Author Topic: Anybody have any tips for setting up a Dillon 550B (Read 1359 times)

teddy12b · « **on:** March 12, 2007, 07:52:07 AM »

I have a Dillon 550B on the way. I have watched the video on how to set them up a couple times, but i was still curious if anyone had any tips or suggestions on how to do it. I'm hoping to be able to set it up in 1-3 hours.

myronman3 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2007, 09:07:41 AM »

yup, take your time. if you have someone close that is familar with them, have them help introduce you. that is priceless. if not, read the instructions, watch the video, and take your time. it all comes together soon enough. and if you need to, call dillon. they are great when it comes to helping out with that stuff.

teddy12b · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2007, 09:40:18 AM »

I'm familiar with reloading cause of my rock chucker, but completely unfamiliar with setting up the Dillon 550B. I don't know anyone local with one so it's up to me and the video. Hopefully I won't need to call Dillon.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2007, 09:58:31 AM »

there not rocket science to set up just follow the instructions and youll be fine. Hell i did it! One thing to think about if you havent allready is the strong mount it gets the press up higher off the bench and makes it alot easier on the body to load.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2007, 03:11:31 AM »

teddy12b
It looks more complicated than it is. When I got mine 20yrs ago ( NO VIDEO ) just a booklet, and I don't do well with reading directions. It took me awhile but I got it set up. But like me, you got some reloading experience and thats a plus. It does take awhile to set up and get things adjusted right, but once the initial set up is done your all set. And if something don't look right call Dillon they have an excellent support staff and they will walk you through it step by step. It's a piece of cake.

p.s. What little extra time it takes you to set up, you will make it up on the first couple of boxes of shells you reload. GOOD LUCK

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2007, 06:33:19 AM »

I used the book and took my time. Don't be in a rush. Once it's set up, it's set up for good. One recommendation that I can make is to mount the press on a 2x10, then c-clamp the 2x10 to your work bench. This allows me to remove the press and set it aside for cases when I need room on my work bench for larger projects. Expect to take a bit of extra time setting up the priming linkages. Be sure that the rod that actuates the powder measure is as close to vertical as you can visually get it. Take some time to learn the nuances of the press as you're getting it set up.

Over the long run, you should consider buying the spare parts kit, which comes with some extra plastic parts and springs and other things that get lost or wear out.

Get some "canned air" for blowing off powder dust and other dust that accummulates on the press. I use the maintenance kit that Dillon sells and it has been a worthwhile expense for keeping it lubed and clean.

teddy12b · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:17:38 AM »

Do you all lube your brass before you start sending them through the press?

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2007, 08:53:30 AM »

teddy12b:
I only load pistol rounds through mine, with Dillon carbide dies. Still do my rifle rounds (the old fashion way) on my RCBS Rockchucker.

myronman3 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2007, 10:36:51 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on March 13, 2007, 07:17:38 AM

Do you all lube your brass before you start sending them through the press?

oh yes! most certainly.

teddy12b · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2007, 03:40:38 PM »

Well my 550 showed up today and that was a pretty big surprise. I was more than happy to try and set it up but the only problem in that the mounting kit doesn't work for my bench and there were no instructions inside. Tomorrow I have to go buy some longer bolts and try to download the manual. Looks like one very nice press from what I could tell so far. It didn't look like it's be impossible to set up either.

myronman3 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2007, 02:35:57 AM »

just take yer time and you'll be fine.

teddy12b · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2007, 06:09:27 PM »

Got done setting up my press tonight and I ran out 50 rounds in record time. I couldn't be happier with my progressive press! This thing is just awesome. I can't say enough about my 550B. I'm sure I'd have been just as happy with a Hornady, but either way I couldn't go wrong. Progressive presses are a million times better than a single stage!

Cheesehead · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2007, 02:22:22 AM »

Teddy
Soon you will be like me, when you go to the range you will have a 5 gallon bucket filled with ammo!

Cheese

Questor · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2007, 03:54:48 AM »

Teddy12b:

Congratulations. After you use it some more you'll think even more highly of it.

myronman3 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2007, 09:07:54 AM »

i knew you could do it! now your biggest problem will be keeping enough components around!

teddy12b · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2007, 09:14:19 AM »

myronman3, you are wise beyond your years! The reason I only made 50 rounds of 45 ACP is because I ran out of bullets. Plenty of brass, primers, and powder. I'll be buying some more bullets tonight!

myronman3 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:08:15 AM »

just the voice of experience talking....lol

teddy12b · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:20:25 AM »

myronman3,

My voice of experience tells me that I have hundreds of 45ACP laying around these days and the conversion kits for 44 mag and 6.8mm spc are on the way. I can't say enough about how much I love my dillon press! Breaths new life into reloading.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2007, 03:07:29 PM »

After buying a Dillon 550B my problem became finding enough time to get to the range and shoot up the stuff I'd loaded. Ain't it a shame to have such problems?

