I use my 550B to load 7PRC, but I am measuring all my powder with a charge master 1500 due to N570 grainual size... Im getting sub 1/3 MOA 5 shot groups constantly.
Love my 550! Its the only press I know. I started on it and see no reason for a “upgrade”. Getting into 6mm arc once all parts get in excited to work up some precision loads
@@nic_bravo_whiskey You said it yourself - It's the only press you know. IMHO you'll see better groups if you take the time and handload them with a quality single stage.
@@michaelpistone8235 never said that. I have a single stage press next to my 550B. I don’t know why you say that better ammo is loaded on a single stage. I disagree.
Great video John! I realize that this isn't a video for first time reloaders but, you didn't mention lubricating the cases before sizing them. Could you address that, is there anything specific that you do? When adjusting the Dillon powder measure, I drop at least two charges before I weigh them. I have had very good consistency doing it this way. Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge.
I bought a funnel from entirely crimson for my 550b which allowed me to get 85% of the progressive speed while still getting the .01 grain accuracy from my match master powder measure. Im getting 3/8 groups out of a savage 22-250 with that set up.
That's really interesting (your treatment for new brass), I didn't think you'd leave the expander in the sizing die with the bushing. Usually one or the other. It's advised to mandrel new brass to remove dings and dents, of course.
You set your COAL without a fully loaded shell plate. Id probably make a practice of doing it with a fully loaded shell plate on stations 1-3 on a dillon 550. You are going to get different measurements when you actually start churning out rounds on all stations because of shell plate wiggle.
I've struggled to get a smooth work flow through my Dillon 650 because of case lube. Best I've come up with is to lube the brass and then size and mandrel on the 650, tumble and trim. Hand prime and then weigh powder charges and seat bullets on a Rock Chuker. How do you handle the process on your 750?
I used my 550 to load my 7mm Rem Mag. in the first stage, resize/decap/prime. 2nd stage normal powder drop with mag powder bar. in the 3rd stage, I used a powder funnel, and in the 4th bullet seating. At the time I used the powder drop but set the charge low. The powder I used had some variation between loads. So after the powder was dispensed, I rotated the case to the 3rd stage, where the brass button was removed. at this point i removed the case, dumped the powder into a scale, and used my trickle charger to bring it to weight within a 1/10 of a grain. the pan on the scale was then dumped back into the stage 3 funnel. Lastly rotate again and place and seat in bullet. It could be done 1 case at a time or 4 with practice. my hunting loads were Reloader 19 with 139gr BT. 5 shots at @ 100yds could be completely covered up by a dime! (0.43 inch C-C).
I wondered if the shellplate would be made to sufficient precision and if it indexes accurately enough to position the cases under the dies accurately enough. Also is the primer seating good enough. Well apparently the answers are that the press is precision enough for your needs. Using the Dillon powder measure I recommend buying some 3D printed plastic knobs from ebay, they allow you to rotate the dial by hand rather than needing a tool. You can put marks on the knob with a marker or even stick a piece of paper on the knob and put marks on the paper. Put whatever marks you like- 1/4 turn or 1/5 turn or 1/10 turn. This makes it easier to make adjustments. Then for your preferred powder throw a charge and weigh it, then turn the knob about 3 turns and throw and weigh another charge. Now take the difference in those weights and do the math to see how much change in charge you get for one full rotation, one half rotation, etc. You got 54.7 grains with your first attempt, if you know how much difference you would get with one turn you could determine how much turn to give you 0.3 grains and with the marks on the knob you could probably go right to it. Get some Sharpie markers and as soon as you finish the first 10, mark the primers with some kind of identifying mark. If you ever load 2 different batches and manage to drop the box you will understand the need for identifying marks.
I notice that you don't have trimming brass in the order of operations. Where/how do you accomodate that task with your 550? What I have been doing on my 550 is: 1. Resize on my Redding T7. 2. Tumble to get off case lube. 3. Trim and clean primer pockets. 4. Move the the 550. Station 1 (where you have the resizing die) is empty. Sometimes I prime on the 550, sometimes I just hand prime. 5. Station 2 has an Area 419 powder funnel with adapter. Measure the charge on an AutoTrickler and drop. 6. Station 3 has my seating die. 7. Station 4 is empty.
The point was ease of use. You can always slap a chrono next to the rifle and do a ladder load as usual. This just makes it faster, and is more than consistent enough.
