Dillon 550B+.223 = which components?

[IMC87]

Ok, i'm trying to find out what I NEED to get started reloading on my Dillon 550...

So far I reload for .40 and .45... So I WILL be getting a new toolhead and powder feeder.

What other components do I need to get started reloading .223 (no military brass yet, so a swage is not needed just yet)

-Which brand dies is BEST/ faster for my dillon 550 for .223?
-Case trimmer? which is cheap, yet fast/ effective case trimmer


What else is needed? All that I know I need so far is the dies and case trimmer. I plan to order components soon to reload .223 so please for those of you that reload on a 550 chime in and let me know your setup. Thanks!

[Fjold]

If by "powder feeder" you mean the Dillon powder through die for the 223, you are correct.
You will need the shellplate for the 223 case.
A lot of people like the Possum Hollow case trimmer

Reloading components depend on what bullets you want to shoot and for what application, (short, med. or long range targets, varminting, etc)

[IMC87]

ar15... out to perhaps 500yrds MAX?
more short range stuff though

[Mrskylinetou]

I love my redding dies but they are pricy compaired to rcbs or any of the basic ones. I have a single stage so I can't help u there but the best dies are redding followed by forester. I'm not sure if anyone will even argue that...

[Chief-7700]

.223 Caliber Conversion includes shellplate, locator buttons and the powder funnel.
Carbide Rifle dies Part number H99-10096
All the above are available from Dillon or Brian Enos

[IMC87]

What is chamfering and do I need a tool for it?

[killshot44]

What is chamfering and do I need a tool for it?

After trimming brass to size, small burs will be left on the casemouth. A Chamferer is used to file off those burrs. One end is for the inside of the casemouth and the other end is for the exterior.

Get one and pickup the LE Wilson adapter to hold the chamferer and use in a hand drill or drill press.

[Fjold]

To 500 yards try the 55 - 68 grain bullets with a flake or ball powder (for easier measurement) small rifle magnum primers (try Wolf primers, cheaper and very reliable)

[IMC87]

Powder preference? (name) and when using magnum primers, is less powder required or will the powder charge not matter with magnum primer compared to regular?

[Gio]

Hodgdon H335 and H322 are good powders, also Varget and Ramshot Tac work good too. I use standard .223 Wolf SRP's and a friend of mine loads minimum loads using Wolf Magnum SRP's with H335.

I have used:

Tac = good powder for less

H322 = good powder for a few bucks more

H335 = good powder for a few buck more than both powders

Varget = good powder but can be hard to get a hold of sometimes, I have not used it myself.

Also I would start with min. loads and work them up until you are satisfied with the grouping and what not

[Mrskylinetou]

I use varget, 4064 tac and tried 748 but it was junk for me. I'm gonna try h335

[fullspeed1]

Standard Dillon .223 dies(non-carbide), And a conversion kit. Possum hollow trimmer works fine when chucked into a power drill, along with the RCBS/Wilson chamfer tool. You will also need a swager, Most likely the Dillon super swager. Buy once, cry once and go for the Dillon RT1200. Take a look at your reloading manual for specific powders and grain weights.

[IMC87]

ok the possum trimmer looks promising for my budget for now. I think i'm set on what I need. As for powders, I was also talking to someone today and he suggested Ramshot Tac. I will now be doing research on bullets and primers.

Do rifle bullets differ like pistol bullets can? (plated, lead, etc)?
I'll probably stick to 55gr as me and some friends are splitting costs.

[IMC87]

Best overall 55gr bullets and link if you got it?

If rifle bullets are like pistol bullets, I heard that I want to stay away from PLATED bullets correct? That jacketed (standard) bullets offer a little better accuracy, and plated bullets require a lower load.

[dexter9659]

Stuff you will need:

Quick change kit
Caliber conversion kit
.223 RCBS die set
Bullets 55gr-70 depending...
Case trimmer ( i have the RCBS auto trimmer)
.22 caliber 3-way trimmer - RCBS (this cuts length and chamfers and deburs)
Military primer decrimper –Dillon (only needed if primers are crimped, look for a ring around the outside of the primer pocket)
Case prep station with flashhole deburrer and primer pocket uniformer -RCBS
Small military primers –CCI #41
Winchester 748 powder 24gr aprx.
.223 Case Gauge
Powder scale (auto powder is fine, but for match stuff this is nice)