hmp32

Okay, I have all the stuff I need to load 9mm as of last week I am still getting dialed in, but so far have been happy with my purchase. I promise to write my 2 cents worth soon

Pre-fired range brass = was probably fired through a Glock or somesuch loose/incompletely-supported chamber gun. The regular sizing dies do not size such brass down far enough to get rid of the bulge ahead of the extractor groove. I roll-size the 9mm brass using a CasePro, but there are less-expensive alternatives from Lee, Redding and EGW. Precision Delta does roll-size their brass (or claims to). I corrected my text to reflect the correct terminology. Thanks. Anyway, after some further studying I realized my target OAL was from 1.125 - 1.132. I need to fiddle with PTX setting some more I suspect. Not all bullets were setting the same depth in the case.

First, I am not after Dillon is better than Lee. I am looking for the right combination of stuff that solves my problems Anyway, I loaded my first batch of ammo in 9mm using the Lee Dies I have (bought around 2005) and about 1 and 3 bullets was failing to seat correctly in Franklin Arsenal Size Check Gauge. After I got the Lee FCP die dialed in a bit better, I was able to FCP the failed ammo now only 1 out of 10 failed. I believe it was failing because of case bulging near the rear and yes, I am using pre-fired random nickle plated range brass bought from Delta Precision. They claim the brass is rolled sized. Anyway, I apparently solved it by adding more crimp but I am worried the 3.2gr of Titegroup under a 147gr FMJ bullet may result in high pressue despite all the manuals I consulted said to start with 3.2gr of Titegroup. Any feed back on the issue of getting cases resizing before and after bullet seating followed by worries of pressure appreciated.

Well, I figured like the UlimtedLoaders's setup, I might need to use a bench. I am gonna check out the grinder stand tomorrow after IDPA. If I get it, I will post pics of my setup. Been there, done that, won't go back.

I am thinking about this one from Home Depot and the drip pan can be used for old primers: BLACK BULL 31 in. Bench Grinder Stand http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-203005352/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=Grinder%20Stand&storeId=10051\

Lead, without medical intervention, cannot clear your system. I am assuming your doctor told you that? http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5608a1.htm And please note the emphasis on children rather than adult measures of the blood levels of Lead. Also note, I am not saying don't be concerned, I am simply saying that current the CDC doesn't even define 10 as a medical emergency. Certainly, however, if you are at risk of exposure, you should be evaluated and discuss it with your MD.

Which powder measure do you have installed? I am getting an LnL and I forgot to order the handgun specific insert...

www.grafs.net for primers and powder also check www.powdervalleyinc.com. www.precisiondelta.com for various sizes.

I started on a Lee Classic Turret Press (and I still have it). Anyway, I am just weighing it comes with the AutoDisk powder drop. Here is a video of it's operation: The only thing you need to watch without fail is the powder drop. A squib nor double charge are fun. I have only had caught squibs.

I had some squibs with both a Lee Turret Press and a SDB. I sold the SDB and I am getting a Hornady 5 station press. An SO at a recent match had a Squib, failed to act on the "difference" and ruined the barrel of $1500 gun. He loads an a SDB. Anyway, I am also going to use the RCBS Lock-Out Die which I ordered with the press: http://ultimatereloader.com/2010/09/19/rcbs-lock-out-die-part-i-theory-of-operation/ While using it won't excuse inattentiveness, It will help to prevent re-loading maladies that can arise when rolling your own.

