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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:51:00 AM EDT
Been reloading pistol for like 10 years on a Dillon square deal. Looking at getting into the rifle reloading- which press? Im used to the progressive press as I have the square deal- I am a fan of dillon- looking at either the 750 or the 550c. I will be loading for 556-6.5 grendel-308-and 300win mag. The 556 and grendel are ar-platforms and 308 and 300 win mag are bolt. I was actually thinking of 750 for grendel and 556 and maybe Forster coax for 308 and 300 win mag. Lately I’ve been hearing the Dillon loads pretty accurate load’s regardless of being progressive-  Another consideration is I am a cripple- slightly paralyzed from waist down so I do take breaks stand-stretch. However with the Square Deal I can load 500 with no hiccups. Thoughts from more experienced reloaders? Thanks
Link Posted: 5/9/2023 10:06:01 AM EDT
[#1]
Link Posted: 5/9/2023 10:51:40 AM EDT
[Last Edit: SteelonSteel] [#2]
As nice as the Forster CoAx press is I can see the top mounted handle being a nuisance unless you have it mounted on a low bench.   Pardon me if I presume you are mostly going to remain seated while working.   A Redding Big Boss(2) or RCBS Rock Chucker with a lower toggle and handle is a fine press.  

A 550 from Dillon will be the most flexible press to own while having progressive ability.   Changing over calibers is pretty easy.

If space is a concern companies like Inline Fabricators make nice mounting bases where you can swap presses in two minutes.  I have one that I swap the Redding Big Boss 2, a CoAx, or a RCBS universal heated base for lead bullet sizing presses, which easily can change between a RCBS lube press and a Star lube sizer.   My Dillon 550b is on a Dillon base that is permanently on the bench.

I stand to reload and after hours standing on a concrete floor I feel it. Standing just gives me more movement I guess.  My first press was on a drafting desk and I loaded seated (RCBS Reloader Special 3).  That was fine on that desk.   I had the Dillon on it too in the nineties.
Link Posted: 5/9/2023 10:58:22 AM EDT
[#3]
Either a 550 or a 750 will produce accurate ammo.  There are some accessories/mods that can help that out.

An article on some 550 mods.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fp72h0e4awobo65/6_19_Dillon-Prometheus-Article_v1.2.pdf?dl=0

I have both a 650 and a 550. Both have made match winning ammo.   The 650/750 shellplate is what may throw in sizing/OAL variations.   You would have to measure each station to determine if there is a variance, and what your tolerance for those are.  The correction for that is to either go through shellplates until you find ones that are correct, or see if a machine shop will fix the shellplate "floor" for each station.  

The 550 does not have that issue as the sizing/OAL are set by the ram surface and not the shellplate.

The 650/760 will be quicker, but the 550 will lend itself to more easily fixing issues.

I've created match-winning ammo for Highpower competition on both.  If you don't plan on making pistol ammo or cranking out higher-volume rifle ammo, I'd go with the 550.
Link Posted: 5/9/2023 11:26:54 AM EDT
[#4]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By DistanceX:
Either a 550 or a 750 will produce accurate ammo.  There are some accessories/mods that can help that out.

An article on some 550 mods.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fp72h0e4awobo65/6_19_Dillon-Prometheus-Article_v1.2.pdf?dl=0

I have both a 650 and a 550. Both have made match winning ammo.   The 650/750 shellplate is what may throw in sizing/OAL variations.   You would have to measure each station to determine if there is a variance, and what your tolerance for those are.  The correction for that is to either go through shellplates until you find ones that are correct, or see if a machine shop will fix the shellplate "floor" for each station.  

The 550 does not have that issue as the sizing/OAL are set by the ram surface and not the shellplate.

The 650/760 will be quicker, but the 550 will lend itself to more easily fixing issues.

I've created match-winning ammo for Highpower competition on both.  If you don't plan on making pistol ammo or cranking out higher-volume rifle ammo, I'd go with the 550.
View Quote


Good info.

After 30 years on a rock chucker I’m over it. I need a 550.
Link Posted: 5/9/2023 12:04:04 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Urimaginaryfrnd] [#5]
Rifle brass has to be trimmed. You will need good measuring tool:

Mitutoyo ABSOLUTE CD-6” ASXDigital Caliper.

There is an advantage to a press like a 550
Link Posted: 5/9/2023 7:48:37 PM EDT
[#6]
I was wondering/thinking that my muscle memory with the Square Deal would be to get the 750 for 556 and grendel—- and get a Coax for the 308 and 300 win mag. I’ve been seeing the shell plate is more consistent on the 550c but the AR’s swallow more vs the bolt actions. And yes these will be for rifle only- have all pistol dies and set up with Square Deal- this is just for rifle-
Link Posted: 5/10/2023 12:16:55 AM EDT
[#7]
OP, if you are going to load any of the bigger cartridges, maybe even for 300mag, if you use a Redding or Forrester sleeved seater die(you should they load ammo more concentric), You need to make sure which ever press you get will fit long cases/bullets/sleeved seaters..most cannot take big cases with long bullets and sleeved seaters...  If you want to do it cheap and easy. RCBS makes the summit press, it will do my 300 rum loaded to just shy of 4.00" loading the long 1.74" berger 245 bullet loaded with a sleeved Forrester competition die...

Attachment Attached File
Link Posted: 5/10/2023 9:32:22 PM EDT
[#8]
I do plan on getting the Forster coax for precision rounds- I believe that one will load the larger cartridges or no? I guess I’m undecided between the 550c vs 750. I was pretty set on the 750 for 556 and grendel-plus it’s full progressive which I’m familiar with-the Square Deal- so I was thinking the whole muscle memory thing and such- but I did see that the 550c has better shell plate for more uniformed rounds. But being only semi-progressive I’m not sure if it will drive me crazy with the new process.
Link Posted: 5/14/2023 2:31:33 PM EDT
[#9]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By onesht1kl:
I do plan on getting the Forster coax for precision rounds- I believe that one will load the larger cartridges or no? I guess I’m undecided between the 550c vs 750. I was pretty set on the 750 for 556 and grendel-plus it’s full progressive which I’m familiar with-the Square Deal- so I was thinking the whole muscle memory thing and such- but I did see that the 550c has better shell plate for more uniformed rounds. But being only semi-progressive I’m not sure if it will drive me crazy with the new process.
View Quote


28 years using a 550b and I can do it in my sleep.

You’ll find out quickly how to maximize your procedure and speed things up for you.

Chris
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