Powder Check Station

Using a Powder Check system only makes sense as it provides a process check to verify:  Station #3 on the XL 650 provides a location to install a Dillon custom powder check system. Very easy to install and adjust. Most importantly it works well and is dependable.
As seen here at the Down position of the shell plate. At the top of the Upstroke a charged shell casing has activated the powder check system.  The grove in the sensor rod disallows closure of the sensor circuit and NO Buzzer sound .. all is well.Now its on to reload some 5,900 re-sized cases. Running this in batches of 500 fits my modus operandi.  The weather is awesome right now too nice to spend all day reloading.




Time has passed and I’ve pressed out 2,000 rounds of 9mm Luger.  Next session will be in a few weeks.

Two companies .. Two different experiences -- Update

These are obviously strange times for the shooting community across the board.

Company A: Midway USA: (hot Link)  VERY Satisfied with my experience 

Online site is very customer friendly,  easy to navigate, order placement/checkout works good.  Customer Service: Acknowledgement e-mail is well constructed with clear presentation of relevant information. Order Shipment notice was received at light speed.  Package tracking instructions were clear and worked well.

Company B: Dillon Precision: (hot Link)  Disillusioned / Concerned. 

I am a very big fan of Dillon reloading presses and associated accessories.  I’ve used a Dillon XL 650 for 17 years of great service. 10 out of 10 for their engineering and hardware.  Over the years I’ve had occasion to order various bits and bobs .. the catalogue / web site / customer help line, have always needed some improvement.  Their product; NO BS warranty is first rate.

This latest industry demand for shooting supplies has only exacerbated Dillon’s poor Customer Service process.

Short version of three current incidents.

1)  My XL 650 is some 17/18 years old and the Instruction manual parts listing is out of date. Dillon changed their entire part numbering system.  Ok .. BUT !!! you have to provide a cross-reference for customers.  So I call the “Help Desk” a short 52 min wait while Other Customers were being helped !!!!  A slightly agitated associate helped me get the part ( a Powder Charge assembly)  Part Shipped .. I received it only to find it incompatible. Another call, only 17 min on hold, the associate admitted he should have sent an additional two parts that I would need. NO Problem we’ll ship them free of charge !!!! … NOT Impressed

2) Again on my XL650 I had to order a spare part, my manual and the online manual have major differences for the particular part I needed.  Call the help desk .. another long wait .. but this time 100% satisfactory result. Part was in stock and it shipped right away .. Also they included a new hard copy manual.

3) This latest incident is a classic business issue of inadequate staffing poor processes and Piss Poor Management in Customer Service.

I get an order acknowledgement .. order is in the system and correct, so far so good.  I let 10 days go by ( I have a few other fish to fry) and there is NO follow-up on my order.  This time I’m on hold for just over an hour .. I get the response-paraphrased as: We’re just too busy with Web Orders, we just have a couple of Gals and are taking two weeks to respond”  Well isn't that just Peachy !!!!

My advise is: If Midway carry it, buy it from them. …  Dillon, but for your engineering and presses your in a bovine quagmire.

9mm “Personal Defense Ammo”

Date: STAMP .. April 27th 2013 .. The retail shortage of Ammo and the staples for Re-Loading is still running its course.  Major WEB sources are all “out of stock”, local retail sources are like Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard. BARE !!!!

“Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To give the poor dog a bone;
When she came there,
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor dog had none.”

Fortunately I retain a good stock of Ammo and Reloading supplies.  9mm Ammo and Reloading supplies are the hardest hit .. .22 LR is also like Hens Teeth.

PRICE GOUGING when items are available is tantamount to criminal .. 10X the “normal” pricing … Supply – Demand economics exploited to the max.

Checking my stash and prices paid underscores the gouging.  Examples of the ammo in my safe:

All Expanding Hollow Points amplifies the adage: “It’s better to Give than Receive”

Brass Re-Sizing .. A tool from Lee Precision

Lee Bulge Buster Kit  … This push through die adapter will remove the bulge rings that shell holder constrained dies simply can't reach. The Bulge Buster Kit includes:  extension sleeve, push through punch, catch container and complete instructions. Works with these rimless cases:  380 ACP, 10mm, 40 S&W, (357 Sig) 41 AE, 45 ACP, 45 GAP, and 45 Win Mag.  Supplier:  MIDWAY .. $15.79 .. Use as directed in combination with Lee Factory Crimp Die. (cutaway view shows a 38 Special Rimmed Cartridge, not a push through)

NOTE: Lee Factory 40 S&W Crimp Die is now with Bulge Buster Kit. Ready for use. USED for: 357 Sig Range Brass fired from a Glock

NOTE:  9mm cases are not able to be used in the Bulge Buster because it has a slightly tapered case and the rim is not completely flush with the case.  See how I manage Re-Sizing 9mm in Previous Post.

