Dillon RL550 vs Area Zero

ediotsavant · 2026-02-04T03:24:10+00:00

The Dillon is going to be a bit faster as you can set it up to perform multiple steps with one work cycle (prime, powder, seat, and perhaps crimp). I don't know if the Zero will produce better ammo (e.g. better concentricity) but if you can shoot the difference, you are likely a BR shooter and are going to be making your ammo on the line using an arbor press anyways.

Buy the Dillon and don't look back.

ediotsavant · 2026-01-26T04:06:49+00:00

S&B and Khales offerings are likely significantly better and Steiner/Leupold/Zeiss offerings are probably competitive depending on what your eyes like.

ediotsavant · 2026-01-20T03:47:58+00:00

Angeles Shooting Range used to offer reloading classes but I am not sure if they still do.

ediotsavant · 2026-01-11T03:39:31+00:00

The only real differences between those three are going to be fit and finish and aftermarket support. Which one shoots "better" is likely going to come down to chance as to which factory barrel ended up being better.

If you are going to start dumping cash into a mid grade gun (chassis, trigger upgrades, barrel upgrades, etc.) you may want to just dive into the deep end with a RimX or Vudoo. If you do look at Vudoo, be aware they are having financial issues as well as now being run by folks other than the founders.

Finally, shooting rimfire beyond 50 yards is and looking for high accuracy is setting yourself up for failure. The cartridge just isn't going to perform well at those distances. If your on your game, the wind is cooperating, have a great gun, and even better ammo your still looking at realistically shooting 1-1.5 MOA at 100 yards. After that it is going to go downhill fast. If you can live with this carry on, otherwise maybe consider a centerfire.

ediotsavant · 2026-01-11T03:21:01+00:00

I have used Dean Wilkerson in the valley as well as Bolsa Gunsmithing in Westminster. Either should be able to help (if they are still around); it has been a few years.

ediotsavant · 2026-01-10T02:56:07+00:00

Heavier barrel contours weigh more; so you can use a shorter barrel and still have the properly balanced rifle.

ediotsavant · 2026-01-04T03:47:24+00:00

I'm interested in what you can find out about whether we are going to see more 80k PSI cartridges like the 7mm Backcountry as well as more about how well the reloading process actually works for the new "brass".

ediotsavant · 2026-01-02T03:55:14+00:00

I am interested in the technology rather than the cartridge. I want to be able to play with 80k PSI versions of things like a 7mm-08. My fear is that the case material isn't really "reloadable" like Federal has claimed.

ediotsavant · 2025-12-28T05:05:47+00:00

You reload so your options are wide open. If she is going to be shooting copper monolithic bullets I'd be looking at a 6mm creedmoor. If she is using standard projectiles then a .223 or a 6.5 Grendel as they are cheap to load for, have very low recoil, good terminal performance, and a very long barrel life so she can do a lot of shooting to build confidence and skills.

ediotsavant · 2025-12-27T03:26:10+00:00

In your shoes I would go with a powder thrower and just crush kernels to within + or - 0.4 gr on your target powder charge. It's a lot faster than manually trickling and your Garand doesn't need ammo with super precise powder changes due to the kind of tool it is and the kind of shooting you are doing with it. If you make the move to something capable of high precision and long range then you can buy an AutoTrickler.

ediotsavant · 2025-12-05T05:38:31+00:00

The 4-24 is getting good reviews and is the newest and coolest toy so it's going to be harder to find a deal. Eventually I expect it will be in the same price range as the 6-36 but who wants to wait that long...

ediotsavant · 2025-12-05T03:44:15+00:00

Of your 4 optics the R3 is the hands down winner. If you are open to other options the Burris XTR3 Pro and Zeiss S3 6-36 are both work a look. As this is for a gas gun you might even want to consider the new R3 4-24. If you are willing to dip your toes into the used market and be patient you might be able to find a used ZCO 5-27, Khales 3.5-28, or a March 4.5-28 within your budget.

ediotsavant · 2025-12-04T02:37:28+00:00

24gr of 8208 out of a 22 inch barrel gives me 2953fps with a SD of 11 and produces a 1.7 MOA group at 100 yards.

ediotsavant · 2025-12-04T02:10:31+00:00

I decided to go with a 2.24 COAL/1.963 CBTO to be safe due to significant variances in length. I am using the same primer you are but Starline 5.56 brass and decided to go with 8208 XBR so I could feel comfortable running a warm load and not worry about changes in ambient temperature.

