Topic: Who has two thumbs and finally has a 550b?

[Jaggy13]

THIS GUY!


Just got it all set up, about to load a couple inaugural rounds.

[ekuo]

pics or it didn't happen!

[RGinIdaho]

Don't forget to advance the shell plate after each pull of the handle. 

I'm certain you'll love the 550.

Now how about them pics

[luvmy45]

So now you'll need:

Strong Mount
Bullet Tray
Case Shell holder
Allen Wrench Mounting Kit
at least 3 more powder drop setup

Oh and the most important thing you will ever buy for the 550b, the Roller Handle!!!!!!!!

Congrats!!!

[avking]

I never saw much value in the roller handle on the 550. For sure on the 650, but since you have to remove your hand from the handle for every round on the 550, the eight ball was fine. I suspect it won't be long before you start looking at the 650 for the casefeeder, bulletfeeder and auto index. Not to mention the powder failsafe and the electric trimmer. Just saying.

I loved my 550, but the repetetive motion was killing my arthritis. The 650 has worked out much better.

[Jaggy13]

ok, here are some pics,

The old
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Unpacked
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Setup
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Has a strong mount, 3 conversions but I need to pick up a primer alarm and a couple powder funnels.

[popsgunner]

You are the BOMB son ! great job !

[Beamncoke]

I run a powder lock out die in mine.  Works real slick and eliminates double charge or no charge mishaps.

[luvmy45]

I run a powder lock out die in mine.  Works real slick and eliminates double charge or no charge mishaps.

How do you do that on a 550? I use all the stations, wouldn't you have to give one up to do this??

[glockgirl]

Is it strange that I would rather have one of these than a shopping spree at the mall?

[Beamncoke]

How do you do that on a 550? I use all the stations, wouldn't you have to give one up to do this??

I run it in station three.  I seat and crimp with one die in station four.  I only use it when loading straight wall pistol cases. 

[birddog1989]

Is it strange that I would rather have one of these than a shopping spree at the mall?

I LOVE YOU!

Sorry knee jerk reaction to your statement. 

[glockgirl]

 

[Jaggy13]

Got home today and decided to fine tune the machine, set the perfect bell, installed some bins, checked powder dump...
before I knew it I was flying through the rounds!
 I really though I would miss the case feeder setup on the Lee, I really liked that about it. But it flows so well between placing a case and setting a bullet, the turret barely ever stops.
I also love how .380 brass pops out of the shell plate while attempting to prime. (the bane of loading 9mm is the dreaded wayward 380 ACP case!)

I am really happy with my decision and am really going to enjoy using it!
Nothing against the Lee, it has served me well. I think I loaded about 10k between pistol and rifle on it.

Thanks again for all the great support and mentoring.

[ekuo]

Good deal, and congrats again on the 550.  

Here's a few tricks and tips:

Visually check the case in Station 3 when you seat the bullet to make sure there is powder in the case.  I place a lamp over the left side of the press for this reason.  Helps prevent squibs and double charges.  

When the spent primers start falling on the floor (and they will), the problem is probably with the little pin that holds the primer trap.  The pin gets bent over time, and will hold the trap open when you deprime.  Tip:  replace the pin periodically with a short section of a paper clip.

If you pause while reloading (ie to get more brass, bullets, take a piss...) leave the press with the ram in the upright position.  This way you can only do one thing with the press, which is to lower the ram.  This way you won't forget where you left off and less chance of a double-charging a case since the 550 is a manual index machine.  

Clean your primer feeder every 2-3K.  Tip I picked up from BE is to use one of the green brillo pads to clean off the gunk that accumulates on the primer bar, plate, and surface of the press, then wipe down with alcohol.  Do not lube.

Lube the ram from the bottom.  30 weight oil works well.  

Keep a small paint brush handy to dust off the dust, powder, etc from the press.  

Get the roller handle.  

Have fun!  Remember, now that you have a progressive, you still need to take your time and don't let yourself get distracted...  because with a progressive you can make a lot of crappy ammo in a fairly short amount of time!  

Cheers

[Jaggy13]

awsome tips Evans, thanks!
I was just thinking I need to get more light on the brass.
This press is casting a shadow so I can't see the powder easily.

[Jaggy13]

The primer tip couldn't have come at a better time...
Loaded 200 rnd's and BAM! Primers raining out of the feed tube...
Had I not just read those tips I would have definitely gone into some kind of panic mode.

So, your saying replace that nylon pin, Primer Feed Stop Pin I think, with a piece of paper clip?

[ekuo]

Woah, hang on.  I was referring to the spent primers that you pop out in station 1.  If they are falling on the floor its usually because the pin holding the tin flippy thingy  is bent. 

If good primers are falling out from the feed tube, something else is wrong.  I had that happen once, and it was because the primer tube was not fully seated in the feeder tube.  If not fully seated, there will be a gap between the primeval tube and the nylon pin. 

[tgibson]

These were pretty cool. Didn't realize they discontinued them. Might call to see what he is offering as a replacement. http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1255
Adios
TG

[Jaggy13]

Yeah, I think I got it fixed, I see what you are talking about now.

Thanks TG, I have a small LED flashlight that fits there also, It's working really well

[luvmy45]

tips on the 550b...

1st stop for questions: BE Forums... ton of info/tips/tricks and problem solving solutions
2nd stop for questions: Here of course  
3rd stop - Call Dillon!!! They are a great resource and the lifetime No BS warranty is not a joke, even if your not the original owner.

If good primers are falling out, check the primer feed tube, and make sure the little plastic nipple that keeps the live primers in the tube is there... probably just an adjustment issue.

Oh, and go down to Cliffs and get the 550b spare parts kit (and the Roller Handle!!!!!!)... it's nice to have around when you launch a spring, loose a screw or drop a little part that you just can't find again.  

[Nealio]

I guess I need ro try one with a roller handle. I never got one because they didn't seem like they would be that useful.

[luvmy45]

I loaded for a couple years with the ball thinking the same thing, and finally broke down and bought one day, just cause I had some extra money.

It really should have been the first thing I bought for the press... now, I load between 200 and 1000 rounds a setting, and if your only doing low volume, it probably won't be that big of deal... it's $40 well spent, the blue looks cool but either will do.

Uniquetek,com also has some great little upgrades for the Dillon. The toolhead clamp kit works will for precision loads, the turbo bears smooths things out a bit too. One of these days I might get the powder micrometer adjustment as well...

[tgibson]

Last summer when I hit 60K rounds loaded on my 650, I quit counting...probably loaded another 10-12k since then and never had the roller handle.  Just never felt like I needed it bad enough to spend the money on it.
Adios,
TG

[Jaggy13]

got everything working again, doing about 100 rnds in 10 minutes.
Not sure I'll do the roller handle yet, need to get a chrono next.
Here is my light rig,
Its actually working well.
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