Loading 223 on Mark VII Apex 10

[@williewaters6040]

Thank you for this informative tutorial. I am ordering my press in the morning . Keep up the good work

[@devinbates6529]

Thanks for the kind words. I think you'll love it.

[@rodgerbooth1064]

You'll be sorry!!

[@joshanderson308]

Use a wide zip tie to wrap around the bullet feeder spring to the bracket on the bullet feeder

[@devinbates6529]

I'll give it a try. Thanks for the tip.

[@JeffinTD]

Nice video. I wonder if it could be programmed with an empty start sequence when it would know when to activate each sensor automatically. Could do the same thing, shutting down the case feeder and automatically deactivate sensors at the appropriate time.

[@devinbates6529]

That would be nice but that would require a software update so I’m not sure how likely it is. You actually get good at just maneuvering to the sensor page and starting them as the first round is going around and also turning them off as well when finishing.

[@JeffinTD]

@@devinbates6529 Yeah. I suppose if I had one I’d do exactly as you demonstrated, proving each sensor works as designed as part of starting every session.

[@floridabrushanddirt2482]

New subscriber from Florida

[@devinbates6529]

Awesome thank you! Hope you enjoy the content. I'm currently working on a video on loading 9mm on the Apex 10.

[@shannonevo]

I enjoy the content new Apex 10 user

[@devinbates6529]

Thanks, and I hope that you are enjoying your new press. I'm working on some videos for 9mm as well.

[@stevealoia]

Wow nice setup . I’m using a Lee six pack pro . Lol some day maybe I’ll pull the trigger and this way .

[@devinbates6529]

You'll love it if you load a bunch of rounds. They have a new press coming out that looks pretty cool. I think it is called the Genesys and it is automated only, no hand crank. The cool thing about it is that the shell plate is independent of the tool head so you can shorten the stroke length of the tool head for short cartridges and speed up loading. It looks interesting and while not cheap probably more cost effective than the Apex 10.

[@FWARMS]

Thanks for using our dies! Have you considered using the FW Arms dynamic hold down over primer also to produce the most consistent primer seating depth?

[@devinbates6529]

Thanks for the tip. I will give that a try. You guys make great products that are very well built. Keep it up. I'm processing some 9mm brass right now and I'm at around 17,000 rounds and I'm still on the same decapping pin.

[@Timi_Secoban]

​@@devinbates6529 that's because You don' t have any small primer hole, like the Sellier Bellot nontox. With those kind cases, you need a 0,05 inch pin to decapp

[@devinbates6529]

I am processing and reloading range brass that I acquired from a third party. There are all kinds of headstamps and even some cases with burdan primed cases or small primer holes. I try and keep the Digital clutch setting low so it will activate when it hits a case that will not deprime. It is a balancing act between resizing the case and not breaking pins. This is easier when you are processing 9MM brass because it does not take as much effort to resize. I have chosen to discard cases like the Sellier Bellot when the digital clutch kicks in so that my priming pins last longer. If you have a bunch of these cases you are right on the money about the thinner pin breaking more. Thanks for the feedback.

[@Timi_Secoban]

@@devinbates6529 there is a solution for that small primer hole. I already modified a Dillon sizing/deccaping die, and work great. All the best from Romania!

[@destroyerofgear]

@@devinbates6529 wow that's impressive, I can barely make a decapping pin last 1000 rounds.

[@ag2wardable]

@devinbates6529. Someone else said to load the Primer Xpress attachment about half way, not all the way. Primers get jammed up when it is full. Just keep the maze between 1/4 and 1/2 full and it works better. You do have the vibrating motor working on it, right?

[@devinbates6529]

I no longer use the Primer Xpress attachment as I always struggled to get it to work properly. I tried a few primers, a bunch of primers and everything in between with no luck. I fiddled with the feed adjustment, which changes how fast it moves side to side, with no luck. I finally gave up and sold it on Ebay. Now I use a Dillion RF100 that I already had to fill primer tubes and I add them the old fashioned way and it really is faster than I was able to go with the PX because of all of the issues. The extra benefit is that I can use the RF100 for other presses that I have and it is cheaper than the PX.

