Ready to go Blue

[FUBAR 6]

I'll trade one 550 for a Hollywood Senior Turret anytime....

[Alvarez Kelly]

I'll trade one 550 for a Hollywood Senior Turret anytime....

LOL. Yeh... so would anyone else who understood the value of each.

I have 2 550s side by side on the bench. One set up for large primers, the other set up for small primers. Just because I like it that way. Oh, and I also have a few Square Deals. Great little presses...

I do have a Hollywood turret press. I know it is NOT the Senior turret... but once I figure out what it is (I think it's a Universal), I may sell it and buy a Dillon 1050. I miss the one I sold...

Dillon presses are fast, reliable, etc..., but they are not for everyone. Stuff happens sometimes. Once you learn the various idiosyncrasies, they are GREAT! I can't think of any press I would rather crank out a 1000 rounds with in 1 sitting.

To the OP, don't let the few nay sayers worry you. If you ever have a problem with a Dillon, there is always technical help available both here and at Dillon. You will love your new press.

[wrench man]

The few problems I've had with my 550B have been fixed by reading the directions, they can be tricky to set up, but once they are it's ROCK'N ROLL TIME!

[runfiverun]

the 650's primer feed is it's achilles heel.
if you have a problem with one just call them.
i need to go down and look at my dad's primer feed on his 650.
i have two 550's, and a 450 i am gonna upgrade again and this time leave it set up and not buy another frame, really i am, for sure this time.
don't know what i am gonna do with the other 2 550's and my pops 650 when he quits using them and gives them to me.
or a third ponsess...

[jmorris]

you be sorry they are not what they say. I would sell my 650 but would have to take a BIG loss

No you don't. What would you like instead? An RCBS, Hornady LNL, how about two Lee's? I will trade you any of the above for your 650.

+1 to Parrott1969 here Ar CB, he has the best deals that I have seen.

[r1kk1]

I have close to 20 conversions for my 550. Need to pick up another one in 327 Fed. At the end of this month my wife and I are returning home for a week.

We have to load:

327 Federal
9 mm
Maybe 38 Spl
44-40
44 Spl
45 LC

It won't take anytime at all to do.

I may to have to check on 270, 30-06, 45-70 and 32 Win Spl.

You can strip a 550 done and use it has a turret press, or run it as a semi progressive. Two things you need for any of these types of presses: a solid bench (no flex) and keep things clean.

I rarely use Dillons customer service. I really couldn't tell how how many loads have been through this press. I can't comment on the 650 or 1050. Mine I bought in late 80s after youngest one was born. Don't remember the date I bought it. It just works. If it doesn't, it doesn't stay on my bench, period.

I have five presses right now:

A CH4D Champion press for single stage work
A 550 for bulk duties
A Ponsness Warren 375c model for 10-410 work and very easy to change tool heads on
A K&M arbor press for target duties
A Lee knuckle buster hand press for field and bench work

One thing about Dillon. If your not happy with it, it will sell fast. Used Dillons don't sit. I don't know what the fuss is about priming changes on the 550. I just RTFM and do it. Not much to a shuttle bar system. Not as nice as the strip system on the RCBS 2000 either.

Keep things mounted strong and keep things clean. It really helps.

Take care

r1kk1

[Dan Cash]

Too many people get the idea that a Dillon 550 with one tool head and one powder measure should do it all and go from .380 ACP to .45-70 in 5 minutes. Well, it is not going to do it nor will any other press given those constraints. It is designed to have a tool head set up for each caliber and ideally, a dedicated powder measure for each. Adjusting any press for a caliber change is time consuming and for the ham fisted, very frustrating. Having two Dillon 550s for about 30 years and having loaded many thousands of rounds on them with efficiency and satisfaction, I can heartily recommend them for their intended purpose.

[Love Life]

What part of a Dillon RL550B is hard to set up? The hardest part for me was opening the box it came in. If you can read instructions, then you can set up and operate a RL550. Give the RL550 a shot, because if you don't you are going to use a buddy's machine and then kick yourself in the butt for not buying a Dillon.

Agree with above. Tool heads are cheap enough so get one for each caliber. Also the lee auto-disk pwder measure works on the Dillon 550

[r1kk1]

It is designed to have a tool head set up for each caliber and ideally, a dedicated powder measure for .

I have four dillon measures - xsmall bar in one, sm, lg, and xlg. I use the sm and lg the most. Not so much for the other two bars. Two Allen heads move the measures from on head to another. I have separate tool heads for each caliber but quit a few conversion plates fit several calibers as well as powder funnels.

Not knocking your post just reinforcing it.

