Recent content by salemsm

Many thanks to replies/advice!!! Thanks to all for additional info. Obviously, not having sufficient powder is just as bad (if not worse!) than too much. Based on your replies, I will pump up the volume to 3.5 grams of TrailBoss and try it from there. Update on particulars: Currently only...

I recently purchased a Dillon RL550B and just finished making my first load of 38 special rounds. When comparing them to store-bought rounds, there was hardly any kick from my 357 and I heard a mere “pop” instead of the normal “bang”. Particulars: Per advice from this forum, I purchased...

Great advise from one and all. I will practice safe reloading habits starting now and return all unused power back into the factory container.

Newbie Reloader who just did my 1st 200 reloader rounds in my new Dillon 550B. (A wonderful machine, by the way.) My question: Is it ok to keep the remaining powder in the reloader tube or should I store it back in the powder container? I live in the humid climate of Northern Virginia and would...

Whilst I’m waiting for my Dillon 550B press to arrive, I downloaded the Instruction Manual and started reading. On the troubleshooting page, I came across this quote concerning “Erratic powder bar operation”: Extruded pencil type powders will not flow smoothly through smaller sized powder...

Per the 550 Instruction Manual: Use 30 weight motor oil on the main shaft and bearing grease on the pivot pins. Periodically wipe the primer slide with rubbing alcohol. This removes the spent primer residue that causes the slide to drag. Clean your powder bar about every 500 rounds. Some...

Some of my newbie questions that hopefully the learned reloading community can help me with. Are some spent primers "cleaner" than others? What is the vote on de-prime first then clean? Does media get stuck? Saw a U-Tube video of a guy using a screwdriver to clean. Comments...

Saw this on http://www.inlinefabrication.com/LED_LIGHTING_SYSTEMS.html#LED_systems]LED LIGHTING SYSTEMS I'd like to hear from the Dillon 550/650 community if they are happy with any of the lights bought here in general and the "Ceiling Light" and "Skylight" in particular. 1. Does it work...

My wife said if I promised to clean out the garage, I could order a Dillon 550B. (Check: Ordered). The next order of business is to have something solid to bolt it to (After I clear a space in the garage for a reloading bench. Hey, I didn’t say I’d clean out the ENTIRE garage…). My tool set is...

I am new to reloading and did quite a bit of research on trying to find a powder with a good load range for .38 spl. I have a backorder of a 4lb jug of Winchester 231. With that said and the long wait times for powders, what are everyone's advice on using 231 for .357 loads? What are my best...

For a newbie reloader like myself, what’s not to like about Cabela’s $75 Model 400 Starter Tumbler Kit ? From reading the 334+ reviews, 280 folks give it 5 out of 5 stars and 43 give it 4 out of 5. That ain't bad satisfaction! One question: After you separate your clean, shiny brass from the...

Totally agree about being safe. From all the info from all of the forums, I have a 4lb jug of Winchester .231 on backorder. This appears to be used quite a bit on .38 spl loads but has a somewhat smaller application for .357 mag. I will (safely!!) get my feet wet on the starting loads as...

Of my 2 .357 handguns, I have a 6" barrel S&W Model 27-9. The other is a 8" barrel 1980 Colt Trooper MKIII. So many variables (barrel length, bullet weight, caliber, powder), methinks I will start out with light loads of .38 spl and work my way up. Then start light on .357 mag. Would like to get...

Purchased my 1st revolver at the tender age of 51. It is a Model 27-9. Yes, it's a "holely-gun", but I don't care. I love it even with this "fault". It's a gun that I can grow into and love the feel of how it becomes an extention of my arm and how it seems to eat up the recoil of even the...

First off, I am a Reloading Newbie trying to accumulate my Reloading stash in the midst of shortages everywhere. On backorder, I have 2K of BERRY'S CAST BULLETS 38CAL 158GR SWC (for both .357 mag/.38 spl) 1K of Federal Magnum Small Pistol Primers (for .357 mag) 1K of Federal Small Pistol Primers...