Finally took the blue pill

[Hoon]

After a very frustrating reloading session, fighting with the priming system of my Loadmaster, i had enough.

It has served me well in learning reloading and keeping the startup costs down, but it's time to move on. Ordered an XL650 with electronic case feeder and a handful of other accessories yesterday.

I can't wait, it should at least double my rate of production.

 

[Stryker]

Congrats! Should help with those extended sessions in the loading room

 

[JimB]

great move, get the auto primer loader cuts out many headaches

JimB

 

[GlockJock]

"Be sure to call your Doctor in the event of production increase lasting more than four hours and......"

 

[DW357]

Should have took the red pill

Kidding aside, you should be cranking out lots of ammo now. Congrats. What calibers do you reload?

 

[mac1911]

As much as I like my Lee pro 1000 so far for my intended use for it. I found myself depressed not finding what I wanted on sale anywhere...spook
I was looking at the 650. I was hoping to find one with the 30-06 conversion .
I did find a 650 with 223 conversion for 650$ just not sure if that's a good price.

 

[mac1911]

After a very frustrating reloading session, fighting with the priming system of my Loadmaster, i had enough.

It has served me well in learning reloading and keeping the startup costs down, but it's time to move on. Ordered an XL650 with electronic case feeder and a handful of other accessories yesterday.

I can't wait, it should at least double my rate of production.

I help set up a loadmaster and didn't really like it. I later bought a pro 1000 and find it easier to use than a load master....just limited to what cals you can do.

I have had 4 Lee turret presses and I found them to be good.

I do plan on a 650 someday.

 

[Hoon]

great move, get the auto primer loader cuts out many headaches

JimB

Any good options besides dropping $320 on the Dillon one?

Also, anyone running the G.S. Custom Swager add on? That thing looks really cool, and seems like you can prep military brass REALLY quick!

"Be sure to call your Doctor in the event of production increase lasting more than four hours and......"

Well, 4 hours should be about 3K rounds now, so that would be quite a session!

If only other things went that long.

Should have took the red pill

Kidding aside, you should be cranking out lots of ammo now. Congrats. What calibers do you reload?

Haha, i was waiting for it.

The vast majority is 9mm. Probably 70%, as i have several 9mm handguns and a 9mm carbine to feed.

The rest is 380, 45 ACP, 357 Mag/38, .223.

.308 will likely be added to that list when i build an AR10.

I don't reload for shotgun. I was getting into trap shooting for a bit (nice to switch disciplines sometimes) and going through a good amount of shells, but can't justify adding a shotgun setup yet.

As much as I like my Lee pro 1000 so far for my intended use for it. I found myself depressed not finding what I wanted on sale anywhere...spook
I was looking at the 650. I was hoping to find one with the 30-06 conversion .
I did find a 650 with 223 conversion for 650$ just not sure if that's a good price.

Yeah i couldn't find much in the way of sales, but i was frustrated with my current setup so it was worth it anyway.

That's not a bad price depending on what was included in the setup. I just did the basics with an auto case feeder and a few simple extras, no dies, and it was $1100.

I help set up a loadmaster and didn't really like it. I later bought a pro 1000 and find it easier to use than a load master....just limited to what cals you can do.

I have had 4 Lee turret presses and I found them to be good.

I do plan on a 650 someday.

The Loadmaster isn't a bad press. I've had no trouble trimming cases on the press to +/- .001" or getting consistent seating depths. It's rough around the edges, doesn't cycle super smooth, etc. A lot of tinkering can fix some of that, but some is just inherent in the design.

The priming system is where it falls apart. Sometimes i'll reload 200 rounds without a priming issue, other times it'll be a nightmare to get it to stop misfeeding primers, crushing them, putting them in sideways or upside down, etc.

 

[SJan]

Are you loading 5k+ a day 5 days a week? no? Load your primer tubes by hand, it only takes one minute to load each.
I'm half way through todays goal of 2k rounds of fotay on my 650. I load 500 rounds, then take a break for a bit.

