.223 and the D550b

[Whiskey Tango]

I've done some searching on this forum, and other forums and I haven't found anything that is answering my questions.

First, a little about me. I've been reloading for about two years. My first year was with a 550b loading 9mm pistol. I then went into a single stage loading .45acp, .41mag, .270, and .308 (I know, I went back-erds).

That being said, I'm going to start loading some .223 ammo up for general shooting purposes. By no means is this going to be match ammo, as long as it's minute of man, I'll be OK.

So, onto the setup. I want to do everything on the 550 as I already have the conversion kit for the 550 in .223. I've seen setups with the 650 where guys never have to touch a lubed case as they do their first tool head with lubed cases and resize as such. In an effort to replicate such, here's what I'm thinking of doing; insert your opinions as you see fit.

Tumble brass.

Toolhead #1 setup
Decap and lube with a RCBS lube die in Station 1
Resize in Station 2

Tumble brass and resize in Giraud trimmer.

Toolhead #2 setup
Universal decap to clear primer pocket and prime in Station 1
Throw powder in Station 2
Seat bullet in Station 3
Crimp (maybe) in Station 4

wash, rinse, repeat....

I wish the case feeder for the 550b would work with .223 cases, but alas. That would really speed up the process and eliminate the lube die.

 

[1911fan]

Re: .223 and the D550b

Wow. That's a lot like work. Here's my 650/.223 setup:
Tumble. Spray with One-Shot case lube and mix well.
Load into casefeeder.
Resize/deprime Station One.
Reprime/powder fill Station Two.
Powder checker Station Three.
Bullet seater Station Four.
Mild crimp Station Five.
Shoot.
Repeat.

1911fan

 

[dmg308]

Re: .223 and the D550b

My 550 only has 4 stations?

 

[former naval person]

Re: .223 and the D550b

So does mine. Both of them.

 

[TheRedHorseman]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1911fan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow. That's a lot like work. Here's my 550/.223 setup:
Tumble. Spray with One-Shot case lube and mix well.
Load into casefeeder (Yes, it works. You need a different feed plate.)
Resize/deprime Station One.
Reprime/powder fill Station Two.
Powder checker Station Three.
Bullet seater Station Four.
Mild crimp Station Five.
Shoot.
Repeat.

1911fan </div></div>

That's a 650.

For me on my 550:
Polish and clean.
I size and deprime at station 1, then trim using a Dillon power trimmer at station 3(2 and 4 are empty) on my first tool head.

Second tool head I leave station 1 empty and prime there. Station 2 is powder, 3 is seat, 4 is a Lee factory crimp die.

 

[1911.it]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1911fan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow. That's a lot like work. Here's my 550/.223 setup:
Tumble. Spray with One-Shot case lube and mix well.
Load into casefeeder (Yes, it works. You need a different feed plate.)
Resize/deprime Station One.
Reprime/powder fill Station Two.
Powder checker Station Three.
Bullet seater Station Four.
Mild crimp Station Five.
Shoot.
Repeat.

1911fan</div></div>

My routine is very similar to this except it is even less like work! I clean my cases with a vibratory cleaner and then load them. I use a Dillon carbide sizing/depriming die, Redding benchrest micrometer seating die because it's so easy to switch bullets and it's a precision die, Dillon crimp die.

At some imprecise point I will trim my cases using my Giraud trimmer. You need to pay attention when loading 223 in a r550b to keep things running smoothly. The priming station is especially is prone to miscues.

Obviously I am not trying for the ultimate in precsion with this method. Then again I am loading for a fairly run of the mill AR15. I am making progress with this setup and the group sizes are shrinking as a result.

 

[1911fan]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmg308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My 550 only has 4 stations? </div></div>

Ooops- I've got both but use the 650 more lately. I follow a similar routine on the 550 though. Just, uhhh, skip the powder check station, yeah, that's it!


1911fan

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1911fan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmg308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My 550 only has 4 stations? </div></div>

Ooops- I've got both but use the 650 more lately. I follow a similar routine on the 550 though. Just, uhhh, skip the powder check station, yeah, that's it!


1911fan</div></div>

What are you running in the 550 then? Does your case feeder on the 550 work with .223 cases? If so, which plate are you using (because they only sell pistol plates for the 550).

