Double Alpha Academy Mini Case Feeder For Dillon 550B
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I would give them a call and talk with Tom. Since you recently made a purchase and I'm guessing there is a good chance they will credit you something back. It's worth a try...
I'm not sure about the warning regarding the spacer, but I'm guessing the instructions address this, correct? Have you reloaded anything yet? If so, how did the case feeder and/or bowl perform?
nettlle
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I think he is talking about the orange spacers (different ones for different calibers) that guide the cases at the top. They slide in and are easily switched
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Ahhh, thank you! From little what I know, that now makes sense.....or at least I can visualize it.
I'll contact them and see.
I have not reloaded anything yet. I've run a few dozen cases through to play with it. Functioned flawlessly. I plan to reload about 1200 rounds tomorrow night.
I did time myself loading primer tubes and shell tubes. In 15min I filled 700 primers into tubes and got two case tubes filled, each with 102 38spec cases.
My wife and boys had COVID last week, then gave it to me this week. Hoping my nose is less drippy tomorrow. Don't believe snot is a component of reloading.
I have not reloaded anything yet. I've run a few dozen cases through to play with it. Functioned flawlessly. I plan to reload about 1200 rounds tomorrow night.
I did time myself loading primer tubes and shell tubes. In 15min I filled 700 primers into tubes and got two case tubes filled, each with 102 38spec cases.
My wife and boys had COVID last week, then gave it to me this week. Hoping my nose is less drippy tomorrow. Don't believe snot is a component of reloading.
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Thanks for the update! Hope you feel better and get over Covid by the time you start reloading. No need to have that type of distraction......
I just checked my UPS shipping notice and unfortunately, my package is scheduled to be delivered Tuesday, May 31st. I was hoping to get it by Saturday....oh well.
Ok, just did about 625 rounds of 38 special. Definitely a learning curve adding a case feeder being used to a 550. FYI, load is 158gr RN over 3.1gr BE in a Starline case With Winchester SPP. Later I'll load 158gr SWC over 2.4-2.5gr BE.
First tip, put a silver sharpie mark on the base of the case tubes to help align it when you put it on. Don't put the mark by the opening underneath but on the side that will face you. I haven't done this yet because I spent 10min searching the house for mine to no avail!
It really does take less then a minute to fill a tube set using their bowl. I only ended up with one upside down case, and that's on me for not checking more carefully. I intentionally put one in upside down during a refill to see what it looked like and it's damn obvious if you simply look. Good news, if you use minimal force to raise the ram, you'll know quick something is wrong without ruining a case.
I had about 4 or 5 not end up all the way in the shell plate and end up hitting the bottom of the sizing die. I attribute this to a less than smooth motion initially raising the ram. Again, if you use minimal force to initially raise the ram, you won't ruin a case doing this.
Big learning curve figuring out how to look at the tubes to calculate when to rotate them. 38spec is 17 cases per tube, never figured out a rhythm to look up and see it, almost always missed it (I'm blaming 17 being a prime number). My best result was watching the orange tube below as the ram was all the way up and catching that a case didn't fall. Then I'd lower the ram and prime, turn the tube, and place one extra case in the lower tube to keep it full. I have another 600 or so rounds to load and I'll see how I do.
Running dry is definitely not ideal. Dropping cases in the lower tube I usually had it tip over. Kind of a PITA to refill that tube.
Overall I'm happy. My best measure of speed is I did 204ish rounds in about 18-20min starting all loaded up. I wanted to time more but finding rhythms took too much of my brain power (rightfully so of course).
More to come later tonight!
First tip, put a silver sharpie mark on the base of the case tubes to help align it when you put it on. Don't put the mark by the opening underneath but on the side that will face you. I haven't done this yet because I spent 10min searching the house for mine to no avail!
