Conversion Kit for .40 S&W
Quote from Reloader on September 11, 2020, 6:24 amI find it interesting that on the '550 machines, the conversion kit parts reference shows that the same shell plate is used for both 9mm Luger and .40 S&W. The locator pins are different, #3 and #2, respectively. The '650 and '750 conversion kit parts reference shows the Shell Plate to be a #5 for 9mm Luger and a #W for .40 S&W. The locator pins are the same two used for the different calibers on the '550 shell plate. I don't have a conversion kit for .40 S&W so I figured what the hey, I'll try the .40 case in the 9mm shell plate. It fit fine in all but two positions. After removing some burrs, the .40 cases fit in all positions, so I'm going to try it in the press– I just haven't done it yet. Just for kicks, I was able to make the case feeder work with 9mm and .45 ACP parts. I used the small case feed body (aluminum screw-in piece), but tapered the entrance just a bit more so the bigger .45 red plastic case feed bushings would feed reliably.
The Station 1 locator listed in the 40 S&W conversion kit is #W but the case fits fine in the #5 from the 9mm conversion kit. I don't have any .40 S&W dies but I think I may have saved myself the cost of a conversion kit, less the price of a powder funnel. The only trouble is keeping track from which kits I took the parts. I might try to mark them.
I find it interesting that on the '550 machines, the conversion kit parts reference shows that the same shell plate is used for both 9mm Luger and .40 S&W. The locator pins are different, #3 and #2, respectively. The '650 and '750 conversion kit parts reference shows the Shell Plate to be a #5 for 9mm Luger and a #W for .40 S&W. The locator pins are the same two used for the different calibers on the '550 shell plate. I don't have a conversion kit for .40 S&W so I figured what the hey, I'll try the .40 case in the 9mm shell plate. It fit fine in all but two positions. After removing some burrs, the .40 cases fit in all positions, so I'm going to try it in the press– I just haven't done it yet. Just for kicks, I was able to make the case feeder work with 9mm and .45 ACP parts. I used the small case feed body (aluminum screw-in piece), but tapered the entrance just a bit more so the bigger .45 red plastic case feed bushings would feed reliably.
The Station 1 locator listed in the 40 S&W conversion kit is #W but the case fits fine in the #5 from the 9mm conversion kit. I don't have any .40 S&W dies but I think I may have saved myself the cost of a conversion kit, less the price of a powder funnel. The only trouble is keeping track from which kits I took the parts. I might try to mark them.
Quote from Reloader on October 13, 2020, 7:00 amI'm not so sure about using the #5 shellplate for .40 S&W. 9mm base and rim are .392" and .40 S&W is .424". That's over .030" and there really isn't much play, so I'll probably pick-up a #W shell plate to go with my funnel. I'll still have saved a little.
I'm not so sure about using the #5 shellplate for .40 S&W. 9mm base and rim are .392" and .40 S&W is .424". That's over .030" and there really isn't much play, so I'll probably pick-up a #W shell plate to go with my funnel. I'll still have saved a little.
Quote from Reloader on October 14, 2020, 6:25 amI tried the #5 shellplate and set up the new toolhead with new .40 S&W Dillon carbide dies. I tried to set the depth of the seating die but overshot by .015" and realized I didn't have any way to pull the bullet. Pause to place an order from Graf's. I then decapped and flared about 20 pieces of range brass. It mostly worked okay, but a couple cases were tight and didn't want to go in the shellplate. I tried some new Starline brass and it fit fine. I'm just not convinced that the brass is centered radially.
I then put a "#W" shellplate in my Dillon shopping cart along with a .40 S&W case gauge. Shipping was $10.99. I added three #2 locator buttons and shipping shot up $6. I had just placed an order from Graf's and could have had the locator buttons for a mere $2.65 each, but now I have to pay $3.99 apiece?! Sheesh! Now I know how Dillon funds warranty parts. But, then again, I was just trying to avoid borrowing the locator buttons from the .308 conversion kit, so maybe I can wait until next time. I *do" have some brass and a lathe, but I'd have to mark them in reverse braille with a center punch.
