New Lee inline bullet feeder/rotary magazine for SPP/Pro 6000 - Beta testing

[trixter]

For those of us that use powder coated lead bullets, sized to .356, will this system work?

Thanks

 

[LiveLife]

For those of us that use powder coated lead bullets, sized to .356, will this system work?

While coated lead bullets are sized slightly larger by .001", they are often bevel based so should fit into the flared case mouth or may need slightly more flare amount. I was planning to test more bullets to include larger sized lead bullets next but storm downed tree/limbs on our power lines so we were out of power/internet.

I had some concerns about bullet tilting after drop and during indexing ... greater case mouth flare of .382" (from .380") has allowed the bullet to drop square and lock the bullet base to inside of case flare so shellplate indexing is not making the bullet lose contact with case mouth flare.

Will continue with more bullet type/brand/weight/nose profile testing

 

[Tilos]

For those of us that use powder coated lead bullets, sized to .356, will this system work?

Thanks

Yes
.

 

[trdjohn]

obviously we know about the inline bullet feeder, but ran across this the other day
https://leeprecision.com/inline-bullet-feed/
lays out products - kits, dies, magazines

 

[LiveLife]

For those of us that use powder coated lead bullets, sized to .356, will this system work?

Yes

Yes, +1.

Continuing with lead bullet testing.

NOTE: Using two ball bearings at lower holes for shorter 100 gr RNFP did not drop the longer LSWC bullet so ball bearings were moved to the top holes. (Will do additional testing with various weight/length bullets to see which holes support which bullets)

If you recall case mouth flare OD (Outside Diameter) amount for .355" sized jacketed/plated bullets:

• .380" worked for normal progressive reloading with manual hand setting of bullets
• .381" allowed bullets to drop square from drop tube on case mouth but tilted when shellplate indexed
• .382" worked to prevent bullet tilt during shellplate indexing
• .383" was decided to start with the .356" sized bullet testing

Here's comparison of case mouth flare with .382" on the left and .383"+ on the right (I ended up having to put skosh more flare to "lock" the bullet inside the case flare due to flat base used)

For .356" sized lead bullet testing, since most commercial cast bullets are bevel based, I decided to test flat based bullet to push the limits of bullet feed die.

This is flat based SWC bullet made by Matt Dardas no longer in business who retired (Note the squared off base of bullet meant to trap expanding gas better and these were more accurate than bevel based SWC bullets)

I initially tested .382" flare just to see and while bullet did drop, it immediately tilted with any movement of the shellplate. .383" flare allowed the bullets to drop square and mostly prevented tilting of bullet when indexed.

When I increased the flare skosh more, dropped bullets "locked" with inside of case flare to take some effort to remove.

 

[9mmepiphany]

When I increased the flare skosh more, dropped bullets "locked" with inside of case flare to take some effort to remove.

That is my threshold of "enough" flare also...when loading flat base bullets. I should be able to pick up the case and invert it without the bullet falling out, the bullet will make a slight "popping" sound when I pull it out.

Even at MSRP, the prices for the bullet feeder combo is going to cause DAA to have some major rethink of their pricing model

 

[trdjohn]

corollary to the bullet feeder, is if/when Lee starts selling the M-style powder-thru-expander...i think those will help w/ flaring more than desired
heard any more on that front?

 

[Tilos]

Continuing with lead bullet testing.

If you recall case mouth flare OD (Outside Diameter) amount for .355" sized jacketed/plated bullets:

• .380" worked for normal progressive reloading with manual hand setting of bullets
• .381" allowed bullets to drop square from drop tube on case mouth but tilted when shellplate indexed
• .382" worked to prevent bullet tilt during shellplate indexing
• .383" was decided to start with the .356" sized bullet testing

Here's comparison of case mouth flare with .382" on the left and .383"+ on the right (I ended up having to put skosh more flare to "lock" the bullet inside the case flare due to flat base used)

For .356" sized lead bullet testing, since most commercial cast bullets are bevel based, I decided to test flat based bullet to push the limits of bullet feed die.

