parkgt

Since I am new to pistol reloading I am a little unsure of some of the finer points. I have read that others loading for 9mm (not lead) do not expand. I also have no problem getting the bullet started with the Hornady competition micrometer seating die. I have noticed some very minor shaving of copper off the Zero 125 gr JHP. It seams like I need to slightly crimp the case to get the diameter back to factory specs. If this seems to be the wrong approach please share your thoughts?

Lugnut, I am not using a power thru expander, not using an expander at all. What is the benifit? Am I missing something?

Due to the favorable comment here and elswhere I just bought a New Lock-N-Load for reloading 9mm for USPSA. Thanks to previous posters for giving their insights. I bought the Hornady 9mm dies, RCBS Lockout Die and a Hornady Taper Crimp. I don't use the expander, bought the pistol rotor and micrometer stem for the powder measure and the micrometer seating stem for the Hornady seating die. I polished the shell plate up with the dremel and have no problems with erratic case ejection. Took me about 4 hours to set it up on a new bench I made for it and another couple of hours adjusting before I was really making ammo. Coming from thirty plus years of reloading on a single stage RCBS there was a little learning curve to my first experience with a progressive. I can't say it is a good as or better than the Dillions. I can say that I am very pleased with the quality and operation of this machine and more than satisfied with the rounds being produced. I am not easy to please; I have a tool and die background and thirty years of reloading rifle loads for sub 1/2" groups. I know good equipment and precision reloading. I am very pleased with how this machine works and will not later regret that I didn't get a Dillion.