Kenneth E. LaPointe

Thanks and much continued success in all your future personal and professional endeavors. Ken

Hi Bill, Thanks again for your input. Your idea of utilizing a nail as a checking device is brilliant. Genius Bill ! Glad I am not the only one whom thought the a bad powder drop not being easily seen in those tall, skinny, dark cases was reason for pause. I think I might try your idea for a while on route to gathering more confidence in my reloading of those 223s Might even take liberty in enhancing your idea by painting a couple high and low mark warning lines on that nail for better evaluation of what might have occurred or not during a errant powder drop. Thinking like a high or low water mark that depicts a go or no go status. Any thoughts on the different powder physical shapes or design being concern for steady and even powder drops. ? Wonder whether the actual shape of the different powder manufacturers choose can cause different and potential inconsistent drops from the powder bar ? Can the different shapes of Flakes vs balls vs whatever cause a binding or weird packing affect much like scattering of pick up sticks affect in the powder bar hopper and then potentially down into the crowded casing every once and while causing an odd drop and potential trouble ? Having rambled on about that aspect of powder any suggestion for what to use ? Wonder why Dillon as great a company as they have become in the R & D, development and overall support of their great machines only offers a powder check device option for only the larger offerings of their equipment line ? As many 550s that are out I would think that a more than a significant amount of those owners would gladly pony up for a add on option of such a device. Have you ever heard of the potential development of such an offering by Dillon or even a enterprising inventor out there thinking and working the same. Perhaps Genius Bill should take that project on ! In the interest of not making these exchanges a total one way affair where you give me info and guidance I offer zilch, nada, egg and basically zero . In the interest of fair play I offer he following. For that What's it worth department I have recently purchased a LED light for my press. As mentioned these old eyes do not see nearly as good as I would like and have grown used to and require various and assorted cheaters to help me see all that's required and necessary. Only but one of the great benefits of some grace full aging. Consequently I want and need better lighting in and around the direct loading area of the shell plate. I Have tried in the past some home made lighting attempts in the form of different flash lights and other such mechanisms strapped and mounted at various spots on the press. All attempts without any real satisfactory results. Stumbled on the Inline Fabrication company's offering of their "Sky Light" product. This well made unit mounts easily and quickly right in the center hole of the tool head. Same unit for all my different caliber set ups. Pops in and out easily as you change calibers. Pretty cool unit and well worth the relatively cheap money. One of those so simple ideas and why didn't I think of that items. If you do not own one you might want to take a peek. Again Bill want to thank you for your patience and continued guidance through out my goofy lines of questioning. Lets stay in touch. Can never have to many smart friends. A friend Ken

Thanks Bill. Appreciate the input. All solid thoughts and ideas from one whom is clearly not attending his first rodeo. Sounds like you have significant experience in reloading and shooting this caliber. I on the other hand represent the quintessential rookie status in all the above categories. I live up here in the soon to be frozen north of New Hampshire. Not a lot of opportunity for collecting spent brass. Probably going to have to rely on a number of sources for supplying brass. Firstly I guess I could buy new stuff shoot, retrieve and then reload. Unless as you had stated earlier if new ammo was as cheap as reloading I would probably go that route. Have you found that still to be the case ? Would also consider purchasing used brass if I knew where and what to buy for the best and safest bang for the buck. Any suggestions for maybe new brass, source, brand etc. Like wise how about source for used brass as well. Same line of questions for primers, powder and projectiles. 55 grn boat tail seems to be the middle of the road go to round. Agree ? I have gotten pretty accustomed while reloading hand gun rounds to attempt peeking in every case for a quick glance of sufficient amount of powder drop or even a over charge to each round. Lots of years on the planet I have grown fond of all my digits on both hands and really attempt to minimize any goofy miscues that might alter the finger count due to or from some sloppy production methods or techniques. Point being I have set up my press in such a way that I can literally look in each case for a quick view with the hand gun loads. Not true with these upcoming 223s. Not so easy to peek inside those tall thin dark cases and see non, poor or excessive powder drops. Thinking maybe powder selection might aid in flow from powder bar and certain brands may stack or dispense more uniformly minimizing the afore mentioned situations. Am I over thinking this aspect of producing these rounds ? As you can no doubt deduce from my ramblings I have collected just enough info and knowledge to be dangerous. Again really appreciate the hand holding and info in getting me started in the right and safe direction.

