This is a pretty cool setup...more than I will ever need, but a good setup nonetheless.

Ponsness Warrens Autodrive

Cheers, Vince

Vince,
It looks like that powder measure is an accident waiting to happen. I think it needs a kernal cutter or some finer grain powder.
Nice setup though - is there any way to check the powder before it pushes a bullet in there?
I know - I saw what you saw.... just askin'.

Nice setup but too much automation for me ....... like PaulS, I don't trust that powder measure.

I see what you mean about the powder dispenser...but from the level of workmanship there, and the amount of work involved to get it all working together, I feel pretty certain that it is ok.

Watching it in operation, I don't think that the slide is hanging up on the powder kernels...it "hesitates" at the same spot every time, and maintains the same cadence throughout its operation. I think that it is set up to work like that.

It doesn't look like there is a way to check the powder belore seating a bullet, but that is not uncommon with progressive presses...especially shotshell loaders.

Cheers, Vince

I have a 1050 with a KISS bullet feeder on it. I can load 1800rds/hr cranking the handle.

That machine will only do 1200rds/hr.

Besides you can react to a no powder charge quick enough.

I'll stay manual.

Most set-ups like that run a powder check die !!! It won't necessarily tell you your off a grain but will alert you of a problem.

What bothers me about the set-up is I don't feel there's enough time allotted at the top of the stroke for the powder to drop.
Speed is one thing but I want it to be consistent also.


My 550B powder measure sticks like that when it needs cleaned. There is a mechanical link that assures it returns to it starting point.

Just as a side note, A friend of mine got his son into high power competition and was doing an outstanding job with .308 ammo loaded on a 1050.
Past 600 yards they found it necessary to use a single stage.

Wow, my reloading operation is at the opposite extreme of this machine. This apparatus must have cost $2000+!

I'm with you Slim...a single stage O Frame press is my only loading apparatus and it suits me nicely. I had a Lee 1000 Progressive when I was loading pistol, and it turned out good loads, but nowhere near as good as the single stage.

The loads I am turning out are more than adequate for my needs. My .243 loads are well under MOA and well within "Minute of Critter".

Cheers, Vince

I have a LEE CCT press set up to be semiprogressive and I load 22 KHornet on it. its producing ammo that shoots .5" @ 100 yds consistantly with 40gr Sierra HP Varminters and WW 296 powder. My DIllon 550B produces ammo for my 308, and 223's that are consistant enough to keep me and my Daughter competative in NRA High Power. My Daughter is 19 and is a "Distingushed Marksman".

I have a Dillon 650, and there are a few issues with the powder thrower. First off, do not attempt to dump any standard sized extruded powder into anything smaller than a .257 caliber bullet. I can dump H4831SC into 25/06 cases but 6mm cases are so small the powder will hang up in the nect and powder die. Do not use lincoln log sized stick powder such as IMR4350 at all. The dillon powder thower will thow consistent chages using flake and ball powder. It also thows within *-.2gns Benchmark very well. H4895 and Varget throw *-.4gns. I haven't tested the new IMR 8208 xbr powder yet. Another issue with thowing powder charges is the coating on the powder. If the powder has a good coating of graphite on it, it will flow more consitently thru a mechanical thrower. Powders that are the same size but lack the graphite coating don't thow as well so size is not always the best indicator of how well a powder will throw.

When using a progressive press, you should always dump out the first thow when starting and also the first thow after any type of hangup. The extra time spent and extra vibration involved clearing any hangups will cause the next powder charge to be a little heavy. You will achive the best accuaracy as long as you are working the machine in a consistent timely manner.