I'm woefully behind in my preparations for the season. Only enough lead cast for half the year, less than fifty .45 ACP in the can and not much more .38 Special. With the first match of the year only 2 weeks away, I figured I better drag myself down the basement and get to work. Let's see... The SDB is still set up for the .38 Long Colt experiment I was all hot on last fall. First match is USPSA and the 625 needs some .45 ACP. Well, I'll just swap out the tool head... Huh! The back bolt isn't coming loose. What's up with that? Twenty minutes of screwing around later and I have the answer. The threaded insert came out of the press body. Damn!



Well, could be worse. I still have 3 good screws. I'll put a quick thousand or so in the can to get me through the March matches and then call for an RMA. 263 rounds later... Yep. It could be worse alright.



So... What's Dillon's turn around on press rebuilds these days?

I have a Dillon square deal B for $200 + actual shipping still set up for 38-357 in good shape--I still use. I bought 2 550s.--JACK

I called Dillon today and was told 4 weeks for a rebuild. That's too long for me to be out of pocket. I told them to send me a handle. I'll put it back on the bench as is and load until I get a cushion or something else breaks.

I've got a 550 too, but no pistol conversions... I have an SDB for pistol.

What rifle calibers do you have for the RL550?

The .30 caliber shell plate is the same and I think that the pins are the same. Do you have any standard 45ACP dies?

#1 Shell plate for both, #1 pin for Both and the Square Deal B powder funnel, "E" is the same as the RL550.

So, all you need is a set of 45ACP dies.

About $30 from a local store and you are in business.

Hope this helps.

My available conversions are .30/30, .223, .35 Remington and I forgot I do have one pistol conversion, a .44 Mag. All I'd need is a shell plate. Thanks for the useful information on the powder funnels and buttons. I'll keep my eye out for a shell plate. Always good to have options!

The handle came while I was at work today and I'm back in business.



Turns out that the threaded inserts made for metal all require drill size that exceeds the available casting, so I got a thin wall brass insert intended for woodworking, filed it to a transition fit and then pressed it in coated with a good epoxy. It held for the first tightening. Who knows how durable it will be. I need to get a few thousand in the can and then I have options.