Dillon press questions

[Collo Rosso]

Thinking about a Dillon 550b this Christmas and have a few questions for owners.

550b will take any 7/8" dies and I have RCBS and one Lyman set for all my calibers. Is there any reason to switch to Dillon dies? Anybody using a 550b with competitive dies? Work well?

What do you do for powder check? Can you see the powder in the case? I load from a RCBS uniflow with cases in a sized loading block. Easy to run your eyes down the rows and spot a double or no charge.

Hows the primer feed system? Any brands it doesn't work well with? Good feel? High primers?

[Redford]

Was thinking the same thing only other questions is the power feed how well do's it work with different powders


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[lrrifleman]

Morning. I have had a 550B for almost 20 years, but I have been unable to use it for about 9 years due to accident injuries. I am just getting back to loading handgun ammo with it. That being said ...

I have recycled my reloading dies, using my RCBS, Hornady, and Lyman dies on my Dillon, there is no reason to buy new dies, they work quite well. I tried reloading rifle ammo on my Dillon when I shot service rifle, I didn't like the accuracy, so I load my rifle ammo on a single stage press. My Dillon is used only for pistol ammo, and I use only carbide dies. I have used CCI, Federal, and Remington primers,and have never had a problem, never a high primer unless I was not paying attention to what I was doing. With respect to the powder charger, if I don't leave powder in the thrower over night, I don't have to worry about powder clumping or caking up, so powder always flows freely. If I pay attention, and remember to advance the shell plate, I never have to worry about a double charge.

Bottom line, if you pay attention to what you are doing, and your primer and powder supply, you produce a perfect round with every throw of the lever.

Re: powders. I have had no problems with either flake or ball powder. I have had problems using extruded stick powder such as IMR4895 and IMP4064.

[iouri]

Your existing dies would work just fine with 550B. I've used CCI, Federal, Remington, S&B and Tula primers - never had any issues with any of those. For powder check I have goose neck LED light installed in the center of the toolhead and just do visual inspection. You can buy an adapter and still use your uniflow with 550b if you prefer it. I didn't use competition dies so can't comment on that. What may affect your competition loads is the fact that toolhead has a little play (intentional). Good luck with your purchase.

[4barrel]

I have 2 550b. I bought one in the early 80s. I use Dillon dies because I like to crimp in the last stage. Other brands of dies work fine but I order a crimp die for the final crimp. No problem with any powder. If you have a problem with a 550 that is what the adjustments are for. Clean brass is a +. I bought a lot of stuff in garage sales. A lot of people have no ideal what they are selling. Even most used reloading items have a lifetime warranty. When you see blue=Dillon--red=Hornady--orange=Lyman--RCBS=green--Even if you dont need it & cheap snatch it up. If you are getting into reloading you will need it later. Lead melting pots are some peoples junk when their spouse passes away. I gave $300 at one place for $1200 worth of their junk. If reloading equipment is for sale- -DO YOU STILL HAVE THE GUNS?

[fredj338]

I use a mix of dies on my 550 & 650, works fine. RCBS dies, Hornady dies, even a Lee set, works fine.

[M1A]

I've had my 450 over 40 years and have upgraded it to a 550 w/o the toolbar. Mostly RCBS dies along with Dillon, Hornady, and Forster. Not the best accurate powder dispensing for rifle powders, but I don't dump those anyway skipping stage 2.

[Big Cholla]

I could have written Post No. 3 word for word. I had a Dillon 550B and a Dillon 550. I was set up with the older solid head 550 for pistol cartridges, so tried loading .223R looking for accurate loads to be used in rifle competition on the 550B. I wasn't satisfied with the 550B's removable die head because I could see it flexing while in use. I figured I wasn't getting as accurate of loading as could be. I went to my RCBS Rock Chucker and loaded 100 rounds using the same components as I did on the 550B. I got much better accuracy by making the change. So. I switched the pistol loading operation to the 550B and the rifle loading operation to the fixed head 550. The accuracy of the loads came back to all but the same as the loads done singularly by using the RCBS Rock Chucker. Because of my advanced age and the declining amount of rifle ammo I was shooting, I sold the 550B, kept the 550 and added a Redding T-7. I have been very happy with the results.......

I think that Dillon products are the top of the line for their intended purposes. I have never had a double charge, nor a skipped powder charge. I have caused errors in loading thru my own actions. After one is familiar with the Dillon Progressives operator caused bobbles are easily corrected. ...............

