Add ons to your reloading press that you like.

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I have a Dillon 550B as well.....

Dillon's Roller Handle
Dillon's Strong Mount
Dillon's Aluminum Bullet Tray
Dillon's Empty Case Bin & Bracket
Fabrication's Light

@frogfurr, I watched the YouTube videos on the Double Alpha Academy mini case feeder. In the second video, the person warned that you need to watch the brass feeding tubes and turn them when one of the four tubes empties. Perhaps you can share your experiences with it.

So, when I heard that, the first thing I thought of was even if one of the tubes goes empty, there are still about five pieces of brass in the orange tube so a case should still be fed into the shell plate when you make the next stroke. Otherwise, if no case is fed into the shell plate it is possible to double charge since you did not rotate the stations.

Is my understanding correct? Does it really save that much time since there is time in filling the tubes, to begin with?
 
On the 3 presses currently on my bench, The Hornady LNL AP and Dillon 750 have been equipped with the following add-ons:

1. Inline Fabrications (I/F) Ultramount w/Quick Change mounting plate
2. I/F Ergo Handle
3.I/F Double Bullet Tray
4. KMS (squared) UFO lighting system

The Hornady has additionally been outfitted with the I/F Piggyback die rack and Improved Finish Round Output bracket and bin.

The Lee Classic Cast single stage also have the I/F Quick Change mount, handle, and bullet tray. It has also been fitted with the I/F Case Ejection system
 
I have a Dillon 650 and I have

Dillon's Roller Handle
Dillon's Strong Mount
Dillon's Aluminum Bullet Tray
Dillon's Empty Case Bin & Bracket
Fabrication's Light
Mr. Bullet Feeder
Dillon Case Feeder

I can run this set up and get 800 rounds per hour.
 
Well, with only a single-stage Lee Breech lock and a Classic Turret on my bench, I guess I'm the poor nephew here. But I like the KMS light on the Classic Turret, and I prime on both presses with the Lee safety system and use the Auto-Disk setup with riser for powder on the classic turret. Have about 6 duplicate auto-disc systems and a dozen quick-change turrets so caliber changes are instantaneous and I never need to adjust dies. And you guys who had to replace your handles, if you had just bought a system with a decent ball handle to begin with...:neener:
 
+1 on the KMS^2 UFO lights. I have had a roller handle and “strong mount”, I could have lived with the handle but the thin sheet metal brackets were not as ridged as bolting the casting directly to the bench.

The GSI tool heads that have bullet feed built into them, allowing for separate seat then crimp in the next station without loosing the powder check die, is probably my favorite add on.



This one has reduced the amount of work I have to do the most.



Then there is this contraption that I made to turn a Lee breechlock press into an automatic bullet sizer.

 
frogfurr said:
I have a Dillon 550B and like:

Dillon's roller handle
Dillon's Strong Mount
Dillon's bullet tray
Double Alpha Academy mini case feeder.
KMSx2 light.
Click to expand...

I have a 550C.

Dillon's roller handle
Dillon's Strong Mount
UFO Light
Modified Home Depot round catch
tray

I cut the Dillon tray mount and bolted it to the stand and I use that for bullets.

i also mounted a magnet to the stand to hold my Allen wrenches (in an Altoids box)

It’s a work in progress…like me!



image.jpg

image.jpg

image.jpg

Comparison on the bins:

image.jpg
 
CodeSection said:
I have a Dillon 550B as well.....

Dillon's Roller Handle
Dillon's Strong Mount
Dillon's Aluminum Bullet Tray
Dillon's Empty Case Bin & Bracket
Fabrication's Light

@frogfurr, I watched the YouTube videos on the Double Alpha Academy mini case feeder. In the second video, the person warned that you need to watch the brass feeding tubes and turn them when one of the four tubes empties. Perhaps you can share your experiences with it.

So, when I heard that, the first thing I thought of was even if one of the tubes goes empty, there are still about five pieces of brass in the orange tube so a case should still be fed into the shell plate when you make the next stroke. Otherwise, if no case is fed into the shell plate it is possible to double charge since you did not rotate the stations.
Is my understanding correct? Does it really save that much time since there is time in filling the tubes, to begin with?
Click to expand...