There is no question that you are world class shooter John, and even though you used a Dillion progressive press when you won the National Championship that does not mean that a high-quality single stage press and the precision tools that accompany it would not have produced better results. There seems to be a recurring theme on UR to "take our word for it" and not produce Before and After or Heads up Comparisons. I can't help but believe with your knowledge and skill set that you could not produce a superior cartridge with a Single Stage (and the correct procedure) over that of a Progressive. I have a Dillion RL550 and XL750, plus a Hornady Progressive and there is no question that my Rock Chucker and Summit combination produce better benchrest cartridges.
That’s what many would call it, however large volume statistically relevant testing shows that it’s a simple matter of small sample size variation. Do the same exact test a bunch of times and the so called “nodes” will be different. Powder selection absolutely makes a difference, so long as the charge falls within the case fill requirement for proper burn you will have the same results if you do a large enough test to actually be relevant. If you want a statistically relevant test it’s a minimum of 20 rounds with 50+ being ideal. No I don’t do a bunch of 50 rounds tests personally, but companies like Berger and Hornady do along with the military and police testing of billions of rounds that are available to the public to read. Pro shooters are as superstitious as any other group, pretend it’s scientific while wearing their “lucky socks” to every match.
Thank you Gavin for bringing on so many wonderful cohosts!
Thanks, F-Class John 👍
I use my 550B to load 7PRC, but I am measuring all my powder with a charge master 1500 due to N570 grainual size... Im getting sub 1/3 MOA 5 shot groups constantly.
🐢The Rock Chuker is more my speed.😄Great video!
Good stuff John! Thanks.
Loaded all my 308 match ammo on my 550B back in the 1990’s with smallest group of .047” group. Average under .250”
Love my 550! Its the only press I know. I started on it and see no reason for a “upgrade”. Getting into 6mm arc once all parts get in excited to work up some precision loads
@@jakeeames725 there is no upgrade to the 550.
@@nic_bravo_whiskey You said it yourself - It's the only press you know. IMHO you'll see better groups if you take the time and handload them with a quality single stage.
@@michaelpistone8235 never said that. I have a single stage press next to my 550B. I don’t know why you say that better ammo is loaded on a single stage. I disagree.
@@nic_bravo_whiskey My apologies - My comment was directed to @jakeeames725 post
Very helpful video, thank you!
Great video, I need to try this on my 7mm Rem Mag
Would have really liked to see the chrono data
Good stuff, thanks.
John is awesome!
F-Class John Rocks!
Great video John! I realize that this isn't a video for first time reloaders but, you didn't mention lubricating the cases before sizing them. Could you address that, is there anything specific that you do? When adjusting the Dillon powder measure, I drop at least two charges before I weigh them. I have had very good consistency doing it this way. Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge.
I bought a funnel from entirely crimson for my 550b which allowed me to get 85% of the progressive speed while still getting the .01 grain accuracy from my match master powder measure. Im getting 3/8 groups out of a savage 22-250 with that set up.
Thank you John! This was a masterclass, I was told a million times you couldn't reload for accuracy on a progressive press
And they were correct.
That's really interesting (your treatment for new brass), I didn't think you'd leave the expander in the sizing die with the bushing. Usually one or the other. It's advised to mandrel new brass to remove dings and dents, of course.
I run an automated 1100. But ive been getting an itch to but a 550 for my 7mm08 and 7prc
🤠 I'M MORE INTERESTED IN SEEING MORE VIDEOS ON THE 280 AI! 🤪
Im with you there!
Good to see that inexplicable groupings can happen even to someone as accomplished as F-class John.
Excellent video thanks. Can it handle 338 lapua mag ammo
Why not setup the micro seater up properly? No mandrel after the sizer?
6.8 western build or video???
Maybe I missed it, but are you lubing the cases? If so, what are you using and are you removing the lube before adding powder?
I never expected to see F Class John here!
You set your COAL without a fully loaded shell plate. Id probably make a practice of doing it with a fully loaded shell plate on stations 1-3 on a dillon 550. You are going to get different measurements when you actually start churning out rounds on all stations because of shell plate wiggle.
Your Shell Plate shouldn't wiggle on the 550 like it would on a 650 or 750.
I've struggled to get a smooth work flow through my Dillon 650 because of case lube. Best I've come up with is to lube the brass and then size and mandrel on the 650, tumble and trim. Hand prime and then weigh powder charges and seat bullets on a Rock Chuker. How do you handle the process on your 750?