[Collo Rosso]

Thanks for the replies. I have a Redding T-7 now that works fine, but the 4 pulls of the lever for a cartridge is starting to get to me. I have a torn rotor cuff in each shoulder and after so many pulls I start to feel it.
I'm shooting more and more lately with bowling pin and IDPA matches and keep finding myself with little time to reload. Add in my son and pistol ammo seems to disappear. It's looking like a progressive would be good for me.
Probably keep the T-7 for rifle as I don't shoot much in those calibers.

[lrrifleman]

To the OP:

If you are looking at loading one or two cartridges, I would suggest that you might consider the Dillon Square Deal B. If you are loading more than two, look at the 550B.

My 550B is currently set up to load 38 Special, 357 Magnum, and 45 ACP. My next purchase will be a conversion kit for 9mm Luger. Since I have the conversion kit for 223 Remington, I will have the flexibility to add 380 ACP. 41 Magnum will be done on the RCBS press.

I can not speak for certain, but I think that my problem with loading rifle cartridges was due to two problems: not full length resizing separately, and using stick powder. I am contemplating full length sizing a hundred or so throw away 223 cases, then doing a production run of 223 Remington with pre-sized cases using AA2520 and 55gr FMJ for my CQB rifle.

[Neumann]

It's best to use Dillon dies. The resizer is tapered for easier entry than dies for a manual press, and the seating and crimping dies are separate. You need a special expander/funnel for the powder stage, so an RCBS (or other) expansion die sits in the box.

You can use the RCBS seating/crimping die alone, but you get better results with much less force if you purchase a separate crimping die. I recommend the Redding die.

I stand to the left and observe the powder drop before proceeding. If interrupted, I always turn the table to place an empty cartridge (or no cartridge) under the powder funnel. I load standard magnum and rifle cartridges, which will overflow if double-filled, unlike many target loads. I don't even own any Bullseye.

[Bob R]

I use a Inline Fabrication skylight on my 550. It sits in the toolhead and throws a very nice light down into the interior of the press. Very easy to eyeball your powder throw on every case.

bob

[geddylee10002000]

Originally Posted by Bob R

I use a Inline Fabrication skylight on my 550. It sits in the toolhead and throws a very nice light down into the interior of the press. Very easy to eyeball your powder throw on every case.

bob

I also use this light on my 550B. I made a home made mirror attachment using a telescoping mirror to see inside the case for powder level. This is what I am going to buy soon to replace my contraption. The Original Powder Mirror

[Collo Rosso]

Originally Posted by Neumann

You need a special expander/funnel for the powder stage, so an RCBS (or other) expansion die sits in the box.

I thought this is included with the caliber conversion?

I've already separated seat and crimp with semi-auto pistol rounds. I was tearing the coating on powder coated bullets, but I'm not so sure it wasn't the cheap brand of powder coated (not Hi-tek) bullets I was using.

[Tom S.]

The 550 is a fine press and has a lot of loyal users, but if you can afford it, especially if you plan to shoot a lot, consider the 650XL. I have literally reloaded 1,000 45 acp's in an hour, not counting prep time of filling primer tubes. That's an extreme example, and one that I only did to see if it was possible, but you get the idea. A more realistic number is 500 to 600 an hour. After you've used the press for several decades and get enough ammo made to last to your dying day, you can sell it for more than you paid for it, so in the long term, it won't cost you anything.

[LAA]

Originally Posted by Tom S.

The 550 is a fine press and has a lot of loyal users, but if you can afford it, especially if you plan to shoot a lot, consider the 650XL. I have literally reloaded 1,000 45 acp's in an hour, not counting prep time of filling primer tubes. That's an extreme example, and one that I only did to see if it was possible, but you get the idea. A more realistic number is 500 to 600 an hour. After you've used the press for several decades and get enough ammo made to last to your dying day, you can sell it for more than you paid for it, so in the long term, it won't cost you anything.

Agree. After a lot of consideration between the 550 & 650, I went the 650 route. No regrets.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

I thought this is included with the caliber conversion?

I've already separated seat and crimp with semi-auto pistol rounds. I was tearing the coating on powder coated bullets, but I'm not so sure it wasn't the cheap brand of powder coated (not Hi-tek) bullets I was using.

you get a powder funnel with each conversion set. You only het on tool head & one powder thru die, so having addl tool heads with powder thru dies is pretty much mandatory.