The case magazine has (6) tubes and holds 150 9mm cases. The tubes have to be watched so that they are rotated when empty. It's easy to see when a tube is empty because the orange drop tube is open and at eye level. And yes the orange drop tube holds (5) empty cases. Before I start a reloading session I will load the magazine and then put a few lubed cases in a tray next to the press. That way if I forget to turn a tube I can drop another case(s) to make up for the one(s) missed if a tube go dry. With the optional Case Feeder Loader Bowl it only tales a couple of minutes to fill the magazine. A 550 can double charge if the station isn't rotated. But the feeder won't cause a double charge if you don't rotate the stations. It will cause the feeder to try to load a second case in the already occupied station 1. You will notice that right away.

It is a lot faster and more enjoyable to use. My right hand never leaves the handle except to turn a tube. It speeds my reloading up by 50% . It takes a little getting used to. Just like going from a single stage to a progressive there is a little more going on to keep an eye on but once familiar with it things become automatic. When I was considering buying one I thought, for it's price, it was going to be an unreliable piece of plastic junk. Plastic it is but junk it is not. It's high quality, fitted well, and very reliable.
 
frogfurr said:
The case magazine has (6) tubes and holds 150 9mm cases. The tubes have to be watched so that they are rotated when empty. It's easy to see when a tube is empty because the orange drop tube is open and at eye level. And yes the orange drop tube holds (5) empty cases. Before I start a reloading session I will load the magazine and then put a few lubed cases in a tray next to the press. That way if I forget to turn a tube I can drop another case(s) to make up for the one(s) missed if a tube go dry. With the optional Case Feeder Loader Bowl it only tales a couple of minutes to fill the magazine. A 550 can double charge if the station isn't rotated. But the feeder won't cause a double charge if you don't rotate the stations. It will cause the feeder to try to load a second case in the already occupied station 1. You will notice that right away.

It is a lot faster and more enjoyable to use. My right hand never leaves the handle except to turn a tube. It speeds my reloading up by 50% . It takes a little getting used to. Just like going from a single stage to a progressive there is a little more going on to keep an eye on but once familiar with it things become automatic. When I was considering buying one I thought, for it's price, it was going to be an unreliable piece of plastic junk. Plastic it is but junk it is not. It's high quality, fitted well, and very reliable.
Click to expand...
Thanks for getting back to me! After posting, I found your other thread and posts you made back in April.

That's a great idea about having some extra brass on the side to add to the orange tube if necessary. When I read you bought a DAA Mini Case Feeder Loader Bowl, I found a video that showed how all six tubes could be filled correctly in less than a minute. Now I can see how it would save time, especially with you as a new user verifying that it does indeed save time.

When it comes to the DAA Mini Case Feeder Loader Bowl, even though the heavier weighted portion of the case is at the rim bottom and should naturally feed upright into the tubes, the video never explained what they would recommend IF you saw a case upsidedown. Somehow empty the one tube while blocking the two other tubes with your finger? Or, let it feed to the shell plate which could lead to a double charge IF you do not rotate?

I'm interested in this solution, but as with everything, I'm trying to think of scenarios that could change the rhythm and distract and possibly cause a double charge......What are your thoughts?

Again, I appreciate you taking the time to help explain!
 
Is there plate that can be bolted to the top of a wood bench that allows the 550 to be mounted to it. Maybe overhanging the 550 out in front of the bench a little.
CodeSection said:
Thanks for getting back to me! After posting, I found your other thread and posts you made back in April.

That's a great idea about having some extra brass on the side to add to the orange tube if necessary. When I read you bought a DAA Mini Case Feeder Loader Bowl, I found a video that showed how all six tubes could be filled correctly in less than a minute. Now I can see how it would save time, especially with you as a new user verifying that it does indeed save time.

When it comes to the DAA Mini Case Feeder Loader Bowl, even though the heavier weighted portion of the case is at the rim bottom and should naturally feed upright into the tubes, the video never explained what they would recommend IF you saw a case upsidedown. Somehow empty the one tube while blocking the two other tubes with your finger? Or, let it feed to the shell plate which could lead to a double charge IF you do not rotate?

I'm interested in this solution, but as with everything, I'm trying to think of scenarios that could change the rhythm and distract and possibly cause a double charge......What are your thoughts?

