Reloading setup...

DMeNTED

DMeNTED

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Ok. I have a Dillon Square Deal but I'm not too happy with the results.

Back when I worked in MFG my tolerances were +/- 0.001 on most things - so when I measure the OAL on reloaded rounds and its +/- 0.010 it makes me unhappy.

While all the rounds are "acceptable" and they all feed and fire I'm just not keen on a setup with that much variability.

I also don't really reload that much, or that often, that I need a rotary press.

I've been thinking of selling the square deal and getting a single stage press.

Any recommendations on brands/setups?

I'm trying not to break the bank... and I'd like to start reloading for 9mm as well as .45 (plus the square deal doesn't do rifle rounds and I've debated reloading 5.56 as well).
 
If the ammo feeds, chambers and fires (and is reasonably accurate) in your firearm, it's not a problem.

DOn't go looig for probelms that dont' exist.;)
 
How are you measuring the OAL?

Are you measuring from the base of the bullet ogive to the cartridge base or from the bullet tip to the base?

If measuring from the tip such a discrepancy as you are finding is normal as few bullets don't show a variation in individual length. Measure a few bullets for length and I think you will find your 0.010"
 
If I was in your boat I would likely keep the square deal for pistol and pick up a Rock Chucker for your rifle ammo, or replace both with a Dillion 550.
IMHO, reloading pistol rounds on a single stage is an exercise in futility. I don't believe there is any benefit to spending the extra time to find accuracy gains that are not there. It's your time though, so spend it how you wish.
I don't have experience with the square deal, but I load my service rifle match ammo on a Dillion 550. At first, I was scepticle on the results, but comparing the finished product with ammo I've run through the rockchucker, seams to yield ammunition of the same quality, and accuracy.
The Dillion powder measure also meters varget just fine, where the RCBS chokes on it.
 
I agree with BOO about measuring to the bullet ogive to get an accurate OAL measurement - try the Stoney Point rigs for doing this. But if you are convinced that you don't need a rotary, go with a Rock Chucker. I still use mine for most rifle and all benchrest, even though I have a Dillon 550B for pistol loads.

Also, I know what you mean about tolerances - I like them very tiny as well, even though I am not sure it makes a diddly damn bit of difference. :p
 
Reloading pistol ammo with a single stage press can be a soul-crushing experience. Unless you're shooting your handguns off of a benchrest, I wouldn't bother.
 
Hmm... maybe I need to rethink things.

I'm a little unhappy with the square deal though -- it has a tendancy of misfeeding primers.

I've sent it back once for service... still does the same thing.
 
The priming stage is often the weak point of many loading presses. I have found that the most reliable way to do progressive loading is to prime the cases beforehand and disable the priming station on the progressive press. It's not as convenient, but at least you're assured of good primers all the way through and you don't have to always worry about making full lever strokes both ways, just one way.
 
HPL said:
The priming stage is often the weak point of many loading presses. I have found that the most reliable way to do progressive loading is to prime the cases beforehand and disable the priming station on the progressive press. It's not as convenient, but at least you're assured of good primers all the way through and you don't have to always worry about making full lever strokes both ways, just one way.
Click to expand...

I hadn't thought of that... its certainly easy to remove the pimer loading gizmo from the press.

Does anyone use one of those handheld primer units? Or do they not work well?
 
DMeNTED said:
I hadn't thought of that... its certainly easy to remove the pimer loading gizmo from the press.

Does anyone use one of those handheld primer units? Or do they not work well?
Click to expand...

Handlheld primig units work very well.

As a bonus, you can wathc TV whiel priming, as long as you get a feel for a high primer.:)
 
DMeNTED said:
Does anyone use one of those handheld primer units? Or do they not work well?
Click to expand...
I use the Lee Auto Prime II, the version that mounts on a press. I prefer it over the handheld Auto Prime because it seats to a consistent set depth every time and it's a lot easier on the hands and arms. My thumbs would be killing me after priming a few hundred cases with the handheld Auto Prime.

Oh, and if you plan on using pre-primed cases with a progressive press, don't forget to remove the decapping pin from the sizing die!
 
HPL said:
I use the Lee Auto Prime II, the version that mounts on a press. I prefer it over the handheld Auto Prime because it seats to a consistent set depth every time and it's a lot easier on the hands and arms. My thumbs would be killing me after priming a few hundred cases with the handheld Auto Prime.
Click to expand...

I'll have to actually pop in somewhere that sells reloading gear and check the two out if possible...

HPL said:
Oh, and if you plan on using pre-primed cases with a progressive press, don't forget to remove the decapping pin from the sizing die!
Click to expand...

I may be a little slow witted but give me *some* credit. :p

Admittedly... I'd probably remeber after I heard the 2nd "plink".
 
DMeNTED said:
I may be a little slow witted but give me *some* credit. :p
Click to expand...
Yeah I know, but someone else reading that might not remember.

Actually, what I do is I do the resizing and decapping off the progressive press. I figure that I might as well do the sizing while I'm decapping so at least case cracks will be easier to catch. I use a Lee Pro 1000 that only has three stations, so that's why I started doing the pre-priming thing. That plus the priming station on the Pro 1000 sucks.
 
Gatehouse said:
Handlheld primig units work very well.

As a bonus, you can wathc TV whiel priming, as long as you get a feel for a high primer.:)
Click to expand...

+1 on that, I do all my priming with a handheld while watching some drivel on TV. My routine after taking the case out of the priming device is to run my index over the back and make sure I don't feel the primer as my finger goes across.

Never had a problem ;)
 
beltfed said:
If I was in your boat I would likely keep the square deal for pistol and pick up a Rock Chucker for your rifle ammo, or replace both with a Dillion 550.
IMHO, reloading pistol rounds on a single stage is an exercise in futility. I don't believe there is any benefit to spending the extra time to find accuracy gains that are not there. It's your time though, so spend it how you wish.
I don't have experience with the square deal, but I load my service rifle match ammo on a Dillion 550. At first, I was scepticle on the results, but comparing the finished product with ammo I've run through the rockchucker, seams to yield ammunition of the same quality, and accuracy.
The Dillion powder measure also meters varget just fine, where the RCBS chokes on it.
Click to expand...

You must be one of the lucky ones to get a Dillion 550 to throw Varget accurately. Mine throws it from -.5 grains to +.8 grains. Not accurate enough for my taste.:( I just finished 800 round of match ammo for the ORA and DCRA matches. I ended up using my old Hornady powder thrower that kept every charge -.2 to +0.0. Just a pinch of powder to top things off at 46.0 grains even. Then all the bullets were seated using a Redding Big Boss press. The Dillion just sit on the other end of the bench for now. Maybe if I used ball powder, it might be more accurate, by for long range Varget is the go to powder for me.
If I was loading for pistol the 550 would be my first choice, but for match rifle ammo, I would rather go single stage.
 
You can get a little doozamahickey that measures your bullets ogives. Sort them by ogive, then you'll get better tolerances
 
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