HOGRIDER

Cuz: I think AHI is spot on with his assessment. Where's the leak coming from? And with the amount of powder accumulating on the shell plate you showed above, it should be easy to see the leak! IMO, with all your years of using the 550 which I'm thinking uses the same or very similar powder measure as our 1100s, I can't really see this type of spillage coming from the powder drop if it's set up correctly! Video a run and you'll see it! Good luck!

Cuz: As AHI pointed out, if everything's adjusted correctly and your not going too fast; these simple zip ties work excellent! Was loading 4.0g of N320 today for some test 9mm test rounds, and can't remember seeing any spillage whatsoever on the press/shellplate. And I was loading at a normal pace.

Thanks chgo!

So I finally found some time to work up a ladder with the .356" sized 147g FPs with N320. While at it, I decided to work up a small ladder using the 135g TCs. Settling on a 1.120" OAL for both rounds, they hand cycled perfectly in the S2 Orange. Not being real familiar with the 135TCs, I loaded a test batch with 3.6g (N320)and another test batch with 3.7gs based on what info I could search for here on the forum. Question: For those using the 135 TCs in your Shadow2 platforms, does it sound like I'm in the ball park for a 132-133 power factor? Appreciate all the help!

I too have the S2 Orange, and I would recommend you shoot the pistol as is before changing any springs; especially the recoil springs. Depending on your primary purpose for shooting (competition, range gun, fun), you can then decide what spring(s) are best for your intended purpose. CGW has a pretty good read for helping with recoil springs: https://cajungunworks.com/how-to-select-the-proper-recoil-spring/ Probably best to call CZ USA for definite info on what springs come equipped from the factory.

Also, this pic of my failed cam bolt might help. It was originally installed way too tight, and the allen recess cracked by trying to remove it. The outer rim is cracked in three places!

Another.........

My pleasure!

Cuz: IMO, these cam bolts are not the "quality" that they used to be. I wanted the solid part of the bolt (next to the shank) as close to the cam plate assembly as possible; at least to where the stock ratchet arm spaced it. Hope this makes sense! Plus a pic:

high: This worked perfect for me........... https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/285434-issues-with-rl1100/?do=findComment&comment=3181751

Cuz: IMO, remove the ratchet as that will be one less thing you have to worry about! Even though I have no experience with the RL550, I feel that the RL1100 is not a huge leap in the way you process reloads. Every time you pull the handle on the 550, there's 4 stations with 4 processes being executed. And like the 550, the 1100 won't do a thing until you pull the handle! Yea, there's 8 stations but IMO most are set and forget! Station #1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 are pretty much set and forget especially if your using same headstamp brass! With the 1100, again IMO, once you have the primer depth set correctly that takes care of that; but still demands meticulous maintenance/cleaning of the priming system! Station #5 powder drop should not be any more complicated than with the 550! Well lubed and properly adjusted! And the options for powder checks/camera systems are plentiful to alleviate that worry concern. Can't remember if your using a MBF or manual placement of bullets; but again once it's set up your good to go until you change bullet size and/or style. Finally, seat and crimp dies are as I stated, set and forget until you change bullets. FOR ME, I have gotten very comfortable with the RL1100 by having the camera system that allows me a visual check of each round just before the bullet drops. Every time I return the handle to TDC, I quickly glance at the right half of the shellplate, glance at the 10" tablet showing me an excellent view of the case and approximate powder level, and finally a quick glance at station #7 to make sure the bullet is correctly oriented. You set the pace and go from there! Good luck!

Cuz: After many, many years of using XL650s that DO NOT use any kind of "safety ratchet" system, the ratchet on my RL1100 came off after about the first 30 setup/test rounds! Immediately proved to be a PITA! Come to find out that most experienced users remove the 1050/1100 ratchet systems as soon as they bolt the press down. IIRC, I've read here that if you experience a stoppage then empty the shell plate and once the issue(s) are resolved then start over from scratch. Any questionable rounds that were removed from the shell plate can be disassembled and run through the press again.

Stafford: These are very accurate and with a 133PF are soft shooters in my CZ! Highly recommended! https://www.federalpremium.com/handgun/syntech/syntech-action-pistol/11-AE9SJAP1.html

George16 is absolutely right with checking using YOUR barrel. However, I have shot many of the red syntec 150s and 124s through my Shadow 2 Orange, and they performed flawlessly! https://www.federalpremium.com/handgun/syntech/

Cuz: As you can see in the pics, I only needed a fuzz off to eliminate the minor sticking coming from the expander. Have a great friend that's a master machinist.

Sig: That .370" crimp also strikes me as a bit "tight"......possibly a typo error?

