davestarbuck

I've had my 650 since just before last Christmas, and I've processed and loaded 7k of .223 on it in the last few months. Here are some things I've done to make it more efficient and safe. Use Hornady One Shot Aerosol spray lube, you don't have to tumble it off, saving some time. I only use a Dillon trim die and RT1200 to trim and size, and I've not had a stuck case yet. Use a RCBS Gold Medal Match seating die, you drop the bullet through the top and it holds it for you, so you don't have to try and line up the bullet on top of the case. I think it's better than a bulletfeeder because it allows you to keep the powder check station, I use a powder cop,not Dillons device. It adds a bit of safety and can prevent squib loads. I can drop a bullet into the die while keeping an eye on the powder cop. Use a Hornady or RCBS locking die ring on your trim die. The motor has lots of torque and can loosen up the die upon start up. The locking die is more secure. Hope this helps!

Well I stuck the Lee Collet die in my second toolhead, replacing the Lee Decapper. I've got it set to cam over a bit to set the neck tension correctly. Results, my previous load of 25 gr WC844, pulled 55 fmj loaded to 2.24" with a hefty crimp with the Lee FCD would get me consistent 2 MOA groups at 200 yards with my 14.5" chrome lined middy using an Aimpoint, from prone. Adding the Collet die made those 4" groups into 3.5-3.75" groups, so a decent improvement. Should be good for the 8"x10" steel at 200 yards during our "action" rifle matches! Most of my ammo in the AR is used for "CQB" training. Which means afternoons spent blasting targets at 10 yards with one 1-5 drill after another! Thanks for the idea!

There is nothing I can produce that would top what this gentleman has done... All I did was put the playlist together....

I like Silhouette for my 124 gr +p loads with both FMJ and Speer Gold Dots.

I,d setup one toolhead with just the sizing die in it, so you can size and deprime. Get a Dillon .223 case gauge to set up the head space on the sizing die. Once you setup the die once you'll never have to worry about it again. So first pass would be tumble, lube, size/deprime. Tumble off lube. Trim,chambfer, deburr. If you are processing alot of brass with crimped primer pockets, get a Super Swage. Setup a second toolhead with a decapper in station 1, powder measure in 2, bullet seater in station 3, crimp in station 4. I highly recomend the Lee Factory Crimp Die. Load your ammo with toolhead 2, enjoy shooting it, and repeat. With good,mild practice loads, you can get 5 reloads out of your brass before chucking it. I recommend using ball powders for progressive reloading. I've used TAC and WC844 surplus powder with great success. If I were to pick one of the two I'd use TAC only because it's better with heavier bullets. I load 2 basic loads, a practice/training/action match load, and a self defence load. My practice/training/action match loads are a 55 FMJ 24.5 gr TAC with Tula .223 primers or 25 gr WC844 My Zombie/Self Defence rounds are 77g Sierra Match Kings and 24 gr TAC with the Tula .223 primer. This approximates the MK262 load and is HOT, so don't try it without working up to it! Hope this helps!

There is a decapper in station 1 for that purpose.... I actually have a .223 Lee Collet die kicking around somewhere, I think I'll give it a try! I use the Lee Collet die for the .308 I shoot in my bolt gun, I've never full length sized any of that,ever. They are good dies!

I've also never done anything to the necks of my .223, I just trim them with the RT1200, tumble off lube, and run them through the press again with the second toolhead for powder, bullet seat, and crimp. Of course my loads are all boat tailed bullets, mostly 55 fmj's, and my accuracy requirements are simply the ability to hit a 8"x10" piece of steel at 300 yards max for the matches in my area and for tactical carbine classes.

I've reloaded 223/5.56 on my 550 for a couple of years, using a two toolhead setup. One toolhead has a decapping die and the RT1200 trimmer, and the other has the powder measure,seating, and crimp dies on them. I just bought a 650 from Brian yesterday and I'm going to be using it to process about 15k worth of once fired Lake City brass I've acculmulated over the years. That should keep me busy for the winter!

Not H335 per say, but 25 gr of WC844 with a pulled 55 gr FMJ or 62 gr FMJ makes for a great low cost training round. Gives me 2 MOA constantly which is fine for my purposes.

I had problems with the 223M primers igniteing WC844, mine were made in 2010. My recent 223M primers from TULA work 100% with the WC844.

I use a two tool head setup for my 550 Tool head one has a lee decapping die in staton 1 and a rt1200 and trim/size die in station 3. Tool head two has another decapping die in 1, power measure in 2, bullet seat in 3, and a Lee FCD in 4. Basicly I tumble, lube and run the cases through tool head one. Tumble again, if needed I use the Super Swage to remove primer crimps. Tool head two is used to reload. No belling, chamfering etc.. I have used this settup to clone mk262 ammo for my "SPR" and have achieved 0.75 moa at 200 yards, which is good enough for zombies and wild hogs!

I trim every time, the RT1200 is quick and easy combined with my 550. -Dave

Lee Zip Trim!!... ....just kidding RT1200 for me! -Dave