Dillon 550 B

I think you want to make the learning curve less steep. OK, set your dies with a case in each station when you do the final tightening of the lock rings, This will help make alignment perfect. When you set up the primer feed let the hole in the subplate line everything up (primer punch in hole), Handle in at rest position and Then tighten the screws this will align all of the parts of the primer feed so it works smoothly . Make sure the press is bolted to a very solid non flexing surface. Read the manual 3 times before you start.

Use Dillon Dies, the will make your press function much more smoothly and they are of the highest quality.

I think you'll really enjoy that Dillon. And like anything else in reloading, you'll find out everything you need to know in short order through using it.

Having prior experience loading on a single stage you're far ahead of the learning curve already.

An alternate view

How many different handgun calibers do you shoot, and in what quantities?

Have you considered taking a smaller step up from the single stage? An autoindexing turret press is as simple to use as a single stage (much simpler than any progressive, as you only have to watch one operation at a time). But it does continuous processing (rather than batch processing) as easily as a progressive.

Switching calibers is much less expensive, simpler and faster than on a progressive. No shell plate to swap out, just the same shell holder your single stage uses.

Unfortunately, there is only one maker of Turret presses that offers auto-indexing. Fortunately, one of their two models is an excellent press. Lee Classic Turret.

If you don't need more than 4 die stations and can be satisfied with 150 rounds per hour, it is an economical alternative to the progressive.

If you want more throughput, never mind.

Lost Sheep

I think that you will find these You Tube videos helpful if you didn't order Dillon's DVD.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dillon+rl550b+setup&oq=dillon+rl55&aq=2&aqi=g3&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=17060l24245l0l27648l11l11l0l3l3l0l253l1541l0.4.4l8l0

The DVD isn't bad.

The critical adjustments that take awhile to get right are:

1. the primer arm <--this one can be a real pain to get right
2. right height of the powder measures to properly bell bases
3. bullet seating depth
4. crimping

Take your time and take frequent breaks so you don't get frustrated during the setup process. Don't be afraid to find someone in your area who has one you can call for some hands-on help.

Keep it clean, a little canned air and rubbing alcohol works wonders. I get residue from case cleaning and spent primers and as soon as I get any issues with the primer feed I clean things up a little and its good to go.

Way to go

You will have an easy time setting up and using your new press. Having used a single stage unit, you will see that the RL550B is just like having four single stages going at once.

It comes with an instruction manual which has good pictures, and is very well written. There is even a trouble shooting section. And, there is always the professional people at Dillon who can deal with any questions.

Prepare to be spoiled.

It's a really simple press if you've loaded on a single stage.

Not that I've ever done this, but if you forget to loosen the setscrew on the ram before trying to remove the bolt in the center of the shellplate, you will wonder how it got so tight...

(You have to lift the ram slightly to get at the setscrew.)

Its as easy as 1,2,3,4 = 1 loaded round.

Warning: Dillons tend to multiply. And that can get expensive. Once you start using it, you will understand what I'm talking about Great presses that save me so much of my infrequent, valuable 'off time' that they have more than paid for themselves.

First thing to do is wear in the primer slide and the powder bars. Scotch pad them and the places they slide. Don't over tighten the primer hold down the screws. I find most things except the dies should just be snug. Not too tight. Polish the bottom of the powder hopper if you have a dremel. Go to it & have fun!

Kevin Rohrer said:

The critical adjustments that take awhile to get right are:

1. the primer arm <--this one can be a real pain to get right

Click to expand...

I have found the primer arm is fairly simple to adjust. There are 2 cap screws that hold the priming system in place. I get the primer bar moving smoothly, snug the screws just enough to hold it in place but still slightly moveable. Then lower the ram and loosen the screws up to get the primer cup centered in the base hole. Checking the priming action a couple times and make sure everything is aligned nice with the ram down. Then with the ram down, snug the back screw ever so slightly, then the front screw, then a little more on the back. Do that a couple times getting each progressively tighter. It goes pretty quick, but the idea is to apply clamping force without any torque or rotational force on the priming arm. So the first time you apply almost no torque on the wrench, just snug them up. The second time through a slight torque on the wrench, and a little more the third time. About the forth time I start to torque them up pretty tight, with a quick check on both at the end. That pretty much works every time. The key is the progression to the clamping force prevents any torque force on the arm.

There is a very small amount of play in the priming cup, and that is all that's needed for it to self align.

kelbro said:

Warning: Dillons tend to multiply. And that can get expensive. Once you start using it, you will understand what I'm talking about Great presses that save me so much of my infrequent, valuable 'off time' that they have more than paid for themselves.

Click to expand...

Yes, they do multiply...I started with one & now have twins!

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...l4588l0l5100l10l10l0l3l3l0l242l1096l1.5.1l7l0

Here's a link to a You Tube search for "Dillon 550"
There's tons of videos to watch.

I think you're gonna love that new toy.

Good morning
GET ONE ! Bought my first about 1988 and have no regrets. Bought another from a feller selling out some years back. One runs LP & the other SP.
Mike in Peru

Stock up on primers, powders and bullets.

WB

Dillon's customer service is second to none. any problems or questions will be quickly and cheerfully handled with a call to Dillon based on my experience.

Here's some tips that have really helped me....

► Primers don't always go in the bucket. You can vastly improve the percentage with a small piece of beer can added to the back side of the bucket like...


► Powder adjustments are not always intuitive. Labeling your measure body with a marking pen will help you remember which way to turn.

► Dillon gives you a wrench to make powder measure adjustments, but sometimes a finger touch is faster and more accurate. Order 2 of the powder knobs off Ebay and push one onto the hex adjuster of each PM....


► The "strong mount" was the first accessory I bought and it has really paid off. It not only raises the machine to a more comfortable position, but also allows it to sit back, further onto the work bench top.

► Once the strong mount is added, the "bullet tray" can be added.

► I found the Dillon 1" hex nut accessory kit to be very handy for adjusting the dies that need to move on a regular basis.

► Whenever you order something from Dillon, don't forget their 10 ammo boxes for $10 deal. Where else can you get ammo boxes for $1 ??

Congrats !!

wobbly,

awesome tips!


Rikman