Well I feel like it's time for an update. To this point I'm at ~6k rounds of .45 ACP loaded on the LCT. I just recently got the Auto Drum working half decent with Lee sending a new drum. It's funny (sad) how the drums are a crap shoot, but make all the difference. I still get the random odd charge though, enough to where I just never get the warm and fuzzies from it.
With life getting in the way, my time for loading recently took a little downturn. In the past month and a half or so, I've only had time for a 200 round session, and a 150 round session...not enough to replace my last range trip. Still, they just seemed like they each took a lot longer than they should have with setup and everything, and am fairly fatigued by the time I'm done, for what seems like not a lot of production. I have been used to lifting a lot of heavy weights almost every week for over the past decade, but it's crazy how much fatigue and mid back pain I get from a couple hundred rounds on the LCT...imagine the one day I pumped out 600! I really do enjoy sitting down at the press, putting on a podcast, and going through the process of reloading....very zen-like...but I also like being productive. I'm about to start loading 9mm as well and am afraid my time sitting at the press will become a chore trying to keep up.
Long story short, I recently sold a bunch of stuff I didn't need which outright covers the cost of a Dillon 650 plus a little extra. I went back and forth on using these funds to either buy components and a wet tumbler (Platinum FART), or put the funds toward another 1911, or put the funds toward a 650 and accessories I feel like I'd want right now. After some debate, I felt like I'd outright regret not picking up the 650 over the other options. So I did, finally...in .45 ACP with a 9mm caliber conversion, case feeder, and a couple other little bells and whistles such as the ergo handle from Inline Fabrication and primer and powder cop that I know I'd eventually get. It'll be interesting to see how it works on my existing bench, or if it'll give me an excuse to build another bench.
The 650 setup and caliber changes seem like they could be a bit daunting, but I doubt it's anything I can't handle, just something new to learn. I'll give it to the LCT though, it makes loading and caliber changes pretty simple, and after some tinkering and jerry rigging, it makes good ammo. If you have unlimited time and like making small batches, the LCT is a good option. Especially with having a brand new in box set of Lee 9mm dies, I'm currently planning on using my Lee dies, including the FCD in the 650 (at this time I only load FMJ). I have read about having to put the lock rings on the underside and that the Lee sizer sizes further down than Dillon which is what I prefer. I just hope they work well in a progressive fashion and isn't a case of buying a Porsche and putting a Kia engine in it. So I will gladly take any pointers on using Lee dies in a 650. So yeah, I haven't been this excited since I put out my first round on the LCT. It's gonna be a process going through everything and getting it all set up, but am looking forward to it. I appreciate all of the guidance here.
