Bell on case - Station 2 on Dillon 550

kestak · September 20, 2007, 08:31 AM

Greetings,

I am new to reloading and I am setting up my Dillon 550. On the station 2, it has to make a curve on the top of the case. My question is, how much must it be? Is it 1/2 milimeter, 1/3 milimeter, 1/4 milimeter?

Thank you

bosipipes · September 20, 2007, 10:04 AM

I just set mine up on Tuesday, I love this press.
For mine I adjusted it just enough for the bullet to sit in the case without falling off. went thru a 1/2 dz cases till I got it right.

kestak · September 20, 2007, 10:25 AM

Greetings,

So, is it about 1/4 milimeter or less?

Thank you

Sevens · September 20, 2007, 11:18 AM

Depends! You don't want to shave lead from the bullet when seating because you didn't flare the case mouth enough. That'll ruin accuracy and dirty up your chambers, too. You also don't want to flare the mouths too much, because it weakens them and shortens case life.

I can't really tell you in mm how much... if you are using cast bullets, probably a little more flaring than if you are using jacketed bullets.

BigJimP · September 20, 2007, 01:35 PM

Your manual gives you some good pictures and descriptions - but in general you want just enough so the bullet rests on the top of the case without tipping over - and not so much the bullet slides down in the case without some resistance. I can't give you an exact measurement - but spend some time making sure it's right.

Give the techs at Dillon a call if you have any questions - they're very helpful too.

FALPhil · September 20, 2007, 03:14 PM

Get youself a Lyman 'M' expander die and don't worry about it.

Thesenator · September 22, 2007, 07:00 AM

"Get youself a Lyman 'M' expander die and don't worry about it." End Quote:
=================
There isn't room for another die in a 550B, its a four station press and the powder funnel works just fine if you take five minutes to adjust it correctly. Adding another toolhead with one die defeats the whole purpose of the Dillon "system"....it also would take double or more time involved to reload the same number of rounds.

I've reloaded tens of thousands of rounds on my 550B and never had a problem belling any case that needed it.

As others have posted, there is no "exact measurement" of the bell....its trial and error and should take about 5 to 6 cases at the very most to get it right. Once its set and locked with the locknut, you shouldn't have to mess with it anymore.

Too much belling of the case works the case mouth and will cause the case to split prematurely. Use as little bell as is necessary to support the bullet being used just so it doesn't fall over when placed in the case and enough so as not to shave a bullet being seated. Again, its trial and error and everyone has their own preference. You'll find that sweet spot for the bullet you are using.

FALPhil · September 22, 2007, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Thesenator wrote:There isn't room for another die in a 550B, its a four station press and...

I didn't know that. Thanks for educating me.

However, Lyman makes the 'M' type expanders in a "powder through" configuration which means that you can expand and charge at one station. On my rig (which is not blue), I have a Hornady powder through expander on my case activated powder drop, which is really cool, because the powder drop is automated and I don't have to touch it except to fill it. And there is never any spilt powder, because it doesn't allow any powder to pass if no case is present.

Thesenator · September 22, 2007, 05:17 PM

The Dillon powder drop/measure works the same way. The case must be present and push upwards on it, belling the case mouth and dispensing the powder. They work very well once adjusted.

September 20, 2007, 08:31 AM	#1
kestak Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2007 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 157	Bell on case - Station 2 on Dillon 550 Greetings, I am new to reloading and I am setting up my Dillon 550. On the station 2, it has to make a curve on the top of the case. My question is, how much must it be? Is it 1/2 milimeter, 1/3 milimeter, 1/4 milimeter? Thank you

September 20, 2007, 11:18 AM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Depends! You don't want to shave lead from the bullet when seating because you didn't flare the case mouth enough. That'll ruin accuracy and dirty up your chambers, too. You also don't want to flare the mouths too much, because it weakens them and shortens case life. I can't really tell you in mm how much... if you are using cast bullets, probably a little more flaring than if you are using jacketed bullets. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

September 20, 2007, 10:04 AM	#2
bosipipes Junior Member Join Date: August 7, 2007 Posts: 12	I just set mine up on Tuesday, I love this press. For mine I adjusted it just enough for the bullet to sit in the case without falling off. went thru a 1/2 dz cases till I got it right.

September 20, 2007, 10:25 AM	#3
kestak Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2007 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 157	Greetings, So, is it about 1/4 milimeter or less? Thank you

September 20, 2007, 01:35 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Your manual gives you some good pictures and descriptions - but in general you want just enough so the bullet rests on the top of the case without tipping over - and not so much the bullet slides down in the case without some resistance. I can't give you an exact measurement - but spend some time making sure it's right. Give the techs at Dillon a call if you have any questions - they're very helpful too.

September 20, 2007, 03:14 PM	#6
FALPhil Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2007 Location: Racoon City Posts: 934	Get youself a Lyman 'M' expander die and don't worry about it.

September 22, 2007, 07:00 AM	#7
Thesenator Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Posts: 126	"Get youself a Lyman 'M' expander die and don't worry about it." End Quote: ================= There isn't room for another die in a 550B, its a four station press and the powder funnel works just fine if you take five minutes to adjust it correctly. Adding another toolhead with one die defeats the whole purpose of the Dillon "system"....it also would take double or more time involved to reload the same number of rounds. I've reloaded tens of thousands of rounds on my 550B and never had a problem belling any case that needed it. As others have posted, there is no "exact measurement" of the bell....its trial and error and should take about 5 to 6 cases at the very most to get it right. Once its set and locked with the locknut, you shouldn't have to mess with it anymore. Too much belling of the case works the case mouth and will cause the case to split prematurely. Use as little bell as is necessary to support the bullet being used just so it doesn't fall over when placed in the case and enough so as not to shave a bullet being seated. Again, its trial and error and everyone has their own preference. You'll find that sweet spot for the bullet you are using.

September 22, 2007, 05:17 PM	#9
Thesenator Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Posts: 126	The Dillon powder drop/measure works the same way. The case must be present and push upwards on it, belling the case mouth and dispensing the powder. They work very well once adjusted.