Bayou

Really just looking for plinkin loads and the 115's are cheaper than the 124's and ordering from PD or MG you have to order in bulk to save. Atleast 2,000 from PD and a case from MG do get the better price. I'd hate to get 2,000 115's from PD and realize that the 124's would be better and likewise from MG.

I believe that I'm gonna get some HP38 and just go with it, whether 115's or 124's FMJ. The only thing now is that I'm gonna have to get a chrono, it never ends. I really was trying/hoping that I could find a powder that had a low fps and was clean shooting. Am I gonna have to use 115's or 124's for plinkin and then just work up another load/powder for 147's to use for sub loads. Would like to use 115's or 124's for both loads to save on per bullet price.

Why doesn't Lyman not show a 115 or 124 FMJ for 9mm? Hogdon also only lists one data for FMJ 115 where as they have several for 125 and 147 FMJ?

I have settled on two powders one of which I will purchase to start with to see if I like it. They will be HP38 and titegroup for my new endeavor in 9mm. The reason I picked these two powders is that there starting grain weight max are where I would like to be and they are similar in charge weights. I've read that HP38/231 is sooty or dirty when at its lower level starting suggestions 3.9 960 velocity for HP38 versus its max level of 4.4 1043 velocity for a 125 gr. jacketed. How hy of a charge of the HP38 would I need before it's clean. Would like to to be around the velocity of 1000 (for range loads for one pistol and also for sub loads in another rifle/pistol caliber down the road since a can add 50 to the velocity) never reloaded and my words/phrasing may be off.

I've watched alot of vids on set up and I did purchase the hornady collet puller for when I make all the soon to be mistakes. I haven't completely set up everything yet just the press and sizing die. I had around 500 crimped brass that I wanted to decap before I set the rest up. One thing I did find out quickly is that I will have to fix the spent primer catch shoot as the pin is not working correctly. The cotter pin binds and does not close the primer catch so I have gotten primers shootin to unknown places. Simple fix though but at first it worked like a charm then I started seeing them fly all over. Also I was suprised how dirty the press got from the decapping. Now I need to do some cleaning and grease the bearing and read up on some other areas that need slight lube/graphite. Getting the indexing set with the shell plate and star was a little confusing due to the manual and pics but I believe I have it correct for now. The press came set up for large primers so I got to take some things apart and put back together. Now I need to read/watch some videos on the fail safe rod for proper compression of the spring. All in all I'm very happy even doing everything by myself but rest assured that I will have alot of questions. Now to order some primers, powder and boolits.

Well I got about everything mounted and put together today except setting the dies. Gonna have to watch some videos for what to polish and what not. Also proper tightening of indexer and other adjustments. I'll have to get a pic some time soon for some blue bling.

Well FedEx delivered my 550 today with alot of odds and ends, still need more as I realized I need a few more things. I'm sure that will be a ongoing problem with needing more things. Whats better is that I'm waiting for a 2x8 base to dry from the urethane so I can mount it to the benchtop to raise it and attempt to set it up. Still haven't ordered my powder, primers and bullets but will do that 1st thing Monday morning. I Put one of those pool ball handles on and it fells great. The blue does look great and maybe I will regret it by not getting a 650 but I believe this will fit my needs and then some. Christmas in July

Kevin, where did you get the blue knobs?

Was looking for sub loads for a RRA 9mm AR suppressed, it should cycle with no problems. I think I will just get a pound of something and try it and if doesn't fancy me I will try something else. Gonna try the Winchester primers since a shop up the road has those and great prices on powder compared to BassPro. Also gonna order some 124's and decide on which powder to try first. I know I'm putting the horse before the cart with my press not here yet but I would like some components so I'm not just sitting and staring at a press.

I believe I will just order some bulk bullets and buy some powder locally to try out a few rather order a large quantity of just one. I can also see where starting with a fast powder would make it difficult to notice a double when I'm new to this. Thanks again

Well the 115's are out guess I'll use the 124's. I was going to use the 147's for subs with the can. Just have to find the right powder and primers. I thought I've read that the Fed's are to soft but that could have been Winchesters.

Well I finally ordered a 550 to get started and have a few questions on what grain bullet and powder. I've been reading alot about different grain weights but only have a small clue on the 115's from Montana Gold. I also want to order some 147's to use out of a RRA 9mm and a can to be subsonic. Should I order 115's and 147's, the 115's are alot cheaper and those would just be for plinking. I'm confused on the powder to use as I see W231 and Clays mentioned alot. Would either of those work for subsonic loads? I also see CCI mentioned alot for primers, I would be using the 115's in a Glock with reduced springs. Any help would be appreciated.

