Mockingbird

Sounds like you don't have much firsthand information or experience with cowboy shooting. If you can find the rulebook, compare it to the IDPA or USPSA rules sometime. And if you can find a match or two, see how much physical movement is going on. Then come back with your "curmudgeon" conclusion.

Excellent eternal thread! I am putting together a new loading area in our basement, with cabinets, etc. The countertop is the hangup right now. I am wondering what countertops/materials can handle my 650, with strong mount? It seems that standard kitchen/bathroom stuff might be too weak, so maybe I could reinforce it underneath? It is going to be a nice, finished work area devoted to guns and loading, so I'd like the counter to be continuous (it will be an L shaped corner setup with about 7 feet on each side). I currently have the 650 mounted on a steel tool bench with a heavy particle board top and it hasn't wiggled a bit. Ideas? Experiences?

Okay, I'm all set up now and here's one tip: If you are ordering the 650 only strong mount, it comes with mounting hardware, so you don't need to order the mounting hardware kit to go with it. Wow, just saved somebody about $3! The machine is fantastic.

Interesting info from Starline. I will paste it here to save folks the trip: 2.) Why is it very hard to get expander and powder funnel back out of case? There are two situations that create this problem. The first is one we have just recently identified. It seems to be associated with the dillon powder funnel and only a couple of calibers (45 Auto and 40 S&W). The land for expanding case mouth is too long and when you begin to bell mouth the bottom of expander gets into the thicker taper of case and wedges causing it to be very hard to get back out. We have modified several by increasing radius on end and slightly shortening expanding land and this eliminated the problem completely. Call Starline and we will take care of it if you wish. One other cause can be a burr at case mouth created by the final trim operation, which grabs onto expander as it comes back up. This situation does not often appear and can be fixed by deburring case mouth or inside lubing cases. Now, has anyone actually had Starline take care of this for them? what did it entail? Last night I loaded several hundred rounds of used brass, did not experience the sticking problem at all. So that appears to be true, but I do load quite a bit of new brass and would like to address the problem.

Excellent follow up here. I am just back from trip and will run some used brass (finally) tonight to see results. If that fails to remedy problem, would the steel wool route be my most efficient? I don't have a machine shop at my disposal, but do have simple tools (drill, vise, some mechanical ability). Thanks

Dillon--thanks for the information. I will run some used brass tonight and see if it helps.

Well, I guess I'm glad I'm not alone with the issue, but I am a little disappointed that I'd need to fiddle around with the funnel. For dies as expensive as Dillon's, I expect a lot more.

Just set up new Dillon 650, went very well. However, my powder die, specifically the funnel, seems to be draggin very hard on the casing on its way down. Powder is getting in just fine, all other stations functioning with hangup or drag. Is it a break-in issue? I am using Dillon dies, and new Winchester .357 brass. What say ye?