If those don't work out for you, another option are the PTX inserts from DAA. They use the M-die profile and provide a better seat for bullets
Lock n load AP questions
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corruptone
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Or, the Universal PTX from C-Bar Armory @ $20. Been using one for a while after powderfunnels.com was no more. https://www.cbararmory.com/apps/webstore/products/show/6344388?siteId=46539306&locale=en-US
I had a friend try one of these on his Dillon 750 before switching over to the DAA.
There is something to be said for a "universal" expander, but it only flares the case mouth...as opposed to creating a seat, with parrallel sides, to hold the bullet in alignment for seating
corruptone
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Good point. I do not use any bullet feeder and load bullet on upstroke at station 4. The universal PTX works ok in this scenario yet I could see the benefits of the DAA version.
To each their own, I don't have any issues with how anyone else runs their machines, but I'll do mine as I see fit. I understand the people who think some of us are nuts not to do everything at once in one run on a progressive, but that's just not how I do it. Have a nice day.
Oh, and I use regular expanders in station #2 before dropping powder in station #3, no flaring/expanding going on in the powder station. Since my cases are primed, I could expand in station #1, then drop powder in station #2 if I wanted to.
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I've heard this a number of times...likely as often as, "You don't need to lube handgun cases if you are using carbide dies"...but everyone has a process that is most efficient and comfortable for them.
Now I have to admit that with the growing number of ten-station progressive presses, I may be reconsidering my position
Soonerpesek
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I agree that they are designed to be able to do that, yet I OFTEN use my Dillon 550 in a single stage format.....
tightgroup tiger
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I run my cases through in two passes also. I do prime on one of my progressive presses and don't on the other.
On the second pass the extra little weight of the primers seem to make my case feeder work even better. I do put my M-die in station 1, powder in station 2, powder check in station 3, seat in 4 and crimp in 5.
We do what works for us.
To each their own, I don't have any issues with how anyone else runs their machines, but I'll do mine as I see fit. I understand the people who think some of us are nuts not to do everything at once in one run on a progressive, but that's just not how I do it. Have a nice day.
Oh, and I use regular expanders in station #2 before dropping powder in station #3, no flaring/expanding going on in the powder station. Since my cases are primed, I could expand in station #1, then drop powder in station #2 if I wanted to.
On the second pass the extra little weight of the primers seem to make my case feeder work even better. I do put my M-die in station 1, powder in station 2, powder check in station 3, seat in 4 and crimp in 5.
We do what works for us.
jmorris
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I would generally call the “expander” the portion that sets the ID of the case and the flare the end. Years ago Dillon sent the ones on the left, for the last 20 years or so they have been like the 2nd from the left, for the Sd,550,650/750. The 1050 funnel 3rd just flares because the backup rod for the swage station is the expander. Why running 1050 powder funnels on the other presses is not always a good idea.
lordpaxman
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Thanks for that link - I had searched a long time for powder funnels, unsuccessfully, they just sort of vanished into the internet. But, I’m kind of glad they did because I switched to the DAA M style expander and got it for every caliber.
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In case anyone cares, that’s how the RL1100s are set up as well.
For the OP, if you PTX, I’d really recommend the RCBS lock out die for checking powder. RCBS has two different powder check dies, the powder checker has a rod which you visually look at every time, and the lock out die will stop the press. I like to focus my attention on other things the press is doing so I chose the lock out die. Good luck.
Master Blaster
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How I dealt with the ptx lack of consistent belling, and squibb loads on my LNL AP.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-my-lnl-ap-working-great.617417/#post-7655910
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-my-lnl-ap-working-great.617417/#post-7655910
jmorris
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Was your Dillon measure one of the old spring return ones or did you incorporate the failsafe rod?
Master Blaster
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The new measures can be used with a spring, all it takes is a screw and a nut to hold the failsafe linkage back. Take a look at the pictures in the thread.
Master Blaster
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RealGun
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This thread has been hijacked in multiple directions. I don't see a PTX of any brand significantly affecting variance in COL (the OP). All it does is allow using the M-die station for some other operation, probably a bullet feeder.
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blackd24
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Hopefully not getting off topic.. but still related to the set up and questions for LNL AP. I have all of the dies set up, I dialed the powder measure in after cleaning/degreasing and running graphite through it. It is giving me very consistent charges, however when the station is empty (no case present), the shell plate will raise the powder measure maybe 1/8 inch. I just want to make sure I have everything installed correctly, but obviously no powder is coming through as it doesn't make a full rotation, and when running the press a case would be present.
I first adjusted die body into the press and my understanding is this adjustment determines the throw bars length of travel. Once that was dialed in, I added the PTX bar and the spring and adjusted the stop to get the correct amount of case flare. Based on the instructions, this adjustment determines how much flare is on the case. Once again, this is for 9mm and the flare is correct - just enough for a bullet to sit on top.
Is it possible for the case flare adjustment to cause the throw bar less travel? For example, the more flare you add, the less travel of the throw bar because you are stopping the upward travel and increasing pressure on the PTX to create more flare. If that's the case, could there be a need to then screw the die body down further to compensate?
I first adjusted die body into the press and my understanding is this adjustment determines the throw bars length of travel. Once that was dialed in, I added the PTX bar and the spring and adjusted the stop to get the correct amount of case flare. Based on the instructions, this adjustment determines how much flare is on the case. Once again, this is for 9mm and the flare is correct - just enough for a bullet to sit on top.
Is it possible for the case flare adjustment to cause the throw bar less travel? For example, the more flare you add, the less travel of the throw bar because you are stopping the upward travel and increasing pressure on the PTX to create more flare. If that's the case, could there be a need to then screw the die body down further to compensate?
lordpaxman
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Yes. That’s been my experience as well. You want the rotor to travel all the way to the stop at the top, but not hammer it. It takes a bit to get it all dialed in, that’s one reason you want at least the lower die body and PTX stop per caliber. Good luck.
Blue68f100
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I do not use the PTX Stop to adj the flare. I use the PTX stop to stop the stroke at the top of the stroke of the powder dispenser. Once this is set I lock it down and never touch it again. I do all the adj on the powder die body. This way I can change to different caliber, change out the powder die and every thing is preset ready to go.
I do believe the instruction tell you to use the stop. The stop was introduced when the arm the actuates the rotor over stretches and fail. The stop keeps it from bottoming out on the dispenser. Adj it also can impact your strokes on the powder dispenser. If moved too far impacts your target weight.. Your choice, both work. Adjusting the stop is a quick fix, but if you change calibers your constantly adjusting it. Adj the powder die body means the setting goes with the base. No adjustment is necessary unless you change something.
I do believe the instruction tell you to use the stop. The stop was introduced when the arm the actuates the rotor over stretches and fail. The stop keeps it from bottoming out on the dispenser. Adj it also can impact your strokes on the powder dispenser. If moved too far impacts your target weight.. Your choice, both work. Adjusting the stop is a quick fix, but if you change calibers your constantly adjusting it. Adj the powder die body means the setting goes with the base. No adjustment is necessary unless you change something.
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