HOGRIDER

Curious if the endoscope is still working for you? These options (below) may be cost prohibitive for most users; but several are using them in place of bullet sensors and/or powder sensors on the Mark7 Presses. https://www.keyence.com/products/sensor/photoelectric/lr-z/models/lr-zb250cp/ If this or the LR-X100C could be mounted to see up through the RL1100's "hole", it could easily stop the M7 Automation or set off an alarm for manual operation! https://www.keyence.com/products/sensor/photoelectric/lr-x/models/lr-x100c/

Been using FULLY pre-processed WIN brass for years without issue. The in the last couple of boxes I received, started having same issues as OP. All WIN headstamped and from a trusted source. Decided to take 1K and hand check with the Ballistic gauge. Just over 200 failed the gauge. They had tight and/or shallow pockets in the area below the case head! None were Mil with crimped pockets! Of course I'm now trending to another premium headstamp........... Seems Winchester's QC of their primers and brass have started to deteriorate significantly! SMH...........

I ran 650s/XL650s for MANY years! Got an RL1100 when they came out and used it approximately 2 years. Once I got it I knew automation would be my next goal. As I primarily do single pass loading, only 8 Stations on the Dillon were a bit of a challenge to work around. However, once I saw the "official" video of the DA3000, I knew it was time to look at the Mark 7 Apex 10 and their "digital" auto drive option. Caught a Black Friday Sale and purchased the Apex 10; fall of 2022. Set up the 10 Stations per their recommendations; and after a reasonable learning curve I was producing match (9mm) ammo with excellent consistency and ease of operation. Used it manually till December of 2023 when I caught a sale on the Autodrive along with a free digital sensor. Purchased the Autodrive with (free) Bullet Sense, digital Powder Sense, and my FAVORITE the Primer Orientation Sensor! Since I'm loading fully pre-processed brass, don't really have a need for Decap Sense or Swage Sense. I can 110% recommend the Mark 7 Apex 10 over a Dillon S1050 or RL1100! The 10 stations, IMO, are definitely a game changer; especially if your doing single pass loading. And the options to upgrade to DIGITAL Automation and Sensors are truly worth serious consideration if that goal is in your future. And Mark 7's Customer Service is second to none! Like many loaders here, I have used Dillon machines successfully for many years! And have dealt with their Customer Service many times; and found it to be excellent "IF" you talked to the right Rep. So my post is definitely not to bash Dillon Precision's products! I just feel they are way behind with their current "commercial" offerings; especially their automation. Just my $0.02 worth; and sorry for the long post!

If you like the MPA style grips, then definitely give Glenn a call about his LSI "Outlaw" Aluminum! https://lonestarinnovations.com/lsi-outlaw-aluminum/

I think as @Joe4ddid in his post above, you may want to look into trying another seating die. With a .358 bullet, and if your case wall thickness averages .012", then you'll end up with an OD of the round after the bullet is seated of ~0.382". Something to think about.........

@4n2t0: @ddc has given you some great advise. IMO, if I was loading coated bullets sized at .358", I would swap out my MBF powder funnel for one of these .358 funnels and try again! https://www.photoescapeinc.com/products/9htc-ptu.html And definitely reduce your flare which shouldn't be needed with the correct funnel. HTHS!

If Virgil is still involved with the business, I think he would know if there's a source available...... https://www.trippresearchinc.com/ Or Dave Dawson @Dawson Precision

This older posting may shed some insight..........

Thought of something that might be of interest.......... Several years ago while visiting Dawson Precision with a 2019 Staccato P (4.15"), I actually got to meet Dave and have a discussion about adjustable sights and his new Tool-Less Guide Rod made specifically for this first edition "P". Ended up buying the guide rod and he sent me a 3 pack of these recoil springs to test with the new guide rod: https://dawsonprecision.com/recoil-springs-for-dp-4-15-tool-less-guide-rod-9mm-by-dawson-precision/ They worked perfectly and offered enough difference in spring rate to use with any ammo I was loading!! Would these springs be an option for the OPs needs?

@scuba31 Thanks for sharing this info! Happy Easter! Ben

Never did load 9mm Major when I was running the RL1100; but like @ddc was loading somewhere between 4 and 5 grains of 9mm VV powder. Still had occasional kernels that would end up on the shell plate; especially when the indexing would stop on the "ball". Tried the Arredondo stabilizers but didn't like loosing the option to take a case in and out of a single station by using the Dillon brass tabs vs removing the entire stabilizer. https://www.arredondoaccessories.com/product/shell-stabilizer-3/ Ended up seeing another loader use some cable ties around his press. So I tried this and it worked perfectly at keeping the cases stabilized and not wobbling between stations. Pic of details:

Thank you! But I have to confess I have a good friend that's a CNC Master Machinist that made the "major" mods to my specs........

IF you did have an MPA, it would have taken a lot of "adjusting" to make the Cheely version fit!

Yea, RD makes a great looking and functioning trigger! What grip/pistol is yours in?