This is flat based SWC bullet made by Matt Dardas no longer in business who retired (Note the squared off base of bullet meant to trap expanding gas better and these were more accurate than bevel based SWC bullets)

I initially tested .382" flare just to see and while bullet did drop, it immediately tilted with any movement of the shellplate. .383" flare allowed the bullets to drop square and mostly prevented tilting of bullet when indexed.

When I increased the flare skosh more, dropped bullets "locked" with inside of case flare to take some effort to remove.

I'm not sure why you quoted my post here.

My simple "Yes" answer related to the question asked: "For those of us that use powder coated lead bullets, sized to .356, will this system work?"
That "Yes" relates to the bullet diameter range of the new Lee inline bullet feeder, not the minute adjustment of the flare/expander.
jmo,
.

 

[LiveLife]

I'm not sure why you quoted my post

I was actually agreeing with you and I added "Yes, +1" to the post which I meant to do but I was rushing to do more primer tray testing. Don't get old.

 

[curlysir]

My primary concern after reading this thread is the plastic cap that screws on and holds the spring in. May not be a problem but metal would have been better in my opinion for long term reliability. I will definitely be buying one once they get to the vendors to compare with the Mini Mr. Bulletfeeder. Curious to see how the 2 ball bearings work compared to the 3 in the Mr. Bulletfeeder.

MSRP for the kit is $70 so they should be around $50 from the vendors.

 

[LiveLife]

My primary concern after reading this thread is the plastic cap that screws on and holds the spring in. May not be a problem but metal would have been better in my opinion for long term reliability.

Lee Precision sent me an early R&D 3D printed unit for my testing. Final production unit will have parts made from more durable materials.

Having said that, 3D printed part has been working well.

 

[curlysir]

Lee Precision sent me an early R&D 3D printed unit for my testing. Final production unit will have parts made from more durable materials.

Having said that, 3D printed part has been working well.

Hopefully they will use metal from the description on the Lee Site "All steel construction featuring a ball bearing escapement mechanism".

I don't have a problem with 3D printed parts in the right place but this is one part that I think would be much better to be metal.

 

[LiveLife]

I don't have a problem with 3D printed parts in the right place but this is one part that I think would be much better to be metal.

While 3D printed parts work, as shown in below picture of black 3D printed case retainer ring compared to gray hard plastic current production retainer ring, it is way better and more durable.

I will definitely be buying one once they get to the vendors to compare with the Mini Mr. Bulletfeeder. Curious to see how the 2 ball bearings work compared to the 3 in the Mr. Bulletfeeder.

MSRP for the kit is $70 so they should be around $50 from the vendors.

Yes, Calvin indicated retail/vendor pricing will be less than MSRP.

If we use $500 MSRP for Pro 6000 kit and $339 retail/vendor pricing, $70 MSRP drops to $49.

 

[2 Horse]

According to Lee’s knowledge base the inline bullet feed won’t be available until March 2023. Was hoping to pick up a couple of them first week of January.

 

[LiveLife]

According to Lee’s knowledge base the inline bullet feed won’t be available until March 2023. Was hoping to pick up a couple of them first week of January.

Maybe they delayed product launch to be able to offer with stepped "M" style powder through expanders? https://support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase/article/six-pack-pro-and-inline-bullet-feeders

We are developing our own Inline bullet feed that will be available March 2023​

Inline bullet feed die / kit page - https://leeprecision.com/inline-bullet-feed/

Multi tube magazine page - https://leeprecision.com/inline-bullet-magazines/

 

[trdjohn]

Only have had Mini Mr BF for a month or so, the one thing I notice w/ those tubes is they're pretty stout. By that I mean if I try and pinch the middle of the individual tubes, there is very little give. I can't tell if they're pressed into the plastic turrets, or if there they're lightly cemented in there. They seem like they would last, not sure if anyone else here has had their Mini Mr BF for considerable time that can speak to their robustness? I'm not the kind to be rough w/ my equipment but accidents do sometimes happen.