Thanks! I am aware of the complaints regarding 9mm... the resolution seems to be the Shell Plate. I am not above fiddling though either... I fiddle lots and lots with the Lee Classic Turret Press, I fiddle some (but not near as much) with the SQB. Ultimately, I decided to take the risk with the LnL, in part, because I feel the Powder system is much better than the Lee or Dillon system. I use flake powders sometimes, I the bar dispenser was annoying. After studying people's comments and the excellent videos at ultimatereloader.com, this is my informed decision Oh, and I bought the universal funnel from PowderFunnels.com

FYI I had similar problems with my 9mm plate but found that the problem was I was tightening the plate too tightly. I reset it and only tightened slightly harder than finger tight and no more problems at all. The EZ-Ject works 100% and no more cases tilting. EX-Ject comes standard with the current AP Presses, correct? Also, I found Cabela's had the Shell Plate #8 in stock and the RCBS Lock-Out Die with a 10 dollar rebate... so, tomorrow, I will order the press assuming confirmation from Cabela's that the shell plate gets sent.

Thanks for the distinction. Yes, I meant the collator. But wondered if setting up PVC tubes for 9 & 45 would work. Also, yes, I am aware Federal is going to SP for .45 brass

Andy, Thank you very much for the extended reply and analysis. Your response contains the useful kind of pros and cons. I certainly want to get a case feeder and eventually a bullet feeder. My first concern with the XL650 is it seems significantly less usable without a case feeder. And there are other circumstances where I see this as an issue: 1. My budget Feb. Budget won't allow for a case feeder for either LnL nor the XL650. It will be at least until the end of March. 2. If the case feeder breaks for either system, the LnL from my studies (thanks to Gavin on http://ultimatereloader.com for all his videos). 3. I don't want to depend on power. I have analog calipers and a balance scale so I don't have to worry about anything other than muscle. As an analogy, I have battery powered mice and keyboards and they work great until 1am in the morning when the batteries go out and I either don't have them recharged or I am out of consumable ones. It's why I am like the idea of the RCBS Lock-Out Die better than Dillon's solution. The primer warning system, similarly, can be worked around if the battery in the buzzer is dead with a piece of tape. Anyway, these are the nuances of my thoughts... that and parts & spares availability are of concern (I was not shooting during the Primers shortage, but I see it was a real problem too). I have all the components I need for load development (Samples of Precision Delta 147, 115, 124gr FMJ and 124gr JHP), 4# Titegroup and 10K of SP primers. I just want to leave the Lee Turret Press in retirement and I don't have the SQB any longer. I do want to reuse the 4-die Deluxe Sets in .45 and 9mm that I already own. So, if you (or anyone else) has usability insight to the XL650 without a case-feeder, I may be inclined to change my mind.

Where did you find the 9mm Shell Plate?

Hornady Parts Availability... I am ready to pull the trigger on an LnL despite not find the 9mm shell plate in stock.. but neither is the the PTX I need... is this a normal state of the LnL: parts in short supply at random times?

Thanks for pointing that out. However, it seems like the 9mm shell plate, the PTX is out of stock. Is that a normal condition of Hornady parts?

I do not have an LnL (yet) but I suspect the Dillon Primer PickUp Tubes will work just fine as well.

So, I am about to pull the trigger on a press order and if I can find the hornady shell #8 (9mm luger) shell plate in stock somewhere this is what I am ordering from Nnatchezss: 1. Hornady Lock-N-Load Press: $389.99 2. Shell Plate #45: $28.49 (for .45ACP) 3. LNL-Die Bushings 10pk: 40.85 4. RCBS Lockout Die: 50.86 5. 5.5oz Gun Cleaning Spray: 6.69 6. 5.5oz Case Lube (to try): 6.69 It comes to about $575 shipped not including wherever I have to buy the 9mm shell plate... I already have tumbler, scale, calipers, case gauges, Dillon scale, pickup tubes (for dillon but figure they will work with the LNL), Lee Dies for .45 & 9mm, manuals, etc. Anyway, is my list missing anything specific to the LNL that I need to get a basic setup going? My decision basically came down to the XL650 or the LnL. The LnL appears perfectly usable without getting a case feeder right away. The XL650 seemed to really need that to be usable. Also, from what I have seen, the powder system on the LnL seems slight more usable than Dillon's. I had a SQB with the charge bar system + Mr. Dial and it was okay but not stellar. Thanks. Oh, and no trashing products. Dillon and Hornady each make fine products each with pros and cons. The ultimate pro vs. con is my wallet, however.

