aedavis

Berry's and Xtreme both make a 123gr plated bullet for 7.62x39. I haven't tried either one yet (I've been using Hornady 123gr SPs), but I will be buying a batch of them before long. Limitations - 1800fps maximum per manufacturer (due to plating) flat nose profile has caused some feed issues with certain rifles You should be able to get them for around $140/1000, from Xtreme directly or from TJ Coneveras (for the Berry's).

I hogged my Pachmayrs out with a file and Dremel to get clearance for the ambi safety. It didn't look pretty, but once they were mounted on the pistol it was unnoticeable and it worked okay. Allan

I've loaded a lot of 223 with W748 and BLC-2. I've had good luck with both - the Winchester powder gives better velocity but is a bit more temp sensitive. I've settled on BLC-2 since I can get it in 8lb jugs a little cheaper.

500 pieces of fired 38 Special brass (with spent primers) weighs 4.75 lbs. 5 lbs should be about 526 pieces of brass.

I use Power Pistol and haven't had any problems with it. I use 230gr FMJ Zeros.

I like the price of the Precision Deltas, but unfortunately when I ordered 9mm bullets I found out they weren't going to be shipping until late August at the earliest. If I can't get some Zeros from Roze Distributing I'll have to check on availability of Montana Golds.

+1 I clean my carbide pistol dies almost never. Every 5000 rounds or so I'll clean my rifle dies that I use sizing lube on. Neither type has ever been very dirty.

I used a Swager Die similiar to the RCBS setup and it didn't work well at all. I currently ream my primer pockets with a countersink bit in my hand drill, but if I wanted to swage them again I'd spend the money for the Dillon Super Swage.

I use CCI 350 (Large Pistol Magnum) primers for my 45ACP loads with no issues. I worked up the load carefully using Power Pistol powder and a 230gr FMJ.

I haven't found it to make a lot of difference. I am going from memory here, but I remember seeing a difference of about 100fps going from 30F to 90F, with no apparent change of zero. I don't know if that is much different than other powders, but it hasn't caused me any problems. If you are working at the maximum charge, it might be a problem.

I have loaded many thousands of rounds on my Rock Chucker. I purchased a Square Deal B (set up in 9mm) a couple years ago and I just can't warm up to progressive reloading. It is obviously faster, but I like reloading and I don't really get in a hurry when I'm doing it. I'll probably sell my SDB and just go back to single stage loading everything.

I've been using a Pact Model 1 for nearly 20 years without problems. My Club Timer III works well too. The couple times I've shot the skyscreens Pact was quick and easy to deal with in getting replacements sent to me.

I haven't used it in 357, but I use Alliant Power Pistol in 9mm and 45ACP (along with 38 Special and plan to test it in 44 Magnum). It works, and making major in 357 and 45 shouldn't be a problem. I also like it because I can buy it in 4lb jugs, which translates to about $13 per pound.

I've had good luck using 124gr FMJs from Precision Delta. I believe they are the best price going for 9mm jacketed or plated bullets right now. Precision Delta

9mm - Power Pistol 38 Special - Power Pistol 40 S&W - don't load for this 45 ACP - Power Pistol 223 - BLC-2 308 - don't load for this

For once fired brass, I trim and then resize it in an RCBS X die. I haven't had the brass grow more than a couple thousandths after repeated firings since switching to the X die.

I bought a second hand SDB a couple years ago and haven't had any problems with it. It is an older model set up in 9mm. The only thing I get is an occasional flipped or sideways primer, but that seems to be inherent in progressive presses.

I've reloaded many thousands of 9mm and 38 Special brass and never sorted it by +P or not +P. The 38 loads have been moderate but the 9mm loads have been full power loads. I never noticed any differences. I've weighed Federal +P+ brass vs. their normal brass and didn't see a difference. For what it's worth.

I use my Speer manual more than the other manuals I have (Nosler, Sierra). I also use loadbooks from the powder manufacturers a lot.

I use Power Pistol for all my 9mm handloads (and my 45ACP and 38 Special loads). Allan

I've used 69gr Sierra BTHP bullets in my 1:9 Colt HBAR with good results. Considering what you have invested in them, I'd load them up and see how they perform. Allan

I bought a used SDB a year or so ago, set up for 9mm. The original sizing die wasn't sizing the brass enough to chamber properly. I did some measuring, talked to Dillon, and they sent me a replacement 9mm sizing die that works perfectly. If you end up having a problem with your loads not chambering, call Dillon and see about getting a replacement die. Allan

It sounds like a solution's already been found, but here's what I did to fix this problem: I bought a used SDB to load 9mm. I knew about the Glock brass issue and had ground down my RCBS sizing die to fully size the cases. With the original sizing die that came with the SDB, I wasn't getting the cases sized down enough. After a few measurements and a call to Dillon, I had a new sizing die for my SDB which now sizes the cases down enough. Try replacing the Dillon SDB sizing die and see if it fixes your problem. Allan

I use a countersink just like this one: Countersink Mine is a 5/16" bit, but anything that fits in the pocket should work. I don't love this method, but it works. I chuck the countersink up in my cordless drill, clamp the drill in my bench mount vise, and hold the case up against the countersink with one hand while running the drill with the other hand. It sounds wierd but works pretty well. I'm not sure this method gets a smooth enough 'transition' into the primer pocket to work in a progressive press - I load my 223 on a RockChucker single stage and prime with an RCBS hand priming tool. I can't see spending $90 on the Dillon swage for the 1000-1500 cases a year I have to remove a crimp on - plus, I don't have the bench space. I think I might buy the CH4D swage die to try it out since it fits in my single stage press and is priced right. There's a good writeup on it here: writeup on CH4D swage die