It really does take less then a minute to fill a tube set using their bowl. I only ended up with one upside down case, and that's on me for not checking more carefully. I intentionally put one in upside down during a refill to see what it looked like and it's damn obvious if you simply look. Good news, if you use minimal force to raise the ram, you'll know quick something is wrong without ruining a case.
I had about 4 or 5 not end up all the way in the shell plate and end up hitting the bottom of the sizing die. I attribute this to a less than smooth motion initially raising the ram. Again, if you use minimal force to initially raise the ram, you won't ruin a case doing this.
Big learning curve figuring out how to look at the tubes to calculate when to rotate them. 38spec is 17 cases per tube, never figured out a rhythm to look up and see it, almost always missed it (I'm blaming 17 being a prime number). My best result was watching the orange tube below as the ram was all the way up and catching that a case didn't fall. Then I'd lower the ram and prime, turn the tube, and place one extra case in the lower tube to keep it full. I have another 600 or so rounds to load and I'll see how I do.
Running dry is definitely not ideal. Dropping cases in the lower tube I usually had it tip over. Kind of a PITA to refill that tube.
Overall I'm happy. My best measure of speed is I did 204ish rounds in about 18-20min starting all loaded up. I wanted to time more but finding rhythms took too much of my brain power (rightfully so of course).
More to come later tonight!
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Thanks for the tips! Last weekend I tested some new 9mm and .40 loads that shot well. So, I was hoping to load up more, but that will wait until I get my case feeder up and running.
I do have a new 38 special load (158 FMJ, 5.1gr AA#5, in Winchester cases, with Winchester SPP) that I plan to load a few this weekend to test out.
I have plans to load.45 rounds once Dillon gets in the .45 dies. I ordered them last June 15, 2021, and have been waiting since. When I spoke with them this week, they said I will have them next month.....we will see. I also want to load some .44 rounds next month. I have been having problems finding a 240gr JSP reliable source. Though, I just found these guys https://nereloading.com/44-caliber-240-grain-jacketed-soft-point-100-count-1.html I have been using Montana Gold Bullets, RMRBullets, and Precision Delta in the past.
Please keep up the tips and suggestions! Good luck tonight!
I do have a new 38 special load (158 FMJ, 5.1gr AA#5, in Winchester cases, with Winchester SPP) that I plan to load a few this weekend to test out.
I have plans to load.45 rounds once Dillon gets in the .45 dies. I ordered them last June 15, 2021, and have been waiting since. When I spoke with them this week, they said I will have them next month.....we will see. I also want to load some .44 rounds next month. I have been having problems finding a 240gr JSP reliable source. Though, I just found these guys https://nereloading.com/44-caliber-240-grain-jacketed-soft-point-100-count-1.html I have been using Montana Gold Bullets, RMRBullets, and Precision Delta in the past.
Please keep up the tips and suggestions! Good luck tonight!
In total, loaded up 1244 RN and another 80 SWC with the case feeder. The second batch was way more consistent. I rotated the tubes at the right time far more often, though I still let it run dry two or three times.
Keeping a handful of brass in a bin by the press is a must to make sure you top off the bottom tube when you are late rotating the tubes.
I may drill a hole to put a pin to stop the shuttle from pushing a new case in. If something goes wrong elsewhere (forget to put a bullet on station 3) and cycle it, you need a way to turn off the case feeder.
Didn't have any more upside down cases in the second batch. Collator worked perfectly.
I had a few not get all the way into the shell plate, but I loosened up my shell plate bolt maybe an 1/16th of a turn (I have the roller bearing for the shell plate) and it ran much better. Again, use minimal force to get the ram up to that point and you won't ruin any cases. I only smashed one today, and that was in the first hundred rounds.
I timed two stretches of 210ish rounds, each about 17-18min. That was two tube sets ready to go, plus a bunch of filled primer tubes, and a comfortable pace. I don't believe any reasonable reloaders will go any faster than that. Call it 650-700 rounds per hour when you're setup ready to go.