[Collo Rosso]

Originally Posted by fredj338

you get a powder funnel with each conversion set. You only het on tool head & one powder thru die, so having addl tool heads with powder thru dies is pretty much mandatory.

I take it the powder funnel goes in the powder thru die. I'm guessing the funnel also does the belling as it comes in a caliber conversion kit. I've figured out I'll spend a small ransom on tool heads and conversion kits when I order the press!

[Collo Rosso]

Originally Posted by Tom S.

The 550 is a fine press and has a lot of loyal users, but if you can afford it, especially if you plan to shoot a lot, consider the 650XL. I have literally reloaded 1,000 45 acp's in an hour, not counting prep time of filling primer tubes. That's an extreme example, and one that I only did to see if it was possible, but you get the idea. A more realistic number is 500 to 600 an hour. After you've used the press for several decades and get enough ammo made to last to your dying day, you can sell it for more than you paid for it, so in the long term, it won't cost you anything.

I found a great thread on this forum about 4 years ago discussing the 550b vs XL650. The 550b was the favorite for 500 rounds or so a session and lots of caliber changes. That would be me.

[samnev]

Isotherms have said I use my 550B only for pistol cartridge reloading or bulk rifle cartridge reloading for my class III's. The Dillon powder measure just doesn't throw consistent enough loads even with ball powder like W748 to produce precision rounds for my target rifles. Stick powders are especially a problem with the Dillon powder measure. For precision rifle loads I use my Rockchucker and an RCBS ChargeMaster to dispense powder and check every 20th round on an Ohaus 1010 scale.
Any quality dies work fine in my 550B.

[AzShooter]

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

Thinking about a Dillon 550b this Christmas and have a few questions for owners.

550b will take any 7/8" dies and I have RCBS and one Lyman set for all my calibers. Is there any reason to switch to Dillon dies? Anybody using a 550b with competitive dies? Work well?

What do you do for powder check? Can you see the powder in the case? I load from a RCBS uniflow with cases in a sized loading block. Easy to run your eyes down the rows and spot a double or no charge.

Hows the primer feed system? Any brands it doesn't work well with? Good feel? High primers?

You can use any 7/8 dies. I use a Lee Undersize Die for both my 9mm and .38s. I use an RCBS seating die. I like the fine tune adjustments.

Powder is easy to check visually as you are reloading but you can also buy a powder check die from Dillon. It takes up one of the slots so you will have to seat and crimp at the same time. Not a problem.

I haven't had a high primer in years. Once you get use to the machine you won't have any problems. Make sure you push the handle all the way back after sizing. You can feel the primers seating.

[Neumann]

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

I thought this is included with the caliber conversion?

I've already separated seat and crimp with semi-auto pistol rounds. I was tearing the coating on powder coated bullets, but I'm not so sure it wasn't the cheap brand of powder coated (not Hi-tek) bullets I was using.

If you buy the Dillon die set, the powder funnel/expander is included. However it does not come with the die block. If you use a third party die set, you order the other parts a la carte.

I had RCBS sets for pistol calibers before buying the Dillon, but went ahead and ordered the Dillon versions too. I keep my old RCBS press mounted for various jobs, including short runs, decapping and pulling bullets. I also ordered RCBS "Cowboy" dies for .45 Colt and .45-70, which I load exclusively with lead RNFP bullets.

The Dillon 650 can handle much larger runs, but the setup for case and bullet feeding is a bit time consuming. You also get space to mount a powder sensing die. I usually do runs of 500 or less, so the 550B makes sense for me. The setup time with quick-change blocks and a primer change is about 15 minutes or less.

If you use a single die for seating and crimping, you will always shave lead. The bullet moves another mm or so before the crimp is completed. You feel a big difference in the force required too, and almost no crumpled cases.

[flintsghost]

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

550b will take any 7/8" dies and I have RCBS and one Lyman set for all my calibers. Is there any reason to switch to Dillon dies? Anybody using a 550b with competitive dies? Work well?

