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Dillon RL 550B - Comments?

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  • Texas1911

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    Austin, TX
    What is the consensus on the Dillon RL 550B?

    I'd be using it for .223 - .338 (match dies) rifle calibers and more than likely .45 ACP and 10mm Auto.

    Are there any particular issues or problems to be aware of?

    Any superior alternatives?
    Texas SOT
     

    flashguy

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    Oct 31, 2008
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    Dallas, Texas
    Dillon 550B

    My personal opinion is that one would have to look far to find a better buy than a Dillon 550B for general purpose medium volume reloading. One doesn't need a progressive loader if only 100 rounds are to be loaded--a single-stage press will do fine; if one wants to turn out 1000 or more rounds at a time, there are better (and more expensive!) alternatives.

    I have 4 presses, one of which is a 450B that has been sort of converted to a 550B, and I have never had a problem with it. (The 550B is a follow-on to the 450B.)

    Dillon makes a robust product and one cannot beat their warranty. (They even fix second-hand loaders.)

    flashguy
     

    Charley

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    I've got two 550s...to lazy to switch between primer sizes, so I keep one set up for each. (Wouldn't have done it if I hadn't gotten a great deal on a second used press. They work.
     

    Rottweiler

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    Hill Country
    +1 to what flashguy said except I do load a lot of ammo on my 550. 1000 rounds at a time is not a problem. It takes me about 3 hours to load 1000 rounds. For me, the slowest part of the whole operation is filling the primer tubes,so I have enough of them to hold 1000 primers at a time.

    That being said...I have 3 coffee cans full of spent primers and will be starting #4 next time I sit at the loader. I didn't start keeping them when I started reloadingm If I had I'd probably have double that
     

    Leper

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    A bit of advice.....Get extra powder measures. I intend to have one for every caliber I load. At a minimum have 1 for rifle and one for pistol. Easier to swap between when the powder is set up already.

    I love my 550. I got it used in a good trade.
     

    Texas1911

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    A bit of advice.....Get extra powder measures. I intend to have one for every caliber I load. At a minimum have 1 for rifle and one for pistol. Easier to swap between when the powder is set up already.

    I love my 550. I got it used in a good trade.

    I plan to have everything completely interchangeable, within reason.
     

    Jimlakeside

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    Mar 11, 2008
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    Pottsboro, Texas
    I have been moderately happy with my Dillon 550. I bought it new last April and have had consistent problems with primers loading upside down, sideways and none at all. I have loaded over 25,000 rounds through it and have had this problem from the beginning. Otherwise, I am very happy with the machine.
     

    glock9

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    I have been moderately happy with my Dillon 550. I bought it new last April and have had consistent problems with primers loading upside down, sideways and none at all. I have loaded over 25,000 rounds through it and have had this problem from the beginning. Otherwise, I am very happy with the machine.

    Jim.

    If your having problems with SMALL primers loading upside down and sideways, make sure you are using the small primer insert tube not the larger primer insert tube. ( Don't ask me how I know)


    I've now got two 550s one set up for large and one setup for small primers and a number of tool heads with powder measures so it's an easy switch between the calibers I load 9mm, 45 apc, .223 .308 & 6.8SPC

    Dillon's service is second to none even if you buy a used machine they still honor the warranty and they are good guys to deal with.

    Glock9
     

    TSU45

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    I have been thinking about upgrading to a progressive press for a while now, mostly for loading .223, .38, and .45. My researched was focused

    mainly on the Dillon 650 versus the Hornady LNL. When the time is right for me, I'm getting the Hornady. There is obviously no doubt that Dillon

    is a great company with a great product, I just like the reviews/specs on the Hornady better.


    I didn't look at the Dillon 550 because if I'm going to buy a progressive, it is going to have to automatic index and accept a rifle casefeeder.

    Those are just my particular wants.

    ETA: Here is a nice comparison: http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf
     

    TAZ

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    Oct 17, 2008
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    Dillon products are GREAT as is their service. If youre going to be switching calibers the 550 is the way to go. I have a 650 with case feed that I used for a long time without any problems, but then I only reload 45, so switching calibers wasnt an issue. For rifle I still use a single stage since I reload for accuracy and dont consume hundreds at a time.
     

    Retired Navy "FMF"

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    Nov 1, 2008
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    Has anybody got these Dillon enhancements on their press ? 1. The Micrometer Powder Bar Kit™ 2. The TURBO-BEARING™ 3. Powder Bar Change and Powder Drain Tool for the Dillon Auto Powder Measure (I'am not sure if this is available yet) I think this last item would be very helpful when needing to drain the powder measure. Right now I think the only way to drain the powder measure is to remove the fail safe linkage and loosen the clamp holding the measurer on the drop tube then dumping the powder out. If anyone has comments on these enchancements would you list them "PRO" or "CON" I found these items listed under UniqueTek.com I am not putting in a plug for this company I am just trying to get some information to see if a worthwhile purchase/use. BTW Dillon does not endorse the use of these items. TIA for any comments.
     

    Leper

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    Sep 28, 2008
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    Has anybody got these Dillon enhancements on their press ? 1. The Micrometer Powder Bar Kit™ 2. The TURBO-BEARING™ 3. Powder Bar Change and Powder Drain Tool for the Dillon Auto Powder Measure (I'am not sure if this is available yet) I think this last item would be very helpful when needing to drain the powder measure. Right now I think the only way to drain the powder measure is to remove the fail safe linkage and loosen the clamp holding the measurer on the drop tube then dumping the powder out. If anyone has comments on these enchancements would you list them "PRO" or "CON" I found these items listed under UniqueTek.com I am not putting in a plug for this company I am just trying to get some information to see if a worthwhile purchase/use. BTW Dillon does not endorse the use of these items. TIA for any comments.
    I do not run any of those. I have looked at the dials though. Do yourself a favor and get an extra powder measure. Set it up and keep one on the toolhead.
     
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