RL550 set up with off-the-press powder measuring?

[exd3686]

Need some help and advice. I'd like to measure powder using my Redding 3BR powder measure, RCBS 505 scale and Redding powder trickler to ensure the most accurate charges using Varget and others. My idea is to first size, clean, and prep brass. Then to use the 550 in a semi-progressive mode to insert primers on the press, weigh the powder off the press, dump the charge through powder die into the case while the brass is in the upper position in the powder die, and then move onto bullet seating.

What do I need to get from Dillon to accomplish this? I assume a shellplate for .308, a tool head, a powder die, some sort of funnel to mount to the powder die. Will I need the powder funnel that mounts inside the powder die that will bell the case mouth?

I'd appreciate any advice to create this set up, better ideas, or even pics of your 550 set up for precision loading.

Thanks.

 

[memilanuk]

Re: RL550 set up with off-the-press powder measuring?

For the powder die... you can get a Dillon AT500 powder funnel die (slightly different than the regular 550 powder die) and the appropriate cartridge insert. It works okay, but not much of a drop tube and sometimes you may run into clearance issues between the funnel and a nearby sizing or seating die.

Option B is to order a toolhead from Whidden Gunworks. A good bit more expensive than a stock Dillon tool head; you can order it 'bare' or pretty much set-up for what you want to do (semi-progressive loading of precision rifle rounds with weighed charges) with powder die, funnel, die lock rings, etc. Then you just need the Dillon shellplate and locator pins for .308 Wi, and your dies of choice.

I've got one of the originals (modified Dillon tool head) as well as a new generation (CNC machined from billet aluminum). I like 'em so far; used in conjunction with my Chargemaster 1500 powder dispenser it makes loading for my 6x47L pretty painless. The next one (the CNC head) will be for .223 Rem for my wife's F/TR rifle. After that... probably move at least some of my .308 ammo manufacturing over, assuming I can maintain equivalent quality to what I make now with my Co-Ax, etc.

 

[ofcrfs242]

Re: RL550 set up with off-the-press powder measuring?

The toolhead from Whidden would be the easiest way if you are dead set on hand weighing charges. I found that my Dillon threw charges with Varget withing 2/10 of a grain. I took my load and intentionally loaded rounds at 1/10 under and 1/10 over and found no noticable difference in accuracy.

 

[dmg308]

Re: RL550 set up with off-the-press powder measuring?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ofcrfs242</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The toolhead from Whidden would be the easiest way if you are dead set on hand weighing charges. I found that my Dillon threw charges with Varget withing 2/10 of a grain. I took my load and intentionally loaded rounds at 1/10 under and 1/10 over and found no noticable difference in accuracy. </div></div>

your doing good mine even after polishing is .5 gr accurate with one way out every once and awhile.

 

[sinister]

Re: RL550 set up with off-the-press powder measuring?

For both 5.56 and 7.62 I decap and re-size on the Dillon then tumble the brass to get off case lube. Cases get trimmed to length on the Giraud trimmer every time (keeps everything consistent).

I hand prime using a Lee tool.

I put brass into loading blocks and hand-drop powder using a Redding BR-3. If it's specifically for 1,000 yards I'll measure every charge, but if not it depends on how I feel and how much time I have whether I weigh charges and trickle everything to 44 grains (for 175s).

Put the bullet on top and then back to the Dillon for seating (Redding or Forster Benchrest seating dies, depending on the bullet ogive and charge).

It's nowhere near progressive, but it seems to make consistent ammo.

Your mileage will obviously vary.

I load 9mm, .45, 5.56, 7.62, and 338 Lapua on a 550.

 

[Downzero]

Re: RL550 set up with off-the-press powder measuring?

I size them on my dillon, trim by hand with the Lee trimmer, and charge with a Lyman 1200, then seat the bullets on the dillon.

Seems to work for me.