Dillon 550 newbie question

[trbon8r]

I've got a Dillon 500B press that I'm trying to get set up and could use some help. I've reloaded before on a single stage RCBS, but the Dillon is quite a step up in skill level.

How do you load the primer feed tubes on the 550? The instruction manual makes it sound like you just snap the little plastic thing on the end of the tube over the primers and it loads easy as pie. When I do it the primers just fall right back out? I'm loading .45 ACP and am using the correct red colored pickup tube. Is there a trick to loading these things?

Also, what happens when I do get the tube loaded? How do I get the blasted tube in the machine without the primers falling out all over the place? The tube goes in with the little red tip and all correct?

Damn this is embarrassing.

 

[vzwnnj]

Honestly cant remember the color of the plastic end on the pickup tube for 45acp (large pistol primers), but it does matter so verifiy with the manual or with Dillon. Also, it is as simple as pushing the tube over the primers once you have them oriented the right way. Your pickup tube should have a small wire pin through the end to prevent the primers from falling out when you turn it over to feed into the press. It sounds like you dont have the small pin (actually a piece of wire will do as long as it fits through the holes at the top of the primer pickup tube. Once loaded in the pickup tube, you turn the pickup tube over and the primers will fall through it until they contact the pin. place the end of the pickup tube (closest to the pin holding the primers in place) in contact with the primer tube at the top of the press. Once its lined up vertically, remove the pin and the primers will fall into the press. Hopefully this makes sense to you..I may not be explaining it as thoroughly as I should

It really is simple...Dillon has excellent tech support and there are no dumb questions...dont be afraid to call

 

[Delta608]

There is a tube that goes in and stays in your press....(Sorry, I forgot which color goes to what size primer, yellow and blue I think) ..Then for small primers ya pick up one at a time until full...Turn it over (carter pin in place) place over the primer tube in the press, pull the carter pin and they all fall in...Sometimes ya gotta shake it to get em all out...The 7.00 Video is well worth it, when first setting up......The manual is online as well at
dillonprecision.com

 

[1911user]

Use a primer flip tray to get all of the primers turned anvil side down. Here is the one I've used for years; it doesn't need to be fancy. To use: dump the primers on the flip tray, move it side-to-side so all primers anvil up, put cover on flip tray, turn tray over, remove flip tray leaving primers anvil down in the lid. Use the correct size pickup tube (with the cotter pin in place) and load the primer tube by pushing the plastic tip over each primer. The tip keeps them from falling back out. Turn the tube over (anvils up), hold it over the primer magazine tube, and pull the cotter pin. The primers should fall into the press tube and be ready to load. Make sure you have the correct primer arm and magazine tube installed before dumping primers into the press.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=851549

 

[Valkman]

In the 550B manual there's a section telling you what colors of th plastic ends to use for what primers - I've refered to it often.

You might want to think about getting the Franklin Arsenal Vibra-Prime when you get tired of picking up primers one by one. Once you get this thing working it's waaaayyyy faster!

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=656090

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

+1 on the Frankford Arsenal Vibra Prime. Be sure and clean up the plastic flashing from it's molding process before you try to use it and it'll work great for you. If you don't, it won't.

Regards,

Dave

 

[trbon8r]

Thanks for the help. I got the problem figured out, well actually you guys did along with some help from Dillon.

I called them and found out I was using the primer feed tube to try to pick up primers instead of the primer pick-up tube.....

Everything was fine once I started using the right tool for the job.

On the plus side I ordered a couple of the quick change conversions with some spare tool heads so I can load .308 and 30-06 for my Garand and my M1As by only changing out the tool head. I also got one of the RT-1200 electric case trimmers. It should be just the ticket for cranking out lots of ammo for my hungry autoloaders, assuming I finally figure out how to use everything. :banghead:

Hats off to Dillon for their great customer service. Gary their customer service rep was great, and helped me figure out what I needed.

 

[straightShot]

I called them and found out I was using the primer feed tube to try to pick up primers instead of the primer pick-up tube.....

Darn:

I wanted to tell you to use the green tipped tube for picking up the primers and leave the other tube in the primer feed mechanism, with the slotted red end pressed into the groove...

Be safe and good shooting,

 

[SASS#23149]

since ur just stqrting out...

you can use the machine to run just one case at at ime thru until ur more familiar with what happens at each stage.I'd suggest you do 50 or so rounds this way,maybe even a hundered.Doing it this way is not as slow as it sounds.I can do a rifle round from primed to finished in way under minute.More like 30 seconds...but then I've been running my 550 for over ten years now.

and don't forget safety glasses.!! 'stuff' happens.!!