Combination seating/crimping dies

[OnTheFly]

I would like to speed up my round production.  1K rounds in 1 hour 15 minutes is just a little too slow. 

I have a Dillon XL650 with one open station (1-Decap/size, 2-Powder drop/bell +prime, 3-Empty, 4-Seating, 5-Crimp), but I wanted to add a bullet feeder. That would all work except after adding the bullet feeder, I have no system to check powder (currently using visual check). When the case moves from station 2 to the bullet feeder at station 3, I believe it will be very difficult to check the powder level visually due to the construction of the press.

This brought me to consider getting a combination seating/crimping die for station 5 with the bullet feeder at station 4.  This would leave station 3 open for a possible powder check with audible alarm.

Any thoughts on the dual seating/crimping die or another way I could do this? I have read a few things on the web (though several were older posts) stating this will cause problems in the quality of the rounds.

Fly

[tstuart34]

All my dies are dual. I have gone to a seprate crimping die for more consitant results. Dillion guys opted run dual dies for the exact phrpose.

just started using a bullet feeder die. Makes things quick. I don't know if it's 1k in a he quick but I am also running a hornady press with no case feeder.

My case feeder right now is set up like a primer tube load up a bunch of bullets pull a pin and they fall into the feeder die. Empty tube replace with a new tube. The plan is to make my own feeder just haven't got to it yet. Using this method I am around 400 per hr maybe haven't got to run it enough to really have a exact number yet.



Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[bkoenig]

I use a Lee Factory Crimp Die in my 550 for 9mm, but for .223 I just use my RCBS dual seater/crimp die.  The trick is to have a consistent trim length on your brass.  If all the cases are the same length you'll get the same crimp on each one.

I do want to buy a FCD for .223 and try it some day, though.  I hear a lot of good things about them, and I like it for 9mm.

I REALLY wish I had bought a 650 instead of a 550.  The 550 is a fantastic machine, but the extra station would be so nice.

[Lorimor]

Combo dies will get you killed on the streets.

[sidearm1]

Lorimor:

How?

If like all good re-loaders you check functioning in your weapon and all rounds work I don't see the problem.

Again, I don't carry reloads "on the street" but that is my choice.

[Lorimor]

Lorimor:

How?

If like all good re-loaders you check functioning in your weapon and all rounds work I don't see the problem.

Again, I don't carry reloads "on the street" but that is my choice.

  Just havin' a little fun with Fly.   

Seriously though, experience with loading on my Lorimor Industries IDPA DeLuxe Extreme Turbo Magnum 650XL, leads me to believe that even with a bullet feeder installed at Station 3, a visual check could be performed on each case.  I have LED's installed on my 650 which greatly aid in visual checks. 

http://inlinefabrication.com/products/skylighttm-led-lighting-kit-for-the-dillon-650

[tstuart34]

Lorimor:

How?

If like all good re-loaders you check functioning in your weapon and all rounds work I don't see the problem.

Again, I don't carry reloads "on the street" but that is my choice.

I think he was talking in idpa sarcasm.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[Lorimor]

I think he was talking in idpa sarcasm.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Yes.  It's a special kind of sarcasm, with vests.   

[tstuart34]

Yes.  It's a special kind of sarcasm, with vests.   

I'm not sure you can trust a person who only makes slide lock reloads though.


But on topic here.... Like bk said it's how consistent you can get things. Brass length is what kills that. The other nice thing with a crimping die is it also works as a sizing die for the base of the case that a sizing die often does not handle.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[OnTheFly]

Combo dies will get you killed on the streets.

LOL

Seriously though, experience with loading on my Lorimor Industries IDPA DeLuxe Extreme Turbo Magnum 650XL, leads me to believe that even with a bullet feeder installed at Station 3, a visual check could be performed on each case.  I have LED's installed on my 650 which greatly aid in visual checks. 

I have that same light. It is AWESOME. One thing you may not be considering is my lack of vertical stature compared to your freakishly high cranium. 

Seriously though, I'm wondering if I'm tall enough to see down into the case on station 3. I will try it at home, but I may need to dig out my old platform shoes or stand on a milk crate to see the powder level.

Fly

[noylj]

Just consider what, during a high-speed firing cycle, a squib (with bullet lodged in barrel) could do to you and your gun.
As long as you can ensure the right powder charge in each case, go for it.
I found back around 1974 or so that my loads were more accurate when I separated crimping and seating. You may not need the extra accuracy, so doing two things at once may be perfect.