Tumblers and stuff

[Dash Riprock]

I have a Dillon 550 press and I only have dies for 9mm. I have had for about 9 months and still haven't put it to use.

I still need some scales and a case tumbler. What would be the best way to go with both of them?

Also, what's the best bullets and power to use?

[Dino92G]

MidwayUSA has a good selection of both. You may find them cheaper elsewhere, but it's a good place to "shop" because of detailed specs and pics and "no BS" user reviews. One of the few review sources that aren't always "this is a WONDERFUL" product" ;)

I use a Redding #2 Master Magnetic Powder Scale (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=658771&t=11082005) for most of my weighing needs and just got the RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Scale and Dispenser Combo (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=772151&t=11082005) because I am begining a lot of BR rifle load development.

Tumblers?
Depends on your volume.
For low volume when I just have up to 300 to do, I use this: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=447572&t=11082005

For my high volume needs I use this: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=514805&t=11082005

I love the Lyman tumblers. They do a great job and are very reliably built.

Bullets?
Depends on your purpose, and your gun. Barrels with octoganal rifling are not supposed to use lead or copper-plated lead bullets. According to the manufacturer, only copper-jacketed bullets are to be used.

Given that, for lead bullets I use this manufacturer: http://www.precisionbullets.com/ They're low on the price scale, high quality, are moly coated and shoot GREAT. VERY accurate bullet. These are great for the range, IDPA, (what I use) and are cheap enough for plinking.

For copper-plated, I also use (but am moving on to all Precision Bullets above) the Rainiers from Midway and other suppliers. Very good and also cost-effective.

I have no guns with octoganal rifling , but for FMJ in 45 ACP have found the Remington bulk, 185 gr, SWCHP to be great shooters for target work. Sierra, Hornady and others make very good FMJ bullets. It all depends on what your budget will allow.

Powder?
LOTS of good choices here.
I have found Hodgdon TiteGroup to be the most accurate and universal powder for most of my semi-auto's. It meters well, has low load weights and is not position or temperature sensitive. Hogdgon Clays is my winner for 40 S&W in my Vertec. I plan to investigate loads in the 9mm and 45 ACP with this as well. Bullseye is a good choice (especially in 45 ACP) as is Win 231.

Bottom line: Find something that a) shoots well in your gun and b) meters accurately in your powder measure. Personally, I would start with the TiteGroup and see if that fills the bill. I'd be surprised if it does not.

These are my opinions based on my experience. WHAT DO YOU OTHERS USE? WHAT ARE YOUR PET LOADS??? Let's hear from you folks ! :D

[sleepyweasel]

I have a Dillon 550 press and I only have dies for 9mm. I have had for about 9 months and still haven't put it to use.

I still need some scales and a case tumbler. What would be the best way to go with both of them?

Also, what's the best bullets and power to use?

you havent used in in 9 months....tell ya what i give ya half what ya paid for it :toofunny: just to take it off your hands.

I really like the rainier round nose for plinking, and while the berry's 124gr HP dont function in some guns(cz-75) they do expand well and will run all day in a 92.

Powder...win 231 and titegroup are my "meat and potatoes" for handgun reloading(9mm and 380)....titegroup is cheap to load with because it takes less powder per round. also like aa no.7 to get a little more velocity.

i have an rcbs tumbler, works great just use the lyman red media corn cobs take too long. it is a little loud though.

[Dino92G]

I forgot to mention - you don't have to buy the pricey brand-name media. I used to exclusively use the treated Lyman walnut media, but for the last year have been buying crushed walnut at the pet store for 1/10th the price (less actually). I just bought a 25# bag of "Lizzrd Litter" - crushed walnut - for $16.00.

If you want it "treated," toss in a couple tablespoons of liquid car polish.

[Dash Riprock]

Thanks for the walnut tip. :)

How about scales? Have you used or have you heard anything about the Dillon D-Terminator electronis scales?

I just bought the Lyman 2500 tumbler and RCBS media separator.

I guess all I need now is scales and case lube and I'm set to go with it. Well, except for powder and lead, but I'll have that before I get the tumbler I'm sure.

