Dillon 650 full length re-sizing with inconsistent results

[GeneralMinus]

So I have a Dillon 650 and over the weekend I was trying to set up the Dillon 1200B and the re-sizing die that comes with the trimmer to re-size and trim 5.56 brass. Per the norm, I screwed the re-sizing die down until it touched the case plate and then back it out a ½ a turn. I then preceded run a test case through the press, screwing the die back down to obtain the proper size per my JP Enterprises case gage. Once I had what I thought was the right adjustment I ran through a lot of about 20 test cases and tested the results out on the case gage. The test lot were all over the board as far as consistency. I was never able to get the correct results, some cases we way above the high step the next case would be way below the low step.

Any suggestions would be a big help!

Edited July 24, 2012 by GeneralMinus

[Steve RA]

Make sure the shell plate is tightened properly and then run a case in every station while you adjust everything. If only one case used you will get a variation.

[StealthyBlagga]

You probably don't have the RT1200 die screwed down far enough - it needs to go down until it touches the shellplate, then screw it DOWN up to an additional 1/4 turn or so (I found 1/8 turn worked for me)... the press needs to cam over to size properly.

When I was setting up my .223 sizing setup, I also found there is a lot of variability depending on the other dies you are using. I tried several different options, and settled on the following:

Station 1) Deprime (RCBS Neck Sizer die)

Station 2) Empty

Station 3) Full length resize and trim (Dillon RapidTrim die)

Station 4) Empty

Station 5) Flare (Lee Universal Expander die)

I did EXTENSIVE statistical analysis, and this was the only configuration that gave me a "capable" process (Cpk>1).

Make sure you use consistent lubrication on the cases (I fill a 1gal ziplok bag half full then add 4 shots of Dillon Lube and shake).

As mentioned above, make sure all stations are full.

Lastly, the Dillon case gage is useful but inadequate. I would STRONGLY recommend investing in an RCBS micrometer case gage set too.

Edited July 26, 2012 by StealthyBlagga