What did you do in the reloading room today?

[VolksDragon]

I always de-prime dirty brass before I tumble it for this reason, plus I love me some super clean primer pockets. It adds a step and takes longer overall, but time spent in the gun room is all quality time to me anyway.

[VolksDragon]

After a few test runs, I finally perfected my wet-tumbling recipe with the new FA tumbler, this stuff hurts to look at after it comes out.

2 tablespoons of ArmorAll Wash & Wax and 1/2 teaspoon of Lemi-Shine in hot water for 90 minutes. It's glorious.


This was 200 rounds of old, tarnished, dirt-encrusted .223 range brass straight from the ground, and it turned out perfectly. De-primed and swaged dirty, then tumbled.

http://volksdragon.net/Guns/Brass 03.jpg

http://volksdragon.net/Guns/Brass 02.jpg

http://volksdragon.net/Guns/Brass 04.jpg
http://volksdragon.net/Guns/Brass03.jpg

http://volksdragon.net/Guns/Brass02.jpg

http://volksdragon.net/Guns/Brass04.jpg

[Hoser]

Spent some time at the bench this past week. Loaded about 1,000 rounds of 243 with H-1000 and DTAC 115s. I didnt realize I had that much brass.

[Delfuego]

Just keep walking by the bench and looking at all the stuff I need to do. Got a national match in 2 weeks and haven't even screwed the barrel on my gun or loaded one round. I suck.

[ChickNorris]

Suck could be an impetus.

[Hoser]

Just keep walking by the bench and looking at all the stuff I need to do. Got a national match in 2 weeks and haven't even screwed the barrel on my gun or loaded one round. I suck.

Go haze yourself.

[Hoser]

Spent some time this past week processing a 5 gallon bucket of LC 223 brass for a friend.

Trimmed, de-primed and removed primer crimp. Easy peasy.

[XC700116]

Got my new Amp-Mate set up for the AMP Annealer, then ran 800 pieces of BRX through it yesterday. Also set up the Auto-Throw upgrade for the Auto-Trickler and built another floating die tool head for the 650 and used it to load 100 rounds of BRX to start break in on my 2 new match rifle barrels.

Now to Load up another hundred or so to finish breaking in both rifles so I can start load development. 3 weeks from now is my first National match for the season and I gotta have at least one if not both of these rifles tuned up and ready to roll for it.

[Hoser]

I am soooo close to getting an AmpMate. I even have a new Dillon casefeeder in the garage I can use.

But I am also weary of "flying the A model." I might wait to see if version 1.5 comes out.

[Tim K]

Amp Mate. I need one.

I loaded up 300 rds of Dasher with my new AutoTrickler. Neat piece of gear. It requires a bit of fiddling to get it running properly, but once that's done it throws charges to plus or minus a single kernel. Best part is that it's fast. I load precision ammo on a 550, and it has a charge ready and waiting for me by the time I cycle the press.

I also did some loading to transfer my precision .223 load from Prime brass to LC.

[XC700116]

I am soooo close to getting an AmpMate. I even have a new Dillon casefeeder in the garage I can use.

But I am also weary of "flying the A model." I might wait to see if version 1.5 comes out.

They have a "gen 2" coming supposedly this summer. Wait for it. the original has some quirks and I think it's mostly software so it will be easily upgraded and they have promised that all gen 1 units will get free upgrades so I bit on it. However after running it a bit, I would wait for the upgraded version.

[Hoser]

Spent some time in the reloading room these past few days processing 45 ACP brass for a friend and member here.

1. Tumble clean.
2. Roll size.
3. Run through Dillon 1050 to FL resize, decap, sort out small primer pocket brass and swage out any military crimped brass.
4. Wet tumble.

Didnt take long actually. The stopping every 10-20 cases to pluck a small primer pocket piece of brass out of the machine was a minor pain.

Best part of the deal was I eliminated about 300-400 pcs of that bullshit-worthless-evil-commie small primer pocket 45 ACP brass from the gene pool. Federal, CCI and any other company that does this should be ashamed of themselves. Now I know why I converted most everything from 45 ACP to 45 GAP.

[whitewalrus]

Best part of the deal was I eliminated about 300-400 pcs of that bullshit-worthless-evil-commie small primer pocket 45 ACP brass from the gene pool. Federal, CCI and any other company that does this should be ashamed of themselves. Now I know why I converted most everything from 45 ACP to 45 GAP.

Scrap bin or do people actually load these? Often thought about using the few I have thrown aside, at least nobody will want to take my brass from the firing line :)

[izzy]

I know some people like to use them so they don't have to change out the primer tube.

[ray1970]

I know some people like to use them so they don't have to change out the primer tube.

Yep. I think someone here was actually scarfing up as much small primer 45 as he could get. Standardizing to one size primer for multiple calibers actually makes a bit of sense if you ask me. I?m sure that?s why the manufacturers are doing it.

[whitewalrus]

Yep. I think someone here was actually scarfing up as much small primer 45 as he could get. Standardizing to one size primer for multiple calibers actually makes a bit of sense if you ask me. I?m sure that?s why the manufacturers are doing it.

Yeah it does make sense. It is annoying having to constantly double check the cases after you get home from the range to separate. But sorting is my least favorite part of the process.

Guess I have too much large primer 45 brass to switch.

[Hoser]

Scrap bin or do people actually load these? Often thought about using the few I have thrown aside, at least nobody will want to take my brass from the firing line :)

After I take some pliers and squash the case so it can never be used gain I toss them in the scrap bucket.

[whitewalrus]

After I take some pliers and squash the case so it can never be used gain I toss them in the scrap bucket.

Crushing with pliers was always too much time for me...I just hurl stuff into the scrap bucket.

[Irving]

Hoser is it true that you have a bumper sticker that says, "GAS, BRASS, OR ASS, NO FREE RIDES!"?

[Hoser]

Hoser is it true that you have a bumper sticker that says, "GAS, BRASS, OR ASS, NO FREE RIDES!"?

Absolutely.

[O2HeN2]

I know some people like to use them so they don't have to change out the primer tube.
That's why you have two presses - one for each size primer.

Or you do like Hoser and have a press per caliber :)

O2

[whitewalrus]

That's why you have two presses - one for each size primer.

Or you do like Hoser and have a press per caliber :)

O2

Well getting the casefeeder setup correctly and feeding smooth takes some time too, so cannot blame him :)

[Hoser]

Spent a few hours at the bench today loading up my last 5,000 Eggleston coated bullets.

Eggleston has closed up shop. The good news is that he sold his business and made a few bucks in the end. The bad news is a local bullet manufacturer is gone.

[Irving]

That's a bummer. I guess I don't have to try so hard to get these 200 grain .300 BLK subs to work though.

[buffalobo]

Spent a few hours at the bench today loading up my last 5,000 Eggleston coated bullets.

Eggleston has closed up shop. The good news is that he sold his business and made a few bucks in the end. The bad news is a local bullet manufacturer is gone.New owner removing competition and not continuing business?

[Hoser]

New owner removing competition and not continuing business?

No idea. But the new owner will still be making bullets, but not for resale as a component.

[whitewalrus]

Sad to see Eggleston go, I liked their bullets. Guess I will be getting future stock from RMR.

[Hoser]

Time will tell how Gallant bullets work out.

Small veteran owned company. I ordered about 15K bullets from them a couple weeks ago.

[ray1970]

Rearranged the reloading room today. Moved the bench to a more convenient location for easier access. It?s been such a pain getting to the bench for the last several years that I really haven?t reloaded much. Now that I can actually walk right up to my bench without having to move other things it?s time to start loading rounds again. Hell, I might even invest in a stool to sit on.

[O2HeN2]

Time will tell how Gallant bullets work out.

Small veteran owned company. I ordered about 15K bullets from them a couple weeks ago.
I needed bullets, and if they're good enough for you to try, so will I. :)

"TSM10" gives you a 10% discount.

O2

[whitewalrus]

Time will tell how Gallant bullets work out.

Small veteran owned company. I ordered about 15K bullets from them a couple weeks ago.

Looked at their website and will have to try some when I need some more pistol bullets, seems close to what Eggleston had.

[fj605]

I bought a simple, single-stage Lee and got it bolted to the bench. I've never had a space to do fun things (ie, hobbies) and finally got the garage cleaned out and a bench built. So much for having money....

[whitewalrus]

I bought a simple, single-stage Lee and got it bolted to the bench. I've never had a space to do fun things (ie, hobbies) and finally got the garage cleaned out and a bench built. So much for having money....

You are about to fill that space rather quickly with components and reloading tools. Welcome to a fun hobby :)

[Hoser]

I turned 800 pcs of 357 Maximum into 300 Rimmed Whisper (Blackout) for a silhouette shooter. It is a complete rockstar caliber for shooting silhouette in a T/C Contender when you want to push heavy bullets slow and accurate.