 

[Chet0729]

Any good options besides dropping $320 on the Dillon one?

Also, anyone running the G.S. Custom Swager add on? That thing looks really cool, and seems like you can prep military brass REALLY quick!



Well, 4 hours should be about 3K rounds now, so that would be quite a session!

If only other things went that long.



Haha, i was waiting for it.

The vast majority is 9mm. Probably 70%, as i have several 9mm handguns and a 9mm carbine to feed.

The rest is 380, 45 ACP, 357 Mag/38, .223.

.308 will likely be added to that list when i build an AR10.

I don't reload for shotgun. I was getting into trap shooting for a bit (nice to switch disciplines sometimes) and going through a good amount of shells, but can't justify adding a shotgun setup yet.



Yeah i couldn't find much in the way of sales, but i was frustrated with my current setup so it was worth it anyway.

That's not a bad price depending on what was included in the setup. I just did the basics with an auto case feeder and a few simple extras, no dies, and it was $1100.




The Loadmaster isn't a bad press. I've had no trouble trimming cases on the press to +/- .001" or getting consistent seating depths. It's rough around the edges, doesn't cycle super smooth, etc. A lot of tinkering can fix some of that, but some is just inherent in the design.

The priming system is where it falls apart. Sometimes i'll reload 200 rounds without a priming issue, other times it'll be a nightmare to get it to stop misfeeding primers, crushing them, putting them in sideways or upside down, etc.

I gave up on the priming system. I use a hand primer. I have gotten the rest to work ok. The indexer is the biggest problem. I have managed to get through it but production is fairly low as far as rounds per hour.
Once I get a good reloading area setup I am going to get something different.

 

[beaker]

Any good options besides dropping $320 on the Dillon one?

Also, anyone running the G.S. Custom Swager add on? That thing looks really cool, and seems like you can prep military brass REALLY quick!



Well, 4 hours should be about 3K rounds now, so that would be quite a session!

If only other things went that long.



Haha, i was waiting for it.

The vast majority is 9mm. Probably 70%, as i have several 9mm handguns and a 9mm carbine to feed.

The rest is 380, 45 ACP, 357 Mag/38, .223.

.308 will likely be added to that list when i build an AR10.

I don't reload for shotgun. I was getting into trap shooting for a bit (nice to switch disciplines sometimes) and going through a good amount of shells, but can't justify adding a shotgun setup yet.



Yeah i couldn't find much in the way of sales, but i was frustrated with my current setup so it was worth it anyway.

That's not a bad price depending on what was included in the setup. I just did the basics with an auto case feeder and a few simple extras, no dies, and it was $1100.




The Loadmaster isn't a bad press. I've had no trouble trimming cases on the press to +/- .001" or getting consistent seating depths. It's rough around the edges, doesn't cycle super smooth, etc. A lot of tinkering can fix some of that, but some is just inherent in the design.

The priming system is where it falls apart. Sometimes i'll reload 200 rounds without a priming issue, other times it'll be a nightmare to get it to stop misfeeding primers, crushing them, putting them in sideways or upside down, etc.

Congrats on ordering the ultimate progressive press. Don't waste your money on the GS swager. I tried it and 20% of the cases had difficult or impossible primer insertion. That was on about 1000 lake city cases. It was a gigantic pain in the ass to load with 2 in 10 having primer insertion problems and 1 in 10 unable to seat primers. Nothing like the 45 degree weldon countersink, which gave zero primer insertion problems.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[mac1911]

Any good options besides dropping $320 on the Dillon one?

Also, anyone running the G.S. Custom Swager add on? That thing looks really cool, and seems like you can prep military brass REALLY quick!



Well, 4 hours should be about 3K rounds now, so that would be quite a session!

If only other things went that long.



Haha, i was waiting for it.

The vast majority is 9mm. Probably 70%, as i have several 9mm handguns and a 9mm carbine to feed.

The rest is 380, 45 ACP, 357 Mag/38, .223.

