Can Precision loading with Dillon 650 be done?

[nikdanja]

Went from a 550 to a 650 for pistols but I had crazy great consistency loading rifle with my 550. I just don't shoot a ton of rifle compared to pistol so it made sense to make the switch.

Havent started loadimg 308 or 3006 but I'm crazy anal about my OAL for both. +- .005 is the most ill take for loading my 308. I could get that no problem with my 550 all day long but even loading pistol with the 650 I'm taking a hit in OAL in exchange for speed. Obviously I want consistency with my 308 loads.

Anyone have ang any problem achieving this?

What cheap single stage press would you guys recommend that gets great consistency?

 

[GhengisAhn175]

Precision loading can be done on a progressive you just need to ensure you're reducing as much tolerances as possible. And I'm not talking about die settings necessarily.

Making sure powder charges are accurate is a big one. Several mods exist and ways for Dillon loaders to do that

as far as cheap single stage presses, rcbs rock chucker or lee cast can he had at a good price

 

[nikdanja]

All my big big rifle rounds I'm hand loading every powder charge. I wasn't worried do much about that as I am consistent OAL.

Precision loading can be done on a progressive you just need to ensure you're reducing as much tolerances as possible. And I'm not talking about die settings necessarily.

Making sure powder charges are accurate is a big one. Several mods exist and ways for Dillon loaders to do that

as far as cheap single stage presses, rcbs rock chucker or lee cast can he had at a good price

 

[powercatmd]

I have only loaded 5.56 on my 650 so far, but the volume stuff that I have turned out for my 3-Gun rifle is sub-MOA. I have found that using spherical powder works best as the extruded powders don't meter very consistently using the Dillon Powder measure. I have had excellent results with 55 gr Blitzkings using 24.8gr of H335 or Benchmark out of an 18" barrel loaded on the 650.

 

[MarkCO]

I think it depends on volume. By the time you get all the upgrades to load precision ammo on a 650, you could have a RockChucker sitting on the bench and for a little more, a Forster Co-Ax.

I have a 650 and a RockChucker on the bench and I load most of my bolt gun ammo on the RockChucker. Most of that is because of small batches (50 to 200). I load all of my .223 and most of my .308 on the 650 and with the upgrades, yes, I can get consistent OAL. Most of the precision stuff on the 650 uses TAC powder which meters well. But I load a few thousand once I have it set up and that is usually once a year or so.

Upgrades: Whidden tool head, shell plate bearing, polymer detent ball all help in the precision area.

 

[Sig Marine]

Guys that I know who are successful using a Dillon for precision ammunition do not use it as a progressive per-se. Seating to a consistent OAL is best done when performing a task that does not "load" the machine, like sizing. Dropping powder using Dillon's powder funnel with a funnel insert and performing the seating in the opposite station eliminates any stress on the machine and will give good OAL results. Sizing is done in a completely separate operation.

 

[flyright]

Yes. Have a couple of extra tool heads. Use one for decapping (Lee universal decapper) then stainless tumble, dry, and use the second tool head for resize then trim and prime - stations 1 and 2. The third tool head I use will allow powder drop, seat and, if you choose, "very, very light or burnished crimp". Stations 3,4,5. I either volume drop a charge or drop via my powder measure through the powder die with the third tool head station 3. I have found that polishing the Dillon powder measure results in +\- .1 grains in powder weights (with Varget, 4350 or 4064) so volume dropping my OCW has worked fine. But, you can manually drop weighed charges this way. So, you are effectively using the press as a single stage/turret press or you can run progressive with the third tool head with clean trimmed, primed brass starting in station 3.

 

[myronman3]

i was turned on to dillon many years ago. i have found that certain powders meter a whole lot better than others. reloader powders come to mind...along with spherical powders......i switched to win 760 "ball" powder and get excellent results.

if you use ball powders, their powder measure versus measuring every charge.....the "profit to grief ratio"....it just aint worth hand measuring.

get a powder that meters well....and feed that press components. spend the time you save dicking around hand measuring shooting instead.

 

[flyright]

This came up on another forum about volume drop vs weighed charges. I have not found volume dropping to be a significant variable. A few years back I knew many BR shooters who did it. They'd weigh their brass and bullets but volume drop their powder. Some swore that volume was more consistent. Weight was just for finding a starting point. My .02...

 

[Sendit6.5]

I think it depends on your definition of "precision." I'll state right here, I've never owned a progressive press except for loading shotgun shells. My definition of precision with a rifle starts at .75 at a bare minimum. In truth, if I can't get it to shoot around .5" OR LESS with handloads, it's not going to last long in my collection unless it serves a specific purpose where less accuracy is needed.


That said, I don't see how a progressive press would get me where I want to be. In order to achieve SDs in the single digits and ES in the teens, I need to throw charges and trickle up with .02gr accuracy. For me. That requires a Chargemaster a Gempro and a pair of tweezers. Seating depth needs to be within +/- .001 at a minimum. It takes time on a Redding T7, but this produces tiny holes. I don't see how a current progressive press gets me there. Sure wish it would, though - I'd be 'all-in' if that were the case!

 

[MarkCO]

All of my .223 ammo loaded on the 650 that I use match grade components prints 100 yard 5 round groups that are under 1/2" in my bolt guns. I can't beat the 650 loads with the RockChucker loads.