Got a Deal on a Dillon RL550B Set Up...

[P-12 Norm]

It has shell plates and dies for several pistol calibers and .223/5.56, as well as two conversion set ups.
It was all still in package, unopened.
I am going to begin with rifle cartridges, my choices being .204 Ruger, 5.56, .308, and .300 Blackout.
I need advice on what reloading handbooks are best to start with for the rifle rounds, and what for the handguns.
At present it is for bench shooting, but hunting with the rifles is not out of the question, either.
I scanned thru the various threads, and about all that managed to do is confuse me.
So, let's start with the rifle stuff.
I will probably be using Hornady and Sierra Bullets. What powder is best in a Progressive press?

 

[atblis]

I'd start with 223. Plenty of good metering powders. Pretty much any ball powder will meter well. Ramshot TAC is good a choice and seems to be available these days. Also works for 308. Small short stick powders also do well in the Dillon measures.

The Ramshot/Western guide has a nice little write up about things to be aware of.
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB-1.pdf

People tend to overcomplicate and control parameters that ultimately don't matter. In particular, being super precise about powder charges and then proceeding to only shoot at 100 yards.

 

[BFMIN]

Get some of the "all-in-one Loadbooks" for whatever caliber you want to begin with!
They're the opposite of most manufacturers books which list many calibers with their preferred materials.
Instead they're caliber-specific & hold data from many powder, bullet & brass manufacturers.
If you also want a "how to reload book" then I like either the Hornady or the Sierra, or preferably both. Comparing different test results is a major key in working up your own loads.

 

[atblis]

Dillon Precision has a Youtube channel. Content appears to be professionally done. Likely a good source.

ETA: Yeah that video is good.

 

[4g64loser]

I saw that you are wanting to get started with the rifle rounds but I would suggest starting with pistol rounds first. With carbide sizers, you don't have to putz with case lube. You will also not have to trim pistol cases often, if at all.

If you are dead set on starting with rifle, get a buttload of 223 brass (its cheap so when you screw up you won't be very upset). For dillon progressives (between my friend and I, we have 3 650/750 class units and 4 SDBs) I find best metering consistency with ball powders. I like h335 and blc2 for blasting ammo. TAC is popular for good reason but I haven't worked with it personally.

Lee modern reloading is a good starter manual with lots of information. Very broad choices for powders as their data is "aggregated"
i find myself reaching for my nosler manuals or the berger manual the most on rifle stuff.

 

[outrider58]

One of my favorite books is the Hornady reloading manual.

Hornady® 11th Edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

The 11th Edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading includes the latest Hornady bullets, along with new cartridges, powders and more.

www.hornady.com

Another reference I use a lot is the Hodgdon "Take Aim" online reloading guide.

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com

 

[teratos]

One of my favorite books is the Hornady reloading manual.

Hornady® 11th Edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

The 11th Edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading includes the latest Hornady bullets, along with new cartridges, powders and more.

www.hornady.com

Another reference I use a lot is the Hodgdon "Take Aim" online reloading guide.

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com

I don’t know that we have ever compared notes, but I do the same.

 

[outrider58]

I don’t know that we have ever compared notes, but I do the same.

Great minds...

 

[outrider58]

There might be another 550 hitting the market soon...

 

[P-12 Norm]

Wow. This is pure meat. Thank you all. Keep the info rolling in. I really appreciate it.

 

[Uncle Duke]

It has shell plates and dies for several pistol calibers and .223/5.56, as well as two conversion set ups.
It was all still in package, unopened.
I am going to begin with rifle cartridges, my choices being .204 Ruger, 5.56, .308, and .300 Blackout.
I need advice on what reloading handbooks are best to start with for the rifle rounds, and what for the handguns.
At present it is for bench shooting, but hunting with the rifles is not out of the question, either.
I scanned thru the various threads, and about all that managed to do is confuse me.
So, let's start with the rifle stuff.
I will probably be using Hornady and Sierra Bullets. What powder is best in a Progressive press?

Hornady and Sierra manuals are both good choices in that they will provide data for 2 of the bullet brands that you'll find most commonly in stock at places that sell reloading supplies.

Ball powders will shine in the metering department.

As a hunter, your concern isn't merely about putting a bullet precisely on target. It also involves the terminal ballistics of what happens on target once that bullet arrives. You can choose from a wide variety of task specific bullets, and develop and tailor loads with both precision and bullet performance in mind.

Good Luck with your new hobby!

