fpf

Once again - thank all of you for the valuable guidance.

Thanks fellas - aside from either HS6 or Silhouette’s performance, are they similar in terms of density as True Blue?

Thanks for the recommendation Joe.

I’ve been using Ramshot True Blue for my 9 major loads for quite a while and really love this product. However, it has been out of stock everywhere I can think of to find it. Can anyone provide a lead on available stock? Any idea why it’s so hard to find? And heaven forbid if I have to switch powders, what’s a suitable replacement powder that has similar physical characteristics- I.e., small and compact? Thanks everyone

Yes - I have and it’s a good old fashioned idea which still works. In the final analysis, what sold me on the LNL is the ease and speed of changing the pre set pistol inserts to match the load I’m using. It takes 3-5 seconds and Is dead on right from the start. Ingenious. Thanks for pointing that out.

Well I hear you on that as well. I’m using Ramshot True Blue powder for my major 9 loads. That propellant is close to talcum powder in terms of texture and consistency so powder spillage is always a challenge.

Understood and agree Haywizzle and thank you for the insight. I’m also not in favor of combining the crimp and seating functions.

Thanks for the additional info.

That’s a great idea - bell operation separate from the powder drop. Love it. Can you recommend the hardware/setup? Can I just use the Dillon powder measure collar with the powder funnel installed?

Good question. I was not getting good metering with VVN320 and overall, the whole fail safe return rod thing is a gigantic pain m my a$$. Clunky and too many moving parts for such a simple operation. The Hornady system offers either micrometer inserts for fast weight changes or you can purchase inserts which, once set, are easy to remove and replace depending on what powder/weight combos needs I have. I love Blue and have been using their stuff for more than 40 years. But the powder system is in serious need of an upgrade.

I surely thought this would not have been an issue of first impression for Hornady's tech support. I just cant believe I'm the first reloader who thought to mount a Hornady powder measure on a Dillon press. The Dillon powder measure is what I was trying to replace.

RESOLUTION: According to tech support at Hornady - " . . . . no idea whether it will or will not fit the Dillon XL650 at station #2" In that case, I can tell you from experience, it will not either with or without the primer alarm. Only way to use it is to mount it at station #3 and of course get rid of whatever you had there including a powder check system. Live and Learn.

Thanks for the response. I can install it but when I pull down on the press handle, the Dillon primer tube assembly (even after removing the primer alarm) rubs against the body of the powder hopper. Rotating the powder hopper does not provide any additional clearance.

Hi Sarge and thanks for the reply - yep looks like I’ll have to move the powder measure to station 3 resulting in an empty hole at station two. I don’t mind ditching the primer alarm but even if I do that (and leave the powder measure at station 2), the damn thing still hits the primer tube even with the alarm removed.

Hi everyone, I'm loading 9mm only on an XL650 and am trying to replace the Dillon powder measure with the LNL case activated one. I don't see any way to install it at station two because the primer tube alarm module and the LNL powder hopper keeping crashing into each other. Can anyone help? I suppose I can move the LNL over to station three but then I lose powder check capability. If someone has successfully set one up, I'd be grateful for some photos. Thanks in advance everyone.

Yep I remember MPA had some suggested loads on their site but I can no longer find that page. Can you help with link?

I chrono’ed my Everglades factory ammo yesterday out of my MPA open gun. 172PF pretty consistently. Unsurprisingly, shooting my own reloads out of this gun showed a significant reduction in velocity due to the popples I figure. I’m not sure why the popples had such minimal effect on the velocity of Everglades rounds but there you have it. Sure wish I knew what the Everglades recipe is - specifically what powder are they using?

Hi all, i just picked up a Masterpiece arms open gun and after some chrono work yesterday, noticed my reloads were no longer making PF. I’m guessing the popples in this gun are the cause. However, my diminishing stock of Everglades factory 9 major are still clocking in at 172 PF in this gun. I’ve been successfully reloading 9 major with VVN320 but am now forced to switch powders because of case capacity and the aforementioned popples. So first question: Does anyone know what kind of powder those sweet Everglades loads use? I took a couple of them apart last night and the measured powder weight was a consistent 6.9 grains but I don’t recognize the powder. 2nd question: Can you guys share your experiences regarding a suitable replacement for my VVN320 for major? True Blue, Silhouette experiences would be especially welcome. Thanks in advance everyone

For sure. An update to this thread is that BUL customer service has offered to inspect and fix FREE of charge despite the expiration of warranty. I cover shipping costs. That’s extraordinary follow up service

Thanks - this guide is definitely battered. I’ve reached out to BUL and am waiting to hear what they think should be done. I’ve smoothed out the dents and dings on both parts and put another 500 major rounds through it (with the 8lb. spring) and haven’t seen any more damage. I am still concerned however about whether barrel lockup has been negatively affected. I’ll post a follow up later

On the contrary, that was a help konkapot.

I have inquired but not received a reply yet. Thank you for the solid suggestion Stef.

TOPIC MOVED TO 1911 Style Pistols: Need some help figuring this out gang. I noticed some damage starting on the recoil spring guide and the two corresponding spots on the barrel lugs where the two parts meet. Not just wear but dings and dents. Here’s a link to the photo: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5zqbv8dyng73cyb/IMG_0230.JPG?dl=0 I have about 7000 rounds of 9 minor ammo through the gun. Before I started shooting major stuff, I replaced the 7lb recoil spring with a 12 lb spring. I now have about 1500 9mm major rounds through it so far. What drove my decision to install the heavier spring was the notion that the heaviest spring which will allow functionality is the way to go if shooting major loads. Now, I’m not so sure. It seems to me that the sole source of energy which creates the contact between theses two parts is the power of the recoil spring. For this reason, I’m thinking going back to the lighter one now makes sense given the battering I’m seeing. The gun functioned flawlessly with both major and minor loads with both the 12 lb spring AND the 8 lb - so functionality is not an issue. I have an open mind about it, but I don’t see any benefit to using a recoil buffer since it does not appear to affect the interaction of these two specific parts. Questions: Does my amateur analysis make any sense? For those of you with hands on BUL experience, what springs are you running to handle 9 major ammo? What are your thoughts on installing the recoil buffer especially since I’m going with a much lighter spring to shoot major loads. Thanks in advance to the brain trust out there for your time and candid thoughts.

Well it’s very early in the process for me but I’m highly impressed so far. Thanks everyone

Thanks Nathan. I realize lead times change often but this gives me a starting point