Boxerglocker

I was on the same boat last year. Had my heart set on the Trojan and after some prodding from friends went with the Spartan instead. 4K rounds later, I don't regret the decision. My understanding is the internals are the same STI ones used in the Trojan. The ramped barrel controversy was really no issue as I only intended to use it for a game gun and my load is a Bear Creek 135g moly RN and it runs flawlessly at this point. I did have some mag issues when new. With the money I saved from going with the Trojan... I invested in a Dawson ICE magwell and .100 FO front sight, new recoil and MSH springs, 5 Tripp mags, a mild trigger job done by my local gunsmith who did a great job, breaks at just over 3.0 pounds. Comptac Holster and several mag carriers for IDPA and USPSA. I've held shot a friends Trojan and the front strap checkering is IMO pretty mundane. I prefer the skateboard tape on my Spartan. Yeah, the Trojan finish is a little nicer when new, than the parkerized Spartan, but it's a game gun so I really don't care. (My buddies Trojan is as worn from holstering as my Spartan is) it really make no difference to me.

My M&P has been perfect for 4k since I switched away from Wolf primers. My G34 has been perfect for over 30K with the greater majority being Wolf primers

I'm looking at shooting USPSA production full time next year with my G34 and want to get/build a dedicated competition rig. I currently use my IDPA set-up. I was looking at both CR Speed and Double A.... which ones would work best for Single Stack and Glock mags? Anyone have leads on good deals with various retailers?

I run 9mm Bear Creek 135g RN moly, 4.0g WST at 1.150 OAL with CCI SPP's out of my 5 inch STI Spartan, with 10# recoil spring. I did some verifications chrono testing of my load for upcoming WA State IDPA Championships. Three strings of 5 shots each picked randomly from the 300 rounds I brought with me. Averaged 133.7, 135.2 and 134.4 power factor….. Lowest velocity was 973 Fps, highest 1011 Fps. This load is soft, clean and very accurate. Just another powder option I thought that I would throw in the mix. I've shot 147's with various powders and personally find them too soft for my liking, opted to use 124's instead. Since coming across the 135's I find then to have the best recoiling/cycling of any the bullets weight I have tried.

Mine need some minor fileing to relieve rubbing against the grip safety of my STI Spartan 9mm. I chnaged out the MS to a 14# and the recoil spring to a 10#.

I had the same issues as the OP with my Spartan 9mm. Now running a 10 pound recoil spring, Bear Creek 135g RN loaded out to 1.150 OAL and Tripp 10 round mags it's been 100%

I did some verifications chrono testing of my load at Renton today for upcoming WA State IDPA Championships. 9mm Bear Creek 135g RN moly, 4.0g WST at 1.150 OAL with CCI SPP's out of my 5 inch STI Spartan, with 10# recoil spring. Three strings of 5 shots each picked randomly from the 300 rounds I brought with me. Averaged 133.7, 135.2 and 134.4 power factor….. Lowest velocity was 973 Fps, highest 1011 Fps. This load is soft, clean and very accurate.

I rum Bear Creek Molys, 9mm 135g RN's through my Spartan 9mm and do the same.... I occasionally run a plastic brush and dry patch through the barrel after cleaning the chamber but that is it.

I read that the Kel Tec PF9 is only a 500 round gun, it's not a plinker and has only one job and that's defensive carry. That's why it only cost $250 or so. I had well over 2K through mine in a year and when I finally sold it to go back to a 4th Gen G26 still looked pretty dam new, very little wear. I cleaned it every firing/week and lubed the barrel hood with CLP and the rails with gun butter. Guy's over at KTOG have run them with three to four times more rounds than me and have had no issues. http://www.thektog.org/forum/showthread.php?t=236442&page=1.6

I would suggest two things. One on the vacumm attachment manifold at a hole or two of about 1/4 inch diameter to assist in getting more rushing air to pull the swarf through to the shopvac hose. Second in your handle downstroke using a slow motion make a deliberate pause at about halfway pull up slightly to break the swarf, then continue the cut. It takes a little practice to do without activating the index but it works, 6mm is alot to cut.

100g Berry's RN or RNHB, 3.2 HP-38/W321 at .980 OAL with Federal SPP (for reliability in pocket guns with light springs)is all I use in my P3AT. Great load that was passed on by a commercial remanufactured ammo supplier here and on many other forums.

