Newbie 550 reloading questions

[thornious]

Hi am new to the forum and new to reloading.


I am using a Dillion 550B.
My question is the tool heads and the deluxe tool head system, do I need spares of them?
How long does it take to actually change everything out with the one tool head that comes with the press?

I will be hopefully reloading the following on this press:
9mm
38/357
32acp
.380
44 mag




I know I need the caliber conversion kits, but the rest seems rather
expensive.


If I didnt buy the deluxe tool head assembly route.
What does the following setup sound like for each caliber?
1 conversion kit
1 toolhead with powder die
1 powder bar.

That runs about 90 bucks total vs 135 for a deluxe kit and the caliber conversion kit.

Also is changing powder bars necessary. Would these speed up or make easier the change process or would this just cause more aggravation.

thanks
rich

 

[Lucky Strike]

i don't know too much as i'm also a newbie with a 550 but i don't it takes that long to adjust the small powder bar for the various handgun calibers. I wouldn't buy a new one for each caliber. I only have the one toolhead but will likely buy a new one for each caliber (i've got conversion kits/dies for 3 different calibers).

 

[SASS#23149]

to avoid changing out dies,extra toolheads are almost a ncessity.Dillons' rings do not lock onto the die,requiring re-setting every time you remove them.
Extra powder measures will save time,but too expensive to buy one for each caliber in my opinion.
YOu only need the 2 powder bars that come with the press,large and small.same with the primer seaters.
For loading pistol rounds,you won't need to change the powder bar,but the small or large primer assembly will need to be changed depending on what you are loading.

 

[rfwobbly]

Yes.

Throny -
SASS has it about right. There are 2 ways to go with this....

• An inexpensive way is to buy about 30 RCBS or Hornady-type die locking nuts... the type that stay in place when they are removed from the press. The kind that use some kind of set screw. Then add one of these to each of your reloading dies. That way you can remove your dies without loosing your exact die position each time.

However, this method does not cover the needs of the powder drop & belling station. That tube will still have to be reset for each caliber.

• The suggested way is to buy a new tool head AND powder drop tube for each caliber. Then swapping calipers is as easy as pulling the tool head (complete with dies and powder drop) and sliding in a new one.

The Caliber Conversion Kit has to be swapped, but that's only 2 screws. The powder measure has to be moved to the next tool head, but that's only 2 screws.


The final decision all depends on how many caliber swap-overs you intend to do per week, and what your time allowances are. In all honesty, for a new guy getting started, it will probably be SOME OF BOTH while you work toward a tool head for every die set.

 

[loadedround]

I run 2 550B's, one set up for large primers and the other for small primers. I load for many pistol and rifle calibers and have my more common calibers set up in tool heads with the dies adjusted to the type of bullet used for each caliber. I also have 5 powder measures set up on my popular calibers. On the average it takes me about 10-15 min to change over from one caliber to the next. This time includes filling the powder measure and checking/adjusting the charge. If you plan on just using one tool head and changing from one die set to another and calibrating your measure, figure on realistically 30 minutes or more each time. Multiple tools heads are not that expensive and will save a great bit of time in my opinion.

 

[mallc]

Multiple Toolheads

I use complete tool heads for anything I load a coffee can at a time. .223, 45ACP, 9MM.

You can use any dies in the Dillion accept for the charge through belling die and Dillion sells these separately.

I polished the inside of my Dillion powder measure and they repeat nearly as well as my Redding BRK3 depending on powder. As a side note, I have four standalone powder measures for non Dillon loading.

Fact is that it takes about as much time to change over a turret or single stage as it does a progressive it you take into account all that's involved.

Do the toolheads and pick up a used cast iron single stage when you find one. They are very easy to come by for $20 to $50 depending on size and condition.

Scott

 

[redneck2]

I have a 550 with five total quick changes, and another five tool heads (for rifle).

I would never keep resetting the dies on my 550. That would be painful. Actually, I had a 450, so that's what I did. It is godawful.

If you're going to load a lot, or you have the extra money, a total quick change is the program. Everything including the powder drop and powder measure is included. Swapping the dies and measure takes maybe 15 seconds.

The next best alternative would be to get tool heads with the powder sleeve bushing as noted above. This way you could keep all your dies set and just swap the measure and adjust the powder bar. If you have a powder bar pre-adjusted for each load, then it's just a matter of swapping the measure.

 

[45ACPUSER]

The simplest and easiest route.
Buy
Tool head and powder die for each caliber
Set of Dies for each Caliber
You set them up and do not have adjust them except you will need to reset 38 /357 because of the length difference.

Then you will have to swap the primer bar out from small to large when loading the 44mag.

Then you swap the powder measure around with the pistol powder bar installed; this takes a minute or two......

A side note about dies. You can buy the Dillon dies as they are meant for progressive use, you can buy Redding Pro Series as they are meant for progressive use, or you can buy Lee 4 die Deluxe set. Why you ask? Because you get seperate seating and crimping dies this way. I consider seating one step, and crimping a seperate step. If you buy regular dies you end up having to buy a seperate crimp die.

 

[thornious]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I will be going the tool head route at the very least. I still am not sold on the powder measure, but as I learn more and get some experience with it I will probably rethink that.

 

[thornious]

Do the toolheads and pick up a used cast iron single stage when you find one. They are very easy to come by for $20 to $50 depending on size and condition.

MALLC,
I was wondering why you had suggested to pick up a single stage? Actually I do have one. A I picked up and old Rockchucker and some other reloading stuff awhile ago, I have yet to use it either.