Tips and Tricks for the first session on a new rl550b

[sirAIG]

I broke down and ordered a new shiny dillon rl550b last week which will be arriving tomorrow. I prepped myself by casting a few hundred boolits and cleaning a spot on my bench. I am so excited to get the press that I thought maybe it was a good idea to post this up and ask for some tips and tricks to a loader setting up his first metallic progressive press. As far as I have read/know - it shouldnt be a difficult transition at all.

[Zymurgy50]

Keep the primer slide clean, you might have to play with the tension on the indexer a bit, and cast more boolits!
I deprime on my single stage press and clean primer pockets before the brass sees the Dillon.
When you set up the toolhead, make sure you have a case in each station when you adjust the dies.

[btroj]

Go slow, pay attention to what is happening at each step. Even run a single case thru each step one at a time. See what happens, how it feels when right, and know the problem areas.

[engineer401]

Go slow, pay attention to what is happening at each step.

This is best advice that can be offered for a manual indexing press. You don't want to double charge a cartridge. I am very happy with my 550B. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

[Daddyfixit]

Buy extra heads! ;)

[David2011]

Congrats! Mine's 22 years old and going strong. First, eliminate all distractions includng significant other, kids, pets, tv/stereo. You'll need the concentration.

I built my bench 42" tall so I didn't need strong mounts for 3 presses to get them at the correct height for me- determined by not having to bend my lower back to complete the down stroke. I prefer to load on progressives while standing but sit for single stage loading.

+1 on keeping the primer slide clean. It's the 550's Achilles heel but easily managed. Develop the feel and get used to the sounds it makes. If something changes, stop and figure out what and why. When setting up the dies, get brass in each position and tighten the locknuts on the dies with the stage in the up position and cartridges in the dies for the most precise centering. The manual says to do this but it's easily overlooked. Develop a rhythm and don't ty to go fast. Speed will develop naturally. You'll be making 400-500 per hour before you know it.

I use carbide dies and do all operations on pistol cartridges on the press. Tapered cartridges like .223 get processed, trimmed, etc. beforehand. I start with priming on the 550. If you load .45-70 or similar, treat them like pistol cartridges.

Set up a light so you can look into every cartridge before sitting a boolit on the mouth to verify that it has powder and looks to be the same amount as the others.

Have fun and enjoy!

David

[fredj338]

The 550B is a great do all press. Simple, easy to change from one caliber to another. The priming slide is the critical element to a smooth running press. Make sure it's aligned properly & keep it clean by brushing or using canned or compressed air.
Personally, I would use it as an inverted turret to start. That is load one round thru the cycle at a time, paying attention to all the steps. Then after 100rds or so, you should feel comfortable about running the press as a progressive with all stns loaded. ALWAYS visually check the powder drop before placing a bullet. I place the bullet as I advance the shell plate. It makes it almost impossible to double charge or squib.

[MrWolf]

I also deprime first with the Harvey Deprimer. Good advice above - go slow and take your time and make sure there are no distractions. Good luck

[sirAIG]

What is the Harvey deprimer?

I'm setting the beautiful blue press up now!!!

[engineer401]

I've never heard of a Harvey deprimer before either. I Googled it and found this site http://www.harveydeprimer.com/. It is a hand deprimer that looks a lot like a hand primer.

[Alvarez Kelly]

My brother uses the Harvey deprimer. He likes it a lot. He can deprime all his cases, regardless of caliber, while watching the tube. It has plenty of leverage, so his son enjoys helping out.

[engineer401]

My brother uses the Harvey deprimer. He likes it a lot. He can deprime all his cases, regardless of caliber, while watching the tube. It has plenty of leverage, so his son enjoys helping out.

Where do the spent primers go?

[KYShooter73]

Never raise the ram twice in a row. Get a bullet tray and a strong mount if you don't have them. The powder adjustment knobs are real nice too. Can never have too many tool heads. I've had mine 15 or 20 years. Only thing I modified was the used primer catcher. If you have problems with it sticking, bore out the hole a bit and replace the pin with a larger one. I dont use the priming system cause I'm anal about primer pockets and buy range brass. I like my pockets clean and any crimp removed. You will love this machine.

[Alvarez Kelly]

Where do the spent primers go?

Out the top I think. Take a look:

http://www.harveydeprimer.com/

[EDG]

You have a set of loading safety habits that will not fit the Dillon. It will be work to develop new safety habits.
You did not say if you are a pistol or rifle loader.
If you are pistol loader and use those tiny powder charges beware.
You will most likely mess up by either double charging or not charging a case.
If you double charge a case because you look away or get distracted it will disassemble your handgun.

[Alvarez Kelly]

You have a set of loading safety habits that will not fit the Dillon. It will be work to develop new safety habits.
You did not say if you are a pistol or rifle loader.
If you are pistol loader and use those tiny powder charges beware.
You will most likely mess up by either double charging or not charging a case.
If you double charge a case because you look away or get distracted it will disassemble your handgun.

