NatureBoy

how about a used clothes dryer with brass put into a heavy duty laundry bag

Welcome to the hobby. I'm having a hard time seeing the "downfall" (maybe I'm just blinded by jealousy ). You're so far ahead right now that you could buy a crap load of dies and still be light years from "downside". I started my reloading journey on the 650 and even paying retail I couldn't be happier with the decision,

I was hoping to get by with the large bar as well for .30-06. No go. Get the XL as the friendly guy/gal from Dillon suggests above.

Find the published load data for both IMR and H4064 and work from there. They may be close in performance, but won't be identical. As twodownzero states, the two 4895s are different enough that many manuals show separate load data for each. Always work up toward max charge because even if it's published data, you can still get pressure issues. I have experienced that with 180g Nosler BTs and H4895 in .308 where I was getting pressure signs a full 2 grains below Hodgdon's listed max.

Yes, I did that and had good results with Varget, even in .223 The trick is to slow down and give it time to clear the throat, something I learned here. It's a good thing too, because Varget works so well with both .223 and .308

The only time I had high primer issues was when my shell plate was too loose.

What will they replace them with, more WLR primers? I have found that they run on the small side

Nothing meters worse through my 650 than IMR4064. +/- 1.0g inconsistency H4895 meters well for me, as does RL15. I can run those in progressive mode and get SD in the mid teens

Thanks guys. My "honey" shot the 1903.....once.....

I was going to start with the 550, but there were so many comments from guys like thheard above that I decided to just step up and get the 650. Why not?

Having difficulty getting more than 50g out of the large powder bar. Seems to be near the max of it's adjustment

I'll be trying this over the weekend. Thanks!

Well, this noob started his reloading journey with a 650. I load for accuracy in .223 and .308. I can single load when I want to measure every round and I can run in progressive when I need more volume. The nice feature for a beginner with the 650 is the powder check station. No way to miss a charge or over change. That's peace of mind for a new guy who's worried about not getting himself "blowed up real good"

I figured out something loading .308 on my 650. I've been focused a lot lately on precision with emphasis on runout. I've managed to get it down to .002-.001 My seating technique when I'm running in manual-single (not progressive) was to hold my finger against the case pushing it tight against the shell holder as I'm raising the ram. My epiphany came when I measured runout on a batch in progressive mode and run out was .0005 on all 50 rounds. My theory: there needs to be a bit of slop so the the case and bullet center in the seating die (in my case a Redding Comp die) and I was adding to runout by inserting myself too much into the process. Also, I added an O ring under the Dillon sizing die that also reduced run out by ~.001

Reloading is nothing if it's not anal.

I recently bought 1# of N135 and 2# of N140. N140 is the accuracy load for both Nosler and Sierra in the 150-155g bullet weight . I've tried it for 155 TMKs and it was sub MOA. Have yet to try the N135 but was planning on giving it a shot with 125g pills

I can answer that question. I used a Dremel to polish the funnel for .223 and .308. Used a felt nib and some MAAS polishing compound. It took care of the bridging and spilling that was happening with my 650 when trying to load Varget in .223 loads. I've not used IMR 4895 but I do use a lot of H4895. They are not identical, but they both seem to be very versatile. I have several accuracy loads in .308 with H4895. If I had to have only one powder on the bench, that would be it. I would not spread 8 lbs of IMR4895 on the begonias. Save it, or give it to another guy who needs it. Or better yet, use it as a reason to buy a .308 and start loading for it. Lord knows there are worse excuses.

I agree with warpspeed. I've been reloading for around 18 months now, mostly .308, with some .223 and a little bit of .30-06. My focus has been .308 and my FN SPR trying to make constantly small groups. The things I have learned in that period of time are remarkable, however, it hasn't been in a vacuum. The fact that so many before me have been down the .308 road, spent decades doing the same thing and are willing to share their knowledge has given me a big head start. Add component availability and variety and you could spend a lifetime on .308 and never get board. Having said that, I want a 6.5 CM. Bad. Such is the nature on this disease we all share. I'll also add, I was at the range a couple of months ago shooting my FN SPR at 200 yards with some very accurate loads I had worked up and a guy sits down at the lane next to me with his brand new, custom built 6.5 CM. I was impressed with his results given it was new and he was using factory ammo, but my .308 was out shooting him. Granted, I had more trigger time and reloading bench time, but that's kinda my point.

As I learned from one of the resourceful members here, a .223 case fits perfectly to stop the case feeder from actuating.

Followed the advise above. 1. Polished distal end of the powder funnel. Used a fiber buffing tip on a dremel and some maas polishing compound. Couldn't find any cratex tips. 2. Waited longer at the top of the stroke. Made 100 rounds with Varget. No powder dumps. Thanks fellas

Made 50 rounds with W748 tonight with no spills. Definately powder related. Will try polishing the funnel this weekend

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll try that polishing trick and see if it makes a difference. I have some very accurate Varget loads for my bolt action and don't want to give up on it. As you guys know, spilling even a few grains of powder feels like you just dumped half a pound. I also have some W748, BLC(2), VVN135, VVN140 and Benchmark to play with

So this weekend I made my second batch of .223 using Varget and encountered an issue on my 650. Several times when indexing powder would dump all over the press. It was as if it was bridging at the neck. There would be roughly 1/2 the charge in the case and the rest all over me. Took the powder assembly apart and reinstalled it per the instructions and still encountered the problem. Any ideas? Other than the mishaps, metering was very consistent.

Here's a varget related problem I encountered with my 650 over the weekend. I'm loading up some .223 with varget. I find it to be very consistent, +/- .01g variance. However, every 20 or so drops it spills powder all over everything when indexing to the next case. It's like it's bridging at the mouth and not dropping into the case. I took the powder measure apart, re-set up per the manual and it keeps doing it. Anyone else experience this? Is it a byproduct of the powder or something I'm doing wrong?

I started my reloading adventure on the 650, exclusively because of so many posts from people that said they wished they would have