Dillon bullet feeder

[Peepers]

Howdy,

New guy (well, lurker that finally decided to contribute).

I was surprised that I didn't see any discussions on the bullet feeder that Dillon just announced. Pretty sure it was last week they sent out. an email.
Wasn't really looking for one, but it does look pretty sweet. I have a 750 with a case feeder - the bullet feeder would take out the last manual step that slows things down.
My dad likes his 550 and all the manual steps (or he doesn't want to spend the money), but I appreciate the efficiency of automating all the steps.
Anyone else thinking about trying one? Thoughts on the Dillon vs Mr Bullet Feeder?

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[MikeInOr]

Looks interesting. Did Dillon list the price of their new Precision Bullet Feeder anywhere?

Edit: I saw their video of the bullet feeder said "Starting" at $399. I thing that is a pretty competitive price.

 

[Peepers]

If the $399 gets you one caliber and is ready to install on a Dillon press that beats the MR Bullet setup by $119(on Dillons site).
Plus, it's blue.

Not sure if I want to be among the first victims, I mean testers, I mean users. It might be great right out of the gate, but you never know.

 

[Stomper]

If the $399 gets you one caliber and is ready to install on a Dillon press that beats the MR Bullet setup by $119(on Dillons site).
Plus, it's blue.

Not sure if I want to be among the first victims, I mean testers, I mean users. It might be great right out of the gate, but you never know.

Don't panic, that's what duct tape and WD40 is for!

 

[DizzyJ]

I've eyeballed bullet feeders for a long time but still haven't bit the bullet.

 

[Peepers]

Pun intended.

Besides the cost and having to fiddle with setup, the biggest thing holding me back is losing a station. I do seat and crimp separately and visually check powder before placing the bullet. With the 5 stations I would either have to combine seat and crimp or put the bullet feeder on 3(if that's possible) and have no visual or mechanical powder check.
I'm not sure I like either of those compromises.

 

[sonnydaniels]

Pun intended.

Besides the cost and having to fiddle with setup, the biggest thing holding me back is losing a station. I do seat and crimp separately and visually check powder before placing the bullet. With the 5 stations I would either have to combine seat and crimp or put the bullet feeder on 3(if that's possible) and have no visual or mechanical powder check.
I'm not sure I like either of those compromises.

I'm one of the guinea pigs that purchased the Dillon Bullet Feeder--just waiting for it to ship. My also seat and crimp separately, so I am going put the bullet feeder in place of my powder check, and in order to monitor the powder drop, I am using a small bore scope camera down through the small hole in the tool head to monitor the powder drops.

 

[MikeInOr]

I'm one of the guinea pigs that purchased the Dillon Bullet Feeder--just waiting for it to ship. My also seat and crimp separately, so I am going put the bullet feeder in place of my powder check, and in order to monitor the powder drop, I am using a small bore scope camera down through the small hole in the tool head to monitor the powder drops.

How much did the bullet feeder setup cost? Was it $399? I hope you will give us a review when you have it up and running?

 

[sonnydaniels]

How much did the bullet feeder setup cost? Was it $399? I hope you will give us a review when you have it up and running?

Yes sir--$399.99 with one caliber conversion included--I added a second caliber for $99.99. Once it arrives, and I get it set up, I do plan to post a review.

 

[Peepers]

I'm one of the guinea pigs that purchased the Dillon Bullet Feeder--just waiting for it to ship. My also seat and crimp separately, so I am going put the bullet feeder in place of my powder check, and in order to monitor the powder drop, I am using a small bore scope camera down through the small hole in the tool head to monitor the powder drops.

That's an excellent idea! I wouldn't feel comfortable loading without that visual inspection of the charge.
Thanks for confirming the price as well. Their ad wasn't clear whether the $399 was complete with a caliber conversion. That sounds like a good deal.

 

[misterarman]

Can't wait to get one.
They say it's the best.
30 days to try it.
No BS warranty.

 

[MDDM]

I bought one as well. Hope it works smoothly and I reallly hope it's not a pain to convert back and forth between 9mm & 5.56.

 

[Jmorris]

Besides the cost and having to fiddle with setup, the biggest thing holding me back is losing a station. I do seat and crimp separately and visually check powder before placing the bullet. With the 5 stations I would either have to combine seat and crimp or put the bullet feeder on 3(if that's possible) and have no visual or mechanical powder check.

That is pretty much how I felt. Around 2003, Dillon had a GSI bullet feeder in the Blue Press that was what I went with. They feed and seat at #4, so you still have your powder check at #3 and crimp at #5.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3hVi6PuduM


They only made them for Dillon presses, I have them for the 650's and 1050's.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrFhnDQ-eUU&t=14s


They never did get a solid collator design down, probably why they stopped making the feeders. All of mine are fed by collators I made.

 

[Peepers]

The turret on the GSI is an interesting solution. Seems like it would work really well with automation because it can place the bullet precisely vs dropping it into the case mouth. Especially if you have any vibration or wiggle in your station.

 

[Jmorris]

It does hold the bullets straight as the case comes up around them.

This is how little flare I get away with, using the GSI's, with cast and coated bullets, with no shaving.

That's a seated bullet without a crimp and the case behind it is charged and ready for seating, the one behind that is waiting on a powder level check.