Cuz
-
Posts
2,309 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Forums
Profiles
Events
Store
Posts posted by Cuz
-
-
On 6/30/2021 at 8:55 PM, Cuz said:
Thanks Mark,
I didn’t even have to install the Range Panda product to know I won’t use it. I do have a bunch of his stuff and like it a lot, and I was already ordering more stuff so I figured I’d take a chance.
Looks like I have to take back my comment on the Range Panda primer catcher. I got fed up with all the primers ending up on the floor so I installed it, and over the last 500 rounds, it worked perfectly. I can still see the spent primer drop down the clear tube so I know if it got decapped or not. Very happy with it so far, as I've been with all the products I've gotten from them.
-Cuz
-
3 hours ago, Johnnymazz said:
Dont waste your money, if the press is set up properly theres no need for all those powder pufff add ons. Service the machine on a regular basis and keep it clean during loading
The trick is trying to determine what’s a “powderpuff add on” vs a useful addition to the press. That’s where experience comes into play.
-
I think the PAL filler is the way to go. I finally got one last summer after over 20 years of using a flip tray and couldn’t be happier with it.
-
31 minutes ago, Sigarmsp226 said:
Cuz - Not trying to derail your thread but my question is related to setting up the RL1100….
Many years ago I purchased and still use the bearing kit for my XL650 that helped reduce the powder spillage issues. I also cut my detent spring down and replaced the ball with a delrin (spelling) ball. Everything still works great….. So to my question…
I see that there is a bearing upgrade kit for the RL1100. I am not experiencing any powder spillage but it is because I am loading “powder puff” loads…Has anyone upgraded their RL1100 with one of these “under the toolhead” bearing kits and if so are you happy with the results….Thanks Mark
Here is a link to one that I saw at the BSPS site….
Interesting, I think one of the reasons I like TiteGroup is that it’s a low volume powder so there’s less chance of spillage. I haven’t experienced it yet on my 550 or now on the 1100.
-
3 hours ago, Johnnymazz said:
My Ultrasonic is from Infante. They sell to the military and police departments. It will set you back $1,500.00 Well worth the coin, blows away the China junk machines.
Does that thing hold more than Dillons large size tumbler? Very impressive.
I definitely can’t afford to hang with you guys… -
I’m a bit confused reading this. What makes one powder “softer” than another? Is it burn rate? I understand heavier Bullets feel softer, but assuming the same bullet across the board, and the same achieved velocity/PF, how can a different powder make a noticeable difference. They all have to get the bullet to the desired velocity in a very short amount of time. Wouldn’t it be better to just reduce the powder charge even if that means going sub-minor for a while to build up skills/confidence and then increasing the charge slightly over time? Forgive my ignorance here as I basically only shoot TiteGroup and my only experimentation has been to vary the charge, or OAL.
Thanks. -
1 hour ago, boatdoc173 said:
by the way, why 2 passes through the reloader? --just curious
Im planning to use two passes because the primers don’t always get ejected which causes the whole loading process to keep getting interrupted. With a second toolhead I will process brass with multiple sizing and decapping dies to make the actual loading process go much smoother. I am thinking that sometime next year I will automate my press, and preprocessing makes everything run better. -
2 hours ago, Johnnymazz said:
Shiny new all primed ready for powder and bullets. Its a 5 step process for me.
When do you prime the brass?
is it a separate step all by itself?
-
Yeah, the more I thought about it, cleaning it first makes much more sense.
-
Looks like you’re seeing an even bigger difference than me.
the load I’m going to use for the next few thousand rounds chronos at:STI 5.0 Eagle: 131
Gen5 G34: 132
Gen3 G17: 133
Gen3 G34: 135
Ruger PCC: 147
They are not as far apart as some other loads I’ve tested.
-
I came late to the party, didn’t join until 2004…
Typical.
-
I'm on my way to using two passes through my RL1100 press to load 9mm. I was just wondering if the first pass to decap, swage, and size the brass should be done before or after cleaning the brass. I tumble dry with corn cob media, if that matters.
I was thinking of doing it first, then cleaning the brass so the primer pockets get cleaned, but then I figured that would get the press pretty dirty since my brass is mostly range pickup from outdoors.
What are you guys doing?
-
That's what the front slide serrations are for.
-
I shoot Glocks because they tend to fit my hand better than most any other pistol I’ve ever shot. They are comfortable, feel good to shoot, and I like them. And I have fun shooting them. Nothing else really matters to me.
-
Thanks Mark!
I was holding off on the purchase to see if I could find it elsewhere with less shipping. BSPS seemed to be the only place that had them in stock. I was going to wait until the FW dies came in but not anymore. I was also hoping for them to have a July 4th sale. Not waiting anymore, order has been placed.
-
22 minutes ago, Sigarmsp226 said:
Cuz - I can answer part of your questions because I emailed the good folks at Level 10. I was told to provide the actual ID measurement I came up with in their drop down menu. My RL1100 toolhead primer slot measured 0.560” and this is what I selected. I was told that they custom make each die and that they will deduct what is needed to allow the die they send you to fit into your toolhead hole….I, like you, seemed to get two measurements on mine (I measured from the top and the bottom) and my measurements were consistently 0.560” and 0.561” so when I ordered my die I selected 0.560” in their drop down menu. When you select your hole ID the price will change so be prepared for that. The price you see when you first look at the die on lone is for a replacement pin - not the complete die system….
