Dillon 550c
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I'm getting ready to break my new one in also. Have about 1200 pieces of 45 Colt brass going round and round right now.
Do yourself a big favor and buy a light set for your 550. It will allow you to look into the case to verify powder level. Here's the one I use but there are several available on the inter net. Before that I used a snake light to verify powder charges.
UFO 550 Reloading Press Light for Dillon RL450 & RL550
– KMS2
I've had my 550 since they first came out (early 1980s IIRC). I wouldn't be without mine - in fact added a second one 10 or 15 yrs ago.
I find reloading a chore (I load to shoot, not the other way around).
Make sure to take your time and don't get distracted.
UFO 550 Reloading Press Light for Dillon RL450 & RL550
– KMS2
I've had my 550 since they first came out (early 1980s IIRC). I wouldn't be without mine - in fact added a second one 10 or 15 yrs ago.
I find reloading a chore (I load to shoot, not the other way around).
Make sure to take your time and don't get distracted.
Last edited:
Rlg#17
US Veteran
Just got my second 650 set up and ready to rock. That makes two 650’s and a 450 in Dillon blue. Hardly ever do I load anything on the Rockchucker now. Mainly just hunting rounds is all.
You will enjoy the 550 for sure!
Regards, Rick Gibbs
You will enjoy the 550 for sure!
Regards, Rick Gibbs
Protocall_Design
Member
I've been loading on 550s since they came out. Have 4 of them now. One is dedicated to 38 Spl. with a casefeeder. There are 12 sets of dies that stay set up, each with a power measure that stays set for that load. Caliber changeovers are a simple 5 minute deal. It's hard to go wrong with a 550. I have used nearly all the progressive loaders out there, and finally landed on these. If I ever want to upgrade, it will be a Dillon 750.
Doesn't Dillon make a case powder alarm, or something like that, for that reason?
Birdhunter6
Member
The powder alarm indicates low level in the powder dispenser, not the case. Powder reservoir empties fast. Same with primer feeder. Primer feeder alarm comes with the loader, as I recall. When I got my 550 decades ago the powder alarm was a worthwhile upgrade.
I have good lights mounted above my bench. A light mounted on the loader sounds like a great idea.
Birdhunter6
Member
Birdhunter, I also just ordered the light system. Another great company for Dillon press enhancements is UniqueTek.com - Products for Shooting, Reloading and Competitive Marksmen. The company is a small business owned and operated by very nice people that know Dillon presses.
I have three 550’s (2) B’s and a C, I just wish my report card back in high school look that good!!! 
I bought my first one in 1988 the second one in the mid 90s and just got the C last fall.
And I don’t use them near often enough!
What the hell, I’m low on 44 mags I better go reload!
Tom
I bought my first one in 1988 the second one in the mid 90s and just got the C last fall.And I don’t use them near often enough!
What the hell, I’m low on 44 mags I better go reload!
Tom
I felt the same way when I went from a Lee classic turret to my 550. I got the UFO lights right away as well, then added an inexpensive borescope camera from Amazon that I poke down through the center hole. It connects to my IPad and gives me a bird’s eye view down into the cases. It’s really helpful with tall skinny cases like .327Fed Mag.
.327 Federal Magnum - YouTube
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I've had four progressive presses over many years, but never really needed one. I probably shoot about ten thousand handgun rounds per year and my 1960s Texan turret has really been all I needed for decades. I load almost all my rifle cartridges on a CO-AX, and rarely use my Big Max or Redding Ultra Mag.
I've never had a Dillon, but if I my handgun cartridge consumption ever increases, I'd likely buy two of the latest versions of the Dillon 550, whatever that might be, without question, one in .38 Special and the other in .45 ACP.
Over the years, I've read little negative about these presses. It seems about 98% of the users are quite satisfied with them.
I've never had a Dillon, but if I my handgun cartridge consumption ever increases, I'd likely buy two of the latest versions of the Dillon 550, whatever that might be, without question, one in .38 Special and the other in .45 ACP.
Over the years, I've read little negative about these presses. It seems about 98% of the users are quite satisfied with them.