Getting ready to do a full process on a buttload of 30 Carbine brass. FL-Resize, swage primer crimp, trim to the same OAL, tumble in stainless pins and then anneal the neck.

[mattiooo]

Converted the 550 over to 45 Colt for the first time and ran a dozen rounds for testing next trip.

[Hoser]

Processed a few thousand pcs of 223 brass for a couple forum members.

Just a simple FL resize, trim and swage out the primer crimp.

[crays]

Time will tell how Gallant bullets work out.

Small veteran owned company. I ordered about 15K bullets from them a couple weeks ago.

They should sell their seconds under the brand name Goofus...

[Hoser]

They should sell their seconds under the brand name Goofus...

They are actually really good.

I loaded up some of their 30 caliber 217 gn boat tails in my 300 Whisper/Blackout. Worked perfect and accuracy was just as good as jacketed bullets. Full auto mag dumps got much cheaper...

[Great-Kazoo]

They should sell their seconds under the brand name Goofus...

Thank you. Highlights for Children reader

[crays]

Thank you. Highlights for Children readerApparently, there's a whole Goofus and Gallant meme thing. Who'da thunk it?

Sent from somewhere...

[whitewalrus]

Loaded up some 308 hunting loads for the upcoming big game season, just need to get to the range and zero the rifle this week

[thedave1164]

Deprimed and sized some 224 Valkyrie and 6.5 Grendel, then wet tumbled

[whitewalrus]

Starting to prep a 5 gallon bucket of 308 brass...forget what a pain this can be

[stodg73]

Pouring, Powder coating, sizing lots of bullets...

[encorehunter]

We went out and unloaded a bunch of brass to make room for reloading.

[Great-Kazoo]

Found the roller handle for the 550, also made another holder for extra dies. One day i'll get it up and running, probably take buying another 650 to motivate me .

[Hoser]

Broke out the AMP and annealed about 500 pcs of 6.5 Creed for a forum member and processed a bunch of 223 for two forum members.

[Hoser]

Added a FW Arms decapper to my 1050 that I use to process 223 brass. I am a total Dillon fanboy, but this is about a million times better than the Dillon and Lee Universal decappers. It works awesome. Pops out primers easy and it doesent draw them back in which messes things up. Money well spent.

https://fwarms.com/shop/reloading/f-w-arms-auto-center-decapper/

https://i.imgur.com/0gYeDSE.jpg

[Duman]

Added a FW Arms decapper to my 1050 that I use to process 223 brass. I am a total Dillon fanboy, but this is about a million times better than the Dillon and Lee Universal decappers. It works awesome. Pops out primers easy and it doesent draw them back in which messes things up. Money well spent.

https://fwarms.com/shop/reloading/f-w-arms-auto-center-decapper/



Great info, thanks for the link.

[Grant H.]

Added a FW Arms decapper to my 1050 that I use to process 223 brass. I am a total Dillon fanboy, but this is about a million times better than the Dillon and Lee Universal decappers. It works awesome. Pops out primers easy and it doesent draw them back in which messes things up. Money well spent.

https://fwarms.com/shop/reloading/f-w-arms-auto-center-decapper/



Thanks for spending more of my money.

Just ordered the decapper and the swage foot.

[Great-Kazoo]

This time it's something i didn't do. Missed out on a 550 w/ strong mount, roller handle and 3 caliber conversions, by 1/2 hr.

Listed on line for $200 OBO

[Hoser]

Ouch.

[spqrzilla]

Well, reloading for my 6.5mm Creedmoor is making me look like a total NOOB.

[whitewalrus]

Well, reloading for my 6.5mm Creedmoor is making me look like a total NOOB.

How so? Hard to work up a load?

[Irving]

How so? Hard to work up a load?

Yeah what gives? I'm about to sell my .308 to get into that caliber.

[Hoser]

Pretty sure spqrzilla is reloading for a gas gun which is an adventure all in itself.

[spqrzilla]

Yeah, I have a 6.5 Creedmoor upper for a Aero Precision M5 based rifle (AR10). I've been having trouble with COAL with the Sierra Tipped Match King 130 grain. Sierra's own data listed COAL of 2.810" and I put together some at 2.800" that would jam the bullet into the rifling of this rifle. Quite frustrating to find a good value.

[XC700116]

Yeah, I have a 6.5 Creedmoor upper for a Aero Precision M5 based rifle (AR10). I've been having trouble with COAL with the Sierra Tipped Match King 130 grain. Sierra's own data listed COAL of 2.810" and I put together some at 2.800" that would jam the bullet into the rifling of this rifle. Quite frustrating to find a good value.

Not sure if you're on FB but here's a video that explains the best and most repeatable way to get your BTO measurement for touching the lands in a specific Chamber. With the VAST variety of 6.5 CM reamers out there, you can't really count on book lengths until verified.

https://www.facebook.com/precisionrifleseries/videos/248088516085286/UzpfSTEwMDAwMjAxNDcxNDkzMzoyMDA1MjA2NzE5NTU2NDY2/

[spqrzilla]

Well, after checking sized case dimensions against factory ammunition, I currently believe I need a small base sizing die for the 6.5 Creedmoor.

[Hoser]

Well, after checking sized case dimensions against factory ammunition, I currently believe I need a small base sizing die for the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Also try looking for a Redding body die.

[spqrzilla]

I will do that, Hoser.

[Erni]

Started to prep for 38spl reloading. Realized can't find the brass. Status: looking for brass.

[crays]

Started to prep for 38spl reloading. Realized can't find the brass. Status: looking for brass.Cant find your brass, or can't find any brass?

Sent from somewhere...

[Great-Kazoo]

Started to prep for 38spl reloading. Realized can't find the brass. Status: looking for brass.

I'll see what i have laying around. Not sure if i primed all of it before moving.




On a different topic. Modded 5/6 & 1050 large powder bars for peoples 450's.

[Erni]

No, I organized my speed loaders in a nice container. Now cant find it. But if anyone local has good RP brass let me know. Can also trade for some WW once fired police range pick up. Have had that stuff forever.

[XC700116]

Mad scramble to prep 400 pieces of 6br brass, and load up enough to break in a barrel before the NRL Finale. Dead barrels = last minute gunsmithing/break-in/and load development. Definitely wasn't plan A, but thankfully I should have a couple weekends to get it all done before the match.

[Hoser]

Took a look at the four buckets (13-14K) of 223 I have to process in the next couple weeks. Loaded up on coffee and got to work.

[SA Friday]

I don't think I have that much 223, but damned if I'm not right behind you. I went over to RJ's last Monday and annealed all the stuff I'm prepping for long distance loads, 556 LC, 6.5 Grendel, 308 Win. I have about 10 more gallons of mixed 223 brass to prep for general 55gr loading. Ugh, and 300 and bla bla bla. The winter grind.

[Hoser]

I don't think I have that much 223, but damned if I'm not right behind you.

This stuff isnt mine. A local shooter asked me to process it for him.

[spqrzilla]

Uh .... I gave a bucket of fired brass a very stern look.

[iego]

lol, spqrzilla,

I'm guessing it didn't fire back? ;)

-John

[whitewalrus]

Took a look at the four buckets (13-14K) of 223 I have to process in the next couple weeks. Loaded up on coffee and got to work.

Do you have any of the motors on your 1050s? Or are you pulling the handle yourself?

[SA Friday]

This stuff isnt mine. A local shooter asked me to process it for him.

I got this idea to convert a cement mixer into a tumbler that will take 5 gal buckets. Fill the bucket a third to half with brass, fill with ground walnut, spin a lid on, lock it into the mixer and turn it on. It would take cleaning mass amounts of brass down to a couple hours instead of a couple days.
Ever seen it done?

[buffalobo]

Jerry does it.

https://youtu.be/O5y_dsP3dsM

[Erni]

Found my brass. Sized 50 cases. Had bigger plans but life happened.

Q for the reloaders. I goofed and sized some of my 38spl cases .010 below min trim to length. Bullets and loads work fine but its a pain to have two different lengths.
Toss the shorties, trim all of the brass short or just put short ones in the backup pile. Fairly sure I don't want to deal with two different lengths.

[Hoser]

Do you have any of the motors on your 1050s? Or are you pulling the handle yourself?

I tried a PW autodrive a few years back. Didnt like it. Now it runs my roll-sizer.

Just me pulling the handle.

[Hoser]

I got this idea to convert a cement mixer into a tumbler that will take 5 gal buckets. Fill the bucket a third to half with brass, fill with ground walnut, spin a lid on, lock it into the mixer and turn it on. It would take cleaning mass amounts of brass down to a couple hours instead of a couple days.
Ever seen it done?

I know bigger companies use cement mixers to polish loaded ammo.

