New Dillon 550b owner

[flashman2002]

I just happened to get lucky and win an auction. It is my first press and first post on this forum. I have been lurking the Brian Enos forums for a little while and this one is just as good for info. I am looking forward to start reloading in the next several months. Lots of great info for me to read.

[woolleyworm]

Congrats, you've joined a great group of folks here. what calibers are you going to start with? Welcome to TFF

[ALR]

I just got one too, been reloading for years and finally upgraded. Giving my old presses to my SIL so he can get into it with minimal expense...

[flashman2002]

I will only be reloading 9mm for now. I only have two guns, one Sig Sauer SP2022 and a Ruger SR22 for my wife. It took me 10 years to talk her into buying a gun. The purchase was not supposed to have happened (I had to really work some magic after the fact haha). Eventually though, I do plan on getting some other calibers, probably .40 first, then maybe .45 ACP. Just depends on how much fun we have shooting together. So far she has really enjoyed it and I told her how much cheaper it is to reload after your initial investment is paid off. Of course, there are those that say you don't save money, you just get to shoot more. I am ok with either scenario. Plus, it gives me a chance to really learn about guns, Air Force doesn't have us regular folk shoot anymore unless we get deployed.

[JLA]

YEah. you aint gonna save a dime. What you do get is more range time with better quality ammo for the same money.

[flashman2002]

Originally Posted by JLA

YEah. you aint gonna save a dime. What you do get is more range time with better quality ammo for the same money.

That is basically what most people have said on various forums. I am lucky that Powder Valley Inc is just 30 miles from Wichita, so buying reloading supplies will be really cheap and easy. Plus, I won't have to worry about hazmat fees for primers and powders.

[Bud0505]

Enjoy that new 550B. I've had mine for 25 years and have cranked out thousands of rounds, mostly 9mm and .45 auto.

[LDBennett]

I think you'll find the Dillon a joy to use. I've had mine for over 25 years and loaded over 30 different calibers on it from 38SPL to 7MM Mag and 45-70. It works just as well on rifle cartridges as on pistol cartridges. Here's a tip:

Don't just buy the caliber conversion kits. On the last page of the instruction book is usually a table that tells you what you need for shell plates, powder funnel and pins for each and every cartridge. Keep track of what you already have and when you want to get a new caliber consult that chart to see if you don't already have some of the parts. Then, only buy exactly what you need. Invent some way to know what you have and were it is stored so you have quick access to what you need when you change calibers. The cross use of parts is huge because so many of the cartridges share dimension of the cartridge base (shell plate)and the caliber of the bullet (powder funnel).

LDBennett

[Bud0505]

Here's a link to the Dillon conversion chart.
http://brianenos.com/pages/dillon/cal.conv.chart.html

[flashman2002]

Thank you all for the info. I will certainly use that chart when I get more calibers. I am just looking forward to trying my hand at this. I am in the dog house right now, but she will forgive me the more we shoot... I think! Plus, I keep talking about this as a bonding moment for us; quality time shared which would otherwise be wasted doing nothing.

[rmorgan9718]

I have 2 550's in the garage, son has one, adopted son has one, three friends have one, other friends have 550's or 650's. Guess who was elected as chief technician/Mr. Fixit? Me.

they are not indestructable, but are damned forgiving. as you get started, several bits of learning jump to mind:
1. if you tumble your brass, make sure no media bits get caught under the primer punch,
2. check COL about every 200 rds or so - sometimes the die may loosen,
3. the powder dispenser likes flaked powder, but sometimes ball powders - especially Tite Group, will over dispense, so weigh about every 10th or so round until you are confident of the drop rate,
4. if you are interrupted, stop the press on the up stroke, less chance of missing a step
5. Dillon dies are about the best pistol dies on the market, but the Lee Carbide sets for straight wall pistol cases are also great, plus their Taper Crimp die is the best.

drop anyone a note, and we'll all try to help

stay safe, read the manuals, and ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK!

[JLA]

Originally Posted by rmorgan9718

I have 2 550's in the garage, son has one, adopted son has one, three friends have one, other friends have 550's or 650's. Guess who was elected as chief technician/Mr. Fixit? Me.

they are not indestructable, but are damned forgiving. as you get started, several bits of learning jump to mind:
1. if you tumble your brass, make sure no media bits get caught under the primer punch,
2. check COL about every 200 rds or so - sometimes the die may loosen,
3. the powder dispenser likes flaked powder, but sometimes ball powders - especially Tite Group, will over dispense, so weigh about every 10th or so round until you are confident of the drop rate,
4. if you are interrupted, stop the press on the up stroke, less chance of missing a step
5. Dillon dies are about the best pistol dies on the market, but the Lee Carbide sets for straight wall pistol cases are also great, plus their Taper Crimp die is the best.

drop anyone a note, and we'll all try to help

stay safe, read the manuals, and ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK!

Welcome to TFF rmorgan. I like you already. You are well on your way to suffering the wrath of LDBennett for condoning the use of dillon presses fitted with Lee dies.

