You all asked for it, and here it is! A follow-up to the Dillon RL 1100 Unboxing / Overview / Loading 9mm story– this time with a powder check and bullet feeder added to speed things up. All I can say is: mission accomplished!
Let’s Load Up the Stations!
Quick Review: RL 1100 Stations as Originally Configured
Here are the die stations shown above:
- Case inserter
- Sizer/De-Primer
- Swager (with hold-down)
- Priming (no die)
- Powder charge and expansion (expansion for pistol cartridges only)
- Not used in my setup (can use powder check, or bullet feed)
- Bullet seating
- Crimping
RL 1100 Die Stations: With Powder Check and Bullet Feeder
In order to accommodate the magnetic powder check die *and* the bullet feed die, bullet seating and crimping were combined at the last station (#8 as labeled below):
Here are the die stations shown above:
- Case inserter
- Sizer/De-Primer
- Swager (with hold-down)
- Priming (no die)
- Powder charge and expansion (expansion for pistol cartridges only)
- Double Alpha Magnetic Powder Check
- Mr. Bullet Feeder bullet feed die
- Bullet seating and Crimping
I covered setting up the Mr. Bullet feeder and the magnetic powder check die in detail in my original article on the subject. You’ll want to check that out if you haven’t put one of these setups together before!
9mm “Magic Load”
For this loading session, I’m using the same load data from my “Magic Load” article– a great performing subsonic 9mm load.
Use load data at your own risk. Ultimate Reloader is not responsible for errors in load data on this website. Always cross-reference load data with manufacturer’s published data.
- Bullet: Berry’s 147 grain plated 9mm Round Nose
- Powder: Hodgdon CFE-Pistol, 4.2 grains
- Primer: Federal Small Pistol Primers
- New brass: Starline 9mm (new)
- COL: 1.150″
Loading with the “Turbocharged” RL-1100
This reloading setup is one that’s “sure to make you smile”! Every crank of the lever yields a completed cartridge, and the attainable speeds are AMAZING. The case feeder and bullet feeder had no trouble keeping up with my quick pace using this setup. And it is great to know that every powder charge is being checked. That’s confidence building!
This completes my “Dillon RL 1100 initial sea trials”. This press is very reliable and smooth, bridging the gap between lower cost “home” setups and six-figure commercial loading equipment packages. What’s next? I’ll be performing a caliber changeover to 308 Winchester (once I get the appropriate parts which are currently backordered).
Get the Gear
If you’re interested in these products, you can get them from Mark 7 and double Alpha HERE:
You can buy a Dillon RL 1100 directly from dillonprecision.com, and it’s also sold by Double Alpha Academy- just the press or with multiple bundles!
Double Alpha Magnetic Powder Check
Mr. Bullet Feeder at Double Alpha
Primer Pro by Double Alpha
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Thanks,
Gavin
very good presentation.
Color me SO crazy jealous for digging that machine!
Perhaps in my next life when I’m rich and famous instead of so good looking and handsome?
Nice job, Sir.
Good job! Nice to see what a modern high-end setup will do, although it makes me really envious. My old RCBS PB2 looks kind of old and sad by comparison. But.. pistol cartridges are easy, how about high speed progressive .223 or other bottleneck cartridges? With re-used cases. That’s what is hard to do fast (at least for me!).
That was a great video, very useful. I’m going to be ordering the 1100 as soon as I put the money together. Keep up the good videos.
I have watcher u from the beginning Keven. Your first shows were very good.. Now it seams to be all about big $ items.. we all cannot afford these items. Many of your rifles are very expensive and they should shoot well..the middle class is left out of many of your videos..
Sure fun to watch but not practical .. Mix in some tips and equipment that the average consumer can use and how to make them better! Thanks, paul
I’m curious if you found any difference in performance between the Remington 5 1/2 small pistol primers (Magnum) in your original magic load video/article and the Federal small pistol primers with this load. I assume that it is minimal if any.