Author Topic: Just finished ordering my 550B (Read 678 times)

Dusty Miller · « **on:** June 02, 2005, 10:07:23 AM »

Well, I finally stopped being a big sissy and ordered my 550B reloading press today and just as I'd expected it was considerably more than the $349 price in the catalogue. With the three extra conversion kits, maintenance kit, and strong mount it came to $600!! :cry: However, it'll most likely last me the rest of my life and then get passed on to one of the grandkids for many more years use. More later.

Flash · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2005, 11:23:48 AM »

The maintenance kit is useless. Everything is under a lifetime warranty. The strong mounts sometime pop up on Ebay as do the conversion kits. Buy it used and it's still guaranteed for life. I have about $450 invested in mine and have the strong mount, 4 conversion kits and 5 tool heads. During a move, I lost some of the shell plate buttons and they were replaced free of charge. The real nice thing about owning a Dillon is that a local gun shop carries all their presses and parts for the same price as in their catalog.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2005, 09:44:28 PM »

Yeah, if I trusted E-Bay I cudda saved some money but I've just heard TOO MANY horror stories about that outfit to ever risk my hard-earned cash there. However, the deed is done and soon it'll be sitt'n in my garage waiting for me to get a day off so I can assemble it!

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2005, 09:46:44 PM »

By the way, if the 550B is such a wonderful item, why in heaven's name are they available on E-Bay? I'm gitt'n cold feet already!

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2005, 04:00:13 AM »

Almost everything is available on Ebay. And any problems are not with Ebay, but with particular sellers. Most of the sellers there, by far, are honest.

I got my 550 when suggested retail was $300. I didn't get any extras except the spare parts kit, the maintenance kit, and some extra primer tubes. I already owned dies but eventually got Dillon dies. I've got under $400 in the press.

Anybody that questions the quality of these units simply has never owned one. In their class, they are the best money can buy. Customer service is superb. Materials and workmanship are better than we ordinarily expect from machinery in this price range.

Throckmorton · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2005, 05:08:48 AM »

If you can still modify the order,you will not need the strong mounts if your bench is tall enough and sturdy.I don'lt have 'em and have never seen the need for them.
As to why they are on Ebay,You seldom see used ones there just folks selling new ones,and I hear that they are some sort of 'bare bones' setup.
Their powder measure wrks best with ball powders, and flake powders are 'ok',but stick powders are not so good.

IF,and th'as a big IF ya don't like it the resale is great on used dillons.I sure wouldn't part with mine though.

hardertr · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2005, 08:24:25 AM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller

By the way, if the 550B is such a wonderful item, why in heaven's name are they available on E-Bay? I'm gitt'n cold feet already!

I got my set-up from an older gentleman who advertised "reloading stuff" on E-bay. He didn't know what he had, and didn't really describe it well. From the picture, I decided I wouldn't bid a penny over $400. I ended up getting it for $376

When the package arrived, I tallied up all of the "stuff" he sent. The press (a 550B) and all the accessories would go for a little under $800 new.

THIS is why I always check E-bay first!

Flash · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2005, 12:33:28 PM »

I bought my tool heads for $4 a piece on ebay and they were still in the blister pack. Paid $20 each for the conversion kits. When I inquired about a set of Dillon dies and powder measure on ebay, I wound up buying his strong mount instead for $20shipped. Thats about $250 worth of stuff for $140 and my feet ain't cold at all.

Rick N Bama · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2005, 12:58:06 PM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller

By the way, if the 550B is such a wonderful item, why in heaven's name are they available on E-Bay? I'm gitt'n cold feet already!

Folks upgrade their equipment from time to time or get out of the 'business' altogether.

Others like me decide they don't shoot enough to warrant having one. I'm trying to get up my nerve to sell mine and get a turret press. However, every time I think about taking it down, I get the urge to load up some more 45s on it or my son-in-law needs some more 223 loaded.

Rick

Throckmorton · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2005, 08:21:12 PM »

Don't do it!!! GEt to a Dillon support group right away,fella..You need help and fast!!!

Seriously,you'd regret tht move,IMHO.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #10 on:** June 07, 2005, 08:12:37 AM »

ITS HERE!! UPS delivered it this morning and hopefully I'll have it up and running within a week.

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** June 07, 2005, 09:02:19 AM »

Dusty:

It won't take you that long unless you're
a) missing something that prevents you from getting it working today, or
b) somewhat challenged in the mental faculties department.

Just read the manual and then go set it up. It won't take that long. Figure an hour to read the manual and a couple of hours to set it up and tinker with it before loading any ammo.

You'll need to get bolts to mount it to your bench, and that may add time if it requires a trip to the hardware store. Loctite the nuts even if you use lock washers.

Remember, these people had to design a machine that a typical shooter (i.e., impatient knuckle dragging moron) could use. They've done a good job of the design.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #12 on:** June 07, 2005, 10:12:23 PM »

I've got it up on the strong mount and solidly attached to the bench. I'm in the process of changing over to .357 mag. I've seen the video twice and that's helped. The instruction manual is well written and maybe in the morning it'll all come together.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #13 on:** June 09, 2005, 08:05:15 PM »

OOPS! :roll:

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #14 on:** June 09, 2005, 08:07:34 PM »

AHA!! I think its just about the way I want it except for some crimp dies that're coming from Midway. :-) I ordered Lee crimp dies, hope that was not a mistake. Next week I'm on vacation and on the 17th I head to Monterey for a guided pig hunt.

Maybe some of the reloads from this press will go with me and maybe not.

Rick N Bama · « **Reply #15 on:** June 09, 2005, 10:50:14 PM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller

ITS HERE!! UPS delivered it this morning and hopefully I'll have it up and running within a week.

I had mine running within an hour or so, but everything else was already on hand.

Rick

Questor · « **Reply #16 on:** June 10, 2005, 01:23:38 AM »

Dusty! The Lee taper crimp die was horrible for my 45ACPs. I had to replace it with a good die, a Dillon. I had a lot of reliability problems when using that Lee die. It was the last Lee product I will ever buy because it was so time consuming and expensive to diagnose and repair.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #17 on:** June 12, 2005, 07:12:13 PM »

Well, I may have to pay the price, yet one more time, for trying to save a nickle. Sad thing is, I got plenty of nickles!!

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #18 on:** June 12, 2005, 07:14:15 PM »

Well, I may have to pay the price, yet one more time, for trying to save a nickle. Sad thing is, I got plenty of nickles!!

By the way, I got rolling with some 45 Colt ammo tonight. Man, this sucker flat makes ammo in a hurry once you get it set up. I did manage to screw up the powder filter/flanger and will probably have to replace it but worse things have been known to happen. I'm just pleased as punch with this unit. :-)

Questor · « **Reply #19 on:** June 13, 2005, 04:02:26 AM »

Dillon will probably send you a free replacement part. It's probably the least expensive and most effective advertising they can do: word of mouth based on good experiences. Dillon is excellent, as you'll learn as you go on.