Sigarmsp226

George - If I may butt into this discussion - You mention you use the "5e" shell plate or did you mean to type the word "the"? May I ask what/who makes the shell plate you are using because with that many rounds on a single shell plate - it sounds like you have the right shell plate on your machine. Thanks Mark

Guys - I think it is acceptable to post a link to a couple new auction listings, by the same seller, that started last night in the event someone is looking for an Ammo-Bot auto-drive for their Dillon press. I am not affiliated with or know this seller. Mod’s if this is a rule violation please remove and I apologize for my error in posting. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/910958885 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/910958787

Johnny - Thanks for making this recommendation. I have two extra part kits for my XL650’s because many years ago I had to dip into the one I had to replace a couple of items. When that occurred I added another $30.00 (years ago) parts kit to my next Dillon order…. I do not have a spare parts kit for my XL1100…but one will be added to my “Wish List” on the Dillon site right now…Thanks for the post recommending this as I know the value of having the kit just had not registered in my brain to order one…Mark

BGary - I continue to follow, read, and re-read this thread because this is a very interesting discussion for me. Now my questions below are not related to anything I am working on but more so asking the forum brain trust because I truly do not know the answers to these questions and thought they should at least be asked/thought about in your situation… 1 - Would seating your round .001” - .002” deeper increase you PF ever so slightly to provide you an extra little “buffer” on your PF? Again I am NOT suggesting this - I am just asking the smarter forum members to advise if this is a bad idea that should not be considered because with the slightly deeper seating depth comes slightly higher chamber pressures and this could be a recipe for disaster?????? Asking others if this is a BAD idea…. 2 - You live in WA state and it is summertime right now. How does temperature affect PF? I am asking because I do not know this and if this is something you need to be concerned about if you are shooting matches in the colder times of the year…. Again I am thinking out loud here and have no idea if either of these points need to be considered in your scenario….

Or you can just buy a SIG and not have to worry about your pistol breaking or wearing out….

Hog brings up,a,good point. I like Hog have loaded on a XL650 for many years and with it being an auto index machine it is a much smaller step going to the RL1100 vs. a manual machine like the 550 (which is the machine I started with before going to the 650).

I took mine off as soon as I set up each toolhead. I did this based on comments/recommendations from other loaders on this forum.

And with this information from Mikey it all ties together… If you look at the fine print on the UniqueTek website it states that the powder funnels they sell are made by Photo Escape… Mikey - Thank you for posting this information about your success with the powder funnel they sell. Adds another level of confidence that the Photo Escape powder funnel I am running maybe the best powder funnel in the market today…… HogRider - You are THE MAN….for directing me to Photo Escape….Thanks…Mark

DDC - Wanted to provide two photos to make sure I am measuring where you want me too. If I misunderstood your request just guide me to the right spot please. I have the die, calipers, and I-Phone all in hand and ready to help anyway I can…Standing by for your review and feedback….Mark

To provide a little more clarity - I never said I was “worried or afraid” to invest $50.00 into one of these kits. Having reloaded for over 35 years and currently having three Dillon presses - one being a RL1100 and two being XL650’s, and also having two single stage presses I think I understand “The Game” I am playing in… But why invest any money into something that others here may have experienced issues with after having used the product for a period of time.

Cha-Lee - Thank you for posting the details about the Uniquetek kit. I just watched a short video on you tube showing how simple the kit is to use. I also walked out to my reloading room and realized that my 650 OEM heads do have some “slop” in them. Because I load 9mm, 300 B/O, 223/5.56, 308, 30-06, 38 Spl., 40Cal, and 45 ACP I am thinking I will pick up the large kit for just over $50.00 and get my tool heads threaded with inserts. Granted I may not need this for my pistol calibers but f I am going to do do my dedicated rifle caliber tool heads that are already set up why not do them all. If anyone knows a reason that I should not consider using this kit please share your concerns before I pull the trigger on this purchase….Thanks Mark

Bruce - To Grumpy’s point - Should you consider bumping up to a 135Gr or 147Gr bullet to help get you to the desired PF you are looking for? Just thinking out of the box a little for you….