[Dino92G]

Good move on the tumbler. I use the SAME media seperator!

SCALES:

I use a Redding #2 Master Magnetic Powder Scale (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...771&t=11082005 (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=658771&t=11082005)) for most of my weighing needs


I just got the RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Scale and Dispenser Combo (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...151&t=11082005 (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=772151&t=11082005)) because I am begining a lot of BR rifle load development.
If your doing any kind of rifle loads, or anticipate doing a lot of very refined load development, the RCBS is the only way to go.

If your strictly doing pistol loads, the Redding #2 is a great scale at a reasonable cost.

If you want to go digital, you'd be safe buying any brand name from a large-scale reloading supplier. Look for one with a longer warranty if all else is equal. If you shop Midway, you can read peoples reviews of the products. Most of these are very helpful.

The "Dillon" is not really a Dillon, it's made by someone else and just branded as so. With enough research, you'll find the exact same scale with another name, and it will be cheaper.

[CBnL]

I use the hornady and have been very happy with it over the last 18 years probably now...
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=702400&t=11082005
About the only thing I reload anymore are my rifle rounds for accuracy.
If you are trying to get the most accuracy you can, also look into...
Lee case trimmers... well, case length gage, cutter, shell holder, etc...
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1187375980.3907=/html/catalog/casecon.html
Also Case Neck Turners
On a good day I can shoot 3/4 MOA
Kind'a funny in my old age... I'll head to the range, pop off a 3 shot pattern at 200 yards under 1.5" go "OK, I'm happy" then break out the other guns and rip through a hundred rounds or so for fun...

[Dash Riprock]

Is this the same type of crushed walnut to use in the tumblers?

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753590&cp&kw=walnut&origkw=walnut&sr=1

[CBnL]

well... it probably isn't the right texture and it would be missing a critical part, the polishing media...
Lyman makes a real nice media... you can get a 1 gallon container form about $16 I have one of corncob and one of walnut.
I've reloaded for a really really long time... and have only bought 3 gallons...
granted I'm not reloading on a weekly basis but the stuff does last a really long time and with the walnut you can just get a little container of rouge and refresh the media if/when necessary

[Dino92G]

Is this the same type of crushed walnut to use in the tumblers?

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753590&cp&kw=walnut&origkw=walnut&sr=1

Yep, that's the stuff! If you want the brass to REALLY shine, just put some liquid car polish, or this stuff in it:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=198878&t=11082005

[Dash Riprock]

I'm assuming just poring a little brasso off in the media is a bad thing?

[CBnL]

Lyman's makes stuff specifically for reactivating old media
"Turbo Charger Media Reactivator"
The only reason I would worry about using something like Brasso, etc... is the possibility of a residue that might react with the primer or powder to deactivate it. :eek:

[KPierce]

If you really want to play it cheap and safe, you can use dry rice in your tunmbler. With rice you don't have to worry about residue causing primer problems and when the rice gets too dirty you can safely throw it away.

[sig232]

I mix the walnut and corn cob media together and it works well.

I have had the Dillon 550 for several years now and love it. Have dies for many calibers with all the separate heads for a quick change out.

I have dies for 45 acp, 44 special, 45 Long Colt, 38 special,9mm, 357 sig, 40 S&W, 356TSW, 380, 450 marlin, 44 mag and 357 mag.

Most of my reloading consists of 45 acp, 44 special, 38 special and 45 long colt. I do some 9 mm too and will do more now that I have changed my Glock barrel to a lonewolf SS match barrel.

The Dillon setup is quite nice. I used a RCBS and a Pacific single stage presses before the Dillon.

You must be more careful with the Dillon. It goes pretty fast and if you aren't on the ball you can do a double charge or a no-charge load.

Good luck with your reloading. This thread was started back in August have you done any reloading since putting up the thread??

[Dash Riprock]

Not yet... I still need to buy a few things like scales, then buy the powder, lead and casings.

I bought 1000 9mm casings off ebay, but they don't look all that great. So I may not use them.