Dillon 550 Press Light

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marchboom

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May 8, 2008
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When I needed a light to check the powder level in the cartridge case on my Dillon 550 I made a fixture to hold a small LED light. It directed the light right where I wanted it. Then I noticed a firearm forum posting about the KMS Squared UFO 550 Reloading Press Light. It looked like a much better set-up than I had so I bought one.

The light was sent in less than 1 hour from the time I ordered it (on a Sunday no less). Installation was easy and there were no surprises. Detailed instructions are included and there is also a video online to demonstrate the install. All the parts and pieces necessary for a clean install were included.

This product gives you 2 things. The proper amount of light and light in the right places. Photos sometimes make it look like there is too much light but this is deceiving. It is the perfect amount of light. With the light coming from above on 3 sides and from one side vertically there is no area that is not illuminated. This lighting arrangement also means that there are no shadows that might give a false powder level indication that could possibly occur with a single light. Another thing I noticed with this light is that now I can see if the proper amount of flare has been applied to the case prior to seating the bullet. It was difficult to see without this light and I never paid attention to it. Now it's just one of those things I check along with the powder level. This light also makes changing of the shell plate much easier because you can now see what you're doing. Doing any work and/or cleaning in the shell plate area is made much easier with this light.

The quality of this light is great. The in-line light switch is a separate part of the cord so you can keep it attached to the AC adapter or the light depending on how you have your press set up (such as with the Strong Mount). The switch has a solid feel to it.

There are some additional items that make the Dillon press a more convenient machine to work with and each handloader decides what they want that suits their loading style. But this product is a no-brainer. Once you see how well this light illuminates the work area you'll wonder why you didn't get one sooner. Bottom line: Just get one.

The first photo is with my first light. The second is with the UFO light.
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KMS Squared has lights for many different presses at kmssquared.com
 
The KMS Squared UFO reloading press lights are outstanding. I have a set for my Hornady LNL AP and it really is the difference between night and day.
https://www.amazon.com/KMS-Squared-...id=1543214585&sr=8-1&keywords=KMS+Squared+UFO

I moved my Hornady light strip from the LNL to my Lee Classic Cast and when I compared the two, I thought the Hornady light strip had malfunctioned. The LEDs are very bright and arranged in such a way as to avoid shadows
 
I added one to my Dillon 650xl about a year ago. I balked a little at the price when I first heard of them. After receiving mine I can say it is worth every penny without any hesitation!
 
Inline Fabrication makes some great aftermarket parts for all of the major presses, including LED light kits. Just another choice
 
Thank you THR.

Due to this thread I pulled the trigger on ordering a kms light kit. Just installed on my xl650 and Oh, Heck YEA!

Thanks for the recommendation and great product.
 
I recently put the UFO on my xl650 and it is a completely different world. Now I can actually see what I am doing. Well worth the money.
 
They also put something in their directions about paying on a forum and getting a chance at a drawing. Product is great don't care about drawing
 
Yeah, I have 8 overhead lights in my small “office” size reloading room and thought it was pretty bright, until I put the KMS^2 lights on the 650/550 presses and it was like I had been reloading in the dark.
 
I installed the KMS squared UFO light on my Lee Classic Turret press last week. Earlier I had changed the turret for a different caliber and didn't want to swap my only powder check die over to the new turret. Using this light sure beats fumbling with an LED flashlight to check for powder after each powder drop.

Even though I warmed up the area where the light strip was to be placed, the LED strip would fall away as I adjusted and dressed the cable. I put Duco cement (model airplane glue) very sparingly on the back of the strip, it held immediately and hasn't budged since. Note that two sizes of tie-wraps are supplied. The shorter ones are for the tiny self-adhesive pads to hold the cable, the larger ones are for fastening the cable around the support posts on the press.

If you order from the KMS squared website, be sure you expand and make a selection in each of the drop down boxes for the optional switch and the y-cord - you can select that you don't want those options if you don't need them. Because I didn't need to order those options, I didn't expand those two additional drop down order menus and the site kept refusing to process my order until I specified I didn't want them.

The light really illuminates the work area, highlights the press, and improves the overall appearance of the reloading bench.
 
I have 2 Dillon 550s.
KM2 lights on one the other is dark (no lights).

Can't remember when I last used the dark one.
I definitely want to get another set.
And I didn't need to add extra glue or anything.

Just my 2¢ worth.
 
The UFO's are the cat's meow I put them on my 550 & 650 not enough room on the SDB per-say but I'm working on a way to mount an extra LED strip I have to it.
 
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