Just bought a 550B - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**SVThuh** · 03-11-2008, 03:53 PM

So what else should I get? It comes with one toolhead and one set of dies I beleve. I will be going with the .223 dies due to my itchy trigger finger and two AR's.

I plan on getting different toolheads for different calibers so I dont have to swap dies all the time. I will eventually begin to load 9mm, .40, .45, 7.62x39 and 7.62x51.

For a true M855 5.56 load, what would a good recipe be? and what else should I look into. Im thinking about getting a scale and a tumbler, but are these items an absolute necessity?

Thanks all in advance!

ichy_trigger · 03-11-2008, 03:59 PM

You absolutely need a scale and I would definately get a tumbler. If you start shooting ALOT, you may want to consider a case feeder for it as well. You will also need calipers.

Bearcreek · 03-11-2008, 04:02 PM

I reload 9mm and .45 on my 550b and love it. As far as things you need I would say the following-a grain scale, a set of calipers(dial or digital) to check OAL. I have been reloading for about 3 months now and have not yet bought a tumbler. I guess it just makes your brass shiny, but I am not a flashy kind of guy.

As far as for rifle calibers, I have read about a case trimmer??? I don't load rifle, so I cannot comment on NECESSARY Rifle reload items.

Bearcreek · 03-11-2008, 04:03 PM

hey Ichy.. what is purpose of tumbler? and would he need a case trimmer?

fredj338 · 03-11-2008, 04:57 PM

You MUST HAVE a powder scale to set the volumn measure. A tumbler is nice, but not required. You can just wipe the brass off well before sizing. You'll eventually have to trim the rifle brass, especially if you crimp, often after just one firing. Calipers are very usefull. Extra tool heads are also a must, you don;t want to have to change dies out once they are set. That & a good loading manual is all you need to get going. One of the load books from Midway is a minimum, the Speer #14 has alot of good info in it.

ichy_trigger · 03-11-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcreek

hey Ichy.. what is purpose of tumbler? and would he need a case trimmer?

A case tumbler is otherwise known as a vibratory case cleaner. You put your tumbling meida in there and then add your cases, turn in on for an hour to over night and your cases are clean and shiny.

Yes, when you fire a rifle round, the extreme pressures will stretch the brass case and they will need to be trimmed every other to every few firings.

Get a GOOD reloading manual and proceed with caution.

03-11-2008, 03:59 PM	#2
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,525	You absolutely need a scale and I would definately get a tumbler. If you start shooting ALOT, you may want to consider a case feeder for it as well. You will also need calipers. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

03-11-2008, 04:02 PM	#3
Bearcreek XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 769	I reload 9mm and .45 on my 550b and love it. As far as things you need I would say the following-a grain scale, a set of calipers(dial or digital) to check OAL. I have been reloading for about 3 months now and have not yet bought a tumbler. I guess it just makes your brass shiny, but I am not a flashy kind of guy. As far as for rifle calibers, I have read about a case trimmer??? I don't load rifle, so I cannot comment on NECESSARY Rifle reload items. __________________ Enter my home with peace in your heart- or leave with lead in your @$$!!--unknown but I like it.

03-11-2008, 04:03 PM	#4
Bearcreek XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 769	hey Ichy.. what is purpose of tumbler? and would he need a case trimmer? __________________ Enter my home with peace in your heart- or leave with lead in your @$$!!--unknown but I like it.

03-11-2008, 04:57 PM	#5
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,228	You MUST HAVE a powder scale to set the volumn measure. A tumbler is nice, but not required. You can just wipe the brass off well before sizing. You'll eventually have to trim the rifle brass, especially if you crimp, often after just one firing. Calipers are very usefull. Extra tool heads are also a must, you don;t want to have to change dies out once they are set. That & a good loading manual is all you need to get going. One of the load books from Midway is a minimum, the Speer #14 has alot of good info in it. __________________ EVERY GOOD SHOOTER SHOULD BE A HANDLOADER!

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03-11-2008, 03:53 PM	#1
SVThuh XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,049	Just bought a 550B So what else should I get? It comes with one toolhead and one set of dies I beleve. I will be going with the .223 dies due to my itchy trigger finger and two AR's. I plan on getting different toolheads for different calibers so I dont have to swap dies all the time. I will eventually begin to load 9mm, .40, .45, 7.62x39 and 7.62x51. For a true M855 5.56 load, what would a good recipe be? and what else should I look into. Im thinking about getting a scale and a tumbler, but are these items an absolute necessity? Thanks all in advance!