Okay, today I had time to look over the Dillon 550 a bit more. Specifically the tool head for .223 Rem. I'm trying to determine what the previous owner was doing with it. Here is how that tool head is configured:
I read the operator's manual so now I at least know the position numbers. I think. How this tool head is set up, I believe, is thus. #1 position has a Lee case mouth expander. To flare the case mouth like loading a pistol case. #2 position has an RCBS powder checker in it. #3 position has a bullet seater in it (unmarked, brand unknown to me). #4 position has a Lee "factory crimp" die in it.
Judging by this arrangement, it seems to me that the previous owner was resizing, priming, and charging his .223 cases with powder. Only then would he go to the Dillon 550 to complete the cartridges. Not so?
I'm wondering about that Lee case mouth flaring die. To my way of thinking, that wouldn't be necessary if typical FMJ bullets with a boat tail were being loaded. So long as the inside of the case mouth is chamfered, is it necessary to flare a case mouth when using a "square" based bullet? I've never found this to be necessary doing single stage using jacketed bullets. Cast, yes.
I'm also wondering about the RCBS powder checker in #2 position. If the guy was charging the powder prior to using the Dillon, presumably he would've checked his powder levels before they made it into the press. Making the checker die redundant.
My own vision of doing this, I wouldn't use the Lee "factory" crimp die, either. I'm pretty serious about case length and I'd probably use a taper crimp die.
So my overall impression of the Dillon 550 is, being that it has four stations or positions, that it's more suited to loading pistol ammo than rifle. In reading the instructional material, I see it mentioned that carbide rifle dies are available and commercial loaders might consider using them. I'm a little confused about this. Even if I had a carbide rifle die to resize the case, and even if I were priming on the Dillon 550, at which point would I be checking for and trimming as necessary? All my experience says that you trim after you size. Without meaning to be funny, I don't see any way to trim a case on the Dillon in normal sequence.
How do most knowledgeable people set up to load .223 on the Dillon 550? If they're gonna use a 550 to do the job, that is.
I read the operator's manual so now I at least know the position numbers. I think. How this tool head is set up, I believe, is thus. #1 position has a Lee case mouth expander. To flare the case mouth like loading a pistol case. #2 position has an RCBS powder checker in it. #3 position has a bullet seater in it (unmarked, brand unknown to me). #4 position has a Lee "factory crimp" die in it.
Judging by this arrangement, it seems to me that the previous owner was resizing, priming, and charging his .223 cases with powder. Only then would he go to the Dillon 550 to complete the cartridges. Not so?
I'm wondering about that Lee case mouth flaring die. To my way of thinking, that wouldn't be necessary if typical FMJ bullets with a boat tail were being loaded. So long as the inside of the case mouth is chamfered, is it necessary to flare a case mouth when using a "square" based bullet? I've never found this to be necessary doing single stage using jacketed bullets. Cast, yes.
I'm also wondering about the RCBS powder checker in #2 position. If the guy was charging the powder prior to using the Dillon, presumably he would've checked his powder levels before they made it into the press. Making the checker die redundant.
My own vision of doing this, I wouldn't use the Lee "factory" crimp die, either. I'm pretty serious about case length and I'd probably use a taper crimp die.
So my overall impression of the Dillon 550 is, being that it has four stations or positions, that it's more suited to loading pistol ammo than rifle. In reading the instructional material, I see it mentioned that carbide rifle dies are available and commercial loaders might consider using them. I'm a little confused about this. Even if I had a carbide rifle die to resize the case, and even if I were priming on the Dillon 550, at which point would I be checking for and trimming as necessary? All my experience says that you trim after you size. Without meaning to be funny, I don't see any way to trim a case on the Dillon in normal sequence.
How do most knowledgeable people set up to load .223 on the Dillon 550? If they're gonna use a 550 to do the job, that is.