I need to make a steel pin that will fit inside a primer cup without much wiggle so the compound won't ride up the sides, and some doohicky to attach that pin to the end of the bar on the press.
Of course, nothing is simple. The first thing I wanted to do was put one of those 6 outlet expanders on the outlet near the press so I could plug in a work light, my dremmel, and a vacuum all at the same time. I did that, and the ground indicator didn't light up -- after some investigation, turns out that socket was wired with reverse polarity, so before I even start, I'm fixing something unrelated. At least that's straightened out and now I have a light and I don't have to swap cords all the time.
Next up, will be making the pin with a file/sandpaper and a drill (man -- I need a lathe), and printing or cutting a piece to fit the end of the press to hold the pin straight. And of course, the aforementioned modification to the press. I'll try printing the connector first I think, but my printer is in dire need of maintenance, so that has to come first. Everything is obstacles right now it seems.