Bearing kit for Dillon 550B

[shovel66]

I performed a search for any reviews or opinions on this subject and came up empty handed.
I have been looking at the shellplate bearing kit for the Dillon 550B that Hit Factor Shooting Supply sells on their website and on eBay. They claims it "removes the snap into position that causes powder to spill from cases." Personally I have never had powder spilled from the cases from moving the shellplate and having it "snap" into the next station.
I can really adjust my stock machine to go pretty smoothly. I'm also wondering if there is any "detent" or mechanical stop for each position or does the snellplate just free spin and you have to manually stop it at the exact location of the next station.
I like the idea of a bearing for smoothness, but don't know how big the benefit would be.
Has anyone here tried this kit? Likes, dislikes, ideas, opinions?

 

[dmazur]

I am using something similar from UniqueTek and it did two things -

1. Made shellplate motion smoother
2. Permitted "tighter" shellplate adjustment for less shellplate cant during priming

I have found that the "feel" of indexing the shellplate depends on the QC of the holes in the shellplate. If there are any rough edges, the spring-loaded index ball doesn't behave exactly the same.

As this product does not supply a special shellplate, I'm going to guess that any improvement in function is due to less wobble on the center bolt, due to the addition of a thrust bearing. The Dillon shellplate and index ball are the same after the installation of the new bearing and replacement index sprocket.

 

[Hondo 60]

I don't think it would work if you could freely spin the shellplates.
They have to line up with the dies or you'll crush the edges of the case.

 

[Cheetos]

Hey there neighbor! I looked at the bearing kits for my 550 and still haven't decided on one yet. I believe the just permit a smoother action of the shellplate. The detent is the same.

 

[kelbro]

Not sure about this particular one but I bought two of the UniqueTek bearing kits and I honestly could not tell the difference. Both of my 550s are well broken in and pretty smooth as designed.

 

[jmorris]

I installed thrust bearings on my 650's but haven't put any on the 550 and 1050's. Never had the need to, yet.

Your indexing the shell plate by hand on the 550, so if you don't want it to "snap" just index it smoother.

 

[Rule3]

Should have bought a LEE, you wouldn't have these problems

Wow this means Dillons can be improved? Say it isn't so.

 

[shovel66]

I certainly do not need this bearing kit, but noticed that the single eBay listing has listed almost 300 units sold. The price is good but really wanted to hear from someone who actually has installed and used the exact bearing kit.
Really don't think I will be getting one as I've never had any problems with the stock setup. Thanks all.

 

[eddie56]

Better to save the money.I got the one off E-bay figuring it would make a big improvement.And it did nothing really.I still have it in my RL550B but if i took it out I would not be able to tell.

 

[jmorris]

Wow this means Dillons can be improved? Say it isn't so.

Everything can be improved, some more than others.

I have Dillon's that load much more quality ammo than they ever expected them to with far less effort.

Manufacturer of machines always has a cut off around cost/profit lines.

 

[GarySTL]

You can order the bearing and two races from McMaster-Carr. I ordered two sets and gave one set to a friend for his 550. It does allow you to snug down the shell plate bolt with no binding.

 

[Bush Pilot]

Should have bought a LEE, you wouldn't have these problems

Wow this means Dillons can be improved? Say it isn't so.

You're right, he wouldn't have had "these" problems. The list of things that can happen to a Lee is much longer, you can't fix plastic. Why is it you never hear a Dillon owner say "I wish I'd purchased a Lee instead"?

 

[jmorris]

Why is it you never hear a Dillon owner say "I wish I'd purchased a Lee instead"?

That would make a good signature line. I likely have more Lee products than I have Dillon, as I am a price driven consumer but it does have to work. Lee progressive presses fall somewhat short of my expectations. Their bullet feeder falls so short, Hell is where it should be, but it was cheap...

 

[sevt_chevelle]

I put one on my 650 and it helped cure the snap and powder spillage to the point is doesn't spill anymore. Well worth the 8 or 10 bucks I paid for it. On a manual index 550 I can't see how it would make much difference.