Redding big boss 2 vs Dillion RL550B press

[skinner2008]

Hi I have a Dillion 550B and going to be reloading 300 win mag for long range shots and I know progressive presses are not known for there tight tolerances. I have been looking at the Whidden Gunworks tool head for the 550B and the The UniqueTek Toolhead Clamp Kit for it. I have also been looking at the Redding Big Boss 2 press but don't want to spend 200 dollars for something that I really don't need when it could go to something else on my reloading bench. Can someone give me some insight on what the best path is to take thanks.

 

[jonbearman]

Upgrade your dillon.

 

[stool]

ok i do my 308 long range on my 550m but my 300 win mag i do on a single stage lee classic...for sizing.
mx123/soon to be fx1201 for powder, and a bonanza br for seating on the lee.....40-60 rounds is not a big enough deal for the 550...

 

[gdbleb]

You might be pleasantly surprised by the Dillon 550B just in its unmodified state.
I have a setup for .223 with pos #1 - Redding F/L bushing die (no expander ball), pos #3 - Redding Instant Indicator, Pos #4 - Sinclair Expander die w/.223 mandrel.
Run 1 piece of brass only through the 3 stations.
I get headspace feedback for every case and neck concentricity is less than .001 for quality fired brass.

Granted, you have a much larger workload but give it a try.

We try to "improve" the tightness of conventional presses and yet we praise the "slop" in a Forster (I have one).
We also do the "O" ring routine.
Curious


cycles.

 

[Scott Harris]

Hi I have a Dillion 550B and going to be reloading 300 win mag for long range shots and I know progressive presses are not known for there tight tolerances. ...

I'm going to have to completely disagree with that statement which implies you can't load good ammo on a Dillon. You can load the very highest quality ammo on Dillon presses. Here is how I and folks I know do so on Dillon 550s and 650s:
1. Get the Uniquetek/Dillon floating die holder
2. Get rid of the powder thrower and replace it with a funnel. Weigh your charges on an accurate scale.
3. To improve primer seating, grind down the shellplates a little so they hold the cases with less wobble.

To give credit where it is due, all these modifications were outlined by David Tubb in his Highpower Rifle book.

With those modifications, you can load ammo as good as any other press.

regards,
Scott

 

[skinner2008]

I will be using redding competition seating die and the neck sizing die. Would I need the fixed or the floating gunwerks 550 tool head to get the best results thanks

 

[Scott Harris]

the uniquetek floating die toolhead is my suggestion