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I back the seater stem out couple of turns, stick a dummy round in the station then seat. Take a measurement, adjust the stem a little more, put the round back in the seating station then seat same bullet more. The process continues 3-4 times till I get to the OAL I target for... It's a little more about feel and experience with measurements taken in between. I like to start long work my way short with the single dummy round, when I hit the OAL I want then run it through the crimp station and measure to make sure. I also try and make sure all stations are filled to ensure the measurements are consistent. I actually just ordered a Redding Competition seating die for my XL650 dedicated to 9mm to ease the process of seating various bullets. I'll be clamping down the toolhead first with perma-coils ala Unique Teks clamp kit to take out all the play possible between the toolhead and the frame slot.

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I have been deliberating posting this but will do as the only stupid question is the one not asked… I have my new XL650 with case feeder dedicated for 9mm set up (Purchased from BE), loaded a few hundred rounds. No issues that I couldn't work out for the manual and tribal knowledge. I already did the mod to install the shell plate thrust bearing and clipped the detent ball spring 2/3 of a coil, works great. The shell plate and entire press itself runs nice and smooth. I love the XL650, just what I needed to keep my time at the bench minimized with my 2K round count a month of 9mm. OK , the only issue I have to date is the power drop slide. I'm using TiteGroup powder and I have been getting flakes of powder escaping from between the slide and the spacer above. I figured it is a wear in thing as neither the SBD's I have owned did this, but then again I bought those used and they were lapped in when I got them. Any ideas is this normal?

Allen head screws are 5/40. Pat Thanks, 5-40 NC of course woul have to be a oddball I don't have. I would hate to buy the kit just to do one toolhead. My 650 ia a dedicated 9mm machince and have no need for the extras.

Reviving this thread to ask... Can someone please tell me what thread size the Allen head thumbscrews are that the Unique Tool head lock down kit come with? I have several small size heli-coil kits and need not buy thiers if I have the one I need... only have one toolhead to do for my dedicated to 9mm XL650. Thanks

If you understand how your SDB works and the different stations yopu'll have no problem. I just recieved mine today and had most of it set up inside a hour. The rest seems staright foreward in the instruction manual. I have watched the video, it's OK, but really until you see everything moving up close does it make sense.

Are you talking Major (165) or Minor (125)??? If it's major, your gonna have a hard time making it in .40 with WST. I would go with WSF. I loaded MG 180 CMJ's for the longest time with 4.1 WST at 1.125 OAL great load accurate and soft shooting. That is mid range and at about 850 FPS out of a G23, nowhere near major... even at max published charge in any weight bullet for the .40 does it rate to reach major.

I loaded WST with a 180 MG CMJ at 1.125 for the longest time in my G23 for IDPA SSP. Very hard to run it lower than 4.0 and have the gun cycle reliably as a result. I don't have those notes handy but if I remeber correctly 135 PF was about the lowest it could run and still leave the gun clean with no unburnt powder.

Appreciate the reply Jim... I know there are numerous searches that will pop up... just as a matter of interest though I started the thread to see the current population using TG for this purpose and any recent opinions. Just wanted to collaberate recent experiences as I have this thread linked to another forum to continue inject more widely know experiences with it.

As a matter of discussion on another reloading forum, the topic came up... being that alot of members of this particular forum are pretty well versed. Can you please comment on your experiences with Titegroup loading .40 major? Both pros, cons and in particular KB issues recently encountered? Thanks.

I think that's about my only option is to call them and find out for sure. What extended mag release have you installed?

I've got about 800 rounds through mine. I recently took it down to my gunsmith for a clean and lube and checkup. That alone dropped the trigger pull about 4oz. We did a before and after, breaks just above 4 pounds, which is fine for me as I use it as a carry gun. It is a great gun, feel in love with the way it feels in the hand and the way it shoots as well.

