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Posted: 12/18/2007 1:14:54 PM EDT
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Anyone using a Dillon to reload 6.8SPC? I have a DIllon 550 and was going to get a quickchange setup for the 6.8SPC. Good idea? How's accuracy? Any advice is appreciated. I have a Ko_tonics 20" and 18" upper so I should be able to run the hotter loads. |
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That is what I use. I used extruded powders like the H4198 and Reloaders7, which are pretty big and they are consistant to within .1 Gr. H322 and Benchmark and fine extruded powders and have zero issues. Ball powders are great. I have the Hornady and RCBS dies and both work great. I like the Hornady better because you can buy the micrometer seating knob. For crimping, I use the Lee FCD. |
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I have a older 550B that I use for my handgun and plinking rifle ammo without issue after tweaking the powder dispensing system. Talking with people @ Dillon and others much smarter than I, the only weak link in the Dillon systems seems to be the powder measure system. There was a great write up on it a few years ago where it was used for the national high-power team ammo I think. They decided to have there match ammo made up on a pair of 1080s, the big boys. Everything for the first few hundred rounds was great. Then the powder measure started to throw larger than acceptable variations in each drop. They had tried the 550s and it was more of a problem. Run out and everything else was fine. What was found to make the most difference was the consistency of how you work the throw arm when dropping the powder. You have to try and make your pull exactly the same each time. There were also things like polishing certain parts etc.. Do a Google search and you will find them. If you want to really get particular you can do what many accuracy buffs do ,ie.. David Tubbs etc.., and purchase the conversion die that allows you to use any powder measure of your choice then use a BR30/3mor a Harrell or the king of exacting consistency, The Prometheus. Overall there are plenty of tweaks on many sites. If you follow them you should easily be able to make great ammo for all but the most anal and of course the BR crowd. These are combat rifles at heart anything under 1 moa should be considered very good and @ .5 moa and your there as to do anymore would have you running in circles. I don't think there is a better made Progressive press out there and certainly no better customer service and warranty. To think they are still on top and there designs are over what 20+ years old. That speaks volumes to the thought put into the system from the start. TW ETA: I haven't loaded 6.8 on it yet. I have been single pressing it so far as I am working up loads and am going for max accuracy and want to make sure everything is exact as I am loading at the absolute upper end or the pressure scale. A few tenths of a grain increase combined with another variable could spell a problem at these levels I think. Well I sure don't want to find out so I weigh each individual powder load. TW |
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Paulo & Tim: Thank you. From reading your previous posts I believe both of you have a great deal of experience and advice to offer. I also have heard of issues w/ the powder bar on the Dillons. I am not very experienced w/ reloading but feel I am at the point w/ my weapons that I am doing myself a diservice if I don't. Why purchase top of the line if I am not willing to do my part. THat said, my Dillon needs some work. It has been 9yrs and a few moves. I have relied on a friend I work w/ to load 308 for our AR-10's. To be frank, I wake up 4am, hit the gym, at work (LE---paper cuts can hurt) 8am, leave work Mon.-Thurs. 6pm, sometimes 7pm, and headed to Law School in 2 yrs. Also run a small Co. Yes, another scumbag attorney in the world. GOVT BAD!!!!!!! COPS GOOD!!!!!! They just do what told 2 do! Anyway, what I'm gettin at is that I have 2 wonderful kids, another due Jan. 22nd, & Law School on the horizon......I love to shoot and must do so. I will buy whatever reloader that will get me decent speed and VERY GOOD accuracy. Please let me know what ur using. I will gladly give up time for supreme accuracy. What configs are you gentlemen using? |
If the Dillon is still in good shape, use it. It is fast and very accurate. |
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I will be, when I load for classes and anything other than testing or if I'm shooting for group size scores. I use the single stage to work up loads and when I get to the ragged edge. I have easily load 100,000 various round through it easily. anything that wore out Dillon replace no questions asked. If I'm loading a lot of ammo with it I can keep them in the, just under 1 moa quality. I have dies for the .223, .308, 9mm, 45acp, .357sig/.40. Of those the most was .45 and .9mm. TW |
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