Going from .223 Rem to 9mm

[milanuk]

I'm looking to start loading 9mm for my G34 & CZ75 SP01. I'd like to think I'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to reloading *rifle* rounds, but I have zero-zip-nada experience when it comes to pistol/handgun stuff.

What I have: Dillon 550, a Hornady LnL AP w/ casefeeder, and a set of Dillon 9mm dies (sizer, seater, taper crimp). Both presses are set up for .223 Rem; the Dillon gets used for other rifle calibers as well.

Option A: just buy a Dillon caliber conversion kit from brianenos.com ($42) to get the powder-thru-expander and #5 shellplate that I need (along w/ the size #3 buttons, which I already have a set of). I don't shoot *that* much pistol so in the real world the through-put of a 550 would probably be sufficient.

Option B: figure out what I need to buy to convert the LnL AP over to pistol. So far... it's looking like I probably would need a new die set, as my understanding is that taper crimp dies *other* than Hornady's own tend to run afoul of the ejector wire on the LnL AP. A new Hornady 3-die set comes w/ sizer, expander die (not powder-thru-expander, if I'm reading the description right), and seat/crimp die, and I'd have to purchase a Hornady taper crimp die separately. The shell plate and small pistol case feeder plates also have to be purchased separately. I think that'd fill up the press - sizer, powder die, expander, seater, taper crimp, right? How would this change if I wanted to use a powder-thru-expander setup and and a powder-check die? What do I have to purchase in addition to or in lieu of the above - just the expander and drop it in the powder die, or is there something else involved? Have the issues w/ the Hornady powder thru expander been worked out?

TIA,

Monte

 

[BHFG]

I'm fairly new to reloading myself, but I spent 6 weeks studying both the 550 and the LNL and what is needed for caliber changes. Some folks disagree, but in my opinion, for equal setups, the 550 is an cheaper/easier swap if you use a separate toolhead.

The LNL offers some options, but the cost builds up pretty quick.

Decide if you want to get a separate powder measure or re-use the one you have. On the LNL, re-using the powder die is much easier if you buy a quick-change-powder-die (~$23) and maybe a separate metering insert ($37). But on the Dillon I changed out the allen screws on the powder measure lock ring to use knurled thumb screws (13 cents from Home Depot). Now it's just as easy to move from one toolhead to the another on the Dillon as it would be on the LNL and was a lot cheaper. You can get a separate powder bar, but it's pretty easy to adjust the powder charge by turning the nut.

To do the powder-thru-expanding on the LNL you need to buy a separate powder-thru expander (~$10). This comes with the Dillon caliber set.

If you want a separate powder cop die, you can do that on the LNL (~$39), but on the Dillon you need to free up a station by either decap/prime off press or seat/crimp in one step.

For the LNL then add in the cost of the shellplate, shellholder, separate taper crimp die, etc.

Here are a couple of things I considered for seting up my 9mm:
- Its a small volume case, so it's easy to pick a charge that is more than 50% of volume. That means that I don't need a powder cop because if I accidentally double charge it will overfill the case and be obvious.
- I like to seat and crimp in separate steps. If you have the older LNL without the EZject then you a limited in die sets you can use. On the Dillon I can use a Lee carbide die set with the factory crimp die (~$27 for the whole set).

So my full cost for a caliber change on the Dillon was about $99:
- $42 for the caliber change kit
- $27 Lee Die with Factory Crimp die
- $20 for a toolhead
- $10 powder die
NOTE: You can save $$$ if you buy 3 toolheads and 3 powder dies from Brian Enos. Then you are set for the next 2 calibers you choose

Assuming no powder cop die and no metering insert, the LNL cost would have been about $140:
- $23 for the quick-change-powder die
- $10 powder-thru expander
- $40 die set (can't use the Lee dies on the older LNL)
- $23 taper crimp die
- $39 Shellplate
- $5 shehllholder
NOTE: These are roughly list prices so you can save a few dollars from online dealers, IF you can find the parts in stock.

Again, this is my opinion, others may, and often do, vary. Either way, good luck!

Rick

 

[milanuk]

Hmm... not sure what you are talking about when referring to a 'shell holder' in addition to the shellplate on the LnL AP.

I think I figured out what all I'd need, and at this point the issue isn't so much the cost, or the speed... its the simple fact that no one place I've looked actually has all the parts necessary in stock - and Hornady seems to be dragging their feet the last 3-4 months as far as getting their product back in the pipeline. Could be 4-6 months before I get all the pieces assembled to do this. So with that... I guess it's going to be the 550 for now, and leave the LnL AP set up for what I originally intended - bulk .223 brass processing and blaster ammo.

 

[rfwobbly]

I load both 9 and 223 on my Dillon 550. Here's what you'll need....

• Convert your powder dispenser to small bar
• Set up a new die holder with 9mm reloading dies of any brand and a new powder drop die, since this sets the 9mm case belling
• Set up the ram with the 9mm Conversion Kit (shell holder and buttons), and slide the 9mm thru-powder/belling into the die holder

- Your press is already set up for small primers.... just make sure not to intermix small rifle with small pistol primers
- Most people who do pistol and rifle simply keep 2 powder dispensers permanently setup: 1 large bar, 1 small bar


Once you've got the 9mm die holder set up and a dedicated small bar powder dispenser, the change over takes about 3 minutes. You'll slide the die holder out complete. Swap the shell holder and buttons. Slide in the new die holder. It's very fast.

Actually it takes longer to dial in the powder dispenser than to do the caliber conversion!

Hope this helps!

 

[loadedround]

Do Yourself a favor and go with the Dillon.

 

[milanuk]

Okay, here's my new and improved master plan... tell me what you think:

Since parts for the LnL AP are quasi-unobtanium at the moment, I'm going to go ahead and set up the 550. I'm not exactly a high-volume pistol shooter - heck, the only reason I got the LnL AP in the first place was that processing a couple five-gallon buckets of .223 brass (between my HP shooting, loading ammo for two Juniors, and then general SHTF/plinking ammo) was getting really old on the 550. So, I figure at least for now, the 550 should keep up w/ my 9mm needs.

I have spare toolheads, and I have extra powder measure, powder dies, powder bars, etc. I'm highly tempted to drop the $$$ on a new Uniquetek micrometer to go on it (have one for another Dillon powder measure and really like it) but I'm going to hold off for now. The conversion kit is on order from brianenos.com so thats a done deal.

My LnL AP is pre-EZject... once they (Hornady) gets caught up enough that I can buy the parts (as opposed to having to box it up and ship it back to Nebraska), I'll probably go ahead and upgrade that press. At that point... the problem w/ the Dillon taper crimp die will have gone away, so I'll be able to transfer the Dillon die set straight across, and just get a PTX for my Hornady quick-change powder die, a shellplate, and a case feeder plate. The only 'extra' parts I'll have at that point will be the Dillon 9mm caliber conversion kit (figure I can recycle the powder measure and other parts on other calibers), which I'm guessing I can probably unload easily enough through forums or e-bay or similar. Assuming I get to the point where it's worth it (to me) to pick up the pace and use the case feeder, etc.

But for now... looks like the 550 gets the nod