Multiple Dillon 550Bs

[TrapperReady]

I'm a new owner of a Dillon 550B. When I first looked at it in a local store, the sales guy showed how quick it is to change calibers. Of course, he didn't show changing the shell plate and stops, or the primer tube when going from large to small.

Now I'm thinking that it would be a lot less hassle to just get two presses and leave one set up for large primers and the other set up for small primers. Assuming that money isn't a problem, is this a good way to go?

If I do just stay with one machine, how long do you think it would realistically take an experienced user to swap from .45ACP to .223, assuming you had seperate toolheads and powder-measures for each?

 

[swifter]

If you have the space and the money, go for it!

You've hit on the biggest reason that I rarely use my 550 anymore:RPIA!

Tom

 

[Jeeper]

Two presses is the way to go.

 

[TrapperReady]

Swifter -

Money? Thankfully no problem.

Space?

Looks like I may be making an addition to the bench!

 

[HSMITH]

Trapper, I run two 550's but I had only one for a long time. It was taking me about 10-12 minutes to change calibers including primer size with one powder measure, including setting the charge weight for the new load. I would say 10-15 minutes is average for an experienced 550 user, but if you had powder measures set up already for each toolhead down around 10 minutes would be normal. After you swap primer sizes a couple times it really is pretty fast.

If you have the money get another press, I did.

 

[TrapperReady]

Thanks for the replies!

I think I'm going to try it as is for a couple months and see how it works. I think I may get around it a bit by simply loading a whole mess of .45ACP over the course of a couple days, then swapping back to the .223 setup, which I'll be monkeying with a lot more for Highpower.

However, I am going to go ahead and clear some extra space and arrange the bench so I can fit in another one... just in case.

 

[Cortland]

My advice: bail out now and get a Hornady! (you'll only need one!)

 

[Dr.Who]

I have a 550 and see no problem switching time wise. But I also use a Shopsmith. The 550 is a hell of alot quicker than a single lee one step at a time press.

 

[444]

I don't think changing calibers and primer type are any big deal at all. It doesn't take that long and it isn't very hard. One reason it isn't a big dea is that when I fire up the press, I load 1000 or more cartridges of that caliber and load. If I only want a few, I use the single stage. Therefore, I am not changing calibers all that often. Usually, If I load a couple thousand in one caliber that lasts me awhile. If I shoot one caliber in particular a lot, I simply load more of them when the press is set up and running for that caliber. I also have complete tool heads for every caliber with powder measure and all ready to go. Everything is ready to run for my faviorite loads.
All that being said, I run two 550s; one for large primers and one for small primers. The reason is that I got a smoking deal on the second press from a guy on The Firing Line. He was basically giving it away because he lost his job and wanted to buy Christmas presents for his family. And yes, I gave him a lot more than he offered to sell it for. I also got a good deal on my first 550: I bought both of them used and probably only have the cost of one new one tied up in the whole operation.
Obviously that is also an option for you. Use your 550 and keep your eyes open for another one used. If you find a good deal, jump on it.

 

[Valkman]

Good timing for this - my new workbenches and cabinets come Tuesday, then I mount my existing 550B plus the new one I just got off of Ebay. It's gonna be sweet!

 

[CB900F]

Trapper;

I've had a 550 for years, perhaps over a decade now. Yes, changing the primer set-up can be considered a minor pain, but really, it's not that bad.

As for some of the other opinions mentioned; someone's been flogging a red horse for years. Pay it no mind.

900F

 

[243_shooter]

After you've made the switch from large to small primers a few times, you'll find that it's a piece of cake. If it takes more than 2-3 minutes to switch primer sizes your doing something wrong

I did purchase another "slide" for large primers so I don't have to screw around changing the cup/spring/punch. I bought my press used, so maybe the new ones come with two slides already.

I was considering another 550, but now I've pretty much got myself talked into a 650 instead... Can you say "casefeeder"

Leo

 

[CB900F]

243;

Yup, my new one came with the second slider for the other size of primers. If I were you, I'd call Dillon & find out what the second one is gonna cost you. Hint: It might be less than you expect.

900F

 

[243_shooter]

900f,

I already purchased another slider. If memory serves I think they charged me ~$6.00 for it. Well worth it

Leo

 

[CB900F]

Valkman;

If you don't mind sharing, what did you have to give for it on E-Bay? Reason I ask, is that a gentleman was selling a 550B with one set-up here in Great Falls for $250.00. I passed on it & got some other stuff he had instead. Which shows, I guess, how little the primer thing bothers me.

