Author: Rob

Got a delivery from the mailman today with some parts to fix 500B#3, which has been used as a parts machine over the past year or three. Finally sat down and emailed Dillon precision with my requests and, as usual, received a pleasant response with notice my parts were on their way.

Spent Saturday getting that press cleaned up, and new parts installed to make it run. I’m considering setting it back up for 30 carbine and doing a run of those (till I run out of brass).

Thought I’d post a pic of the current setup.

I really need a new bench, as I’m only able to utilize 3 of my 6 presses given current bench space. Next bench build I’m going for an 8 foot table, I think. I have a design I’m playing with already, More width, less depth.

I’ve had one of my Dillon 550bs set up for 38 special for a long time. It was one of my most loaded calibers in my life. People often ask for 357, But I hate to do the change and have to re-adjust everything to do so. Along comes this product, one so simple one askes “Why didn’t I think of this?” by pulling the pins and a shim, I can swap from 38 to 357 (or 44 special to 44Mag)

I liked the idea so much, I bought two. If you like the idea too, email dougwilliams at embarqmail dot com, He replies quickly, and will accept 64 and prior silver coins as payment. (which I have, but was to lazy to do)

I’m eager to be able to quickly switch over to 357, several people have requested that I load some 357s.

Here is a video of how it works

My Crimp Die came in on Friday, so that was all I needed. I got 50 new brass loads done, as well as 20 once fired reloads complete this am.

My current load uses 17.0 grains of H-110, at least as a starting point.

Got a bunch of 300 AAC Blackout loaded today on one of my spare 550s. Ruined a couple in the process, but have a few samples to test with the chrono next range trip.

As is typical with 2 die sets, there is no crimp die. As usual with no crimp die, I’m not happy with my loads.

So, I ordered this:

The Lee Factory Crimp Die is designed to give reloaders the perfect crimp on reloaded ammunition. The Factory Crimp Die crimps the bullet more firmly in place than any other die with more uniform pressure. The Factory Crimp Die features a collet that squeezes the case mouth into the crimping groove for a firm hold. It is nearly impossible to buckle the case as with regular roll crimp dies. Lee’s testing has shown that using a Factory Crimp Die provides a more uniform pressure curve, increasing the accuracy of any bullet.

Now that I have all the parts, and most everything is set up. The last decision still looming is the choice of powder for these. Of the twenty-some various powders I have on hand, I have no reloading data for the 300 Blackout for any of them. I’d think it would be fairly close to the 223, but I guess not. Only publication that I have with data is Hodgdon Annual Magazine.

I guess I’ll run up to the shop and get some H-110.

This is some nice looking stuff. I went cheap on dies, mostly because what I wanted wasn’t in stock at the time, worst case I’m out a little $ when I buy something else. Here’s hoping that LEE can do the job.

Remington Brass 300 AAC Blackout (7.62x35mm) Primed Box of 500
Product #: 398706 $129.99

Sierra Matchking Bullets 300 AAC Blackout (308 Diameter) 125 Grain Open-Tip Match (OTM) Box of 500
Product #: 915404 $159.99

Lee Pacesetter 2-Die Set 300 AAC Blackout
Product #: 934234 $32.49

Turns out I’m out of H110, well, not so much OUT, I have two cans, but they are more than 20 years old, possibly more than 30 years old. I’d rather spend some $ on some newer powder.

Concerned I might not be shooting this newest rifle build as much as I’d like, I finally caved in and purchased some components to “roll my own”. This will get me at least 500 to get started.

Factory ammo best case seems to be about 60cents per round.

Cost to make it myself:

Primed Remington brass – $.26
Sierra Match King 125 grain – $.32
18.5 grains of H110 – $.05

Total cost for first load – $.63

Primer – $.028

Total cost for reload – $.378

I’m sure I could get the price down using a cheaper bullets, but this is what I’m doing for the first go round, we’ll chrono them and see how they perform