JD: As I stated above, you may not have a PE powder funnel that is correctly sized for the diameter of your coated bullets. IE, if your using a .357" or .358" oversized coated bullet, your .357" PE powder funnel may be too small to provide a stable seat for your bullets. PE sells the larger machined funnels just for this reason: https://www.photoescapeinc.com/products/9htc-ptu.html

Sig: I'd guess I'm getting close to 5K rounds on the PE powder funnel, and it's working perfectly! From all my research years ago, and talking with Rick Koskela (inventor/founder of MBF) the sticking of our powder funnels is merely a result of friction. What really aggravates it is the cleaner the brass (new and/or wet cleaned) the more resistance/sticking it causes when retracting the case. I'm sure you can remember other loaders posting that they didn't experience the sticking issue due to using a media type cleaning of their brass which does leave some combustion residue inside the case mouth. Another point that IMO is VERY IMPORTANT, are we using a correctly sized MBF/PE/DAA type funnel? Something Rick shared with me that is spot on: Once I had my funnel (out of specs) machined to .3575" and highly polished, that eliminated 90% of my sticking issues. This is with my .355" Zero bullets or .356" coated lead. So, before any polishing is done, there needs to be an accurate assessment done on the funnel seat to make sure it's not oversized. For me, there were 3 stations on the RL1100 that were all contributing to "sticking". The Station 3 Dillon expander, the original Station 5 MBF powder funnel, and the Station 8 Redding Taper Crimp. After addressing the causes in each station, I am 99% sticking free! I also contribute my smoothness to the Hornady One Shot case lube! Another tid bit from Mr. Koskela: Finally, I also like your idea of using the Redding Premium Expander Die before the powder drop! Currently I'm not using one as I've made some "adjustments" on my stock Station 3 hold down/expander, but the Redding when properly adjusted, will definitely take some of the expansion chores off the powder drop funnel making the whole process much smoother! Hope all this helps my Friend!

Thanks!

While considering a pistol for Carry Optics, it was recommended I watch this video, among others, concerning heavy vs light pistols...... https://youtu.be/BVf9oMSqx1s HTHs

Let me see if I can copy and paste the results...........two back to back tests: Zero 147g JHP, OAL=1.125" Temperature: 62* Pressure: 30.05 Bullet Weight: 147.0 Power Factor Average: 133 Power Factor Low: 130 Power Factor High: 134 Number of Shots: 10 Minimum: 891 Maximum: 917 Spread: 26 Average: 906 Standard Deviation: 8 # Velocity Ft/lbs Power Factor Date 10 906 267.90 133 5/6/21 4:33 PM 9 917 274.45 134 5/6/21 4:33 PM 8 906 267.90 133 5/6/21 4:33 PM 7 891 259.11 130 5/6/21 4:33 PM 6 905 267.31 133 5/6/21 4:32 PM 5 916 273.85 134 5/6/21 4:32 PM 4 897 262.61 131 5/6/21 4:32 PM 3 908 269.09 133 5/6/21 4:32 PM 2 914 272.66 134 5/6/21 4:31 PM 1 904 266.72 132 5/6/21 4:31 PM Zero 147g JHP, OAL=1.125" Temperature: 59* Pressure: 30.03 Bullet Weight: 147.0 Power Factor Average: 132 Power Factor Low: 131 Power Factor High: 133 Number of Shots: 10 Minimum: 897 Maximum: 910 Spread: 13 Average: 902 Standard Deviation: 4 # Velocity Ft/lbs Power Factor Date 10 901 264.96 132 5/6/21 4:23 PM 9 910 270.28 133 5/6/21 4:23 PM 8 900 264.37 132 5/6/21 4:22 PM 7 903 266.13 132 5/6/21 4:22 PM 6 898 263.19 132 5/6/21 4:22 PM 5 900 264.37 132 5/6/21 4:22 PM 4 897 262.61 131 5/6/21 4:21 PM 3 902 265.54 132 5/6/21 4:21 PM 2 907 268.50 133 5/6/21 4:21 PM 1 905 267.31 133 5/6/21 4:20 PM

IHAVE: Thanks for that info! Is this the 147TC profile you speak of? https://www.snscasting.com/new-9mm-147-grain-flat-point-red-coated-500ct/

two: FWIW, when I first got the S2O, I had a match coming up and had not started reloading for it yet. Had a bunch of the Federal 150g Syntecs I had purchased for the wife, and a club member recommended I shoot them at the match as they were a fully approved USPSA load right out of the box. I did, and they shot/functioned very well! Accuracy was very good! What struck me as odd, was the OALs of this particular batch averaged 1.115"! A few boxes I received recently averaged 1.125". I understand your comments on loading short and all the possibilities of (major) failures that are very real! I have a sample pack of BB 147g FPs I'm going to try at 1.120". I also want to try and secure a sample pack of the same bullet but with a .356" diameter. Plan on calling Blue on Tuesday to see how long a wait I would have on some. Thanks again for your comments!