Dillon 650 and 300BLK questions

[Tim K]

My 650 stays set up for .223 the vast majority of the time. I'm putting together an SBR in .300BLK, and am to the point of thinking about ammo. I'll be shooting primarily subsonic. Don't know what bullet yet, but I'm looking into powder coated cast lead.

I have a spare toolhead, so I think all I'll need are dies and a second powder measure. Do people run a crimp on that cartridge? Any reason to buy Dillon dies?

Pitfalls, lessons learned, sound advice? Give it up!

[bobbyfairbanks]

I dont run a crimp. Good neck tension is good enough unless your shooting full auto or with some suppressed stuff. I really like to use Dillon sizing dies on dillon presses when loading pistol; however, with rifle I don't think it matters. I am using Redding dies now on a 550 for 300 BLK. Bullet seater has the micrometer so it is very easy to swith from 220 to 125 gr bullets. I tried to make some subsonic loads with H110 and 2400. Neither would cycle the gun. I am using 1680 for sub sonic and H110 for full power. If you need to do some loading before you get tooled up I am about 15 mins from you and you are welcome to use my press.

[Batteriesnare]

I dont run a crimp. Good neck tension is good enough unless your shooting full auto or with some suppressed stuff.

Could you elaborate on this? Is this specific to 300 BLK with a can, or with other rifle calibers (mainly 5.56) as well? What effect would shooting suppressed have on whether or not a crimp is needed? I'm new to reloading for the AR platform and will be using a can as soon as the paperwork comes in. Thanks for the info in advance!

[bobbyfairbanks]

Heavy recoil can make bullets slip if not crimped. I shot some cans in the mil with 300 win mag and had a lot of bullet issues. Not sure if this was bad ammo or some thing that could possible happen when shooting suppressed. So if I'm gonna load for full auto or suppressed I will do a light crimp.

[Tim K]

A quick glance at my normal sources makes it look like appropriate powders are going to be hard to find. I'll probably take you up on the offer of using your press in the short term if I can find some powder.

[Hoser]

For a short barreled rifle run pistol length gas.

I like cut down Lake City brass trimmed to about 1.355 or so. For subs it will last 10+ firings. Supersonic loads it dies just as fast as 223 brass does.

I dont crimp the majority of my rifle ammo, even the stuff I shoot full-auto to include 300 Whisper and 5.56/223.

A good choice in powder is N-110 or AA1680. H-110 works but is pretty dirty.

For 300 I am using Forster and Redding dies. If Dillon had 300 dies in stock I would not hesitate to get them.

[XC700116]

Don't know if Dillon is making a 300blk specific powder funnel yet or not, but the 7.62X39 funnel works just fine.

I don't crimp any of it, never had a need to.

I personally like lil gun or AA5744 for supers, and 1680 for subs.

I use Hornady dies in my 650 for it and have no problems, works well.

[Danimal]

Deleted

[Tim K]

Dillon has a 3 die set, but it includes a crimp die. I can probably get a two die set one way or another.

I picked up the barrel yesterday, an 8". The 5" can destined for this project is probably 2 months from clearing ATF. I suppose I'll work up a super sonic load someday, but the intent is to shoot all subs.

Are there any issues with bare lead or powder coated bullets gumming up gas ports?

[Artema]

I have a new 550 and set up my 300 BLK last night. I'm using the Lee dies and they work great. I definitely recommend using their crimp, but I don't know if you'll fill that fifth slot for the 650.