I am about to jump into reloading with a Dillon press.....HELP!**Just ordered 550B!!*

[peppercorn]

I have been lurking here and there, have a copy of the 'ABCs of Reloading' and made a call to Dillon today.

I was looking at the 550B mainly because it is within my budget.
The fellow I spoke with helped me make a list of everything I will need to get started.

Please let me know what you think of this press and if I need to add or subtract anything.
I am starting out with loading .38 special/.357 and .44magnum.

Press
Dies
Caliber conversion kit
Tool head
Powder die
Scale
Caliper
Tumbler
Speer reloading manual
Surplus heavy duty metal desk

Thanks for any and all input.

 

[RIKMAN]

Dillon DVD for setup
Strong mount
Primer flip tray
Lyman's manual or a couple of others
Bullet tray
Wrench set & holder

Stuff to think about... I have 2 550B's setup. One for small primers & other large primers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[2hawk]

Looks like you've got most of it, Pepper. Of course, there's always more things to get, it's the nature of the hobby. Are you getting the deluxe caliber conversion, so you have a powder measure on each toolhead? That's how I have mine set up, really cuts down on time for caliber changes. You should definitely have loading manuals, and have an idea of what kind of loads your are looking for.

I'm in PDX, let me know if you need a hand setting up. I've been running my 550 for about 20 years now, so I think I've worked the bugs out pretty good by now.

Remember, Murphy always wants to visit with the inattentive loader

 

[OldW]

Small world, fellas! I'm over in Vantucky. I'm running a 650, but glad I finally got into the progressive. I think you will be happy with the Dillon unit.

 

[jt1]

If you are a beginning handloader, starting out with a progressive press might not work out well. A single stage is much better to learn the basics.

Take 2hawk up on his offer to help you get started safely.

john

 

[Skip Sackett]

The only thing I would like to add to the original list is: COMMON SENSE!

Make sure that makes it to the reloading room.

One rule to follow when loading on a progressive; if something happens that is out of the ordinary, you make a mistake, STOP, clear the shell plate, find the problem and start over. NEVER back the shell plate up, never.

This can be done super easily on the RL550B and folks have done it, forgot which case had what done, loaded a double charge and had an empty, all in one shell plate. Didn't catch it and KABOOM at some point. Be careful.

OOPSs will happen, they happen with single stage reloading too. There have been folks on this forum that have "fessed up" to doing that over and over. Even when loading in single stage fashion you have to pay attention.

The RL550B is a fine place to start. It can be run in single stage form very simply, only send one case through at a time until you get the hang of it. Learn each step in the process. The process will not change no matter what press you use. With a progressive, all you do is work on more than one case at a time and do different steps on each.

Certain monkeys can do it. And no, I don't believe in evolution either!

Be safe, though. If you have a question or problem come up, stop, swallow all that man pride and ask for help. Be safe, um, period.

 

[blujax01]

The only thing I can think of, someone already mentioned - a primer flip tray. You will need one.

I didn't opt for the DVD because the written manual is just fine, as far as I'm concerned.

And don't worry, some of us jumped into progressive without the benefit of single stage experience and do just fine. It is as Skip says, use common sense and take your time.

 

[440volt]

I have been running my RL550B for about 3 years. I agree with everything said above, but I would add a bullet puller to the list. If you are like me, feces will occur. If you can pull the bullet, you can salvage the components.

 

[Skip Sackett]

440volt,

I am with LU 153. Welcome to the forum too by the way.

Your advice is good too. One thing about reloading, you don't have to shoot your mistakes! I have a 3lb coffee can that over the time I have been loading is about 1/2 full of cases waiting to be pulled.

Good call, and again, welcome to the forum. (This is the best section on the whole thing though! )

 

[Carnage_7]

I didn't see a bullet remover in your list-a necessity!

 

[peppercorn]

Looks like you've got most of it, Pepper. Of course, there's always more things to get, it's the nature of the hobby. Are you getting the deluxe caliber conversion, so you have a powder measure on each toolhead? That's how I have mine set up, really cuts down on time for caliber changes. You should definitely have loading manuals, and have an idea of what kind of loads your are looking for.

I'm in PDX, let me know if you need a hand setting up. I've been running my 550 for about 20 years now, so I think I've worked the bugs out pretty good by now.

Remember, Murphy always wants to visit with the inattentive loader

Small world, fellas! I'm over in Vantucky. I'm running a 650, but glad I finally got into the progressive. I think you will be happy with the Dillon unit.

Hey everyone, Thanks so much for all the input and ideas, I really do appreciate it and am making notes.