Dont know why you couldnt grab a Harbor Freight mixer and use it.

[ray1970]

I think it?s rondog on here that uses the liquid and stainless pins and does large batches in a cement mixer. I think he even posted a video of it in action.

[Irving]

I sold him a mixer. I want to see it in action.

[Great-Kazoo]

I know bigger companies use cement mixers to polish loaded ammo.

Dont know why you couldnt grab a Harbor Freight mixer and use it.

The plastic drum ones at lowes, cost more. But easier on brass, especially if one is looking to earn "cash back" from their investment

. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-4-cu-ft-0-5-HP-Cement-Mixer/3591096

[Hoser]

Bought a Dillon carbide 223 trim die to get through these buckets of 223 brass with less effort on my delicate little arms.

Wrong.

This die is more small base than a small base die and needs a lot more lube than my old steel trim die.

Shit. That was $190 not well spent.

[To Bear Arms]

I learned that same lesson Hoser. What I do now is take a small Tupperware container, put about 3-4 handfuls of brass, spray on 3-4 squirts of Dillon lube, give the tub a good shake, continue on. Once I get them all done the cases go back in the tumbler for a couple hours to clean the lube off. If you lube up too many at once it will start to dry on you and get stuck.

[stodg73]

When I do my cases, I use a dillion sbd, then the carbide/trim die. On the 1050 toolhead it goes Lee universal depriming die, blank, blank, sbd, blank, trim, blank. I do about 300 cases a run.

[Hoser]

I have spent some $$$ this year upgrading machines and tooling in my shop.

My biggest purchase was a roll-sizer to augment/replace my case-pro.

It showed up a couple days ago and I could not be happier. Set up was simple and the machine runs much faster than my case-pro.

I bought 9, 38/357, 40, 45, 223 and 308 dies. I hope he makes a 30 Carbine die soon.

And my new Dillon variable speed casefeeder keeps up just fine.

It chewed through a 5 gallon bucket of 9x19 brass in about an hour.

https://www.rollsizer.com/product/electric-drive-brass-rollsizer/

[spqrzilla]

Nice, Hoser, very jealous.

[ray1970]

Today I cleaned and organized my reloading bench.

Winter will be gone before you know it so I need to start loading some 9mm before the 2020 shooting season kicks off.

[ray1970]

Got tired of breathing corncob and walnut dust just to get range brass that still looked like range brass after all day in the tumbler. Picked up a rotary tumbler and some of those stainless pins and went the wet route. Two hours later that range brass looks darn near like new brass.

[Hoser]

I have an intense dislike of cords cluttering my my reloading bench. Between a casefeeder, bulletfeeder, trimmer and starlight LED lights, that is 3-4 cords.

When I built my bench many years ago I ran the casefeeder cords into the support tube and down through the bench top to a plug inside the cabinets. While processing some brass last month for a friend I knew there had to be a way to hide the Dillon trimmer cord and mount the switch box somewhere.

So I mounted the power switch box to the bottom of the casefeeder and ran the plug end of the cord down the support tube. I ran the other end of the cord back into the casefeeder to clean up all the excess and then ran just enough out to reach the trimmer.

When I am not using the trimmer, I just tuck the one end of the cord up and out of the way.

If you look close at one of the pics you will see an empty outlet and no cords.

https://i.imgur.com/DJOuk4q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6Bbi5hw.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rHR1SFC.jpg

[Erni]

Well, processed 400+ cases thru clean, size and decap. Belling and priming is next. If course after all that work I find some straglers that need to be done too.

[Great-Kazoo]

finished priming and painting the new reloading room. Almost done laying down stall mats, materials on hand for running overhead LED shop lights.

This < > close to getting that out of the way.

[Duman]

Kazoo, do you ever sleep?

[Gman]

The ass-kickinist one legged guy I know of.

[Great-Kazoo]

Kazoo, do you ever sleep?

Rust never sleeps ;)

[whitewalrus]

Got tired of breathing corncob and walnut dust just to get range brass that still looked like range brass after all day in the tumbler. Picked up a rotary tumbler and some of those stainless pins and went the wet route. Two hours later that range brass looks darn near like new brass.

Which tumbler did you pick up? I been contemplating the same thing after I processed a few 5 gallon buckets of brass.

[Hoser]

Annealing brass just got a whole lot less labor intensive for me.

https://i.imgur.com/BUtIbI3.jpg

[Great-Kazoo]

Annealing brass just got a whole lot less labor intensive for me.

https://i.imgur.com/BUtIbI3.jpg

The AMP Mate, nice..

[spqrzilla]

Annealing brass just got a whole lot less labor intensive for me.

https://i.imgur.com/BUtIbI3.jpg

That needs Bill Mumy doing an endorsement photo.

[Great-Kazoo]

That needs Bill Mumy doing an endorsement photo.

3/4 of the forum members are, Bill Mumy ??????????????

I think Leslie Neilsen would be a more obscure reference for that.

[Duman]

Danger Will Robinson... ?? Just a guess....

[Duman]

Got tired of breathing corncob and walnut dust just to get range brass that still looked like range brass after all day in the tumbler. Picked up a rotary tumbler and some of those stainless pins and went the wet route. Two hours later that range brass looks darn near like new brass.

Former Cheetos dude...what flavor tumbler, etc., are you now using?

I'm putting together a shopping list...??.

[ray1970]

I don?t know if I went the best route but I ended up buying the Frankford Arsenal kit. The larger one that?s rated for like 1K pieces of 223. Only used it twice so far but it works really well. My method for unloading it is sort of a pain. I need to come up with a double layer strainer system to catch the brass in the top layer and the pins in the lower layer. I?d say compared to the old vibratory tumbler it?s more of a pain but the results are way better so the extra work of sorting the pins from the brass and drying the brass is worth it to me.

[ray1970]

I?ve also determined that warm water, a teaspoon or so of dish soap, and about a teaspoon of lemon juice works great. No need to spend money on any sort of magical cleaning solution.

[Hoser]

Rollsized two 5-gallon buckets of 308 brass today. Such a cool machine.

https://www.rollsizer.com

https://i.imgur.com/outaQ4n.jpg

[Duman]

Hoser, what is the size of that motor?

I'm assuming it's 1/2-HP, 1750-RPM ?

[ray1970]

Nice. Hoser is rolling his own.

[Hoser]

Hoser, what is the size of that motor?

I'm assuming it's 1/2-HP, 1750-RPM ?

Not sure. But it has a lot more power compared to the PW autodrive I had hooked up to my Case-Pro.

[Hoser]

Nice. Hoser is rolling his own.

I think I bought my Case-Pro/Rollsizer in the mid-late 90s. They make loading ammo so much easier and your reloads much more reliable.

[Duman]

I'm curious if you've taken some pre/post measurements to get an idea of how much the rollsizer is improving the case.

[Hoser]

I'm curious if you've taken some pre/post measurements to get an idea of how much the rollsizer is improving the case.


Yes. A roll sized case will be right at SAAMI spec or about .001 under vs full length resized case.

A roll sized case will be at SAAMI spec all the way down vs a reloaded case which can have a bit of a bulge at the bottom if the chamber was on the large size or if the ammo was on the hot end of things.

A resize die cant go all the way down due to the shell holder and radius on the bottom of a die. You cant get around those two with traditional dies.

[Great-Kazoo]

Yes. A roll sized case will be right at SAAMI spec or about .001 under vs full length resized case.

A roll sized case will be at SAAMI spec all the way down vs a reloaded case which can have a bit of a bulge at the bottom if the chamber was on the large size or if the ammo was on the hot end of things.

A resize die cant go all the way down due to the shell holder and radius on the bottom of a die. You cant get around those two with traditional dies.

So, you deprime on one unit, then size with this machine, correct?

[Hoser]

So, you deprime on one unit, then size with this machine, correct?

No need to deprime prior to roll-sizing.

Tumble clean, roll-size it and then load it on my 1050.

[Great-Kazoo]

Got the portable ac/heat unit set up and running today. Tomorrow i plumb in the utility sink.

[Hoser]

Roll sized and processed a bunch of 223 and 308 for a member here. When you add roll sizing to a carbide trim die, life is so much easier.

Also got a little bit of full power 470 Nitro ammo loaded for myself. About 102 gns of H4831 under a 500 gn bullet makes for a good time. Not nearly the harsh recoil of a 458 Lott or 460 Wby.

[rondog]

Just sellin' brass on another forum, gathering gun safe funds.....

[spqrzilla]

Also got a little bit of full power 470 Nitro ammo loaded for myself. About 102 gns of H4831 under a 500 gn bullet makes for a good time.

102 grains?

Ah, loading with a shovel for a powder measure....

