First batch with a dillon 550b lil review

[jeeptim]

Lil back round..
I have used several single stage presses over the years. RCBS, PACIFIC, REDDIND,
And got comfortable with a lee turret,, I do not use the through die powder.
The dillon is on loan while my friends home is being remodeled.
I had 1k of 223 all preped sized primed and trimmed. That is the only real issue i see with the dillon. Oh yeah other issue was as the powder gets low in the hopper hard to tell if powder is under the baffell.
Powder very consistent.
Bullet depth very consistent.
Crimp very consistent.
I used lee dies with dillon shell plate.
I pumped out 1k of 223 in about three hours.
Now pistol ammo is where this would really shine. It was no slouch with bottle neck by any means, just the trimming issues. And I understand they make a trimmer that mounts on the tool head.
So for me its not about the speed its more repetitive relaxation. the cost savings of quality ammo.
This unit is as slick and smooth as it gets everything worked perfect with no I mean zero fussing once set up.
I should probably read the instructions and all that.
lil pricey for the amount I shoot but once done working this maybe the way to go.
I give it two trigger fingers up.
Just one old guys opinion.

 

[Hondo 60]

I also have a 550 - not bragging, just the way it is.

I've had several other Single, turret & progressive presses over the years.
None of them could hold a candle compared to the Dillon RL550B.

Ya I'm drinkin' the Blue Kool-Aid, but it's my experience, or just my 2¢ worth.

I had a LOT of issues with my past progressive, to the point that I boxed it up
and down graded to a turret press.
The turret was that company's lower grade press.
It was OK, but I wanted more.

I bought the Dillon 2nd hand, but it was new - never used.
No, it hasn't been perfect.
I have broken it, but I'd say it has about 96% up time.
My last progressive was probably closer to 50% up time, with a LOT of frustration.

 

[jeeptim]

Hondo yes I am speer impressed with the dillon.
things I dont like are not dillon specific. I take reloading very serouisly it can be VREY dangrous i like to see the powder in every single case with a light.
Other deal is flat base bullets could be troublesome and the trimming. This is all rifle and for the most part same problem with any press
But for straight wall cases this thing must fly. Unfortunately I loaded up 1200 45 long colt before this press blessed my garage.

 

[25-5]

I have the earlier model 450. Don't try to break any speed records. I use a bit of motor oil on the piston. Keep the primer bar powder bar, and related surfaces clean with alcohol, no oil. Once a year I use some penetrating oil on the main operating connections operated by the handle.
You can see the primer just b4 you seat it. If the powder bar dies a full pass, there's powder in the case, although I do have a look once in a while.
Keep your mind on what you are doing.
Get one of the spare parts kits. It comes in handy if you need a spring or or lost part.

 

[RPegram]

I've now had my RL550B for two years. I love it. I started with a single stage Lee and loaded many thousands of handgun rounds, but wanted a little more speed. One thing I can say for a single stage is that it teaches you to become very well skilled in changing and adjusting dies. I also get much better consistency with powder drops. I could do 50-60 rounds per hour on the single stage, but now do 200 with ease.

 

[Hangingrock]

I have (3) progressive press units all Dillon a 550B and (2) SDB. Although the 550B is capable of loading rifle cartridges I don't use it for that application. I've stayed with a Redding single stage press, BR powder measure, and competition dies. For those that do load rifle on a Dillon 550B there is an adapter sold by Dillon that allows as an example a Redding powder measure to be mounted but it must be manually operated.

 

[Toprudder]

The 550 was my first press. I use it for all my semi-auto pistol. It has been trouble free for me. I use it with a mix of Dillon, Lee, and Hornady dies.

I have a LED strip that I bought on sale, I think it was made by Hornady. It is installed on the back support and wraps around the top, right up to the tool head. I stand when I operate the press and I have no problem looking down into the casings to check the powder drop. Of course this is with straight-wall pistol casings, not bottle-neck rifle.

I love mine!

 

[hAkron]

I have a 650, and when I load 223 I have one toolhead set up for brass prep (resize and trim), and one toolhead setup for reloading prepped brass. If I had a Dillon Super 1050 and the Dillon on press trimmer, I would do it all in one toolhead. The 1050 will also swage primer pockets.

 

[ku4hx]

20+ years and more rounds that most people want to believe, my RL550B is running as well as it ever did. It's always produced superior quality ammunition with great ease and consistency and I have zero actual complains.

Of course you pay for it up front, but over the years things have needed attention and Dillon has always supplied the necessary fix on "their" dime: two low primer buzzer units (cracked bodies), two cranks (only one broke), a full powder measure upgrade kit and a powder measure tube.

Every time I've had a need to deal with their CS, they state the part is on its way before I can finish my little speech. When my son gets his house built, he'll be starting out with an RL550B.

 

[Jlb-mt]

I have two 550B's. One I have owned for about 25 years. My only gripe is the priming system. Their service is top-notch. I am now considering a 650 to replace one of the 550's.