I was just trying to make it more simple. I had ordered a blue Dillon box from Grafs. I was going to put the funnel, the new shellplate, and some instructions about which parts to take from other kits. Later, I realized that locator buttons were all I was taking from the .308 kit and thought that if I could take parts from only *two* kits, that would be easier. Slightly.
From the manual, I printed a the contents of each conversion kit I own on a small square of paper which I taped to the inside cover of each box. Now I will easily know exactly what belongs in each box.
I tried the #5 shellplate and set up the new toolhead with new .40 S&W Dillon carbide dies. I tried to set the depth of the seating die but overshot by .015" and realized I didn't have any way to pull the bullet. Pause to place an order from Graf's. I then decapped and flared about 20 pieces of range brass. It mostly worked okay, but a couple cases were tight and didn't want to go in the shellplate. I tried some new Starline brass and it fit fine. I'm just not convinced that the brass is centered radially.
I then put a "#W" shellplate in my Dillon shopping cart along with a .40 S&W case gauge. Shipping was $10.99. I added three #2 locator buttons and shipping shot up $6. I had just placed an order from Graf's and could have had the locator buttons for a mere $2.65 each, but now I have to pay $3.99 apiece?! Sheesh! Now I know how Dillon funds warranty parts. But, then again, I was just trying to avoid borrowing the locator buttons from the .308 conversion kit, so maybe I can wait until next time. I *do" have some brass and a lathe, but I'd have to mark them in reverse braille with a center punch.
I was just trying to make it more simple. I had ordered a blue Dillon box from Grafs. I was going to put the funnel, the new shellplate, and some instructions about which parts to take from other kits. Later, I realized that locator buttons were all I was taking from the .308 kit and thought that if I could take parts from only *two* kits, that would be easier. Slightly.
From the manual, I printed a the contents of each conversion kit I own on a small square of paper which I taped to the inside cover of each box. Now I will easily know exactly what belongs in each box.
Quote from Reloader on October 14, 2020, 4:52 pmI actually decided to do that. The prices for everything in the kit add-up to $153.90, plus shipping for eight items, which I imagine would be astronomical! I have a 380 Auto conversion kit and dies that I can sell on eBay. That conversion kit contains almost all the parts to also load .223/5.56, requiring just a powder funnel and a 13575 Casefeed Adapter. Right now, the .223 conversion kit is out of stock everywhere. But I'd rather sell the conversion kit as a set with the dies. Or I could just get a Walther PPS in .380 Auto. If I could find one!
I actually decided to do that. The prices for everything in the kit add-up to $153.90, plus shipping for eight items, which I imagine would be astronomical! I have a 380 Auto conversion kit and dies that I can sell on eBay. That conversion kit contains almost all the parts to also load .223/5.56, requiring just a powder funnel and a 13575 Casefeed Adapter. Right now, the .223 conversion kit is out of stock everywhere. But I'd rather sell the conversion kit as a set with the dies. Or I could just get a Walther PPS in .380 Auto. If I could find one!
Quote from Reloader on October 14, 2020, 5:54 pmThere is a mistake in the XL 650 manual which is corrected in the XL 750 manual. The part number given for the conversion kit required to load ".40 S&W/10mm," 21098, is in fact the number for "38 Special, 357 Mag." The correct number is 21120. I'm sure Dillon regrets the thirteen years of heartbreak and agony experienced by everyone over this, but not enough to actually fix it. And just ignore those crop marks.
There is a mistake in the XL 650 manual which is corrected in the XL 750 manual. The part number given for the conversion kit required to load ".40 S&W/10mm," 21098, is in fact the number for "38 Special, 357 Mag." The correct number is 21120. I'm sure Dillon regrets the thirteen years of heartbreak and agony experienced by everyone over this, but not enough to actually fix it. And just ignore those crop marks.