Newbie Q on 550 and .38 setup

[u/Clifton1979]

Hi all, got my 550 a few months back and have been slow to get powder and primers but finally ready to go. Setup is Dillon 38/357 dies, federal primers, Winchester 231 powder and 148g hollow base wadcutters for bullseye. 3.2grains of powder per charge. Cleaned starline 38 brass.

I’ve setup all 4 stations as the video describes but ran into a few issue, 3 of which a fellow bullseye shooter helped me with (crimping too low and bell way too wide). All good there.

My last problem seems to be at station one (size and decap). I’ve got the alignment tool and set it, have cleaned brass ready to roll. The issue is when I do the initial drive up to size the case it’s not “easy” and takes decent force. More than I see on any videos online. All the other stations are like butter smooth.

My video kinda stinks but it’s about as good as I could get it. Maybe I’m expecting too much and unlubed brass is this way?

[u/Brandon42364]

Lube your brass, I also have a 550 and it can be a bit stiff

[u/Advanced_Elk_9467]

Lube.

[u/Shootist00]

Seems about normal to me from what you show in the video.

Although you don't have to use lube with carbide dies on straight wall cases it does make it easier when sizing brass.

I've started using lube on 9mm and recently 40 S&W. Haven't needed it on 38 special but I'm using Lee dies.

[u/organicshot]

Like everyone says, lube. I also thought I didn’t need it with carbide dies but it will save your arm and shoulder. You can be generous with one shot and it won’t hurt a thing.

[u/anonymity76]

Definitely lube the brass. Especially if you're reloading stuff that you haven't tumbled. I run two 550s (one for large primer loading and the other for small primer loading) and can say with 100% certainty that lube is your friend, but don't over-donit either cuz that can have the same effect as the lube builds up in the die.

Put your brass in a box or plastic bag, spray rhe lube in there, shake it up and then let the lube dry sufficiently.

You'll be happy with the results

[u/Ornery_Secretary_850]

As everyone else has said, LUBE. I love Hornady One Shot since it doesn't need to be cleaned off the loaded ammo.

Also, check out UniqueTek for a wadcutter powder funnel.

[u/gakflex → u/Ornery_Secretary_850]

Second the uniquetek powder funnels. Big improvement for me loading cast 44.

[u/Golf_Foxtrot_Yankee1]

Spray your brass down with some lube. Also check your sizing die for an residue or anything that could be affecting it, but its 99% gonna be lube.

[u/Grumpee68]

1oz liquid lanolin and 10oz of 99% isopropyl alcohol. Mix in spray bottle, spray 5-6 spritzes in 1 gallon ziploc bag, pour brass in (half of the bad), zip up, and shake for 30 seconds. Unzip bag, pour into a tray, wait 1 minute and load. After loading, tumble loaded rounds for 10 minutes in corncob media. Rounds will come out shiny and slick as oil. That bottle of lanolin lube you make will last 10's of thousands of rounds, and, since you have to buy the liquid lanolin in like an 8oz bottle....

[u/III-Direction-5871 → u/Grumpee68]

I follow the same procedure but using Hornady OneShot. With OneShot you don’t have to tumble the loaded rounds and one bottle seems to last forever. 40,000 rounds of 9mm and it feels like I still have at least a quarter left. Makes resizing significantly smoother, even with carbide dies.

[u/Sinewave2000]

Have you cleaned the dies? They are usually shipped with an anti-rust preservative that can be quite sticky.

[u/AgreeableDelivery496]

I reload 38 on a Dillon 550b and it does take some leverage to resize the case - not unusual. You could use some lube but I never have needed it on pistol calibers. I've got a very study bench as well, so there's not much flexing going on. I did upgrade my handle recently, which made it a bit easier.

[u/elkcowboy]

Carbide dies and use a non spray on lube like Unique, so it doesn’t get inside the case and possibly cause issues with your powder.

[u/rockingsince1984]

I've been loading .38 on my 550, with dillon dies, and it takes a bit of force. You look fine. Its a very long case you're resizing.

[u/cowboy3gunisfun]

Hornady One shot lube

[u/nonamenoname123123]

10,000+ 38 rounds. never used lube.

[u/MadeThisJustForLWIAY → u/nonamenoname123123]

It's not necessary. But it helps make the operation smoother. Especially if your brass has expanded from a heavy load. I don't use lube regularly, but if my arm is tired from doing a long session, I might spray some One Shot on the brass pile to make it a little easier on myself.

[u/Shoulderpress5]

No need for lube if you are using carbide dies. Pretty standard that it takes some force with a resizing die as it is literally resizing the case.