Empting Dillon 550B

Joey · April 30, 2000, 12:11 AM

When done loading I don't want to leave any powder or primers in the loader.

What is the best way to empty the powder hopper and primer tube from a Dillon 550B??

char923 · April 30, 2000, 12:24 AM

Hi Joey
If I load up 4 or 5 primer tubes, I load 400 or 500 rounds. With the powder when done I pull the two toolhead pin and remove the toolhead and powder measure and uses a funnel and pour the powder back into the can.

jtduncan · April 30, 2000, 12:50 AM

Or you can just back out the two screws on the powder die/measure, remove the measure, angle out the charging rod, and the whole powder measure can be dumped.

------------------
The Seattle SharpShooter

jtduncan · April 30, 2000, 12:52 AM

BTW - I just got my 550 two weeks ago and can do about 250 an hour right now.

How many rounds are you cranking out per hour?

------------------
The Seattle SharpShooter

Cheapo · April 30, 2000, 02:09 AM

Max was about 350 per hour, honest measurement including loading primer tubes and emptying the output tray, dumping rounds bulk into a box.

Joey · April 30, 2000, 02:21 AM

HA HA it took me about 1 1/2 hours to get the powder measured and flowing right. Then I had a problem forgetting the downstroke and seating a primer.

All in all I loaded 20 rds with 5 dummy rounds also.

I was loading 45 Long Colt with 5.3gr of titegroup, 250gr RNFP Laser-Cast bullet, Starline brass and Winchester primers. Now to see how our Vaqueros and Yellowboy like this load.

Patrick Graham · April 30, 2000, 09:11 AM

To get all the powder out you have to do two things. After pulling the tool head, flip the powder measure over and empty it into the powder canister. Then manually cycle the powder measure over the canister until no more powder comes out.

To empty the primer tube on the 550.. yikes..
I try to plan my reloading to either load the tube with what I need or I will transition to a caliber that uses the same primer.

[This message has been edited by Patrick Graham (edited April 30, 2000).]

M16 · April 30, 2000, 08:49 PM

You have to be careful when you empty the powder out of the measure. There is a white plastic spacer that can fall out. It's no big deal you just need to watch for it.

The specialist · May 2, 2000, 09:53 PM

I called Dillon and asked them about emptying primers. They told me that it was alright to leave them in the magazine on the machine. So now I do , although never full. Now for another question. When changing toolheads do you disconnect the powder arm at the bottom of the press by removing the wing nut and popping out the bushing??

Joey · May 3, 2000, 05:35 AM

Don't like leaving primers in the tube as the press is where the little one can get it. I've just been loading enough primers to do what I want and no more.

Powder is a pain in the arse to dump, last time I tried it the powder die came loose so that needs to be re set again.

Yep I raise the press about 1/2 way and slide the bar out of the bushing, those bushings are flimsy and don't come out worth a darn.

nwgunman · May 3, 2000, 11:32 AM

As the old saying goes: Keep your powder dry...you may not want to leave it out in that Dillon in a damp climate. Heat is also detrimental to powder. Ditto goes for the primers. I usually crank out about 100-150 rounds per hour, but I'm a cautious old fart. Gauging every round for go/no-go, marking the brass for recovery/re-loading, etc. Stay safe.

April 30, 2000, 12:11 AM	#1
Joey Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 1999 Posts: 437	When done loading I don't want to leave any powder or primers in the loader. What is the best way to empty the powder hopper and primer tube from a Dillon 550B??

April 30, 2000, 12:24 AM	#2
char923 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2000 Location: Anchorage AK Posts: 237	Hi Joey If I load up 4 or 5 primer tubes, I load 400 or 500 rounds. With the powder when done I pull the two toolhead pin and remove the toolhead and powder measure and uses a funnel and pour the powder back into the can.

April 30, 2000, 12:50 AM	#3
jtduncan Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 1999 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 1,686	Or you can just back out the two screws on the powder die/measure, remove the measure, angle out the charging rod, and the whole powder measure can be dumped. ------------------ *The Seattle SharpShooter*

April 30, 2000, 12:52 AM	#4
jtduncan Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 1999 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 1,686	BTW - I just got my 550 two weeks ago and can do about 250 an hour right now. How many rounds are you cranking out per hour? ------------------ *The Seattle SharpShooter*

April 30, 2000, 02:09 AM	#5
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	Max was about 350 per hour, honest measurement including loading primer tubes and emptying the output tray, dumping rounds bulk into a box.

April 30, 2000, 02:21 AM	#6
Joey Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 1999 Posts: 437	HA HA it took me about 1 1/2 hours to get the powder measured and flowing right. Then I had a problem forgetting the downstroke and seating a primer. All in all I loaded 20 rds with 5 dummy rounds also. I was loading 45 Long Colt with 5.3gr of titegroup, 250gr RNFP Laser-Cast bullet, Starline brass and Winchester primers. Now to see how our Vaqueros and Yellowboy like this load.

April 30, 2000, 09:11 AM	#7
Patrick Graham Junior member Join Date: January 18, 1999 Location: Kokomo, Indiana USA Posts: 674	To get all the powder out you have to do two things. After pulling the tool head, flip the powder measure over and empty it into the powder canister. Then manually cycle the powder measure over the canister until no more powder comes out. To empty the primer tube on the 550.. yikes.. I try to plan my reloading to either load the tube with what I need or I will transition to a caliber that uses the same primer. [This message has been edited by Patrick Graham (edited April 30, 2000).]

April 30, 2000, 08:49 PM	#8
M16 Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 1999 Posts: 490	You have to be careful when you empty the powder out of the measure. There is a white plastic spacer that can fall out. It's no big deal you just need to watch for it.

May 2, 2000, 09:53 PM	#9
The specialist Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2000 Location: boston,MA,USA Posts: 237	I called Dillon and asked them about emptying primers. They told me that it was alright to leave them in the magazine on the machine. So now I do , although never full. Now for another question. When changing toolheads do you disconnect the powder arm at the bottom of the press by removing the wing nut and popping out the bushing??

May 3, 2000, 05:35 AM	#10
Joey Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 1999 Posts: 437	Don't like leaving primers in the tube as the press is where the little one can get it. I've just been loading enough primers to do what I want and no more. Powder is a pain in the arse to dump, last time I tried it the powder die came loose so that needs to be re set again. Yep I raise the press about 1/2 way and slide the bar out of the bushing, those bushings are flimsy and don't come out worth a darn.

May 3, 2000, 11:32 AM	#11
nwgunman Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 1999 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 312	As the old saying goes: Keep your powder dry...you may not want to leave it out in that Dillon in a damp climate. Heat is also detrimental to powder. Ditto goes for the primers. I usually crank out about 100-150 rounds per hour, but I'm a cautious old fart. Gauging every round for go/no-go, marking the brass for recovery/re-loading, etc. Stay safe.