300 Blackout

[MK111]

Always loved loading the magnums since there was no way you were going to double charge one since the regular charge was almost to the top of the case. One thing though is you sure go through the powder fast lol. Your having a lot of fun Frank!!!!

The 44 mag. is no problem but the 45LC only takes 7.0 gr. We use the Dillon powder level check system with a warning buzzer so it's almost impossible to get too much of too little powder. On the last powder check system they wired it up with a small LED flashlight so it goes off when not correct.
I set it up so if too little powder or a double charge the powder check system warns me.
I will say in the 10,000's of rounds I've loaded for them with this system there has never been a problem.
The powder measure and primer loader both have low level warning buzzers on them. At the volume I can do with the Dillon 1050 (500 plus per hr.) it's easy to run out of powder and primers but the warning buzzers prevent that. Just have to get in the routine to fill cases, powder, bullets and primers every 100 rounds which is every 12 minutes.
We use the Dillon auto primer loader so I dump a tube of 100 primers into the press and throw another 100 primers in the auto loader and most of the time the primers load OK. If not it just takes less than a minute to clear the jam and load the primers in the tube.
I got the 45LC setup done and going to chonograph them now and do a batch for sales. Then I can get some of my food plot prep work done.

 

[MK111]

I did a production run of 45LC today. Those damn Hornady lever action cases are about .100 short and now way to catch them until after a bullet is seated and there is no case mouth crimp. Out of the 500 run there was about 10 Hornady short cases and don't know how many I missed. The inspection and boxing Dept. will find those.
There's the same problem with the 44 mag. and .357 mag. cases with those Hornady lever action short case. Have no idea why Hornady did the short case. I had the same problem when I loaded the plastic tip Hornady bullets in my 45-70 last fall and the damn cannalure is in the wrong place. There is enough bullet there to load it correctly but what the hell do I know. I do know it appears Hornady did it incorrectly for the masses. IMHO-LOL.

 

[GoetsTalon]

Small primered 45 acp short cases on 45LC. There just trying to keep us on our toes lol!!!

 

[MK111]

Small primered 45 acp short cases on 45LC. There just trying to keep us on our toes lol!!!

Yes there are a lot of small primers in 45ACP but that's not my department and have to be sorted. LOL
Then there's a special line of cases that a commercial reloading machine Mfg. designed for their machines that has a ridge inside the case that the bullets sets on. But the auto machines kicks that type of case out.

 

[GoetsTalon]

I do everthing the same as i have done since i got started on a RCBS Rockchucker. I'm real fast now and can load 100 45 acp from start to finish in about 50 minutes lol!!! Not fast but still fun and my dad loaded a lot on that press also. He passed last june and i think about him while pulling the handle on that old green press. Reloading is a awesome hobby!!!

 

[MK111]

I started reloading in 1966 with a Lee hand loader where you pounded the case into each die. Then I went to a Lyman C press then to a Rockchucker. Then I went full auto with a Hornady Projecter. I didn't like the jerky movement on the Hornady so I got a Dillon 450 that I later upgraded with a new frame to a Dillon 550 with removable die heads.
Then later I picked out of estates a Dillon 650 and 1050 presses. They were great investment buys and can sell them for double what I paid and still use them all these years.
When I get a new cartridge I go to my Lee 4 hole turret press then if I need a large run of shells I'll set up a Dillon. I store all my loaded rounds in sealed ammo cans. The Lee 4 hole turret press is the press I recommend a start up loader to go with. You can use it as a single stage press or put the indexing rod in and load 200-300 pistol or small rifle rounds per hour. Plus the die turret is removable and when changing calibers the dies don't loose adjustment. I've always said the guy who doesn't like a Lee turret press is the guy who hasn't used one.

 

[Beentown]

Lee Classic Turret Press user here. Love it. Unless I start loading 10k rounds a year I will stick with it. The Dillon is the best but not cost effective for me to switch.

