808win

What about the RCBS Gold Medal Match bullet seater die? Will it work on Dillon equipment?

jeffabuck, that was a good article on cartridge case annealing. Thanks. bote, I struggled with (shoulder datum to case head dimension) variations just trying to full length size .223 Rem cases using a single stage O-frame press. The idea that I could fully raise the press ram, screw the sizing die until it abutted the shellholder and then unscrew the die a half turn (0.0357") or so. Then size a case, measure it, screw the die in a tiny amount and repeat until I achieved the dimension I was aiming for, didn't work for me. It wasn't until I read an article published in Precision Shooting Magazine and some postings on the internet that I began to understand what I was up against. Brass hardness (this is where annealing comes into play) and thickness, case lube type and application, press rigidity and operator consistency were among the variables. Based on what I had read, I decided to try a set of Redding's Competition Shellholders. Following Redding's instructions means that the bottom of the die is always abutts the shellholder (in full contact with the shellholder) when the ram is at the top of its stroke. You simply start with the +0.010" shellholder and work your way down in 0.002" increments until you achieve the dimension you're aiming for. This solved my problem. Based on my experience and IMHO, I would not expect to be able limit sizing variations to an acceptable degree (to me) on my 550.

Thanks dauntedfuture. I look forward to reading your write up.

The new MagnetoSpeed Sporter went on sale April 10th and quickly sold out. It retails for $189. https://youtu.be/LZQuY_8bzFY

I probably made a mistake choosing to use the word "precision". Let's just say, I've been researching techniques and enhancements for loading the "best possible" (bottleneck) rifle ammunition progressively or at least semi-progessively (I prep my cases on a single stage) on a Dillon. If you have something helpful you'd like to share regarding this, then have at it. At this point, I'm only trying to follow in the footsteps of others, John Whidden being one of them. I think his list of accomplishments is noteworthy: http://www.whiddengunworks.com/accomplishments/ With that said, please keep my original post in mind, i.e. are you using one of the two billet aluminum toolheads I provided links for, and if so, what do you think of them?

Funny you mention this. One thing to be aware of is that on the Whidden tool head it is thinner than a Dillon so putting the nut underneath is not possible since it hits the frame. This is on a 650. As a side note, the dillon head is plenty flat underneath to tighten the nut on. It doesn't need to be machined to work. Sarge, thanks for pointing that out. Was the lock nut that wouldn't clear the frame a Dillon nut? I'm only asking since, as you know, the Dillon nut is smaller than other nuts.

S391, I've been researching loading "match-grade" or "precision" (bottleneck) rifle ammunition on a Dillon. Along with other techniques and enhancements, some people report using Whidden Gunworks toolheads with their Dillon presses, including their "floating die" toolheads. Here's a link to their Dillion toolhead webpage: http://www.whiddengunworks.com/product/dillion-tool-heads/ Here's an interesting YouTube video from one user: https://youtu.be/_MdLpgAnZT8 I was searching eBay and came across a couple of sellers selling similar products, so it raised my curiosity. Also, their prices are competitive with Dillon's regular cast toolheads. If they are price competitive and may offer some advantages, however small, I thought why not? One other thing, if one finds the need to install the die lock nut on the bottom of the toolhead, then at least the nut will contact a machined surface.

Anyone using either of these aftermarket billet aluminum toolheads? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dillon-Precision-550-Style-Billet-Aluminum-Toolhead-tool-head-/221576696699?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339700137b http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dillon-Precision-550-Standard-Billet-Aluminum-Toolhead-/171353809962?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27e57ba42a If so, what do you think of them? Thanks.

Anyone using a RCBS Gold Medal Match bullet seater die on their Dillion? I have a 550B and I'm wondering if the die can be properly installed on the toolhead while still allowing clear access to the bullet loading window. In case it matters, I'm primarily interested in using this die for .223 Rem and .308 Win. Also, how's your resulting concentricity using this die? Here's a YouTube video showing the die being used on a Hornady Lock-N-Load AP press: https://youtu.be/QZQ5ecwIBEI

Amacron, is the z-bend on your failsafe rod (#97000) formed with 90 degree or near 90 degree bends? My guess is that it's not (you can Google z-bend to see images of properly formed z-bends). If this is the case, when the long portion of the failsafe rod is plumb (vertical), the portion of the rod that goes through the linkage is not level (horizontal). This causes the outer linkage's movement to lag the slotted bellcrank's movement on the return stroke causing it to hit the powder measure casting...at least on mine it does. In my case, I am able to get it to work by rotating the powder measure a little counter clockwise (viewed from the top). I start with the long portion of the failsafe rod plumb then rotate the measure a little CCW and tighten the 2 clamp screws (#14037) and try it. If the linkage still hits, I loosen the clamp screws and repeat the process until the linkage just clears. At some point, if the long portion of the failsafe rod is too far off plumb, the rod will drag on the inside of the white shoulder washer (#18086) which it's not intended to do. If you reach this point, consider replacing the rod because the bend nearest the long end of your failsafe rod is probably too far off from 90 degrees.

