Zak Smith
Member
Over the 550, the 650 has an auto-indexing system which rotates the shellplate for you on the downstroke, and it can take the auto casfeed system which is required for high-volume production.
-z
-z
Dillon 550B
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Steve Smith
Moderator Emeritus
As a friendly couterpoint, auto-indexing can be a problem if you load compressed load ammo. The flick of the auto-indexing can toss powder all over, but if you have manual indexing you can prevent this with a gentle turn.
Zak Smith
Member
Steve,
That is an excellent point. I've noticed that problem with my SDB loading 9x19.
On the 650, you can alleviate the indexing "click" by snipping one half coil from the index ball detent spring under the shellplate.
-z
That is an excellent point. I've noticed that problem with my SDB loading 9x19.
On the 650, you can alleviate the indexing "click" by snipping one half coil from the index ball detent spring under the shellplate.
-z
Steve Smith
Moderator Emeritus
Does that COMPLETELY eliminate the spillage? My HP partner is considering a new press, and is leaning toward the 550 ONLY because of this issue.
Seems like the rapid accelleration and stop of the auto indexing is the problem, not the ball coming home in the detent.
Seems like the rapid accelleration and stop of the auto indexing is the problem, not the ball coming home in the detent.
Zak Smith
Member
Steve,
My experience with the mod is that I was loading .308 with enough powder to come past the shoulder, within 0.2 - 0.3" of the casemouth. After the mod, I had significantly less spillage such that it was less than the natural deviation of the powder measure, and going slow pretty much eliminates it.
I won't say it's totally gone, 'cause you can always get a load that's so close to the casemouth some will spill -- like a 90gr 9x19 filled with N320.
The indexing on the SDB seems more abrupt than the 650 due to the 650's mechanism- on the base, there is a ramp which engages an arm on the bottom of the shellplate which is rotated as the plate comes down. On the SDB, there's an arm that cams the plate around with high velocity. The rotation on the 650 is "linear" with the downward movement of the plate, while it's cammed on the SDB.
The 650 is much smoother after the mod. The detent strength affects the final decelleration as the plate locks into position.
-z
My experience with the mod is that I was loading .308 with enough powder to come past the shoulder, within 0.2 - 0.3" of the casemouth. After the mod, I had significantly less spillage such that it was less than the natural deviation of the powder measure, and going slow pretty much eliminates it.
I won't say it's totally gone, 'cause you can always get a load that's so close to the casemouth some will spill -- like a 90gr 9x19 filled with N320.
The indexing on the SDB seems more abrupt than the 650 due to the 650's mechanism- on the base, there is a ramp which engages an arm on the bottom of the shellplate which is rotated as the plate comes down. On the SDB, there's an arm that cams the plate around with high velocity. The rotation on the 650 is "linear" with the downward movement of the plate, while it's cammed on the SDB.
The 650 is much smoother after the mod. The detent strength affects the final decelleration as the plate locks into position.
-z
Steve Smith
Moderator Emeritus
I have no doubt about what you say, but I and most Highpower shooters use .223 and with that there is a significantly smaller area for the powder to "shake around" in. Add to that that most of our loads have powder crowding the bottom quarter of the neck (well above the shoulder), and it doesn't take much to fling powder...and on 600 yard loads, if it flings, you might as well pull the case and our that powder back in the hopper.
Thanks for your insight, though...might help with others who aren't compressing as much as I am. Sometimes I wonder if it would be easier to dip the case into powder and strike it off at the top.
When you seat the bullet and the primer pops out, you have too much powder.
FWIW, I think I will do your mod to my 550 to get some more smoothness.
Thanks for your insight, though...might help with others who aren't compressing as much as I am. Sometimes I wonder if it would be easier to dip the case into powder and strike it off at the top.
When you seat the bullet and the primer pops out, you have too much powder.
FWIW, I think I will do your mod to my 550 to get some more smoothness.
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