[Duman]

Also got a little bit of full power 470 Nitro ammo loaded for myself. About 102 gns of H4831 under a 500 gn bullet makes for a good time. Not nearly the harsh recoil of a 458 Lott or 460 Wby.

You are a sick, sick man..... [Coffee]

[Duman]

I like the roll-sizer machine, but it's a bit pricey.

[Hoser]

You are a sick, sick man.....

Just because I can, I loaded up 10 rounds with 115 gns of Retumbo. Should make for an impressive fireball.

[spqrzilla]

Ill be in my bunk....

[Hoser]

Updated the software on my AMP annealer and AMP-Mate. Back to the races there while I plow through processing this 5 gallon bucket of 223 brass for a forum member.

[DenverGP]

Over the past few days loaded up a thousand rounds of 9mm 124gr on my slow Lee turret press.

Noticed something weird that I hadn't seen before... I'm using the Lee drum powder measure. It has been 100% rock solid. I dialed it in a few years ago for 5.3gr of CFE pistol powder, and every single time I start loading again, I check a few, and without any adjustment, it's always rock solid 5.3gr. Last night I finished up a bottle of powder, so pulled out a new bottle, exact same stuff, purchased around the same timeframe as the last bottle. With the new can, I was getting 5.4-5.5gr per throw. So it seems like for some reason the powder in the new bottle is slightly denser than the previous bottle. A small adjustment, and it's back to 5.3 every time, no variation over the last 500-600 rounds.

[Tim K]

Seems like this thread ought to have a lot of activity right at the moment. I know several of you have probably loaded every empty piece of brass you own by now...

[DenverGP]

After seeing other members discussing using one of the usb endoscopes as a powder check, decided to try it out. I've got a endoscope that plugs into my phone, picked it up on amazon for $20. It's small enough to fit down the barrel of a .223. Makes it easy to observe the powder level in the round before adding the bullet. Not a major concern on my turret press, but will be once I finally make the move to progressive.

ended up putting the video onto youtube... it didn't embed using google or vimeo.


https://youtu.be/16G1ZHOZfh4

[stevew]

Well I lost one of my index pins on my Dillon 550 so spent an hour or so going through my 40gal garbage can and then my large shop vac and moving this and that and never did find it. I have a setup where my Dillon is mounted on a 3 1/2 foot 2x12 and the Swagger is at the other end. I use welding clamp vice grips to secure it to the workbench by opening a drawer. Well either in moving it from the closet to the bench or while sucking up some spilled powder it went missing. Fun time. Off to find a website that can ship me one now... I like that endoscope idea so may get one of those.

[thedave1164]

Loaded up 1500 9mm, cast another 1000 or so, will powder coat tomorrow

[bobbyfairbanks]

Processed 1500 pieces of 6.5CM. FINALLY caught up

[Mazin]

Just been tumbling brass but i need to get some more cobb and flitz. (Yea just haven't upgraded to Wet & SS yet)

[Hoser]

Just been tumbling brass but i need to get some more cobb and flitz. (Yea just haven't upgraded to Wet & SS yet)


It isnt an upgrade. Its just different. It cuts down on the dust is all. It is much more time intensive.

[Hoser]

Loaded up every piece of 470 Nitro brass I have.

Now I have enough dangerous game ammo for my next few lifetimes.

[XC700116]

It isnt an upgrade. Its just different. It cuts down on the dust is all. It is much more time intensive.

Yup, there's actually some downside beyond having to dry it out.

I did some testing on it and found that in precision rifle ammo, Velocity ES/SD was greater with Wet/SS than with dry tumbling. I'm pretty sure it comes down to leaving the carbon in the neck with dry tumbling, whereas wet will remove it to some extent creating less consistent Friction on the bullet. But that part is jut my theory. However testing numerous times the velocity thing is real.

[ray1970]

I?ve got a bunch of brass processed and ready to load.

Need to get some components rounded up and start loading some rounds.

[whitewalrus]

I?ve got a bunch of brass processed and ready to load.

Need to get some components rounded up and start loading some rounds.

Seems reloading components have been hit pretty hard in the panic as well.

[beast556]

Seems like this thread ought to have a lot of activity right at the moment. I know several of you have probably loaded every empty piece of brass you own by now...

I have been processing tons of brass on the weekends, still having to go to work weekdays. Gonna load 100rds of 223 52gr smk tonight to shoot this weekend.

[whitewalrus]

I have a ton of brass to process as well, but the 650 is down, part on the way from Dillon.

[mattiooo]

Tumbling a bunch of brass while I work remotely. Getting it ready for some weekend processing. I'm also going to work on one of two bags of cleaned 223 I've had sitting around forever. Planning to show my son how to set up a pistol caliber on the 550 this weekend and let him work through all the steps with me.

[spqrzilla]

Set up the 550 press for 5.56mm and ran off a handful of test rounds. Fired them for good results. Set up a turret press for .308 Win.

[stevew]

Anyone have a method of ensuring powder doesn't get hung up in the powder drop on the 550 when doing 5.56? Using 4198 and 99% of the time it seems I don't have a problem but when it does hang up and then falls all over the place when I move to the next station its a pain. Saw on Dillons site one forum message suggested putting a vibration device that was foot operated and use it during the drop. Wouldn't know where to get something like that so wondering if anyone else has to deal with this.

[O2HeN2]

Anyone have a method of ensuring powder doesn't get hung up in the powder drop on the 550 when doing 5.56?

Hoser has a post about how to polish a Dillon powder measure in this subforum. Do a search (sorry, I'm only hit-n-running the forum this morning).

O2

[stevew]

Thanks. Found it. Plus last post there from someone mentioned using a fish tank bubbler, hadn't thought of that, might be something like that around here.


Hoser has a post about how to polish a Dillon powder measure in this subforum. Do a search (sorry, I'm only hit-n-running the forum this morning).

O2

[earplug]

124 grain FMJ and titegroup for my 9MM. This is easier then casting projectiles .

[powerstroke79]

200 rounds 308 win 175gr match kings over 42.9gr of IMR 4064

[whitewalrus]

Got the 650 up and running. Sizing/trimming 223. Got a long way to go with the few buckets I have.

[stevew]

Just a follow up. I tried to figure a way to mount something to vibrate the powder measure but didn't find one with what I had hanging around. Instead I used compressed air and blew out any and all particles that may have been in the shell holder area and also grabbed a rubber handled screwdriver and used it to give two taps on the powder measure where you have the screws that hold it to the die. I did this every time the case went up to get powder. I didn't see one bit of powder spill in 200 rounds loading 223. Shining up the powder measure like Hoser suggested will be coming in the future but for now at least it solved my issue just tapping it.


Thanks. Found it. Plus last post there from someone mentioned using a fish tank bubbler, hadn't thought of that, might be something like that around here.

[Irving]

Steve do you have a baffle in the powder measure to relieve bridging of the granules? Sometimes the weight of the entire column of powder causes the grains to lock together and a baffle can support the majority of that weight to help prevent that. Not sure if that is the exact issue, but something to think about. Pretty easy to make your own since it's just a bent piece of metal.

[stevew]

Hadn't heard of a baffle used in it. I have had a Square Deal B for 45acp for years and no problem with it so never looked for any solutions to anything Dillon wise but I just recently got into using the 550C for 223 so besides about 400 rounds through it I have had no experience with the ins and outs of possible issues till now. There is a bridge looking bar in the bottom of the powder measure if that is what you are talking about.


Steve do you have a baffle in the powder measure to relieve bridging of the granules? Sometimes the weight of the entire column of powder causes the grains to lock together and a baffle can support the majority of that weight to help prevent that. Not sure if that is the exact issue, but something to think about. Pretty easy to make your own since it's just a bent piece of metal.

[Hoser]

Dillon measures have an integral triangle shaped baffle.

Polishing and changing the shape of the powder funnel helps huge with stick powders.

[Linkless]

I loaded up the last 300 rounds of my Montana Gold 124jhp in 9mm along with 100 rounds with the 147CMJ's. Need to test the 147 loads in my Colt Carbine to make sure they are subsonic and cycle then go to town on the other 2900.

[Hoser]

Montana Gold makes/made really good bullets. Too bad they went stupid and gouged everyone, including their distributers, after Sandy Hook. After I used up my stock of them I switched over to Precision Delta, Zero and coated lead.

[whitewalrus]

Got the 650 up and running. Sizing/trimming 223. Got a long way to go with the few buckets I have.

Doing 50-100 at a time is going slow, but I already made it thru half of the 5 gallon bucket.

Then I will be trying the hornady LNL primer pocket swage I picked up a few weeks ago. The Dillon super swage would be too lot going thru the amount I have.

[whitewalrus]

Montana Gold makes/made really good bullets. Too bad they went stupid and gouged everyone, including their distributers, after Sandy Hook. After I used up my stock of them I switched over to Precision Delta, Zero and coated lead.