I got my STI Spartan 9mm this week. Installed a ISMI 10# recoil spring, 17# main spring, VCD grips (Needs some skate tape on the front strap still). Dawson gapped magwell / MSH combo that took my gunsmith about an hour to fit cause of a machining flaw (a little tight against the sear spring and binding against the grip safety, but now in and fits works great. He also tweaked the trigger just a tad and right now the trigger breaks at just under 4 pounds on his trigger scale. I've got 300 rounds through it in 2 outings, running Tripp mags, all flawless. Very happy with the gun, with the exception of the front sight, way too big at .125 and I really have gone off the FO. (got rid of them on my Glocks a while back) I prefer a black on black combo. Looking on the Dawson website, under front sights for STI 1911/2011 I see a number of them all different. http://www.dawsonprecision.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=SIGHTS+FRONT%3ASTI+1911%2F2011+Front+Sights:STI+1911%2F2011+Black+Serrated+Front+Sights Would someone please give me a little guidence as to which one would work well with my current adjustable rear? The only noted as matching the Spartan rear is also 0.125 wide as the stock FO and I really want to go to 0.100 all black.

I'm new to the 1911 platform and about to take ownership of a STI Spartan in 9mm. I hear alot of comments regarding polishing and beveling the firing pin stop and the polishing the hammer face to enhance the performance. Not that I am going to take on the work myself but would someone please take a moment to explain exactly how does this enhancement improve the pistol to a 1911 newb? Illustrations and links to more reading regarding these enhances would be great. FYI, I'll be running a 4.1g TG load behind a PD 124g FMJ at 1.135... my standard 9mm load for my G34 135 PF. I already have a 10# ISMI recoil spring and ISMI 17# MS to run in it too, recommended by a couple of guys here in the forum in other threads that have experience with the Spartan in 9mm. Thanks in advance.

Very, very cool... make it and I will buy one...

Starting to think in this direction... the feedback I get on the Dillon one hasn't been as favorable as the RCBS powdercheck die.

I assume you mean fast powder??? Yeah, I agree... and want one, but which?

I've had experience with FCD in my old LCT. Great product, however I really have come to find that provided they are set correctly standard Dillon dies will work just fine. The 3rd empty station is my main concern right now.

I've already decided that I will be ordering a XL650 with case feeder "As it should be" this week as a dedicated 9mm press. My upcoming loading requirements of 2K a month and wanting to minimize time at the bench due to my current schedule dictate it and Yes, Brian will be getting this sale. I have one of my two Square deal B's and an relatively unused firearm SPF's to fully finance it. My standard 9mm load is a PD 125 FMJ backed with 4.1 TG at 1.135 OAL. I'm going to go with all Dillon dies, being I don't expect things to change much and want to pretty much set it and forget it. What I should fill that extra station with? Dillon powder checker, RCBS Powder Checker Die, Hornady Powder Cop? Pro and cons that you folks with experience with each would be greatly appreciated. A RCBS bullet feeder would be nice down the road but right sticking to what I already outlined. Appreciate the help.

PD 124g fmj back with 4.1 Titegroup at 1.135 is my standard load these days. Officially chronoed at 1106 out of my G34 with stock barrel at WA State IDPA Championship this year. A little hotter than most that load for the G34 using the same components, I know However, I like that it will still make PF out of my G19 comfortably should I have to move to it for a backup.

Hey thanks for posting the pic of your old Spartan. Well after thinking about it, the decision I guess has been made for me. A package arrived today from Chris's winning shooting accessories. Think my GF got me the Dawson gapped version for my birthday next week. I closed the mailbox and left it for her to retrieve later in the evening. No sweat, if it is the gap version... If I feel I need them, I'll just order some of those .500X Tripp basepads as suggested earlier when I order a couple of more mags.

What about utilizing the SBD strong mount as a attach point? I like the idea of a simple casefeeder for a SBD, I have 2 one for .45ACP the other for 9mm. My gunsmith has a simple case feed set-up for a old 1980's vintage 550, he says it isn't sold anymore but works pretty reliably.

A couple of quetions for you vet Spartan 9mm owners... I'm getting mine this week. What is the stock recoil spring weight? What replacement and weight are you guys using? I use 124g FMJ reloads at 135 PF out of my G34 and want to stick with those if I can. Toddrod, are you using the Dawson gap magwell with the Tripp mags with the baseplate they come with? Any issues? Would a good gunsmith be able to tune the trigger as is, without replacement parts? I'd like to get it down to the 3.5 pound range after break in.

I carry mine alot and shoot it alot... if you have an EMP9 you would understand.

What power factor loads are you using? i had the same issue with mine when I first got it using the 130 FMJ loads that I normally shoot out of my G34. I bumped it up to 136 and no problems since.