.308 will likely be added to that list when i build an AR10.

I don't reload for shotgun. I was getting into trap shooting for a bit (nice to switch disciplines sometimes) and going through a good amount of shells, but can't justify adding a shotgun setup yet.



Yeah i couldn't find much in the way of sales, but i was frustrated with my current setup so it was worth it anyway.

That's not a bad price depending on what was included in the setup. I just did the basics with an auto case feeder and a few simple extras, no dies, and it was $1100.




The Loadmaster isn't a bad press. I've had no trouble trimming cases on the press to +/- .001" or getting consistent seating depths. It's rough around the edges, doesn't cycle super smooth, etc. A lot of tinkering can fix some of that, but some is just inherent in the design.

The priming system is where it falls apart. Sometimes i'll reload 200 rounds without a priming issue, other times it'll be a nightmare to get it to stop misfeeding primers, crushing them, putting them in sideways or upside down, etc.

Yeah, that's where most of my friend had issues. When he finally brought it over I looked at the primer system with WTF racing through my head.
I basically took the press down to all its pieces. There was a lot of plastic flashing and rough spots.
The primer slider was all beat up. Looked like factory marks. It did not slide well at all. In the end it took some nice super fine sandpaper and careful razor blade work to get it going. I have not heard from him in a while. He called once after to say he loaded 1500 rounds in one seating and only had one problem....

I like the 650. I was able to learn some reloading from a older gent who had a museum of presses in his basement.
From old Hollywood presses to camdex for his machine gun food.
I loaded 45 acp on his 650 while he was teaching me about reloading.

 

[peterthefish]

Any good options besides dropping $320 on the Dillon one?



Well, 4 hours should be about 3K rounds now, so that would be quite a session!

.

Get a Vibraprime - Midway has them on sale for about $25 a few times a year. They work great w Federal and CCI primers.

I can load 1,000 9mm / hour w the case feeder including refilling primer tubes w the Vibraprime. With Dillon perfection you should be able to beat that.

 

[edin508]

Congrats on going Blue! Get extra primer tubes and one of those little primer flip trays, those trays work very well and simple. I like the KISS system.

 

[Hoon]

Congrats on ordering the ultimate progressive press. Don't waste your money on the GS swager. I tried it and 20% of the cases had difficult or impossible primer insertion. That was on about 1000 lake city cases. It was a gigantic pain in the ass to load with 2 in 10 having primer insertion problems and 1 in 10 unable to seat primers. Nothing like the 45 degree weldon countersink, which gave zero primer insertion problems.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Thanks for saving me $93!


I typically use a lyman tool in a hand drill. Put the drill in my vice and do it that way. It's very quick and efficient, but if i could do it on the press that would be even better.

No big deal to stick with the current method though.

I gave up on the priming system. I use a hand primer. I have gotten the rest to work ok. The indexer is the biggest problem. I have managed to get through it but production is fairly low as far as rounds per hour.
Once I get a good reloading area setup I am going to get something different.

As long as the indexing rod is properly adjusted and the bolt on the bottom of the ram which holds the shell plate and base are properly adjusted and tight, i've had no issues with indexing.

I could live with priming rifle brass off the press, but to do it with pistol rounds has to be very time consuming.

Yeah, that's where most of my friend had issues. When he finally brought it over I looked at the primer system with WTF racing through my head.
I basically took the press down to all its pieces. There was a lot of plastic flashing and rough spots.
The primer slider was all beat up. Looked like factory marks. It did not slide well at all. In the end it took some nice super fine sandpaper and careful razor blade work to get it going. I have not heard from him in a while. He called once after to say he loaded 1500 rounds in one seating and only had one problem....

I like the 650. I was able to learn some reloading from a older gent who had a museum of presses in his basement.
From old Hollywood presses to camdex for his machine gun food.
I loaded 45 acp on his 650 while he was teaching me about reloading.

