So my dad picked me up a bulletfeeder for Christmas. I finished the installation and quick run of ammo tonight. All I gotta say is this thing can really produce some ammo. It was a little bit of a PIA to set it all up and dial it in but I think it's worth it. Some things I would suggest for anyone who is thinking about buying a press, casefeeder, or bulletfeeder.

 

Set up the press by itself and get very familiar with making ammo. Produce a thousand or so rounds of ammo. Then go ahead and add the casefeeder or bulletfeeder. Then dial it in and get used to that and then add the next accessory. Each thing you add has the possibility of complicating the process if you have even the smallest thing go wrong. Take it one step at a time in my opinion.

 

I think all presses and accessories start running smoother and more reliable after a few thousand rounds. There definitely is a break-in period where all the moving parts smooth-en up and settle in. So if you are having some small issues, don't despair, things will get better

 

Make sure you have a decent sized workspace and be prepared to start wanting all sorts of things for reloading. There are so many accessories out there that you could break the bank with it all. I am going to be buying all sorts of stuff to make caliber changeovers quicker and easier. You don't have to do this but it makes life a lot easier if you reload different calibers. Be prepared to spend money, more than you think you were going to.

 

Make sure you aren't distracted when you are reloading. I can't stress this enough. You think you can reload and have conversations but you really can't. If someone comes to talk to you, STOP, have the conversation and when it's over go back to reloading.

 

 

I gotta say that I enjoy reloading a lot and that without it I wouldn't get to send as much lead downrange as I do. Seems like a win/win situation if you ask me. Well here are some pics...

 

 

Very nice! That's the exact setup i'm hopefully going to build up to one day.

Are running a powder cop/lock-out die?

Looking good Mr. Squib!

Very nice! That's the exact setup i'm hopefully going to build up to one day.

Are running a powder cop/lock-out die?

 

Nope. No room for it anymore. I'd like one but the bulletfeeder die takes up a spot. I could in theory do it if I combined seating and crimping on one station but it's not recommended. The Hornady powder measure is very consistent and the only times I ended up with any squibs is because I wasn't paying attention to reloading and bullshitting with someone instead.

I was unaware of problems with the seat and crimp. Im going to have to rethink my die setup. Thanks for the info.

I was unaware of problems with the seat and crimp. Im going to have to rethink my die setup. Thanks for the info.

 

Nick, Skip the bullet feed for a while until you get real comfortable with loading first. After that you can add this if you like.

 

Then there is the Dillon 1050, you can get all the attachments and some aftermarket stuff and the automatic cranking attachment and just keep primers, brass, powder and bullets stocked up and watch the machine go.

I was unaware of problems with the seat and crimp. Im going to have to rethink my die setup. Thanks for the info.

 

When you seat and crimp with the same die the bullet might still be moving when the case hits the part of the die where it starts to crimp. due to the fact that your brass is different sizes it might start crimping earlier or later in the process. With a separate crimping die you get a much more consistent OAL than you would with a die that does both.

 

I wouldn't add a bullet feeder to the mix until you have loaded at least 5k rounds. Add a casefeeder after 1000 or so. You will really appreciate it more at that point.

 

I dont think I would ever want to add an autodrive. it looks sweet but you dont get to "feel" the press working. I want to feel it working so I can determine if there is a problem or not.

I don't plan on adding a bullet or case feeder for a long time. Hell, i'm still trying to get the initial setup.

Hey Harry, when are you going to post your setup?

I don't plan on adding a bullet or case feeder for a long time. Hell, i'm still trying to get the initial setup.

Hey Harry, when are you going to post your setup?

 

Do you have the basic press yet? Lemme know when you get it I'll come by and help you set it all up. also hit me up before you buy any dies or anything, I'll let you know what you actually need vs what you think you need. Plus I might have some extra stuff laying around.

I don't plan on adding a bullet or case feeder for a long time. Hell, i'm still trying to get the initial setup.

Hey Harry, when are you going to post your setup?

 

I'll get to it one of these days..

nice; id like to retrofit that bullet feeder to my dillon xl650

Nice set up. I have the case feeder and planned on skipping the bullet feeder. I still have to set mine up. lol

nice; id like to retrofit that bullet feeder to my dillon xl650

 

My instruction book has templets for adding it to the 650 and the rcbs. I've only run 9mm bullets thru it so far but every one went thru the correct way.

Nice set up. I have the case feeder and planned on skipping the bullet feeder. I still have to set mine up. lol

 

I dont think the bullet feeder is needed but its a nice bonus. I was thinking of getting it in the future but sure can't complain about getting it as a gift. was very surprised.

 

The only drawback I see is that it really jams the top of the press. You have to position everything perfectly. I used to position the powder measure so the powder adjustment was to the outside for easy adjustment, now it has to point into the center of the press due to space issues. The hornady measure is very consistent though, so you set it and forget it. I'm going to pick up a few of the removable powder adjusters (forget the real term at the moment) so I can just swap them out when I change calibers instead of readjusting.

My instruction book has templets for adding it to the 650 and the rcbs. I've only run 9mm bullets thru it so far but every one went thru the correct way.

 

what type of bullet do you use? i hear it sucks for lead? i also hear if you talcum lead it will work fine idk just a question i shoot a lot of lead cheaper that way

 

 

Edit: i see plate or fmj's in there if u use lead let me know

I don't plan on adding a bullet or case feeder for a long time.

I was through about 50 rounds and realized I needed a casefeeder yesterday. You may not wait as long as you anticipate.

 

Looking good Mr. Squib!

wow. lol

steph u have a 650 with no casefeeder? thats like buying a gun with no slide?

I had the Hornady 400 feeder but I needed to upgrade so I went to the 500. Now I'm pumping out rounds like a mad man!

I had the Hornady 400 feeder but I needed to upgrade so I went to the 500. Now I'm pumping out rounds like a mad man!

 

Oh yeah, hows that setup working for you bozo?

 

I'm gonna make up some ammo with no powder and slip it in your ammo boxes.

Oh yeah, hows that setup working for you bozo?

 

I'm gonna make up some ammo with no powder and slip it in your ammo boxes.

 

Get some model paint and paint up some primer only wax rounds like they are real and let him shoot steel..

Get some model paint and paint up some primer only wax rounds like they are real and let him shoot steel..

 

Ha, I'd still win.

Oh yeah, hows that setup working for you bozo?

 

I'm gonna make up some ammo with no powder and slip it in your ammo boxes.

 

Wouldn't make a difference with that 686 of his light striking all the time anyway.

Wouldn't make a difference with that 686 of his light striking all the time anyway.

 

still winning, 2nd place man!

 

 

still winning, 2nd place man!

 

1.8 seconds between me and victory, watch out son!

 

 

Great set up. Lee has a bullet feeder too but I heard it doesn't work that well

except for wad cutters.

 

Good advice on taking it slow. I started off on a progressive with a case feeder.

 

My learning curve was higher for sure, but eventually I figured it out. Can't say

I didn't have some moments I wanted to tear my hair out though.

I was through about 50 rounds and realized I needed a casefeeder yesterday. You may not wait as long as you anticipate.

 

 

Say Hi to Vinny for me.

verry nice . i am looking at the same setup . it will take a while to get all the goodies though

verry nice . i am looking at the same setup . it will take a while to get all the goodies though

 

I did it one piece at a time. Took a year. Go that route

how long does it take you to crank out 1000 rounds?

 

I was through about 50 rounds and realized I needed a casefeeder yesterday. You may not wait as long as you anticipate.

 

You're probably right. I'll just have to make my son stand next to the loader and feed cases. It'll keep him from driving my wife crazy while I'm loading.