Welcome to the club.

[LDBennett]

What? Huh?

Did someone say LEE dies?

LDBennett

[flashman2002]

Well help me out. The press I bought is coming with Lee dies. I know I have read many people don't like them but am I going to be hating life for using them before upgrading, or is an upgrade really necessary? I doubt they are carbide as it wasn't specified.

[woolleyworm]

Originally Posted by flashman2002

Well help me out. The press I bought is coming with Lee dies. I know I have read many people don't like them but am I going to be hating life for using them before upgrading, or is an upgrade really necessary? I doubt they are carbide as it wasn't specified.

You'll be ok with the Lee dies and if they're pistol dies, then they're carbide most likely. I'm not sure if Lee even makes non-carbide pistol dies, but I don't think so. I'm not a fan of Lee dies myself, but I won't knock them for the ability to make good ammo; they're just not finished to my taste. I also prefer RCBS or Hornady lock rings ( which both work just fine with Lee dies)
I do use the Lee Factory Crimp Dies though, they're worth the money and do a great job.
For cast loads, I really like the Lyman "M" dies. They expand the case just a hair more in the body to allow for easier seating of cast bullets.

It's all a matter of personal choice though, use what is best for you.

[woolleyworm]

Originally Posted by flashman2002

Thank you all for the info. I will certainly use that chart when I get more calibers. I am just looking forward to trying my hand at this. I am in the dog house right now, but she will forgive me the more we shoot... I think! Plus, I keep talking about this as a bonding moment for us; quality time shared which would otherwise be wasted doing nothing.

If your range allows, get some interactive targets and you'll have her hooked in no time. Spinners, plate steel, dueling trees, clays and pop cans all make for good fun.

[flashman2002]

Originally Posted by woolleyworm

If your range allows, get some interactive targets and you'll have her hooked in no time. Spinners, plate steel, dueling trees, clays and pop cans all make for good fun.

Right now we only know about indoor ranges. We are still trying to find out door that would do this kind of stuff. Since we are so new to shooting, we don't know all the different places to look into. I know she is hooked already lol, which is good. It is just going to be a matter of time for her to get used to the power of a 9mm, and subsequently higher calibers. Thanks for your info on the locking rings and different dies. I am more than likely going to buy RCBS or Dillon after I get proficient at reloading for my 9mm.

[flashman2002]

My press was picked up today. Now I need to get a bench made, buy the scale, calipers, brass, bullets, powder, primers etc... then I can start reloading lol. Soon enough.

[ozo]

Did you get the stand with it ?
A roller handle ?

[flashman2002]

Originally Posted by ozo

Did you get the stand with it ?
A roller handle ?

That is going to be part of my additions. I bought it used and will just be getting into the hobby. So the stand, roller handle, tumbler, seperator is still going to be part of my purchases.

[ozo]

Yeah, unless you are like Josh and Chris....RICH....
it takes a while to put the components together,
but also fun in the doing.
Some peripherals are inexpensive, like digital/dial calipers,
scales, wrenches, bullet pullers, etc......
The stand and roller handle, not so cheap.....but I highly recommend
both for your added and ongoing enjoyment.
I use Starline brass [new], my projectiles are 99% Berry's MFG Plated
bullets from either Berry's or Graf and Son, depending on stock/price
at the time. Powder and primers I usually buy local.

[flashman2002]

Originally Posted by ozo

Yeah, unless you are like Josh and Chris....RICH....
it takes a while to put the components together,
but also fun in the doing.
Some peripherals are inexpensive, like digital/dial calipers,
scales, wrenches, bullet pullers, etc......
The stand and roller handle, not so cheap.....but I highly recommend
both for your added and ongoing enjoyment.
I use Starline brass [new], my projectiles are 99% Berry's MFG Plated
bullets from either Berry's or Graf and Son, depending on stock/price
at the time. Powder and primers I usually buy local.

Thanks for the advice! I am lucky as I live about 30 miles from Powder Valley so I see myself going to them quite a bit once I start getting my bullet supplies together. As for the press, I got it mounted, albeit cheaply. It will work until I get the strong mount and a better bench. I just wish I had money to get all my other supplies.

[JLA]

Keep the LEE dies, better than ALL others IMO. And all the Dillon press is missing is a nice coat of candy apple red paint.

[flashman2002]

Originally Posted by JLA

Keep the LEE dies, better than ALL others IMO. And all the Dillon press is missing is a nice coat of candy apple red paint.

Candy apple red huh? I will keep that in mind! Thanks for your opinion on the Lee dies. I am keeping them for now, now sense buying new 9mm dies if I don't have to. Just depends on the future calibers if I stay with them or get someone else. We will see what happens.

[gdmoody]

I use mostly Lee dies in my RL550B, the Lee dies work as well as any of the other ones, I do not own any of the Dillon dies. The only problem you will have with the Lee dies (if you want to call it a problem) is that I find that you have to screw the dies down pretty deep into the toolhead. I see pictures of the Dillon dies that look like they are not that deep, they might even be a lot longer than Lee dies.