900F

 

[Johnny Guest]

Primer size change IS a minor hassle - -

For that reason, I've been threatening to get another 550B for about ten years of the twelve I've had mine. Problem is, every time I'm about to jump in and do it, someone offers me a good deal on a firearm, for about the same money. I also have an RCBS single-stage for most of my rifle loading.

All of which being said, I'm again in the market for a really good buy on another 550.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Valkman]

Valkman;

If you don't mind sharing, what did you have to give for it on E-Bay? Reason I ask, is that a gentleman was selling a 550B with one set-up here in Great Falls for $250.00. I passed on it & got some other stuff he had instead. Which shows, I guess, how little the primer thing bothers me.

$250 is a good deal - I paid $386 and got a bunch of extra stuff that I'll sell, like a NIB Eliminator scale, conversion kits for 9mm and .223, dies for 9mm and other stuff. Got a nice set of Redding .223 dies also but I think I'll keep those!

Also, thanks for all your info on these boards about safes. Nice to hear from someone who truly knows what he talks about. I think my National Security MG-42 is plenty of safe for me and my guns, but I like the education on what makes a good safe.

 

[sigma40sw]

Some Times you need a spare 550

After reading all the above posts,which are all good :<) - my reason for having a second 550 is that it saved me 3 times now when loading match ammo for an upcoming match. While an excellent machine, it does tend to break at the worst possible moment for me, When I need ammo.

My primary 550 was purchased new in 1988 and has many miles on it now, Dillon has rebuilt it once since then. I find the weakness in this machine for me is the "Bell Crank". This is the casting that the handle and ram mount in to. The first symptom of this shows up as high primers because the bell crank flexes, do to a crack in the casting, when I seat primers. In 16 years I have had this part fail "4" times. While Dilon's No BS warrenty is great, it still takes 4 - 5 work days to get a part from them. Doesn't help me when I need ammo.

So, my second press has been used on many occasions to keep my primary press running. It is faster to steal parts than readjust dies. My normal setup is one large primer and one small primer press. This works fine if you keep the dies for thes calibers on that press. My newer 550 does not have the same length ram as my old one, its is .020 thou. shorter, so swaping the die heads is not an option.

Has anyone else had the bell crank break on there 550 or 650 ? they use the same part.

Sigma40sw

 

[larryw]

I don't understand the problems with primer size changes. Two bolts and a tube swap. Did Dillon change this? (my press is about 2 years old). Hint: get the ball head allen wrenches.

Caliber change, including shell plates and primer size take me about 5 minutes; I'd rather have the additional bench space than a second press.

 

[twowheel]

larryw's advice is right on. I picked up a long handles ball end hex wrench and it makes a LOT of difference in setting things up; the same wrench is used for putting on and taking off the powder measure and fiddling to change the charge bars as well. I learned a few tricks to help make the change between primer sizes. When the new primer slide (Dillon's terminology) is in and just before tightening the primer tube with primer slide I push the operating lever forward so that the primer slide pocket is captured in the base unit, THEN, while still holding pressure on the op lever, I tighten the two screws. Until I figured that out, the longest time in the changeover was getting the primer pocket lined up in the center of the hole in the base. I load for over 10 calibers, rifle and pistol, large and small, and have only one powder measure (10 powder measure bars, however) and tool heads, tool head stands, and powder drop tubes on all, and only have the one 550.

 

[HSMITH]

Sigma, I've not broken a bellcrank on mine, but can see that it isn't out of the question. The 'old' machine only has about 30K on it, 95% of it straight wall handgun ammo. I also noticed that my new 550 is about 20 thou shorter than my old one, which is mildly irritating since I can't swap toolheads if I want without adjusting dies.

 

[sigma40sw]

HSmith, I lost count a long time ago on my old 550. I load both straight wall pistol and rifle (30-06,308,223)on mine. I may be stressing my press more, do to the way I have it bench mounted. The bench top is at 36" , so I am pushing stright forward when I seat my primers. I sit on a tall bar stool which allows me to see the powder level in each case before I seat the bullet. I usually try to bottom the primer in the pocket.

If you make it, we will break it :<)

Sigma40sw

 

[g56]

sigma40sw said: While an excellent machine, it does tend to break at the worst possible moment for me, When I need ammo.

I bought my 550 in 1985, my best estimate is that I have loaded around 50,000 rounds on it, I have never had any failure of any kind. In all that time all I have had to do over and above the normal maintenance, was to pull the arms and lube the bushings they run on, I did that for the first time about 6 months ago, they started binding, I guess that after 19 years they needed a little grease!