Thanks Bill appreciate the response. I guess I did interpret the set up as thought. Like wise have been producing hand loads comfortably for while. My new found interest in reloading 223 with higher pressures and substantial more details to attend to just lends a bit more overall concern. My initial attempt is to produce safe chambering and launching ammo. Not looking for long range accuracy nor hot stuff. Just safe reliable paper punching stuff. I like the idea of conversing with someone who has been there. I know perhaps not totally fair to you and I fully realize I would hold you absolutely not responsible for any input but I would appreciate if willing your recommendations of components you have been successfully using. Bullets, powder, primers and cases, menus and of course any tips along the way that might help me not reinventing the wheel. I have already purchased the Dillon quick change set up with a second tool head and the conversion kit. Also have a Dillon steel 3 die set, case gage chambered in 223 along with Dillon 600 Swage and finally a RCBS trimmer. Not sure if I need any additional pieces and parts ? Thanks again for any and all help. Sorry to be a pest just looking for some solid guidance.

Hello fellow re loaders. Have been reloading hand gun loads for about two years now and have become some what familiar with the 550B. No expert as most of you folks but totally enjoy the entire process. As everyone will no doubt agree the Dillon is the best. Moving forward in my hobby and a natural progression I finally have decided to give 223 a whirl. Have been exploring the nuances of taking on this round and have been reading all I can get my hands on. My 550 B presently has a number of pre set conversions set ups for the various hand gun calibers I have been producing. Thinking I would do the same with a 223 with yet another stand alone set up for that specific caliber. Have heard that perhaps the hot set up might be to have two separate tool heads. First separate number one tool head with sizing and de primer die in place for just de priming and sizing as initial stages. The remaining stations on tool head one would remain empty. Once the process of de capping and sizing are complete it is then on I suspect to cleaning inspecting and prepping the cases for measure, trim, swage and further prep for the final stages of completion. Then as I understand comes the removal of the first head to be replaced by the second head loaded with the remaining dies for procedures of priming, powder drop, bullet seating and finally crimp on way to finished round. Here is where dumb comes in ! Would the second tool head contain another duplicate die for a repeat of stage one or does that tool head stage hole remain empty ? Where can I find out more info regarding this type of set up ? Is it a waste of time ? Are there merits and hidden benefits to doing this set up ? Or should I just utilize the normal existing Dillon designed set up with all dies on board one tool head and then following the progression with each station on way to a completed round. Sorry to appear so un informed on way to dumb regarding this set up but I remain a bit confused as per what I have heard .Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated. Mr. Newbie says Thanks.

Thanks for the suggestion. How do I get to the reload sub forum ?

. Have been loading hand gun ammunition successfully for a while. Have decided to give 223 a whirl. Exploring the nuances of taking on this rifle round. Have heard that the hot set up is to run two separate tool heads.one at a time. One tool head set up for just sizing and de capping with only one die set up in that first head doing those two initial stages. Then the removal of the first head to be replaced with a second tool head equipped with the other three dies that would perform the remaining steps of powder drop, bullet seating and lastly crimping on way to a finished round ? Would the second tool head contain another die in hole number one that would be re sizing and pretending to de cap a hole with no primer on way to installing a new primer and then continue on with the remaining stages sequentially taking place ? Or does station number one in tool head two remain empty ? Where can I find out more info regarding this type of set up. Is it a waste of time ? Or should I just utilize the normal existing Dillon set up of Dillon progressive with each station of the tool head doing its thing as designed one at a time stages ? Sorry to appear so un informed on way to dumb regarding this set up but I am confused as per what I have heard ! Thanks any info or direction is greatly appreciated.

TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BRIANS LEAD ON PURCHASING BRASS TUMBLER MEDIA FROM DRILLSPOT. GREAT INFO BRIAN. I AM NOT SURE WHAT SIZE TO ORDER ? 14/20 OR 20/40 ? I AM RELOADING STRICKLY HANDGUN LOADS IN 9MM, 38 SPCL AND .45 ACP. I HEAR THINGS REGARDING DIFFERENT SIZES TEND TO GET CAUGHT IN PRIMER OPENINGS AND SUCH. WHICH SIZE WOULD BE BEST FOR MY APPLICATIONS ? THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS.