used dillon RL 550b/good deal ?

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bob4

bob4

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Is there anything expensive missing from this deal ? Excuse the caps. It's copied. Think I can get it for 350. give or take.

IT IS IN GREAT SHAPE WITH A FEW MARKS FROM NORMAL USAGE WITH ALL ACCESSORIES EXCEPT SHELL PLATE AND DIES. I AM ALSO INCLUDING THE DILLON CARTRIDGE COUNTER WHICH I HAVE SEEN FOR SALE BY ITSELF FOR $40. PLEASE MAKE SURE THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT, ALTHOUGH I WILL TAKE IT BACK RETURN SHIPPING IS ON YOU. ITEMS INCLUDED: PRESS, 1 TOOL HEAD, POWDER FUNNEL, CARTRIDGE COUNTER, LARGE AND SMALL PRIMER BAR, LARGE AND SMALL POWDER BAR, LARGE AND SMALL PRIMER PICK UP TUBES, SPENT PRIMER CATCH BASIN, CARTRIDGE CASE BASIN AND CHUTE, LOW PRIMER ALERT BUZZER, MANUAL, ORIGINAL SHIPPING BOX.
I AM GOING TO THROW IN .284 WINCHESTER, .280 REMINGTON, .308 MARLIN EXPRESS AND .338 LAPUA DIES.
 
I see that he mentions a powder funnel rather than a powder measure, if so, I wonder if he's talking about a BL550. They are $259 brand new. The 4 die sets might cover the additional $100...but only if you shoot those calibers, and only if the dies are in good shape, and assuming you are good with paying full retail for a used press.

ETA - he does mention primer pickup tubes, and a low primer sensor, so maybe it's a 550B minus the powder measure. Still, a new 550B would include a caliber specific conversion (shell plate and such) and a powder measure, maybe a tool head stand...so about another $100. The low primer buzzer is maybe $40 (hard to locate on the Dillon site with my ipad), so if this is a 550B, with the dies, it's a fair deal. Not fantastic, but cheaper than new. Dillon has a great warranty, so used vs new isn't a huge big deal.
 
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If it's the RL550 then it is worth that all day even if the powder measure is not included. A new one with the powder die is less then $100.
 
Here's a few pics. Maybe someone can confirm what model it actually is for me ?
dill1.JPG

dill2.JPG

dill1.JPG
 
It's definitely a 550. Looks like everything is there except a caliber conversion kit which would include a shellplate, locator buttons, and powder funnel, and the dies. The caliber conversion kit is 46.00 from Dillon.

Kajun :)
 
Quick question on a Dillon press. ( this one anyway) A conversion kit? Do you need one for each caliber ?
 
Some of the conversion kits work with several different calibers. I'm pretty sure there is a table on Dillons website that shows which interchange.
 
I just bought a brand new 550B (no conversions)for $400.00 total ......shipping, tax, everything. I already have many conversions I use with my 450 and they are interchangeable between 550 and 450
 
The powder measure in question is right there in the photo. Jump on it! As stated, Dillon has a lifetime warranty, even for second (or third) owners.
 
This looks to be in great shape, and as several have said, with Dillon's warranty, the details don't matter- they'll make it good.

{Digression on accessories}

For my 650 (the 550 is the same principle), you are mostly going to need a different caliber conversion kit, unless you've got something like .38 / .357, 44 Special / .44 Magnum, etc. The toolheads are about $20, and it doesn't really make any sense to own such a press unless you've got a toolhead with the dies permanently mounted for each caliber. What I decided to do was have toolheads set up for the pistol calibers I shoot + .223. I also didn't want any part of changing over the 650's priming system from small to large, so I bought a second dedicated primer feed. I decided on the same thing with small / large powder bars, so I bought a second powder measure. Since that's 5 calibers total, plus the extras, I've got twice the price of the press alone tied up in Dillon accessories.
 
Definitely a 550. The only thing I see missing is the operating handle. I upgraded mine to the roller handle; I've got a spare. PM me if you want it.
 
Looks like a good deal, even if you don't use those caliber dies.

If you get it, borrow someone's copy of Dillon's Blue Press (and get on their mailing list for it) to see what other stuff is available.

Also check with brianenos.com to see a conversion list. http://brianenos.com/pages/dillon/cal.conv.chart.html

You may be able to use the same conversion kit for more than one cartridge you intend to load.

For quicker change overs, I have a dedicated tool head, powder die and die set for calibers I load the most. I also have additional primer tubes.

Dillon's customer service is great!

Mike
 
I don't see how you can go wrong for the price. I started with a 550 sometime around 2002, paid $329 for it.
 
That is an RL550B, so the price is good. A caliber 'conversion' in Dillon speak are the pieces you need to convert between each caliber. Generally, for the 550 it's a shell plate, a set of locator buttons (keep the case tight to the shell plate), and a caliber specific powder funnel which gets inserted into a powder die, which the powder measure attaches to also. The powder funnel both bells the case mouth and provides pressure on the powder measure to dispense a charge. For each caliber you will need a caliber conversion, though some parts might interchange between caliber conversions. You will also want (but don't technically need) the following for each caliber:

A tool head - this is the part of the press that holds your dies. Rather than screw your dies in each time, you just swap out tool heads.

A tool head stand - keeps your dies and tool head from rolling around on the shelf when not in use

A powder die - this is the die the powder measure rides on. Rather than adjust this for depth each time you change calibers, it's better to have one on each tool head

Powder measure - this is the most optional and expensive part to get multiples of, and on my 650 I only have specific powder measures for some of my most commonly reloaded calibers, but it's nice to not have to spend time setting my powder measure each time, I just swap in the tool head and caliber conversion, weigh the first few charges, then I'm off. Still have to check periodically, but it doesn't normally drift.
 
Just read something that has me concerned or at least curious.
What is it with a Dillon you have to let go of the handle each time to load a case? This seems almost counter productive. I'm imagining that the handle is on the right and I would load shells from the left. Obviously I have this wrong.
Just saw a video. Doesn't look that bad. What are others thoughts on this?
 
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Just read something that has me concerned or at least curious.
What is it with a Dillon you have to let go of the handle each time to load a case? This seems almost counter productive. I'm imagining that the handle is on the right and I would load shells from the left. Obviously I have this wrong.
Just saw a video. Doesn't look that bad. What are others thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

You have to load the cases, and bullets manually by hand. The cases load on the right side in station #1 next to the handle. Bullets are placed on the powder filled cases in station #3. It's not a big deal to place a cases in station 1 personally. They do make a case feeder, but I haven't justified the cost yet.
 
243winxb said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DILLON-RL-550-/221390412370 2 hr 35 min. to go. New unit is $260. 4 Die sets uses $15 ea. Total $320. :D
Click to expand...
New units I have been looking at are 439.
http://www.eguns.com/www.eguns.com/Dillon_Precision.html
http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.550.html
Where do you see a 550b for this? Does it come with everything I need ?

This one is gonna get to close for me to continue. For another 30 bucks ( this one is at 408.07 shipped now) I might as well look at new ones.
 
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