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Bullet Feeders


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I am trying to decide between the GSI and Mr. Bullet Feeder bullet feeders. I was leaning towards the GSI in order to keep the powder check, but I do so like my Redding competition bullet seater die. I see where the GSI seem to use a proprietary seating die which does not look could be substituted with the Redding die. The Mr. Bullet feeder system would allow the use of the Redding die which I believe adds to the accuracy of the finished rounds. Any thoughts/ideas? Am I making to big a deal of the Redding die? Anyone try substituting the GSI seater die?

Thanks

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I have the Mr. Bullet Feeder along with the Redding Comp .Seating die. I was a little skeptical about getting rid of my Powder Check on my XL 650. I have a light that shines in the hole in the top of the tool head. My eyes are always glued on station 3 to do a visual check before the bullet feeder in engaged. I helped a friend set up his XL650 w/out a bullet feeder and has the powder check. After using my press with the bullet feeder and no powder check, I can't imagine ever going back. I think I am actually paying more attention now. I have noticed I can better see the case as it comes around checking for cracks and if I happen to miss it, once the bullet feeder drops a bullet on it, It usually falls off or sits funny so I notice it. Get the Mr. Bullet feeder and don't look back. It will change your life! :cheers:

Good luck with your decision

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You cannot use standard seaters in the GSI tool heads.

That said they seat bullets better than anything I have seen. You can use almost zero bell as the bullet is held perfectly in the feed device as the case comes up and contacts the seat die.

No reason to over expand or bell and bullets can never fall of the case moving to the next station.

Edited by jmorris
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That is the information I was looking for: it seems I will lose nothing in "straight line" seating accuracy using the GSI system vs the Mr. Bullet Feeder and Redding competition seating die.

Thanks

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How does the Mr. Bullet Feeder compare to the Hornady feeder?

Can't talk to the Mr. Bullet Feeder but the Hornady is LOUD and I mean REALLY LOUD! When adjusted it works well - if you don't have too many or too few in the hopper. It does not have an auto shutoff like the case feeder which would be ok execpt its so LOUD you can't just leave it run. I did wrap in some scrap foam and that helped a lot but its still a lot of noise.

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I guess I'm more interested in function than the noise level.

I built this on the cheap: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/349969__28_00_Bullet_feeder_for_Any_Progressive.html

I had a Hornady press, and yes, the case feeder motor was really loud too. The Dillon case feeder motor is dead silent.

Looks like the RCBS bullet feeder is of a similar design to the Hornady.

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I guess I'm more interested in function than the noise level.

I built this on the cheap: http://www.ar15.com/...rogressive.html

Am I missing something, it looks like you are feeding every bullet by hand still.? Into a tube instead of the case but still...

The benifit of a bullet feeder really comes to play when you just dump bullets in and flip a switch.

Edited by jmorris
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I guess I'm more interested in function than the noise level.

I built this on the cheap: http://www.ar15.com/...rogressive.html

Am I missing something, it looks like you are feeding every bullet by hand still.? Into a tube instead of the case but still...

The benifit of a bullet feeder really comes to play when you just dump bullets in and flip a switch.

Yes, but I can pre-load multiple tubes, and use a clip to hold them in place. Makes it easy to change out the tubes, and also reduces repetitive motion on my left shoulder, which is separated and has arthritis, and should probably be replaced.

I would like to upgrade, but it's decisions, decisions, on what to upgrade too.

RBCS - http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/13940 - $386.99 (Downside is noise and no cast bullets. Upside, faster change overs, belt drive, includes all pistol loads?)

Hornady - http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5993 - $325.99 (Downside is noise and $100+ in additional dies to buy.)

Mr. Bullet Feeder - http://www.mrbulletfeeder.biz/ - $469.99 (Downside is cost. Upside, quiet, includes everything)

GSI - http://www.gsiinternational.com/XL-650-Bullet-Feeder---40-Caliber_8_4233_8577.html

- $499.99 (Downside, stupidly expensive, caliber specific, replaces Dillon toolhead, low capacity hopper)

Am I missing anything????

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Powder checks are overrated. Just look in the case before the MBF drops a bullet.

I agree. There's no problem seeing in the case (at least not on a 1050). MBF works great if set up properly. Only problem I have is occasionally letting the thing run dry.

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Yes, but I can pre-load multiple tubes, and use a clip to hold them in place. Makes it easy to change out the tubes, and also reduces repetitive motion on my left shoulder, which is separated and has arthritis, and should probably be replaced.

I would like to upgrade, but it's decisions, decisions, on what to upgrade too.

RBCS - http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/13940 - $386.99 (Downside is noise and no cast bullets. Upside, faster change overs, belt drive, includes all pistol loads?)

Hornady - http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5993 - $325.99 (Downside is noise and $100+ in additional dies to buy.)

