Dillon 550 small to large primer switch

ACORN

Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2004
Messages
5,101
Reaction score
11,250
Location
North Huntingdon Pa.
I have set my 550 up after a 30 year hiatus and 2 relocations. Some of the pieces went missing and I had to order a few. Now I discovered I am missing the large primer cup, seater punch, spring. Is it better to get the large primer slide assembly or just change out the seater?
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I’d just buy the assembly. I ordered a new one a few years ago and it came with some sort of coating that I suppose was intended to improve lubricity or something. Contrary to popular belief, sometimes newer really is better. ;)
 
Acorn, I would highly recommend that you call Dillon and tell them what has gone missing. My ability to reload was disrupted for about 6 years due to the accident that left me disabled. Some parts failed (froze up) and some parts just got misplaced and still haven't been found. The good folks at Dillon replaced what wasn't working or missing under their no BS warranty, and even provided an alignment pin so I could improve the timing and speed.

Call, most likely you won't regret it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: max
Thanks for the reply, but Dillon has never given me a single thing under warranty. I dropped my powder measure and it broke. Called them, no problem, CC number please. Called to order some other stuff I’d lost, again, CC number?
I can’t really complain. The missing or broken parts were my fault.
I just have never gotten that warm and fuzzy feeling when I’ve called.
 
Easier to replace the whole assembly, cheaper to just buy the ram and spring, and replace them as needed on your assembly. Personally, I’d just buy the whole assembly and be done with it.
 
I'd buy the assembly. Swapping between large and small takes about 5 minutes using the assembly. Better make sure you have the correct tubes for the primer magazine as well.
 
Definitely get the whole assembly. Changing the cup, plunger and spring is difficult and there is only a small window of depth for correct distance to properly pick up the new primer. Trust me on this!!!
 
Easier yet, just buy another 550 and have one for large primers, one for small primers.

This has been my plan since after the first caliber change that included the primers, that would be some time in 1985 or 86, That really is a good plan, but I've never been able to let go of the money!

Ivan
 
This has been my plan since after the first caliber change that included the primers, that would be some time in 1985 or 86, That really is a good plan, but I've never been able to let go of the money!

Ivan

Ivan, we seem to suffer from the same problem.
Money hasn’t been so free since lightning struck the money tree I had planted out back.
 
Last edited:
My madness is sizing and depriming on a toolhead with only a sizing die.
Then I prime the 45 cases with my "older" Lee hand primer. All those primed cases are stored in large plastic tubs marking the order in which they will be reloaded.
When I finally load the round, I simply start at the powder portion of the Dillon 550.
It is a lot of extra work, but loading the final round takes less effort because the 45 case is already sized and primed. Less wear and tear on me. Also, over the years as a USPSA revolver shooter, seating a primer below flush is very important for lighter action 45acp revolvers to fire 100%. The Lee hand primer does a great job, while the 550 is more of a struggle for me. And I have two 550's.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top