Got a set up for .44 mag, .45acp and .40s&w.

Its missing a piece....dammit!   Powder failsafe rod not in the package....

Gotta call and get it sent out. 

Waiting on other essentials to show, so no big deal..just a tad torqued.

nice, good choice!  I get scared with the manual-indexing progressive presses.  I've read a lot of double-charging with those, people forgetting to index the shell plate.  You won't have to worry bout that.


 

nice, good choice!  I get scared with the manual-indexing progressive presses.  I've read a lot of double-charging with those, people forgetting to index the shell plate.  You won't have to worry bout that.


 

Thats one reason I chose it, plus the nice upgrades that are available. Not new to reloading, it has just been a very long time (old style one at a time was where I cut my teeth as a young teenager).

Kinda bent on the missing piece, but gives me time to think about  what else I need.

Thinking about straight tool head change out for each caliber so that no adjustment (only a check) is needed for each time I change calibers. I know this will cost me more, but save time...this is only after I feel I know  I am doing again.

I have been researching OAL gauges and not sure what route to take. Seems there are all kind, but looking for a one stop shopping, maybe buy one with all calibers I shoot.

Best place to get powder/primers and best shipping for bullets to here..

Stoked 

Thoughts 808 or other reloaders???

BTW,

Carter at OGC got us a GREAT deal on this setup, could not beat it ANYWHERE (including WGS)...we also got it in 4 days....

Wow, I wasn't aware that OGC brought those in.  I'd get the entire tool set up... I did for mine, but on my Lee, they're 5 hole turrets and they only cost about $15 so it was so worth it for me.  The first few times, I just manually seated the dies to get a feel for what I am doing.  But it is really nice to only validate the charges and a couple other quick checks while changing calibers. 

As far as components, I have been ordering my bullets from these guys:  http://tjconevera.com/  Super fast shipping and good customer service.  I don't shoot lead ..... yet.
Brass has been gathered from my own personal shooting and you will find brass sellers in online gun forums.
Primers:  OGC has good deals, but they are sold out often.  I got mine from Security Equipment(yes they sell reloading components now).  Their prices are $34/1K small and large CCI pistol primers. 
Powder I got a while back from WGS, but OGC sells Alliant powder along with some others.  It seems like every time I go to WGS, prices are climbing.  So wait for OGC's specials on 8lb kegs and buy then.  I've been using Bullseye with good results so far.

I just use calipers for OAL, I also put about 100 rounds inside the plastic ammo box and put a straight edge over them to doublecheck.

Callled Dillon this morning.  Missing part on the way, no questions, no charge. 

I am definitely getting more toolheads and possibly powder kits for each. I like the idea of not having to swap out dies after we get them dialed in.

Tumbler/separator on the way.

Thanks for the link. May hit you up in PM if I have more questions.

awsome, i've heard that Dillon takes care of their customers.

Will be getting into stainless steel tumbling soon, i've made up my mind, just haven't ordered the stuff yet.

Yep, hit me up anytime just remember i'm still learning.

awsome, i've heard that Dillon takes care of their customers.

Will be getting into stainless steel tumbling soon, i've made up my mind, just haven't ordered the stuff yet.

Yep, hit me up anytime just remember i'm still learning.

I think we are all still learing...all the time.

I think we are all still learning...all the time.

Got that right.

Hey Chuck, what happened to your avatar?

Quote from: vooduchikn on April 08, 2011, 11:26:39 AM

I think we are all still learning...all the time.

Hey Chuck, what happened to your avatar?

Dunno? Maybe part of the impending government shut down. Maybe it is no longer funded. 

Machine is set up minus the dies.  Need bullets to set up the dies, they are in the mail.

Going with .45 ACP loads first.

Second batch of Brass tumbling as I type this. Tumbled about 600 cases yesterday.

Couple of extra toolheads on the way to go with the caliber conversions we got.

Will post some pics when we get rolling.

See you on the range...

Sounds like things are going well. Those 600 cases should be filled up in no time (once you get the bullets.)

Sounds like things are going well. Those 600 cases should be filled up in no time (once you get the bullets.)

Tumbled the other 400 today while I was at work. 

Got 1k of 9mm
3k of .223
500 .44 mag
500 .40 S&W
~500 .38 special.

Thats a lot of cleaning left to do..glad this thing works like a champ!

what media do you use to clean your brass?

what media do you use to clean your brass?

I am using corn cob media with some Frankfurt Arsenal additive. It cleans..and it shines. They look better than new (except they need to be deprimed and resized.)   

Made my first test batch of .45 ACP tonight on the new press.  Guess we will see how it shoots. Loaded absolute minimums and checked everything 4+ times. Guess we will see how it shoots.

Made my first test batch of .45 ACP tonight on the new press.  Guess we will see how it shoots. Loaded absolute minimums and checked everything 4+ times. Guess we will see how it shoots.

Sounds sweet Voodu.
what are your powder, components, and powder?

Quote from: vooduchikn on April 24, 2011, 10:42:10 PM

Made my first test batch of .45 ACP tonight on the new press.  Guess we will see how it shoots. Loaded absolute minimums and checked everything 4+ times. Guess we will see how it shoots.

Sounds sweet Voodu.
what are your powder, components, and powder?

This batch:  230 GRN FMJ, Wolf large pistol primers, Winchester AUTOCOMP @ 6.0 grns.  OAL 1.20"

Since this was our intial setup and load, we tared every powder charged case. First primed it, then tared it, then put it back in station 2 and belled/charged it, then weighed it.  The AUTOCOMP seems to throw very consistently...only one or two in the batch were off and it was only by .1 -.2 grns.

We only cranked out a very small batch.  This was our intial setup of the .45 dies, so a lot of time went into making sure everything was set right (bell/bulltet, powder measure, crimp).  I also want to shoot these and then decide to up the power factor to either mid or upper range.  I have never shot AUTOCOMP, so I guess we will see.

I was impressed by how easy setting the XL650 up was.  It was actually fun to set up. 

I fed the rounds in and out of my Colt Commander and it had no issues chambering or ejecting any of the rounds.

We used Speer Factory 230 FMJ  ammo and the micrometer as comparison to our reload batch. Nearly identical.  I am sure it is possbile to over/under crimp...just not sure where that limit is. The only question I have and am currently researching is "HOW MUCH" crimp is required?

-Vood

I don't think you wanna crimp 45 *too* much.  I just make sure I take out all of the flare and I make about 3 uncharged rounds and try to setback the bullet by pushing it with moderate pressure on my table. 

I don't think you wanna crimp 45 *too* much.  I just make sure I take out all of the flare and I make about 3 uncharged rounds and try to setback the bullet by pushing it with moderate pressure on my table.

Thats what I was thinking...not too much, but enought to take the bell out with enough to hold the round.  I think that what I have is good.  Hurry up Saturday...