More detailed info:

After discussing similar issues with my MPA fitting the Everglades MRH, I had this discussion with Steve Bender and the mods fixed my problem. Seems it is a requirement for many different pistol grips:

If your referring to the powder funnel for use in a Dillon powder measure, then I have been using the Photo Escape funnels that are being made to the original MBF specs, for YEARS! Also sold through UniqueTek. https://www.photoescapeinc.com/products/powder-funnel.html Having loaded .45acp, 40S&W, and currently 9mm, I have never used anything better for creating that perfect "seat" for the bullet coming out of the MBF. Works just as well with FMJ/JHP and coated lead. They are also available when using larger diameter coated lead bullets! Here is an older post addressing a similar issue: https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/205711-fix-for-shaving-lead-bullets/ Currently using one in Mark 7 fully automated loading configuration! HTHs!

Being inspired by @scooterj's success at installing an Atlas trigger in an MPA grip, I decided that since I really liked the look and function of the Red Dirt USA triggers, I was going to see how much work would be involved in adapting one for an MPA SS grip. I decided the "Cheely" version offered the closest dimensions to the MPA; and that it might be able to work with some dedicated modifications; especially the OAL of the trigger bow which is quiet a bit longer on the Cheely . My first observation is that MPA is dedicating the manufacturing of their grips to be a bit "proprietary" in order to encourage (?) shooters to use the OEM offerings for their replacement triggers. For my personal use, I like a trigger that has a fully supported bow rather than having the front of the bow aligned in the MPA grip's trigger bow channel by the height of the trigger shoe in it's dedicated track. I'm sure others feel my concerns are unwarranted........ After having a Master Machinist friend reduce the thickness of the front of the trigger bow, I was able to utilize the Red Dirt USA trigger, have all safety functions pass, and still have sufficient "pre-travel" to allow full function of the hammer's half cock with full disconnector reset! IMHO, I think it turned out very nice and am in the process of field testing in the very near future. Dry fire, feel, fit, and function are excellent in bench testing!

Excellent points as I had no idea of what's involved in fitting an SV grip/trigger assembly.......... I do remember installing a Cheely trigger in a ES STI gen 1 grip for a 2019 Staccato P, and that went very easy; especially since Cheely was making the shoes .240" wide at the time. Ended up being an excellent trigger! And it did only have the lower bearing surfaces on the rear of the bow.......... Thanks for your info!

I understand how the height of the trigger bow has been reduced/modified to save and eliminate weight. Guess STI was one of the first to develop (for the 2011) this style and I'm sure it has worked well for a long time! And I respect that SVI offers their replacement trigger with the bottom bearing surfaces at the rear and none at the front of the bow! So the bow front is being supported/aligned parallel with the grip bow track by the trigger shoe?? I see that most premium aftermarket triggers are also putting the lower bearing surfaces at the front AND rear bottom of the bow; and I'm wondering if that provides any real benefit? In my unexperienced mind I would feel that optimal trigger function would occur if the bow was running/riding parallel with the specific track that's machined into the grip. Regardless of what the trigger shoe is doing; however I feel it should be fit also to run correctly in it's dedicated track with minimal lateral and vertical free play! And I still feel that Kuhnhausen's reference to fitting the bow AND shoe is still applicable to today's 2011 race guns! Thanks for your reply/feedback @shred

Interesting points that you make as I too have noted the STI, SV, and previous Cheely offerings all controlled (front) vertical movement with the trigger shoe. But I also noted that in the original 1911 prints the trigger bow was a consistent height, front to rear, of .232"-.004" while the trigger bow receiver track was cut .233"+.005". And Kuhnhausen specifically mentions to minimize component friction by addressing trigger bow to frame "and" trigger shoe (fingerpiece) to frame clearancing. At this point I'm still wondering if it's advantageous to fit for surface points of the bow (f&r) in case there's insufficient fit in the bottom of a trigger shoe to maintain proper bow to grip frame alignment? Thanks for your feedback!

Wondering if there are "benefits" to using an aftermarket trigger where the bow uses front and rear "shoes/extensions" to align it with the bow track in a 2011 grip? I have noticed a few that only have the shoes/extensions (for a better word description) on the rear; which in my understanding would require the bottom of the trigger shoe to be the bearing surface for maintaining correct horizontal travel "evenly" in the grip along with maintaining perpendicularity of the bow as it travels back an forth in the grip track. On the other hand I have premium trigger assemblies by Atlas/Geppert, LSI, Red Dirt, etc that indeed use front and rear extended bearing surfaces (shoes/estensions) that in my mind are allowing the shoe to be fit to the trigger shoe opening/slot while maintaining a parallel position of the trigger bow in the grip track which would IMO provide a much smoother, precise trigger pull consistency. Is my thinking correct? Or am I placing concern on a non-issue? Thanks for your feedback; and I've enclosed some pics illustrating an stock MPA LOC trigger, Atlas/Geppert, LSI, and Red Dirt.

IMO, constant following of the hammer to a "full width/captured half cock will eventually ruin a precision cut sear face unless the hammer has this type of half cock retention: https://www.speedshooter.com/product/doug-koenig-low-mass-hammer-1911/ Regardless of hammer type, following/dropping to half cock should be addressed and repaired ASAP. It is a safety feature.

@Sarge I've used a bunch of EGW sears over the years and they have all been excellent made; but it's been a while since I purchased a recent one. Wondering if you compared the one you received with any of the print specs to see if it was an out of spec sear or excessive build-up of Cerakote on the frame? I'm seriously considering a Prodigy to "play with" but wondering if I'll need to have it stripped and refinished to get good interference with the fire control group? And I doubt sending it back to SA for excessive build-up of the coating would bode well with Warranty Department........ Thanks!