Fellas;
I really, really, really NEED (ok, at least want to a little) to start processing brass on my Dillon progressive presses. I have a small primer RL 1100 and a 550B.
I would like to size, swage, and trim 5.56. Also form 300 BO from 5.56 which requires the same three operations.
The 550 requires a short toolhead, RT 1500 trimmer, 5.56 trim die, 300 BO trim die, and the 550 Swage It from UniqueTek.
The RL 1100 requires the RT 1500, 5.56 and 300 BO dies, a short trim toolhead, and a 5.56 conversion kit.
Total cost of needed stuff is about $300 more for the RL 1100.
I have never trimmed brass on a press before. The RT 1500 comes with an attachment to connect a vacuum cleaner and pull off brass shavings. Forming 300 BO would produce a lot of shavings, I would think.
I can easily strip and clean the 550. The RL 1100, not so much. I need to better learn it, but haven’t yet. The RL 1100 has the case feeder, the 550 does not. The RL swages on the downstroke; the 550 on the upstroke like priming and requires operator “feel.” The RL 1100 would give me the added option of loading both on it; I can already do that on the 550. I already have the Dillon Bench mounted swager and a Giraud trimmer for 5.56 so am ahead of the game there. The addition of the RT 1500 would make 300 BO forming a breeze.
My question to those who have done processing like this - am I better off with the slightly slower but easier to maintain/clean and cheaper 550? Or go all out and equip the RL 1100 to do everything?
Tony