I might have gotten my 3.5yo to fill a tube set. He loved the sound and shaking it. Unfortunately his attention span didn't hold, but I have hope for the future.
This makes me want a primer tube filler, but it would pain me to buy the Dillon one for $400. If you had one of those, you'd only have to stop for two minutes every 204 rounds of 38spec to reload the tubes. Or train a minion (child labor) to do it for you!
I considered a 650 or 750, but realized I'm already bought in to the 550 with tool heads, conversion kits, etc. It wouldn't be as simple as buying the press since I'd spend another $600-$700 to have what I do for the 550. And for the volume I reload, the 550 will work fine.
Overall I'm happy with the purchase. I have zero experience with the Dillon version, and the automatic collator would be nice, but not for $400 again. Price is is probably a little better for what you get with the DAA.
Keeping a handful of brass in a bin by the press is a must to make sure you top off the bottom tube when you are late rotating the tubes.
I may drill a hole to put a pin to stop the shuttle from pushing a new case in. If something goes wrong elsewhere (forget to put a bullet on station 3) and cycle it, you need a way to turn off the case feeder.
Didn't have any more upside down cases in the second batch. Collator worked perfectly.
I had a few not get all the way into the shell plate, but I loosened up my shell plate bolt maybe an 1/16th of a turn (I have the roller bearing for the shell plate) and it ran much better. Again, use minimal force to get the ram up to that point and you won't ruin any cases. I only smashed one today, and that was in the first hundred rounds.
I timed two stretches of 210ish rounds, each about 17-18min. That was two tube sets ready to go, plus a bunch of filled primer tubes, and a comfortable pace. I don't believe any reasonable reloaders will go any faster than that. Call it 650-700 rounds per hour when you're setup ready to go.
I might have gotten my 3.5yo to fill a tube set. He loved the sound and shaking it. Unfortunately his attention span didn't hold, but I have hope for the future.
This makes me want a primer tube filler, but it would pain me to buy the Dillon one for $400. If you had one of those, you'd only have to stop for two minutes every 204 rounds of 38spec to reload the tubes. Or train a minion (child labor) to do it for you!
I considered a 650 or 750, but realized I'm already bought in to the 550 with tool heads, conversion kits, etc. It wouldn't be as simple as buying the press since I'd spend another $600-$700 to have what I do for the 550. And for the volume I reload, the 550 will work fine.
Overall I'm happy with the purchase. I have zero experience with the Dillon version, and the automatic collator would be nice, but not for $400 again. Price is is probably a little better for what you get with the DAA.
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Wow! Thank you so much for detailing your processes! It sounds like you discovered the rhythm and have a good handle on it. You reloaded more in the time you took than what I normally load. So, I'm encouraged that I'll save time as well.
I always wondered why the "paperclip" spring couldn't somehow be attached to the lower feeder (on the outside so it doesn't interfere with the "case pusher" and then bent toward the shell plate) to help keep the case centered. I will keep it in mind to try to loosen the shell plate bolt if needed.
I'm in agreement with you regarding having extra primer tubes at the ready and when exhausted, reload the tubes. I, too, have so many items for the 550, that when I spoke with Dillon, to upgrade to a 750, I would be paying well more than $1,300 on everything. That is not worth it to me.
I do have a question for both you and @frogfurr regarding your lighting. I will abandon my Inline Fabrication LED Light and install the KMS UFO 550 Case Light I recently purchased. However, it didn't occur to me until now, will the DAA 550 clamp on the Dillon press extend inward so as to prevent me from using the "U" shape KMS LED light? In the picture below, it appears the DDA 550 clamp will hit it.......
I always wondered why the "paperclip" spring couldn't somehow be attached to the lower feeder (on the outside so it doesn't interfere with the "case pusher" and then bent toward the shell plate) to help keep the case centered. I will keep it in mind to try to loosen the shell plate bolt if needed.
