mervalus

Instead of breaking your fingers pulling bullets with RCBS Collett bullet puller we have designed a new nylon handle to eliminate the stress of the quarter inch stainless rod attached

I load Berrys 115 gr 9mm with Bullseye 4.2 gr , #100 fed primers for Sig 226's 2000 rds at a time with no problemas . Good luck Merv

I load 115 gr berrys to 1.150 for a sig 226 with fed 100 primers with bullseye 4.2 gr with no problems . 5.0 gr of bullseye is certainly hot enough .

I am not understanding all the fuss about trimming 223 cases .After shooting, cleaning Depriming and sizing my cases , I have , after measuring the case , seldom found case length variations enough to have to trim them. Even after sizing they still fit perfectly in the case gauge

I tried the needle bearing and washers and found it to be a pia . The new height interfered with the spring and it was easier to just cut the detent ball spring under the shell plate and be done. I load 9mm with just 4.2 gr of Bullseye and there is no more splatter

Take a small tool file and ramp the aluminum platform to get your fingernail under the pin to remove it easily . Works just fine and doesn't damage the platform . Merv

There is another problem no one seems to have addressed , unless I have missed it . Depending on the powder you are using it can get jammed in the shell plate where the brass case should sit totally back towards the center of the plate. I was loading some H 4895 extruded rod powder which clogged the shell plate and caused the cases to be misaligned even though the primer punch lever is in its correct position . Hope this helps also .Merv

So far everything that has been posted to you is fantastic . Having ordered an xl 650 with zero loading experience , but a lot of communication with seasoned loaders and shooters my learning curve accelerated exponentially . There are few things I would add to the last responder. I certainly agree with all the following ie?: Purchase the installation DVD Purchase the spare parts kit - a must Make sure that your press is level and clean Do not overtighen anything - snug is sufficient Get the strong mount - highly recommended Get the optional roller handle - highly recommended Avoid all distractions (music, TV, pets, etc.) when loading Make sure that your press is stable - the strong mounts will also help Make sure you get the station 3 powder check system - a must for safety If your budget allows get a second primer punch assembly - primer conversions are a snap When leaving the press for any reason ALWAYS leave the press handle in the down position so when you get back, you will ALWAYS properly seat the primer during the next cycle Don't believe all the hype about how many rds you can process in 1 hour. Without some accessory assistance initially and your not understanding the machine and its glitches you WILL be slow. Speed isn't the essence, its accuracy and safety first. There is definitively a learning curve that will take you maybe a year or two . Some lof the initial glitches come from improper sorting the differences in the same caliber category , meaning 9mm brass has some 1 time shot cases that may be unusable. Sort out he 22's from the rest of the cases first . Also be very careful to get rid of ther 40's, unless you are reloading them . THEY WILL TOTALLY SCREW UP THE FLOW OF 9MM AND REQUIRE YOU TO TAKE APART THE DROP TUBE TO REMOVE THEM . It is not neccersary to deprime most small handgun {pistol } brass before reloading, unless you are doing extreme bench rest competition . 45 acp caliber recently has had two primer sizes coming from more than one factory . The same size case can use either a small pistol primer or a large pistol primer , generally not a magnum primer . Check the web to see what others are using for your gun , primers, powder and loads. If you have a range close at hand or something you can discharge into, fire about 10 rounds . . While setting up your 650, look at various manuals and measure your cartridges carefully, oal, powder loads, primer insertion . A lot of embarrassment is saved by the rds that don't go to battery, and or won't fire, ie: bad primers or primers too high, squib loads. Sort em out at home . Station 3 powder checker is a must to eliminate squib loads. The caliper measuring device by Brian Enos is effectively the best for measuring accurate loads. Originally I had ordered from Dillon 4-5 various caliber change over kits, Not necessary . I use the same small powder measure and holder for 9mm 38 spl, 45 acp . Then I set up; another larger powder measure for rifle calibers needing more than 20 grs of powder ie 223 rem, 308 win, 30-06 and 30-30. Dillon lube is definitely necessary for all cases, pistol and rifle, If you get a jam in a 1st stage die, it will take time to remove it and hopefully not ruin a good carbide die . Keep a small supply of depriming pins . They wil get bent and can be straightened, or replaced . They are different for pistol vs rifle. Things other than warranted items by Dillon, that you need to order can be bought for the same price by Brian but maybe 1/2 the postage . Order also additional primer pickup tubes ,they will help you with production speed . If the lever is difficult to move , STOP . A case could be jammed in the case locator, a primer stuck in the side of the case plate or elsewhere. What wil invariably break is the plastic ring indexer below the platform , requiring dismantling of the caseplate, primer system, the main platform with a replacement from Dillon Problem could go on for two more hours but I hope you get the point, enjoy the machine . Call me if you can't get Dillon and need help . Sincerely Dr Merv Rosen 847-337-7274

The cases must be pressed into the shell plate in the second stage by the spring arm in order for the case to be held snuggly. If some residual powder granules do not allow the case to seated, the primers also may not seat properly .

You definitely need to have the spring arm properley adjusted. Especiasly when changing Case sizes . The cases will deflect the primers and not seat and jam the primer plate.

