*DILLON DILEMMA* Version 2

[Tactical Zacktical]

To all that replied to my earlier post, thank you so much. I’ve received excellent advice, and I am so glad that I posted here before purchasing anything. To recap, I shoot USPSA and 3 Gun, and I’m looking to load bulk 9mm now and add on .223 in the future.

Per advice from the previous thread, I have decided to purchase the Dillon 750. I will be holding off on the case feeder, and instead be purchasing the DAA mini case feeder and DAA Case Feeder Loader Bowl (Brand new product.) I plan to rinse off my cases to get them reasonably clean (and remove unwanted grit/dirt from range brass), then run them through the press in a separate toolhead with only a LEE universal decapping die. Then I will wet tumble the now primerless brass, dry thoroughly, and begin the loading process.

This is my current shopping list:

Dillon:
Dillon XL750 with pistol dies and extra toolhead
$789.96

Amazon:
Frankford arsenal DS-750 Scale
Guntap stainless tumbler pins
Neiko Stainless Calipers
RCBS Primer Flip Tray
LEE Precision Decapping Die
$88.09

Double Alpha Academy:
DAA Mini Case Feeder
DAA Mini Case Feeder Loader Bowl
$81.85

I’m open to any advice, changes, or suggestions on this purchase and the loading process in general.

Thank you in advance.

Respectfully,

Zack

 

[Cap'n]

I'd suggest you purchase a balance beam scale instead of the cheap load cell digital scale. Those cheap scales are notorious for drift, and you will spend a lot of time recalibrating. If you select powders that don't meter well, you will need to throw light charges and trickle powder to the desired charge weight. The cheap load cell digital scales will not measure trickled powder well and you will have overshoots and/or outright measurement errors.

 

[Forum Boss]

I'd suggest you purchase a balance beam scale instead of the cheap load cell digital scale. Those cheap scales are notorious for drift, and you will spend a lot of time recalibrating. If you select powders that don't meter well, you will need to throw light charges and trickle powder to the desired charge weight. The cheap load cell digital scales will not measure trickled powder well and you will have overshoots and/or outright measurement errors.

Some are as you describe. Some are surprisingly good. You can use a check weight to recalibrate quickly. FWIW the RCBS Chargemaster can drift a couple tenths too. But it has been used successfully by handloaders for many years.

Yes a balance beam can work very well to confirm thrown charges.

 

[jelenko]

Hmm. For pistol is trickling needed? In the time I competed in NRA bullseye, we didn't trickle our loads.

When I first started loading for rifle, I did use [and still have] a balance beam. I used it to cross check measurements on my electronic scales. I never found the difference to be more than 1/2 grain [which is tough to measure on balance beams targeted for reloading].

I've used RCBS's and GemPro digital scales with good success. I've found they DO drift and have to be rezeroed [with a push of a button] every 5 measurements.

ETA: I was typing as Forum Boss posted.

 

[Tactical Zacktical]

I'd suggest you purchase a balance beam scale instead of the cheap load cell digital scale. Those cheap scales are notorious for drift, and you will spend a lot of time recalibrating. If you select powders that don't meter well, you will need to throw light charges and trickle powder to the desired charge weight. The cheap load cell digital scales will not measure trickled powder well and you will have overshoots and/or outright measurement errors.

Thank you! What’s a good balance beam scale that you’d recommend?

 

[Forum Boss]

Also, for loading pistol rounds, I would strongly recommend using the RCBS Lock-out die, or the Dillon equivalent if Dillon has something similar. The Lock-Out Die has "saved my bacon" a few times. it will detect low charge, high charge or double charge.

 

[Nature Boy]

Also, for loading pistol rounds, I would strongly recommend using the RCBS Lock-out die, or if Dillon now has something similar. This has "saved my bacon" a few times. it will detect low charge, high charge or double charge.

Dillon does have a powder check and I agree that it’s a must have for loading bulk rifle and pistol rounds in a progressive press.

The OP is loading 9mm and .223 in a progressive press for 3 Gun matches. I don’t see a need for trickling changes. He just needs a scale to verify his powder drop is delivering the correct charge. My opinion is that a cheap load cell type digital scale would be sufficient, but a balance beam scale would also work

 

[Cecil S.]

I am setting up a Progressive press (just Pistol) and will be going with a "Lockout" type of die. There are several different types with lights , buzzers and powder check stems , what ever works for you. JMHO

 

[TAJ45]

I found the presentation, viewed from a blank page perspective, to be extremely lacking.
The terminology for one, was not established to build the foundation.
What does or doesn't actuate the safety device and how/why.
Having written the shop manual for our CNC lathe, I feel comfortable in my opinion.