Precision on a Progressive: 6GT on the Dillon RL-550C

[@nilescoyote4829]

I'm also loading 6GT on a Dillon 550 for PRS. I do it in two steps though. I start by annealing, move to the dillion and on the first time through I deprime using a lee universal die. 2nd station full length resizes with a hornady die with the expander stem removed. 3rd is open and last is a Sinclair neck expandor that sets final neck tension. Brass is then dry tumbled to clean and the run through the press the second and final time. Station one (different die holder) is another lee deprimer die to guarantee no dry media is in the flash hole. Station 2 is a Dillon powder die with Area419 funnel and gets a powder charge measured from my autotrickler. Station 3 is open and where I place the bullet in the brass. Station 4 is a Redding competition seating die. Total time per loaded round minus annealing and cleaning is around 38 seconds. SD's and groups remain just as tight as when I loaded on a single stage,.. im just loading in one third the time I was before.

[@leadmonkey]

I can’t find the Dillon power funnel letter/type for a 6GT anywhere and I don’t know of any other 6mm cartridges with a 35 degree shoulder, despite what Gavin lists on the full story Dillon doesn’t list a 6GT conversion kit.

[@ericteipen]

I started reloading in 1976 with a RCBS Rock chucker. in 1980 I bought my first Dillon 550 and I won't own anything else.

[@danulman8837]

I replaced the powder dispenser with a Dillon AT500 oversized powder dispenser and funnel. I don’t have to remove the case to drop the powder that was dispensed by my Chargemaster Supreme into the case and move on. It’s progressive with manual powder drop. Have to handle the case when inserting at resize/prime stage and that’s it.

[@neftalynegron4219]

I use 550c for my .338 lapua magnum. First reloading experience. Everyone said use single stage for that and because was new, ffff that. So far so good few loads no issue.

[@zgennaro]

I use a 550c but size in a separate session completely. The shellplate bends a lot more with seating if you’re sizing at the same time. I dump powder manually with the manual funnel Dillon sells. No difference between single stage and 550 that way with standard dies.

[@AutopilotAndChill]

Why use a progressive then if you are going to manually do stuff? Erik Cortina uses an automated Dillon progressive and wins matches and just finished 14th in the world in F-Class this year. I highly doubt you are a better shooter than him and if his progressive is good enough for him, it is good enough for my plinking.

[@zgennaro]

@@AutopilotAndChill . For bulk 223 I don’t like wiping the lube off at the end, it also messes with the ball powders and can make a mess and gum up the dies after awhile. I also found that seating will be different if there is no case being sized. Not really a big issue but the shellplate doesn’t compress the same

[@corybibby4884]

I’ve used my 550 for years, loaded dasher, 6.5 creed and more. It’s worked great.

[@williambrown8683]

550C for case prep, Wilson sizing die, SAC neck bushing, mandrel die. Autotrickler powder charging, Amp Press seating with Wilson die. Runout usually under .001" on 300 PRC and 6.5 Creedmoor. Thanks for the videos!

[@DemsRNutless]

Gavin’s precision shooting mentor would have to be pretty spectacular.

[@Not_Andrew_Huberman]

I've been loading my prs rifles on a 550 for years but I only size and reprime on one side, seat on the other side. The truck with precision is to put a dummy die in opposing positions that lightly engage the plate when the handles all the way down. This gives you seating and headspace consistency in the .0001's

[@perrytilton5221]

For rifle I set things up in two different steps because no matter what kind of lube I use (be it Hornady OneShot or Redding Imperial Wax) I get powder balling up and giving me issues. Plus the flex in sizing gives some variation in either sizing or seating. First stage: Decap in station one, trim/size in station two, expand in station three/four. Second stage: I then clean the cases, then chamfer/debur before the loading stage. Third stage: Empty or flare neck/prime in station one, powder in station two, seat in station three, crimp in station four (be it taper for AR precision, or roll/collet for cannelured bullets).

[@mikhail2400]

I inherited my dads 550 in 2013 when he passed away. It hadnt been used in years and the link arm pin was all I had to replace, Dillon sent that to me for free. The only thing I changed was the powder measure. I switched to a Hornady Lock N Load which I like much better. Im still an amateur at reloading but I enjot the whole process.

[@71cozy]

Id like to see you turn around a duplicate this video but swap all the dies and powder measure out to Cheaper stuff. Of course Lee comes to mind instantly. Put in standard dies and say a lee auto drum and follow all the same procedures and then compare the groups. It would be interesting to see how well the cheaper parts would fair on the same press.

[@jamusgriego6389]

I weigh my finished bullets to make sure I didn't double charge. it's an extra step but this ensures I don't go boom. and the latter this ensures i don't have a squib.

[@morgancairns3584]

I believe in dillions conversion kits for pistol the powder stage also flares the case mouth

[@gotjuice7160]

I use the 550B and Same dies as you. Similar process, but. I fill the cases from an RCBS Matchmaster. Then re-insert the cartridge into the press, top w a projectile and repeat. Gives me the best of both worlds.

[@foubert45]

I load 6.8 western on my 550 but currently using like a single stage and manually adding exact metered powder

[@Win52D]

Uniquetek sells a precision powder measure for the 550C. Highly recommended.

[@lsubeast13]

Powder measure or powder baffle with the micrometer?

