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Bullet Feeder on an ABLP press

Posted: 09 Mar 2019 15:08
by kmw1954
So here it is. I just received my RCBS Tube fed bullet feed die that I am going to try and use on my Auto Breech Lock Pro press.

I came across this idea after looking to add the 9mm cartridge into the mix of this press along with the 45acp. Now the 9mm I have been running on my Pro1000 since I got that press and it has been working great. Of course on the Pro1000 I am only using the standard 3-die set and w/o a FCD the ABLP would leave an empty hole.

At first I started looking at adding either a powder cop die or the powder lock out die to add into the open position. But while doing that I came across the Hornady Bullet Feed die and that really piqued my interest. So I bought one and tried it. Failed miserably for some reason. Don't know if it is me, the die or the press but I couldn't get it to work at all. I was really hopeful.

Now this afternoon the new RCBS die arrived and I now have it in the press, adjusted and feeding bullets. The tubes it comes with are long enough to hold 30 Berry's 115gr RN bullets which in my minds eye is enough to make smooth short runs. My intention isn't to increase production rates but to just make it smoother and easier than having to reach around to the rear of the press to place each bullet.

I'm really not in the need for more 9mm ammo ATM but I do believe I'm going to go load about 100 with this set up just to see how it performs. See if I'm just as excited when I'm finished!

Re: Bullet Feeder on an ABLP press

Posted: 11 Mar 2019 05:12
by Ranch Dog
How about a picture of the RCBS bullet feeder on your press?

Re: Bullet Feeder on an ABLP press

Posted: 11 Mar 2019 11:04
by kmw1954
Ranch Dog wrote:How about a picture of the RCBS bullet feeder on your press?
Absolutely. Had intended to get to this over the weekend but got sidetracked. Going to try and get in there in the next couple days to produce a box or two of 9mm to see how well this thing works. So will post feedback ASAP and will try to get some pictures posted for all you gun %@*&$ addicts.

Re: Bullet Feeder on an ABLP press

Posted: 12 Mar 2019 23:18
by kmw1954
OK this isn't working. Tried to get a couple pictures and cannot find the good camera so I tried with an old Vivitar that isn't very clear but got a couple that are at least viewable only they are too big and I am having trouble following the directions for uploading to the forum. So this might take a bit.

Re: Bullet Feeder on an ABLP press

Posted: 13 Mar 2019 06:16
by Ranch Dog
My guess is that the pictures are too big. Look at the last post in the tutorial.

https://www.lee-loader.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7#p23445

Re: Bullet Feeder on an ABLP press

Posted: 13 Mar 2019 19:25
by kmw1954
Hope this posts! Here is the RCBS Die in the press with the tube loaded with 115gr Xtreme plated RN. I quickly ran 26 rounds through it and so far I am liking it. Works much better than the Hornady die. I did find that when the tube was down to the last 5 it wouldn't feed reliably but besides that it works well and made operating the press much easier.

Re: Bullet Feeder on an ABLP press

Posted: 14 Mar 2019 03:22
by Ranch Dog
Does the RCBS die seat the bullet as well?

I have a steel rod that is a bit longer than the tube of my Lee Bullet Feeder that I use with my 32 Auto, 380 Auto, and 9mm Makarov. I set it in the tube when the lever gets to about a third remaining and the extra weight ensures feed to the last bullet.

Re: Bullet Feeder on an ABLP press

Posted: 19 Mar 2019 12:27
by kmw1954
Well I know have 100 rounds run thru this and it's getting better. I think I solved a couple of the feed issues I experienced. First was I think the tube was warped a little bit and slightly compressed out od round from the warp. Next I found that some of the bullets I was using must have had something spilled on them as they were sticky.

The last couple tubes all feed w/o a jam and dropped to the last 3 in the die. Have found the tube will hold 36 115gr RN, 41 115gr FP and 46 100gr RNFP 380 Xtreme.

Also I have damaged one of the plastic finger pcs. in the die because I didn't have the case retainer set and the case moved from center and chipped out the plastic. Contacted RCBS thru email and the have sent replacements already. So now I know to watch and feel for that to try and prevent it from happening again.

Re: Bullet Feeder on an ABLP press

Posted: 19 Mar 2019 12:52
by Ranch Dog
Ranch Dog wrote:Does the RCBS die seat the bullet as well?

Re: Bullet Feeder on an ABLP press

Posted: 19 Mar 2019 17:58
by kmw1954
Ranch Dog wrote:
Ranch Dog wrote:Does the RCBS die seat the bullet as well?
If you are asking does it seat to finished length the answer is no. Still needs to be seated to depth and crimped.

The direction state the case needs to be flared to .385" which is enough to keep the bullet upright with the flare that the Lee Powder thru die makes.