Sarge and HogRider - You both are right - I went back out and checked my numbers. On my .355” bullets I shoot for .375” - .380” - not 370”. Thanks for checking me on this as I am betting a .370” on a .355” bullet would not even look right. Sorry for my posting error…..Mark

JD - Yes - In fact it is the same length and almost the exact same profile as the MBF and the DA. I only made a very minor adjustment when I dropped it into my powder funnel die. The guy that helped create or created this specific powder funnel, that the MBF company adopted, told me by email that the problem with the current MBF over his Photo Escape version is 100% related to the tooling used to make the powder die and then the final finish. He told me that the MBF is no longer made in the US like his and when he finishes the Photo Escape powder funnel he makes sure all of the tooling marks are polished out. He said this is what causes a powder funnel to stick. He went on to say that it takes more time to make one of the Photo Escape units because of this extra work but it is what will prevent it from sticking. I have no affiliation with the Photo Escape company. When I received my powder die from Photo Escape I looked at it and said to myself that there is no visual difference in the Photo Escape from the DAA or the MBF units. I questioned this with the inventor who sells now under the Photo Escape website and that is when he told me it was all in the final finishing and if I looked at his using a magnifying glass vs. the MBF or DA I would see the difference. My comment was - as long as it does not stick I do not care about what it looks like. So far no sticking but again I only have about 1000 rounds loaded with this new powder die so only time will tell. If it starts sticking I will post it here asap.

Cuz - I am no expert by any means but 600 grit does not seem to be really that fine. I would think a minimum of 800 grit with a second pass of 1000-1200 grit if there is such a thing. What about 00, 000, or 0000 steel wool? I would be concerned that 600 grit might take whatever coating or finish that is on the die - off but maybe that is what we are needing it to do…. I wonder if there is a Dremel attachment that would one to do this. I know they sell circular sanding bands for the Dremel tool just not sure how fine they go. Also wonder if jewelers rouge would work….. Again - I am not a machinist and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night so take my thoughts with a grain of pepper….

No Sir - Not so far but I only have about 1000 rounds through the Photo Escape Powder Die so far….. Paging HOGRIDER (I just sent him a message also) - Hog, how many rounds have you loaded using your Photo Escape Powder Die and have you had any sticking issues so far?

InTheShaw - Thanks for asking your contact at Dillon about a 10 station loader. I apologize for even making this statement in one of my earlier posts. A Dillon 10 station was only a “want” from me hoping for the best of both worlds. A Dillon manufactured press with 10 stations like the other manufacturers. My thinking was if anything was in development someone might share a tidbit or morsel to keep my hopes alive. Thanks for confirming and again my apology if I spoke out of place to imply I knew something that others did not..It was not my intent….Mark

JD - I currently do not have my MBF hooked up to my RL1100. I had it hooked up to my Mark 7 but after selling it and back filling with the RL1100 my MBF has sat idle (I will eventually hook it back up). Also sorry to say I do not load any coated bullets. I primarily load RMR 124Gr FMJ’s (using up remaining inventory) and now in the past four months switched over to Precision Delta’s 124Gr JHP. As you read this you may ask yourself which delivery system am I using because I reference using the Redding Premium Expander Die and also the Photo Escape Powder Die. I still have my XL650 set up and I load 9mm on it while also loading a slightly different round on the RL1100. I am using the Photo Escape on the RL1100 on a one pass loading process while using the Redding on the XL650 on a two pass loading process I just set up earlier this week. I know you may not want to hear me say this but if you are doing a two pass loading process you might want to consider trying the Redding Premium Expander Die. I know it messes up the typical processes we are all used to but I really like mine and after 500 rounds (I just came in from loading another 200 rounds while the grandgirls are still sleeping) I did not have a single issue. Sorry I was not able to provide any type of feedback to you with the MBF or coated bullet options. Being that I am sure we are distant kin (check my profile details and this comment will make sense) I hate that you are not close enough for me to let you try my sons Redding Premium Expander die that just arrived yesterday that I will be giving to him tomorrow evening.

