CarbineTX

I found when reloading on my Dillon 550 press, the brass flakes onto the shell plate like fine brass dust. I wet tumbled my brass for about 2hrs using 1tsp Dawn soap and a small volume (9mm case volume) of Lemshine along with the stainless steel media pins. The casings were extremely clean, but I still notice the brass dust when reloading. I do not notice this after using walnut or corn media in my vibratory system. After reading through the Dillon 650 press manual, I noticed the recommendation of only using the wet tumbler for no more than 1-1/2 hours. I reduced the time to 1hr of wet tumbling and have virtually no more brass dust. The casings are clean but not as clean as the 2hr process. If you use the 2hr process, ensure you use case lube on your casings and you will not have the brass dust issue.

Also try a larger sample size such as 5 rounds instead of 3. I like to at least 8 rounds. This should bring your power factor calculations between strings a little closer together. Check to see if all your rounds are as close together in OAL. Pistol rest or freestyle? Use a pistol rest to remove variablity in recoil and lost energy.

135gr .38 cal Bayou Bullet above 3.8gr of Win231. OAL 1.135" Fed 100 primer Average velocity of 962 f/s out of a S&W 627 V-comp 5" bbl. Power factor: 130 Chronograph at 10' and weather 43 ℉. No visible stress to Starline casings, and casings ejected easily.

I finally reloaded some casings with the CCI 550 small magnum pistol primers. After firing 50 rounds, I found less carbon in the receiver compared to a previous encounter with reloads with CCI 500 spp. There is a difference. Now I need to get a chrono and see the difference in velocities. Any recommendations about a chrono to purchase?

I am using light loads. I will try to step increase to max and see how it performs. I will also try a few rounds with the same load but magnum primers for comparison.

Anyone using magnum small pistol primers for .45acp? I tried CCI regular spp in reloads with HP-38. The result is a dirtier weapon to clean. I am thinking about using sp magnum primers to see if I get a better combustion of powder. Any thoughts?