Optimizing Bullet Feed: X-10 Progressive 9mm Loading

Frankford Arsenal’s X-10 sports lots of room for a variety of dies and checks. Rather than process brass in one sequence and load in another, today I’m making use of the X-10’s many stations for an end-to-end process.

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Set-Up

Last time, I set up the X-10 with FW Arms Hybrid Sizing Die just to process 9mm cases.

For more details on the die and setup, watch the full video.

In setting up for processing to finished rounds, I used almost all of the X-10’s stations. I set up the stations as follows:

Station One: Case Feed
Station Two: Empty
Station Three: FW Arms 9mm Sizing Die
Station Four: Swaging with FW Arms Micro Hold Down Die
Station Five: Priming with FW Arms Micro Hold Down Die
Station Six: FW Arms 9mm Expander
Station Seven: Powder Charge
Station Eight: RCBS Powder Check
Station Nine: Bullet Feeding and Seating
Station Ten: Crimp

Keep in mind that you only use certain powder checks with the X-10 and bullet feeder. It is a tight fit.

The RCBS Powder Check die barely fits with the Frankford Arsenal bullet feeder installed.

Load and Demonstration

I filled the bullet feeder with Berry’s 9mm 147 grain round nose bullets and the powder drop with Hodgdon’s CFE Pistol.

I set up the powder measure to drop 4.0 grains into each case and configured the sizing die to seat to an overall length of 1.100”.

All nine stations ran smoothly.

I chose not to go as fast as I had while just processing cases, leaving some dwell time at the bottom of the stroke to ensure the full amount of powder dropped into each case. (I did have to speed up the bullet feeder to keep up!)

Bullet Feeder Tips & Tricks

As I have worked with the X-10, I’ve received a few pointers from Frankford Arsenal on optimizing bullet feeding.

The first is to not expand the case mouth more than necessary.

A Berry’s 147 Grain Bullet Sitting Properly in a 9mm Case after Flaring

Overflared cases can get stuck in the case shuttle system and cause scraping and other damage.

Secondly, the screw near the bullet reducer has play.

If your bullets aren’t falling through, try loosening the screws, moving the bullet reducer around, and retightening it. The shuttle actuator is also adjustable.

The only adjustment I had to make was to ensure the ramp and bearing aligned with the bullet seating die. Remember, not every bullet is compatible with the bullet feeder.

I learned the hard way that the hollow base of Berry’s 9mm 124 grain round nose thick-plate bullets does not flow well through the bullet feeder.

Flat nose bullets may also have issues collating, but the collator plate is adjustable.

Conclusion

Every bullet feeding system I’ve used has taken a bit of adjustment to work smoothly with different bullets. Don’t be afraid to try something different!