Apollo99

My wife and I have been goin to a local hunting goods store, we have been checking back every couple of days. They get very irregular shipments, but since I reload for 12 different calibers, they always have something I can use. They limit quantities, but having my wife and sometimes my mother along really improves the daily limit. I'm good with Primers now, 1/2 way there with powder and have been buying bullets online when ever my usual guys send me an e-mail with their in stock list. Things don't seem to be improving and I bet it's 12 months or more till we get back to normal.

As far as the OP's question goes, the Dillon powder dropper being accurate has a lot to do with what powder you are using. Extruded powders like Varget and 4895 can have pretty big variances, more granulated powder like CFE223 and H-335 is usually spot on. Also some of my Dillon powder measures are better than others even with granulated powders, I have 8 of them. I have loaded 308 ammo with CFE223 and Sierra 175gr. BTHP on my XL650 that was under 1 MOA at 500 yards. So it is possible if you use a powder conducive to the Dillion powder measure. I have found my very old Lyman 55 measure dumps the extruded Powders pretty accurately, so when I use Varget, 4895 or the like I use the Lyman 55, just a little slower process.

I have a 300 Blackout with a 8.5 Bear Creek barrel, I SBR'ed it so it is a rifle. I have a velocity 3.5 lb trigger in it and couldn't be happier with my decisions. I do have it suppressed with an 8" can, and with subsonic ammo it is Hollywood movie quiet. I am going to form 1 a 6" can as the 8" is for my SCAR 17. I just bought an AERO Precision lower, tube and lower parts kit minus the FCG and I already put it together and shot it this past Thursday, quality stuff from Aero Precision. So I think you should be happy with the direction you are going in.

I have 2 XL650s, but I would love to get a 550 for the same reason as the OP, I load pistol, 223 and 147 gr. 308 loads on my 650s, but I still use my single stage for my accuracy stuff, A 550 would bridge the gap nicely between my antiquated single stage and the XL650.

I have been a stickler for Plated and FMJ in my 1911 45 auto. I have already switched to poly coated for .44 and .357. A couple of months ago I was given a boat load of cast .45 ammo and cast bullets to reload. I was hesitant at first, but I have found them extremely accurate, and they haven't fouled the bore. I keep them about 810-850 FPS by my crony reading. Actually I have been shocked at the accuracy improvement over plated and even FMJ bullets. When I exhaust this supply I will try some coated .45 230 grainers and hope for the same results. I haven't shot anything but copper jacket and plated for over 20 years, but with the improvements in the coated bullets and my slowing down the velocity of my lead loads, I think I will be saving money and improving accuracy in the near future.

I've been buying Badman Bullets. They have a great polymer coating that is good to 2200 FPS even though I don't need half of that speed. I find them extremely accurate and the price isn't bad either. Patrick is a great guy to deal with and will answer any bullet or reloading question over the phone. They ship out you order very quickly also. I've tried a lot of others ,and most were ok , but Badman bullets has the complete package for me.

I concur with what Tigereye stated, The aimpoint does look a little more Tacti-cool though. I do like how the MRO's off position is in the middle of the settings, between 2-3 three I think. MRO has about 20% more sight picture than the aimpoint. I do like them both. Also both are co-witnessed to the iron sights.

I live about an hour from Dillon in Phoenix, I usually stop by there once a month if I need to or not. I generally buy all my reloading supplies and dies from Dillon, not because I drank the blue kool-aid but because of their no BS guarantee, their prices are very reasonable, and t the quality is outstanding. To the OP, yes I use Dillon carbide dies for .223 I have two other brands RCBS and Lee but the Dillon dies out perform the other two hands down.

I mostly shoot 1911s, but just started getting back into revolvers. Bought a un-fired 6" blued Python a few months back, I fixed the unfired status the next day, a friend just gave me a 6" M&P 5 screw, and reintroduced my wrists to .44 magnum. Also shoot a 700P when I feel like changing targets at 500 yards. It's pretty hot here in AZ so I slow down the shooting until Sept.

Hi I'm a new member from Arizona, I've been shooting and reloading for over 40 years.I've been lurking for a few years and finally decided to join in the group