Have you used eggleston since the change in ownership? I did like their bullets after trying them out.

[Hoser]

Have you used eggleston since the change in ownership? I did like their bullets after trying them out.

Nope. Their prices went way up and there are other options out there. Look for Gallant and Blue Bullets. Both are better than Eggleston.

The gallant 217gn 30 caliber bullet is awesome in 300 Whisper/Blackout.

[20X11]

Doing 50-100 at a time is going slow, but I already made it thru half of the 5 gallon bucket.

Then I will be trying the hornady LNL primer pocket swage I picked up a few weeks ago. The Dillon super swage would be too lot going thru the amount I have.

Sounds like you need one of these...
http://uniquetek.com/product/T1568-6

[whitewalrus]

Sounds like you need one of these...
http://uniquetek.com/product/T1568-6

I had seen that but I am not sure that the shell plate was designed to have that amount of force on it. But I?m sure that others are using it without issue.

[Duman]

Nope. Their prices went way up and there are other options out there. Look for Gallant and Blue Bullets. Both are better than Eggleston.

The gallant 217gn 30 caliber bullet is awesome in 300 Whisper/Blackout.

So... the Gallant 217gn is a cast-lead bullet with polymer coating? How does it compare to something like a JHP?

[Hoser]

I had seen that but I am not sure that the shell plate was designed to have that amount of force on it. But I?m sure that others are using it without issue.

If you crack a shellplate using one of those, Dillon will not warranty it.

[Hoser]

So... the Gallant 217gn is a cast-lead bullet with polymer coating? How does it compare to something like a JHP?


Yup. Just coated lead.

At 300 Whisper/Blackout velocities they behave just like a JHP, minimal expansion. They do mushroom a touch, but more often that anything they just bend.

[Duman]

Yup. Just coated lead.

At 300 Whisper/Blackout velocities they behave just like a JHP, minimal expansion. They do mushroom a touch, but more often that anything they just bend.

Good info, thanks!

[20X11]

If you crack a shellplate using one of those, Dillon will not warranty it.
I'll let you know how it works out.

[whitewalrus]

I'll let you know how it works out.

Probably would work fine for 223. I wouldn?t use it on LC 7.62, those crimps take a lot of force to get out last time I did some.

I am curious as to how it works out as well.

[jreifsch80]

I'm curious how the newly released lee auto prep press will work out for swaging primer pockets

[bobbyfairbanks]

Yup. Just coated lead.

At 300 Whisper/Blackout velocities they behave just like a JHP, minimal expansion. They do mushroom a touch, but more often that anything they just bend.

Are you still shooting the Speer 125 tnt for your supers?

[whitewalrus]

Are you still shooting the Speer 125 tnt for your supers?

I use those for my Supers. They do well

[Hoser]

Are you still shooting the Speer 125 tnt for your supers?

Yes. Awesome bullet. Kind of my all around 30 caliber plinking bullet. Incredible accurate and will stop a deer or coyote in their tracks.

Not as cool looking as the 125 Sierra or 110 Barnes through.

[whitewalrus]

Almost done with the first 5 gallon bucket of 223 for the size/trim.

Curious as to what others do after trimming using the Dillon RapidTrim. Edges of the brass feel pretty sharp, but there doesn't appear to be any burrs. Do you bother to chamfer/deburr? Will be using 55 gr FMJBT, so I don't think they will be shaved when seating, and these are just plinking rounds - mixed brass.

[Hoser]

Almost done with the first 5 gallon bucket of 223 for the size/trim.

Curious as to what others do after trimming using the Dillon RapidTrim. Edges of the brass feel pretty sharp, but there doesn't appear to be any burrs. Do you bother to chamfer/deburr? Will be using 55 gr FMJBT, so I don't think they will be shaved when seating, and these are just plinking rounds - mixed brass.


Just toss it in a tumbler for 1.5 - 2 hours and the edges will soften up. I slightly overload my tumbler so the brass will rub against each other.

[whitewalrus]

Just toss it in a tumbler for 1.5 - 2 hours and the edges will soften up. I slightly overload my tumbler so the brass will rub against each other.

Thanks, that was what I was hoping to hear.

[beast556]

I fully preped 500 9mm cases there ready to load and Primed 300 cases of 223. Then I loaded 30rds of 69 smk and 30rds of 68gr otm and 35rds of 52gr otm to shoot on Thursday.

[bobbyfairbanks]

Cleaned. You can walk in it now

[Great-Kazoo]

Post #172

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/177956-Bored-yet/page5


Second project, in planning stage
Currently considering cutting a hole thru the wall. This way i can put the vacuum in the other room, run hose thru wall onto case trimmer.

[O2HeN2]

Cleaned. You can walk in it now

This is my current problem...

O2

[whitewalrus]

Post #172

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/177956-Bored-yet/page5


Second project, in planning stage
Currently considering cutting a hole thru the wall. This way i can put the vacuum in the other room, run hose thru wall onto case trimmer.

I have seen people on other forums use a 5 gallon bucket between the vacuum and the case trimmer. Guess this would make it easier to take to the scrap yard and then you can have the vacuum further away. It does get obnoxious when it is going, the trimmer and the case feeder aren't bad until you kick on the vacuum.

[Rak320]

Loaded 10 test 45/70. 325 FTX with some Accurate 2015.

[Hoser]

I have been so busy processing 556 brass for people I totally forgot to do something for myself.

I found a nice quiet load for 300 Whisper/Blackout with a low ES.

10.3 gns of AA1680 with Lake City brass and Gallant coated 217gn coated lead.

Once I settled on a load I loaded up the rest of the case. I think they come 2,100 to a case.

Now back to processing 556 brass...

[JohnnyDrama]

I sorted and counted .38 Special and .357 Magnum brass. I came to the conclusion that I "needed" more .357 to justify changing the toolhead in my Dillon so I went to the range. I've got plenty of brass now.

[two shoes]

I finally loaded some ammo after an 8 year break...
Also threw together a cover for my LnL AP... I used to work on sewing machines, so I know my way around them... Just didn't have any experience with making something that existed in my head...
81174

[O2HeN2]

Loaded 200 rounds of .357 Subsonic to coach someone tomorrow.

Thank gawd for suppressors becoming popular. 20 years ago I would have labelled it "Pansy loads". But in today's lingo "Subsonic" sounds so much more tacticool.

O2

[whitewalrus]

Loaded 200 rounds of .357 Subsonic to coach someone tomorrow.

Thank gawd for suppressors becoming popular. 20 years ago I would have labelled it "Pansy loads". But in today's lingo "Subsonic" sounds so much more tacticool.

O2

"Reduced Recoil" is the lingo for the rifle and shotgun loads that aren't subsonic, but dialed down for those who don't need to kill their shoulder completely.

Why not use 38 special loads? Or do you need to keep "magnum" in the name?

[O2HeN2]

Why not use 38 special loads? Or do you need to keep "magnum" in the name?

Using .357 brass avoids the bathtub ring left by the shorter .38 Special cases.

O2

[Great-Kazoo]

Using .357 brass avoids the bathtub ring left by the shorter .38 Special cases.

O2

did you load to 38 spl powder weight? or go with one of the 357 loads that keep it around 1000-1100 fps?

[Great-Kazoo]

needed a 1 1/8" wrench for the case trimmer , regular ones are too thick to fit between trimmer & tool head. So i made one.

https://i.imgur.com/GNYicoOm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dFTDjVFm.jpg

[whitewalrus]

needed a 1 1/8" wrench for the case trimmer , regular ones are too thick to fit between trimmer & tool head. So i made one.

https://i.imgur.com/GNYicoOm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dFTDjVFm.jpg

looks better than me taking an angle grinder to a harbor freight wrench to get the jaws thinner. That looks really good.

[Great-Kazoo]

looks better than me taking an angle grinder to a harbor freight wrench to get the jaws thinner. That looks really good.

thanks. I was considering that route then said, why not. This scrap is here for projects like this.

I was going to use a piece of flat steel for the handle, then saw a long piece of 1/2" tubing on the rack. Actually turned out, cosmetic wise, better that i thought it would.

Tomorrow i'm making some axles for a generac generator. Those solid wheels are nice, but a bitch to move through 2" of driveway rock.

Hoping to adapt some tube style tractor tires to it. Unless i get SQUIRRELED and go shooting. ;)

[beast556]

Tumbled 1300rd of 9mm, will get them preped to load by the weekend. Loaded 150rds of 9mm for Thursday.

[jreifsch80]

Yesterday I loaded some more 68gr varget 223 test loads to try out as soon as im able

[izzy]

Yesterday I loaded some more 68gr varget 223 test loads to try out as soon as im able

68 grains of varget is how I read that at first. Was all "damn how'd he fit that much?" Lol

[Frac]

It just crunches a little when you seat the bullet...