I second the Spartan in 9mm. I paid $620 delivered new for mine. I initially wanted a Trojan but the undercut trigger guard and ramped barrel did not warrant the extra $300 cost for a game gun. By the time you add the magwell extra mags, thinner FO sight it adds up... I worked up a great load using Bear Creek 135 RN's loaded at 1.150 OAL backed with WST... 133 PF and very accurate.

I use Horandy One Shot lube for both 9mm and .223 case on my 650. No issues getting the tube dirty with lube relatively dry. I wipe the case-feeder bowl and plate down with Clorox 409 every once in a while, works well.

I run a the RT1200B on station 4 of my 650, no issues with clearing the pins. FL Dillon decapper/sizer die at 1.

E-clips and such minor items like standard cap screws... I just get myself at Home Depot/ Ace Hardware/ NAPA Auto. I think the Dillon no BS warranty policy is awesome.... but I honestly feel guilty even calling for items such as these. Last time I broke a E-clip I walked the dog to the Ace 2 blocks and got 5 for less than a dollar.

I load Bear Creek 135g RN in 9mm with WST for my Spartan 9mm. 4.0g at 1.150 runs 133-135 PF. Great load, like it even more than the 147's. I get a nice little pile of brass ejecting 2 feet to my right and just slightly dropping backwards.

The powder drop issue is perplexing. I would highly suggest checking to make sure that the adjustment bolt on the powder slide is secure and not stripped. That slide moves full travel and the fail safe is properly adjusted. Powder settling over night is understandable but every time for a brief break? All the rest of the problems can be attributed to just plan going too fast.... I've found with .223 you need to have pauses in lever strokes to ensure that you give the powder time to drop (actually may also be your problem) and it also will allow the empty brass to settle at the front of the case locator and not bounce.

Just watching that video, puts me off preparing .223 brass... Sorry, but for me nothing beats the efficiency of the RT1200B.

Crap... doubletap.

Completely unless? Your kidding right? I get a 0.002 variance using sorted LC brass on my XL650 with Uniquetek clamp kit tool-head. That's with a 500 case batch I size and trim in less than 30 minutes. I don't believe that Dillon markets the RT1200B to be a precision trimmer in the sense that you are expecting. The beauty of the RT1200B is the fact that you have no need to touch the cases after loading your case feeder in a case-fed machine XL650 / 1050 / LNL. That to me is well worth the variances regardless of the reasons given, which I do not disagree with BTW. All, I load for the majority of the time is a 55 or 62g AR-15 training/match round. 0.002-3 in difference in case length isn't gonna make a difference.

650 with Case feeder Experience: 5 years. Separate tool head for each, 8-10 minutes to change calibers from 9mm to .223 or back, includes a quick wipe and dipe clean and lube under the shell plate.

Before you adjust anything. Have you taken of the shell plate checked the 2 hex screws underneath, cleaned and lubricated per the manual with grease. Then tightened down the shell plate bolt snugly but not overtightened so it rotates freely? The funnel sticking issue usually happen with only certain types of brass, make sure your not over flaring 0.010 should be sufficient. As for Dillon CS, the best thing to do is to call them during business hours when you can stand over your press and they can walk you through any adjustments. If you don't have a spare parts kit. I highly recommend getting one. Having those parts handy when you need them will save down time and frustration, you can always call later to have them replaced.

XL 650 Casefeeder: Yes Experience: 5 years Average Rounds/Hour, Pistol: 9mm 800/hour (I never load more than 400 rounds usually inside 25 minutes) Average Rounds/Hour, Rifle: .223 500/hour SDB Average Rounds/Hour, Pistol: 9mm/40/.45 500/hour

Gap... I'm using Tripps with extended alloy ones already but getting these checkmates as practice ones.

Wondering if anyone knows of screw on type extended bumper base pads that would work with the Dawson ICE gap version. I see Chip McCormick make a Shooting Star Magazine Base Pad for 1911 with Screws. Does anyone know if these will work with the ICE? I ordered some checkmate 9 round 9mm mags for practice with my Spartan. If anyone knows of another type or supplier…. Please post a link. I'd really like to get another color other than black.