RDA, good to hear that the Super 1050 failsafe rod is working out for you. I also find it preferable to disconnect the rod from the bellcrank assembly rather than having to yank the white bushing out. Eventually, the shoulder on the bushing wears down and the bushing doesn't stay in place on the bracket. Ramag, I experienced the same problem you're describing. The "Z bend" on my failsafe rod was not formed with two perfect 90 degree bends and there wasn't sufficient horizontal clearance between the bends (see picture in RDA's link above). If I secured the powder measure with the rod plumb, the timing of the bellcrank assembly would be off and the Z bend" would pinch the two parts of the bellcrank together. I had to rotate my powder measure as you describe to get things operating properly with the supplied failsafe rod.

Ron, thank you for keeping us updated. Look forward to hearing if the replacement primer bars solve your problem.

Here's a recent similar thread that's still ongoing. It contains some suggestions from forum members on things to check. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=191393

I wonder what Frankford Arsenal's thoughts are regarding the dezincification issue?

Chills1994, can you tell me what the issue # is and what the article is about? Is it about wet tumbling? Thanks.

MagnetoSpeed V3 is now available. Here's a review.

Here's a review of the GemPro 250. http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-reviews/gempro-250-digital-scale-review/

Ron, when you notice that the primer feed stop pin (#14051) is "not returning all the way into the housing", can you peak back into the opening of the primer housing and shield (#20263) where the primer seating cup, large (#13824) moves in and out of to pick-up a primer? Is the "next" primer wedged precariously between the tip of the primer feed stop pin and one side of the flexible orifice large (#14003) instead of resting comfortably on top of the primer feed stop pin? I was thinking that since your primer seating cup sits a little low, the "next" primer is too low for the tip of the primer feed stop pin to slide under it when the primer slide assembly (#14281) begins moving back in. Do you seat small primers with no problems? If so, is the top of the primer seating cup to bottom of the primer slide dimension for the primer slide assembly, small (#14282) within factory specification?

Sorry Powder Finger, I don't understand what you mean. Are you saying that the shoulder should be bumped back 0.003" to 0.004" or 0.003" to 0.005" from the "chamber dimension"? I'm not disagreeing with you, but how would I determine the "chamber dimension" or more specifically the bolt face to shoulder datum dimension? Thanks. The only way I've thought of to determine an accurate dimension would be to use the following Forster gauge set: http://www.forsterproducts.com/catalog.asp?prodid=700593&showprevnext=1

Thanks Steve RA. I should have clarified that I was asking about 550B & 650 presses. My concern is having sufficient access to the "bullet-loading window". I found someone's post that said he had to install the die lock nut on the bottom of a 650 toolhead to use the .223 Remington seater die. Not sure if the same would apply for the .308 Winchester seater die. Found this toolhead for 550B owners that have to install dies with the locknuts on the bottom. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dillon-RL550-Style-Billet-Tool-Head-/281309657951?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417f5cbb5f&_trksid=bvizzzzzzOkz

I didn't think about checking the top of the Primer Seating Cup, Large (#13824) to bottom of the Primer Slide (#13920) dimension when I wrote my earlier post (even though Brian pointed it out in his). The 1.180" you measured is 0.035" less than the 1.215" minimum called for in the manual (1.215" min to 1.220" max). I think you might be on to something. Solving this piece or your "puzzle" would be a good next step. Just curious, is this a low, medium or high round count press?

Thanks Nick. I wish I was seeing only a 0.001" to 0.002" variance. Here's a video demonstrating how the RCBS Precision Mic works. Pacific Tool & Gauge and Whidden Gunworks offer similar micrometer case gauges. For me, I find it easier to obtain accurate/repeatable measurements using a micrometer type gauge. Good point regarding the case base being flat, not burred and not having a cratered primer. Thanks again.

Does anyone know if RCBS Gold Medal Match Bullet Seating Dies in .223 Remington and .308 Winchester will work in Dillon presses? Thanks. http://youtu.be/QZQ5ecwIBEI

I'm reloading .223 Remington for an AR. I've read multiple guides/posts that recommend that you full length resize (ok) and bump the shoulder back 0.003" to 0.004" or 0.003" to 0.005" from the fired case dimension. My 1st problem is my fired case dimensions can vary by 0.003" to 0.004" or 0.003" to 0.005". I'm using an RCBS Precision Mic to measure the cases. I've read at least one recommendation to take an average and another to use the longest dimension. In the world of thousands of an inch, does this make sense? I'm also wondering how a fired case can precisely represent the chamber in the 1st place since the case must shrink from the chamber walls to allow for extraction and as bidedp51 points out, wants to "spring back" to it's original dimension depending on it's hardness. Also, can gas system length affect the fired case dimension since a carbine length gas system begins the extraction process sooner than a rifle length gas system? Can you share what variance in fired case dimensions you're seeing? Thanks.

bigedp51, thanks for the info and pictures. I especially liked the pictures of the primers being fired. As you probably know, ATK, the owner of the CCI and Federal, has operated the Lake City Ammunition Plant for the past 12 years or so. Do you know what primers they've been using in the production of 5.56 and 7.62 ammunition? Thanks.