Ever Get Upset With Your Press?

My first only real press was and is a Dillon 550. I bought it used, but it came with all sorts of accessories and gadgets. I feel like it was a good choice and it has served me well.

I don't prime on my press and never will, but the priming system is there nonetheless to keep the carousel at the proper height in the resting position. Other than that, most of the pieces to that system just get in the way of otherwise efficient loading. The other day I finally got aggravated at the primer tube for the last time and I removed it to take it in to work. Initially I intended to simply remove the primer tube from the primer housing, but after my friend and I wrenched on it for a few minutes it was clear the tube would snap before we could get it unstuck - the tube has corroded into the housing. Incidentally the primer tube is made of very soft metal. I was surprised how easily it got marked up.

After consulting with the Dillon exploded parts diagram, I discovered a new housing/tube assembly costs $55 and comes as one piece. That doesn't help me at all! So off I went to the bandsaw and this is what resulted:


Yes, that's right - I chopped it clean off! I know, many of you will jump in here and ask why I didn't just call up Dillon and get a new one sent out? I figured even if they sent me a new one, the chances of the tube coming out would be slim (it.looks like they used some kind of glue/epoxy on the threads). Besides, I have never used the tube and have no intention to do so. So now I'm going to take the stub home and remount it to the press.

As far as I'm concerned, there's no wrong way to reload as long as you walk away with in one piece. If you don't understand or want to prime off press, I have no problem with it, but that is the method that works best for me. I've mentioned many times before that reloading is merely a means to an end for me and I understand most people do it for fun. If money was no issue, I would have a fully automatic press and probably an attendant to operate it for me! The problem I always had with the priming system on any press is the time it takes to reload the primers. I also like being able to look at my seated primers before putting all the components together.

cfullgraf said:

Do you know that the Dillon BL550 is an stripped down RL550? Among other things, the BL550 does not include the priming system, which one of the reasons I bought it.

You could run without the part you just modified.

The other reason I bought the BL550 is the BL550 does not include a powder measure. I use a Hornady powder drop system with a modified Redding 10-X powder measure. No sense buying stuff I wasn't going to use. It works for me.

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That would have been a great option if I had bought brand new. My press was purchased extremely well-used from a widow who took the time to price it all out (she listed it all out) and sold it for about half price. I ended up with $1,500 worth of press, attachments and accessories for right around $700.

My press saw some tough times before it came to me. The primer tube and handle are both moderately rusted, the powder measures (all 4) were corroded and/or frozen, several powder dies were rusted and most important to the current conversation, primers were stuck in the tube and on the primer shuttle. The paint on the press is also faded and worn. That's just what I remember, there was probably more. Aside from some of the cosmetic issues, all is now better than it was with much thanks to Dillon for replacing numerous parts.

Based on conversations with the lady, her husband wasn't doing too well for quite some time before he died, which explains the condition of the equipment. I keep meaning to send the press back to Dillon so they can rebuild it, but until recently (I moved to an area that makes it harder for me to shoot) it was in use far too much to justify its temporary loss.

cfullgraf said:

I did not necessarily mean that you should have bought a BL550, just that the BL550 does not come with the priming system and you should be able to run your RL550 without it. They are the same press only BL550 does not come with all the accoutrements.

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Oh, I see now. Yes, the press runs just fine without the primer system installed, but I found the carousel would sit too low without the primer slide installed, causing cartridges to catch on the chute. I tried to remove the primer tube in the past but this left the primer slide loose as the primer housing is what the slide anchors to. My fix probably isn't the best solution, but it keeps things up and running with no down time or extra expense.

kitsapshooter said:

i am surprizedd no one has said "Call Dillon" Which you should. They will surprise you.

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I have called Dillon many times and they never cease to impress me. Awhile.back I mentioned how I wished I could overhaul my press and their guy said send it in! Now I just have to find the time to do it.