I had to do the same stuff, take the system apart and clean it all out, sand off the casting marks, smooth it out, etc. It helped a lot, but the big design flaw is that the ram doesn't always come straight up, it's on a slight angle.

Get a Vibraprime - Midway has them on sale for about $25 a few times a year. They work great w Federal and CCI primers.

I can load 1,000 9mm / hour w the case feeder including refilling primer tubes w the Vibraprime. With Dillon perfection you should be able to beat that.

1000 rounds takes me an afternoon right now. A very frustrating one.

Congrats on going Blue! Get extra primer tubes and one of those little primer flip trays, those trays work very well and simple. I like the KISS system.

I ordered one extra tube with the press. I need to get the rest of the parts to set it up for .223. An extra head, shell plate, and whatever i need for the feed system. 9mm and .223 cover 90% of my reloading.

 

[tysdad115]

Congrats. I'm getting ready to upgrade from my 550 to the 650.

 

[swampy]

There are a few simple fixes to make the loadmaster priming virtually flawless. I've read of lots of Dillon priming issues too on various forums so Utopia won't come with blue either. A paper clip and elastic band fixes the most common loadmaster priming issues. A little strategic cleaning and a drop of silicone lube fixes another. Flipped and sideways primers are usually caused by the shell being misaligned in the priming station caused by the arm that holds the shell in place having moved. Some people put a sizing die, minus the deprimer punch, in that station to aid alignment.
Indexing issues can usually be resolved by not over tightening the shell plate, putting a bit of lithium grease on the shell plate shaft, and putting a little lithium grease on the indexing rod. Lubricating the shellplate can cause problems. Routinely cleaning the shell holder bays of the shellplate ensures the cases fit all the way in where they belong.
Maybe this can save a few Loadmaster owners $700-$1300 or more going blue.

 

[slugworth]

After a very frustrating reloading session, fighting with the priming system of my Loadmaster, i had enough.

It has served me well in learning reloading and keeping the startup costs down, but it's time to move on. Ordered an XL650 with electronic case feeder and a handful of other accessories yesterday.

I can't wait, it should at least double my rate of production.

Hahaha...

Thought you meant Viagra!!!

 

[houdini]

once you go blue you never go back.

 

[Coyote33]

Keep us folks who are married with kids up to date on all these old systems you all are replacing!

 

[KTech2316]

Any good options besides dropping $320 on the Dillon one?

Also, anyone running the G.S. Custom Swager add on? That thing looks really cool, and seems like you can prep military brass REALLY quick!

I've had really good luck with the swager. Ive done nearly 3K rounds of 300 black with it.... I think its worth every penny. I do however deprime and wet tumble my brass before it goes in the 650 with the rt1500 trimmer and gs swager.

I did have issues with the swager using primed,dry tumbled brass . It got gunked up fast from the dirty primer pockets and didn't preform well...I had to wipe the tip with alcohol every 40-50 rounds. I would however buy it again. There is an older version of it that had a slightly different shape and I hear it didn't swage well. Mine works well. There is also another company producing them now that is a different design.

 

[Gammon]

Are you loading 5k+ a day 5 days a week? no? Load your primer tubes by hand, it only takes one minute to load each.
I'm half way through todays goal of 2k rounds of fotay on my 650. I load 500 rounds, then take a break for a bit.

+1. I load most of my ammo on a 1050 and find that loading the primer tube is a pleasant break from cranking on the machine.

PS Just got my Case Pro set up and find that prepping the brass (9mm) on this case roller has taken a lot of the stress out of cranking the 1050. With a case feeder (I finally found a use for the Dillon case feeder on my 550 that never worked) this roller really pumps out the brass.

 

[Steve Marshall]

I used to have 10 primer tubes for my 550 and the LARGE primer flipper. 50 per tube and I was good to go. My primer alert was a black plastic rod with a flange that came with the press. Including filling the tubes, QC breaks and fiddle****ing around, I was good to go for about an hour per fill up.

