Double Alpha Academy Mini Case Feeder For Dillon 550B

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@frogfurr in another thread about Dillon 550B add-ons posted he had just started using the Double Alpha Academy Mini Case Feeder For Dillon 550B (https://www.doublealpha.biz/us/daa-550-mini-case-feeder).

I am seriously considering it. Can anyone else that has used it comment on their experiences with it? Have you had any problems with it? Do you still use it? Would you buy it again today after using it?

Thanks!

 

[jmorris]

I haven’t used this one.

https://www.doublealpha.biz/us/daa-550-mini-case-feeder

However, I have used other 4 tube turret style feeders before.

Taking a case, orient it base down and slide it into the shell plate, takes about the same time as it does to pick it up, orient it base down and drop it into a hole.

The speed and ease of “case feed” comes only once you add a collator to drop them down the tube, base down, for you.

Without one you are a living recreation of Aesop's Fables "The Tortoise and the Hare". Loading along full speed then come to a dead stop while you fill up the tubes again vs chugging along at a steady pace.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The speed and ease of “case feed” comes only once you add a collator to drop them down the tube, base down, for you.

Without one you are a living recreation of Aesop's Fables "The Tortoise and the Hare". Loading along full speed then come to a dead stop while you fill up the tubes again vs chugging along at a steady pace.

This has also been my experience. Hand filling tube fed case feeders is pretty much an exercise in self deception. Bullet feeder work a bit more efficiently as tubes are easier to fill quickly and to pre-fill.

Any collator, even the Lee shaker plate, is better than hand feeding tubes. Full disclosure: I'm using a Lee Case feeder tube set-up for my Lee ACP. But I have 3' long tubes (160rd capacity of 9mm) and a collator on top.

RE: DAA Mini Case Feeder. Just watching the available videos, the case handling mechanism seems well thought out in adapting it to a press which was not designed to utilize a case feeder

 

[CodeSection]

@jmorris and @9mmepiphany, you both make good points. While I do not know how many .38, 9mm, .40, .44, and .45 cases the feeder tubes hold, I would imagine one could buy extra tubes (https://www.doublealpha.biz/us/mini-xl650-case-feeder-tube-assembly) if needed and have them pre-filled prior to actually reloading.

As far as the speed of filling the tubes, here is an attachment that literally takes less than a minute once you learn how to use it https://www.doublealpha.biz/us/daa-mini-case-feeder-loader-bowl.

Here is a video showing the use and speed of the bowl feeder...

Does the use of the case feeder bowl change your thoughts on the speed or advantage of using the DAA add-on system?

 

[EricBu]

The cost of the mini, compared to it's comparitive value and what it brings to the table is simple not a solid value. You wont' save time with it, because any speed gain you might have made is eliminated by not having a collator and having to stop constantly. Plus, it's of very limited value on a manual indexing press anyway in my opinion. If you must have a case feed, buy the Dillon 550 version, or even better, sell your 550 and buy a 750 with case feed and enjoy the the collator AND auto indexing.

Dillon's 550 version:
https://www.dillonprecision.com/rl-...eder-110-220-volt-small-pistol_8_3_23573.html

 

[Soupy44]

It holds 150 9mm and 130 .40 or 120 38spec cases according to their website. I just ordered one with an extra tube set and a collator that supposedly fills a whole tube set in 30-45sec. I'm about to load 2500 38spec rounds. I'll report back.

 

[jmorris]

I would imagine one could buy extra tubes…if needed and have them pre-filled prior to actually reloading.

I did that around 2002-2003, SPP primer WIN NT 45 ACP started littering our range, just dropped the LPP into long PVC tubes with clips similar to the primer tube.

These days I have machines sort them for me, so the extra work isn’t required.

 

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@frogfurr and @Soupy44, upon further reading on DAA's website, in a bright yellow banner on top of the DAA 550 Mini Case Feeder page warns "MINI CASE FEEDER NOTE: May not work with all Dillon Roller handles, as some seem to be more angled inwards towards the press." While @Soupy44, you may not have received your unit yet so you may not be able to comment, @frogfurr did you have a problem?

According to DAA's CS, there is roughly 1/4" space between the DAA case feeder and the Dillon regular handle. CS said Dillon's roller handles do not come with the same bent angle when comparing one to another......there is no standard of the degree bent. Thus, some will not work. I asked for pics so I could measure the spacing with my Dillon press and the Dillon Roller Handle. Here they are that might help others....



Lastly, when researching this, I found on the Brian Enos forum where someone had problems with 9mm cases aligning correctly in the shell plate, thus causing crushed primers. They had no problems with larger cases (.38, .357). They indicated without the "paperclip spring" that holds the case in the first stage, the 9mm case shifts. Their solution (which doesn't sound like a real solution) was to wiggle the handle......https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/272459-daa-case-feeder-for-550/page/2/ Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[9mmepiphany]

An Inline Fabrications Ergo handle would address the clearance issue.

 

[CodeSection]

An Inline Fabrications Ergo handle would address the clearance issue.

Good suggestion. I wonder though after comparing Dillon's to Inline's if it will make a difference? Possibly because the Inline's handle bends toward the rear?



When I get home tonight I will try a measure what my clearance may be....

 

[Soupy44]

I don't have a Dillon Roller Handle. I ordered the Double Alpha Roller Handle that replaces the ball at the same time as the mini case feeder. Also ordered the UFO light strip since I have the Inline Fabrication sky light. Plunger for the case feeder goes there now...

 

[CodeSection]

I'm going to talk with them tomorrow. Based upon the measurements of my handle when compared to the press, it looks very close... possibly 1/16" too narrow. Here are my pictures....

 

[jmorris]

An Inline Fabrications Ergo handle would address the clearance issue.