I think the first three selections you see are replacement hold down pins that they sell in the event you cannot screw the die down as far as needed to provide the recommended distance for proper use. I am guessing the die comes with a standard size hold down pin (I saw where the pin they provide is also reversible - one end for rifle and one end of pistol).
Anyone who knows differently please correct my comments above. Having received an email from Level 10 I am very confident about my comments in the first paragraph above….Mark
Whoa, I was not expecting that kind of price change! From $12 to $93 is a big change. I think I'll hold off on this die to see if I really need it.
I did just order the FW Arms "popper" decapper and Swage hold down die. Waiting to hear about another toolhead. I think I'll stick to Dillon OEM for that. I thought I was sort of done when I bought the RL 1100 press... then bullet feeder... etc. etc. Now another tool head, and more dies, just to keep those pesky primers from getting sucked back up and messing with my loading rhythm.
-
59 minutes ago, cbrussell said:
Then I selected the measurement from the drop down list.
Ok, so that covers the inside dimension. Now what about the 4.125" or 4.25" or 4.375" replacement rod thingy???
And, just getting back to the inside dimension question, I can't seem to reliably get the same dimension twice. But, when I do, is that the dimension I order, or do I order a size smaller so it fits???
-
On 6/29/2021 at 10:50 AM, cbrussell said:
Mark, not that when ordering the Level 10 Innovations Primer Hold Down Die for the non-threaded station hole, you need to accurately measure the hole diameter when ordering; they make the die to fit. Mine fit like a
glove.
Ok, I need one of these.
what exactly am I supposed to be measuring, and how do I do so?on the website it looks like there are 2 things to measure, one is the 4” length, and then a diameter, but you can only pick one of them???
-
8 hours ago, George16 said:
Dang, I better open up the the last two cases I ordered a month ago or so. However, I always received high quality bullets on all my previous orders.
I agree, I was impressed with their product, this was my first time ordering from them as I hadn’t been using actual jacketed Bullets. But Covid craziness has shown us that anyone can make mistakes, and I’ve been a bit more forgiving of them. I got a whole case of coated Bullets that were sized wrong (.355 instead of .356). I just shot them as practice rounds.
-
58 minutes ago, Sigarmsp226 said:
Cuz - Quick Update for you….My Entirely Crimson primer chute came in yesterday and it took about 2 minutes to install on my custom RL1100 system. Then it took me another 30 minutes to drill the hole through my bench, flare the 1/2” ID clear tube, and route it to my 2.5” PVC pipe mounted under my bench. The large hole on the spent primer storage tube allows me to know when the tube needs to be emptied (visual check with a small mirror or primers will start falling out). The first picture angle is not great - it appears that the 1/2” clear tube is hitting the lower handle unit - it is not - it misses it by a good 1/2”…..
I also took a couple of photos of the Double Alpha loaded round funnel-chute that I am using. If I am doing load development I can remove the funnel, swing the Arco bin rest back down, and catch my rounds topside or I can just put a small hand towel in the funnel to catch the loaded rounds for visual inspection and measurements….Mark
Interesting setup Mark. I’m definitely taking note of what everyone is doing. I have a primer collection tube on my 550, and will eventually put one on the 1100 once I have more trust in my process. For now, I need to visually see the primers falling out because they are not reliably getting ejected.
as for the loaded round collection units, I’ve never been a fan of them. On my 550, I let them collect in the bin, and then every 50 rounds or so I would dump them into a bigger collection bin. I started doing this many years ago as a sort of fail safe. If a round gets ejected from the press that didn’t get crimped, or that I “thought” had a problem, it was never in a bunch of more than 50 rounds to sort through. I can’t imagine thinking there might be a problem round in the big bucket of 3,000 rounds I just loaded. -
Now that I’m almost positive I’m going to go with a two pass system, I am digging this thread. I like reading what everyone is doing to setup their toolheads. Keep the options coming so I can study up before I start ordering stuff.
-
Well, I opened a fresh case, mixed them up a bit and then pulled out a random cupful and weighed about 50 of them. They all weighed 124.2 grains. I’m satisfied. I always weigh a few when I open a fresh case, and I’ll continue to do so. It’s too bad about yours, but good to know they are taking care of you. Makes me happy to do business with them again.
-
1 minute ago, Kirkster said:
Talked to them this morning. Opened the second case and stared weighing this time it was a hundred or so 124s and 13 115s…
They are looking at things and will call me back.
Guess I will be sorting for a while…
Hmm, I ordered a bunch this past month. I weighed maybe 2 or 3 from the first case just to see how close to 124 gr they were and figured I was good to go. I guess I’ll weigh a few more just to make sure.
-
Yes, definitely a nice setup. I am very envious.
Recent bullet orders
in General Reloading
Posted
I have been very happy with them. I’ve been shooting Berry’s Bullets for 20 years, but the pandemic forced me to try many other brands. I didn’t care for coated so I plan to abandon them all together once I’m done with what I have. I’m switching to jacketed Bullets from now on.