My question is, are the Lee tube walls thick enough? I have a Lee APP and it came w/ 2 bullet feed tubes, but they don't seem as thick as the Mini Mr BF tubes. Will the production Lee tubes be replaceable if they crack? Are they press fit like their universal case feed, or they have some adhesive?

 

[9mmepiphany]

Maybe they delayed product launch to be able to offer with stepped "M" style powder through expanders?

That would make sense as one would think they'd go hand-in-hand.

Even though I have the M-style expander die, both Lyman and Redding, I'd get the Lee so that I can continue to use my Powder Check die in Station 3 before the case gets to the bullet feed at Station 4 (too far away to see into the case without a camera)

 

[LiveLife]

Mini Mr BF ... one thing I notice w/ those tubes is they're pretty stout. By that I mean if I try and pinch the middle of the individual tubes, there is very little give.

My question is, are the Lee tube walls thick enough?

Feed tubes that were sent to me for testing measure .021"-.022" in thickness and there is almost no give, even when squeezed firm.

Are they press fit like their universal case feed, or they have some adhesive?

Pictures of multi tube feeder/magazine show black/red colors and tube end piece looks very different from my early R&D 3D printed white unit. (My 3D printed unit top is press fit pentagon in shape but picture on website is round)

 

[Gillie Dog]

According to Lee’s knowledge base the inline bullet feed won’t be available until March 2023. Was hoping to pick up a couple of them first week of January.

Damn, they get you all excited for new toys, but nooooooo.............

 

[.45Coltguy]

LiveLife, superb reporting, pictures, testing and all! A little delay to me just means they may be working on some small bugs to iron out.
Damn good work there LL.

 

[LiveLife]

LiveLife, superb reporting, pictures, testing and all! A little delay to me just means they may be working on some small bugs to iron out.

Damn good work there LL.

Thank you.

When Lee Precision asked me to "beta test", I took it as in the spirit of "Myth Busting" to push things to the limits, even to breaking points, to find out whether it works and when it doesn't. But to also find out what else can be done to make it work again to provide feedback from an end user/customer perspective.

I appreciate the opportunity offered to me and have enjoyed being part of new product development.

 

[wannabefree]

Any new updates on the development and availability of this new Bullet Feeder.
I am anxiously anticipating the release of this bullet feeder option for my new Pro 6000.

 

[trdjohn]

I noticed lee made the dies available on their website, but that's sort of useless w/ the the turret, and they want $50...

whereas Titan yesterday put up their inline bullet feeder pages w/ $50 for the inline bullet feeder kits - but titan has disclaimer that they won't be in stock until end of March

I had contacted Titan last week if they had any more info, they emailed back they hadn't... I did ask if they had pre-order but they don't... but you can sign up to be notified when they come in stock...prolly helps them know how much to order from Lee

 

[LiveLife]

Any new updates on the development and availability of this new Bullet Feeder.

Calvin emailed and asked for last minute/summary instructions/usage tips before final draft of documentation went to print and I provided several tips/detailed usage steps to prevent bullet tilting to include from my testing.

This is their next big product launch and based on the numerous email exchanges I had with Calvin, product design/testing and subsequent improvements and beta testing show they are quite focused on getting this product working reliably prior to product launch.

As to launch date being pushed to March, looks like they are going to provide all pistol and rifle calibers at the same time and that definitely will ramp up production side as the new bullet feeder and rotary magazine will not only work with Lee presses but other brand presses as well. At the retail price point, especially for rotary magazine packs, Lee may end up cornering the market (And they probably will).

And there's the ongoing R&D of stepped "M" style powder through expander and I am awaiting update from Calvin.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Waiting on pins-n-needles for both of these. Thats a good price point and they really should corner that part of the market.

Got my micrometer seating die and DramWorx hopper in. All I'll need is to get all the upgrades ordered to be fully set up