When it shows up I'm going to throw it on the bench and see if it works or if I can get by with adding a 2x6 or 2x8 or two. If not not I will order the mount and extras. Hope it works, for the price of the extras I can be half in on another 550.

Well I ended up going with the grafs tumbler, I'll try it for $42. If it doesnt work out or last I'll try something different. Thanks for the responces, next up 9mm powder and load choices.

Well I have one on the way without the bells and whistles so I will try it out by itself first. If it doesn't fit right then I will order the mount and other parts, get ready for alot of questions.

After going down and checking again I believe one or two boards will suffice. If it doesn't work I can always order the mount, tray and bracket but for now I'll try it without. The stool that I was using is nice to rest the cheeks/half sit on. Whats the width of the 550?

Not quite tall enough if I'm standing. I just went and measured again and the top of the bench is 37" plus 8" for the ball/roller would still be to short, it seems. Honestly I don't want to cobble a bunch of layers underneath the press as I believe that would lead to problems. If I sat it would be on a bar stool or a an adjustable that could be purchased.

Pat, your probably right I was just trying to save some money. I new if I go with the strong mount might as well get the bullet tray, cartridge case bin/bracket and roller handle. The extras add up to Approx. $153, they add up quick. Bench is a 2"top on cabinets and its not quite tall enough if I bolt it directly to the bench. I know now that I should have built it taller but lesson learned.

Fellas, if I was wanting to use some 2x8 to raise a 550 instead of getting the strongmount how wide or what would be the proper legnth to cut the board. I would need enough room for the press and room on each side for a bullet box/container. The actual thickness of the 2x8 is only 1.5" so I'm thinking 4 would be enough for the heigth.

I was at Bass Pro today and was looking at tumblers and came home and did some online looking also between the Lyman Pro Magnum 2500 with and with and without the autoflo and the one by Grafs (Berry's). The Grafs sais it's a 4 quart that will hold 1,000 9mm but that has to be all cases and no media since the bowl appears to be like the smaller tumblers at Bass Pro. The Lyman 2500 sais 1,000 38's but looks larger than the grafs. Any clue on these two. http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/5395 can get for 42.99 http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/10459 can get for 62.99

How difficult is it to load rifle on 550, as far as seeing in the case? Thats what is stopping me from the 550 instead of the 650. 550 is more in line of my volume and then some.

I'm also very curious of this question as to rifle reloading on a 550. " I know this questions must get asked alot but is the absense of a 5th station to check for over/under charges critical? Can you visually check the case and keep a steady pace on the 550?"

When you guys are saying redding pro series do you mean: Redding Competition Pro Series Carbide or Redding Pro Series Carbide Those Competetion Pro Series are expensive

Well I know I want a 650 or LNL w/case feeder was just trying to look at quick caliber change costs. Would a 550 be more in line with I need, yes but like I was telling a friend a couple weeks ago on new pistol purchases is that wants and needs are different. I do believe after many lessons I learned that it'd better to buy once/cry once. I have never reloaded but I know that I would enjoy it and everyone has hobbies that are expensive. Was just looking at caliber change costs and what could be saved. The cost of the 650 w/case feeder over the LNL/case feeder does not bother me, I'm not made of money but I tend to by what I want quality wise. If the caliber cost are not much more than the LNL I will buy Dillon. I also don't want to grossly (proper spelling?) over pay but But I also don't want to take forever changing calibers when a little more money spent could quiken the change over. 10-20 minutes change over is not much in my mind but 3--40 minutes would be, not that I think either would take that long. I would mainly be changing from 9mm, 223, 308 and 45, 40, 22-250 down the road. I want a press that I will have/use for 20-30 years, maybe less or more depending on the big guy.

New reloader and have been reading for the last several weeks/couple months and deciding on a LNL or 650. I know there is ton of threads and I've read alot of them but my question pertains to the cost of doing quick change outs on both machines. Wanting to use the press for multiple calibers and want a case feeder. See if I'm getting this right or what I'm missing Dillon 650: Conversion kits---76.95 Quick change---101.95 plus dies LNL: shell plates--40.72 Bushings 3 pack---18.45 case activated lower assembly---30 case activated powder die---11.37 I guess I would need an extra Powder measure---93.25-------one for pistol and one for rifle What about switching between large and small primers and powder bars? Thanks for any help