Loading for rifle on a fully progressive press.

[PoFF]

I am wondering whether or not I should start reloading .223 on my 650 press.

My main concern is about sizing, since resizing rifle brass requires lubrication prior to sizing, wouldn't that make a big sticky mess in the casefeeder, feeding tube and station #1 mechanism?

I'd like to hear opinions, tips & tricks from users that reload rifle on a 650 or 1050.

Thanks alot.

 

[Big JD-From the hills]

I could suggest the lee lube, and let it dry first before loading?

 

[prosper]

Get a Lee collet die - lube free, and sizes only the neck.

Maybe not a good idea though if you're loading for a semi.

I like Lyman spray lube, but then the question becomes 'how do you get the lube off afterwards?'

Me? I like shiney clean brass, so I'll do the decap/resize as a seperate step, and toss in the tumbler or ultrasonic cleaner before I load.

 

[PoFF]

I'm actually loading for a semi, so full-size is my only viable option, hence the need to lube.

I'm currently using Dillon spray lube and even when dry, it is still tacky. I might have to try the other brands you guys mentionned, or perhaps rezise on my single stage first...

 

[prosper]

You could also use a wax-based lube - the kind that comes in a tub or tube (like the Lee stuff mentioned) and apply by hand. But that's a time-consuming PITA.

The Lyman spray lube dries up OK - slightly greasy but not really tacky, and, used sparingly, shouldn't be enough to mess anything up.


Oh, and I've heard that some folks like using brown rice in the tumbler to clean the cases before decapping/sizing. Apparently the rice is slightly oily, so lubes/cleans at the same time. In a similar vein you could probably toss a few chunks of paraffin wax into the tublmer with the media and brass - that ought to lube things up a bit, but will reduce the polishing ability of the media

 

[t-star]

since you've got a 650 , you've got the extra hole for a LUBE DIE from rcbs- these were about 40 bucks last time i looked. unless you HAVE to have your powder dispensed from station 2- forgive me, i don't know the 650 that well- i have only the 550- i'm thinking on going the exact same route with the loadmaster- right now i use a dose of hornady 1 shot

 

[Gatehouse]

I use a lube die, works great. Jsut make sure you don't OVER lube.

 

[t-star]

I use a lube die, works great. Jsut make sure you don't OVER lube.

now why would you want to lube a spear?- and what do you use glycerine suppositories?

 

[Canuck223]

I guess I might qualify on this one.

OK, the short version is, if you're loading for a semi, don't bother trying to load in one pass on the press. You'll be wasting time and effort, and cutting corners.

Do your ammo in two passes. If you've got a 650, just set up one tool head for processing, and a second for loading.

On the first tool head, set up your small base sizing die in station one. I strongly recommend the Dillon Carbide. Yes, you still need the lube, but very little. The Dillon spray lube is great, and you'll be amazed at how little you really need. In over 100k, I've yet to have a stuck case. Since you need to use small base dies, you will also need to trim. Your best bet is the Dillon RT1200B sizer trimmer. Set it up on the opposite side of the toolhead from the small base sizer, and don't forget the vacuum hose for the chips.

OK, OK, so by now alarm bells are ringing, and you are asking yourself "Why the #### is this guy telling me to size the case twice? Why wouldn't I just use the Sizer/trimmer die and call it a day?" The reason is the sizer die in the trimmer doesn't have a decapping stem, and it is not small base. By sizing the case full length first, using a good headspace gauge for adjustment, you cases will fit 100% in your semi. You then need to adjust the trim die so that it trims to the right OAL (1.750) but only touches the case at the case mouth.

Now you've got processed case, but you need the lube removed. Fresh fine grit corn cob is your friend. You want 1420 grit or finer. Half an hour and your cases will be lube free and ready for loading, unless you got crimped primers, in which case you'll spit and swear for not buying the 1050, where they would have already been swaged for you. (The other reason for the size die in station one)

For loading, if you are using boat tail bullets, and fine grit corn cob media, you can leave station one open. If you use flat based bullets, and/or find media in the flash holes, you need a decaping pin in station one. I recommend the Lee collet die, only with a polished undersized mandrel and adjusted to just barely clear the flash hole.