If I were rich I would have a Dillon for each caliber.

 

["J"]

Frank, have you seen or had any experience with the Hornady progressive with the new quick change die?

 

[MK111]

Frank, have you seen or had any experience with the Hornady progressive with the new quick change die?

Not 1st hand. Put the problem you'll have is finding conversions and parts for it without a long search if you ever do find them. I would advise to go a Dillon press it might cost a little more but all parts are just a email away. Plus Dillon has a no BS life time warranty except on the 1050 press which they consider a commercial use press.
Just remember that caliber conversions are damn expensive. But once done caliber changes are rather fast within reason.
If you consider a full auto press you will want to load in volume of 500-1000 or more. Otherwise time wise it doesn't make much sense to do just a few.
If you don't do large volumes I would suggest a Lee Precision 4 hole turret press. With a powder measure on it you can do 200-300 per hour. My daughter can. Lee products are not junk and your grandkids will be using it in years after you don't need it. The Lee turret press is my go to press when I experiment with a new loading.
And conversion on the Lee turret press from caliber to caliber takes about 10 seconds after you have the dies adjusted the first time. Inexpensive conversions also with just a set of dies which you probably already have and a (10.00) 4 hole die turret.

 

[Hedgelj]

I am using the forster single stage.

 

[MK111]

I am using the forster single stage.

I keep a RCBS single stage press on hand also. But if I want to load in volume I need a progressive press. My Dillon 1050 can load 500-700 per hour of 223 and my 2 AR's and Rem 700 will shoot that ammo in less than 1" at 100 yds. most times 1/2". Good enough for me.
I use the single stage press for swaging cases for wildcat rounds.
I set up a progressive press in either pistol or rifle and load 500-1000 rounds and store in a sealed ammo can. Then go to the next caliber. When I want to shoot on short notice I grab a can and shoot now and not later. With having a large number of cases in each caliber I don't really have to worry about my cases going bad in a hurry.

 

[MK111]

I did a 9MM test today. Got the chonogragh out and everything was perfect and function was 100% slow fire and rapid fire out of 2 Glock pistols. Glock are the damnest pistol to get to function so Glock is the go to test pistol. If a Glock functions OK then any pistol will function OK.
Tested 45 ACP and everything turned out OK in velocity and rapid fire function.

 

["J"]

What were the FPS on those rounds Frank?

 

[MK111]

What were the FPS on those rounds Frank?

Hell I don't remember I just write down the FPS and turn the sheet in with the results of function of slow and rapid fire. All within normal specs.

 

[MK111]

'J' did you ever buy a progressive reloading press? I'm thinking about getting rid of 1 or 2 of my Dillon 550B presses? If I do I'll be selling the caliber conversions also.
I have shellplates for 9MM-40S&W, 38-357, 44mag, 45LC, 45ACP-30-06 family of calibers, 32 S&W.
223-380ACP, 444 Marlin, 45-70, 375 H&H belted family of calibers, 30 Carbine.
If I sell I won't sell any die sets or Dillon powder measures. Still thinking on the Dillon powder measures.
I use Lee Precision powder measures on all pistols calibers.

Like I said just in the thinking stage at this time.

 

["J"]

Yeah Frank we went with the Hornady progressive so far so good....

 

[MK111]

I ordered in supplies for some upgrades to my process. Bought 2 new 1/2" carbide double ended end mills off Ebay and I'll be damn if 3 of the 4 ends are chipped. I contacted the seller and he said he didn't look at them. I asked for a 50% refund and he agreed. I should be still able to use couple ends as I only use the center bottom edges.
Then I ordered a 3' length of 1/2" drill rod that is oil hardness treatable and the box is empty with a hole in it but the seller refunded the cost. Now I'll have to reorder.
One box of 3/16" 3' length drill rod came through OK. There's a box of 25 shoulder bolts up in the mailbox. And another part should be here tomorrow.