bigarm
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Posts posted by bigarm
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Separate building from the house. 30 x 70 pole building with 30 x 40 enclosed. Insulated with the 2" foam and then finished with blue stained pine. Has a big commercial propane blower, but only gets heated when we are using it. Going to mount the second Dillon 550 b today.
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Is terrific, for a newbie with little mechanical aptitude, those of you more talented than me have coached me through solutions that i could never have thought of. Thanks to everyone who has helped and will help. This board is rocks
Geoffrey P. Radoff, M.D.
+1 on this! I am constantly asking questions here. If not for this forum, I would still be scratching my head at my first problem!
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You did just fine Bigarm! I would have probably done it different but it is your press, your money, and certainly your call! I went from a 550 to a 650 and absolutely love it but I certainly don't need it. I am fascinated with gadgets so the case feeder and bullet feeder turned the 650 into an ammo plant! I can go downstairs and knock out a thousand rounds in about an hour but I probably only shoot 500 a month! lol
If I had made it here in time my thoughts would have been:
Don't even consider the 650 without a casefeeder. The machine is basically built to have one on it. Nothing like the 550 where you can pick them out of a bin and pop them in there. So the price would have had to account for that in my opinion.
I see no use in powder cops etc. A $15 LED light from Lowe's in the right spot will light up the inside of a 9mm case like New York City. I have always made looking into the case before seating a bullet part of my routine.
If you are going to crank out lot's of the same ammo then the 650 with CF would have been the better choice
Thanks Sarge. It is a done deal, the orders have been made so it is really a moot point. I know that the 650 would have been the better choice if I only was wanting another machine. However, I wanted to get casting equipment also and this way I was able to do both. However, I will say the casting is costing more than I imagined. I ordered a casting pot, a couple of custom molds (because I wanted certain sizes, weights and no lube rings), powder coating gun, sizing dies (to the size I want the finished bullets), a simple RCBS Partner single stage loader to size the cast bullets and a few other things to get going on casting. Spending more than I planned on, but my wife and I made a trip to SW Montana (5+ hours south) to visit a knowledgeable caster that offered to teach us how. It was a lot of fun and my wife is excited about it also, so for now I think I made the right decision. Tomorrow I begin building a simple bench on casters for the casting equipment (and a cart for my wife for her bbq to keep her happy). So I am a happy camper and exited about adding a new hobby. I retired in June and am really enjoying having the time and energy to undertake these projects. Only problem is without the money coming in, I am having to sell guns to finance these new things.
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I am using homemade lube (lanolin and alcohol) for handgun loading and it seems to be working fine. I am going to start loading for my AR's and wondered if using the same lube would be fine or if I need something else. Certainly don't want a stuck case. I will be loading on a Dillon 550 b. I am just gearing up to cast my own bullets and so am considering using cast bullets probably with powder coating. Putting a lot of money into this casting thing, figure I ought to get the most out of it.
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Sounds like you are way ahead of myself here in Atlanta Georgia Area. Wish I had your acreage!
C'est la vie!!
Congrats!!
Chuck
We only have 20 acres. Here in Montana that is nothing.
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No more stressing. I made my choice. I decided to go with the 550 to save money. I got all the accessories I want from Brian Enos and Inline Fabrication plus what I need for 223, except the trimmer and I am able to pay for all of it with selling 2 shotguns. I am supposed to be selling a handgun in a week so I can use that money for the trimmer and maybe some casting equipment. I really wanted the 650 for the auto indexing (being retired now, I have time to index) and powder check (I have done okay without that and I have been using the Inline lighting system which really helps to see the powder), so that's that. The order has been placed.
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Oh and PS based on earlier post!
I keep the weapons(hand guns and rifles) away- away from the reloading room. I do this for both safety and security issues. If they(bad GUYS) break in they can easily steal my ammo and components but the hardware is safe elsewhere and it will take them time to find them. Time is a rare commodity of a thief !!!
Chuck
Our guns are all in the house in a safe, well most of them. are in the safe None are in the reloading area. Actually the man cave is a separate building from the house. It is a 30x70 pole building with 30x40 enclosed and the remaining 30x30 enclosed on three sides with an open front, no insulation or inside walls, just the metal on the outside. Pretty much done as of today. Got the rest of the room cleaned up. Now I am going to order another 550 and accessories from Enos and Inline Fabrication (Labor Day sale at Inline - 10% off). Really was considering a 650, but I can get more things I need if I get the 550. Sold a couple of shotguns to pay for it. Tomorrow my wife and I are taking a trip to SW Montana to visit a very accomplished bullet caster who has graciously offered to teach me how to cast. I guess casting equipment might be next.
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Well I am newly retired and on a limited income. I am selling a couple of shotguns to finance this. I keep going back and forth. Right now I am thinking that it might be financially better to go with the 550 since it is less expensive and then I can put some money to a couple of bills we need to pay and maybe have a few bucks to look into casting equipment as I am going to visit someone tomorrow that is going to teach me how to cast. Also I want to start doing 223 so I need to purchase a trimmer (thinking about the new Giraud) and a swager. I would have more money to do those things then. The real reason I wanted the 650 is for the auto indexing and the powder check, but I do a pretty good job of checking the cases for powder and I am using the inline fabrication lighting system which really helps there. Got to make up my mind though as Inline Fabrications is having a sale so I can save a little money. I plan on getting at least their mount and lighting system for which ever I choose.
