Blue Thing Followed Me Home

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Catpop

Catpop

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Stopped by a lgs looking for a used ss 22 revolver but alas none available!
But while standing there I over heard the boss asking where was a certain gun was located. An employee picked up a box, but owner said “ no that’s parts for the reloading press” and pointed to a wall covered in guns.
That got my attention and I started searching for it!
I soon spoted “blue” thing in corner partially covered up. I ask was that a 550? Yes. How much? $350. Let me back there to look! I did!
And it followed me out the door for Christmas!
Look out two SDs, ya gotta make room for big brother!
 
That is an excellent buy !! Congrats.

The two 550 accessories that made the most difference for me were....
• The UniqueTek spent primer chute helped keep things cleaner. When the hose is connected to a gallon milk jug will also save you from dealing with unhealthy spent primer smut.
http://www.uniquetek.com/product/T1346-550

• The enlarged plastic knobs for Dillon powder measures make adjustment more accurate and much, much easier. These only seem to be on Ebay, but there must be 10 different types, colors and shapes. These press-on without tools in about 10 seconds. One Such Knob

The Strong Mount is fairly necessary, so it goes without saying.
.
 
rfwobbly said:
The Strong Mount is fairly necessary, so it goes without saying.
Click to expand...

Necessary? My 550 works tirelessly with out one and it would add unnecessary height for my bench making it difficult to see powder in the cases.

The best "add on" was adding a granddaughter's baby sock over the ball handle. With it the ball just glides effortlessly throughout the cycling process. A lot cheaper than the roller handles and just as effective. A friend's 550 has the roller handle and admits he wishes he used a baby sock.
 
daboone said:
Necessary? My 550 works tirelessly with out one and it would add unnecessary height for my bench making it difficult to see powder in the cases.

The best "add on" was adding a granddaughter's baby sock over the ball handle. With it the ball just glides effortlessly throughout the cycling process. A lot cheaper than the roller handles and just as effective. A friend's 550 has the roller handle and admits he wishes he used a baby sock.
Click to expand...
Baby sock on handle!
But that’s gonna mean all future reloading will have to occur at night:what:
So baby won’t have go barefoot during the day time!!!! :rofl:
Now to slip past high sheriff Grandma and rob the grand baby :thumbdown:
Great idea and I certainly will try on both 550 and SDB at next session!!
Thanks!
 
I wish a 550 would follow me home at that price. Would love to have one setup for SP and another for LP.
 
I got it mounted straight to a 2x6 and then to the bench. The stong mount was not necessary for today’s efforts, but then I haven’t got handle on 4th station cartridge drop box yet either.

Then I proceeded to set it up!

It was surprisingly easy to set up, especially since it is manually indexing (you don’t have to chase the case to the next station and bring it back to previous station) And that was with NO Instruction book. But then I do run two SDs.

It was missing internal primer tube for some reason, but I robbed the one off my SD and it fit and worked flawlessly!

The only thing I don’t like is the spent primer dump especially since mine is missing- as rfwobby mentioned, there is a better way with a clear tube. Does anyone have a picture of factory catch bin and also clear tube model they would share.

I don’t know how I got along without the 550.

One question to those that know- should there be a mild cam over at the bottom of the stroke or is mine a little out of adjustment? Thanks for input!
 
There is slight cam over on the bottom of the stroke on my 550. Less than that of a single stage or turret. It really isn't cam over but rather the press taper crimping, bullet seating, resizing, belling with the powder funnel on the measure all at the same time.

I have a 550 and it is very nice progressive. Not saying the 550 is better than anything else out there but I don't think you will be disappointed with your 550. 550's have been around for a while.
 
GaryL ,funny you said that because that's just what I did. I had traded my SDB in on a 550B. Six months later I was in the shop and noticed he still had my trade-in. I shot him a price and he took it. I ended up buying the same press twice for less than MSRP. Here is a pic of my new set-up. IMG_20181201_112225006.jpg
 
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F930EB32-7129-40EA-B199-31E29A7DF6C9.jpeg I’m having a blue Christmas!!!!!!! All ready to go minus the primer trap and finished cartridge bin.
I’m gonna do a little loading and see which I like loading the 45 acp best with since that’s the dies it came with. But I know I’ll be cranking out 44 mag on the 550! That’s the first conversion kit I’ll order!! I already have a SD set up for 38/357 and a SDB set up for 45 acp.
 
hotshot357 said:
GaryL ,funny you said that because that's just what I did. I had traded my SDB in on a 550B. Six months later I was in the shop and noticed he still had my trade-in. I shot him a price and he took it. I ended up buying the same press twice for less than MSRP. Here is a pic of my new set-up.
Click to expand...
I'm almost afraid to ask - what does the folded flag represent?
 
daboone said:
Necessary? My 550 works tirelessly with out one and it would add unnecessary height for my bench making it difficult to see powder in the cases.

The best "add on" was adding a granddaughter's baby sock over the ball handle. With it the ball just glides effortlessly throughout the cycling process. A lot cheaper than the roller handles and just as effective. A friend's 550 has the roller handle and admits he wishes he used a baby sock.
Click to expand...
I agree. My reloading room is in my attic that has a pinched roof. With the strong mount, it'd be too tall. It's also the reason I didn't buy the 650, because I heard there wasn't much point without the case and bullet feeders.

IMG_6409

IMG_6409

550B
 
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