Again, I appreciate you taking the time to help explain!
Click to expand...
The DAA bowl feeder works on same principle as the high dollar Dillon case feeder. The cases drop heavy end first. I am not saying the DAA Mini Case Feeder Loader Bowl is 100% perfect for life but it has been 100% perfect for the 1000 rounds I have put through it so far.
The best thing to prevent a double charge is a powder cop die which, because of the limited stations on a 550, is not an option. The second best option is looking at each case after it is charged. My method. The case feeder allows me to better watch each case after charging. I am not looking away to pick up an empty case to feed into station #1. Instead my right hand stays on the roller handle and my left hand rests on the Dillon bullet tray to position each bullet. This keeps my eyes on the powder charge all the times. If anything the DAA case feeder makes it even easier for me to check the powder level in each case while reloading to prevent double charges.
 
I have a modified Redding 10-X powder measure that I can use on my Hornady, L-N-L, RCBS Pro2000, and Dillon BL550 for handgun cartridges. An RCBS Uniflow powder measure works well for small rifle cartridges. Both sit in a Hornady powder die system. I prefer the Hornady rendition better than the RCBS version.

Otherwise, my progressive presses are pretty much box stock. I have each mounted on a free standing floor stand that I nestle up next to my reloading bench when loading.

I do most of my handgun cartridge sizing on the Hornady L-N-L but loading may be done on any of the three depending on the cartridge.

I use a modified universal charge bar on my .410 Mec 600jr. The powder chamber has been modified to move the cavity to be in the middle of the drop tube. It gives me better control and dropping of my powder charges.

My 28 ga, 20 ga and 12 ga Mec 600jr use standard Mec 600jr charge bars with bushings.
 
cfullgraf said:
I have a modified Redding 10-X powder measure that I can use on my Hornady, L-N-L, RCBS Pro2000, and Dillon BL550 for handgun cartridges. An RCBS Uniflow powder measure works well for small rifle cartridges. Both sit in a Hornady powder die system. I prefer the Hornady rendition better than the RCBS version.

Otherwise, my progressive presses are pretty much box stock. I have each mounted on a free standing floor stand that I nestle up next to my reloading bench when loading.

I do most of my handgun cartridge sizing on the Hornady L-N-L but loading may be done on any of the three depending on the cartridge.

I use a modified universal charge bar on my .410 Mec 600jr. The powder chamber has been modified to move the cavity to be in the middle of the drop tube. It gives me better control and dropping of my powder charges.

My 28 ga, 20 ga and 12 ga Mec 600jr use standard Mec 600jr charge bars with bushings.
Click to expand...
On my bucket list is a free standing floor stand mounted to the concrete floor in my garage where I can mount my press. If I can find a stand.
 
frogfurr said:
On my bucket list is a free standing floor stand mounted to the concrete floor in my garage where I can mount my press. If I can find a stand.
Click to expand...

I built my own stands, here is an example of the stand for my Pro2000 shortly before being finished.
Pro2000Stand.jpg

Not everyone has welding capabilities, it could be built out of wood but special attention needs to be made to the joints so that they do not loosen over time. My first iteration of the free standing stand was made from wood. It lasted abut 2 years before it got too loose in the joints. With careful thought, proper, long life joints could be made with wood.
 
Last edited:
Soonerpesek said:
Stand, Bench Grinder and Belt Sander 6255 - LittleMachineShop.com

Would this fit the bill....?
Click to expand...

CodeSection said:
Would something like this work? https://www.natchezss.com/frankford-arsenal-reloading-stand.html. Or are you thinking of something like this?

View attachment 1077220
Click to expand...

Both of these would work fine if bolted to the floor or a wide base of alternate materials.

My free standing press stands have a wide base that sit on the floor and provides enough stability during the reloading process.

When not in use, stands can be nested up against a wall for storage and placed out of the way.

It works for me but there are several methods of skinning this cat that can be employed. Use the solution that you find fits your likes and/or dislike results. I'm just providing an idea to expand up[on.
 
I’ve gotten a number of things from Inline Fabrication for my Lee Classic Turret. I cannot imagine being without any of them, The reverse index rod and case kicker, riser/mount, mounting plate, lighting, roller handle all increase productivity or make reloading more enjoyable.

Jeff
 
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