boatdoc173

^^^ this is why custom gun makers get the big $$$. Their time is expressed by the product . great gunsmiths truly take the work to the next level. you do have to feel them and shoot them to appreciate them

Cabot buts a top notch semi custom gun NOW. they show a lot of pride in their fitment and finish work. as close to a custom made as you can get (IMHO) for a semi custom price

Lou is another great person to deal with and his work speaks volumes

Karl is a great person and a top tier gunsmith in my opinion

I am lucky to own a Chambers working mans gun and a Alpha American model #4( Tim Anderson was a NHC gunsmith- top notch work). both in 9mm. both are flawless To me the custom gun offers a highe r level of fit and finish over kitted guns( semi customs like Wc NHC, LB...) None of them can out shoot a LB ( les baer) in my injured hands. IMHO LB and NHC rule the custom markets due to the time spent on fitment

@farmer,I believe the redding die is a bit smaller in diameter. I was told that helps straighten out the case better. my dillon 550c is level. the dillon dies just work better f or me. once I retire and have more time to investigate, maybe I can get the redding dies to work for me too thanks to all who are replying

that was what I was doing. it became old an d frustrating. alignment is the true issue

case deformities or variation might be a cause. the cases, the opening variation... all contributed to this issue I think.Th e problem for me, was that rotating the cases often enough to make reloading frustrating and slow, just did not work.

thanks again @HOGRIDER

that might be a help thanks

I think hand loading some cases could provide some insight. my shell plate is set up appropriately , no too much play but that could be the issue at hand

dillon die in the 550c now. not touching it as it works as expected

I used my dillon case cleaner with some nu finish polish, cleaned brass gets some one shot. mu reloade r is a dillon 550c only happens with my redding sizing die. zero issues with my dillon die at all.Makes no sense to me. not specific to a brand of brass casing either. again the " never seen that before" I hear every once in a while is appropriate now that I have down time, I might just try to hand fit some cases into that sizing die to see what might be the hang up.

BTW I am as perplexed as Redding was about the resizing die issues. I bought the die set specifically to have straight walled cases.. I found zero reason that some cases would not just enter the die as the rest do( and require some rotation of the case to get it into the die). I love reloading. I learned alot on my own and have really been helped by our members. THANK YOU ALL. It is really satisfying to reload from November- February or so and see all of those filled ammo cans just waiting to be used. To be able to size and reload ammo for a specific gun --ammo that feeds perfectly and shoots well solved a problem for me and proved the value of rolling your own.

you folks ar e the BEST. never fails. our members ALWAYS have answers base d on experience I will remove the spring this week. I am battling hand and arm injuries so I will NOT be reloading for quite a while( I did make 9000+ rounds of 9mm before the injuries).Once I can reload again, I will give these suggestions a try and get back to you kind members. thanks again