2hawk,
Thanks for the offer,I am sending you a PM.


OldW,

It is a smalll world,I am in Vancouver also, west side, near the lake.

 

[jnyav8r]

I have a lee single stage and had an "oops" at the range the other day.I had my first squib,so I stopped and put away the gun thinking the next round was double charged. I took them home and weighed them all and they all check ok.Whew! Take all the advice you can get! Go slow LOAD ALONE so you have NO DISTRACTIONS and you "should" be ok. Senyore Murphy is alive and well!!

 

[Skip Sackett]

I have a lee single stage and had an "oops" at the range the other day.I had my first squib,so I stopped and put away the gun thinking the next round was double charged. I took them home and weighed them all and they all check ok.Whew! Take all the advice you can get! Go slow LOAD ALONE so you have NO DISTRACTIONS and you "should" be ok. Senyore Murphy is alive and well!!

Thanks for your honesty! Even with a single stage! IMAGINE that!

 

[blaiwayw]

I can't stress enough the value of taking your time, and making sure of each load. The 550 is a fine unit, but it takes a bit of practice. I've had two squib loads, where the powder was missing. Lucky for me, the next round wouldn't chamber, on both occassions. Pounding out stuck bullets is no fun. Of course, being aware of every round being fired, will prevent a real disaster. Totally my fault. Now I do a visual for powder on every round. Only other problems have been flipped primers, and missing primers. The missing primers are very easy to spot, when you have to disassemble everything to clean out the powder. If the Dillon has a short coming, it's the primer feed.

 

[biquer]

I have a goose neck lamp hovering over to see the powder in EVERY case before bullets are seated.
Everyone's advice to go slow and be careful are wise.
And only one can of powder on the bench at a time. That is the can that filled the powder measure, of course.
Have fun and welcome to the fraternity.

 

[RIKMAN]

I have a goose neck lamp hovering over to see the powder in EVERY case before bullets are seated.
Everyone's advice to go slow and be careful are wise.
And only one can of powder on the bench at a time. That is the can that filled the powder measure, of course.
Have fun and welcome to the fraternity.

Yes, go slow and be careful and learn. It's not a race.

 

[fredj338]

I have a lee single stage and had an "oops" at the range the other day.I had my first squib,so I stopped and put away the gun thinking the next round was double charged. I took them home and weighed them all and they all check ok.Whew! Take all the advice you can get! Go slow LOAD ALONE so you have NO DISTRACTIONS and you "should" be ok. Senyore Murphy is alive and well!!

BTW, unless you are loading 10gr or more of powder, trying to weigh them is useless in finding a squib. The case, bullets will often be a diff of 5gr so it's not a good way to look for a suspected dbl.
You can buy lots of goodies for the 550B but what yo uhave is agood start. The roller handle is a bit more comfy than the ball handle for most. The stongmount get the press up higher if you want that. Your bench need to be very solid or you'll have issues priming, so make that bench top thick & solid. fasten the bench to the wall if you can.

 

[peppercorn]

More great info everyone.
It is much appreciated and the willingness to help, encouragement and welcome to the forum have been overwhelming.

On the topic of willingness to help....I spoke with 2Hawk on the phone this afternoon, great conversation and a very generous offer to come over to my place and help me out once all the pieces are gathered. This means the world to me!

I have to admit that I have been somewhat apprehensive going into this. I value my S&Ws and the safety of myself and those around me.

It's hard for me, at this stage of the game, not to think about the photos circulating the web that show the results of reloading gone wrong.

In the mean time I will keep taking notes and asking questions.

 

[Faulkner]

If you are a beginning handloader, starting out with a progressive press might not work out well. A single stage is much better to learn the basics.

Take 2hawk up on his offer to help you get started safely.

john

I started out on a Dillon 550 about 10 years ago and I'm glad I didn't listen to those who where advising me to start out on a single stage. I learned the basics just as well and didn't waste money on a equipment that wouldn't turn out the rounds per hour I was looking for.

I do recommend utilizing the services of a mentor if possible.

 

[2hawk]

Thanks for the kind words, Pepper- no problem helping out, that is what these forums are about, and I am glad for the opportunity.

Since this is a "what else can you think of" kind of thread, while I see a tumbler on your list, do you have media and a seperator lined up as well? The Dillon gear is good, and I know their tumblers have the reputation for outlasting others. Also, ditto on the puller. I like the one with the o-ring collet, although can't remember who makes it now.
Have to run down to basement and see, I guess. CRS, anyone?

Anyway, keep checking in with your list, I am enjoying everyone thinking about the forget-me-nots- always good to see experienced people sharing their knowledge!