Cheesehead · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2007, 03:28:06 PM »

I added the strong mounts, bullet tray and a roller handle on my 550 and enjoy the convenience gained from these options.

Cheese

teddy12b · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2007, 04:27:54 PM »

I thought long and hard about the bullet trays, strong mount and roller handle. I decided not to do it with my original purchase and if I felt like I needed them later I'd just get them then. My bench in handmade out of 2x6's and 4x4's with a high counter top so the strong mount would make it too high for me. I didn't see much advantage in the bullet trays, but then again I haven't been using my 550B that long either. The roller handle looks nice. I might think a little harder on that in the future.

Even though it doesn't have any extras on on it yet, I'll still loving the thing.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2007, 04:31:06 PM »

I added these options one at a time over the course of several years.

Cheese

teddy12b · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2007, 04:35:52 PM »

That's kid of how my progression with reloading has gone. 3 years ago everything was done by hand with my rock chucker kit, then I got a chargemaster combo, then the power mate, now I've stepped into the progressive press game.

teddy12b · « **Reply #23 on:** March 24, 2007, 10:25:08 AM »

I just set up my 550B for 44mag today. I ran out 200 rounds in a little less than an hour before I ran out of components. I love my 550B!

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #24 on:** March 24, 2007, 01:26:37 PM »

Quote from: teddy12b on March 24, 2007, 10:25:08 AM

I just set up my 550B for 44mag today. I ran out 200 rounds in a little less than an hour before I ran out of components. I love my 550B!

Glad to hear you're enjoying the Dillon. Knew you would.

John R. · « **Reply #25 on:** March 25, 2007, 12:42:04 PM »

I knew you would like the 550. I've had mine for 12 years and have 8 different calibers. I wouldn't trade mine for anything.

teddy12b · « **Reply #26 on:** March 30, 2007, 04:34:00 PM »

Has anyone tried to run H322 through their 550B? I just tried tonight for my 6.8mm SPC and I was getting huge variations in my powder. I would get 27 grains one time then 28.5 the next. I did just change out the small powder dispenser block for the larger one and by no means am I ruling out error on my part. The way this machine knocked out the handgun ammo I know the error is on my part. I'm going to watch my setup video again, but if worse comes to worse I'll just take the dispenser off and use my chargemaster for that part. It'd still be faster than my single stage but at the same time I'd rather start getting consistent powder in every case. I know they say don't use the pencil type powder in the 550B, but I thought H322 might be ok, anybody know?

scout34 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 04, 2007, 05:55:48 AM »

One thing that I did with my 550B was to replace all the locking rings with Hornady rings. These have the tangential set screws. They are especially useful for my Dillon 1200 case trimmer set up. It's alot easier to move the trimmer motor between my .223 and .308 setups with out fear of upsetting my delicate adjustments.

You'll need two toolheads per caliber if you want to reload bottlenecked rifle cartridges though. I use a universal deprimer and case lube die away from the Dillon, on my old Lee single stage as it keeps the lube out of my Dillon's inner workings.

The first toolhead has a full length sizing die and then a Dillon 1200 case trimmer mounted kitty-corner to it. The case trimmer is pretty big and takes up alot of room up there. After cases are trimmed I toss them into the media to remove all lube.

The second toolhead has the powder measure, bullet seater, and crimp die on it.

Love the 550B.

How do you guys handle powder in the 550B? When you come to the end of a can of powder do you just dump a new can on top of the old or do you work up new loads?

teddy12b · « **Reply #28 on:** April 04, 2007, 06:46:11 AM »

Well I basically quit messing around with trying to get the powder measure figured out for the rifle calibers for now. I set up the dies in the toolhead and didn't bother with the powder measure die, but I left a space for it. I just run cases through the press just like you're supposed to but in the second station I take the brass out and use my RCBS chargemaster to give me the exact amount of powder that I'm looking for. This method isn't as fast, but it's still fast enough that I can make a lot of rounds in pretty short order. I just love being able to get my dies set up on a toolhead that'll never be moved again. I know they're right every time and I don't have to go through the whole set up process each time now.

myronman3 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:36:05 AM »

i am telling you, take it apart like i said. clean it an rub the pencil lead on the contact sufaces. you'll thank me. or, chase your tail some more, the choice is yours.

remember the voice of experience......