dillon 550b wishlist

[Pentrite]

I think the main reason I shy away from loading more calibers, aka 9mm, is the time it takes to remove the unused primers from the tube and switching the primer mechanism to the small primer bar. I would love to see Dillon come out with a more complete "quick change" kit that includes a new primer housing, so you could unbolt it and change out the primers without removing any primers from the tube. two bolts, done.. Does anyone do this or I am just lazy??

I have two powder hoppers, one with a large powder bar and one with the small bar, just figured this logic would also follow through on the primers. I have read a couple of posts where people actually have different presses for smaller loads, this would definitely be a cheaper option..

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

when i get towards the end of a run on my 550, i try to get the bullets and primers that i put in the tube to even out

but sometimes i don't. i use a set of tweezers to pick up the extra primers as i cycle the handle with my other hand. the tweezers make short work of them.

 

[jmorris]

. Does anyone do this or I am just lazy??

I must be super lazy, that's why I always like to have at least two of each kind, one large and one small.

 

[bobinoregon]

I run one press for large primers and one for small. Unless I'm planning on changing to something that uses a different primer I just leave them in the tube until next time .

 

[theslasher]

Since it sounds like you're loading pistol ammo, why dont you just load in quantities of 100? Thats what I do. Or if I want to try out 20 rounds of .223 with a new powder Ill put in just 20 primers. And Ill lube just 20 cases. I grab the last piece of brass I know its snatching the last primer in the stack. Changing primer sizes on the 550 takes me 5 min. Tops...

 

[HexHead]

Since it sounds like you're loading pistol ammo, why dont you just load in quantities of 100? Thats what I do. Or if I want to try out 20 rounds of .223 with a new powder Ill put in just 20 primers. And Ill lube just 20 cases. I grab the last piece of brass I know its snatching the last primer in the stack. Changing primer sizes on the 550 takes me 5 min. Tops...

This. Why do people always feel like they have to reinvent the wheel?

 

[mdm]

Is it really that hard to empty extra primers from the tube? Operating arm, spring, and a couple of screws? Takes all of about 30 seconds to remove the tube and pour out the primers.

A little planning ahead and you don't have any unused primers in the tube. Load the tube with the number of primers you will be using. You can limit the number of primers you dump from the sleeve by sliding the cover over just enough to drop the number you need in multiples of 10. At the end of the run you can cycle the press and remove the unused primers from the primer cup. If you end up short of primers, you can position primers in the primer cup by hand to finish out the run.

If you are making a run of 15 rounds, there is no reason to load the tube with 100 primers.

I can see the use of having multiple presses on the bench but switching primer sizes wouldn't be my reason. It takes me less than five minutes to make the changes for a different caliber, to include a change in primer size.

 

[RealGun]

There has to be a better answer than buying an entire extra press just to avoid dealing with leftover primers and swapping out a few parts. I would rather have a new gun or some other toy or tool. Part of the dilemma is what to do with the primers. I put mine in a Lee tray and use them on the LCT calibers. One who does some amount of hand priming can transfer the primers to those tools.

 

[cbmax]

Just get a second press. It is well worth the convenience of having one dedicated small primer and one large primer machine. You will load more ammo which will save you money in the long run.

CB

 

[kerreckt]

I just load until I run out primers then switch to the other size.