Author Topic: Dillon 550B owners (Read 905 times)

30.06 abolt · « **on:** January 17, 2005, 04:41:58 AM »

How many of you bought the low powder sensor? I just got the press over the weekend and just started working with it. What other accessories did you buy? Roller Handle, bullet tray, etc.

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2005, 05:00:24 AM »

Not me. I don't see much use for it. It's easy to monitor the powder visually. One thing I wish I did have was a case counter that tells how many rounds were reloaded during a particular session. They used to sell one, but it went off the market before I could get one. Maybe if I were loading some powder-hungry rile cartridges the powder sensor would make more sense.

Special Ed · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2005, 06:27:48 AM »

I'm gonna guess my 550 is around 15 yrs old, I've never added ANY of the "new" gadgets. You should be paying enough attention to what you are doing to notice when your powder is low etc. Just my 2 cents worth.

Gun Runner · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2005, 06:53:28 AM »

Questor, there were 2 counters for sale up on e-bay yesterday ifin your interested.
The only things I have added to mine is the strong mounts and the bullet tray, and got a 1/2 dz more of the large primer tubes.

Gun Runner

Hcliff · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2005, 08:18:39 AM »

I got the extra parts kit. I have used the extra primer cup springs. The extra primer tubes are nice. Skip the power sensor. You can monitor that with you eyes. I wish they has a better adjustment screw for the power measure. Easier to change form one charge to another. I looked at the roller handle at Scheel's sportin ggoods and didn't like the feel. I don't use the bullet tray because I just set the box buy the machine. Also have to clean it if using soft lubed bullets.

Hcliff

springer222 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2005, 11:49:03 AM »

http://www.mrdial.com/

Haven't used so I can't attest to how they work but have seen and they appear to be pretty well made.

Flash · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2005, 12:20:53 PM »

I got the strong mount and couldn't reload without it now. Really lifts it up to a decent level and gives the press a bigger footprint.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2005, 06:41:25 PM »

I use the press just the way it is with out any of the extra's.If the hopper is full when you start , you can load for a long time. I set the case's on the right and bullets on the left of the press so I can grab quick with each hand
The powder dispensor would spill a bit of powder, so I fixed that using a paper shim.
Had problems with the primer feed not always dropping a primer so I finally settled on hand priming with the small pistol primers, taking the decapper out of the die. Dirt seems to be the problem with depriming and then priming .
I now deprime , clean,prime, then load my shells. No dirt , no case's with out primers , and I can go in high gear.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2005, 02:34:35 AM »

I have the Strong Mount and the bullet tray. I liked the strong mount so much that I bought another one and rigged up an adaptor plate for my single stage press. Works like a dream and brings it up to a level that is easy to load at.

Ian

Catfish · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2005, 02:59:02 PM »

I got the roller handle and an extra powder mwasure. The thing is with all the different rounds I loaded I have so much invested in dies, tool heads and cartridges conversion kits that I could buy a car. BUT, then, I load for 6 different Wildcat rounds plus a pile of factory round in rifle and handguns.

warf73 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2005, 10:25:30 PM »

Can't go wrong with Dillon. I love my 550 that my wife got me for Christmas a few years back.

She ( :-D :-D I) found it on EBay and if I remember correctly the price was same as a new press that included shipping.
But it came with 4 conversions kits and 2 deluxe caliber quick change assemblies with dies in them.

If you look there are deals to be had.

Warf

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2005, 02:12:40 AM »

The "options" I bought were the spare parts kit and the maintenance kit. Both are worth owning. Other than that mine is stock. Like some others I appreciate a higher press, but my work bench is high so I didn't need the strong mount. My two presses are mounted to a 2x8 that is c-clamped to my bench for easy removal when I need to work on larger projects on my bench. This arrangement works very well.

Throckmorton · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2005, 06:33:25 PM »

If your bench is tall enough,and the press is bolted on solid the strong mounts would be a waste,IMHO.Bigger footprint is just salesman talk.You can live without the roller handle.If mine snapped in 2 tomorrow I would put the ball handle back on and never miss the roller job...it twists unless bolted on the point of 'SNAP'.
Low powder sensor?nein.Same for the low primer sensor...you'll know whent ther's no primer being seated.
The primer system does need cleaning occasionaly but I sure woule'nt prime as a seperate operation.to each his own on that issue.
Don't overtighten the screws on the primer tube,the helicoils can strip out.Trust me. :shock:
Don't go for speed,the 'rounds per hour' is another bit of sales talk.You'll get faster as you go along,and a round with every pull of the handle is plenty 'speedy' for me.
Don't forget to WEAR SAFETY GLASSES,and ear plugs aint a bad idea either.

Flash · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2005, 01:02:35 AM »

When the press handle goes down to cycle the press, the linkage goes under the press and you wind up having at least 4" of over-hang without using the strong mount. This is quite a valuable item and you really should look into getting one, regardless of opinions.

Don Dick · « **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2005, 11:45:17 AM »

I recommend the stong mount, the bullet tray, the parts kit and the roller handle. I have two set up the same way and 6 quick change kits. Yes Dillion likes me and I like my Blue Press catalog.

(This commercial message was not paid for by Dillon)

Yukon Gold · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2005, 05:40:22 AM »

Low primer alarms was a must for me - can't live without it now.

Have not seen a need for the low powder alarm.

Bullet tray was also a good buy, and of course, the strong mount, which in my opinion should be standard, not optional.