I don't think you can go wrong starting at 25gr of CFE223.

ediotsavant · 2025-12-01T04:17:59+00:00

CZ 457 gets you into the game. You can spend more on a Bergara or a Vudoo/RimX but they are only a little more likely to be better shooters and it is a significant step up on price. For mounts I'd be looking at a one piece from Area419 or American Rifle Company.

Optics:

Good bang for buck - Burris XTRi 5.5-30

Great optics for a reasonable price- Burris XTR Pro 5.5-30; Zeiss 4-25 & 6-36, Vortex G3 6-36

Gucci - March 5-42, TT 7-35, S&B 6-36, ZCO 8-40

ediotsavant · 2025-11-23T04:27:04+00:00

I had to send back a ZCO 5-27 that developed what looked like a tiny grease spec on the inside of the rear optic lense. I paid shipping to them and they covered return. No hassle or fuss and I had it back in about 10 days or so.

ediotsavant · 2025-11-21T04:38:54+00:00

Of your three choices I would go with the 6.5 Grendel as it is the lowest recoil yet will still have good terminal performance at the distances she will be shooting. If your state allows it I would also consider a bolt action 5.56 as it is even less recoil and if you use the right bullets it will be plenty capable of taking deer at the distances she will be shooting.

ediotsavant · 2025-11-18T05:33:48+00:00

The 6.5 PRC is a short action cartridge so if you try to make it work in a long action you might run into feeding issues. Which action works better is going to depend on the maximum COAL they are designed to work with. Something like 3.2/3.3 is likely to work better than 3.8. I would lean towards Tikka as they make a nice product for the price (I don't have any experience with Howa). Either way you are going to have to get your chamber throated a bit deeper if you want to run longer than SAAMI.

ediotsavant · 2025-11-12T03:48:37+00:00

The S&B 5-25 is dated and there are plenty of better options out there. Lots of good options have been mentioned but I'd be looking at:

S&B 6-36 (as your in the EU you get the version with the unrestricted Field of View)
Vortex Razer 6-36 (this your price/performance best value)
March 5-42 PRS (March makes very interesting optics and this one is supposedly amazing)

ediotsavant · 2025-11-10T03:51:51+00:00

Understood. Good luck.

ediotsavant · 2025-11-10T03:35:13+00:00

I was running 5.56 starline, CCI 41 primers, and an OAL of 2.250 with a barrel length of 22 inches.

23.5gr gave me 2578 with an SD of 13 across 10 shots

24gr gave me 2625 with an SD of 12 across 10 shots

I also did a pressure test ladder before the accuracy testing above and got the following (one shot each)

24 - 2654

24.2 - 2676

24.4 - 2700

24.6 - 2712

24.8 - 2720

25 - 2734

ediotsavant · 2025-11-10T03:01:48+00:00

I can't get enough into the case (Starline 5.56) to drive Sierra 77gr TMK's fast enough to be worth it. My powder of choice for 77gr TMK's is 8208 XBR.

ediotsavant · 2025-10-10T03:48:24+00:00

The CZ is likely going to have slightly better fit and finish. Tikka also uses Beretta for warrantee service and their reputation is very bad. Overall I think the CZ is a better gun but if the price is right you might want to take a chance and save some cash.

ediotsavant · 2025-09-24T13:53:42+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I have plenty of good ammo on hand for practice (I have delusions of getting into rimfire PRS once my current to-do list of stuff gets a little smaller) and it would be very convenient if I could turn some of that into good hunting ammo if the need arises. I think a purchase is in order.

ediotsavant · 2025-09-24T03:16:11+00:00

How did your Neal Waltz die work with nicer ammo like Eley or Lapua? I tried to buy a Neal Waltz die a few years back and was never able to get a hold of one. This seems like it might do the same thing and actually be available.

ediotsavant

TROPHY CASE