Conventional dies will work but they need to be converted to decap during the sizing operation. Older conventional dies by nearly all makers for pistol work size in one step, decap and bell in a 2nd step, and seat/crimp in a third. Dies for progressive use need to decap as part of sizing, the bell is provided on the 550 series during powder drop and the correct size is part of the caliber conversion and fits in the powder die. Then a seating die of a conventional nature will work in the third station. The 4th station is for a separate crimp either roll or taper depending on the cartridge. Since progressive presses have become popular for years, most makers like RCBS, Redding etc have made die sets specifically for them. They also make parts which can be used to add decaping to the old style sizing dies.

Dillon Dies are made with their progressives in mind. They are high quality and the current versions have a reversable seater plug to hand flat and round nose in the same die. Their one drawback is that if you decide to do some work on a single stage press, you will need a universal belling die with a lot of different caliber belling stems.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

I take it the powder funnel goes in the powder thru die. I'm guessing the funnel also does the belling as it comes in a caliber conversion kit. I've figured out I'll spend a small ransom on tool heads and conversion kits when I order the press!

Yes. One reason i still run my 550 even though i have a 650. Also some conversions are interchangable but for the funnel. So you can use the shell plate & buttons for 40 with 10mm & 357sig.
Some will buy a separate powder measure for each, total waste of $$ imo. I have two powder measures, one pistol, one rifle. I just swap measures when i swap tool heads. You have to verify the measure anyway.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by flintsghost

Conventional dies will work but they need to be converted to decap during the sizing operation. Older conventional dies by nearly all makers for pistol work size in one step, decap and bell in a 2nd step, and seat/crimp in a third. Dies for progressive use need to decap as part of sizing, the bell is provided on the 550 series during powder drop and the correct size is part of the caliber conversion and fits in the powder die. Then a seating die of a conventional nature will work in the third station. The 4th station is for a separate crimp either roll or taper depending on the cartridge. Since progressive presses have become popular for years, most makers like RCBS, Redding etc have made die sets specifically for them. They also make parts which can be used to add decaping to the old style sizing dies.

Dillon Dies are made with their progressives in mind. They are high quality and the current versions have a reversable seater plug to hand flat and round nose in the same die. Their one drawback is that if you decide to do some work on a single stage press, you will need a universal belling die with a lot of different caliber belling stems.

We are talking really old dies that decap in the belling process, like 35-40yrs old. I use a rcbs set from abput 1980, no bevel on the sizing die at all, but works great in my 550.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

I found a great thread on this forum about 4 years ago discussing the 550b vs XL650. The 550b was the favorite for 500 rounds or so a session and lots of caliber changes. That would be me.

I have both presses. I use the 550 all the time for shorter runs of calibers i dont shoot a lot. Its just a very simple progressive, easy to swap, still plenty fast. From start to finish, pretty easy to get 100rds in 12 min, including filling the primer tube. An easy 450-500rds per hour. The 650 with case feeder much faster, 700rds per easy, but more complicated & expensive. I own a 650 because i can but really, the 550 is more press than 90% of reloaders need.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by samnev

Isotherms have said I use my 550B only for pistol cartridge reloading or bulk rifle cartridge reloading for my class III's. The Dillon powder measure just doesn't throw consistent enough loads even with ball powder like W748 to produce precision rounds for my target rifles. Stick powders are especially a problem with the Dillon powder measure. For precision rifle loads I use my Rockchucker and an RCBS ChargeMaster to dispense powder and check every 20th round on an Ohaus 1010 scale.
Any quality dies work fine in my 550B.

I get 1/10gr accuracy with any ball powder in the Dillon. Even flake powders will go 2/10gr or better. Certainly accurate enough for 95% of all rifle shooting. Stick powders are spotty though. If your measure doesnt deliver this, check your powder failsafe rod. It wants to be snug for most consistant throw. Like any measure, technique & setup are important.

[Squarebutt]

Before you buy a big bunch of conversion kits and powder funnels, check the letters and numbers that Dillon lists for each caliber. In a nutshell, a .30 caliber funnel will work on any .30 case, so you could use it for anything from .30 Carbine to the .300 magnums. Also, many of the conversion kit base plates fit multiple calibers. The most useful one is probably the one that fits the .45 ACP, the .30-06 and a bunch of calibers from the .243 to .35 Whelen, based on the '06 and .308 cases, plus many of the Mausers, all with a .473 case head. .

[Neumann]

The powder funnel is relatively inexpensive. It is an inverted funnel for necked rifle cases rather than an expander. However it makes no sense to buy a die block then change the other dies keeping only the powder funnel between conversions, or move the powder funnel from block to block. Either way would entail another adjustment for each caliber, which is contrary to the concept of "quick change."

