The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 11, 2008, 12:48 PM   #1
mullet
Junior Member
 
Join Date: February 4, 2008
Posts: 4
Dillon RL 550

I'm trying to get some feedback of the 550. I have one I bought in a bulk purchase. I have no idea how to set it up. I have went back and for with trying to set it up verses "ebaying" it. If its a good unit, and I can get it set up, I'd be using it for pistol ammo mostly. I have 16 tool heads, a dozen conversion kits, and a ton of dies.

How easy is it to set up?
How easy to change calibers?
Would you recommend this press, or another, for volume pistol loading?
mullet is offline  
Old March 11, 2008, 12:49 PM   #2
Unclenick
Staff
 
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,017
It's not bad on any of those things, but you need the instructions. Just call Dillon. Their service is second to none. 800-223-4570 (now that's a number that's easy to remember). They will probably send you an instruction book.

I use a Dillon Square deal and a 550B. Both produce just fine for volume. If you were a commercial reloader, I would recommend the 1050. If I had it to do over, I might get the 650 rather than the 550 to get the extra station, but that's no bad reflection on the 550.
__________________
Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member
CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor
NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle
Unclenick is offline  
Old March 11, 2008, 01:41 PM   #3
Alleykat
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 26, 2007
Posts: 3,668
I'm pretty sure you can get the instruction manuals online at Dillon's website.
Alleykat is offline  
Old March 11, 2008, 06:14 PM   #4
skeetshooter105
Junior Member
 
Join Date: February 3, 2008
Location: Central Kentucky. Swamp land...
Posts: 6
Dillon

You can print the entire instruction booklet from dillon off thier internet site.
I have a 550 with too many conversion kits. It is outstanding on pistol rounds where you do not have to trim, lube to size etc. I loaded over 3000 38 special loads the first week I had mine. If you have scales to weigh charges they are no problem to set up. Do it one shell at a time until all is correct. Rifle rounds take a little longer but work out some great loads.
Power measure works as good as any I have ever encountered with small grain powder. Drops are very consistant.
Dennis
skeetshooter105 is offline  
Old March 11, 2008, 06:44 PM   #5
Robert M Boren Sr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 29, 2004
Location: NW Montana
Posts: 269
http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/manuals.html
Robert M Boren Sr is offline  
Old March 11, 2008, 08:09 PM   #6
btefft
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 7, 2008
Posts: 181
Go to YouTube. I saw some good videos about setting up and using the 550.

Doing a search for Dillon 550 should do it.

Hack
btefft is offline  
Old March 12, 2008, 05:24 AM   #7
cnjaxx
Member
 
Join Date: February 24, 2008
Location: Cowpens SC
Posts: 79
Here is some vidios. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=329216
cnjaxx is offline  
Old March 12, 2008, 06:16 AM   #8
SDC
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 23, 2001
Location: People's Republic of Kanada
Posts: 1,652
If you're at all interested in reloading, stick with the Dillon, because you'll end up getting one sooner or later anyway. The hardest thing about changing calibres is changing the primer bar, but that's only necessary when going from Small to Large or vice-versa; Dillon's official "help page" (complete with full manuals) is at http://www.dillonhelp.com/ , and if that doesn't help, you can talk to a technician who will answer your questions. If you've never worked with a progressive press before, Dillon also has a video tape/DVD that shows what you need to do to get up and running.
__________________
Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936.
SDC is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.06875 seconds with 10 queries