When I started a few years ago I got sage advice from an old rifle pro to use a Thumbler . But different than using corn cobs etc, I use ceramic 3mm reusable pellets, with a cleaning , polishing solution. Rinse , dry and reclaim the pellets . Thjumbler runs foer 60-90 minutes . Will do 400-500 cases at time . Fantastic results. Merv

Didn't like the washers for the shell plate problem . Raises the center bolt too high with resultant problems with the ejector spring . Easier to cut a link or two off the ball detent spring and results in less whip from the plate rotation. Also I have been loading 9mm luger rds with less Bullseye powder , 4.3 grs and less spill.

Replaced the clutch to solve the 9mm problem completly . Both speeds . Occasional over spills if the stop switch doesn't engage but otherwise none Merv

I STARTED LOADING 30-06 FOR AN MI GARAND.BEING EXCEPTIONALLY CAREFUL ABOUT OVERLOADS ETC. I MEASURED ALMOST EVERY CASE OF ABOUT TWO HUNDRED THAT I SHOT AND FOUND ALMOST NO GROWTH OF CASE LENGTH, THUS REQUIRING NO TOUCH UP AT ALL. I MAY START LOADING 357 SO THATS GOOD TO KNOW REGARDING THOSE CASES ALSO , MERV

I HAVE HAD A SERIES 80 GOLD CUP IN STAINLESS FOR ABOUT 10-12 YEARS . THE GUN CAME FROM COLTS CUSTOM SHOP AND WAS TERRIBLE SHAPE IN TERMS OF PARTS FIT, SLIDE CYCLING AND TRIGGER FEEL. I HAD MY LOCAL GOOD GUNSMITH REWORK , REPLACE THE TRIGGER SPRINGS ETC; AND TIGHTEN THE SLIDE. IT WORKS LIKE A CHARM NOW AND I WOULD NOT TRADE IT IN FOR ANY OF THE CURRENT 45 ACP'S. THE STAINLESS FINISH IS MUCH BETTER THAN A BLUED FINISH IN TERMS OR MARS , SCRATCHES OR NORMAL DAILY ABUSE.THE STAINLESS GUN BODYB IS SIMPLE TO PUT ON A POLISHING WHEEL; AND BUFF TO ORIGINAL FINISH WITHOUT GOING THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE REBLU PROCESS . THATS MY HUMBLE OPINION . SINCERELY MERV

thanks for your comments. Merv

So sorry the post got published before I could edit it PLEASE READ THE REVISION . Sincerely Merv Reusable ceramic media There is always alot of discussion about case cleaning and preparation . Must using tumblers and corn cob or pecan shells but not too much about reusable ceramic media . I began loading two years ago on a Dillon xl 650 . I had a discussion with my former business partner who is an expert gun enthusiast , who loads mainly rifle rounds from 300 cal to 50- cal BMG sizes. He got me started on using ceramic media . It does fantastic job , both cleaning and polishing ,using a 3mm bias cut pellet , reusable of course with a small cap of a German detergent supplied by Dave Maurer in Michigan , along with the pellets . I have not replenished pellets in two years, starting with about six lbs. origilnally . COST , currently is $6.00 / lb a load requires about 3lbs. for 9mm and 45 acp. the detergent is $10 / qt which makes 32 gals of water solution . 300-400 to cases Th are placed in a Thumbler .Do not use this type of media in a vibratory unit . Tumbling time is about 90 minutes. The cases are rinsed and placed in an oven for approximately 1.5 hrs at 180 degrees. The cases can be deprimed first or in the case of pistol rds dillon experts say it is unnessary to deprime, unless of course you are a competative bench shooter . If you do deprime . the pockets come out unbelievable. Smaller rifle shells like 223 cases are a little problem with media jamming but not so much as to be a real problem as long as you dry the shells first . They do require a little more time . The larger 308, 3006 and larger calibers are no problem at all. The finished result speaks for itself with almost prefect cases. Thanks Merv Rosen

So sorry the post got published before I could edit it PLEASE READ THE REVISION . Sincerely Merv

Reusable ceramic media There is always alot of discussion about case cleaning and preparation . Must using tumblers and corn cob or pecan shells but not too much about reusable ceramic media . I began loading two years ago on a Dillon xl 650 . I had a discussion with my former business partner who is an expert gun enthusiast , who loads mainly rifle rounds from 300 cal to 50- cal BMG sizes. He got me started on using ceramic media . It does fantastic job , both cleaning and polishing ,using a 3mm bias cut pellet , reusable of course with a small cap of a German detergent supplied by Dave Maurer in Michigan , along with the pellets . I have not replenished pellets in two years, starting with about six lbs. origilnally . COST , currently is $6.00 / lb a load requires about 3lbs. for 9mm and 45 acp. the detergent is $10 / qt which makes 32 gals of water solution . 300-400 to cases Th are placed in a Thumbler .Do not use this type of media in a vibratory unit . Tumbling time is about 90 minutes. The cases are rinsed and placed in an oven for approximately 1.5 hrs at 180 degrees. The cases can be deprimed first or in the case of pistol rds dillon experts say it is unnessary to deprime, unless of course you are a competative bench shooter . If you do deprime . the pockets come out unbelievable. Smaller rifle shells like 223 cases are a little problem with media jamming but not so much as to be a real problem as long as you dry the shells first . They do require a little more time . The larger 308, 3006 and larger calibers are no problem at all. The finished result speaks for itself with almost prefect cases. Thanks Merv Rosen

Most auto parts stores have pliers with multiple tips for deeper problems. Snap on Tools, the ultimate in good quality tools wil certainly have one if you don't have one yet Sincerely , Merv