Author Topic: Dillon 550- Any complaints? (Read 613 times)

Whopper Stopper · « **on:** December 15, 2004, 01:15:46 AM »

I have had a 550 B for a couple of years and to be honest I have never been able to take full advantage of the production rate or the fast set up times ect. I usually get this time of year to do most of my shooting and by the time I re-read the Manuel and get set up for a cal. or two it is time to get back to work. I was just wondering if anyone that has the Dillon is dissatisfied. I think it is a good unit and the ammo I have made seems pretty good. I use to have a Lyman Turret press and for the shooting I do I probably should of stuck with it. My only comment that would be negative is the couple of times I have called Dillon it amazes me how they at a drop of a hat can go from friendly if you are buying something to almost ticked off if you are asking about a problem or questioning some part of the set up. I thought it was my imagination but I have heard from others that the mood takes on a stern, no BS. almost like you are bothering them attitude. Any comments are appreciated, I just think they could takes a lesson from the Sierra Bullet Smiths.

Special Ed · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2004, 02:49:53 AM »

I bought my first 550 in about 1985 & then bought another one a couple of years later. The second one was used, but very little & the price was cheap. I'm gonna guess the 2 of them have seen 7000 to 8000 rounds.
I have only had to replace 1 part, the little plastic thingy that cycles the powder measure. Dillon sent me 3 or 4 asap for no charge & no questions asked. While I haven't talked with anyone from Dillon in quite some time, they were always friendly & helpfull. Even recommending powders to use that would work the best in the powder measure.
The only thing I can complain about was buying the "spare parts" kit, haven't had to use any of it yet.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2004, 03:21:58 AM »

If you're not shooting lots of rounds for a particular caliber, then the Turret or a single stage is probably better for you.

My 550 has been a godsend and really like it. I only use it for 45ACP (and lots of 'em). My ususal session is to load 500 to 1000 rounds at a sitting, then clean and cover the press until the next session. I broke a part because I stepped on it and Dillon replaced it for free. The spare parts kit has been helpful because there have been a couple of plastic priming parts that wore out. I haven't had any real problems of product or service. I wish all my stuff was that good. Most bullseye shooters around here use the 550 and it is very highly regarded.

I do believe the production rate is unrealistic because it appears not to factor in preparation, cleanup, and quality control. That does not bother me, though, because it's still about three to four times faster than loading with a single stage press.

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2004, 03:47:37 AM »

I have the very first 550 that rolled off their presses, so to speak. I have used it quite a bit, mostly for handgun cartridges. The first problem I had was the primer feed screwing up and after a bunch of inverted primers I started hand priming to resolve the problem. Of course this really impacted the loaded ammo production rate but I felt a lot better. Then the powder measure screwed up on me and I found that more than 50% of the rounds I had loaded for that one exercise were primered only.

I still use the press but selectively. I will use it to size and deprime, then hand prime the cartridges, then use the powder measure and seating dies. It takes longer but all my loads go bang and are pretty consistent with that powder measure of theirs. For specialty loads I measure each charge for consistency. Mikey.

John R. · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2004, 03:59:13 AM »

Mikey the reason your primers are flipping is because you either have the wrong primer tube in the machine or it is out of adjustment. (Either one is a quick fix.) As far as being rude, I have talked to the people at Dillon numerous times and they have been nothing but nice and friendly. They even replaced a part I screwed up free of charge. Their No-BS policy is the best I've ever seen. I have loaded thousands of rounds on my 550 in eight different calibers and have never had anything but good luck. (I have replaced one spring in eight years) Sometimes how we talk to people has a direct bearing on how they talk back. :grin:

Iowegan · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2004, 05:32:18 AM »

Mikey, Call Dillons and arrange to have your 550 sent in. They will completely rebuild, upgrade, and readjust it at no charge.

I bought my 550 at Dillon's "walk-in" store in Scottsdale many years ago when I was living in the Phoenix, AZ area. Later I broke the feeding platform through misuse. I went back to the store expecting a hassle but instead they handed me a new platform, no questions asked. I started having problems with my powder measure so I removed the screw that wouldn't stay tight and took it in expecting a new screw. They handed me a brand new complete powder measure and apologized for the inconvenience.

I moved to Iowa and had a problem with my primer feed base. After many many times of removing the base screws, the holes finally stripped. I called Dillon's expecting something less than an "in person" experience. Not so. They promptly sent me a complete auto-primer feed unit, not just the repair parts, free.

The only other company I've delt with that offers this level of customer service is Brownell's in Montezuma, IA. It's a real pleasure to know that some companies really care about their customers and will go to extremes to make them happy. Yes, there are probably better reloading presses on the market but Dillon will get my business because I know they will take care of me.

Gun Runner · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2004, 06:39:23 AM »

Have had my 550 over 13 yrs. Have had 4 probs with it . 2 were operator malfunction ( :oops: ) and 2 were mech. probs. I have broken several parts, my fault and each time I have called dillon they have walked me thru my probs or said a new part would be in the mail in the morning. I have explaind that I broke the part myself and they said no problem a new part would be in the mail free of charge. I snapped one of the screws off of the collar that holds the powder charging assembly in place, they sent a complete powder tube and assembly, again no charge. Have also had excellent svc. from RCBS on their stuff. Am 54 miles away from them and all I have to do is take the problem to them. They either fix it right then or give me a new replacement part no charge. Its hard to beat customer service from either of them.

Gun Runner

Hcliff · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2004, 04:07:16 AM »

I l ove mine. I have wore out the primer cup spring multiple times. They have always sent them free of charge. I have not used anything else in the spare parts kits yet. I wish they would have a little better adjustment on the power measure to adjust better. Lots of trial and error there.

Hcliff

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2004, 04:11:36 AM »

Hcliff:
I have replaced the cup spring too. I had a number of priming quirks and replacing that spring solved the problem. I have also found that spraying the priming bar (the one that slides back and forth) with a DRY lube, like teflon dry lube, helps keep that bar working smoother. Dillon says not to lubricate it, but I assumed that was because you don't want a wet lube on a mechanism like that.

Mikey · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2004, 04:37:55 AM »

Iowegan: Thanks for that info. I will call Dillon and see what they suggest. I know that if I send it in I will upgrade with die holder set-ups and probably a few other things as well. Thanks again.

John R - I have called the Dillon folks a couple of time and have ordered from their catalogs. They have always been polite, couteous and helpful. I have never encountered any rudenss at all. I don't know how I gave that impression. Mikey.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2004, 04:57:32 AM »

got a 550 and two square deals and love em. There the best company in the bussiness for customer service!!

John R. · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2004, 06:39:16 AM »

Mikey, the last part was not meant for you, it was directed toward Whopperstopper. He may not have been rude to them, but I have never talked to a Dillon rep that was anything other than courteous. :grin:

ricciardelli · « **Reply #12 on:** December 17, 2004, 09:31:17 AM »

My biggest complaint is that it isn't green...

As for the help, I lived three bolcks away from Dillon, and used to visit quite often. They are friendly and helpful, and I never received a nasty word from any of them (and that is pretty good for me!).