Dillon 550 Powder drop

[Tony Z]

Which of the dillon 550B powder drops do you prefer. Also how many differant powder drops has dillon redesigned for the 550-B.

I just purchased a used 550B and it came with 2 differant power drops and they dont look like the one that is pictured on a new press. I would also like to know of any other changes Dillon made to the 550B over its lifetime.

Thanks,

Tony Z

 

[Sheldon]

Though the newer powder measure is safer in regards to locking itself untill you do a full stroke downward and is supposed to help prevent short stroking double charges, it is clunkier in operation and some people prefer the older spring loaded return ones. I know the older ones seem to command a premium on Ebay especially if they are new or like new. I have never tried the newer version, but have always been happy with the old style. The two different measures use different shaped failsafe rods too. They will upgrade to the newer version parts for all you guys that feel "unsafe" with the older style parts.

The original 550 did not have the powder failsafe return rod (I think that's what they call it) nor the return bracket connected to the shellplate that actually pulls the failsafe rod downward in case the powder measure bar sticks. I think that's about it in regards to the 550 and the 550B versions.

I believe the older presses had a manually operated powder measure with a black push knob on one side of the spring loaded powder bar.

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

I put a Hornady case activated powder measure on my 550b and love the thing. It has a micrometer adjuster and works like a champ. Highly recommended.. Safe loading!!

 

[44and45]

WalkerTexasRangers, I agree with you. Have a Dillon tool head fixed up with the Hornady PM with the auto dump system. Really works great.

However, have three tool heads fixed up with the Hornady auto dump system with three RCBS Uniflow powder measures too. All work super great...sorry Dillon.

But do have an older Dillon RL 450 manual powder measure rigged up on a C&H 4-die station pistol champ press.

44and45

 

[Sheldon]

So what seems to be the the advantage of the other measures versus the Dillon? Is it just the micrometer style adjustment or are they more accurate?

 

[44and45]

There is only a little advantage in the metering process but it has been consistent in accuracy and a bit less trouble setting up a drop amount in shorter period of time...at least for me.

I really like the Hornady automatic powder drop system, run a brass case up into the die, powder drops in from a precalibrated setting, brass then moves on to the next station for bullet seating.

The Dillon RL-450 manual powder measure does a pretty good job on the C&H press...but it takes some time getting everything just right for a consistent measure drop...then you have two powder slide bars for the Dillon one for rifle and one for pistol. I recon its the same for the automated Dillon using two slide bars.

Its really just a matter of preference, this system does not over shadow the Dillon that much.

I'd say they are both pretty close.



44and45

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

I will also agree with you, 44... The accuracy is similar, IMHO, for most mid range measures. RCBS, Redding, Hornady, maybe a Harrels measures a littel better, buut 2 to 3 times the $$ also. The beauty is in the adjustability.