If you could improve a Dillon...........

[mobocracy]

It seems the most popular 650 mods from my research:

(1) Cut the detent spring 1/2 to 1 1/2 turns - smooths out the shell plate rotation.
(2) Add a thrust washer and bearing combination under the shell plate bolt - smooths it out even more.
(3) Modify the used primer catcher with tape or a hose/bottle
(4) Add a knob or micrometer to the powder measure adjustment
(5) Clamp the toolhead with machine screws instead of pins

Some people also adapt other powder measures - I haven't seen the need.

I've done the micrometer powder adjustment mod. At a bare minimum it saves a ton of headache when dialing in a powder adjustment. I bought mine from Uniquetek (great people!) and they have an Excel spreadsheet you can use to model the powder charges and get an exact charge with a micrometer setting.

I haven't done this part, but just knowing I'm making a specific, small adjustment beats the guesswork of the stock Dillon bolt. I'm surprised Dillon hasn't made this an upgrade option.

Uniquetek also sell the screw-down-your-toolhead option. I guess I haven't found the need for that level of precision. The .223 I've loaded appears to be as accurate or moreso than I am.

I've only occasionally been interested in the smoother-rotating-shellplate option, usually when loading small cases pretty full (9mm). For other case/powder combos (say, .44 Magnum) it doesn't seem to bother me.

I don't care for the primer system, but, after changing it over the only real PITA is getting the primer punch out. It is just awkward. The instructions for changing the primer size make it sound much worse than it is, in my opinion.

I'd like to see it redesigned to:

1) Be simpler and more modular to swap primer sizes. Once piece in, one piece out. I don't want to dissassemble a subassembly and change one part.

2) No empty feeds. If a primer doesn't get seated, don't spit it out.

 

[Chuck Jones]

My 550b started life as a 450 too!

One day I'll get another one so I can have small primers set up in one and large primers in the other.

That would be bliss.

/c

 

[rodell]

I
I'd like to see it redesigned to:

1) Be simpler and more modular to swap primer sizes. Once piece in, one piece out. I don't want to dissassemble a subassembly and change one part.

2) No empty feeds. If a primer doesn't get seated, don't spit it out.

For #1: Just another $78 to Dillon and you get the complete primer mechanism! All you change is two bolts for the entire thing. Are you surprised, there's always one more Dillon part! You still have to do the primer punch, though.

For #2: I completely agree with you. That's really annoying.

 

[NFrameFred]

I have a 550b and would redesign the primer feed system. Loading up the tube takes too many steps, There should be some way to just attach a flip tray in place of that tube. Changing from large primers to small is also a real pain. Other than that I would leave it alone.

After shooting competition for years and loading a gazillion rounds on them, I solved the 550B large/small primer switching problem. . . . went down the bench about 3 feet and put on a second 550B; the first is permanently set up for small primers and the second for large. Can't help you on the other

 

[VonFatman]

NFrameFred,
That's the best way I know of! I've been tempted to buy a second 650. Dillon's are pretty nice!

Bob

 

[Electric Head]

I have a 550 - one improvement I want is to move the mount for the spent primer catch outward so the primer catch isn't vertical when the lever is up, and has some chance of dropping back down again to catch the next one when you cycle the lever down.

I have a magnet hanging on the side of it as per someone else's fix on a forum and that works great, but that's not how it comes when you buy it.