"Designed by reloaders for reloaders", the Frankford Arsenal X-10 is an impressive automatic indexing reloading press. In part 1 (click here to read the article and see the video) we unboxed and assembled the press. In this part 2 we are showing you its components and their function.
Frankford Arsenal X10 Powder Measure and dispenser
The powder dispenser must be disassembled and thoroughly degreased with a good volatile solvent that leaves no trace and before being used must be absolutely dry and clean. There’s a part inside the measure called an “activator”. This is caliber specific, so I need to check if it’s appropriate for 9mm and replace it if necessary. Three activators are supplied with the press: Pistol, Small and Large rifle. Once done, I can assemble the dispenser on the press, screwing the die end on the tool head and threading the return rod to its seat. There’s some adjustments and minor assembly to be done so that the dispenser is functional, including mounting the reservoir tube.
Last but not least, in the basic assembly, is the case feeder collator system; I also got the optional bullet feeder system, and then I’ll pass on to the dies and final tuning.
The case feeder collator assembly starts by joining the support stand that comes in two pieces with a coupler, then mounting it to the press body with the included bolts. The lower stand has a bullet deflector, and two brackets that are used to hold the plastic “bins”, a big one for the reloaded rounds and the other, smaller one, for bullets – I will use for small accessories and other things obviously as I have the Bullet feeder collator as well.
The big bucket that holds the cases to be reloaded needs one of the two included case feed plate to be installed: one for rifles (including 300 Blackout) and the other for pistol cases, so that’s what I’ll use. The bucket goes on top of the support stand, and the clear tube needs to be installed at this time as well, as it is the chute that guides the cases to the reloading press. Connect the power cord to the connector at the bottom of the bucket to activate the motor inside.
On top of the primer feeder tube there’s a knurled chromed ring; that’s where I will mount the “low on primers” sensor. A pin jack is used to electrically connect the sensor to the press. The tool head comes with illumination leds underneath it; these too, need to be connected with a Mini USB cable. With everything powered up, if there are no primers in the tube, the press will sound an alarm and the light with flash.
Zip tie down everything so cables are out of the way.
Pistol Bullet Collator and Feeder
The pistol bullet collator and feeder caliber conversion kit can be installed now. They are options that must be purchased separately and are very caliber specific. I my case, I got the 9mm version from Strobl.cz.
The collator itself is a smaller bucket that works like the case collator, using a motor to power it. The caliber feeder kit includes the specific bullet feed plate that goes inside the bucket, and a feeding mechanism that has a micrometer bullet seating die integrated in the assembly.
There’s a bit of assembly here as well. I’ve started mounting the secondary bullet guide in the bullet shuttle, and mounted this assembly on the underside of the tool head earlier in the article, using the four supplied screws and two guide rods. I’ve also installed the return spring between the shuttle and the tool head.
With the tool head mounted on the press body, the plastic bullet reducer (they’ve got to name these parts somehow!) is installed on it, using three flat head screws, and on top of this, let’s assemble the feeder and bullet seating die. Loosen all the perimetral screws on the plastic body of the feeder (don’t touch the two inside), about 5-6 turns, watch the nuts on the other side are still engaged with the screws. This frees the seater die to turn and be threaded on the tool head, allowing the feeder to be coupled with the Bullet Reducer. Once the die is snug against the tool head, tighten all the loosened screws so everything simply fastens together.
The bullet feed ram, that connects with the bearing on the shuttle, is easily installed on the side of the X10 body. Everything must still run smoothly. Now let’s assemble the bullet collator on the case collator stand, on the other side, where I’ll find two mounting holes for it; the spring guide chute is connected to the top of the feeder, and the coiled power wire is plugged into the case collator that has a 12V output just for this.
Last, drop in the bullet feed plate, and we’re done with it.
Congratulations! I made it this far and everything is smooth! Now, to install dies for 9mm!
The dies we used for the Frankford Arsenal X10 from Strobl.cz
I chose the 9mm Lyman SS Pro Die set, again for Strobl.cz: this set includes four dies, however I’m going to install only three as a micrometer adjustable seating die is included in the Frankford Arsenal X10 bullet feeder.
The first die to install is obviously the Lyman Pro Carbide Sizing Die, and this goes in Station 3; the first station is actually the chute that places the case from the collator on the shell holder plate, and Station 2 is the location for the Universal Deprimer die. Both stations allow for spent primer to fall down the primer collection chute. The next die is included with the X10 press and it’s the Swage Support Die.
This MUST be used as the swage pin can bind the shell holder plate if there’s no support die; check that this die has the push down rod correctly centered to avoid problems in the swaging operation – more on this in my next article! Next in Station 5 is the Priming, and you may want to install another inexpensive push down die here for the same reason as the Swage, and also to insure consistency in primer depth in the pocket.
Station 6 is reserved for the Lyman Pro Case Flare Die, and Station 7 is already used by the powder measure and dispenser. I left Station 8 empty for now, I do intend to use this location for a powder check die that sounds an alarm whether no powder or a double charge is detected. Note that not all powder checker dies work in this station, however, an optional X10 Relocator Rod is available to move the powder measure to Station 6 (and relocating neck expand to #7) so that most third-party powder check dies can be used. Station 9 is already used by the Frankford Seating Die and bullet feeder. Station 10 is the location for the Lyman Pro Micrometer Taper Crimp Die. Try not to leave any station empty; why did you get a 10 station press for, otherwise?
I detailed just the location and installation of the dies as the adjustment and tuning of the press will have an upcoming dedicated article and video! So, stay tuned! Pun intended…
You can find part 1 of this article here.
Click here for more information on the topics: STROBL.cz.
