In over my head! Dillon 550

[jef2015]

I was in the market for a reloader and seriously considering a Hornady LNL AP. I was looking at the classifieds and happened upon an ad for a Dillon 550 with some accessories. The accessories ended up being a single stage RCBS, 5 powder drop stations for the Dillon, at least 15 sets of dies, a case trimmer, RCBS electronic scale, a couple thousand primers, more brass than I can count, boxes of bullets, hand primer, loading manuals and several items I have yet to identify. The only necessities I noticed missing were powder (he poured it out - probably wouldn't have used it as it was stored in an outside room) and a tumbler.
A couple questions, with many more to follow I am sure. Should I trust the primers? They were stores in an outside room, in south Louisiana. High heat as well as humidity. Am I correct in assuming the worst can happen is a failure to fire? Also, how to verify the accuracy of the scale?
There was a previous thread I asked questions on and decided as a newbie at reloading the best course for me was a progressive and using it to load a single shell at a time until I become comfortable. Thanks to all here for contributing their knowledge. What did people do before the internet? lol

 

[dmazur]

Primers are very hard to deactivate. I recently read an account of someone who had some submerged for a week. They dried them out and they worked fine.

The electronic scale should have little brass weight(s) that came with it, which are used for calibration. If they are missing, they may be available from RCBS as replacements parts. RCBS service is pretty good. Also, a set of "check weights" can be purchased, and these can be used to verify the performance of any scale.

You'll like the 550B. It is a workhorse.

 

[Snowbandit]

Yes the primers will likely be fine and the worst that can happen is nothing. You will need to weights dmazue mentioned to check the scale calibration. Go slow with that Dillon and make sure to use a powder that bulky enough a double charge over flows your case so you can't miss it. If you don't have the instruction manual get one from Dillon and study it closely. Feel free to ask any questions, there's lots of us around here using that equipment.

 

[Jim Watson]

Set up the "accessory" RCBS and learn the ropes single stage.

 

[jef2015]

Any bulky powder recommendation for 45 acp? When I was looking at the Hornady I was planning on getting the lock out die RCBS makes to minimize powder squibs or double loads. As the Dillon is a 4 station I don't guess that will work. What are the automatic powder check options for a Dillon? Or is it just visual checks and double checking with the scale as needed?
There is a box with small brass weights, which must be for the scale. One of the unidentified items now id'd.
Jim, I understand starting with a single stage is the best procedure. I am not sure the RCBS is functional as it looked pretty neglected. And the Dillon just looks like it wants to load!!! Thanks for the advice, I have a somewhat high sense of self preservation, and it is appreciated.

 

[dmazur]

WST is sometimes suggested as a bulky powder for .45ACP. I use Bullseye, but I may try WST just because it is cleaner burning.

If you get the correct taper crimp/seater die, it is possible to seat and crimp at one station. I believe RCBS makes such a die. This would permit using a powder check or lockout die at Station 3 and seat/crimp at Station 4.

I don't recommend this, though it is possible. It is difficult to set up combination seat/crimp dies. It is far easier to use separate dies.

As far as visual checks and powder checks go, I like to perform a "check throw" of what the powder measure is doing every time I pause to label a box of finished cartridges. (50 for pistol) It doesn't take long.

The other thing I do is to resist the temptation to "mess with" the cases in the shellplate. The indexing buttons are there to permit setting up the dies, not to encourage the operator to continually adjust things during a session...

So, during a session, you will (after inserting 2 cases and getting started) have a routine consisting of

1. Index with L hand (push the "star" clockwise)
2. Put a bullet on top of the charged case at Station 3
3. Insert a case at Station 1
4. Pull the handle fully down (runs the shellplate with all cases into the dies)
5. Return the handle fully up (returns shellplate to "at rest" position)
6. Push the handle back to seat the primer

In order to double charge, you have to break the routine and pull the handle without indexing, placing a bullet and inserting a case. This runs everything up into the dies twice. This might be possible if you are interrupted (phone call, for example), and you just don't notice the bullet at Station 3. The easiest way to prevent this is to always leave the handle down if you have to step away from the press. Then you know you are mid-stroke.

In order to fail to charge, you have to run out of powder. Dillon sells a low powder alarm for those who don't notice there isn't any black stuff any more...

I've found the 550B to be a rugged, reliable and safe press. If you pay attention to what you are doing and don't try to set records with it.

 

[loadedround]

I've been running two Dillon 550b presses for over twenty years now and I still love them and have the utmost respect for Dillon Customer Service. BTW there issn't any type of a auto powder check system for a Dillon 550 if using a separate seating and crimping dies as supplied by Dillon (pistol dies)

 

[MtnCreek]

I was planning on getting the lock out die RCBS makes to minimize powder squibs or double loads.

I think I would aim a little higher!

 

[the count]

Get the lock out die!

Especially beginners will often mess up with no or double loads. The lock out die is really good, I have a progressive press with bullet and case feeders, without the lock out die I would have produced ammo with too little powder on several occasions. To free up a station for it get the RCBS seat/crimp die. Just follow the instructions and you will be fine. If possible I would use the Lee Factory crimp die which INHO is the best, but no free stations on my press.....

PS What did people do before the internet you ask? They went to libraries to get their information.

 

[rfwobbly]

Nice find !!


I'm with Jim, no matter what it looks like, the RCBS is the place to start. Several drops of motor oil will have it back in good shape in no time flat. Face it, you could have a Dillon 1050 and you'd still need the single-stage. Get it running now or get it running later.


Since the 550 doesn't advance automatically, you'll have plenty of time to inspect each cartridge case before placing your bullet into it. Watch a powder cop (which can lie) or watch the powder level directly for yourself. What you really need is a nice goose-neck reloading lamp so you can see down into the cases.

 

[1KPerDay]

Any bulky powder recommendation for 45 acp?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=577438

good info there FYI.

FWIW I've been using Red Dot and I like it quite a bit.

 

[TH3180]

If you are going to use the 550 as a single stage to start with. Why don't you use the single stage press you have to start with.

 

[Blue68f100]

WST is the best powder I found for 45acp. It's a fine ball powder that flow very freely, dispense great. High loft, soft recoil, clean burning and accurate.

 

[jef2015]

It sounds as though the single stage is the way to begin. I almost completed building my reloading table today, tomorrow will put some shelves on it and hopefully have everything set for the weekend.

the count: I am a big fan of the library and also old enough to remember a time when the answer to life's most important questions weren't a google search away! lol

Thanks to all...