Redding seating die for Dillon 550b tutorial needed

[MoreIsLess]

I just bought a Redding competition bullet seating die for my 550b

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/734166/redding-competition-seater-die-45-acp-45-auto-rim-45-gap

Can anybody point me to a video that shows how to install it on a 550b.

 

[cfullgraf]

I don't know of any videos, but that does not mean that they are not out there.

The Redding instructions that tell you how to set the die up on a single stage should work just fine on the 550b, just do not have any cases in any of the other stations.

Assuming that you plan to crimp when seating, I'd do the following.

Set the die in the press so that it does not crimp and seat a couple or few bullets to the COL that you want.

Then, back off the seater stem and set the crimp to the desired amount and lock the die in place.

Then, you can lower the seater stem to rest on the seated bullets.

When you start loading, you can adjust the seater stem as desired to change the seating depth/COL without affecting the crimp.

Remember to log the seating setting from the micrometer so that you can rapidly return to that setting if you should happen to change it for some reason.

Hope this helps.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Assuming that you plan to crimp when seating, I'd do the following.

The Redding Competition Seating die doesn't crimp, you have to use a separate Crimp die

 

[Laphroaig]

I've come to the conclusion that the top of the shell plate on your 550 corresponds to the top of the shell holder on a single stage. Generally seating dies are set up to be a little above the shell holder when the press is at the top of the stroke. If the instructions give a recommended distance, use it. Otherwise the thickness of a nickel is a good starting point.

Assuming that you plan to crimp when seating

The description in the OP's link says this die doesn't crimp, so he'll need a crimp die in station 4. Your old seating die could fill that void with the stem set above your COL, or even removed.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Can anybody point me to a video that shows how to install it on a 550b.

Perhaps I'm not understanding the question.

Are you running into issues installing the die into your 550 specifically? It should install just like any other seating die.

Setting the seating depth is described in the included directions. Here is a link to the Redding Quick Start Set Up

 

[Laphroaig]

Here is a link to the Redding Quick Start Set Up

That's it! Redding recommends the die body should just touch your shell plate or be slightly above it when the micrometer index lines can be read. I forgot about the sleeve.

 

[cfullgraf]

The Redding Competition Seating die doesn't crimp, you have to use a separate Crimp die

Oops, missed that. Crimping in a separate step makes the seater die set up even easier.