codemonkey001

I will buy it if you don't.

i was thinking about getting the same kind of bench when i saw one similar to it at Costco. it seems very sturdy, the only thing i was concerned with was movement with the wheels. i didn't get a chance to test it to see how the wheel locks worked. but i liked the fact that i can move it around easily should the need arise.

I've dealt w/ Precision Delta several times and they've been good people. I've had to call a time or two to make sure my bullets were shipping, but the lady was very nice and courteous on the phone. probably the only person that doesn't like Precision Delta are the Post Office people who have to carry a few thousand bullets to my door. i feel bad for my mail lady.

you can get these at Lowe's. You can also get the serrated flange nuts at Lowe's too. They are grade 5 nuts and bolts. I ended up getting 2" bolts because 1 1/2 was cutting it close for the strong mount and press

if they do charge, it would probably be for the frame change over, plus the auto priming system, and the auto powder dispenser. those parts are available on their website.

Nice ideas guys

i prefer rifles, but i don't get to shoot them very often. so instead, i have built pistol caliber rifles. best of both worlds.

i've ordered from Wideners. they are quick to respond to emails.

congratulations! i guess the only thing to do is make sure you have your primer tubes filled and ready, and your brass clean and lubed so you are ready to go.

glad to hear about your experiences. i have a Cabela's coupon as well, that coupon, along w/ the rebate for free projectiles makes it extremely tempting. but i would have to give up a blue press to make space for it.

I just wanted to give RCBS some recognition for their great customer service. I bought a used Chargemaster 1500 and it came w/ a "broken" check weight. The handle had come off or able to be twisted off. I contacted RCBS through their online support form and a day later I received an email that a new one was on it's way to me. Great Customer Service!

hmm...very odd, mine does. you will use the hole furthest from the bottom on the bracket and use the two holes closet to the front on the strong mount. i wish i could post pics. maybe i can send you a link on mine?

hey guys, i found a way to mount the LED flashlight i got from Sears. I went to Lowes, and found 3/4" nylon clamps. it was a little loose when i put the flashlight in, so i lined it w/ 1 piece of electrical tape. Works great. the only problem was, it wouldn't take 1/4-20 screws very well, so i had to force them through the nylon. but it mounts to the strong mount w/o any issue. work great! i would post pictures, but for some reason, possibly due to my post count, it won't let me use the image extension.

i use 5.6gr of W231 w/ 230gr fmj's. shoots well. it is a bit dirty, but i don't mind that over performance. my OAL is 1.265"

if you have a .380acp conversion kit, i believe that uses the same plate as .223. or you can just get the .223 kit. if you have a .223 and a 9mm kit, you can make a .380 kit by using the .223 shellplate and the 9mm powder funnel. that's only if you ever intend to reload that. there is a matrix somewhere that shows you the matches between the kits. it's really helpful. i wish i would have found that earlier.

i just started myself, and i must say, i like the fact that w/ the 550 it's manual indexing. i go slow and i make sure everything is ok before i go to the next step. also, with the 550, it's much cheaper to get conversion kits. and finally, i think it's very easy to change the primer setup for the 550. for the 650, i see myself using that later on and of course the case feeder is going to be part of the main attraction to it. but another great feature of the 650, since you're likely to load faster with it, is that it has 5 stations and one could be used for powder charge measure (no more too low or too high powder charges).

i'm using Winchester 231. i didn't know it was common practice to throw a few charges just to check the weight and then start loading. what i was seeing was on the first round, i'd throw something like 5.8grs and then on the subsequent rounds, i'd throw 5.7 or 5.6, and then it would be consistent, 5.6 after that. it'd only stop being consistent when i would stop, and then start again. oh, and i am measuring using my Chargemaster as well as my 5-0-5 scale, just to make sure everything is calibrated correctly. i guess if i'm looking to reload a few rounds, i'll have to be dedicated to it, and just load a few hundred instead of 10 or so here and there. thanks!

Thanks, i didn't know that this was the norm. also, i was loading one round at a time going real slow and checking everything along the way, then when i loaded them one right after the other (normal operation), i noticed the OAL does change with the plate full. wish i would have known this sooner! thanks for letting me know that this is normal though. thanks, i'm going to go with what i have for my seater and crimp die then. i am using W231 for my powder. it's getting pretty consistent now, but i have to throw about 5 or so powder charges before it gets consistent. i'm using an RCBS Chargemaster 1500 to weigh the charges. i guess i just have to keep a clean case with a spent primer in it, and throw a few charges before i start really loading.

hello, i just started reloading on my Dillon 550b and i've been noticing that my powder throws can vary between .1 and .2 grains. also, my OAL can vary between 2 thousandths on my 45acp loads. is this normal for a progressive press? I'm loading 45acp. I've also checked all my dies and they are locked down pretty tight. the powder measure is tight as well as i've made sure to tighten the allen bolts that connect it to the powder die. i'm also trying to be really consistent on how i throw the lever. Anything else i can look for? my crimp die is very consistent and i have no problems seating primers or resizing the casings. the flare also looks to be consistent as well. i've only loaded about 30rounds on 550b, is there a "break-in" period for new loads? Thanks!

i would like a 5 station 550b as well. being able to check powder w/o having to use a light would be great.

it's usually just the accessories. most of the time, the accessories, will go for close to retail to just over retail (if you factor in shipping as well) and it doesn't make since to purchase it on eBay. Maybe some people don't know any better? i've gone to Brian for all my accessories as well if i can't get it locally. but for the presses, sometimes you can snatch up a pretty good deal, but most of the time, they end up being more than if you purchased it new here from Brian, who charges nothing to ship most presses. for example, i saw a SDB go for $275 SHIPPED, it was a Buy it Now auction. I've seen an SDB w/ two sets of dies go for $300 shipped. i haven't been able to find good deals on any 550's or 650's though. at the prices they go for, you might as well buy new, and buy from Brian. most of the people on ebay charge you high shipping fees like $30 - $50. i understand it's a large box, but i've had presses shipped to me in factory boxes for $20.

i would go for it, sounds like a good deal w/ all the dies. if it includes toolheads or extra powder measures, that's a great price.

the main reason why i decided to reload was b/c of the cost of Subsonic ammo. making your own will literally cost 1/2 a much.

thanks guys, i wasn't sure b/c some people say they don't, then others would reply that if they didn't, they would get copper shavings from the jacket of the projectile. i guess it depends on the projectile. i think i'm going to test by taking a fired case, then run it through the decapper/resizer and then take it out. and just see how a projectile sits on it. if it sits just fine, then no bell; if not, i'll bell it as little as possible.

i did a search and it looks like the consensus is split on adding a bell/flare for jacketed bullets. some people do it but it's not noticeable, and some people do not. i plan on reloading only jacketed bullets from Precision Delta, I am using a Dillon press, and i'm trying to set up the 2nd station, the powder drop/flare station. should i add a bell just to be safe? would it make my cases wear faster? thanks