550- the order of things

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Catpop

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I’m over joyed with my new to me/but old used Dillon 550. I love the way I can stop and go as I please during the set up/loading process.
But I’m all new to this manual indexing step.
Having used an auto indexing Dillon SD since the 1980s, I’m having a little memory problem with the manual indexing issue.
I find myself trying to put a case in before indexing to next station. This has a very good side in that it is a fail-safe against double charging a case.
Is there a method others have developed to incorporate the manual indexing step into the left hand boolit/right hand case insertion before pulling the lever?
Just looking for others input!
 
I run my 550 almost automatically. The case gets inserted with the right hand without really looking while the left is reaching for and placing a bullet on a charged case at station 3 while looking into the case to verify the charge. Then I clear both hands, pull the handle and repeat the process. IMO it really just comes down to training yourself for the repetition and developing the muscle memory.
 
Havok7516,
So I assume the manual index takes place just after the lever seats the new primer?
And the boolit/case insertion is just like the SD I’m so used to.
Thanks
 
I don't prime on my press, but if I did the only place it fits into the rhythm would be after seating the bullet at station 3 IMO. So yes, the index would be right after that.
 
So I assume the manual index takes place just after the lever seats the new primer?
Yes.

It's just a matter of getting used to it and repetition. New case right hand. Bullet left hand. Pull lever down. Push lever forward. Index. Repeat.

Honestly every mistake I make happens when I stop to check a charge. Auto pilot is strong with me. But I've only been loading a year, so it doesn't take much to throw me off.
 
I put a case feeder on my 550B two years ago. It's nice. I only do 40 S&W and 45 ACP. Lately though I don't use the press completely as a progressive. I've been hand priming and the cases have been sized and primed at an earlier date.
I've been starting at the charging station. Everything is left hand except the handle of course.:)

I kind of enjoy reloading this way. I'm in no hurry!:thumbup:
 
I kind of enjoy reloading this way. I'm in no hurry!:thumbup:
Me neither. I don't compete so I'm just trying to keep myself supplied.

I find things go quite smoothly if I load at a fairly slow pace. I like to see each charge, and I like to see a fresh primer in the cup as it advances toward the shell plate.
 
I would have to go out into the garage to figure out how I do it. I think my "fail safe" is that I put in a case with the right hand, insert a bullet with the left, size and rotate. If I end up having a case in my hand, more often, a bullet, and don't have a memory of what just happened, I stop and investigate. If something seems to be out of sequence, stop and investigate. Never press on. Never trust memory. If there are any problems, such as a primer not feeding, bullet tipped over jamming the bullet seater, whatever causes a delay, remove the case under the powder horn. Stop and investigate: Never press on, never trust memory, just make a practice of clearing the cases off the shellholder, and inspecting any that have powder in them. Even though I have been accused of being elitist for owning a Dillion 550B, you know what, my 550 works and works well. I have owned mine since the 1980's and it was a good choice.
 
I actually call out a cadence of sorts. "Case, powder, bullet". Insert a case, check the case under the seater for powder, place bullet.

I have a makeshift bullet tray (could not see paying what Dillon charges). While I am pulling the lever, I grab a bullet. After I push the lever to seat the primer, I rotate the shell plate with my left hand (also holding the bullet).

If I ever have to pause, for any reason, I leave the press at the top of the stroke. There is only one state the press can be in at this moment. (If you pause while the ram is down, there are two states possible - before indexing, or after indexing.) When I come back to the press after an interruption, it is much less confusing if the press was left at the top of a stroke.
 
With everything ready to go I stroke the handle (right hand) while grabbing another bullet with my left hand. Down stroke and seat the primer and go for another case with the right had while I index and place bullet with left hand, insert case into shell plate (RH) and stroke the handle again.

You are correct that with this method you won’t create a double because if you always grab a case with the operating hand, you will have a case in your hand instead of the handle if you don’t index, because you have no place to put it.

Congratulations on your new press and I have a Christmas gift for you if you PM me your address.
 
