Tweeter400 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I am new to the 550b, so hopefully this is a simple question. I am getting varying OAL of around +/- .004, and it fluctuates through my run. I have everything setup as instructed and the dies are seated tight. I am using full stroke of the loader also. I am using RCBS dies, and using them in my single stage press, my OAL never changes. Is this normal/acceptable for progressive loaders, or am I missing something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alvarez Kelly Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Is your shellplate snugged down so it is not flexing? If you have any play in the shellplate, you might want to re-read the section on adjusting it. Don't forget the set-screw on the SIDE of the main shaft. A whole lot of people have forgotten to loosen it before trying to adjust the shellplate bolt. Good luck and post back your results! Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZinSC Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Your first few, and last few, will have different OALs also. When all four stations are not full, the OAL will vary, slightly, some times as much as .004. If you are getting .004 from round to round with all stations full, then there is another issue, like shellplate not being snug. Also, make sure you are using the correct seating die stem. The stem is two sided(ended), one end for FMJ/round nose, one for JHP. That could possibly make a difference as well. One other thing to consider, when comparing OALs are you comparing same headstamps on the brass? Win vs Win, RP vs RP? If you are comparing different headstamps, you could get some fluctuations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 you can check the actual bullets themselves as well. bullets will vary slightly as well. For our game (Im assuming your loading pistol here), .004 doesnt seem like that much of a difference to me. Drop them all through a case gage and see how they do. If they all pass, load'em up and shoot'em! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I am new to the 550b, so hopefully this is a simple question. I am getting varying OAL of around +/- .004, and it fluctuates through my run. I have everything setup as instructed and the dies are seated tight. I am using full stroke of the loader also. I am using RCBS dies, and using them in my single stage press, my OAL never changes. Is this normal/acceptable for progressive loaders, or am I missing something? When you are tightening the die lock rings for their fiinal adjustments, do it with a full Shellplate and and with the handle all the way down. This will eliminate any OAL variables caused by die thread and Toolhead / frame tolerances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Covered many, many times, but these three give the majority of the replies: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=116697&st=0&p=1322812entry1322812 http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=115199&st=0&p=1306785entry1306785 http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=113970&st=0&p=1293039entry1293039 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckaroo45 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Ahoy benos, I'm 64 years old and a fairly new 4+year C type USPSA shooter. I'm curious about how much variation you've found / eliminated by tightening every thing in a "full load" condition. I'm also curious how much difference it makes to me, a trench level club shooter w/ neuropathy in the hands, failing eyes, frequent loss of focus and semi panic at the BEEP. My usual plan is to try to hit something before I get to slide lock. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ I'm not a real good shot but I'm a helluva poser! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 It also could be the tool head moving in the press. Someone makes a fix for it (I forget who), where the holes for the pins in the top of the press that hold the tool head are drilled out, the tool head drilled out, and the bottom set of holes are tapped. Insert a screw and tighten the tool head, and it keeps it completely still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Ahoy benos, I'm 64 years old and a fairly new 4+year C type USPSA shooter. I'm curious about how much variation you've found / eliminated by tightening every thing in a "full load" condition. By doing it that way, there was not enough variation that I ever cared about. .001" or .002' maybe, with good - Sierra or Nosler - bullets. It also could be the tool head moving in the press. Someone makes a fix for it (I forget who), where the holes for the pins in the top of the press that hold the tool head are drilled out, the tool head drilled out, and the bottom set of holes are tapped. Insert a screw and tighten the tool head, and it keeps it completely still. I loaded ammo tack driving ammo for national championships, in both rifle and pistol, by just doing the "full load" tightening. IMO the accuracy of that ammo could not have been improved upon. be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Ahoy benos, I'm 64 years old and a fairly new 4+year C type USPSA shooter. I'm curious about how much variation you've found / eliminated by tightening every thing in a "full load" condition. By doing it that way, there was not enough variation that I ever cared about. .001" or .002' maybe, with good - Sierra or Nosler - bullets. It also could be the tool head moving in the press. Someone makes a fix for it (I forget who), where the holes for the pins in the top of the press that hold the tool head are drilled out, the tool head drilled out, and the bottom set of holes are tapped. Insert a screw and tighten the tool head, and it keeps it completely still. I loaded ammo tack driving ammo for national championships, in both rifle and pistol, by just doing the "full load" tightening. IMO the accuracy of that ammo could not have been improved upon. be I'm not saying that I've done this mod to my 550, as I don't see it as necessary either, but there is a mod for it if you want no OAL variations, which is just being a bit anal, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweeter400 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 Thanks Everyone for the replies, it is fixed! I tightened the shellplate holder just a little bit more, and adjusted the dies as BE recommended. So far so good! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 This reminds me of a question. Someone, sometime, someplace recommended using a second lock nut on the bottom of the die, so that it would be locked in place from both above and below. But I can't recall if this was for a Dillon or even if it was for a progressive press. Ring any bells? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 This reminds me of a question. Someone, sometime, someplace recommended using a second lock nut on the bottom of the die, so that it would be locked in place from both above and below. But I can't recall if this was for a Dillon or even if it was for a progressive press. Ring any bells? I've heard some do that on Dillon presses. But if you tighten the dies with the "full load" technique, I wouldn't think a second lock ring would improve things. be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe A. Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 It also could be the tool head moving in the press. Someone makes a fix for it (I forget who), where the holes for the pins in the top of the press that hold the tool head are drilled out, the tool head drilled out, and the bottom set of holes are tapped. Insert a screw and tighten the tool head, and it keeps it completely still. [/quote Hope you don't mind me jumping in on your posting-just have your answer- UniqueTek.com- makes toolheads and offers insert kits that you can install in your toolheads yourself..Have used both and they do what they clame to do.JoeA.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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