I haven't set my 550 up for precision loads yet, even though I have a Johnson QDS still untouched in the box. Anyway, I was playing around with the Dillon last night, and got to thinking about using it only to seat primers for my .308 and .223 bench loads. It's considerably quicker than using a hand tool, but I am curious if there any accuracy issues in using one over the other.
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Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
- Thread starter Jason280
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Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
If your thinking of priming with your 550, why not go ahead and load with your 550.
I load everything with my XL650's I can. .223 to .308 precision to .45 acp
only thing that doesn't work well is the Dillon powder measure with stick powder
When it comes to stick powder I use a charge master and pour the charge through the powder die with a funnel.
If your thinking of priming with your 550, why not go ahead and load with your 550.
I load everything with my XL650's I can. .223 to .308 precision to .45 acp
only thing that doesn't work well is the Dillon powder measure with stick powder
When it comes to stick powder I use a charge master and pour the charge through the powder die with a funnel.
Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
That's likely what I will end up doing, especially if I can get TAC to shoot sub MOA out of my 5R. If not, I may have to stick with Varget and H4895, which have done very well (but don't typically like the Dillon measure).
That's likely what I will end up doing, especially if I can get TAC to shoot sub MOA out of my 5R. If not, I may have to stick with Varget and H4895, which have done very well (but don't typically like the Dillon measure).
Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
I don't see how the 550 could be faster than the RCBS auto-prime? I use my 550b to load 223 and a co-ax for 308.
I don't see how the 550 could be faster than the RCBS auto-prime? I use my 550b to load 223 and a co-ax for 308.
Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
Jason,
I found my Lee hand priming tools seat primers more consistently than the Dillon press. I ran tests with rifle and pistol cases, and found I could seat the primers just a touch deeper and with a consistent "feel". I also found some vertical stringing on the target when just using the Dillon. Tried the experiments with uniformed and untouched primer pockets.
HTH,
DocB
Jason,
I found my Lee hand priming tools seat primers more consistently than the Dillon press. I ran tests with rifle and pistol cases, and found I could seat the primers just a touch deeper and with a consistent "feel". I also found some vertical stringing on the target when just using the Dillon. Tried the experiments with uniformed and untouched primer pockets.
HTH,
DocB
Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your primers will never know what seated them. </div></div>
Nope. But the target will if you fail to seat properly. Easier to over seat with a press.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your primers will never know what seated them. </div></div>
Nope. But the target will if you fail to seat properly. Easier to over seat with a press.
Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
Second that , looking for a good priming tool Siclair is one
Dillon powder measures take it off and throw it away!!!!
I hand measure and drop each load
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EddieNFL</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hand tool is much more sensitive than a compound leverage press. </div></div>
Second that , looking for a good priming tool Siclair is one
Dillon powder measures take it off and throw it away!!!!
I hand measure and drop each load
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EddieNFL</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hand tool is much more sensitive than a compound leverage press. </div></div>
Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EddieNFL</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your primers will never know what seated them. </div></div>
Nope. But the target will if you fail to seat properly. Easier to over seat with a press. </div></div>
Haven't had that exeprience. Used ( and still use ) both methods. Your milage may vary.
I do agree that with the compound leverage thing you can dick up something pretty easy but we're supposed to be past that when we start playing with explosive compounds aren't we?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EddieNFL</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your primers will never know what seated them. </div></div>
Nope. But the target will if you fail to seat properly. Easier to over seat with a press. </div></div>
Haven't had that exeprience. Used ( and still use ) both methods. Your milage may vary.
I do agree that with the compound leverage thing you can dick up something pretty easy but we're supposed to be past that when we start playing with explosive compounds aren't we?
Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
I'm pretty much in that same boat. My 550B hasn't really disappointed me in any significant way in close to 20 years. Not bad for a $250 secondhand press (including dies and the rest of the gear for about a dozen calibers) that spent my first ten years making rifle and pistol ammo for a Marine Corps League Detachment Shooting Team. What I find about all that compound leverage is that with a delicate index/thumb touch, you can feel everything folks claim they feel with the hand priming tool.
Greg
I'm pretty much in that same boat. My 550B hasn't really disappointed me in any significant way in close to 20 years. Not bad for a $250 secondhand press (including dies and the rest of the gear for about a dozen calibers) that spent my first ten years making rifle and pistol ammo for a Marine Corps League Detachment Shooting Team. What I find about all that compound leverage is that with a delicate index/thumb touch, you can feel everything folks claim they feel with the hand priming tool.
Greg
Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 4Rail_Gunner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If your thinking of priming with your 550, why not go ahead and load with your 550.
I load everything with my XL650's I can. .223 to .308 precision to .45 acp
only thing that doesn't work well is the Dillon powder measure with stick powder
When it comes to stick powder I use a charge master and pour the charge through the powder die with a funnel. </div></div>
Same with my 550......
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 4Rail_Gunner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If your thinking of priming with your 550, why not go ahead and load with your 550.
I load everything with my XL650's I can. .223 to .308 precision to .45 acp
only thing that doesn't work well is the Dillon powder measure with stick powder
When it comes to stick powder I use a charge master and pour the charge through the powder die with a funnel. </div></div>
Same with my 550......
Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ftchmup</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 4Rail_Gunner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If your thinking of priming with your 550, why not go ahead and load with your 550.
I load everything with my XL650's I can. .223 to .308 precision to .45 acp
only thing that doesn't work well is the Dillon powder measure with stick powder
When it comes to stick powder I use a charge master and pour the charge through the powder die with a funnel. </div></div>
Same with my 550......
</div></div>
Me as well. I love my 550B. On Sunday evening here in Tulsa, they play old time radio broadcasts from the 30s and 40s. I crank those up along with the Dillon and I've plenty of ammo in no time. Relaxing, yet productive....
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ftchmup</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 4Rail_Gunner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If your thinking of priming with your 550, why not go ahead and load with your 550.
I load everything with my XL650's I can. .223 to .308 precision to .45 acp
only thing that doesn't work well is the Dillon powder measure with stick powder
When it comes to stick powder I use a charge master and pour the charge through the powder die with a funnel. </div></div>
Same with my 550......
</div></div>
Me as well. I love my 550B. On Sunday evening here in Tulsa, they play old time radio broadcasts from the 30s and 40s. I crank those up along with the Dillon and I've plenty of ammo in no time. Relaxing, yet productive....
Re: Using Dillon 550 only as primer seater?
The dillon seats well, but the powder measure for stick just does not work !!!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm pretty much in that same boat. My 550B hasn't really disappointed me in any significant way in close to 20 years. Not bad for a $250 secondhand press (including dies and the rest of the gear for about a dozen calibers) that spent my first ten years making rifle and pistol ammo for a Marine Corps League Detachment Shooting Team. What I find about all that compound leverage is that with a delicate index/thumb touch, you can feel everything folks claim they feel with the hand priming tool.
Greg </div></div>
The dillon seats well, but the powder measure for stick just does not work !!!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm pretty much in that same boat. My 550B hasn't really disappointed me in any significant way in close to 20 years. Not bad for a $250 secondhand press (including dies and the rest of the gear for about a dozen calibers) that spent my first ten years making rifle and pistol ammo for a Marine Corps League Detachment Shooting Team. What I find about all that compound leverage is that with a delicate index/thumb touch, you can feel everything folks claim they feel with the hand priming tool.
Greg </div></div>