2 Dillon 650s and 3 550s. As close to reloading heaven as you can get. If you really like to shoot, go with blue. There is the best and all the rest! Dillons are for us who love to shoot and hate to reload. (Well I really don’t hate it��
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I bought a 450 in 1984, about a month before they went Customer Direct. That cost me about $100+/-, people ask if I was mad? I explained that the price I paid was a good deal, and they were silly/foolish if they didn't buy one customer direct! (They were the cost of a used S&W back then, and similar now too!)
It took my best friend about 10 years to buy a used 450. After he was up and running, he admitted I was right. (An admitting like that is very rare indeed!)
I've upgraded all along, so I've been at the "B" grade for many years now.
A recommendation: ASAP, buy all the shell plates you think you will need! The price just keeps going up, From about $6 in 1984 including locater buttons. The case mouth powder funnels were (and can still be) separate. I had to buy a 357 Sig/40 S&W 10mm plate last spring and wow!
If you look at the chart/list that tells which plate for which cartridge, you will see that there are multiple cartridges per plate. At that point all you need is the powder funnel. So 45ACP, 308, 30-06, 7 & 8 Mauser, 270 Win and 280 Rem and 284 Win, and a dozen others all use plate #1! Some of the funnels share more than one cartridge too. 308/307, 30-06, 30-30, 303 British, 34-40US, and 7.62x54R all use funnel #8. I have about 15 shell plates and 19 powder funnels and progressive load around 95 cartridges on my 550B! (I load 117 total)
I have about 10 tool heads. I always keep 1 or 2 empty for a hurry up situation, and keep set up the following: 38 special, 357 mag, 9mm, 357 Sig 44 Special, 45 ACP, and 45 Colt (I need to strip down the 44-40, as I sold the guns.) You'll want a powder thru die for each tool head! I keep a powder measure on 45 ACP and 45 Colt and have 2 that get shared with the rest.
HINT: put a tag on your measurer with the powder and charge. Post-it notes need a rubber band or tape in addition to the adhesive! Too many powders look the exact same!
Enjoy your loading.
Ivan
It took my best friend about 10 years to buy a used 450. After he was up and running, he admitted I was right. (An admitting like that is very rare indeed!)
I've upgraded all along, so I've been at the "B" grade for many years now.
A recommendation: ASAP, buy all the shell plates you think you will need! The price just keeps going up, From about $6 in 1984 including locater buttons. The case mouth powder funnels were (and can still be) separate. I had to buy a 357 Sig/40 S&W 10mm plate last spring and wow!
If you look at the chart/list that tells which plate for which cartridge, you will see that there are multiple cartridges per plate. At that point all you need is the powder funnel. So 45ACP, 308, 30-06, 7 & 8 Mauser, 270 Win and 280 Rem and 284 Win, and a dozen others all use plate #1! Some of the funnels share more than one cartridge too. 308/307, 30-06, 30-30, 303 British, 34-40US, and 7.62x54R all use funnel #8. I have about 15 shell plates and 19 powder funnels and progressive load around 95 cartridges on my 550B! (I load 117 total)
I have about 10 tool heads. I always keep 1 or 2 empty for a hurry up situation, and keep set up the following: 38 special, 357 mag, 9mm, 357 Sig 44 Special, 45 ACP, and 45 Colt (I need to strip down the 44-40, as I sold the guns.) You'll want a powder thru die for each tool head! I keep a powder measure on 45 ACP and 45 Colt and have 2 that get shared with the rest.
HINT: put a tag on your measurer with the powder and charge. Post-it notes need a rubber band or tape in addition to the adhesive! Too many powders look the exact same!
Enjoy your loading.
Ivan
I have a 650 also, but truth be known I just assume use the 550s!
Paul in Nevada
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I bought a 750 but the 550 would have suited my loading volume better.
The light kit is a must have add on. And yes, Dillon makes a "Powder Cop" die that will alarm on over/under powder charges but you can't really use it with the 550 and it's 4 station tool head unless you seat/crimp in one step, and you can't do that with Dillon dies.
The light kit is a must have add on. And yes, Dillon makes a "Powder Cop" die that will alarm on over/under powder charges but you can't really use it with the 550 and it's 4 station tool head unless you seat/crimp in one step, and you can't do that with Dillon dies.
