fwiw, random info. feedback thoughts: [hopefully it helps someone]
I haven't gone through all the posts/pages but 9mm should run approx. .10-.14 per round, including bullet, powder, primer, purchased 1x fired brass - used for approx. 8 cycles.
(Yes, I know you can run brass longer, but that is the calculation I used. I lose it before it gets to 8 anyways)
- This is running coated 124 HCL on the low side, & MG 124 JHP on the high side.
- Buy Bulk, stock when anything is on sale & free HAZMAT, etc.
^ This includes Presses ; )
Presses:
I've had/have a Single, Turret, Dillon SDB, Hornady LnL, Dillon 650 for a number of years [Still own these]
* Single/Turret press is always great to have for random case prep or pulling bullets when you setup a press/caliber.
* SDB is just as fast as a LnL or 650 w/o case feeder
- The proprietary dies turn people off, but people do not factor in the cost of what a quality set of carbide dies cost, tool head, inserts, shellplate, etc. for a conversion.
^ Those items added up can be half of what a "used" SDB cost for a dedicated caliber. You can't beat the size of the SDB & it being a progressive
- I'll take a SDB for pistol over a 550 setup for pistol anyday
- I run a 1x small primer SDB & 1x large primer SDB for smaller volume [.380, .38 Spl., .45ACP]
Which 5x Station Progressive "with" case feeder: LnL vs 650XL?
Ans.: Winner every time is the 650XL
Reason: Less finicky & the case feeder actually does its thing well
LnL Pros:
Cost, its a great brass prep progressive, depriming, trimming, swaging .223, etc.
Easy to setup for various calibers & fast switch over.
[The 650 I have is a dedicated 9mm setup, so it doesn't get touched]
LnL Cons:
- Adjusting this/that, but once you work it out - not bad. When they first released it the shell plates to indexing was off, but seems they have ironed out a lot of it.
- Inline Fabrication for everything press lighting, ergo handles, mounts
Tried Wet tumbling - got over it.
Reason: Have little ones, wet tumbling to avoid lead particles being airborne, but I just went back to dry tumbling in the shed & separate where they don't play.
- Two step dry tumble with Walnut, Polish & Mineral Spirits & Corn, Polish, & Mineral Spirits
^ Pick up media from Grainger, feed store
- Setup on an outdoor plug in timer so I can set it and forget it. [Please tumble & separate outdoors or in a well ventilated area]
*If I could only have 1x setup "per" caliber:
- Dillon 650 w/ Case Feeder & Mr. Bullet Feeder [Yes, you lose the powder check station, but I visually inspect every case after powder drop anyways]
^ I only load as fast as I can "safely", means pretty darn slow - not a race - visual inspection of every powder drop. Should have my pinhole/bore camera video to tablet setup this winter so I don't have to look down to inspect powder in case.
Dream setup:
1050 w/ case feeder w/ Mr. Bullet w/ Mark 7 Autodrive - hopefully in the next year or two