New Guy Here

[Clinton]

So I ran through the press and this is what I got. The bullet is showing a ring around the tip. Is that normal. Barrys 180 gr jhp. Once fired round not cleaned in a tumbler. Seeing a difference in width at middle of brass where bullet ends.

Clinton

 

[SSN Vet]

Dillion makes very fine tools. You'll never regret making the investment

 

[SSN Vet]

The slight bulge at the bottom of the bullet is pretty common. And plated bullets can run a little on the plump side.

If they pass the 'clunk' test, then they should be good to go.

 

[SSN Vet]

Double tap

 

[Magnum Shooter]

The bulge at the bullet base is no problem as long as they pass the plunk test. You could try turning the seating plug around to see if that will help with the ring near the bullet nose. The round nose side might work better.

 

[Lost Sheep]

So I ran through the press and this is what I got. The bullet is showing a ring around the tip. Is that normal. Barrys 180 gr jhp. Once fired round not cleaned in a tumbler. Seeing a difference in width at middle of brass where bullet ends.

Clinton

The bulge you see (that ends where the base of the bullet is) is because you sized the case down with the first die to be slightly undersized. This is the way it is supposed to work. Then you flare the case mouth so you cn put the new bullet into the case. When you seat the bullet (press it into the case) the bullet causes the case to stretch, hence the bulge. This is normal.

I say the foregoing is normal as long as the case chambers easily in your gun, hence the "plunk" test. Take your barrel out of your gun and drop the freshly (re)loaded cartridge into the chamber. It should fall into place with just the force of gravity with a pleasingly solid "plunk" and stop firmly when the case mouth hits a shoulder inside your chamber. This is called "headspacing". The base of the cartridge should be even with the back of the barrel hood (exactly how it looks and feels to your finger depends on the manufacturer of the barrel and the model of the gun, though). The cartridge should fall freely out of the barrel/chamber with the force of gravity.

Forgive me if this is elementary to you. I know nothing of your experience level and besides, readers of all levels of expertise are (and will be) reading. I don't want to leave any room for misinterpretation.

The ring around the bullet ogive is, I think, because the shape of the bullet seating plug/stem does not fit the shape of the bullet ogive. The seating plug is leaving that mark where it pushes on the bullet as the bullet is being seated.

Some die makers will custom make a seating plug for you if you send them a couple of bullets they can use to make a cast. Or, you might be able to make a cast yourself. In any event, if the bullet has not changed shape, the effect is merely cosmetic and no worry. Seating plugs are interchangeable and/or reversible and there may be a stock-shaped one available for your bullet shape.

Lost Sheep

 

[rfwobbly]

Congrats on the new machine. And welcome to the club!

Some further 550 tips....

• Nice that you bolted the press to a piece of plywood, but the first time you operate that you're going to find that it needs modification. The plywood is a great idea, but you'll need a much more substantial table to clamp to. And you'll need at least 3 clamps to hold the thing to the table. There's a lot of force involved and you'll find all this out for yourself very quickly. If that's your only table, then you may want to add weight to the table top, like several boxes of books! Just saying.

• BTW, stability-wise if you can't get the press/table combo to calm down, then order the Strong Mount. The SM allows you to set the press back further onto the table top away from the edge. Since the press is lifted up, you'll have an easier time placing C-clamps too.

• I found the Dillon easy to operate, but the method of adjusting the powder measure just didn't come up to the standards of the rest of the press. On Ebay I found these press-on plastic caps that turn the hex bolt end into a thumb screw. I'm sure they're available numerous places, but these things are very helpful, and only take mere seconds to install.



• Also marking the powder measure (see photo) with a felt tip pen to indicate which way to rotate the knob was helpful.

• Also discovered that Dillon does have some deals. Check out their 10 ammo boxes for ~$10. Not worth ordering on their own, but when you order the Strong Mount or other next accessory, having those thrown in adds nothing to the shipping weight, and they are great boxes.


Enjoy the new press.

 

[Clinton]

Thanks. Any more tips would be great!

Clinton

 

[Clinton]

Safety first!
Just kidding I wasnt drankin!
Clinton

 

[PJSprog]

Hey, Clinton! Welcome to the handloading/reloading addiction.
I'm just down the road from you in St. Jacob. See you at a gun show maybe.

 

[greybeard57]

Congrats Clinton! Ain't having shiny new toys fun?

I'm still waiting on my press and accessories. It's giving me time to build up a baby roo err, I mean loading area. But your questions and some of the answers have already given me valuable tips to look out for.

 

[Clinton]

Pj message sent

Clinton