Reloading Press Question

[USMCDOC]

Ok.. I have been using a Hornady Pacific single stage press for years.. I have a Dillon 550B, but have never used it, I got it at a great price used about 8 years ago. I have just been hanging onto it all these years. My question is, provided maybe using a floating die holder of some brand. Do you feel that as long as the dies are set to the correct settings as compared to the single stage press, will i see any difference down range if my ammo was loaded on the Dillon vs the single stage. Or what if i used the Lee style die holders to hold the dies in the tool head? I am only going to be using caliber of dies, but will be using two different heads.. one for resizing and one for loading.

Your opinions and experienced replies will be greatly appreciated

 

[Michael C]

I am not sure I understand your question, but I reload my 200/300 yard XTC match ammo on a 550 and it shoots great. I load all the pistol ammo on it too. I read that John Widden used his to load his 1000 yard 243 ammo to with the LR championship.

 

[Mulligan]

I am not sure I understand your question, but I reload my 200/300 yard XTC match ammo on a 550 and it shoots great. I load all the pistol ammo on it too. I read that John Widden used his to load his 1000 yard 243 ammo to with the LR championship.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lots of 300 yard .233 loaded on a 550b.... Once set up correctly, would hold the x ring just fine.
We resized single stage, did our brass prep, then the 550.
CW

 

[USMCDOC]

I am not sure I understand your question, but I reload my 200/300 yard XTC match ammo on a 550 and it shoots great. I load all the pistol ammo on it too. I read that John Widden used his to load his 1000 yard 243 ammo to with the LR championship.

Meaning, i guess in asking, in a long about way, will i get the same results from ammo if i move everything to the 550B, that i enjoyed getting when using the single stage press? I know that sometimes i can be long fingered in my explanations.. but i think that you will get the jist of what i am trying to type out here!

 

[USMCDOC]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lots of 300 yard .233 loaded on a 550b.... Once set up correctly, would hold the x ring just fine.
We resized single stage, did our brass prep, then the 550.
CW

I had to quote you to tell you that i like that forum name you have there.. gotta know.. do the other shooters give you a second chance?

 

[USMCDOC]

I guess what i am really doing is showing my insecurity of changing from the single stage press to the 550B for my loading duties.. i

 

[Michael C]

What are you loading for? Competition, plinking, bench rest? What cartridge? I load 223 on mine, but size then clean primer pockets and trim so my brass is completely prepped then I go to the Dillon and run it through. I prime and throw powder charges, seat bullets on the 550.

 

[USMCDOC]

600y to 1000K, comps, F/TR straight .223 with the 90VLD

What are you loading for? Competition, plinking, bench rest? What cartridge? I load 223 on mine, but size then clean primer pockets and trim so my brass is completely prepped then I go to the Dillon and run it through. I prime and throw powder charges, seat bullets on the 550.

 

[USMCDOC]

Ok.. well all of the non answers are pretty much telling me what i need to know. Sometimes a no response is better than getting one! Thank you gents!

 

[Mulligan]

Meaning, i guess in asking, in a long about way, will i get the same results from ammo if i move everything to the 550B, that i enjoyed getting when using the single stage press? I know that sometimes i can be long fingered in my explanations.. but i think that you will get the jist of what i am trying to type out here!

I had to quote you to tell you that i like that forum name you have there.. gotta know.. do the other shooters give you a second chance?

NO
Tough crowd around here.

 

[USMCDOC]

Well i can't help you then... sorry!

 

[USMCDOC]

Tough crowd around here.

You might be right

 

[1lnbrdg]

I use my 550 for long range loading, separate tool heads for resizing and seating.

Very minimal run-out so no issues for me. The ammo still shoots way better than i do.

 

[USMCDOC]

I use my 550 for long range loading, separate tool heads for resizing and seating.

Very minimal run-out so no issues for me. The ammo still shoots way better than i do.

Thank you sir for you input, i greatly appreciate it, i think that i am going to do it. i have to do some comparing between the two.. Since i am getting back into it, i have to figure a way i want to mount the press on the table. Just bolting it to the table isn't going to the best way

 

[hpshooter]

"Just bolting it to the table isn't going to the best way"

I have a few presses bolted to 12" pcs. of 2x6 and clamp them to the bench top with C clamps when I want to use them.

There are several past threads on the site on using a Dillon for XTC and F class loading one talks about refining the press with a couple easily done modifications and using a Prometheus powder scale for charging. A site search should bring it up.

Try searching for creating winning long range ammunition with the Dillon 550 press and
Prometheus powder scale.

 

[USMCDOC]

"Just bolting it to the table isn't going to the best way"

I have a few presses bolted to 12" pcs. of 2x6 and clamp them to the bench top with C clamps when I want to use them.

There are several past threads on the site on using a Dillon for XTC and F class loading one talks about refining the press with a couple easily done modifications and using a Prometheus powder scale for charging. A site search should bring it up.

Try searching for creating winning long range ammunition with the Dillon 550 press and
Prometheus powder scale.

Thank you sir for your direction.. i will seek it!

 

[Had2muchofForums]

I'll take my 550 with floating dies over a single stage any day. I actually think it makes better ammo.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

For accuracy work, I still use the 550B, but I weigh and dump powder charges.

 

[1lnbrdg]

My progressive 550 press is only used semi-progressive.

All of my powder charges are weighed, seating on a different tool head.

Use the O-ring under your sizing die. I use a straight factory tool-head and can't find any run-out attributed to the tool-heads.

 

[USMCDOC]

Yes, i have been thinking that the "O" ring under the dies may work, once indicated in where they need to be then just forgettaboutit!

My sizing sequence is, size the body, size the neck and then expand the neck. In that order.. so yes it would be nice to do it on the 550b