Dillon 550 manual priming system

tlawler · Sep 18, 2020

I haven’t been a fan of on press priming going back to my start-up days with a Lee turret. When I got my Dillon 550, I immediately set about figuring out a way of removing the primer tube because it just gets in my way. The tube can’t be removed from the block, and short of cutting it off and ruining the priming assembly, you’re stuck with it. Last week, a friend showed me this Dillon manual priming system and pointed out there was one for sale on the bay. I made an offer that was accepted and got it in the mail today. I just installed it and I think it really cleans up the lines of the press. Also gives me the option of manually priming if I’m just doing a few rounds. Plus it keeps my original priming system intact for when I sell the press and upgrade or if I ever decide to go back to press priming. Here’s a close up of it and before and after pictures of my press.

Ivan the Butcher · Sep 18, 2020

I bought mine in 1984 the model was called a 450 and had "Push Bar" priming and a "Push Bar" powder drop. I loaded 20,000 rounds of 223 Rem that way along with two 5000 round batches of 9mm. Never had a missed primer and never had a squib load. Since then I have gone through all the upgrades except the "C" grease fittings. Close to half a million rounds and still going strong!

Ivan

Engineer1911 · Sep 18, 2020

Auto prime and auto powder are the GREATEST achievements for progressive presses. Just my random thought. I will never sell my Dillon 450 or 550 presses. My widow or grandchildren can sell the presses.

jjfitch · Sep 18, 2020

The only stoppages with my 40+ year old 550 I've had that weren't my fault were flipped primer, or jammed primer bar issues!

A step backward may prove to be an improvement!

I don't recall similar issues with 2 SDB or 2 450 JR's!

Smiles,

jcelect · Sep 20, 2020

If you don't like the auto prime on your Dillon 550 why not just buy a hand priming tool like Lee's, RCBs's, Hornady, or Frankford Arsenal. You are able to "feel" the primer into place(depth)! You will stop handling every primer by hand! I do all my rifle handloading on a single station(Herter's press) and have used the Lee priming tool for years!
jcelect

pistolpete10 · Sep 20, 2020

I don't understand hand priming on a progressive press, it's no longer progressive.

Turn4811 · Sep 20, 2020

pistolpete10 said:
I don't understand hand priming on a progressive press, it's no longer progressive.

I have a Dillon 550 and a RockChucker. I use the RockChucker for rifle case prep and all of my large primer cases. I have swapped all of my 45 cases out to small primer so the only LP I load on a semi-regular basis is 10mm.

scattershot · Sep 20, 2020

Interesting. I never knew they had such a thing. I still prefer the auto prime feature on my 550, though.

tlawler · Sep 20, 2020

jcelect said:
If you don't like the auto prime on your Dillon 550 why not just buy a hand priming tool like Lee's, RCBs's, Hornady, or Frankford Arsenal. You are able to "feel" the primer into place(depth)! You will stop handling every primer by hand! I do all my rifle handloading on a single station(Herter's press) and have used the Lee priming tool for years!
jcelect

I gave up priming on the press about 500 rounds into using my Lee turret. I started hand priming, first with an older style Lee until it broke, then an RCBS universal hand priming tool. I tried the newer Lee before I settled on the RCBS and did not like it at all(as seems to be the general consensus with it). I’ve since added the RCBS hand primer that uses the shell holder because the universal doesn’t grip smaller cases like .32H&R and .327FedMag very well. I decap on a Lee single stage with a universal decapping die, then wet tumble before hand priming.
The only thing the manual priming system does on the 550 is fill the spot where the priming tube goes and retains the “spring-back” feel of having the priming tube and block in place. I guess I could have just removed the priming system completely and I didn’t try to do any loading with the tube assembly removed before installing the manual primer, so I don’t know how that would work. I did notice that the shellplate platform just bottoms out with an audible “clunk” if the spring and primer plunger aren’t installed. And the OCD in me doesn’t like an open spot with empty screw holes where something is supposed to be installed. In case anyone else is interested, here is a diagram of the assembly from a newer 550 manual showing the part number you need. You would only need to order the block(p/n 16612) and install your existing primer cup, plunger, spring and set screw and pick up some hardware at Ace to mount it.

BE Mike · Sep 20, 2020

When I decided to go beyond my single-stage press, I bought a Dillon 450. When the 550 came out, my wife bought me the upgrade as a Christmas present. Of course, it came with the auto priming system. I'll never go back. I also have a Dillon 650 and have been happy with its priming system, as well. One does have to do routine cleaning and maintenance for them to perform optimally.

Dillon 550 manual priming system

tlawler

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