Dillon Progressive and 223s

[chuckbuster243]

I have loaded all kinds of 223 rounds on my RL550. I just loaded some 77 nosler custom comps with IMR8208 XBR they all measured within 1/10 grain above or below. My gun never knew the difference. All the smaller grained powders work well. The one powder I know the dillon does not like for sure that you may use is varget. I throws off 2 to 3 tenths off allot. Matt

 

[amlevin]

The one powder I know the dillon does not like for sure that you may use is varget. I throws off 2 to 3 tenths off allot. Matt

Name a powder measure that truly "Likes" Varget that costs less than $200. Even those costing far more have their issues with varget unless it's an "Auto Trickler" like a Chargemaster or even the Promethius.

Strangely enough, those who use the Lee Perfect powder measure claim better results than those using measures costing many, many, times more. Go figure.

As for loading .223 on my progressive, I prefer the ball powders and my 650 measure does a great job with them. The relatively new CFE223 is a pleasure to use with the Dillon measure. Flows as smoothly as water.

 

[chuckbuster243]

Your right about that.... I have a chargemaster that I use a McDonald's straw in the trickle tube and it works pretty well. It will throw one from time to time over by a 10th grain. I have used the long grain 4831 and it even throws better than varget without the straw. Varget just has some bad mojo... If am using a dillon I usually use ball powder anyway, or I use 82808 322 or benchmark. Matt

The one powder I know the dillon does not like for sure that you may use is varget. I throws off 2 to 3 tenths off allot. Matt

Name a powder measure that truly "Likes" Varget that costs less than $200. Even those costing far more have their issues with varget unless it's an "Auto Trickler" like a Chargemaster or even the Promethius.

Strangely enough, those who use the Lee Perfect powder measure claim better results than those using measures costing many, many, times more. Go figure.

As for loading .223 on my progressive, I prefer the ball powders and my 650 measure does a great job with them. The relatively new CFE223 is a pleasure to use with the Dillon measure. Flows as smoothly as water.

 

[Longtrain]

We load all our 223 match ammo on a 550. Love it, very accurate powder drop, between my buddy and I, we load probably 6K a year. He used RE-15 and I TAC. Our brass if processed and primed prior to the Dillon, we can easily do 400 rounds an hour.

 

[kentuckytroutbum]

purchased a RCBS Uni-flow measure with the case activated linkage. It will hold a setting from the previous loading within my accuracy requirements, requiring a minimal set up time.

Bill

Bill,

Could you please provide link as to where to get the case activated linkage compatible with the Uni-Flow?

Thank you.

nez

Bamban-

Here are the RCBS part #s-
RCBS Case activated linkage kit #98911. Also, I would suggest you get the RCBS UPM Micrometer Adjustment Screw SM #98902. Makes it easier to adjust charge weights, and the micrometer settings are repeatable. Purchased these parts on-line, and I don't remember where...check on MidwayUSA's website (?), or contact RCBS.

Bill

UPDATE: Just checked RCBS' website, and they are still showing all of these parts as available. You can order direct from RCBS. The "SM" has both the small & medium adj. screws for the powder measure and will handle pistol, and standard rifle case charges (not large magnums).

 

[XTR]

That's the setup I was thinking about getting, has anyone compared the accuracy of throws between the RCBS and the Dillon?

 

[amlevin]

That's the setup I was thinking about getting, has anyone compared the accuracy of throws between the RCBS and the Dillon?

I find that my Uniflow is about the same for accuracy as my Dillon when using the same powders.

What I really like about my Dillon is that I can keep a couple of different powder bars around, each set for a particular powder and charge, then change them in just a short minute or so. NO readjusting necessary, just a couple of "charge checks" and on with the new load. Great if using the same powder measure for several different "loads".

 

[Quinc]

Best purchase I ever made for my Dillon is the UniqueTek Micrometer powder bar kit. Now it only takes me about 5 minutes to get my perfect drop for any powder and it stays consistent. Also while you have it apart get a dremel and polish everything.
http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1231

 

[Zia Hunter]

I load both 223 and 308 on my 550B and it compares with ammo loaded on a single stage press. There are several aftermarket modifications that can improve the performance of the press such as Whidden tool heads, powder baffles and micrometer powder bar adjuster. I have installed Redding Comp Seater in lieu of the Dillon ones which makes adjusting seating depth a snap. Consistency of throws of the powder measure is clearly dependent on the type of powder and the long stick powder do not throw well. THe biggest issue I have tried to correct with the 550B is the expander plug causing increased runout as it is drawn through the case. Don't like lubing the inside of the necks because the powder will stick to it as well as gumming up the dispenser. Tried graphite lube and that helped somewhat but still working through that issue.

 

[Lazydays]

I'm planning on getting a 550 and mounting my Gen2 Prometheus Scale on top of it, a friend of mine has this setup and loads almost 350 rounds a hour, right now I can charge and seat 200 rounds on my Forster Co-Ax in a hour.

I use a Co-Ax, and I gotta say your fast! I can do about a 100 rounds at best an hour with ball powders. Plenty good enough for my needs. I do check every 10th round for seating depth and headspace, plus check the charge weight on every 10th round.
gary

 

[Scott Harris]

Here is a test I performed comparing Different powder throwers: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3799576.msg36148200#msg36148200

I've used a lot of different ones: Redding, Harrells, Lee, Quick Measure. They are all pretty close to the same, but I like the Lee the best because it is way cheaper with the same performance. I've never found a thrower that comes close to a scale in accuracy. Sure you can get a lot of throws that are very close...maybe 20 or more in a row. Then, you get one that is .7 grains off for no apparent reason. Do a test with 200 throws and you will see exactly what I'm saying. Ball powders definitely throw better than stick, but still not good enough for F-class shooting....maybe good enough for service rifle ...I dunno.

 

[XTR]

I have another progressive press with rifle bullets question.

I reloaded thousands of pistol rounds om progressives back when I shot USPSA a really long time ago. I always used carbide dies and never worried about lubing.

In all of my rifle shooting I've always loaded in single stages and in my prep process a clean my brass after it's sized and decapped. I may decap and prime by hand anyway, but if If you don't follow a process like that how do you clean the lube off of the brass after they are put together in a progressive?

 

[Bradley Walker]

I have another progressive press with rifle bullets question.

I reloaded thousands of pistol rounds om progressives back when I shot USPSA a really long time ago. I always used carbide dies and never worried about lubing.

In all of my rifle shooting I've always loaded in single stages and in my prep process a clean my brass after it's sized and decapped. I may decap and prime by hand anyway, but if If you don't follow a process like that how do you clean the lube off of the brass after they are put together in a progressive?

It appears that even Dillon advocates using a two step process with a decapping stage, clean, then a loading stage... Lots of guys talk about either using a single stage for the first pass, or two toolheads.