 

[dcmdon]

Are you loading 5k+ a day 5 days a week? no? Load your primer tubes by hand, it only takes one minute to load each.
I'm half way through todays goal of 2k rounds of fotay on my 650. I load 500 rounds, then take a break for a bit.

I agree. If I remember right, the press comes with 2 small and 2 large.

Buy another 4 small ones. With 6 primer tubes you can start a reloading session with 700 primers at the ready. (100 in the machine)

While I reload in the basement, I fill primer tubes sitting at the kitchen island, or watching TV.
(And then a good wipe down of the island and a good wash of my hands.)

 

[Hoon]

There are a few simple fixes to make the loadmaster priming virtually flawless. I've read of lots of Dillon priming issues too on various forums so Utopia won't come with blue either. A paper clip and elastic band fixes the most common loadmaster priming issues. A little strategic cleaning and a drop of silicone lube fixes another. Flipped and sideways primers are usually caused by the shell being misaligned in the priming station caused by the arm that holds the shell in place having moved. Some people put a sizing die, minus the deprimer punch, in that station to aid alignment.
Indexing issues can usually be resolved by not over tightening the shell plate, putting a bit of lithium grease on the shell plate shaft, and putting a little lithium grease on the indexing rod. Lubricating the shellplate can cause problems. Routinely cleaning the shell holder bays of the shellplate ensures the cases fit all the way in where they belong.
Maybe this can save a few Loadmaster owners $700-$1300 or more going blue.

I was waiting until after I loaded a batch of ammo on the Dillon to respond to this one. I did all the things you mentioned, deburred the priming system, lubed everything, ran a sizer with no pin over the priming station, etc.

I probably loaded 7-8k rounds on the press before I got tired of wasting time fiddling with stupid crap.

The Dillon system is much better in every way/shape/form. The priming system is extremely reliable, casefeeder is excellent, etc.

My rate of production is easily double, and ammo quality is better due to the priming system.

Blue might not be utopia, but its close.

 

[dcmdon]

One thought. I know that Richard Lee prides himself on offering a great value. But I can't help but wonder what a great value his stuff would be if he just allowed the price to creep up the $20 or $30 it might cost to eliminate all of the problems with a lee.

I say this and I'm true blue. But I, like many other dillon users own a Classic Cast turret. I'd gladly pay a few more bucks for a priming system that works and a bit more precision in the machining.

Don

 

[KMM696]

I've found an inverse relationship between the number of moving parts on any Lee product and how well it works. Single stage presses and dies with Hornady rings on them are about as complicated as I'm willing to go with Lee.

 

[KTech2316]

I'm not trusting my ammo quality,reloading time or patience to a paperclip and a rubber band. I've had lots of presses. I even had a Dillon RL1050 that had more issues than playboy....Going blue is the only way imho.

 

[JayW]

I have been reloading now for about 7 years. For the first two I used a single stage press. Then I used a Lee Turrent press. It was nice and kept me going for a long time.

A couple weeks ago I bought an RCBS Pro2000 Auto Index. I have always appreciated the RCBS products. They just scream quality to me. I thought about buying a Dillon 650. I really did. Until I started doing the math about the different calibers that I wanted to reload. I found the caliber conversion kits for the 650 run about $70 a piece. With that in mind I wanted to buy 5 of them. I just want to use one press for everything. It might be misguided etc... but that was , is, my thought process. I found with the RCBS Pro2000 I simply had to buy the shell plates. Those run for $30 each. That sorta pushed me over the edge for the RCBS.

I have had this new press for a couple weeks and there is a BIG learning curve. After the first week I wanted to return it. I was Soo frustrated. There is just way too much to keep track of all at once. I think I have encountered every type of issue you can with that press. One by one I addressed them. Now it is running pretty sweet. I am not at 100% with it but I am starting to see the light. This thing is just solid and cranks out ammo.

 

[bigblue]

When you find Dillon caliber conversions for $70 let us know: A full quick change with dies is closer to $300, $400 with carbide dies.