I sent off three bullets to RCBS for a custom seating stem. They should receive the package today.

[Great-Kazoo]

I'm curious how the newly released lee auto prep press will work out for swaging primer pockets

I'll let you know when my 3d printed case feeder gets here.

[20X11]

Processed 450 rounds of Hornady 300 Whisper(yes, these are factory crimped) rounds including the Swage It device mounted on the Dillon press. It worked great!

[O2HeN2]

did you load to 38 spl powder weight? or go with one of the 357 loads that keep it around 1000-1100 fps?

I really need to chrono it, but I'm loading 5.0 gr of 231 behind a 158gr LSWC. So it's in between .38 special and .357 loadings.

With revolvers I'm kinda an "eh, that'll work" type.

O2

[beast556]

Just loaded 50rds of 168gr otm 308 with various charges of varget for this weekend. If varget doesn't pan out I'm gonna try ar comp for next weekend.

[Hoser]

I have been pretty busy these past few weeks processing brass for friends. Finally got around to doing something for myself.

I turned a 5 gallon bucket of Lake City 223 brass into 300 Whisper/Blackout brass.

Running it through the annealer and then it will be time to load up another batch of Gallant 217gn BT coated lead for plinking.

[Rak320]

Finally got around to sorting and tumbling a bunch of range pick up brass...A good problem to have.

[Hoser]

Started loading up 223 ammo again. I have enough brass on hand to wrap up two 8 lb jugs of CFE223.

I normally use Varget, but I am going to keep that for bolt gun ammo for now.

27.3 gns of CFE223 and a Hornady 55 FMJ go the same velocity as 26.5 gns of Varget, and it will also shoot just under 1 MOA 10 shot groups out to 400 yards. Time will tell if it is really cuts down on copper fouling. Not that is a huge concern, I have access to cleaning rods and patches...

[buffalobo]

Started loading up 223 ammo again. I have enough brass on hand to wrap up two 8 lb jugs of CFE223.

I normally use Varget, but I am going to keep that for bolt gun ammo for now.

27.3 gns of CFE223 and a Hornady 55 FMJ go the same velocity as 26.5 gns of Varget, and it will also shoot just under 1 MOA 10 shot groups out to 400 yards. Time will tell if it is really cuts down on copper fouling. Not that is a huge concern, I have access to cleaning rods and patches...

Cleaning? Need to rent some minions? Cleaning can cut into trigger time ya know.

Oldest minion will be learning reloading for pistol this summer and hopefully rifle over the winter.

[Great-Kazoo]

large dillon tumbler is b/o until who knows when. So i converted a treadmill in to one.



http://i.imgur.com/uo4Ezb4l.mp4 (https://imgur.com/uo4Ezb4)

[Hoser]

Made up some 300 Whisper/BLLK brass for a local guy this weekend.

Turns out that Hornady Frontier brass is garbage for 300 Whisper. What a pain in my ass.

Stick with LC and life is good.

[thedave1164]

Loaded up 2K of 223, 55gr FMJ over H335

Loaded 250 40gr Vmax over 5gr Blue Dot

[whitewalrus]

Loaded up 2K of 223, 55gr FMJ over H335


This is what I am doing today. Just not the qty

[earplug]

Does looking for a SIG 938 safety spring and plunger count if it went flying in the reloading room?

[O2HeN2]

Does looking for a SIG 938 safety spring and plunger count if it went flying in the reloading room?

"Mission control, we have a launch"

- Gary Kimball, gunsmith and [at the time, mid to late 80s] instructor at the Trinidad Gunsmithing School when a 1911 firing pin was heard hitting the ceiling during a class...

[jreifsch80]

Yesterday (friday) I tried out some loads with 55gr hornady fmj's im really liking the 25.5-26.4 range of win748 with those. Also was happy to discover h4198 cycles my 20" with the same bullets and 20.4gr now just impatiently waiting for my lee loadmaster to show up on sunday. After about 8 years loading on an rcbs partner press its time to get progressive lol (on a budget)

[thedave1164]

10 rds of .224 Valkyrie with Berger 80.5 fullbore's and 10 more with 88 ELD-M's

gonna see how the 224 Valk likes the reloads

[Mazin]

Same thing different day just working and finishing up tumbling 223/556 brass. Almost done tumbling all my brass though so in about a week I'll be able to start sizing. Sizing should take a while considering I have a few full 5 ga buckets of 45, 9 and 223. Only going to do lots of 1k at a time though so I can start actually making some bang bangs.

[Great-Kazoo]

I'm including this info here as well as buyer intel section, since not everyone looks at either. This place and american reloading have decent deals on powder.

redeyereloading.com

ALL POWDER PRICES INCLUDE FREE SHIPPING AND HAZMAT!



WC846 (BLC-2) Military Smokeless Rifle Powder
8lbs $160
16lbs $270
32lbs $475
64lbs $975

WC844 (H335) Military Smokeless Rifle Powder
8lbs $160
16lbs $270
32lbs $475
64lbs $975

WC842 (Copper Fouling Eliminator) Military Smokeless Rifle Powder
8lbs $160
16lbs $270
32lbs $475

MP475 Military Smokeless Rifle Powder
8lbs $160
16lbs $270
32lbs $475

WC860 (H870 50BMG) Military Smokeless Rifle Powder
8lbs $160
16lbs $270
32lbs $475

[thedave1164]

Bought some bullets to work up a load for my new 300 win mag

215 Berger Hybrid Target
212 Hornady ELD-X
210 Nosler ABLR

[jreifsch80]

Yesterday got my new lee loadmaster up and running in .223 its working great

[whitewalrus]

Yesterday got my new lee loadmaster up and running in .223 its working great

Always great to go from single stage to progressive!

[Erni]

I found my reloading book, found the brass I need to reload.

[Not_A_Llama]

Took the plunge. Bought an RL1100. Another 10 and I can aspire to be like Hoser.

Edit: Anyone seen any E3 powder in stock around Denver? Have a feeling I'll be running through supplies quicker..

[Hoser]

Took the plunge. Bought an RL1100.

The 1100 is an awesome press. You are going to love it.

Time will tell, but I think the 1100 is a better press than the Super 1050 for most people out there.

[jreifsch80]

Anyone using a mark 7 press?

Anyway was back to the grind stone today loaded all my win 748 under 55gr in 223 (about 350 rounds) and then processed a freezer bag of random year lake city, im loving the loadmaster lol then again any AP press is nice after 8 or so years on a rcbs pardner press ��

[Great-Kazoo]

Anyone using a mark 7 press?

Anyway was back to the grind stone today loaded all my win 748 under 55gr in 223 (about 350 rounds) and then processed a freezer bag of random year lake city, im loving the loadmaster lol then again any AP press is nice after 8 or so years on a rcbs pardner press ��

Now imagine one of the APP deluxe presses, for that military brass.

[jreifsch80]

Anyone using a mark 7 press?

Anyway was back to the grind stone today loaded all my win 748 under 55gr in 223 (about 350 rounds) and then processed a freezer bag of random year lake city, im loving the loadmaster lol then again any AP press is nice after 8 or so years on a rcbs pardner press ��

Now imagine one of the APP deluxe presses, for that military brass.

Yeah i know i think an app will be my next press

By the way all my die sets are rcbs and redding but i must admit the lee dies are pretty decent. The massive decapping rod saved my bacon 2 times today when a berdan 223 case snuck into my random lake city stash, they just pushed the decaping rod up

[20X11]

Looked at the Mark 7... $4,000 entry cost (and up to $13,000 fully loaded) made me realize I would need to be in the manufacturing business to justify it. For a hobby reloader like myself, even the Dillon 1050/1100 was a little much considering the cost of setting one up for 5 calibers is $3,000+. So, I settled for the Dillon 750, which I am now in over $1500 for 4 calibers. Not sure I shouldn't have kept my RCBS Pro2000 and been happy for the couple thousand rounds a year I may load, but that is officially "water under the bridge" now.

[Hoser]

Anyone using a mark 7 press?


I dont know of anyone locally.

I thought about getting one, but then realized my Dillons do all I need.

[jreifsch80]

Well the mark 7 evolution (manual press) is "only" $3000 lol but even thats a grand over a dillon 1050. Just curious to see how people like them they seem to have nice features but like you said its for serious ammo production.

[20X11]

Well the mark 7 evolution (manual press) is "only" $3000 lol but even thats a grand over a dillon 1050. Just curious to see how people like them they seem to have nice features but like you said its for serious ammo production.

Well, Yes, $3,000 for a single caliber...when I configured it for 4 calibers, it was over $4,000.

[Hoser]

Spent some time getting my new Henderson case trimmer dialed in.

