Hornady bullet feeder on a Dillon 550

[LTC]

I have my 550 set up for most handgun cartridges including a case feeder. Now I'm looking at the Hornady bullet feeding die to use with it.

Has any of the forum members looked at this option and or are currently using it. I would probably start with one sized for .40S&W as I use plated bullets for this caliber.

LTC

 

[Moonman]

LTC,

The 550 only has 4 stations (650 has 5), How do you plan a die set-up and running the press?

Case Feed Station, De-Prime, Size, Prime, Expand/Bell/Charge, Bullet Feed Die Station, Bullet Seat/Crimp Die Station .

Brian Enos NEVER suggests a Case Feeder for a 550 unless you just happen to have had one.

His thoughts were if you had use for a Case Feeder on a 550, you really just need a 650 or a 1050, and you want to add a Bullet Feeder on a 550 too.

INTERESTING for handgun loading.

 

[Bkreutz]

I think moonman has a valid point. All the info I've seen about putting a bullet feeder on a Dillon press has been related to either the 650 or 1050. And when it's done on the 650, they combine the bullet seat and crimp into a single die and put the bullet feeder in the space normally occupied by the bullet seat die.

 

[wheelgun28]

I have an RCBS bullet feed set up but I use it on a 650.

I dont use the powder check on pistol loads so I have the open space to put it.

It does make things fast, very fast.

On the 550 you would need to combine the seat and crimp I guess.

I see a 650 in your future

edit

just thinking, on the 550 since you need to manually index the machine how much benefit would the bullet feed give?

On the 650 it becomes a hands off process, pull the handle and make sure everything moved properly.

 

[Moonman]

wheelgun28,

The OP has a 550 (4 station) with a CASEFEEDER, how are you going

to add a BULLETFEEDER also, he's loading handgun?

Your die setup recommendation for his 550 press wishes and 40S&W PLEASE?

 

[wheelgun28]

wheelgun28,

The OP has a 550 (4 station) with a CASEFEEDER, how are you going

to add a BULLETFEEDER also, he's loading handgun?

Your die setup recommendation for his 550 press wishes and 40S&W PLEASE?

I havent seen the case feed on a 550? I would have guessed it pushes the case into station 1 like a 650 where it sizes and decaps?

Then station 2 bell and powder, 3 bullet drop, 4 seat and crimp?

I dont think its an ideal set up, far from it.

If station 1 is no longer able to size and decap, I cant see how the whole press works. Station 2 is powder drop and thats tough to move

I also dont really like seat and crimp in one operation. Also you then need non Dillon dies.

On the 650 its a piece of cake, I have made thousands of 40s, with the bullet feed.

Also I still dont see much benefit to a bullet feed on a 550. Since you still need to manually index, you can just drop a bullet in place too.


I guess rereading your question you are questioning as to what dies you can load pistol with two dies?

Dies like Lee will use two dies as one is a seat and crimp like a rifle die. The Lee set uses a powder die that you wont need on the Dillon.

3 Die Set 40 S&w Carb - Lee Precision

The instruction sheet is in PDF on the page for how to set up the seat and crimp die

 

[Moonman]

wheelgun28,

I was pulling your chain a little bit.

If the OP needs/wants all the BELLS AND WHISTLES, sell the 550

which is an instant sell and purchase a Dillon 650 or Hornady LNL-AP.

You really need 5 or more stations for everything.

If you need the FULL MONTE, a Dillon 1050 is what you need/want to save your money for.

 

[LTC]

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I tend to agree with the opinions that what I was thinking about was not a good option on a 550.

My plan would have been station 1 to resize, de-prime and prime including my Dillon case feeder. Station 2 would be powder drop and bell the case mouth. Station 3 would be the bullet drop from the RCBS bullet feeder die. Station 4 would be a combination seat and crimp.

I was looking for informed opinions and I received them.

I think the right decision on my part would be to upgrade to a 650 and then install a bullet feeder. All this is in the thinking stage and I am not ready to desert my 550 for a 650.

I'm thinking it would be nice to just pull the handle to produce a round as opposed to the manual bullet feed and shell plate indexing. The case feeder, once I got it running correctly, is a nice plus on my 550.

Thanks again for the feedback.

LTC

 

[Moonman]

LTC,

Good Luck with your choices.

The EASY WAY is too just purchase truckloads of ammo and go shooting.

Unfortunately, that solution is only available to BILLIONAIRES and LOTTERY WINNERS.

 

[wheelgun28]

wheelgun28,

I was pulling your chain a little bit.

If the OP needs/wants all the BELLS AND WHISTLES, sell the 550

which is an instant sell and purchase a Dillon 650 or Hornady LNL-AP.

You really need 5 or more stations for everything.

If you need the FULL MONTE, a Dillon 1050 is what you need/want to save your money for.

I thought I had something wrong!

I agree with your post!!

 

[wheelgun28]

I have a 650 and a 550. I have had Square deals and I have a SL900 too, so yeah I am a Dillon addict...

The 650 does all the handgun and if I do volume of rifle. It also does rifle trimming if needed.

The 550 does rifle for me as most of the batches are 100 or less rounds.

To me they work well together.

A while back I thought about a 1050, it is to expensive to change over and it takes a bit of time to convert. So I had a hard time justifying it to myself.

A some point I will pick up a used LNL just to check it out.

I see buying Dillon stuff almost as money in the bank. Ten year old presses are selling pretty much what new ones sell for. As long as it not rusty of left on the barn floor...

Save up some cash, look for a deal time is on your side

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I tend to agree with the opinions that what I was thinking about was not a good option on a 550.

My plan would have been station 1 to resize, de-prime and prime including my Dillon case feeder. Station 2 would be powder drop and bell the case mouth. Station 3 would be the bullet drop from the RCBS bullet feeder die. Station 4 would be a combination seat and crimp.

I was looking for informed opinions and I received them.

I think the right decision on my part would be to upgrade to a 650 and then install a bullet feeder. All this is in the thinking stage and I am not ready to desert my 550 for a 650.

I'm thinking it would be nice to just pull the handle to produce a round as opposed to the manual bullet feed and shell plate indexing. The case feeder, once I got it running correctly, is a nice plus on my 550.

Thanks again for the feedback.

LTC