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If I ever have to pause, for any reason, I leave the press at the top of the stroke. There is only one state the press can be in at this moment. (If you pause while the ram is down, there are two states possible - before indexing, or after indexing.) When I come back to the press after an interruption, it is much less confusing if the press was left at the top of a stroke.
That's what I do as well. Seems safer and like I have fewer bobbles if I do it this way.
 
insert case R, pull lever R, push lever to seat primer R, as I let go of the lever, with my left hand i am manually indexing the shell plate, simultaneously picking up another case with my right, as i seat another case right, my left hand is simultaneously picking up a bullet, placing the bullet on the seating station(peeking also) with my left my right hand is moving to the top of the lever. pull lever etc....
i dont do it fast but it's like swimming dog paddle.
the optional bullet tray i think is a must for easier flow
 
I don't use the bullet tray because I would end up having to refill it too often. Every time I have to refill something on the press I have to break rhythm, so I try to keep that to a minimum. I usually use the box the bullets came in and just place them to the left of the press. I did purchase the mount allowing an Akro bin to be mounted in front of the cartridge chute, but all my Akro bins have been modified with a plate on the front to allow each one to be filled all the way to the top. About 400 9mm cases will now fit in one bin (or 250 .38 Specials, or about 250-300 .45 ACP, etc). A full bin of primed cases takes around 30 minutes to an hour to turn into fully assembled cartridges and I might load up to 3 bins at one time.
 
Hope you like it as much as I do. Post some photos once you get it up and running.
 
• Fairly soon you'll get used to the cycle and it will become automatic. DON'T RUSH IT ! Take your time and focus on going slow and being very deliberate with each movement of the op lever. Concentrate on making smooth, full length strokes of the op lever in both directions.

• DO NOT STOP the loading process to check things, unless you want to make a mistake. Checking is done during setup, not production. If you don't trust your powder measure, then simply run 100 powder drops (powder charges only, not making cartridges), while weighing each drop and recording the weights in Excel. You can then graph the output. You'll quickly see it's the first 6-10 drops you can't trust, not the last 90.

• Most of the examples on YouTube are idiots. The object is to make perfect ammo, not to go fast. If you want to see a really good example of 550 operation, then Click Here ! Although you may note slight differences in your newer press, this guy uses excellent photography and works at the correct pace.


Tell us how it's going. Trouble ? We're here to help.
 
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I load 45 for bullseye. Have done 3000 rounds since you first posted and it made me really nail down my pattern:

1 - Pull handle down while picking up bullet
2 - Lift handle up and confirm a primer was picked up by looking between the front of the press and the primer feed system
3 - Push handle while checking amount of powder now in the case in station 2
4 - Index with left hand while picking up case with right hand and putting in station 1 while seating bullet in station 3. I find I can pick up brass blindly but need to watch the bullet more.
5 - Back to step 1

Most of my problems with my 550 are primer related. That's why I check the primer arm every stroke. Might need to replace some parts down there and see if that fixes it.

You'll find a rhythm for yourself. You won't be close to the 450 rds/he and shouldn't try anyways. The extra time and care spent pays off in accuracy at a minimum, life and limb at a maximum.

Enjoy!
 
Reloaders, at least me anyway, have ingrained (very good) habits. After reloading single stage/turret for over half a century I bought my RL550c. It was like total melt down at first.

As stupid as it may sound I actually had to chant the process to myself with every handle pull while learning the 550 until it became automatic.

I do everything on my 550. Priming and all. After two years I still consider my 550 on of the best firearm related purchases I have ever made.
 
Reloaders, at least me anyway, have ingrained (very good) habits. After reloading single stage/turret for over half a century I bought my RL550c. It was like total melt down at first.

As stupid as it may sound I actually had to chant the process to myself with every handle pull while learning the 550 until it became automatic.

I do everything on my 550. Priming and all. After two years I still consider my 550 on of the best firearm related purchases I have ever made.

IMHO, nothing is stupid that makes you a better or more conscientious reloader!:)
 
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