Dillon 550b
- Thread starter cervri
- Start date
Finally bit the bullet and ordered a Dillon 550b press, should be here today..Any tips, tricks or favorite mods...I know I will love this press..Have also ordered Primer Track Bearing Plate W/Ball Bearing 4th Generation.
Have you ever loaded on a progressive press before? I wouldn't do any mods until you have some time with the press.
I have a 550 as well and haven't needed to do anything outside of basic maintenance. Only upgrade I may end up doing is the spent primer upgrade.
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The first thing I bought was an extra half dozen primer pick-up tubes of each size. That let me fill the tubes while watching TV so that chore wouldn't interrupt a loading session unless it was more extensive than usual. Extra finished cartridge bins are useful for the same reason; not having to interrupt loading flow. I got extra die heads to keep dies set up and to store them, but that's obviously a lazy man's purchase and is purely optional.
A lot of people like the ergonomic handles and the tall mounts for easier standing operation when they have a bench that is standard height. I made my benches tall, so I don't use those mounts, but that was before they were available. I might go with the mounts today, particularly the style that supports a press swap-out.
Also look at the stuff at Inline Fabrication. They are another source for a number of accessories such as the mounts and handles. Dillon sells such things as well, and you may prefer their designs, but look at the other stuff and ask the makers what the difference is before you buy. The mount is something you may decide on early because it affects the bench carving. Also, as a safety feature, consider the addition of a light to be sure you can see into the powder charge. You can improvise your own, but some kind of light for viewing the powder charge is a good idea even at the beginning.
I've never felt the extra step needed to fill a bullet tray or a case tray was particularly helpful. I've got them in boxes already and just leave those open on the bench while I'm using them.
A lot of people like the ergonomic handles and the tall mounts for easier standing operation when they have a bench that is standard height. I made my benches tall, so I don't use those mounts, but that was before they were available. I might go with the mounts today, particularly the style that supports a press swap-out.
Also look at the stuff at Inline Fabrication. They are another source for a number of accessories such as the mounts and handles. Dillon sells such things as well, and you may prefer their designs, but look at the other stuff and ask the makers what the difference is before you buy. The mount is something you may decide on early because it affects the bench carving. Also, as a safety feature, consider the addition of a light to be sure you can see into the powder charge. You can improvise your own, but some kind of light for viewing the powder charge is a good idea even at the beginning.
I've never felt the extra step needed to fill a bullet tray or a case tray was particularly helpful. I've got them in boxes already and just leave those open on the bench while I'm using them.
The bearing plate is the only up grade I have done. Read the directions for set up and read them again. Then start to set up reading the directions a third time. If you don't understand something Dillon's support is unparalleled. They can guide you through the process if needed. Take your time and all I found is the dies will need minor tweaking once you have brass in all the stations in the shell plate. Just be prepared to load 400 rounds an hour on a easy cruise once you get accustomed to the press
turtlehead
New member
Thanks for the heads up on the primer track. Ordered one today. 
You'll love the 550.
You'll love the 550.
You don't say what you are going to load on it (rifle or handgun or both). I polish the interior of the aluminum base of the powder measures. It really help improve the disbursing accuracy with the difficult powders. Lots of good articles on it out there.
I only load for handguns on mine. I run all my powder measures the old way with springs and not the fail safe rod. Works well for me, but I wouldn't do it if I was loading for rifles on it.
I only load for handguns on mine. I run all my powder measures the old way with springs and not the fail safe rod. Works well for me, but I wouldn't do it if I was loading for rifles on it.
I remove the tool head setup and with a funnel pour the powder back into the jug.
The best and only mod I've done to the 550B was placing a baby granddaughter's sock over the ball handle. That smooths out strokes and just causes the ball to glide nearly friction free. Much cheaper than a roller handle.
As was mention just use the stock 550B for awhile. I've found the stock 550B works perfectly if I just keep it clean.
The best and only mod I've done to the 550B was placing a baby granddaughter's sock over the ball handle. That smooths out strokes and just causes the ball to glide nearly friction free. Much cheaper than a roller handle.
As was mention just use the stock 550B for awhile. I've found the stock 550B works perfectly if I just keep it clean.
daboone: Do you have any trouble with the white nylon bushing that rides on the powder measure safety rod...Does it not get to the point that it does not stay in place, or does it even matter? Or take the rod loose on the other end?
OK, never mind on taking off the other end, just went out and tried it...Won't work..
OK, never mind on taking off the other end, just went out and tried it...Won't work..
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"Do you have any trouble with the white nylon bushing that rides on the powder measure safety rod...Does it not get to the point that it does not stay in place, or does it even matter? Or take the rod loose on the other end?"
No I've not had any problems with the 550B. A few operator errors because I failed to tighten the brass tipped screw or sufficiently tighten up the shell plate bolt. That was really the only learning curve I encountered.
I only use the Dillon for 223R and 7.62x39. I've loaded over 3000 223R and 1800 7.62x39 without any issues from the measure or the rod or any of its parts. I use the Lee's Auto Disk and Auto Drum with the caliber specific Lee powder dies for the 5 pistol calibers I load. I use these Lee measures and dies because I already had them and they work consistently for me.
No I've not had any problems with the 550B. A few operator errors because I failed to tighten the brass tipped screw or sufficiently tighten up the shell plate bolt. That was really the only learning curve I encountered.
I only use the Dillon for 223R and 7.62x39. I've loaded over 3000 223R and 1800 7.62x39 without any issues from the measure or the rod or any of its parts. I use the Lee's Auto Disk and Auto Drum with the caliber specific Lee powder dies for the 5 pistol calibers I load. I use these Lee measures and dies because I already had them and they work consistently for me.
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...Running stock, right out of the box except for the primer slide..I second the suggestion for the cover. I also appreciate the "end of primers" indicator. Of course you're going to want separate die holders for all the calibers you load...once you've got them set properly, you just change them out and adjust the powder drop (assuming you're loading the same sized primers).
Never saw the need to add bullet trays, roller handle, etc. I did order the "spare parts" package from Dillon, which comes in very handy if something jams or goes missing. Honestly, in 25 or 30 years, I've never had a major problem with my 550.
Never saw the need to add bullet trays, roller handle, etc. I did order the "spare parts" package from Dillon, which comes in very handy if something jams or goes missing. Honestly, in 25 or 30 years, I've never had a major problem with my 550.
turtlehead
New member
FYI. Received the primer track today and loaded a few hundred rounds. Worked great. Seems like a very good upgrade so far.