Once I had it set up for a few different calibers, I ran through about 2,000 223 Ackley cases for my gas guns. When I was done my fingers didnt hurt and I didnt have to wear a glove to keep from getting blisters. And doing the final trim/chamfer on 300 Whisper brass wont suck now.

I really like my Giraud, but this is a better mouse trap.

[whitewalrus]

Spent some time getting my new Henderson case trimmer dialed in.

Once I had it set up for a few different calibers, I ran through about 2,000 223 Ackley cases for my gas guns. When I was done my fingers didnt hurt and I didnt have to wear a glove to keep from getting blisters. And doing the final trim/chamfer on 300 Whisper brass wont suck now.

I really like my Giraud, but this is a better mouse trap.

Was curious as to why you sold the Giraud. I like mine, but as you mention you have to wear a glove when doing it and the fingers do get sore from holding the cases. I do need to pickup the 300 blk holder so I can start doing those on it instead of the RCBS trim pro.

[jreifsch80]

Loaded about 300rds of 223 with 55gr over h4198 (I have some random powders in using up) cycles all the gas guns just fine

[Not_A_Llama]

Ran my first hundred in the RL1100 last night.

I'm going to run this as an initial impressions type of narrative, so as to see how my opinion differs as time goes on.

It's not quite the "angels singing" type of experience I expected.

As shipped, it's a very.. greasy, molasses-y press. It feels slow, even if the production rate is good. There's very little feel to the process.

I feel like the high production rate of the machine is largely tied to reducing problems, rather than being a slick machine. Corollary: it seems hard to solve problems that do arise (I know this will get better)

Between the molasses feel of the grease, the prime-on-downstroke mechanism, the primer pocket swaging, and Dillon's hyperaggressive cokebottle sizing die, I actually ended up a bit tired just running the press.


I'll keep learning the press and what it takes to optimize. Maybe in a week, I'll have found out half of these initial impressions were wrong. It'll be fun.


Background: Lee hand press, Lee Pro1000, Hornady Lock-N-Load AP, Dillon Square Deal B
Minor niggles: half the primers don't end up in the spent primer cup. A washer was missing. Holy crap there is a lot of grease in this thing. A graduated tool-free powder measure screw should be standard.

[Hoser]

Ran my first hundred in the RL1100 last night.

I'm going to run this as an initial impressions type of narrative, so as to see how my opinion differs as time goes on.

It's not quite the "angels singing" type of experience I expected.

As shipped, it's a very.. greasy, molasses-y press. It feels slow, even if the production rate is good. There's very little feel to the process.

I feel like the high production rate of the machine is largely tied to reducing problems, rather than being a slick machine. Corollary: it seems hard to solve problems that do arise (I know this will get better)

Between the molasses feel of the grease, the prime-on-downstroke mechanism, the primer pocket swaging, and Dillon's hyperaggressive cokebottle sizing die, I actually ended up a bit tired just running the press.


I'll keep learning the press and what it takes to optimize. Maybe in a week, I'll have found out half of these initial impressions were wrong. It'll be fun.


Background: Lee hand press, Lee Pro1000, Hornady Lock-N-Load AP, Dillon Square Deal B
Minor niggles: half the primers don't end up in the spent primer cup. A washer was missing. Holy crap there is a lot of grease in this thing. A graduated tool-free powder measure screw should be standard.

Your doing a lot of things at once on a 1050/1100.

Best advice I can give it so be sure to use Hornady One Shot case lube and get rid of the Dillon FL resize die.

[Not_A_Llama]

Do you have a recommendation for resizing die? I tend to reach for Lee. I see people are excited about Mighty Armory, but $100 for a sizing die is.. special.

[Hoser]

Do you have a recommendation for resizing die? I tend to reach for Lee. I see people are excited about Mighty Armory, but $100 for a sizing die is.. special.

I am using Redding resize dies. They dont make 9mm ammo look like coke bottles.

I am assuming you are loading 9mm.

[Not_A_Llama]

I am using Redding resize dies. They dont make 9mm ammo look like coke bottles.

I am assuming you are loading 9mm.
Sorry, yes, 9mm. I guess the coke bottle reference gave it away.

Had a fun series of malfs today:
-A primer didn't fully decap. Swager smeared the dead primer into its own pocket. Not sure what would have happened in the priming station, but I imagine excitement.
-A couple dead primers stacked up against the lip of the spent primer cup, piling up primer carcasses into the chute. Stopped the machine cold.

[Hoser]

Last night my D5 reloading case counter for the new style Dillon Casefeeder showed up.

It took all of 5 minutes to install. No wire cutting or perm mods to the Dillon faceplate.

I stuck it on the casefeeder for my rollsizer. The LED lights are even Dillon Blue...

The 3 buttons on the bottom can manually increase the case count, zero it and decrease it. It even remembers the number after you have power the casefeeder off and on.

https://i.imgur.com/Zmj9HVr.jpg

[Hoser]

Sorry, yes, 9mm. I guess the coke bottle reference gave it away.

Had a fun series of malfs today:
-A primer didn't fully decap. Swager smeared the dead primer into its own pocket. Not sure what would have happened in the priming station, but I imagine excitement.
-A couple dead primers stacked up against the lip of the spent primer cup, piling up primer carcasses into the chute. Stopped the machine cold.

The primer might have been pulled back in. To help get rid of that I ground off my Dillon pins at a 45 and then smoothed off the edges. It seemed to help. Kind of a known gotcha on Dillon decap pins. In the end, different dies mostly fixed it. Every once in a while it happens. If the next station the swage rod reseats/mangles it, dont toss that case back in rotation. I did that a few times. That case is now dead because the primer pocked is most likely too deep now and primers might not bottom out and light off next time. For me is was not even 50-50. It took a while to figure it my missfires.

I have heard of that happening, but never had it happen to me. I drill out the chute and install a long aluminum sleeve so I can attach a plastic tube. This dumps dead primers in a can under the bench.

https://i.imgur.com/qJUP18Y.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IbvqIMO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LD5cURb.jpg

[Not_A_Llama]

That bucket is.. a real accomplishment. Wow. I was proud of my couple 8 pound powder jugs of dead primers here. I'm 3D printing out a primer chute to direct mine downward now.

I upped my case lube regimen, which has helped with the force required. I plan to try a Lee die off my old press, because I've never had primer get sucked back in, and the force seems lower to me.

In 9mm: I will have to research who has the shortest 147gr coated bullet, or switch to 124gr - my brass "herd" now has a large quantity of thick-walled and internally-stepped casings. Blue and Bayou 147gr bullets bulge out the walls, leading to chambering failures, even at 1.160" OAL, which is about as long as I can go and still assure reliable feeding in my mags.

[whitewalrus]

That bucket is.. a real accomplishment. Wow. I was proud of my couple 8 pound powder jugs of dead primers here. I'm 3D printing out a primer chute to direct mine downward now.

I upped my case lube regimen, which has helped with the force required. I plan to try a Lee die off my old press, because I've never had primer get sucked back in, and the force seems lower to me.

In 9mm: I will have to research who has the shortest 147gr coated bullet, or switch to 124gr - my brass "herd" now has a large quantity of thick-walled and internally-stepped casings. Blue and Bayou 147gr bullets bulge out the walls, leading to chambering failures, even at 1.160" OAL, which is about as long as I can go and still assure reliable feeding in my mags.

I use lee dies for 9mm. They don?t seem to size as aggressive as other brands that I have tried in the past or friends have. I do not lube the cases when using the 650 or Hornady LNL AP. Granted you have a lot more going on with the 1050/1100.

[Hoser]

I do not lube the cases when using the 650 or Hornady LNL AP. Granted you have a lot more going on with the 1050/1100.

Try Hornady One Shot. You will be amazed how much easier it is. Trust me.

[Not_A_Llama]

I use lee dies for 9mm. They don?t seem to size as aggressive as other brands that I have tried in the past or friends have. I do not lube the cases when using the 650 or Hornady LNL AP. Granted you have a lot more going on with the 1050/1100.
Echoing Hoser - not *needed* for carbide; but I easily tack on +50% production by lubing on my LNL AP or SDB. I kind of hate one shot as a lube, though, so I do the Lanolin sprays.

[Great-Kazoo]

That bucket is.. a real accomplishment. Wow. I was proud of my couple 8 pound powder jugs of dead primers here. I'm 3D printing out a primer chute to direct mine downward now.

I upped my case lube regimen, which has helped with the force required. I plan to try a Lee die off my old press, because I've never had primer get sucked back in, and the force seems lower to me.

