Reloading rifle bullets

[Big-E]

Hey Calgunners!

I've been loading pistol rounds for a while now and now I want to start loading rifle rounds. I currently load with a Dillon XL650. Besides the dies, What other equipment will I need to be successful in doing so.

The calibers I'm interested in reloading will be .223, 300 black out, 270 win and 308. if this makes any difference.

[elpaisa1]

A case trimmer

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[elpaisa1]

Primer pocket swager

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[OpenSightsOnly]

Since you have a 650, loading for 223 is a no brainer since Dillon has a trimmer and swager.

As for the other calibers, do you already have them or thinking of having them?

If latter and if I were you, stick to loading for 223 with the Dillon till you get everything right.

[rcslotcar]

I prep my cases completely before they get dropped into my 650 hopper. Go slowly and make sure you go all the way up and down with your press handle. Loading .223 has a slightly different feel than pistol cases. As far as .270 and .308,, I load all 7mm Remington mag on a single stage press as I weigh every powder charge on a scale. Go blue !!!!

[nedro]

Rifle rounds are a different animal.
The biggest difference is that you will be loading for accuracy.
So the number one thing that you will need to start loading rifle besides the basics (dies, powder, cases, bullets) are a good vernier caliper and a Hornady Lock-n-load Bullet Comperator. And if you are loading for a semi auto or a tube fed magazine, you will need a Lee factory crimp die.
Good luck!

[Divernhunter]

I have a 65o but prefer to load on a single stage.
So much so I have one that is only for 50BMG, a RCBS RC for sizing and such and a RCBS Jr for seating bullets. I have a RCBS Case trimmer and a couple of Uniflow powder measures but use my electronic Hornady unit now. I hand prime all my rifle brass and some of my pistol brass used on the single stage. I use a Dillon Super Swager for removing crimps on 223/308win/30-06 brass when required. I tried and have a number of other tools for the primer crimp but never use them now that I have the Dillon unit.
You DO NOT need to crimp the rifle ammo. I load for a bunch of different ones and for semi-autos also and never needed to crimp. I load 223/308/30-06/ 257W/300win mag/338win mag/264win mag/7mmRem mag and quite a number of others without crimping. Most of my bullets do not even have a crimping groove and compressing the bullet to form one can hurt terminal performance as a hunter.

[kcstott]

1. Learn the difference between bullets and cartridges

[hambam105]

A 650 Dillion is most capable to load all the OPs mentioned calibers no doubt.

However, with rifle cases, so much cartridge-case preparation is required I'd recommend a very very strong single stage press for resizing purposes at least.

Once the case has been resized, cleaned, trimmed, de-burred and primed, then I'd go to the progressive. Remember, getting the primer pockets initially done correctly on military cases has become a major obstacle lately.

[Divernhunter]

If you want to travel down to the Modesto area I can help you out and you can do some loading on my equipment.
I do not load 300BO or 270 but do load 223 and 308win as well as many others

[M1NM]

1. Learn the difference between bullets and cartridges

Bullets go in clips and cartridges go in magazines - right?

Use a single stage for other than .223 & 300. You probably won't be shooting enough 243 and 308 to justify the time difference. Get a RCBS Rockchucker.

[67Cuda]

1. Learn the difference between bullets and cartridges

LOL

Bullets go in clips and cartridges go in magazines - right?

Even Tuco knows the difference.

https://youtu.be/meP_Ufwj-FY?t=144

[Sir Toast]

A universal left handed crescent wrench, some muffler bearings and some diesel spark plugs.

[kcstott]

Bullets go in clips and cartridges go in magazines - right?

Use a single stage for other than .223 & 300. You probably won't be shooting enough 243 and 308 to justify the time difference. Get a RCBS Rockchucker.

Bullets go in Banana clips

not that it was a major point of annoyance, just that the title sounded like he was asking if he could reuse bullets, not getting into rifle cartridge reloading.

[tonyjr]

A bullet [ pill ] goes into a case then becomes a cartridge .
You can buy bullets off web and not pay hazmat but cartridges
- you pay hazmat.
On rifles cartridges , I deprime and size on press , then clean
sometimes primer pocket / flash 1st then case , other times
case , then primer / flash hole .
I aways lube before resizing and cleaning removes the lube .
I only lube [ pistol ] the magnums and some don't even lube them .
So unless you are a luber now , it is also something you need to learn
[ wrinkled , dented cases ]