I used my 550 to load my 7mm Rem Mag. in the first stage, resize/decap/prime. 2nd stage normal powder drop with mag powder bar. in the 3rd stage, I used a powder funnel, and in the 4th bullet seating. At the time I used the powder drop but set the charge low. The powder I used had some variation between loads. So after the powder was dispensed, I rotated the case to the 3rd stage, where the brass button was removed. at this point i removed the case, dumped the powder into a scale, and used my trickle charger to bring it to weight within a 1/10 of a grain. the pan on the scale was then dumped back into the stage 3 funnel. Lastly rotate again and place and seat in bullet. It could be done 1 case at a time or 4 with practice. my hunting loads were Reloader 19 with 139gr BT. 5 shots at @ 100yds could be completely covered up by a dime! (0.43 inch C-C).
or you could just use a micrometer seating die and cut the setup time in 1/2
I wondered if the shellplate would be made to sufficient precision and if it indexes accurately enough to position the cases under the dies accurately enough. Also is the primer seating good enough. Well apparently the answers are that the press is precision enough for your needs.
Using the Dillon powder measure I recommend buying some 3D printed plastic knobs from ebay, they allow you to rotate the dial by hand rather than needing a tool. You can put marks on the knob with a marker or even stick a piece of paper on the knob and put marks on the paper. Put whatever marks you like- 1/4 turn or 1/5 turn or 1/10 turn. This makes it easier to make adjustments. Then for your preferred powder throw a charge and weigh it, then turn the knob about 3 turns and throw and weigh another charge. Now take the difference in those weights and do the math to see how much change in charge you get for one full rotation, one half rotation, etc. You got 54.7 grains with your first attempt, if you know how much difference you would get with one turn you could determine how much turn to give you 0.3 grains and with the marks on the knob you could probably go right to it.
Get some Sharpie markers and as soon as you finish the first 10, mark the primers with some kind of identifying mark. If you ever load 2 different batches and manage to drop the box you will understand the need for identifying marks.
What velocity?
I notice that you don't have trimming brass in the order of operations. Where/how do you accomodate that task with your 550?
What I have been doing on my 550 is:
1. Resize on my Redding T7.
2. Tumble to get off case lube.
3. Trim and clean primer pockets.
4. Move the the 550. Station 1 (where you have the resizing die) is empty. Sometimes I prime on the 550, sometimes I just hand prime.
5. Station 2 has an Area 419 powder funnel with adapter. Measure the charge on an AutoTrickler and drop.
6. Station 3 has my seating die.
7. Station 4 is empty.
What do you do with once fired brass that may need to be trimmed?
Trim it.
@@williamortiz8733 your missing the point, if you resize in station #1. You would have to remove the brass to trim it.
@Mafiaal1 generally I run two toolheads. One case prep and one loading.
@@JacksonMalcolm And so much for the idea of a progressive when you separate out the process. Stick with Single Stage when loading for accuracy.
@@michaelpistone8235 ignorance is bliss.
What was the velocity spread?
The point was ease of use. You can always slap a chrono next to the rifle and do a ladder load as usual. This just makes it faster, and is more than consistent enough.
Help bullet key chain caliber 7,62mm
There is no question that you are world class shooter John, and even though you used a Dillion progressive press when you won the National Championship that does not mean that a high-quality single stage press and the precision tools that accompany it would not have produced better results. There seems to be a recurring theme on UR to "take our word for it" and not produce Before and After or Heads up Comparisons. I can't help but believe with your knowledge and skill set that you could not produce a superior cartridge with a Single Stage (and the correct procedure) over that of a Progressive.
I have a Dillion RL550 and XL750, plus a Hornady Progressive and there is no question that my Rock Chucker and Summit combination produce better benchrest cartridges.
I love the Dillon 550 precision ammo load vids! I think the 550 is the best press ever created! Let’s see more!
Is that what they call an "accuracy node"? That 61 grain on that rifle.
That’s what many would call it, however large volume statistically relevant testing shows that it’s a simple matter of small sample size variation. Do the same exact test a bunch of times and the so called “nodes” will be different. Powder selection absolutely makes a difference, so long as the charge falls within the case fill requirement for proper burn you will have the same results if you do a large enough test to actually be relevant. If you want a statistically relevant test it’s a minimum of 20 rounds with 50+ being ideal. No I don’t do a bunch of 50 rounds tests personally, but companies like Berger and Hornady do along with the military and police testing of billions of rounds that are available to the public to read. Pro shooters are as superstitious as any other group, pretend it’s scientific while wearing their “lucky socks” to every match.
"Again, I have an extra long one". Quit braggin'
😂😂😂
He's the reason I run a dillon 550.
Big John I think you’re disrupting the game of reloading.
One of the best rifle brass reloading videos this channel has ever produced.