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jejb

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Everything posted by jejb

  1. Agreed. Too easy to pull the threads on the alum plates. Been there, done that.
  2. Yep, they seem to be catching up a little on the non-die units. The one I bought was actually in stock, which surprised me.
  3. I just moved up from a 650 to an 1100, and you're right, the swagging is a time saver. I no longer have to sort range brass looking for the crimped primers. It's not really faster at producing rounds, assuming no crimped brass on the 650. But it does save pre-loading processing time.
  4. Part of your problem with the bullet feeder looks like the issue I had when I setup my newe MBF on my new 1100 a couple of weeks ago. Here's a thread I started on it. Get DAA to send you the chamfer video: Good advice already given on the flipped bullets. Work on the adjustments and angle of the bin to cure that.
  5. Probably because that's what the die makers advertise. From RCBS's website, for example: Each set features a Carbide Sizing die that requires no case lube to speed up your sizing. I understand lubing them anyway probably makes pulling them through the press a little easier, but it is "ok" to run them dry. I've loaded many 10's of thousand rounds of pistol ammo and never used lube.
  6. The system I've some up with does not require a magnet to separate the pins from the shells (I only do straight wall pistol). First, I put a slotted cap on one end of my Franklin wet tumbler, once done tumbling. I tip that over into a 5 gallon bucket slotted end down, unscrew the other end and rinse the shells for a bit. I then put the non-slotted cap back on, being careful not to get any pins between the gasket and tumbler mouth. Flip the tumbler so the slotted end is up and remove that cap. Dump the water out of the bucket as needed. Done slowly, you will not loose any pins. Then I put a sifter pan, like this: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0004487075/case-cleaner-media-sifter over the 5 gallon bucket and pour a couple hundred shells in. Rinse again and then start sifting them with the pan. Does not take long and ALL the pins fall through into the bucket. Plus it removes most of the water, so decreases dry time. I tried to use my RCBS rotary media separator, but it didn't work as well. Pins got stuck in a lot of places. I know Franklin sells one and it is probably better than the RCBS. But the sifting pan works very well, I'm not looking to buy anything else to do the job. I do use a small magnet to pick up any pins that may have fallen out onto the driveway, but I usually only find 10 or so. Remember to rinse those pins before drying them too.
  7. Here's another: https://usa-shop.armanov.com/
  8. My experience is different than yours. I cleaned with dry media for a lot of years. The outside looks the same as wet tumbling (with pins, of course). And I'd hit my dry media shells with compressed air for a few seconds as a final step, so no dust, etc on the shells. I've found drying wet tumbled shells in even a low temp oven/dehydrator will tarnish them a bit, so I just let them dry under a fan now. But that's not the only added hassle. There's also the rinsing the shells and cleaning/drying all the components used.
  9. Finally getting the feel of the 1100 and getting it pretty well dialed in. Probably still a little tweaking to do here and there, but at least it's non-stop pulling the handle for me at this point. I'm usually one to tell beginning reloaders that it's okay to start on a progressive. But I'd have to back that down a little bit now. The 650/750 are fairly simple to understand and run machines. To run the 1100, I really feel like you need to spend time on a less complicated machine first though.
  10. Just to wrap this up, I finally got enough chamfer and polish on the funnel to get it working consistently with 115gr 9mm bullets. I did call DA and expressed my feeling that I should not have to modify this part on a brand new MBF. They were nice about it and are sending me an unmolested dropper assembly in case I need it for heavier/longer bullets. I still think they should include 2 though. 115 and 124 grain 9mm has to be some the most popular stuff to reload. I know those were the hardest to source during the recent shortages.
  11. I'm kind of new to wet tumbling. Done 6 batches of 500 shells since buying the tumbler a couple of months ago. But I have a question for the guys that don't use pins. Why not? To me, I only go through the added hassles of wet cleaning to get the inside of the cases clean. If all I wanted was to clean the outside, I'd have kept using a vibratory cleaner with dry media.
  12. I've been working the funnel. Had it out several times yesterday working on the chamfer. Still getting the occasional jam there though. Polished with fine sandpaper. Bevel is now changed significantly. In the video they sent (too big to link here), they get very aggressive with the chamfer bits, but I decided to do it a little at a time. I need to call DA today about this. The more I think about it, the more it ticks me off. They have me buying tools and modifying a part on a brand new (and over priced, IMO) product in order to be able to get it working correctly. They should really have the bevel changed on these from the factory, or include 2 droppers.
  13. I think this is where my problem is. Double Alpha says they see this issue with 115 and 124 gr 9mm, and I'm loading both of those. They get cocked and hang up at the mouth of the funnel. They sent me a video of how to chamfer it.
