I want to crank out the .223 ammo, which progressive?

Gatehouse

Gatehouse

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I've got an older RCBS AMmomaster progressive,but it's huge.You can do 50BMG on the thing:)

I only want a progressive press to make lots of .223 ammo, and some handgun ammo. (45acp, 45 Colt)

Dillon gets all the good reviews, although I'll look at anything but LEE...Had one of their progressives for about 20 minutes before I sold it. :)

Which is the most suitable, with large amounts of .223 being the primary goal?
 
Dillion 650 if you got the money. Hornady LNL will get the same job done cheaper. I use it for 9mm ammo and can do between 300 - 500 an hour. More if you get the bullet and case feeders. Many guys use it for 223 as well.
 
If your heart is set on a progressive go Dillon. Thats a no brainer.

I do a ton of .223 on my RCBS turret. It's kinda a hybrid of a single press and a progressive press. One turret can handle 2 calibres. You can swap turrets very quickly. You can use it as a single stage press for precision rifle or use it as a progressive with a hand turn of the turret.

Plus I prime by hand and use an electronic powder dispenser for precision, so I never used the powder charge or primer stations in the Dillon.

I gave dad my Dillon progressive and bought the RCBS turret and never looked back.

Something for you to think about anyways.


[youtube]n5KyQzigVLk[/youtube]
 
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The one you need is this one....

Dillon1.jpg


First cal I cranked out was 223, smooth as ####, very consistent throws of powder, runs like a dam n sewing machine.... Dillon 650 XL.
 
Clark,

For simple loading, any of the progressives will do.

The problem is case prep. Trimming and primer pocket reaming is a soul sucking chore. This alone drives people into abandoning the idea.

Dillon sell the RT1200B trimmer which lets you trim in combination with sizing. That solves half the problem.

The other half is primer pocket swaging. Only the Dillon 1050 will swage those primer pockets on the press.

PM me if you have questions.
 
I use both a 550 Dillon and a 650. The 650 has a case feeder. depends on how much of one loading I am making.

But I don't size and prime on the Dillon. i ether use virgin primed brass or brass i have prepped separately.
 
Gatehouse said:
Which is the most suitable, with large amounts of .223 being the primary goal?
Click to expand...
Either Dillon or Hornady will work for you. Which direction you go depends on several factors.

Here is a writeup on the three major progressives. Oddly enough, it is a sticky at the top of this page, too.

Here is a video that shows the high-volume process taken to its logical conclusion:

[youtube]wBQ_vJHiGek[/youtube]
 
Dillon 650 with a casefeeder, and a 1200 trimmer.

In the long run, only a 1050 will be faster.

I basically do the same as the video, except I dont use a lube die, but a Dillon carbid die to decapp.

Sooner or later you should trim your bottle neck cases, and that where the trimmer and feeder come into play. The 1050 can swage mil primer pockets, which is a plus with .223/556.

I have two toolheads setup for .223. Spray a bucket of brass with lube, into the feeder, and the first toolhead decapps, sizes and trims. Wash of the lube and the second tool head loads.

GC
 
if you can afford it, the Dillon 1050 is the best there is. If you shoot enough to justify a progressive, the cost of the press and conversions is nothing compared to the money you will be pouring thru it in components.
 
Canuck223 said:
The problem is case prep. Trimming and primer pocket reaming is a soul sucking chore. This alone drives people into abandoning the idea.
Click to expand...

The answer to the primer pocket reaming is to get a Dillon 1050 series press, which includes a reaming station. Yes, it's an expensive press. But my soul is worth it. Also, once you get everything up and running, you'll be amazed to see how fast the loaded rounds fly out of it.

As for the trimming ... and chamfering ... and deburring ... Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Buy a Giraud trimmer. Now. I'm not kidding when I say you can trim/chamfer/debur better than 1,000 cases an hour using one of those things if you really put your mind to it. Doug Giraud should be nominated for sainthood! And yes, I know he just took Doyle Gracey's trimmer and improved it -- but he improved it one hell of a lot! The trimmer I bought from him is one of the few things I'll never, ever be without. It's that good.
 
loaading 223

Gatehouse
CUSTOM RELOADING IN THE DEALERS SECTION HAVE THE 550 AND 650 IN STOCK
Plus all the conversions and other odds and sods.

Give them a call and I am sure they can help you.
Take care

curese
 
Dillon 550B is what i use for .223, .308 and .45acp. Once you set up the different tool heads, changing is quick and easy. Separate powder throw for each head is a must! :)

Case prep sucks, but always does. If I have cases ready, and primer tubes filled, I can crank out one round every 4-6 seconds and keep a consistent rate. Plenty fast for my needs and don't really miss the case feeder option you can get I the 650.

If you have the money, 650 or 1050 are sweet (I'm sure), but I've never felt bad about buying the 550b.

I'm not a blue koolaid drinker, but since it's the only press I've owned, I can't help but recommend it!
 
without an auto-index and case feeder, the 550 sucks big time- i want to be able to do all stages with just a pull of the handle, not pull the handle and fiddle with the starwheel- i've got one for doing 308, but i won't be getting another
 
Gatehouse said:
So, if I went with the 650, what accesories do I want?

Let's build one! :)
Click to expand...

You'll need one spare tool head just for brass prep.
You'll want the Carbide dies. They still require lube, but are worth the cash.
You'll need the Dillon spray lube.
You'll want the RT1200B trimmer and a shop vac.
Get the Super Swage.
Get a Lee Collet die and polish the mandrel undersize by a few .001.

I know the 650 has an "optional" case feeder. It's not an option. Get it.
 
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