ddc - I do not have the CNC Shooter Toohead but I do have a second Redding Premium Expander die that came in today for my son that I will be giving to him on Sunday when we meet him to give the grandgirls back. I am happy to provide pictures and measurements while I have his die in hand - I just need some guidance on what to measure. I also have Lee and Dillon 9mm dies on hand if a side by side photo would be better. Let me know what I can provide that might help you and I will be happy to get the pictures and/or measurements together tomorrow and post or send to you through a message….Mark

JDillon - I also tried the Double Alpha and it also stuck in my applications and I also use One Shot. That is the reason I was able to photo all three funnels side by side. I only have about 1500 rounds loaded through the Photo Escape powder funnel so it may be to early to know if it will eventually stick. If you guys ever decide to give a expanding die a chance (like the Lyman “M” die which I have not specifically tried for 9mm) consider the Redding Premium Expanding Die. I started using this die about two weeks ago and it does not stick and it also expands the case opening slightly different that allows the bullet to seat much more consistent. I have not had one round fail my Shockbottle case gauge when using this expanding die….

Cuz - Also - I stopped using the U die on both of my 9mm set ups because it was causing me to have to bell the case more to get the bullet started. On both presses I am running a Dillon on one and a Lee on the other. The standard Lee resizing/depriming die actually sizes .001”” over standard and because one of the bullets I am loading is a .356” this works perfectly. I have both presses set to taper crimp at .370” and they both usually hold a +/-.003” so because I can get the resistance I need to prevent set back on my taper crimp die I decided to not use the U die for my current 9mm bullet applications….

Cuz - HogRider told me about the guy who originally created the MBF and he now sells a powder die that has a finish on it that is far smoother than the MBF powder funnel. I know this because I ordered one and it is what I am running in my RL1100 now. His company name is called - PhotoEscape (not Photo Scape as I referenced below)…. https://www.photoescapeinc.com/products/powder-funnel.html I have also read where folks have had great success with the powder die from shooting sports innovations but I have no direct experience in using it. https://shootingsportsinnovations.com/alpha-dropper-powder-funnel/

Cuz - Agree with you and honestly I have not yet grown tired of pulling the handle on my RL1100. Imam sure that will change at some point but right now it allows me to better understand every possible idiosyncrasy that might occur. Understanding the sound and the feel allows me to quickly understand if something might have gone wrong during a cycle. Automation can come when I get tired of pulling the handle….No where close to that point yet…..

Thank you Chuck for the details and the link.

Well I decided earlier this week to give this a 500 round try - and - I really like the results……I started with wet tumbled (with SS pins), primer still in the case, mixed range brass that has been sorted to remove all step, military/crimped, and "troublesome to reload for various reasons" brass. Todd Tuckwood of A+ Brass (in the Classified Ad - approved vendors section of this forum) provides this service and has vision system. Todd has sorted and re-cleaned over 80,000 pieces of 9mm brass for me. For me - I am sure everyone may have a different or better method - this is how I set mine up…..Also - I did this with one of my 650’s not my RL1100 since I have extra tool heads and I have my RL1100 set up to run my PPC 9mm round and do not intend to change it out until I get 5000 rds. completed…. 650 Toolhead One 1 - FW Arms Primer Popper 2- Empty 3 - Empty 4 - Lee Re-Sizing Die 5 - Empty 650 Toolhead Two 1 - Redding Premium Expander Die (Man I LOVE this die) 2 - Powder Drop - No case expansion required) 3 - Powder Check 4 - Seat 5 - Crimp I realize that I am pulling the handle twice as often for the same number of rounds but thought I would give it a try as I am old and enjoy my time in my reloading room. As for the Redding Expander Die - a forum member identified that they use this type expander die rather than the powder die for expanding and so far I like the results. I had this Redding die in my inventory and decided to give it a try. It provides a very consistent bell and of course no sticking…… Two pass loading for the 1100 will follow at a later time…Right now just enjoying the simplicity of giving this a try without having to tear into/down the 1100 to do so…..