[@lawless911sc]

Two questions: 1. Have you ever had a hard time getting the primer loading function on the RL550C to center the primers correctly and if so what did you do to remedy that? 2. I noticed at 13:46 that there was powder sticking to the lube around the inside of your case neck. I have found that this can create inconsistencies in velocity. Have you found the same and do you often clean the lube off before charging with powder? Do you tumble again or use q-tips etc?

[@Chompers1988]

I reloaded plenty of 6xc on my hornady AP press. I generally use my first 5 and last 5 rounds as fouling rounds due to an uneven plate tilt. Usually it's negligible but just as a precaution for match ammo.

[@bradb.4570]

Nice video! I think I just like Single stages

[@keithyarnell6951]

Hi I use a 550 C I am in the process in reloading 556/223 in my Stag Rifle 16 inch I reloaded 243,3006 ,357 I have been loading for about 16 years.

[@fartinthewind933]

Oh man staring at the sun that's equipped on that 550 makes it hard to see from this angle lol

[@HaftardsGuideService]

Do you clean your primer pockets? So you just take fired brass, clean it, lube it and toss it on the press?

[@azevedojeff]

I'll buy that press from you. Nice setup.

[@konrad1853]

.223 Remington on a 550b for NRA Highpower rifle competition for the past 22 years.

[@kenk8242]

Rcbs rifle (223) is not a good fit in 550s imo. They ever so slightly tilt in the sizing stage. You’ll find yourself guiding your case past the deprimer pin to begin the resizing. Frustrating. I just stick with Dillon dies, awesome especially carbide..if you can find them. Easier seating dies like Gavin’s is preferable but not super necessary. Once your set it never changes.

[@MattDonkin430]

I use the 550B to load so many 6.8 SPC II and 5.56 rounds... I don't take my time and the SD on velocity with Accurate 2200 is between 5-8.... destroying factory ammo.

[@sniperjoe]

Did you guys ever make a video of the ammo comparison?

[@5RWill]

Gavin did you ever follow up on this? To compare the ammo from single stage and progressive on paper? I couldn’t find it if so.

[@thegriff9425]

Where is the second part of this video where the ammo. Comparison was made.

[@chach3]

I have read that David Tubb has loaded his rounds using a modified Dillon press.

[@RobsReloading]

What kind of velocity are you getting out of staball match? I have worked up to 35.5gr at 2930 out of a 24" barrel with issues with hang fires with magnum primers? I would guess 37gr would be well over 3k out of your rifle?

[@michaelstalenberg2407]

Have big problem whit this press. Primer in tree ways. 1 i have explosions whit large magnum, and it just dont work well. 2 the primer dont feed, 3 it not spin the plate so, its stucks whit some sorts. This press is brand new :/

[@t.j.turner1101]

Do you have to clean off the imperial wax for sizing before you put powder in it? Are use imperial wax inside and out and I was wanting to know did I have to take it off?

[@rrvil]

I’ve thought about the 550c for progressive reloading, specifically for my 6gt, but haven’t made the switch yet. My current process is deprime, SS tumble, anneal, size, trim, prime, charge with AutoTrickler v4, seat with Wilson hand dies. When do you trim with a progressive? Interested to see how the single stage vs progressive reloading compares.

[@kuronyan3006Ackley]

6GT😄😁👍‼️

[@davidgroskopf7898]

I have loaded many 9mm ,44mag and some 223 with my 550 not sure I think mine is a “b”

[@bradsmalt3852]

In your opinion, what's the best rifle caliber that can reliably use small rifle primers? Thanks

[@bradb2387]

Could I get decent accuracy out of a hornady lock n load ap

[@zgennaro]

Will you be leaving Washington for the Red or are you exempt?

[@thelittledetailscr7231]

He is exempt. He builds post 86 full autos.

[@kenjohnson4461]

what about using a "Unique Tek" tool head clamp kit ? are they worth it ?

[@reloadrefine]

Hey Gavin@UltimateReloader what do you think about the 6gt vs 6creed pros and cons? 😎🤓🙏🏻

[@thelittledetailscr7231]

6creed is a little faster with a little less barrel life.

[@kenkadatz6025]

I'm loading 6 gt and was going to buy the dillion 750, is the 550 better for precision?

[@dwightdhansen]

Anyone tried floating die toolheads for the 550? I have a set but haven't tried them yet.

[@bradbarley6639]

Use my 550C for all my reloading up to and including my 6.5 CM. It will load them up right on the gnats ass with powder charge, seating and crimps if necessary every time. Just picked up a Savage 110 Precision in 6.5 CM. Can't wait to work up some loads for it! Any suggestions? 😁

[@HunterMikeWI]

My Elite Precision likes 40.5gr H4350 under a 140 Hornady. 2750fps and .8MOA 10-shot groups. I’m out of LR primers so trying the same load with SR Lapua brass today.

[@ericm3876]

What is on your powder hopper with the green light?

[@Tyler-UR-Media]

DAA Infra-Red Low Powder Sensor

[@Not_Andrew_Huberman]

But.. who's Jim? There isn't a top 10 prs shooter I know of using a progressive

[@AutopilotAndChill]

Erik Cortina does and he has an autodrive on his. Progressive nowadays hold very tight tolerances. You can weigh down to the microgram on every component and size your case to the nanometer and the largest variable is still the shooter. You will never out shoot your gun or ammo.

[@Ouwkackemann]

In my opinion, the 550 is more accurate than the 650.