A question for those that reload .308 on a Dillon 550?

[peppercorn]

For those of you that load .308 on the 550 do you use it exclusively, for all steps, or do you use another press for sizing?
I am asking because I have read, in this section, that the 550 will 'deflect' and otherwise not stay true when sizing the case. Many, who own 550s, have said that they use a single stage for this and other rifle calibers.

When I purchased the 550 my impression was that it would handle .308, no problem.
So far I have only loaded pistol but am slowly getting things together for .308 and hoping to do it successfully on the 550.

Also, please share your case prep/load sequence from the fired round going forward. I am not clear on the size/lube/tumble sequence specifically.

I have settled on the RCBS trim pro ll for a trimmer and it sounds like I will also need a primer pocket cleaner also.
If there is anything else I need please let me know.


Thanks in adavnce.

 

[growr]

There is an "It depends" answer...are you using the ammo in a bolt gun or a semi auto?

Case prep on a Semi Auto is much more extensive than with a bolt gun...it is imperative that the shoulder is set back properly and is full length sized as well as trimmed to length.

For my M1A Supermatch, I DO use my single stage press to lube with One Shot, Full Length re-size and check with my RCBS case Micrometer and then trim to length.then run it in the tumbler.... After that I do use the Dillon 550 to prime, charge and seat the bullet which greatly speeds up the process.

On my Remington 40X bolt gun which stretches brass so little that I spray with One Shot Spray lube, full length re-size with Dillon dies in the press and go from there.

Hope that helps you out somehow......

Randy

PS. Same procedure on .223 as well

 

[peppercorn]

Great, yes, I should have mentioned it before, this is for my Remington 700 bolt action.

You mentioned a 'case micrometer', is that something you recommend over calipers?

 

[growr]

It is made by RCBS to measure the shoulder set back which is VERY important on a semi auto like my M1A. Having it set properly prevents the rifle from firing out of battery by being slight out of spec in re-sizing..

Randy

 

[4barrel]

308

On my 308s I clean them-spray them down-resize & prime in a RCBS JR. Then trim to lenglh & then off to the Dillon 550. When I wont to do a lot I get my automatic case trimer out that resizes & trims at the same time. I dont shoot 308 much any more. I should sell the Dillon trimmer that has been stored for 10 years. I done got too old to shoot-& my eyeballs aint the same.

 

[Tex1001]

I reload a PILE of 308 and 223 for My kids' and grand kids bolt guns and autos. My procedures are the same for both. I deprime first. Then I tumble in walnut (The cleaner the better). I full length resize twice (Resize on a Pacific single stage, rotate case 180, resize again). Clean lube off and trim w/Hornady trimmer. I reprime immediately if cartridges are to be charged, bulleted, and crimped. For storage, I do not reprime. I may want to re-tumble to clean. I charge and load on a Lee Load Master, which is a progressive. I don't want to take a chance on overstressing the equipment.
___________
Boxers or briefs? At my age- Depends.

 

[fredj338]

If you do NOT need to swage primer pockets, then doing all the steps on the 550 is fine, I do. Size & prime, powder drop, pwoder COP check, then seat. No diff than any other press operation.
BTW, case prep for bolt or semi is no diff. The only diff is how you setup your sizing die. Semiautos want to be FL sized, a bolt gun can tolerate neck only or partial FL sizing. Case prep though, identical. If you do not use a X-die to size, periodicaly check case length & trimm all cases to the same length. It will have to be done sooner w/ a semi, FL sizing, vs almost never for a bolt gun when neck sizing, to sooner than later if you partial FL size for the bolt gun.

 

[glen_farmer]

Dillon 550b exclusively

For myself, and multiple friends who have learned to reload on my 550b, it is what's used exclusively for everything. And the so called 'deflect' if there is any, is not evident. The rounds we have created are very precise. Other than multiple pistol/revolver calibers, my 550b is used for 223, 308, 7mm Mag and 30-06.

Would these rifle rounds be more precise if done on a single stage press? I guess that question was answered when one of the fellows who learned reloading and worked up his accuracy load on the Dillon got a RCBS single stage. Using the same components and settings that he used on the Dillon his RCBS loaded ammo shoots exactly the same.

You need to see this in person in order to make the best decision. That is what me and my friends have done.

 

[peppercorn]

Great information everyone, thanks.

So it looks like I can reload both semi auto and bolt on the 550.

It does however, if I understand correctly, seem imperative that I check set back with a case micrometer and overall case length?

I am not sure how to 'neck' size only, in the case of the bolt gun case prep. Does this become obvious once the dies are in place?

Also, I have not purchased dies yet, do you guys recommend the RCBS-X dies over the Dillon dies?

And what about the Dillon case gage, is that something that is imperative also?

Thanks again, guys.

 

[peppercorn]

Glen Farmer,

I was typing my post while you were sending yours. I'm glad to read about the back to back comparo of the Dillon and the RCBS.

I had never reloaded until I got my Dillon 550, so, it is what I know at this point and I would prefer to not buy another press.

 

[glen_farmer]

I drank the blue coolaid, and it's tasty

The dies I have for everything are Dillon. Also, I use a Dillon case gage for each necked rifle caliber.

The rifle sizing/depriming dies are a joy to use. Even without getting the very expensive carbide sizing die for your 308, the standard die still has a carbide expander ball for neck expansion. And, the depriming part is used to remove a stuck case should that ever happen.

The value of the above items starts to make more sense once you start reloading with them. The Resizing die compresses the case back to minimum dimensions as the case is pressed up into it. As the case is pulled out of the die the carbide expander ball reduces drag on the interior of the neck as it is pulled back up out of the case. By reducing the drag with lubrication and a carbide expander things go a whole lot easier.

Dillon offers the option of carbide 223 and 308 resizing dies. I went with the carbide in 223 but not 308. In the last three years alone I have loaded over 15,000 223's. But less than half that number in 308's. The carbide resizing die costs a bunch more, but (I think) it requires less effort than a regular steel resizing die when using the same case lube (RCBS Case Lube-2).