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Mark_Mark
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Interested!!!! please post phots! I would buy another dillion powder drop if I can adapt it to me struggling Lee Pro 4000
Quick Question: what this Die do, and do I need it
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Will do, just gotta be patient.
Currently laid up in the hospital and don't know when I can bust out!
In the meantime, give Dillon a call.
Most helpful CS I've ever dealt!
Good to know, Thanks.
I did not get invloved with Dillon presses until way after the fail safe linkage was the norm.
Simple to remove and you can get springs a pretty much any hardware store.
I load bulk .223 on my single stage and it (accurately) speeds up the process considerably
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Mark_Mark
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I think I can load .223 on a Lee App, & Turret faster than a Progressive. And more accurate loading
GW Staar
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If you get your 3d printer and make a case and bullet collator for it you might get close, but it still will only do one operation at a time...two if you can get someone to crank the other press for you.
Make a video so we can see the magic! Fun stuff!With a progressive that works, the first five load like a turret/single, then each stroke completes a new round. If you use that APP to prime, then your Lee 4000 should be able to take primed brass and go to town, right?
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Mark_Mark
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I prime on my RCBS round tray hand held.If you get your 3d printer and make a case and bullet collator for it you might get close, but it still will only do one operation at a time...two if you can get someone to crank the other press for you.
With a progressive that works, the first five load like a turret/single, then each stroke completes a new round. If you use that APP to prime, then your Lee 4000 should be able to take primed brass and go to town, right?
my setup is:
1: Powder drop
2: Powder check
3
rop in a bullet using the Frankford universal seating die ( works GOOD)4: FCD ( Don’t work ) I’m going to use the seating die crimp part, see if that works
If you get your 3d printer and make a case and bullet collator for it you might get close, but it still will only do one operation at a time...two if you can get someone to crank the other press for you.
With a progressive that works, the first five load like a turret/single, then each stroke completes a new round. If you use that APP to prime, then your Lee 4000 should be able to take primed brass and go to town, right?
First, I am not saying anyone’s reloading process is flawed. One has to find a process that works for them.
I prefer to clean cases between sizing and reloading. Rifle cases also get trimmed if necessary at this time.
Then when reloading the cases, that is all I am doing during those reloading steps.
It allows me to focus on the reloading and not worry about what is going on during the resizing steps.
But, one can look at the reloading process differently and decide what fits their needs best.
The basic steps of reloading, size, trim prime, charge powder, and seat bullet, need to do for all cases.
Exactly how these steps are accomplished and how automated the process is is up to the desires of the operator and the capability of his equipment
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I bought mine to replace a handheld due to weakened and damaged hands, really like it. Also have a LEE ACP, I think that is what they call it, and like it too. But at that price, would snag one for sure!
Cheesemaker
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I have one of those. It works well, gives a good feel when seating. It takes a little getting used to but once you get the rhythm it moves along. Uses standard shell holders, I have not had an issue using RCBS, Lee, Redding and Hornady shell holders.
Some people do not like the way you load the priming tubes. You "peck" the primers up one at a time. Make sure you have a primer tray (I have the RCBS tray), this makes it easier to flip all of the primers over (if needed). I can "peck" up 100 primers in a couple of minutes - so not a big deal to me.
I have mounted mine to a piece of wood. When I need to use it I clamp it to my bench top and put it away when done.
GW Staar
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Focus is the magic word there. Some will say your process negates the advantage of a progressive. My experience is like yours. The less steps the easier the focus. I used to try to juggle it all, but safety trumps speed every time. Yet at the same time a progressive still makes it much faster than one operation at a time.
I used to think hand feeding brass and bullets wasn't a big deal. Now I've automated both. Why the change in perception? Focus. The most important part of reloading is primers seated against the bottom of the recess, and powder charge. Automating the other things allows the focus to be on those two things....Sizing and priming first means you can focus on the last most important part, powder charge. Seating bullets the right depth is important of course, but that is easy to set once, and the machine just does it, while I can focus on powder charge.
Echoing your "not saying anyone’s reloading process is flawed", we are all different. Multitasking is easier for some.....for me it was easier when I was younger. Now its easier to be safe, doing less brain multitasking.
There are many who only progressively load pistol. I bought my second progressive with it's seven stations for nothing but rifle. I deprime, and wet tumble first too, but then I do resize on the press,,,,,,,after I prime on a bench primer and lube. But I remove the expander....and use an "M" die expander on station 2. Why the weirdness? Besides no longer stretching cases with a pull out expander, it negates the need for a powder through expander and it allows my bullet feed die to drop the bullets square & straight into the1/16" deep pocket, that prevents tilting while rotating to the seater. My seating die then seats it straight, and my AR taper crimp smooths just that last 1/16th. Makes beautiful rifle IME. But this is MY way.....and I'm probably the only one who does it. I'm sure others think I'm nuts, but I've always hated pull-out expanders that play hell with neck concentricity.
Yes, there are other sizing dies that don't use pull-out expanders.....but I think "M" expanders do it best on a progressive.
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@Mark_Mark
Ok, Dr's finally discharged me
Can't get my photo uploader to work (I'll try to keep playing with it but...)
I do however have the parts #'s of the stuff Dillon sent me.
1: #20064, powder die, 550/650
2: #21275, body collar, complete
3: #13426, powder funnel, "A", rifle.
Keep in mind that I was adapting the powder measure from a SD so, if you already have a Dillon powder measure from another setup you may not need some of these parts.
I know I said in an earlier post to call Dillon and they'll be happy to get you set up but I just checked their website for these parts #'s and there was a big notice that their phone system was down with persistent problems
Figures.