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Since my deal to buy a 550 from a private person fell through I am starting over. I was set on buying another 550 b. That way I would not have to change between large and small primers. I still want to buy another machine, but now am wondering whether to buy the 550 or go with a 650. I have read all the information on Brian's store and still am undecided. The case feeder is not that important to me (although since I have never used one, maybe I don't know how nice it would be), but I think the option of a powder check station is very appealing. Of course that would only be for small primers as I would still be loading large primers on the 550. Also the auto index is intriguing. So what to do? Should I spend the extra cash (about $127 more for the basic 650 without casefeeder) or save the cash? The extras I would want would be pretty much a wash between the two (mount, etc) except the powder check system since it is only available on the 650. That also leads to another question - if I went with the 650 should I buy the Dillon powder check system or a powder lock out die or powder check die?
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SHIPPING!! You don't need no stinking shipping!
Call Brian
I guess I really don't need shipping. I hadn't heard from the guy so contacted him and found out he sold it to someone else after I agreed to buy it. It will probably work out better, but I really hate it when you have a deal and then it goes out the window, especially when they don't even notify you.
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My wife and I just started USPSA and 3 gun this year. We used to do cowboy action shooting, but stopped for several years. According to my wife, if we go to a 3 gun match, we probably spend about $350. Of course, we live in a place where we have to travel for 3 gun.
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I have both Dillon and In line fabrication mounts. In line for the Forster Coax and Redding T7, Dillon for the 550 and square deal.
Dan makes good stuff that works. His mounts are heavier than the Dillon mounts and very well finished. Order a light kit at the same time.
I have a light kit for my 550 and like it very much.
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Which do you prefer - the lock out type or the Dillon type? I am debating on whether to get another 550 or a 650. Really the main reason for the 650 would be the extra spot for the powder check.
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I have a couple of things from them and have been happy with them. Has anyone used their mounts? How do they compare with the Dillon Strong Mount? I like the Dillon mount, but the Inline looks good also. I think I eventually want to try a roller handle or the ergo handle from Inline, but that won't be right away due to finances. My bench has a trim on the front which requires the mount to be back a little to be able to put the bolts in. This makes it so that I have to either trim underneath the bench to be able to get the washers in or the regular handle hits the front of the bench, so I have to trim it. Inline Fabrications has several mounts, one of which is taller than the Dillon, so I wonder if that will help the handle clear.
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I have only used the small powder bar. I bought my Dillon used and have several powder bars. I assume the large bars are the thicker ones, is that correct? Also, I seem to have 2 different colors - black and what just appears to be unfinished aluminum. Is there a difference?
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SHIPPING!! You don't need no stinking shipping!
Call Brian
Well, I still haven't heard back from the seller. If I don't I will be buying from Brian as I really only need the basic loader plus maybe the 223 conversion kit. I plan on doing either a Dillon strong mount or Inline Fabrication mount.
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I have the Dawson ICE magwell installed on my 1911. Dawson made some extended/angled base pads for my Wilson 47D magazines. It all fits in the box. However, I still sometimes have trouble seating a full magazine. I may go back to something like the S&A someday.
My wife is having the same problem, but is getting better. Any ideas for her on seating the mags?
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Got most of the reloading area done, so I have begun working on the fishing area. Took everything out of the drawers and cabinets and cleaned the areas. Still need to clean everything that was in there, though. Made shelves and am now working on fishing pole holders. Since it is a rustic area, I made some with just 2x4's. Will mount them and if they look okay, will make more.
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Order of Blue Bullets 40 no lube rings sized .400 arrived today. I have not used the bullets yet, but want to say that they do a remarkable job of packing for shipping. I was very impressed. I bought another companies bullets before (which were great bullets, by the way), but when they arrived at the post office the box was open and a lot of bullets were out of the box. I live in a very small place so the post master was very good about taking care of them, but could have lost a lot if it was a larger place. Afterwards, I did check the website and they said they recommended to buy insurance for shipping. I hadn't noticed that before. I should read more carefully.
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Yes i have and they are great. I have been shooting them exclusively in .40 and love them.
Thanks. When you started using them, were you able to keep the same load of powder? I am using 4.9 grains of CFE and like that load. It makes major easily with the Black Bullets.
Bowenbuilt, just curious- I just purchased 8 pounds of CFE. Have you used CFE with 180gr Blue or Black bullets? Major or Minor?
Dont know about Bowenbuilt but I did some loads. See this thread: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=199062
I have used 4.9 grains in several matches and it has worked well, These were with 200 grain Black Bullets. New order of Blue Bullets arrived today. Will try them soon.
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I am going to sell a pistol today (one I really didn't want to sell, but things happen) and use that money to buy a new 550b and a bunch of trimmings. Been working with a guy on trades,etc, which didn't work out, but settled on a price. Waiting to hear the cost of shipping. That could be a problem!
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I doubt any bullet company would want to be associated with me!
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I would have to see if I still have this information, but I am sure that when I used 231 the load was in the mid 5's.
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If you shoot mostly small primer rounds and .223/5.56 you might consider going to small rifle primers for everything. Cuts inventory down and keeps it simple. Especially if you use 1911 guns, some striker fired ones don't mate well with SRPs.
i shoot 40 for USPSA and 3 gun, so I guess that would work. My wife shoots 45, but need large pistol for it anyway.
To those that use something other than Dillon - are you happy?
in non-Dillon Reloading Equipment
Posted
Decided to go with a second Dillon 550b. It arrived today. I have an appointment in town and then will get to mounting it.