If the shell plate can be used for different cartridges, go ahead. It's a simple installation with no adjustments. So far I haven't experienced that kind of overlap. Personally, I find it easier to have everything for one caliber on a stand - block, dies, pins and shell plate. Most of the time I pop for the powder measure as well. Expensive yes, but it makes better use of my limited time at the bench.

[Collo Rosso]

Thanks again for all the advise. if I do this (it's in my head, I think you know what will happen!) I'll probably order it for 9mm and then add a 45acp kit, extra powder thru die and a toolhead to start off. No second powder measure as my 9mm and 45acp loads use the same charge of WST. Very convenient!

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Squarebutt

Before you buy a big bunch of conversion kits and powder funnels, check the letters and numbers that Dillon lists for each caliber. In a nutshell, a .30 caliber funnel will work on any .30 case, so you could use it for anything from .30 Carbine to the .300 magnums. Also, many of the conversion kit base plates fit multiple calibers. The most useful one is probably the one that fits the .45 ACP, the .30-06 and a bunch of calibers from the .243 to .35 Whelen, based on the '06 and .308 cases, plus many of the Mausers, all with a .473 case head. .

Sort of. I doubt a short 30 carbine will work for a 300wm, you run out of die. The funnels are diff lengths too,not just diameters.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Neumann

The powder funnel is relatively inexpensive. It is an inverted funnel for necked rifle cases rather than an expander. However it makes no sense to buy a die block then change the other dies keeping only the powder funnel between conversions, or move the powder funnel from block to block. Either way would entail another adjustment for each caliber, which is contrary to the concept of "quick change."

If the shell plate can be used for different cartridges, go ahead. It's a simple installation with no adjustments. So far I haven't experienced that kind of overlap. Personally, I find it easier to have everything for one caliber on a stand - block, dies, pins and shell plate. Most of the time I pop for the powder measure as well. Expensive yes, but it makes better use of my limited time at the bench.

You can swap funnels w/o readjusting anything. Just set the powder thru die up with the funnel, then swap funnels. I do this with 10mm & 357sig/9mm.

[oger]

If you are doing only one rifle caliber consider getting a 450 and adding a 550B priming and powder system. You can actually feel how much solider it is without the removable die holder.

[Tom S.]

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

I found a great thread on this forum about 4 years ago discussing the 550b vs XL650. The 550b was the favorite for 500 rounds or so a session and lots of caliber changes. That would be me.

Caliber changes on a 650 can be very fast, if you are willing to spend the money. I have set ups for 7 different calibers, each with their own powder measure and checker. It's a lot of cash out lay, but as I pointed out, when I get old and feeble, I'll be able to get my money back as Dillon equipment never goes down in price or desirability. For calibers I don't shoot a lot, I load a bunch and may not load again for a few years. The last thing I will say about that topic is I've seen a lot of people upgrade from a 550 to a 650, but never the other way around.

One thing not discussed is working up loads. It can be a PITA on any progressive. The whole idea of a progressive is to reload all to specific and consistent components in mass quantities. For that reason, I always recommend people own either a regular single stage or a turret model for experimentation purposes. Once you find a load you and your firearm like, then transfer that over to the progressive. I have a RCBS Rock Chucker and a Lee turret press for that purpose.

Whichever Dillon you chose, Brian Enos has an excellent section of his website dedicated to Dillon users where you can find tips and tricks for all Dillon loaders, along with help from experienced users.

[Beargrass]

I have been using Dillon presses for years and never any problems. Using mostly RCBS dies but some other brands also. Their powder measures are as good as anyone's and the primer feeds are good also. If changing from large to small primers you just change the seating cup. I keep 2 powder measures, one for small charges and another for large. Dillon has been good and that being said RCBS has been very good also.

[dave201]

The only issue I have had is static electricity and powder clinging. Dryer sheets and a ground wire solved that.
Use Dillon Carbide dies for pistol. Like the 3rd stage

[stan v]

Got my 550b this summer and it's been fantastic for loading 357 mag rounds used in 3 smith revolvers and a marlin 1894. I use my RCBS carbide dies and have no issue, including seating and crimping in one station. I'm upgrading to the Inline Fab ultramount so I can stand from time to time to get off that bar stool!

Great tool