Search has yielded too many answers to sort through - so I'll ask
(at the risk of being berated)
What case lube is recommended for, say, 223 brass going into a Dillon 550? If Imperial - do you lube the shoulder, or just the body and neck?
Also, how does CFE 223 meter?

Since loading 223 on a progressive press is meant to turn out more volume in less time I would look at one of the spray on type lubes. I will recommend Hornady One Shot but be sure you follow the directions if you don't a mess.
On a side note, my friends that use a 550B for loading 223 for the AR use the Dillon Carbide Die to make things go smoother; you still have to lube though.
I will say it is recommended that you not lube shoulders but, using the spray lube, that won't be an easy task.
Now, CFE223 should meter well. It isn't extruded.

This.

Use a spray lube. I use a lanolin/alcohol mix in a spray bottle, but Hornady One Shot works great too. I don't use a carbide die for 556 on my Dillon 550.

CFE 223 meters great, being a ball powder, and works well in the Dillon powder measure.

Tip on spray lubing brass -
Get a quart ziplock bag, give the inside of the bag a couple of short sprays, insert about 50 cases, shake to
evenly distributes the lube. No muss, no fuss.

NV, that's a pretty good tip, I've been using a pie pan but wipe it out all the time. And One Shot.

NVhntr - does that work well, repetitively? I need to load 1-2K, and wonder how often to re-spray. Every 50, every 100, will the lube get so heavy in the bag that I start to dent shoulders? When?

Pick up a can of One Shot. Put cases in a tray and shake a little as you spray. Works great.

I use a blue camp fry pan and lube with Amzoil version of WD 40.... its worked real well for years...

but I sure do like NV Hunters idea of the Zip lock bag also...will have to give that a try...

I use imperial sizing wax. Keep a dab on my numb and index finger on the hand I insert cases with. Kind of roll the case between my finger and thumb as I pick up the brass and insert it into the shell plate

Forgot to say I have used the RCBS lube die
I do like the lube die but it needs lube added too often for my

Mark,
First time using the bag a couple of squirts will do it. After that maybe one squirt will do it.
I've never had a problem with too much lube, you can tell after a couple of cases if they are adequately lubed.
I will also throw pistol cases in the bag with no additional lube even when using carbide dies. The residual lube in the bag is just enough to really smooth things out.

Thanks for the info, guys!

Dillon case lube is what I prefer, but it must be tumbled off. I decrimp/size, trim (Dillon trimmer), then expand the case mouth with a Lyman M-Die on one toolhead, then tumble and load on another with a 650. You'll only have room for two dies on a 550B I believe.

I have loaded a few thousand 223 on a 1050 with just One Shot and never stuck a case, YMMV. If you don't want to tumble that is what I'd try but make sure you get good coverage.

For a bolt gun, if you use Uniquetek's toolhead clamp, you can use a Lee Collet Die on a 550B and skip the lube.

I nickeled my 223 dies to use in a progressive loader if the brass is polished then no lub is needed

Why do you have to use the Uniquetek toolhead clamp to use a the Lee Collet die on a 550?

Hey TAK, I asked you a question.

SO SORRY! You don't HAVE to use it. I'm afraid the tension might vary a tad. A collet die is enough of a PITA without complicating it IME. I use the toolhead clamp on ALL rifle cartridges because they just about eliminate any OAL discrepancies. If you're not familiar with it, all it is is a heli-coil insert installed where the Dillon pin goes through the hole in the toolhead. Comes with a little cap screw and an allen wrench. It pulls the toolhead up against the top of the slot in the press so that it has nowhere to go.