Just starting w/ a Dillon 550 ~ HELP

[General Disarray]

I've loaded 1,000's of rounds with my dillon square deal b. It was always just as cheap to buy surplus .223 and .308 than to bother reloading; until now. So a month ago I got a 550 off of feeBay at a good deal. Then I got the dies and conversions for .223. I've only recently had the time to really get down to setting it up and getting some rounds made, only to realize that the press only came set with the large powder bar, the large primer tube, and the large primer loader (the thing that slides back and loads primers). I've gotten no reply from the seller who got paid with a money order, so that's useless. I was hoping someone familiar with Dillons would know if:

1) I need the small powder bar, primer tube, and primer loader for .223, right? There were supposed to be larges and smalls, right?

2) Do I have to now buy them since I don't have them? (will Dillon send me one of each? how far does that "no BS warranty" go?)

3) Can I use these parts off of the Square Deal B?

 

[highlander 5]

1 yes
2 maybe give them a call they might send you a set free
3 no

 

[SASS#23149]

there have been some changes made to the primer tube assembly that is bolted to the machine,so when ordering a new primer slide be SURE the new one will fit your base,otherwise you have to buy one that fits.
a real PITA when changing from one size to another , unless you buy both sizes.

experiment with YOUR powder to see if the small bar will do the job.I have my doubts.

 

[General Disarray]

Thanks. How can I tell if the new primer slides will fit my base?

Also, I have the large powder bar. I can't load .223 with that can I?

 

[Snapping Twig]

Give Dillon a call and they'll walk you through it.

800-223-4570

 

[Navy joe]

Buy lots of extra primer pickup tubes so you can fill a bunch up then load uninterupted. Also, if you plan to do the .308 or others on there get an extra toolhead and powder measure so you can quickly swap over. Or if you are lazy like me get two 550s, one large primer, one small primer.

 

[Master Blaster]

Call Dillon at their 800 number and they will tell you what you need and will know the correct parts. They are very friendly and helpful.

 

[billybob44]

Dillon 550 Problems====

Do what most have said=call Dillon at their 800#. I can tell you from my own use with them that Dillon people are the MOST friendly around the reloading business. I own an older 550 and have called several times over the years, they are always SUPER! My Daughter was married last march, in Scottsdale,AZ. and I made the time to visit the Dillon Home Office. They would have nothing less than to give me a personal tour of their whole plant, warehouse area!! GREAT people, and buy from them, the reward to you will be 100 fold!!