Dillon dies and hornady xtp bullets

[johnandersonoutdoors]

I am using 9mm dillon dies. So far i have been loading montana gold fmj bullets without any problems.

However, now I would like to load some 147 grain xtp bullets. I have a concern. Both ends of the seating plug will simply contact the xtp bullet at the top and might damage the bullet?

Why dont they have different seating plugs available? Lots of folks loading hollow points these days right? Will they make a proper seating plug if I ask them? If not, should I find a local machinist? Any idea what it could cost?

 

[joem1945]

Try it and look for bullet for any deformation (if that's word). If you don't see anything load them up. Some manufactures do make seater plugs for different types of bullets and they come in the set when purchased.

 

[rogerstg]

Unless you have the SDB, you can use most any brand of seating die. I have a SDB, and FWIW, I had a similar issue and used the SWC seating die. Another member wrote that he used the RN die with no issues. YMMV.

 

[Master Blaster]

Try it first before you seek a machinist to modiy your dies.. If you have a problem its cheaper to buy a hornady seating die....

 

[bobinoregon]

I have Dillon dies for several pistol calibers and I've never had an issue loading XTP bullets. I've loaded a lot of them as XTP's are the most common bullet available locally.

 

[rogerstg]

Bob, what seating die do you use?

 

[bobinoregon]

I'm using the Dillon seating die, I can go look this afternoon to see which end I'm using if that helps.

 

[Kingcreek]

I've used the Dillon dies to load XTPs in .44, .40, and .357 (haven't tried 9mm) with no problems at all. Just go with the end with the best fit and give it a try.
You can always call Dillon's excellent customer service too but I doubt there's any need.

 

[johnandersonoutdoors]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

bobinoregon and Kingcreek, as you know the dillon 9mm seating die has a stem with an end that seems to be shaped for round nosed bullets and the other end shaped for swc. I haven't actually load the 147 grain xtp bullets and tested yet but I had read that the hollow point can deform.

I sounds like you haven't experienced any problems so I am very happy about that. I guess I should have just tested it myself rather than reading about it. Even though the shape of the stem is not a great match for the top of the bullet I guess it won't really matter as long as there is no deformation. That is what had me worried.