[@marku123]

@@devinbates6529how many primers can the tube hold ?

[@devinbates6529]

@@marku123 The tubes hold 100 primers, so a complete container.

[@williamfox248]

Great video I have same setup.Can you tell me what 4screws you use for big shellplate nut to hold shellplate.Mine look different i use the nylon ones it came with.Comes loose a lot.Any help would be appreciated.Thank you

[@devinbates6529]

The screws that I'm using came with my machine. I think that the tip on them is probably nylon but I believe that the screws themselves are metal. I put some Red & Tacky #2 grease under the shell plate nut which might help. Also you can get some Vibra-Tite thread locker and put that on the threads. It helps threads to hold and not vibrate out. I have to use this stuff anyway on the adjustment screw for the shell plate pawl. I'm not experiencing this problem so I'm not sure if this will help but it is a couple of ideas to try. Good Luck.

[@williamfox248]

@@devinbates6529 Thanks so much i will give that a try.

[@yezzirworm]

You got a new subscriber with me buddy I’m by my machine beginning of the year the commercial one🥳🥳🥳

[@devinbates6529]

Welcome aboard. Excited for you getting a new machine in 24. You will love it.

[@TheLibertyCompanyLLC]

What are you using to lube brass? What’s the process like?

[@devinbates6529]

I use the Dillion Precision Case Lube. I have a couple of sheet pans with edges on them. I load a pan with cases. that have already been cleaned once and spray a few sprays over the pan. Shake the pan, and then let them sit for around 15 minutes and then dump them in a bucket ready to process and then repeat the process. Anytime I'm in the shop I'll lube brass even if I'm not loading. After I process the brass, covered in another video, I wet tumble the brass and dry it and then I'm ready to load it.

[@heroesdecorazon3378]

What machine do they use to make the bushings?

[@devinbates6529]

I'm not sure what bushings you are referring to. Please provide more info and I can hopefully answer your question.

[@jramseysr1]

I don't see your powder drop on?? But it's dropping

[@devinbates6529]

In this video I was using the manual powder measure. When I filmed this one I did not have the electronic powder measure yet.

[@DIAC-wt6mw]

Is this enough to start your small ammo business ???

[@devinbates6529]

I guess it could be. Mark VII makes some machines that are more in the commercial space but depending on how much time you want to spend you could make quite a bit of ammo.

[@YERAFirearms]

May I ask, how much such setup would cost?

[@devinbates6529]

You sound like my wife...;-). Here is my breakdown. Not sure about current prices and I have additional equipment for other calibers and trimming etc. Also I ended up moving to the electronic powder measure as well even though it was not on this video. Mark 7 Apex 10 Reloading Machine. $2994.95 Mark 7 Autodrive $2085.45 Swage Sense $242.45 Digital Powder Measure $695.00 Lyman Pro Die Pack $375.00 Heavy Duty Tool Head Jack Bolt $79.95 Powder Check Sensor $249.95 DecapSense (I wouldn't buy again) $199.99 Primer Orientation Sensor $324.95 BulletSense Sensor $349.95 Mr. BulletFeeder $519.95 FW Arms Dynamic Hold Down Die. $75 FW Arms Decapper $70 Total $8,262.59 Sometimes it is better not to add things up...;-). This is for one caliber. Caliber conversion kits are $214 and Powder measure conversion kit is $80 plus the dies that you like and if you are lazy like me an extra tool head is $250. You need to load a fair amount of ammo for this to make sense and even then it a luxury but much easier on your arm and shoulder. I wouldn't buy the decap sense again because if you are using range brass it gets dirty and you are spending all of your time cleaning it. Instead make sure that you get swage sense and it will let you know if the primer was not removed. I would still get all of the other sensors because as fast as this thing is going you can't keep up with everything without them. One other thing. I would not buy the Primer Xpress attachment again. I messed with this thing forever and I could never get it where it worked reliability. Instead buy a Dillion RF100 Auto Primer Filler and save a couple hundred bucks. It is much less hassle and I end up loading faster even with it stopping every 100 rounds.

[@YERAFirearms]

@@devinbates6529 Thanks for sharing