Simplifying my bench (Dillon 650 + Arbor press)?

[Trek]

i have a 650 on the left side of my bench for 9mm, and my Forster Coax on back order - just reviewed a video fro F-Class John on the use of an Arbor press for seating... new to percision rifle loading (308, 6 Creed)... I have the v3 scale combo ready, external primer seater, and my die set (Redding FL Match set, + Sinclair mandrel die)... but after viewing the arbor seating process... looking for opinions on “not” installing the Coax, but do my brass prep on the 650... manually prime, charge powder and seat with the much more compact arbor press. Thoughts and opinions appreciated... thanks!

 

[Kimber.204]

The 650 is capable of doing what you want it to do. If you feel like the cases have a little too much runout you can set up the press with a fixed tool head and float the dies ( think Whidden or Uniquetek setups). I've got a standard tool head for my Dillon 550 that I Decap and prime in station one, Full Length Size (without expanding button or decapping pin) in station 2, then use a Sinclair Mandrel Die for the neck in station 3. It has made my 6mm Comp Match reloads more consistent....but I won't say that the difference is worth the extra effort for the differences I see on paper.

I will likely continue to process the brass separately due to the simple fact that I can set up the press for Brass Prep, run a large lot (several hundred or more), then pull from the prepped bin as needed for different bullet weights or powders.

 

[A&8's]

There's a reason why BR shooters use an arbor.

 

[Kimber.204]

There's a reason why BR shooters use an arbor.

No doubt that you can create some fine ammo with an arbor press, especially those that have a pressure gage so that you can group them by seating pressure.

For the bulk of us on this site though, our shooting requirements may not realize the full benefits of using an arbor press. But, when you factor in things like space savings or being able to process the ammo somewhere else in the house, well those are less quantitative and more qualitative items. Bottom line, if it matches with your goals, both at the range and at home, go for it.

 

[SigSauerkraut]

I use the 650 for pistol and 5.56, but everything else is done on a single stage and an arbor press. I seriously considered getting rid of both and going to the Harrel's combo press, but the portability of the arbor press can't be beat. Once brass is prepped, I can load at home, at the range, in a RV, etc. I also really like the feel, especially with loads that are compressed and need a little massaging to seat properly.

 

[Trek]

I use the 650 for pistol and 5.56, but everything else is done on a single stage and an arbor press. I seriously considered getting rid of both and going to the Harrel's combo press, but the portability of the arbor press can't be beat. Once brass is prepped, I can load at home, at the range, in a RV, etc. I also really like the feel, especially with loads that are compressed and need a little massaging to seat properly.

Great to hear... can I take the required steps with my 650 to ensure my brass prep is 100%? I’m sold on the benefit of the arbor press (SI with the hydraulic gauge)... having just “big blue” on the bench is a benefit... now I have take the steps to ensure the Dillon can perform (ie gloating tool head + ?). Thanks!

 

[A&8's]

No doubt that you can create some fine ammo with an arbor press, especially those that have a pressure gage so that you can group them by seating pressure.

For the bulk of us on this site though, our shooting requirements may not realize the full benefits of using an arbor press. But, when you factor in things like space savings or being able to process the ammo somewhere else in the house, well those are less quantitative and more qualitative items. Bottom line, if it matches with your goals, both at the range and at home, go for it.

No doubt. It seems, however, once people hear about using an arbor to seat, they've already started down that never ending rabbit hole of precision reloading...never to be seen from the same again. lol

 

[Rugster]

Running dillons for brass prep, one for 223 and one for 6x47 (of whatever 308 based case). Charging with fx120i and seating with an arbor. Results are good enough for what I’m doing, which is PRS and not anything benchrest. I do still have the co-ax but not currently being used.

 

[Trek]

Running dillons for brass prep, one for 223 and one for 6x47 (of whatever 308 based case). Charging with fx120i and seating with an arbor. Results are good enough for what I’m doing, which is PRS and not anything benchrest. I do still have the co-ax but not currently being used.
View attachment 7220962

Wow, that is a beautiful set up... really well done! Did you replace the Dillon tool heads with “floating” heads (Whidden)? Regarding your arbor set up... did you go with the Wilson in-line die? Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Rugster]

Thanks! Yes using floating Whidden tool heads and they seem to work well.
Yep, using a Wilson Micrometer top seater and I really like it a lot. Also, I’ve found the arbor seating process to actually be just as fast as the co-ax, which surprised me. The only thing I would do differently is getting the low force pack instead of the standard.