I already have a tumbler, but currently live in an apartment where I cannot use it. I can use my tumbler at the range. I have been looking at this as an alternative... if I left this in the bath tube, it won't spew crap? And how long does it take the brass to dry without baking it in the oven?

Check this out: It shows how it is added to the powder check station of an XL650.

I am thinking about a NIB SQB I found on Craigs List for $300 bucks with a .38SPL/.357Mag tool head. .38 is one of 4 calibers (though rare) I would reload for........... so much stuff, so little money......

Sounds like you don't like the Square Deal or the 550. That leaves the 650:) Sounds like you've made your decision. (and it looks good). Jack I like the SQB One thing I didn't mention is I am a little space constrained. Also, if I want to work up loads at the Range I belong to, the SQB is _easier_ to cart around.

Certainly, if I get the XL650, I will eventually get the appropriate Case Feeder(s). However, I have been prescribed bi-focals and have to pay for those this month as well

So, I am returning to IDPA after a 4.5 year break. I intended to just 9mm until I discovered how many .45ACPs I still have. In the intervening time, I sold my SQB with a 9mm/.45ACP tool head but kept my Lee Classic Turret Press with .38SPL/9mm/.45ACP all are the Lee Deluxe 4-die set with FCD. I have 3 Lee die heads with 2 of the heads fitted with powder dispenser. I also have a Spare SQB .45 tool head and dies plus the extra feed tubes and misc. stuff I didn't sell with the SQB. As a side, I discovered I still have at least 1600+ Zero .45 230gr FMJ and at least 500 MasterBlaster (no longer selling as MB) .45ACP 200gr Black Bullets. I still have all the other misc. stuff such as Franklin arsenal case gauage, tumbler ,Dillon Balance scale, calipers, primer flipper, CED Millennium Chronograph w/IR, etc. I just need a current set of Speer and Lyman books. I just order 10K MagTech SP Primers and 4# of Titegroup from Grafs and samples (100 each for $18 shipping included) 115gr, 124gr, 147gr FMJ and 124gr jhp from Precession Delta. So, my cost of re-entry on press is low. I liked the SQB except for caliber changes for small/large pistol primer change. The 550 is a choice (though Despite Brain's advice in his FAQ, I like auto-indexing) so the XL650 is high on my list but without the case feeder initially. I also just bought my first 2 new guns in 4.5 years though I am probably going to swap the P290 for something else as I don't like it. Love the M&P 9 I bought and have shot 3 matches in the last 2 weeks with it So, my immediate budget is limited. 1. My original plan was to get a SQB w/9mm then later get a second SQB with .38SPL and swap my .45ACP head/dies. 2. Now I am thinking the XL650 w/o case feeder initially. Then get the conversions/extra tool heads for other calibers. I would use the Lee Dies to start with. 3. 550 would be similar to 650, but I probably won't ever get the case feeders. Also, I would start with the Lee Dies I already own. So, I am trying to work out the short/long term gain of each. The SQB only has short term advantages. That is clear. The 550/650, however, have the advantage I that I can use the Lee Dies I have. Additionally, I can purchase extra dies and tool heads later... the reason I have have the extra .45ACP die was because I swapped between the MasterBlaster and Zero Bullets. Seems like I can use the Lee Dies and then have 2 setups in each caliber as my budget allows. Rifle is not a concern now, but 3guns was an interest 5 years ago and probably will be again. but definitely not this year. Also, I am definitely the type of loader that after working up a load, prefers to load in +1000rnd batches. I know some of what I have raised have been covered by individual threads... I was kinda of hoping to capture wisdom of this breadth in one thread as I decide... I am welcoming of kind analysis to what I have presented here to shape my purchase.