I'm in agreement with you regarding having extra primer tubes at the ready and when exhausted, reload the tubes. I, too, have so many items for the 550, that when I spoke with Dillon, to upgrade to a 750, I would be paying well more than $1,300 on everything. That is not worth it to me.
I do have a question for both you and @frogfurr regarding your lighting. I will abandon my Inline Fabrication LED Light and install the KMS UFO 550 Case Light I recently purchased. However, it didn't occur to me until now, will the DAA 550 clamp on the Dillon press extend inward so as to prevent me from using the "U" shape KMS LED light? In the picture below, it appears the DDA 550 clamp will hit it.......
nettlle
Contributing Member
This the way I did my UFO light also. Works fine and is a lot better light than the Inline skylight
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Well, I received my order from DAA last Tuesday. Unfortunately, I did not attempt to assemble it this past weekend as I wanted to make sure I allowed enough time to complete the project.
@frogfurr and @Soupy44, how long did it take you to assemble everything and make any necessary additional adjustments? Do you have any more tips?
Thanks!
@frogfurr and @Soupy44, how long did it take you to assemble everything and make any necessary additional adjustments? Do you have any more tips?
Thanks!
Didn't take long to assemble, 15min maybe.
Biggest things for me were a smooth motion with the ram and finding a rhythm to check the number of cases left. We 550 users aren't used to looking up. My best result was checking the lower tube when the ram was up to see if a case drops.
Biggest things for me were a smooth motion with the ram and finding a rhythm to check the number of cases left. We 550 users aren't used to looking up. My best result was checking the lower tube when the ram was up to see if a case drops.
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Wow, I'm surprised it took so little time to assemble. That's good to read!
nettlle
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Once you figure out which hole the alignment rod goes in to it takes about 15 minutes. There are two holes the alignment rod can go in to. The right hole and the wrong hole. I fiddled around with the wrong hole for about twenty minutes. The clamp that holds the upper part to the primer tube housing was a very tight fit. A screwdriver blade inserted into the split on the primer tube clamp made things easier. There was a little fiddling around to get the Dillon low primer alarm positioned on top of the primer tube housing to get it just right. All these things are minor and easy to make adjustments. But minutes add up
Mounted correctly it required no additional adjustments. Plug and play so to speak. Mine runs sweet. My 550C is optioned out with all the goodies available for a 550C from Dillon and Inline Fabrication.
Of all I would consider the DAA case feeder my favorite.
Mounted correctly it required no additional adjustments. Plug and play so to speak. Mine runs sweet. My 550C is optioned out with all the goodies available for a 550C from Dillon and Inline Fabrication.
Of all I would consider the DAA case feeder my favorite.
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Finally got around to loading more. Loaded some test loads of 5 different bullets for 45 ACP each at 5 different powder charges so I can test in my dot and metallic sight bullseye 1911s.
Doing loading like this is not ideal with the DAA case feeder. Best I came up with was to load the tubes with exactly the 100 cases I did at each powder charge. That way I didn't have to empty a tube to throw test charges when changing the powder drop. I was in too much of a rush to figure out a way to keep a piece of brass from dropping from the top part to the bottom so I only have to lower the empty tube.
I found it interesting that I had a TON of cases tip over when I started. Keeping the lower tube full worked well for 38 special, but was an issue for 45. Once I started leaving only 3-4 cases in the lower tube, no more tipping issues.
I'm figuring that this might be something unique for each caliber.
Doing loading like this is not ideal with the DAA case feeder. Best I came up with was to load the tubes with exactly the 100 cases I did at each powder charge. That way I didn't have to empty a tube to throw test charges when changing the powder drop. I was in too much of a rush to figure out a way to keep a piece of brass from dropping from the top part to the bottom so I only have to lower the empty tube.
I found it interesting that I had a TON of cases tip over when I started. Keeping the lower tube full worked well for 38 special, but was an issue for 45. Once I started leaving only 3-4 cases in the lower tube, no more tipping issues.
I'm figuring that this might be something unique for each caliber.
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