TDA

Sorry it wasn't brought up earlier in this thread, but the vast majority of bullet manufacturers use Hi-Tech or similar coatings and it seems only a few by comparison use Moly. When I think "coated" bullets, Moly doesn't come to mind. When you posted that you went for Moly bullets my first thought was "oh man, of all the coated bullet choices..." Many who use Moly bullets have good luck with them though, but from my experience they do seem much more finicky than "painted" bullets.

Just curious how many of the rounds that didn't pass the case gauge fail to chamber when used for practice?

Not the answer you are looking for, but I have used those in my 1911 with no real problem, but tried some in .40 cal and never got them to work at all regardless of load, powder, or pistol used. After 15-20 rounds it would take hours to get the lead out of the barrel. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they just don't! I gave up and switched to Hi-Tech coated bullets and have had no problems whatsoever in anything I shoot them in.

Same result. From what I understand though, not all barrels will allow that. I've not seen one, but have been told some CZ's have a recessed breech face, so measuring from the barrel hood would not work out.

I did a similar test with Montana Gold, Berry's, and lubed lead using 230gr RN. The Montana Gold and the Berry's are in a box on the shelf somewhere...

OAL depends on the bullet, not the gun.You'll need to figure it out for each different bullet. So I mentioned I had purchased the 200gr weight in the RN configuration. I understand the bullet would have some limits but I would think the chamber would come first?? Thanks Bullets can vary slightly in shape from one manufacturer to another. I have three different manufacture 180 RNFP's and all three will load to a different max OAL in the same chamber. That difference may or may not be significant, as sometimes the magazine is the limiting factor. I've seen some pretty significant differences in different manufacturers 230 RN in .45. The first thing I do when I try a new manufacturers bullet is to take measurements to determine the max OAL, and I do it for each of my pistols. I keep a list of the bullets I have and the max OAL for each one. in each of my pistols. 1. Measure from the breech face to the muzzle end of the barrel with the pistol in battery. 2, Then remove the barrel and drop a bullet in the chamber. 3. Measure from the tip of the bullet to the muzzle end of the barrel and subtract that measurement from the measurement in step 1. That will be your absolute max OAL to where the bullet is touching something. I usually subtract about another .010"-.015" as a starting point, if it fits in the magazine.

I prefer Vibra-Tite: http://www.mcmaster.com/#threadlockers/=yew7cl

OAL depends on the bullet, not the gun. You'll need to figure it out for each different bullet.

Yep, over tightening causes the plastic end to deform. I keep mine where it just makes light contact with the primer tube.

I was just loading some 9mm so I checked the Dillon plastic ammo boxes I was using. The compartments are .400" x .400", so the cartridges actually rattle around a bit, but not as bad as .40 in the .45 boxes.

It's weird the different experiences people have. When I bought my current 650 the dealer only had a casefeeder with large plate. I intended to load only 9 and super on it and wanted a small. He assured me the large would work. I was skeptical as all hell but it's worked as well or better than my old casefeeder with the small plate worked with 9 (wasn't loading super when I had the old one). Both large and small plates have the same number of cutouts too so there's no change in the rate of feeding either. I would guess that some are using the spacer washer under the plate when they shouldn't be for the calibers being discussed.

I am curious as well! I have 200 LSWC's from Acme (lubed lead), SNS (coated), BBI (coated), and Precision (moly) loaded up and ready to test. All with 4.0 Clays @1.250" just to see if they differ. Just haven't had a chance to shoot them and see...

You're lucky! I was loading .45ACP when I hit one. The top of the primer folded open like a tuna can, but didn't break off, jamming the shell plate, breaking the ring indexer on my XL650. Now I keep a spare ring indexer handy...

I wouldn't buy a press just because it looks like an easy one to "learn" on. It takes about an hour or two to learn how to set up and use one. I'd buy the one I would want to use most for my purposes!

Fired 9mm cases are not even remotely snug in the Dillon cases. They shake around and fall right out if turned over.

That's bazaar. You must be using the wrong cases. There is no way that a 9mm, .40, or .45 round can bounce out of position in any of the cases that I use if they are closed. (Dillon cases) Try using a Ziploc bag for fired cases.

"Shell Plates" and "Casefeed Plates" are two different things. I believe you will need a small Casefeed Plate. Edit: "Small Pistol" that is.

I use Dillon dies on my 650 for pistol calibers and just don't see any problem with them!

I'd guess it is a broken "ring indexer". (as mentioned above) I broke one recently when a primer didn't drop out and jammed the index plate. There should be a spare in the parts kit if you have the kit. You might want to get an alignment tool from Dillon to properly align the machine upon reassembly with the new ring. They will also send you a new indexing ring under warranty.

Lube groove.

If I'm not mistaken, my .40 "Bulge Buster" used a Lee FCD and it is a fixed diameter die. I just took a .40 case, flared it, and then passed the flared case through the "Bulge Buster". The flare firmly contacted the mouth of the die and when pushed through the flare was reduced to the diameter of the rest of the case.

Jut last Sunday I loaded up 25 rounds with 4.0 Clays behind a 200g Acme LSWC, and 25 using 4.0gr of N310 and the same LSWC. They Chrono'd 836 and 829 respectively, so pretty close. N310 was a bit more accurate, but other than that... Since I am long on Clays, I will use it and only use the N310 when I need the extra accuracy.

I just did some checking and the Lee FCD is about .003" smaller in diameter than the Dillon crimp die. (on .40 cal) The Dillon die would be less likely to "clunk" when passing over the flare than the Lee. I use Dillon dies and have never had shaving problems in 9, .40, or .45.

It seems you went from too much flare, to not enough. You shouldn't need different dies or powder funnel, just get the flare adjusted properly, as it takes very minor adjustments..