Or a torch and bench vise.

 

[CodeSection]

Well, DAA agreed with me that the spacing was too narrow. Thus, I will not be buying it until they improve their design with their next version. As for Dillon's 550 case feeder, that is not a solution as I read many posts on many forums about it being problematic. People were regretting buying it.

@EricBu had a good suggestion of selling my 550 and buying a 750. I guess I'm too thrifty, as I do not want to spend roughly $1,300 minus whatever I would get for the 550. Staying with my current system and process seems to be the best option......

 

[Soupy44]

Well, slight delay for my 3700 round loading session of 38spec, my wife and two kids (1 and 3.5) all have COVID. I'm perfectly fine, but plan to stay at home with them. Can't get to the range for my final bit of testing. Doing this for bullseye competition for my Model 14. Loaded enough to shoot 20 shot groups of 3 loads in each cylinder. This journey has made me hate revolvers...

Setup of the case feeder has gone smoothly so far. Not hard, just a fair number of Allen wrenches. The 1yo woke up from his nap too early for me to finish.

Only thought so far is if you plan to reload anything the case feeder can't handle on your 550, don't get this. It's a task to take off what you would need to in order to manually feed cases again. I'll try to find a way to manually load cases, but I'm not hopeful.

For my purposes, I reload 38spec and 45 for bullseye competition, and 223 for service rifle. That said, I'll reload a bunch of ammo at a time so I don't have to do it again. I use a 22 revolver and semi auto to practice rather than shoot the bigger guns.

I have a 308 in my possession that hasn't been used in 10yrs. I eventually want to shoot 1000y again but that's not in the cards at the moment with two young kids. I'll single stage load those anyways.

Just some background of my reloading situation.

 

[Soupy44]

Holds 102 38spec per tube assembly. 132 45acp.

Snuck away for 10min to finish setting it up. No feed issues for the 50 or so cases I pumped through it.

Clearance between the case feeder and stock Dillon arm is maybe 2mm, probably less.

Remember to put the spacer in the shuttle at the top! If you forget, you'll be picking cases out with tweezers!

Pleased so far, but I haven't reloaded anything yet.

 

[nettlle]

I have a Dillon roller handle and there is no clearance problems with the Double Alpha. Filling the tube feeder with the optional bowl feeder only takes a couple of minutes. I can fill the tube feeder a lot faster than a primer tube. I have about 700 rounds of 9mm through it now and am very pleased with it.

 

[CodeSection]

I have a Dillon roller handle and there is no clearance problems with the Double Alpha. Filling the tube feeder with the optional bowl feeder only takes a couple of minutes. I can fill the tube feeder a lot faster than a primer tube. I have about 700 rounds of 9mm through it now and am very pleased with it.

That's good to read....thanks for chiming in!

Is it possible for you to take similar pictures as I provided on my 550 above with the Dillon Roller Handle pulled forward? If so, it would be much appreciated. When you compare your handle when it is pulled forward to the same position as in my pictures above, do you see any spacing differences between yours vs mine?

 

[nettlle]

I'll try to get you some pics tomorrow.

 

[CodeSection]

I'll try to get you some pics tomorrow.

Thank you so much!

 

[nettlle]

Here's a couple of photos. The clearance between the Dillon roller handle ad the Double Alpha at it's closest point is .180" measured with calipers. And a photo measuring from the side of the primer tube bracket to the outside of the case feeder bracket (3.400").

 

[CodeSection]

Here's a couple of photos. The clearance between the Dillon roller handle ad the Double Alpha at it's closest point is .180" measured with calipers. And a photo measuring from the side of the primer tube bracket to the outside of the case feeder bracket (3.400").

View attachment 1079978
View attachment 1079979

I really appreciate you taking the time to provide me with pictures of your DAA case feeder and Dillon roller handle! I just got back from an out-of-town shooting session with my son. Otherwise, I would have responded earlier.

When I just measured from the primary bracket from the left side out 3.400" at the same height up with my caliper, my handle clears but barely roughly ~ .156". I made a 3.40" template and at the same height level, it clears as well.

When I move the template lower or significantly higher, the handle will hit it. Though, only about ~ .062". With that small space amount, I'm guessing a dremel could shave off some material on the case feeder and/or a padded vice-grip around that aluminum handle could make a slight indent or bend to allow clearance.

It's late so later Sunday I will remeasure items. But at least for the moment, I'm encouraged that the handle might clear afterall.

Thank you again for the pictures!

 

[CodeSection]

Well, I came up with the same measurements as last night when measuring from the left side and at the same height level of the primer housing. When I measure from the right side of the frame at the same height level as on the primer housing, based upon DAA's measurements in their pictures in a previous post, it still looks like it is short by 1/16" and that my Dillon roller handle will hit.

I wonder if there were ever so slight manufacturing differences in Dillon's frames and primer housings over the years in addition to their handles. I plan on calling DAA on Monday to clarify their measurements and ask what their experiences have been with older 550s frames and primer housings. Based on their return policy, I might be able to return it if the case feeder doesn't fit and hasn't been used and is returned with original packaging less any shipping costs.

 

[nettlle]

If it's only 1/16" the corner of the plastic case feeder housing could be shaved off with a file or razor blade. It wouldn't hurt the feeder near as bad as the roller handle.

 

[CodeSection]

Well, I placed my order with DAA today so we will see if it will work out for my set-up. Starting today and running through May 31st they are having a Memorial Sale that might be of some interest to others....

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Enjoy 5% off all orders of CED and DAA products and 10% off orders of CED and DAA products of $200 or more.
Valid from Wednesday, May 25 through Tuesday, May 31 (offer ends at midnight).

Use coupon code HEROES2022 during checkout to claim your discount.