 

[P-12 Norm]

Hornady and Sierra manuals are both good choices in that they will provide data for 2 of the bullet brands that you'll find most commonly in stock at places that sell reloading supplies.

Ball powders will shine in the metering department.

As a hunter, your concern isn't merely about putting a bullet precisely on target. It also involves the terminal ballistics of what happens on target once that bullet arrives. You can choose from a wide variety of task specific bullets, and develop and tailor loads with both precision and bullet performance in mind.

Good Luck with your new hobby!

You can expect me to lurk here in Reloading mostly.
I'll occasionally ask a question, but this forum is going to be my classroom.

 

[Uncle Duke]

You can expect me to lurk here in Reloading mostly.
I'll occasionally ask a question, but this forum is going to be my classroom.

Ask away! There are a lot of folks here who are more than happy to try to help new reloaders.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

Get some of the "all-in-one Loadbooks" for whatever caliber you want to begin with!
They're the opposite of most manufacturers books which list many calibers with their preferred materials.
Instead they're caliber-specific & hold data from many powder, bullet & brass manufacturers.
If you also want a "how to reload book" then I like either the Hornady or the Sierra, or preferably both. Comparing different test results is a major key in working up your own loads.

The data in the one book, one caliber books is horribly out of date. I wouldn't use those at all.

The OP needs to go and get the current Lyman, Hornady, Sierra manuals to start with. Also using the Hodgdon, Nosler, Alliant, etc... reloading websites. The data is out there, sometimes for free from the manufacturers on the web. If you call them up, they will give you specific load data over the phone. I've been emailed PDF's from Sierra with new, not yet released on their website, load data for a caliber I have, just because I called them. About a week later they put the same PDF up for free on their website.

 

[outrider58]

The data in the one book, one caliber books is horribly out of date. I wouldn't use those at all.

The OP needs to go and get the current Lyman, Hornady, Sierra manuals to start with. Also using the Hodgdon, Nosler, Alliant, etc... reloading websites. The data is out there, sometimes for free from the manufacturers on the web. If you call them up, they will give you specific load data over the phone. I've been emailed PDF's from Sierra with new, not yet released on their website, load data for a caliber I have, just because I called them. About a week later they put the same PDF up for free on their website.

^^^This^^^

 

[Squaregrouper]

My 2 cents on this is to get yourself a small LED, mount it above the bullet seating station and use your eyes to confirm a correct powder charge before seating a bullet. Every. Single. Round.

 

[Squaregrouper]

Another thing I'm learning about Dillons are the caliber conversion kits. The OP mentions wanting to do both .223/5.56 and .300AAC/.300 Blackout. Most of the conversion kit parts for those are the same thing. If the OP gets a .223 conversion kit, to add .300AAC he might just need to change the powder drop to .300AAC. (Obvious .300AAC dies aside)
The conversion kits aren't cheap. Just the swap mentioned above might save the OP $100.

 

[outrider58]

Another thing I'm learning about Dillons are the caliber conversion kits. The OP mentions wanting to do both .223/5.56 and .300AAC/.300 Blackout. Most of the conversion kit parts for those are the same thing. If the OP gets a .223 conversion kit, to add .300AAC he might just need to change the powder drop to .300AAC. (Obvious .300AAC dies aside)
The conversion kits aren't cheap. Just the swap mentioned above might save the OP $100.

I'm trying to remember back; isn't there a better powder drop for 300 blk than the designated one? Maybe a 30-30 funnel or .30 carbine. I'll look it up when I get a chance next week. I believe the difference is, the one I'm using flares the brass, which is ideal for loading flat base bullets(as in subs) and PC bullets.

ETA: Yes, found it(easier than I thought), he will need the Dillon 13564 funnel "C" Bench 1B for .30 carbine flaring/300 Blk.

***do not get the 13015 funnel***

 

[brianns]

Another thing I'm learning about Dillons are the caliber conversion kits. The OP mentions wanting to do both .223/5.56 and .300AAC/.300 Blackout. Most of the conversion kit parts for those are the same thing. If the OP gets a .223 conversion kit, to add .300AAC he might just need to change the powder drop to .300AAC. (Obvious .300AAC dies aside)
The conversion kits aren't cheap. Just the swap mentioned above might save the OP $100.

I’ll add or emphasize that you might just need a different shell plate or index pins for a different caliber. Always check before considering a new ‘full’ caliber conversion kit.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

I’ll add or emphasize that you might just need a different shell plate or index pins for a different caliber. Always check before considering a new ‘full’ caliber conversion kit.

300BLK and 223 use the same shell plate and pins.