  14. I am new to an MBF. It is new, 9mm, mounted on my Dillon 1100. Feed spring is relaxed, and feeding is not the issue. The bullets feed into the dropper tube well. And no, this is not the dropping more than one bullet at a time thing. My problem is that the bullets will get hung up in the die, below the sight glass area. I watch that area now and see one drop at a time, until they stop dropping. There are still a few bullets below the clear area, so it will continue to drop 2-3 more bullets before it runs out. When I see it happen, I just have to tap on the side of the die/dropper tube and the stack drops. The dropper that sits over the cartridge while the bullet is being placed does extend all the way back down after it lifts off the case. I did some searching, and could not find anything similar. Any ideas why this is happening? Or anyone else have this issue?
  15. It's not just the variable speed feeder. I have the 2 speed one on my 650, same issue. Turning up the speed on the new one does seem to have a made a big difference. Haven't had a flipped one in about 300 loads.
  16. Yeah, I'd read that kind of thing on the forums, and it's a big part of the reason I upgraded. I'm a tool guy, rebuild engines, do all my own maint, even on the diesel pusher. But I have to say I'm not overly impressed by the difference. Yeah, the 1100 frame and camming mechanism are beefier, but probably something that is really only worth it to an almost commercial type operation. I was going to just get the MBF and put it on my great running 650, but the wife was very insistent I get the press also. I do like having the swagging station though, so it will be worth it in the end. But for most reloaders, it's hard to justify at twice the price, IMO. Not putting the 1100 down here, just sayin'.
  17. Thanks. We're getting along better. I know it's mostly a learning curve and dialing in thing. When I got the 650, it also took some getting used to from an older RCBS progressive I'd been loading with for many years. I only load 9mm with it. I still have my old RCBS for other (very low count) pistol calibers I shoot. I shot up my first 300 rounds out of it yesterday. Loads are fine.
  18. I was lucky enough to find an 1100 in stock. My son lives less than 10 minutes away from Gunstop, which is in the Minneapolis area. While visiting him last week, I made the trip up to Gunstop and found they had 3 1100's on the floor. 2 of the .223 and one a 9mm with no dies, which was exactly what I was looking for. I have it home and setup with an MBF (which Gunstop also had in stock). Not sure I made the right choice replacing my 650 with the 1100 yet. Still dialing in the 1100 and MBF, and it's been a bit frustrating so far. Several things I like better about the 650, but that's for another thread, I guess.
  19. Thanks for the suggestions. It is level, bench is wall anchored and it has the correct plate. I never load more than 200 9mm's in the hopper. Is that too much? I'll watch the plate to check for wobble and fully seated.
  20. Just got done setting up my 2nd Dillon, an RL1100. Both have case feeders, the 1100 has the newer variable speed one. Both give me an upside down case at about the same rate, 1-2 in a 100. I can live with it and all, but wondering what others experience is. Is there something I can tweak to decrease this issue? I can't imagine folks that motorize these things can tolerate any flipped cases, so there must be someway to clean this up.
  21. I was able to mount it slightly lower than my 650, and am able to use it sitting in an adjustable office chair, same one I used for the 650. The shell plate level is still a few inches higher than the 650, but not a huge deal. Got the 1100 home and setup yesterday. I bought a Mr. Bullet feeder at the same time, but have not installed it yet. Want to get used to the press a bit before adding that dimension. Some teething issues. Like any new press, it takes a bit to get fully familiar with it. But we're getting there.
  22. Another question. Are these things as rare right now as they seem to be? I can only find one shop with one in stock, and they happen to be less than 10 minutes from where I am right now. They are asking list for it. I called around to some shops in several states as I'm traveling quite a bit right now, but no joy.
  23. Thanks. I would have a powder check, so no worries about being able to see the powder level. If I get one, I'll have the powder check after the powder drop station, then MBF and finally my RCBS seat/crimp die. I'd only be loading 9mm with it.
  24. For sure you can use the 650/750 sitting. Just don't buy the tall mount. Mount it direct to your bench. Been doing it that way for a couple of years.
  25. Thinking about upgrading from a 650 to an 1100, but am curious if I will be able to continue sitting while loading. I do not have a strong mount or lift of any kind on my 650, and prefer to sit while loading. But it looks like the 1100 might be more of a reach. Anyone load with one sitting? I don't know anyone that has an 1100, and the store that has the new 1100 does not have one setup to try or look at. I looked for side-by-side videos, but didn't find any that answered that question. Please, no debate on sitting vs standing while reloading. Even if I'm doing it "wrong", I'm okay with it.
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