I'm not trying to sound like an ass, I just want to know because if something will work with the 550 like you say, I want to give it a shot to speed up the process.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1911fan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmg308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My 550 only has 4 stations? </div></div>

Ooops- I've got both but use the 650 more lately. I follow a similar routine on the 550 though. Just, uhhh, skip the powder check station, yeah, that's it!


1911fan</div></div>

Sounds like you're running the press how I'm going to set it up. I may offset my resizing die to station 3 just to keep things evened out.

On average, how many rounds per hour are you guys getting?

 

[Saito]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TheRedHorseman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1911fan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow. That's a lot like work. Here's my 550/.223 setup:
Tumble. Spray with One-Shot case lube and mix well.
Load into casefeeder (Yes, it works. You need a different feed plate.)
Resize/deprime Station One.
Reprime/powder fill Station Two.
Powder checker Station Three.
Bullet seater Station Four.
Mild crimp Station Five.
Shoot.
Repeat.

1911fan </div></div>

That's a 650.

For me on my 550:
Polish and clean.
I size and deprime at station 1, then trim using a Dillon power trimmer at station 3(2 and 4 are empty) on my first tool head.

Second tool head I leave station 1 empty and prime there. Station 2 is powder, 3 is seat, 4 is a Lee factory crimp die. </div></div>

That's exactly the setup I have on my 550B w/ the exception that I only deprime on station 1(nothing touches the case as I turned down the decapping pin dia., no need to work the brass more than necessary), then I lube right before I size and trim w/ a Dillon Trim/Size die @ station 3.

 

[MTETM]

Re: .223 and the D550b

Sounds like too much work...

550 process...

tumble clean brass
spray with 1 shot lube...make sure brass and die's are warm, wait 5 minutes...
S1: resize, decap, re-prime
S2: powder charge
S3: seat bullet
DONE...
Shoot
ALL mine, included match ammo are done this way.

Re-chamber to 223AI and forget trimming for the bolt guns...
That's the ticket!

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MTETM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like too much work...

550 process...

tumble clean brass
spray with 1 shot lube...make sure brass and die's are warm, wait 5 minutes...
S1: resize, decap, re-prime
S2: powder charge
S3: seat bullet
DONE...
Shoot
ALL mine, included match ammo are done this way.

Re-chamber to 223AI and forget trimming for the bolt guns...
That's the ticket!</div></div>

WOW. You don't have any issues with lube contaminating the powder charges?

 

[Saito]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Whiskey Tango</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MTETM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like too much work...

550 process...

tumble clean brass
spray with 1 shot lube...make sure brass and die's are warm, wait 5 minutes...
S1: resize, decap, re-prime
S2: powder charge
S3: seat bullet
DONE...
Shoot
ALL mine, included match ammo are done this way.

Re-chamber to 223AI and forget trimming for the bolt guns...
That's the ticket!</div></div>

WOW. You don't have any issues with lube contaminating the powder charges? </div></div>

That, or all of the SHIT that comes out of the primer pocket when you deprime? Making dents in your primers, gumming up the primer feed bar, wasting time........

 

[Queequeg]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That, or all of the SHIT that comes out of the primer pocket when you deprime? Making dents in your primers, gumming up the primer feed bar, wasting time........
</div></div>

Same here! I do cleaning, then resize/deprime and any other case prep like trim, beburr the flash hole, clean out primer pocket, chamfer and degrease in a seperate phase so that I have ready cases waiting for reoloading.

Then I can focus on priming consistently, good powder charges (either from the Chargemaster or dispenser), seating bullets and admiring their beauty!

<span style="font-size: 17pt">No crimps for you !</span>

 

[TheRedHorseman]

Re: .223 and the D550b

The vast majority of my .223 loading is for volume shooting through the AR. Regular 55gr FMJBT plinking fodder.

When I load "real" ammo for it, my process slows significantly.

 

[MTETM]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Saito</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Whiskey Tango</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MTETM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like too much work...

550 process...

tumble clean brass
spray with 1 shot lube...make sure brass and die's are warm, wait 5 minutes...
S1: resize, decap, re-prime
S2: powder charge
S3: seat bullet
DONE...
Shoot
ALL mine, included match ammo are done this way.

Re-chamber to 223AI and forget trimming for the bolt guns...
That's the ticket!</div></div>

WOW. You don't have any issues with lube contaminating the powder charges? </div></div>

That, or all of the SHIT that comes out of the primer pocket when you deprime? Making dents in your primers, gumming up the primer feed bar, wasting time........</div></div>

Nope, I don't have issues with contamination, use 1 shot spray lube. NEVER had a failure.
The stuff from the primers has never been an issue, it goes with the primer into the spent primer catcher. I spent years cleaning pockets and cutting to the same depth. I do not see any difference by not doing it.

