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January 14, 2010, 08:08 PM | #1 |
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Is the Dillon 550 problematic?
I've been loading for a few years on a Lee classic cast turret press and have basically had zero problems with it. However, I need to load .40 S&W more quickly.
Therefore, I'm going to buy a Dillon 550. For those of you who own or have owned one - is the 550 problematic? Does it require a lot of constant tinkering to get it to run correctly? |
January 14, 2010, 08:13 PM | #2 |
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Constant tinkering? NOPE. Set the shellplate and primer feed, set the dies, adjust the powder charge... load load load until you run out of components or your arm gets tired
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January 14, 2010, 08:17 PM | #3 |
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Been loading with a 550 for 15 or better years. The only tinkering I ever had to do other than normal loading die set up was when I changed from large primers to small or vice versa. Seemed like It always took some tweaking to get the primer feed to my satisfaction when I changed. Solved that problem 2 or three years ago and bought my second 550. Now I have one set up in small primer (5.56mm, 38 spec 9mm, .357 mag .40 cal) and one in large primer (.30-06, 7.62mm, .44 Spcl, .45 auto). Caliber changes are now a cinch literally minutes. Btw I have set up seperate powder bars for my favorite loads in addition to having several powder measures.
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January 14, 2010, 08:19 PM | #4 |
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Nope; once it's set, it'll run smooth as silk, provided you feed it quality components.
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January 14, 2010, 08:22 PM | #5 |
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Well, after thousands of rounds, sometimes you have to do a little maintenance. I had to replace a "flexible orifice" once (the end of the primer magazine).
I had a maintenance kit that Dillon sells, so I didn't bother calling them. I found out (later) that there is a lifetime warranty and they usually ship you this type of thing, free. So, there is a little cleaning required to keep things from getting sticky, and occasionally something minor will wear out. In general, it just keeps on crankin' the rounds out without a whole lot of fuss.
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January 14, 2010, 08:26 PM | #6 |
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Thanks for the info guys. The press will be used only to load .40 S&W as that is my competition cartridge. I'll keep loading 9mm, .45ACP, and .223 on my turret press as I shoot considerably less of those.
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January 14, 2010, 10:21 PM | #7 |
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Lube your pivot arm shafts....
Other than that, absolutely zero problems over 20 years. I do not prime on the Dillon, so I can't comment on that. |
January 14, 2010, 10:31 PM | #8 |
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15 years on mine too and nary a problem that wasn't my own making.
I don't have too much trouble switching over the primer bars. Just leave the screws loose and push the handle up so the pushrod thingy goes through the shell plate, then tighten the screws. This guarantees perfect alignment. It also helps if you lightly run your chamfer tool on the inside of the primer pick-up tube. |
January 14, 2010, 11:52 PM | #9 |
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My experience with a Dillon 550 pretty much reflects the comments of the previous posters. It's a quality piece of equipment and I don't think you will be disappointed.
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January 15, 2010, 12:38 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
We'll check back with you in about 60 days, if you can last that long. |
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January 15, 2010, 09:21 AM | #11 |
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No problems that wasn't user caused in nearly 20,000 rounds. The press has been excellent.
Many people are concerned that the human operator is the feature that prevents (or causes) double charges because the shell plate doesn't rotate except by the operator turning it. I've burned that into my muscle memory and have a couple of other personal operating rules so I don't regard it as a big issue. Others differ. Do think about it for yourself. You might want to look at the Brian Enos website forums for info about reloading .40. (and lots of good info on how to use and maintain a 550) I just recently encountered .40 loads I made that wouldn't fit in my check guage which meant a very few of THOSE then wouldn't chamber in my pistol. Much .40 is being shot from Glocks which tend to assymetrically bulge the brass and many reloading dies won't resize far enough down the case wall (including Dillon dies). Seems the fix is modifying or buying dies to allow complete resizing. I bought an undersized die from EGW. Now they ALL chamber :-) |
January 15, 2010, 09:57 AM | #12 |
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Clean the thing once in a while for brass shavings, lubricate as appropriate and it pretty much runs without a hitch. Ditto on the primer feed tip needing replaced.
The greatest pain about the setup was changing from / to large / small primers. The adjustment typically ran about 15 minutes, so I just bought a second press. Highly recommended. - Ivan. |
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