Mr. Bullet Feeder - http://www.mrbulletfeeder.biz/ - $469.99 (Downside is cost. Upside, quiet, includes everything)

GSI - http://www.gsiinternational.com/XL-650-Bullet-Feeder---40-Caliber_8_4233_8577.html

- $499.99 (Downside, stupidly expensive, caliber specific, replaces Dillon toolhead, low capacity hopper)

Am I missing anything????

I use an MA-Systems collator, it's very heavy duty, silent motor, holds 14 pounds of bullets, The platen will run 9mm up to 45, variable speed. It's at least 6 years old and still going strong running about 4k projectiles per day. Maint is minor and monthly.

Downside is price.....it will run you about $1300.

20130806_1627230_zpsb35e2ea4.jpg

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Yes, but I can pre-load multiple tubes, and use a clip to hold them in place. Makes it easy to change out the tubes, and also reduces repetitive motion on my left shoulder, which is separated and has arthritis, and should probably be replaced.

I would like to upgrade, but it's decisions, decisions, on what to upgrade too.

RBCS - http://www.gsiintern..._4233_8577.html

- $499.99 (Downside, stupidly expensive, caliber specific, replaces Dillon toolhead, low capacity hopper)

Am I missing anything????

IIRC the 650 GSI feeders cost $250 and the last two 1050 GSI's cost around $350, no collators.

Now figure in the fact that an extra tool head for a 1050 costs $200 and the GSI seems cheap only $150 more than a tool head alone.

I built my first collator because no one else made them except MA Systems at the time and $250 for a bullet feeder seemed expensive so a $1000+ collator was not going to happen. It worked 100% and had a device that ensured you would never have an inverted bullet.

feeder4.jpg

Then some years later KISS came out with their system and I really liked the simplistic way they were built. So I built mine similar using 6" PVC pipe and 1/2" plastic. By the time I am done with them I have around $50 in one. The key to making one if you don't have a CNC mill is to make a simple fixture to make the slots in the wheel.

DSC01472.jpg

DSC01537.jpg

feeder1.jpg

1.jpg

So if you can cut plastic you can have a good collator cheap.

Edited by jmorris
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Yes, but I can pre-load multiple tubes, and use a clip to hold them in place. Makes it easy to change out the tubes, and also reduces repetitive motion on my left shoulder, which is separated and has arthritis, and should probably be replaced.

I would like to upgrade, but it's decisions, decisions, on what to upgrade too.

RBCS - IIRC the 650 GSI feeders cost $250 and the last two 1050 GSI's cost around $350, no collators.

Now figure in the fact that an extra tool head for a 1050 costs $200 and the GSI seems cheap only $150 more than a tool head alone.

I built my first collator because no one else made them except MA Systems at the time and $250 for a bullet feeder seemed expensive so a $1000+ collator was not going to happen. It worked 100% and had a device that ensured you would never have an inverted bullet.

feeder4.jpg

Then some years later KISS came out with their system and I really liked the simplistic way they were built. So I built mine similar using 6" PVC pipe and 1/2" plastic. By the time I am done with them I have around $50 in one. The key to making one if you don't have a CNC mill is to make a simple fixture to make the slots in the wheel.

DSC01472.jpg

DSC01537.jpg

feeder1.jpg

1.jpg

So if you can cut plastic you can have a good collator cheap.

Very nice work Mr Morris. I thought of making one myself but decided it would pay for it'self quickly so I just bought it. Biz expense and I get to depreciate it at tax time. I am curious about the electronics on yours. Can you point me to a thread that explains the system? I wanted to make my own auto drive too but gave up the idea quickly when I did the math.

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Mr. Morris...

Do you have any plans made for your collator that you would be willing to share?

I don't have access to a CNC mill, but I do have access to a manual mill with a rotary table. Also have access to a lathe that will cut up to 10" diameter by about 3 feet long.

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I never made any drawings. The base is made to fit inside the PVC, the wheel is around 1/16 smaller in OD.

The flipper part just allows a base down bullet to ride over. If it is tip down it gets forced out and hits a ramp that flips it back up base down.

IMAG0376-1.jpg

IMAG0375-1.jpg

IMAG0374-1.jpg

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What motor are you using?

How did you mount the motor plate to the 6" PVC?

Does the plate have the same clutch mechanism they use on the Dillon/Hornady shell plates for the case collator?

Do you have different plates for different calibers, or will a plate cut to .45 ACP work for everything down to .380 Auto?

How thick is the plate? Appears 1/2"?

Edited by Brassaholic13
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Dayton 2L006. If you order it from zorotools.com it will be cheaper than granger and they always have discount codes.

10-32 socket head cap screws go through the side of the PVC and thread into the motor plate.

There is no clutch just the roll pin in the 3rd photo of post 16.

Yes, the 2nd photo of post 16 has the fixture for the 45 plate up top and the fixture for 38/9mm bullets at the bottom with a plate installed.

Yes, 1/2"

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