Upgrading very old Dillon Powder Drops

Jeffm004 · December 24, 2015, 06:54 AM

I have 4 or 5 1990ish powder drops on various heads for my 550. I have read here that if I ask I can get the parts to update them to the new design at no to nominal cost. Every now and then the set screw loosens and I jammed one recently changing heads. I took it apart, put it back together and it works but I never did understand the cause. And I load .45-70, driving me to a softer powder to avoid over belling the case. If you have experience with both, what say you on upgrading this winter? Utility improvement for .45-70 (it is a very specific nuance with tall thin belling brass and cutting massive amounts of powder)? The threads on my drop rod (?) are also nearly stripped. When I change back to .45-70 I think I will need/want a new rod and I know they are different. Even the used stuff on e-bay has the newer powder drop so if you haven't seen what I have, you have the newer design.

Merry Christmas, and Thanks,

Jeff

wogpotter · December 24, 2015, 08:37 AM

Warranteed by Dillon for ever, just send them back.
Just be aware the new "fail/safe types work a little differently from the old single-cam style I think you have now.

KEYBEAR · December 24, 2015, 09:59 AM

I have both the old and new both work well . I would never change the older one and like it as well or better than the new model . If you do upgrade dillion will send you the parts and it will only that 5 min the change out .

December 24, 2015, 06:54 AM	#1
Jeffm004 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2013 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 255	Upgrading very old Dillon Powder Drops I have 4 or 5 1990ish powder drops on various heads for my 550. I have read here that if I ask I can get the parts to update them to the new design at no to nominal cost. Every now and then the set screw loosens and I jammed one recently changing heads. I took it apart, put it back together and it works but I never did understand the cause. And I load .45-70, driving me to a softer powder to avoid over belling the case. If you have experience with both, what say you on upgrading this winter? Utility improvement for .45-70 (it is a very specific nuance with tall thin belling brass and cutting massive amounts of powder)? The threads on my drop rod (?) are also nearly stripped. When I change back to .45-70 I think I will need/want a new rod and I know they are different. Even the used stuff on e-bay has the newer powder drop so if you haven't seen what I have, you have the newer design. Merry Christmas, and Thanks, Jeff

December 24, 2015, 08:37 AM	#2
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Warranteed by Dillon for ever, just send them back. Just be aware the new "fail/safe types work a little differently from the old single-cam style I think you have now. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

December 24, 2015, 09:59 AM	#3
KEYBEAR Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,059	I have both the old and new both work well . I would never change the older one and like it as well or better than the new model . If you do upgrade dillion will send you the parts and it will only that 5 min the change out .