Dillon's 550C Spent Primer Catch Cup

ed308 · August 25, 2019, 11:32 AM

After selling my Hornady Iron press, I've gone from considering a Dillon 550C to ordering one. Looking forward to using the 550 for my precision loads with Whidden's floating tool heads, my FX-120i scale and Autotrickler/Throw system. I'll also use it for some other cartridges I load, plus any new cartridges acquire and working up loads.

I have a question about the spent primer catch cup for the 550 series press. Has Dillon updated the design of their cup to address the problem of the cup not catching all spent primers ejected from the press? I see a lot of mods on the web to fix this problem. But was wondering if Dillon updated the cup design in the latest 550C press to fix this problem.

Jim Watson · August 25, 2019, 11:39 AM

Beats me. I have the Uniquetek plastic cup and hose device that works fairly well on my 550B, but not 100%.

Bowdog · August 25, 2019, 11:46 AM

I am using a 550B for the last 12 years now cup works just fine. Maybe loaded 10,000 rounds on it. Every once and awhile the door on the slide will hang up from dirt. I just use a Q tip with alcohol back in business.

Hammerhead · August 25, 2019, 12:20 PM

My new 550 drops a few primers. Seems to be the same as before.

Martys · August 25, 2019, 01:07 PM

I swapped out the little cross pin for a safety pin (cut & turned up each side)......problem solved in my case.

Nick_C_S · August 25, 2019, 02:05 PM

I have a 550. With small primers, about one outta five fails to land in the catch thingy. They can fly just about anywhere - including into my bottled water sitting 18" away, up and to the left - with a screw cap top sized opening. It's pretty amusing where they all land.

I just live with it. I sweep afterward.

Large primers aren't nearly as much of a problem. Probably more than 95% drop right into the catch.

F. Guffey · August 26, 2019, 09:12 AM

I have the RL550B and more than one Rock Chucker, before I cuss the darkness I color coordinate my primer catcher and press with 3M electrical tape. At one time the tape came in 'black' and then my wife introduced me to green and red 3M tape, my Rock Chucker's have not lost a primer sense.

Before that I spent a lot of time back east. I embedded primers in the sole of my shoes. I found when primers are imbedded into the sole of my shoes I gain traction on ice and snow. It is like adding 'knobbies' to shoes.. if you can find sand and gravel sipping helps.

F. Guffey

74A95 · August 26, 2019, 11:56 AM

See this: https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2017/...ers-read-this/

August 25, 2019, 11:32 AM	#1
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,147	Dillon's 550C Spent Primer Catch Cup After selling my Hornady Iron press, I've gone from considering a Dillon 550C to ordering one. Looking forward to using the 550 for my precision loads with Whidden's floating tool heads, my FX-120i scale and Autotrickler/Throw system. I'll also use it for some other cartridges I load, plus any new cartridges acquire and working up loads. I have a question about the spent primer catch cup for the 550 series press. Has Dillon updated the design of their cup to address the problem of the cup not catching all spent primers ejected from the press? I see a lot of mods on the web to fix this problem. But was wondering if Dillon updated the cup design in the latest 550C press to fix this problem.

August 25, 2019, 02:05 PM	#6
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	I have a 550. With small primers, about one outta five fails to land in the catch thingy. They can fly just about anywhere - including into my bottled water sitting 18" away, up and to the left - with a screw cap top sized opening. It's pretty amusing where they all land. I just live with it. I sweep afterward. Large primers aren't nearly as much of a problem. Probably more than 95% drop right into the catch. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

August 25, 2019, 11:39 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Beats me. I have the Uniquetek plastic cup and hose device that works fairly well on my 550B, but not 100%.

August 25, 2019, 11:46 AM	#3
Bowdog Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 112	I am using a 550B for the last 12 years now cup works just fine. Maybe loaded 10,000 rounds on it. Every once and awhile the door on the slide will hang up from dirt. I just use a Q tip with alcohol back in business.

August 25, 2019, 12:20 PM	#4
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	My new 550 drops a few primers. Seems to be the same as before.

August 25, 2019, 01:07 PM	#5
Martys Member Join Date: January 19, 2013 Posts: 62	I swapped out the little cross pin for a safety pin (cut & turned up each side)......problem solved in my case.

August 26, 2019, 09:12 AM	#7
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	I have the RL550B and more than one Rock Chucker, before I cuss the darkness I color coordinate my primer catcher and press with 3M electrical tape. At one time the tape came in 'black' and then my wife introduced me to green and red 3M tape, my Rock Chucker's have not lost a primer sense. Before that I spent a lot of time back east. I embedded primers in the sole of my shoes. I found when primers are imbedded into the sole of my shoes I gain traction on ice and snow. It is like adding 'knobbies' to shoes.. if you can find sand and gravel sipping helps. F. Guffey

August 26, 2019, 11:56 AM	#8
74A95 Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2016 Posts: 1,568	See this: https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2017/...ers-read-this/