I have been using the Dillion RL-450 since 1984 using the Dillion seater die in station # 3 & a RCBS crimp die in station # 4. The problem is that the OAL of the finished round is not a set measurement, but a range. The range can vary up to 0.030 or more sometimes. The Dillon is setup to install powder in station #2, brass prep work & priming is done separately.
To stop this issue, I purchased a Forester seater die in .308 & installed it today according to the instructions, but the locking ring ran out of threads before I got the die installed to full depth, so the die was installed as deep as possible & setup with a dummy cartridge for operation.
To you folks who have used this die, will the way I have it installed negatively effect the rounds in OAL? I am not a bench rest shooter by any means, but I believe that if 50 cartridges in a bullet tray on a level surface are all different lengths that you can see, the quality of the reloads is poor. The OAL I am shooting for is 2.775 as a maximum since everything I shoot is mag fed. M1a, Zastava M77 & so on.
I have not started reloading with the new die as I spent all day completing a run of .50 bmg M-33 ammo that I bought back in 2012. Tomorrow, will be the start of a big run of 147gn FMJ-BT w/ cannelure if all works out.
To stop this issue, I purchased a Forester seater die in .308 & installed it today according to the instructions, but the locking ring ran out of threads before I got the die installed to full depth, so the die was installed as deep as possible & setup with a dummy cartridge for operation.
To you folks who have used this die, will the way I have it installed negatively effect the rounds in OAL? I am not a bench rest shooter by any means, but I believe that if 50 cartridges in a bullet tray on a level surface are all different lengths that you can see, the quality of the reloads is poor. The OAL I am shooting for is 2.775 as a maximum since everything I shoot is mag fed. M1a, Zastava M77 & so on.
I have not started reloading with the new die as I spent all day completing a run of .50 bmg M-33 ammo that I bought back in 2012. Tomorrow, will be the start of a big run of 147gn FMJ-BT w/ cannelure if all works out.