Point is it can be done easily and, at least in my circumstance, was a game changer in my way of loading; "bulk", blasting ammo, done in large batches on a single stage (done over 12,000 .223 in this manner)
FWIW: this Lee press was gifted to me.
If I was to have started our fresh on my own, I would've plunked my hard earned pennies down on an XL750 (or 550 at the least).
Hope this helps!
Edit: got my photos to work.
Notice the clamp-on body collar.
This needed replaced with a 7/8"-14 compatible collar.
Here on my Lee.
The 2 return springs are visible and necessary since fail-safe linkage is to be removed.
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Mark_Mark
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WOW! let me digest this@Mark_Mark
Ok, Dr's finally discharged me
Can't get my photo uploader to work (I'll try to keep playing with it but...)
I do however have the parts #'s of the stuff Dillon sent me.
1: #20064, powder die, 550/650
2: #21275, body collar, complete
3: #13426, powder funnel, "A", rifle.
Keep in mind that I was adapting the powder measure from a SD so, if you already have a Dillon powder measure from another setup you may not need some of these parts.
I know I said in an earlier post to call Dillon and they'll be happy to get you set up but I just checked their website for these parts #'s and there was a big notice that their phone system was down with persistent problems
Figures.
Point is it can be done easily and, at least in my circumstance, was a game changer in my way of loading; "bulk", blasting ammo, done in large batches on a single stage (done over 12,000 .223 in this manner)
FWIW: this Lee press was gifted to me.
If I was to have started our fresh on my own, I would've plunked my hard earned pennies down on an XL750 (or 550 at the least).
Hope this helps!
Edit: got my photos to work.
Notice the clamp-on body collar.
This needed replaced with a 7/8"-14 compatible collar.
View attachment 1086517
Here on my Lee.
The 2 return springs are visible and necessary since fail-safe linkage is to be removed.
View attachment 1086518
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Mark_Mark
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are these parts all from Dillion?@Mark_Mark
Ok, Dr's finally discharged me
Can't get my photo uploader to work (I'll try to keep playing with it but...)
I do however have the parts #'s of the stuff Dillon sent me.
1: #20064, powder die, 550/650
2: #21275, body collar, complete
3: #13426, powder funnel, "A", rifle.
Keep in mind that I was adapting the powder measure from a SD so, if you already have a Dillon powder measure from another setup you may not need some of these parts.
I know I said in an earlier post to call Dillon and they'll be happy to get you set up but I just checked their website for these parts #'s and there was a big notice that their phone system was down with persistent problems
Figures.
Point is it can be done easily and, at least in my circumstance, was a game changer in my way of loading; "bulk", blasting ammo, done in large batches on a single stage (done over 12,000 .223 in this manner)
FWIW: this Lee press was gifted to me.
If I was to have started our fresh on my own, I would've plunked my hard earned pennies down on an XL750 (or 550 at the least).
Hope this helps!
Edit: got my photos to work.
Notice the clamp-on body collar.
This needed replaced with a 7/8"-14 compatible collar.
Here on my Lee.
The 2 return springs are visible and necessary since fail-safe linkage is to be removed.
I’ll give them a call tomorrow
Yes.
Ast least from my experience, they have one of the best customer service departments in the industry.
They'll get you set up
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Mark_Mark
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what did those parts cost you? I’m either getting a 750 XL or a Suppressor.
and I’ll keep my Pro 4000 for pistol. Probably 9mm if I can can the charge accurate .
Actually, I may be putting Dillon on the spot by answering but, believe it or not, when I told the CS rep what I had and what I wanted to accomplish, he sent all of it free of charge!!
Never, ever heard of any company doing anything like that.
Although, since you mentioned that a XL750 is an option for you, I'd just go that route.
I was planning on investing in a 750 also but, recent events kinda altered that plan for the time being
Nature Boy
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Buy once, cry once
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Mark_Mark
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my PActually, I may be putting Dillon on the spot by answering but, believe it or not, when I told the CS rep what I had and what I wanted to accomplish, he sent all of it free of charge!!
Never, ever heard of any company doing anything like that.
Although, since you mentioned that a XL750 is an option for you, I'd just go that route.
I was planning on investing in a 750 also but, recent events kinda altered that plan for the time being
How many pay checks do you have to cry for a V4. that thing is NICE
Varminterror
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Put your hands on a blue press and your opinion will change on all of the above.
I do not agree that you can load faster on a turret press than a progressive press. Every pull of the handle on a progressive produces a finished round. Not so with a turret press.
Even with priming off the press, I'm still powder charging and bullet seating on a progressive with multiple steps accomplished at one pull of the handle.
My reloading process works for me although it is not as optimized as it could be. Tuning up a progressive press to be as refined as possible will produced an unbelievable amount of loaded rounds at an unbelievable rate of production.
You can never match the or production on a turret press as you can get on a full progressive.
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Mark_Mark
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Not on the Lee with .223! my charge is off randomly, then it wound not clear the LeeFCD bottom, so it clunk and powder would spill out. Took me 2-3 hours for 250 .223. Not giving up, will make it work!
roval
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that was part of my first setup along with a redding t7 turret press with the primer attachment. from what i remember the adjustment knob moves a little bit as you use it. i guess i could have taped it to secure it once set . i also couldn't get the hang of doing that same charging motion consistently.
after a few months of doing single stage loading i got tired of it and bought a progressive dillon 550b. i do rifle resizing before trimming on the turret.
i still have the original set up next to my progressive. in hindsight i should have bought a cheaper single stage set up to get tired of before transitioning to progressive.
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