I’ve set this die in my Redding T-7 Turret Press .. Although not designated for the 357 SIG case. It can be used to Re-Size / De-Bulge, the Main Body as it is same dimensions as the 40 S&W,  OD: 10.77mm or 0.424”

Insights to Reloading 9mm Luger

Designated as the: 9×19mm Parabellum or 9x19mm, 9x19mm NATO or 9mm Luger, is probably the most popular center fire round to both shoot and reload. .. SAAMI Spec Sheet:

Loading NEW, never fired, brass cases poses little or no problems to the knowledgeable Re-loader. 

It is when you reload Mixed Brass fired at least once, more likely; fired and reloaded many times, that the “Finicky” nature of the 9mm raises concerns.

I’m in the process of reloading 6,000 rounds of Mixed Range Brass, as sold by Dillon Precision . This probably offers most of the variations and problems that one can encounter. Mixed sizes, various chamber expansion dimensions  (AKA Glocked-Up-Base Bulge), deformation and or cracks/dings, Steel cases etc. All in all there was approximately 3% cases rejected during case clean/prep.

Brass processing is ALL important; Cleaning, Inspection, Preparation and  Conditioning.

Cleaning:  Establish a lot/batch size that your cleaning system can handle. Visual inspection of each batch, looking for any obvious non-compliances.  A  2nd. quick visual after cleaning.  Store the cleaned and visually inspected brass.

Visual Inspection:  With 9mm this tends to be a tedious process, but one that I perform on all brass.  Weed out any non-conformances and mixed cases that can be spotted.

Now we start to Prep and Condition the brass for reloading.  Based on my set-up this is what works for me. Using the Evolution Gun Works undersize die and Dillon XL650 makes this step less arduous than Single Stage or Turret press set-ups.

Set up a spare Tool Head in the XL 650.

Set the Standard Dillon Carbide 9mm Size and De-cap die in Station #1

And with the EGW Undersize Die in Station #3, with the De-Priming Pin REMOVED

And a 38 Special; Size and De-prime in station #4, With the De-Priming Pin REMOVED  this completes the equipment required to Prep and Condition the; Many fired and mixed 9mm range brass.

Station #1:  Set the Size and De-cap die as normal, light contact with the Shellplate.

Stations #2, and #5 are empty

Station #3: Set the EGW die with light contact on the Shellplate

Station #4: This one is different .. The 38 Special is a Straight Wall Case (vs the slight taper 0.011” of the 9mm)  use this die to RE-SIZE only the first 0.200”. This provides a good dimension to ensure a slight interference fit with the 9mm Bullet. Seen here installed on my Turret press:

Run all the brass through this Progressive Three Die set-up .. 1) standard Size and De-prime, 2) Undersize the Outer Diameter ( to accommodate the Glock  type chambers), 3) Slight squeeze on Bullet Seating Section of the case.  Again weed out any brass that is non conforming. NOTE: on the XL 650 Station One Loading Finger (item 2) is an exact match for 9x19 cases .. 380 auto and 9x18 can be spotted.

This yields a reliable Re-Sized Case from a Hodgepodge of Range Brass.  Now its time to proceed and finish the Case Prep then Reload 9mm ammo.

Some of the process generated detritus destined to be recycled, Spent Primers and Brass Cases:

Finishing case prep and final visual inspection.  First step is to measure Case Length. Select a significant sample size from the 5,600+ cases. Check these to the SAAMI standard: 0.754” to 0.749”. Results of this inspection shall determine whether to Trim Case Overall Length or not.  After length check Primer Pocket Sizing and Cleaning is a MUST.

XL650: Install 9mm Tool Head, Shellplate and Small Primer Feed Disk Assembly.  As the brass has been “Pre-Processed” Station #1 should be minimal effort and provide a “Double Confirm” of Size and De-Prime.

Station #2 .. Install Primer-Forward Stroke .. Down Stroke: Mouth Flare / Bell-Mouth case. Set this to a minimum – just enough to allow the bullet to center locate and discharge the powder load.

Station #3 .. Powder Check .. Over / Under or Correct loading is detected via Audio alarm.

Station #4 .. Bullet Seating … Depending on the Bullet type: Round Nose – Flat Point etc set the Overall Length and use Case Gauge to verify compliance.

Station #5 .. Bullet Crimp .. This is another area where the 9mm can be finicky, so pay attention. I only use Copper Plated Bullets and check each batch for OD consistency.  A small variation can be tolerated, this NOT for Bench Rest shooting.