Take care

r1kk1

[giddyupgo55]

I have a 650 and have had only one problem with it, and Dillon replaced the part. I have set up all calibers that I load on there own tool head, so there is no need to adjust anything as long as I don't change anything( not counting shell plates).
Switching from small primer to large primer takes a little time, but for me is easy. It comes down to what you want. I did have a 550 but sold it because I didn't want to have to different styles of tool heads and I like the auto advance of the 650. Just my 2 cents

[Longwood]

Does anyone know if Dillion has a dealer e.g. Midway usa? I have looked on all of the sites I'm familiar with..Midway, Cheaper Than Dirt and Able Ammo as well as doing a google search. So far I haven't found anything.

My hope was to find a dealer and find the product a little cheaper than purchasing directly from the Dillion site. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Last time I heard Dillon was not willing to share.
I bought a 450 in about 1980 from a dealer just before they decided they wanted ALL of the money.
The price did go down a tiny amount but it sure gave me a bad attitude about Dillon.

[Geraldo]

Like Alvarez Kelly I run two 550B presses, one large primer, one small. It's not really necessary though. When I just had one, I would load .45acp, .44mag, etc, then when I switched the primer assembly I loaded .357 and 9mm for a while.

Every machine requires set up time. Way back when I worked for my uncle, lathes and mills didn't set themselves up to run parts and neither do presses and dies.

Every machine also has different potential problems and quirks no matter what color it is. If you're not into set up, maintenance, or trouble shooting you might be someone who needs to stick to single stage reloading or factory ammo.

For the OP, check this link of Enos's. It will tell you how to mix and match conversions:
http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillo...onv.chart.html

[Kevin Rohrer]

I do have a Hollywood turret press. I know it is NOT the Senior turret... but once I figure out what it is (I think it's a Universal), I may sell it and buy a Dillon 1050. I miss the one I sold...

Post a pic or two here and we will ID it for you and give you a sale value.

[Kevin Rohrer]

Having owned both a 550 and a 650, the 550 is a better value and easier to setup and change calibers.

[FUBAR 6]

"I do have a Hollywood turret press. I know it is NOT the Senior turret... but once I figure out what it is (I think it's a Universal), I may sell it and buy a Dillon 1050. I miss the one I sold..."

I'll also trade one of my 550's for most Hollywood Turrets, just let me know which one you have.

[Daddyfixit]

I've had my 550 for over 30 years, no regrets or problems. Got extra tool heads for caliber changes (time saver). Takes me 5 or 6 minutes to change from small to large primers. Complete caliber change 15 mins or so.. Might annoy me if I was loading one box each of 5 different sizes in one night...but I've never had to do that.
I got another 550 so now I don't have to change primer set ups, but that's NOT why I got the other unit, It came with many extras so I couldn't pass it up!

[FISH4BUGS]

My customer number is 19XX with Dillon. I have been a customer so long I don't even remember. I bought my press as a 450, upgraded it to a 550, upgraded that to a 550b and have loaded countless thousands of rounds with it. I shoot submachineguns (9mm, 45 and 380 - all cast except for supressor use) and full auto 223 and 308. I certainly can go through tons of ammo.
The key is getting set up and running one or two thousand rounds through it. Change caliber and do another two thousand. Changing primers is a non issue with those kinds of runs. Tool heads with pre set dies are most helpful. Get extra powder measures and put them on the tool heads.
The Dillon has been rebuilt a number of times and has been perfect in all respects. Yes, it takes a few minutes to change out the primers. So what? I spend more time messing with the powder measure getting it just right.
The Dillon no BS warranty is truly that....no BS. I have offered to pay for things that they said "...no deal....its on us".
You get what you pay for. Quality is quality. There is no mistaking it.

[dauntlessdave]

You get what you pay for. Quality is quality. There is no mistaking it.

Amen to that. Love my two 550's and two square deals.

+1 for Brian Enos............he's fair and he'll set you up right. Shipping is on him if the cost exceeds $400........that's a very big plus!

[hiram1]

dillon IS NEXT TO NONE.best i ever had and i have 2 of them.will hand them down to my grand kids.

[engineer401]

Buying a Dillon 550 was one of the best investments I've made. The primer seater took some minor adjustment at first now runs flawlessly. I've purchased aftermarket improvements such as one-piece powder adjustment bolt and a plate bearing assembly. They are both improvements to an already well designed machine. We stopped by the factory when on vacation in AZ. they were helpful and showed us around. Great people. I purchased more add on items such as the tools, holder and the strong mount. Before purchasing, also I researched the RCBS and Hornady then settled on the 550. It was actually a difficult decision. The Hornady LNL is a good looking loader. However, I made the right for me.