Try doing it both ways and shoot groups at 300 and 500 and see if you find a difference. I have not so I don't waste the time anymore.

 

[JonLSU]

Re: .223 and the D550b

I use the 550 as well. My priming station has given me trouble in the past so I stick with hand priming.
I tumble brass, spray with lube and in #1 I deprime and size with a dillon die.
Then if the brass needs to be trimmed, trim it and take mil crimp out. Then tumble it again and store it.
When I'm ready to load,
hand prime with a lee auto prime
#1 nothing
#2 powder charge
#3 bullet seater
#4 crimp

I normally do the prep work on the brass and store up several thousand rds before I ever load them. Then when I need some ammo I move on to the bottom half.

 

[Saito]

Re: .223 and the D550b

You don't have trouble with tumbler media sticking in the flash holes when you tumble deprimed brass? I hate that!

Do you know why you've had trouble w/ the priming system on the Dillon? Mine has served me well when kept clean.

You ever considered a Dillon RT1200 trimming motor w/ a trim/size die? For me all of the work is done right on the 550 w/ the exception of the tumbling. Two toolheads and quite a bit of $ but I feel like the time saved is worth the investment.

 

[1911fan]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Whiskey Tango</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1911fan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmg308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My 550 only has 4 stations? </div></div>

Ooops- I've got both but use the 650 more lately. I follow a similar routine on the 550 though. Just, uhhh, skip the powder check station, yeah, that's it!


1911fan</div></div>

What are you running in the 550 then? Does your case feeder on the 550 work with .223 cases? If so, which plate are you using (because they only sell pistol plates for the 550).

I'm not trying to sound like an ass, I just want to know because if something will work with the 550 like you say, I want to give it a shot to speed up the process.

</div></div>

See above, I was thinking '550' and typing '650', sorry about that. The 650 will feed large and small rifle and pistol cases, with the right plate. Since I've got the 650, I haven't bothered to get the casefeeder for the 550.
To answer another poster, if I've got everything all laid out ready to go, I can get about 450-500 rounds/hour on the 550, and 900 or better on the 650. Helps tohave the Dillon primer tube filler though.


1911fan

 

[9sigman45]

Re: .223 and the D550b

Here's my .223 "plinking" ammo process on my 650 (my match ammo is done on a 450):

1) Tumble clean brass
2) Spray lube brass and dump into case feeder
3) Tool Head #1
Deprime in station #1
Size and trim w/ RT1200 in station #4
4) Tumble clean brass and dump back into case feeder
5) Tool Head #2
Deprime in station #1 (just to remove any media)
Prime and powder drop in station #2
(H335 meters fantastic in Dillon's powder measure)
Seat "cheap" 55gr projectile in station #4
Crimp in station #5
6) Load mags and plink away!

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Re: .223 and the D550b

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Saito</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You don't have trouble with tumbler media sticking in the flash holes when you tumble deprimed brass? I hate that!

Do you know why you've had trouble w/ the priming system on the Dillon? Mine has served me well when kept clean.

You ever considered a Dillon RT1200 trimming motor w/ a trim/size die? For me all of the work is done right on the 550 w/ the exception of the tumbling. Two toolheads and quite a bit of $ but I feel like the time saved is worth the investment.</div></div>

I have thought about the RT1200, but I am looking at going with the Giraud to do everything in one movement. Additionally, I don't like the idea of having to hook up a vacuum cleaner to the RT1200.

I picked up a bunch of brass last weekend and most of it is crimped so I'm just depriming right now so I can de-crimp.

 

[Halfnutz]

Re: .223 and the D550b

Here's my set up...

Tool head 1,
1st station - Sizing die w/ decapper in place. Maybe a lube die would be nice but I get along pretty well with a large ziplock bag and a spray type lube.
3rd station - RT1200 trimmer set to just necksize.
2nd and 4th stations are empty.

Tumble brass here, do any other prep work desired.

Tool head 2,
1st station - De-capper to clear flash hole, I prime here on the down sroke
2nd station - Powder die and thower
3rd station - seater.
4th station - empty.

Works for me.

Win 748 and 55 grain v-max or whatever.