In 9mm: I will have to research who has the shortest 147gr coated bullet, or switch to 124gr - my brass "herd" now has a large quantity of thick-walled and internally-stepped casings. Blue and Bayou 147gr bullets bulge out the walls, leading to chambering failures, even at 1.160" OAL, which is about as long as I can go and still assure reliable feeding in my mags.
Oddly enough a 223 case with the base cut off fits that spent primer hole snug, with a tap of a soft hammer, enough it will never fall out. Mine had 100K on it and the oly time that case was out of there was for 10K pm's




Try Hornady One Shot. You will be amazed how much easier it is. Trust me.

Absolutely.

While not a fan of 1 shot for rifle, It's a great lube for pistol brass. Spray on, size & load. There's none of that light film you get with dillon case lube, or the home made stuff.

[izzy]

Question about the 1050 and 1100. Are the powder drops that they use any better than those for the 550? I have persistent issues getting a consistent measure of powder. I typically see +- .1 gn variation sometimes .2 on some powders. The marketing materials for the 1100 say it'll produce match grade ammo but wonder if that's true if it doesn't throw a consistent amount of powder like the 550.

[O2HeN2]

Are the powder drops that they use any better than those for the 550? I have persistent issues getting a consistent measure of powder. I typically see +- .1 gn variation sometimes .2 on some powders. The marketing materials for the 1100 say it'll produce match grade ammo but wonder if that's true if it doesn't throw a consistent amount of powder like the 550.
As far as I know they're all the same ignoring a powder bar return design change about a decade or more ago.

I think the Dillon Powder Measure Tips thread (https://www.ar-15.co/threads/4606) <-(Click this) may be of some help.

O2

[izzy]

As far as I know they're all the same ignoring a powder bar return design change about a decade or more ago.

I think the Dillon Powder Measure Tips thread (https://www.ar-15.co/threads/4606) <-(Click this) may be of some help.

O2

Sweet, going to read that one now. Thank you.

[izzy]

Looks like the variation of +- 0.1 that I'm getting is "good" from reading that thread.

[thedave1164]

Looks like the variation of +- 0.1 that I'm getting is "good" from reading that thread.

Yeah, so you really don’t want to be throwing “maximum” charges, at least I don’t, only when I am weighing every charge

[Not_A_Llama]

Looks like the variation of +- 0.1 that I'm getting is "good" from reading that thread.

A resilient accuracy node will probably be much wider than 0.1gr, so this (in my view) shouldn’t matter.

[izzy]

When I'm loading pistol rounds I don't really care so much about the 0.1. With 223 I care more especially when I see higher standard deviation numbers on the chronograph.

[Not_A_Llama]

What kind of effect on target have you seen, chasing SD?

Particularly with OCW-type load development, I've noticed that SD doesn't really have much correlation with group size (I did find better correlation with ES, which makes sense, given that most people don't measure group size as mean radius). As an overall trend, higher charges/pressures produce lower SD, but my velocity loads don't correlate with my accuracy loads.

It's so pronounced in my experience that I might even define an accurate load/node as one which is insensitive to SD. Which implies to me that the negative impact of poor node selection is far more detrimental than the impact of varying velocities.

FWIW: I find my Hornady measures are more accurate with Varget & friends than Dillon.

[izzy]

As you can probably tell I'm still pretty new to all this so I have pretty much no idea what you just said. Not sure what a "node" is. As far as looking at SD it's a number I figure is a case of lower the better. The goal for me may seem silly. One day while shooting with a friend we started asking "how far can we push an AR with a 16" barrel?" and ever since I've been working on loads to answer that question. Not looking at groups at all but just trying to ring steel. Knowing nothing more than consistency in powder and chronograph readings ect must be better that's been a thing I've been keeping track of. I do appreciate any lesson that can be handed down so please do correct me if I'm off base. I know my goal may seem ridiculous but I'm having fun.

[20X11]

Finally got around to setting up the XL750 for .45 acp...ran 100, need to make some small tweaks, but fairly happy with it. I now have toolheads setup for 4 calibers. Biggest issue I have is the priming system. The slidebar priming system still likes to start skipping primers right before the low primer alarm goes off(alarm goes off with about 4 primers left)(and yes, I have tried adding more weight to the rod). Also noticed I need to anchor my bench. If I go too fast, It will bounce primers out of the cup on the way to the shellplate which I attribute to bench movement.

[crays]

As you can probably tell I'm still pretty new to all this so I have pretty much no idea what you just said. Not sure what a "node" is. As far as looking at SD it's a number I figure is a case of lower the better. The goal for me may seem silly. One day while shooting with a friend we started asking "how far can we push an AR with a 16" barrel?" and ever since I've been working on loads to answer that question. Not looking at groups at all but just trying to ring steel. Knowing nothing more than consistency in powder and chronograph readings ect must be better that's been a thing I've been keeping track of. I do appreciate any lesson that can be handed down so please do correct me if I'm off base. I know my goal may seem ridiculous but I'm having fun.

Try this

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/30291-How-I-work-up-a-new-reload?

[Not_A_Llama]

Ha, I actually thought you were pretty advanced. Chasing SD’s is usually an advanced reloader’s pursuit. Heck, even owning a chronograph is usually an advanced practice.

A “node” mathematically can be thought of as a point along a curve on a chart. An accuracy node is a range of powder charges that produce high accuracy. You’ll find them here and there along the range of possible charge weights.

One approach that has influenced a lot of people’s thoughts on developing loads is “ Optimal charge weight“, or OCW. You can read up on the approach here: http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/ocw-instructions/4529817134

I don’t believe the physics some people ascribe to it, but I do think it’s a sound approach.

While I think minimizing SD is a good practice, I haven’t seen low SDs predict my best groups. The impact of varying velocity can’t be denied, but it tells me that there are more important variables and metrics at play when we’re shooting for groups.

I don’t think you have a stupid pursuit - you’ll be able to exceed 1k in a 16” with discipline and 77gr SMKs.


As you can probably tell I'm still pretty new to all this so I have pretty much no idea what you just said. Not sure what a "node" is. As far as looking at SD it's a number I figure is a case of lower the better. The goal for me may seem silly. One day while shooting with a friend we started asking "how far can we push an AR with a 16" barrel?" and ever since I've been working on loads to answer that question. Not looking at groups at all but just trying to ring steel. Knowing nothing more than consistency in powder and chronograph readings ect must be better that's been a thing I've been keeping track of. I do appreciate any lesson that can be handed down so please do correct me if I'm off base. I know my goal may seem ridiculous but I'm having fun.

[izzy]

I've been loading for maybe about 2-3 years or so, just started making rifle rounds in the past 6 months or so. I'm actually reading the recommended threads and they've provided some good info. I guess I'm advanced in that I'm an engineer by schooling and trade so I started measuring the results of my "experiments" pretty quickly. I know the physics pretty well but the math I'm willing/able to do doesn't often match the real world. I love hearing the feedback because it's the smallest things that set of that lightbulb moment for me. Thanks again.

[thedave1164]

Busy cranking out 1K rounds 9mm 115 FMJ

[Not_A_Llama]

“Discovered” an almost perfect case lube for my application*. Mineral spirits. 5 drops in a freezer bag, rub around, toss in brass. Shake. Evaporates in about 3 hours. I unfortunately now have a gallon of a product that gets used 5 drops at a time.

*9mm progressive reloading. Desired characteristics: slick enough to smooth out the progressive reloading process, and not leave behind a residue (collect dust, increase bolt thrust). 99% isopropyl was perfect**, except that it evaporates too fast.
**Yes, weirdly, alcohol is a good lubricant (https://www.mmsonline.com/articles/alcohol-based-coolant-offers-environmentally-friendly-machining).

July 13 update with more experience and less optimism: I now use a small squirt in a bag and rub. It seems to last maybe 2 hours. I might end up moving to spraying the cases. I’ve been concerned about the impact of the mineral spirits on primers, but initial experimentation indicates a drop of spirits in a casing will not inactivate the primer - perhaps provided some time has lapsed (tested at 24 hours). It may be less, or there might not be any delay needed..

[brutal]

“Discovered” an almost perfect case lube for my application*. Mineral spirits. 5 drops in a freezer bag, rub around, toss in brass. Shake. Evaporates in about 3 hours. I unfortunately now have a gallon of a product that gets used 5 drops at a time.

*9mm progressive reloading. Desired characteristics: slick enough to smooth out the progressive reloading process, and not leave behind a residue (collect dust, increase bolt thrust). 99% isopropyl was perfect**, except that it evaporates too fast.
**Yes, weirdly, alcohol is a good lubricant (https://www.mmsonline.com/articles/alcohol-based-coolant-offers-environmentally-friendly-machining).

Depending on it's use case, alcohol is a superior lubricant. [Coffee]

[Great-Kazoo]

Depending on it's use case, alcohol is a superior lubricant. [Coffee]

It is, most of the time, until one opens their mouth.

[beast556]

Got 200rds of 380 and 200rds of 9mm loaded for this weekend.