Progressive press for .223 ???

[farmer7]

When i started reloading i bought an RCBS RS5 press, i love it , but i was thinking of buying a progressive for loading my .223's because i am intending to be using it a lot more but my question is : Does anyone here use one for .223's ? I wondered will i lose out a lot on accuracy? Will it throw the powder charges accurately? Which model?, would like to stick with RCBS and not TOO expensive! And any other opinions. Thanks in advance.

 

[abearir]

I use a Dillon 550B all the time...........works very well and accurate.

 

[cherryriver]

abearir-
How do you handle the case length trimming thing on the 550?
That's what's kept me from using mine for this caliber.
Bill

 

[Hutch]

I've loaded some .223's on my XL650. I don't usually worry about case length. My feeling is, the accuracy is better than most factory ammo.

 

[Idano]

Excellent repeatablity using a progressive press

farmer7,

If you have patients and you are mechanically inclined the Lee LoadMaster is a good choice, it does however need more babying then a Dillon 650 or Hornady AP. However, if you are like me and short on patients and usually have little time available to reload then I recommend the Hornady AP or Dillon 650. Both machines are very durable and reliable. The powder measures on both of these machines a very repeatable, however, I prefer the Hornady measure over the Dillon especially for extruded powders but the Dillon works. I have reloaded .223 for my AR on both the Lee LoadMaster and the Hornady with 10 shot strings grouping easily within size of a quarter at 100 yards, However, I used a RCBS Uniflow powder measure with a case activated linkage on the Lee.

 

[Idano]

cherryriver,

When I first read your post it confused me because you would trim your brass the same way regardless of the type of press but then it dawned on me you must be referring to the Dillon RT 1200B Case Trimmer, correct?

Originally Posted by cherryriver

abearir-
How do you handle the case length trimming thing on the 550?
That's what's kept me from using mine for this caliber.
Bill

 

[Shoney]

Trimming brass and loading brass in the press are two different processes. Trimming is done before the loading process begins. Trimming is done with a case trimmer, and there are several brands available.

I own both a Dillon 550 and a Hornady LNL Auto progressive. When I went to upgrade the 550, I was pretty much set on the 650, but upon seeing the Hornacy LNL, it took a New York second to realize the advantages of the Hornady over Dillon.

The Hornady's LNL primary advantages are in the quick change speed, and in a more versatile powder measure. The 550 is manual indexing (you move the shell plate by hand), while the LNL and 650 are auto indexing.

Comparison of prices of the presses with 3 additional changeovers show that both Dillon$ are much much more expensive than the LNL.

If you disregard price, the LNL and 650 are comparable in function and thruput, while the 550 is considerably slower. Quality of product is equal in all three presses.

 

[scrat]

here is a lee progressive in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWF5_ZAWL_E

 

[byf43]

How do you handle the case length trimming thing on the 550?
That's what's kept me from using mine for this caliber.

I use the Dillon RL550B for the .223. It is fantastic!

Here, is my procedure.

First, after lubing with Dillon's lube, I re-size and deprime the cases on my RCBS Rockchucker, using RCBS 'Competition Dies'. (I usually do a batch of 200-300 cases.)

Next, back into the tumbler to remove the lube. (I use two tumblers. One with new/fresh media to clean, one with OLD media to remove lube.)

Now, clean the flash holes and clean the primer pocket w/ the RCBS tool.
Case inspection is done in this process, too.

Trimming is done on a table-top drill press with the Lyman trimmer adapter permanently bolted to the drill press table.
(Drill press is EXTREMELY accurate for trimming!!!!!)

After trimming and de-burring, it's back to the Dillon.
Size die is NOT in station 1. It is not needed.
Prime in station 1 only.

Proceed with loading sequence on Dillon.

After the initial prep work is done, loading goes fast.
I use H-335, and it meters like a dream in my machine. The powder charge is extremely uniform.
I'll check the powder charge every case for the first 10 or so, just to make sure everything is 'normal'.
After the serious production starts, I'll check every 25 to 50 cases.
This measure stays 'spot on'.

Very consistent loads. Once the loading has gotten to the Dillon, all of the prep work pays off. I'm done in short order w/ the Dillon.

Thanks for reading.

 

[redneck2]

How do you handle the case length trimming thing on the 550?
That's what's kept me from using mine for this caliber.

IMO, if you shoot mid-range loads, case lengthening is not much of an issue. If you shoot hot magnum loads, then it's probably a different story. In any event, I check my cases before I clean them. If they need trimming, I use an RCBS benchtop trimmer. Throw them in the vibratory cleaner, pull them out after a while, them load 'em.

In any press, the ran goes up and down and completes one operation, or maybe one at the top and bottom. The difference between presses that that a single stage does one thing, a turret does one thing then you turn the turret, or a progressive does one thing in 4-5 stations.

I use a Dillon 550 for my rifle stuff 'cause that's what I have. I see little difference in my 550 and an RCBS single stage, except I have the flexibility to do several steps at one time if I like.

My reloads for my .223 far exceed any factory ammo I've tried. For my .223 I use Varget with the Dillon measure. Works fine.

IIRC, for years David Tubb loaded his competition loads on a $30 Lee hand loader.

 

[mc223]

redneck2, it is so good to see someone besides me that uses Varget on a Dillon without problems.

I prep my brass up front then, spray lube, size, drop powder, seat bullet, lightly taper crimp. hand wipe and inspect as I put into containers. Repeat as necessary.

 

[redneck2]

I just use an RCBS lube pad with some of their lube on it, 'cause that's what I started with and it works. I lube maybe every 3rd case if there's a lot of lube on the pad. AS it gets used off, I lube maybe every 2nd case.

My Varget loads pretty much fill the case. If it does bridge, it's pretty easy to see the case is not full. Loading for the .223 is not an exercise is speed. I typically just do one round at a time thru all the stations. I can still load enough for an afternoon in maybe 30-45 minutes even taking my time.