I load mouse fart 38 Special loads on my Dillon 550. Never had a problem. Never had a double charge. Never had any kind of problem with the ammo my 550s produce. Why would you say such a negative thing about the OP? Why would you think he would most likely mess up?

I think he'll do just fine. All he has to do is use common sense and stay focused.

[gunlovingsob]

When you lower the handle on any dillion press there is a click by the spring on the shot and powder bar rods, the spring will snap each time because it sits a little off center, then snaps as it pops into the retainer bushing.
i used a few small pieces of electrical heatshrink tubing on the spring unell the spring is just big enough the the spring will stick inside the white spring bushing, now with the spring and bushing as one piece there is no snap snap snap.81230

[MrWolf]

Where do the spent primers go?

Falls/shoots out the top. I just place/point them in a plastic shopping bag I keep next to me. The bag catches them and keeps any dust down and away from me. I have deprimmed thousands with only having to tighten it once. I never liked the idea of depriming with my dies after seeing how much crud can still be there. I wash my cases first as there is usually sand or dirt in my pickups in a bucket to remove the worst, dry (food dehydrator) and deprime. Works for me.

[r1kk1]

I just load and keep things clean. I really like the strong mount and bought one when they first came out. A rock solid mount will end priming and powder woes. You can load 1 cartridge at a time or 4.

Take care

r1kk1

[sirAIG]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. Loaded a hundred or so real slow and taking my time. Started to get into the groove of things and noticed that I started to get primers upside down in the primer seating cup. I know for a fact I loaded all of them the proper way as I got a primer flip tray just for loading the pickup tubes. Any idea what could be causing this?

[StratsMan]

Lots of great advise so far, but I'll throw in a couple of extras...

As noted before, the primer catcher can be a pain. It pivots on a small cotter; that's the problem 'cuz it gets sticky. Drill the hole a little bigger, then put a single pin through it, not a cotter. Also, another caster suggested taking a small magnet and attaching it to the top of the swivel-part of the catcher. That provides enough weight to guarantee that the swivel drops back into position each time the tray is lowered...

If you deprime with the Dillon (ie: handgun reloads), the press WILL get dirty. Clean it frequently. Also, spent primers will sometimes disassemble when punched out, and you will have an anvil or even a whole primer get into a space where it doesn't belong. If the press doesn't seem to be working smoothly, stop and inspect thoroughly for debris in unexpected places.

Don't go too fast. Primers can jump out of the cup on the priming tool. (See above)

I have found that I need to rotate the powder canister around to find the "sweet spot" on my press. Sometimes the rod (that operates the powder throw mechanism) gets bound up and impedes the handle operation. Tweaking the position of the powder assembly on the tool head realigns the rod and removes that annoying characteristic.

When you adjust your dies, remember it's a work in progress... I set them with a single case to get close, but the shell plate will flex a little. So you gotta reset the adjustment with all stations filled, priming, seating bullets and setting the crimp. That's the only real setting that matters; when they're all doing their job, so that's what you adjust to.

If you have to stop and fix something, take any charged cases out of the press so you don't double charge. Walk them through singly to complete, or empty them and start over... Up to you... but don't raise the shell plate twice in the same position. (As stated previously)

Oh yeah... get more toolheads...

[StratsMan]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. Loaded a hundred or so real slow and taking my time. Started to get into the groove of things and noticed that I started to get primers upside down in the primer seating cup. I know for a fact I loaded all of them the proper way as I got a primer flip tray just for loading the pickup tubes. Any idea what could be causing this?

Cycle it without any brass in there... are they upside down when they present??? Every one of them???

Simple, I know... if it's occasional, then I'd say you don't have the primer cup centered under the shellplate... If the spring-loaded edge of the cup catches just a bit, it can flip the primer over before it's seated...

[sirAIG]

I took a lot of time to set the primer cup so it was centered... I do not believe that is the issue, and it isnt every time. Maybe 5-10% of the time? Over 100 rounds I found ~5-10.

[7of7]

My experience with the 550B..
I have replaced the toolhead locator pins with some screws. The toolheads are now threaded. I have opened the top holes in the press to allow the screws just barely pass through. This really wasn't much larger than the original pins. What this does for me, is it locks the toolhead in place so my OAL is consistant from the first round through, to the last round. Granted, this isn't a huge issue for most. I just didn't like the differences between the first and the last of a run.
I align the powder safety rod, to be as nearly verticle as possible. Primer setup, this takes a bit of time. What I do, is loosen the two bolts on the primer assembly, hold the shellplate platform down compressing the spring on the primer cup, then tighten the screws while holding pressure on the primer cup. This centers it initially, I then will raise and lower the shellplate platform and watch/feel for any type of resistance or contact. Since doing this, I haven't had any flipped primers. (I also do quite a bit of hand priming too, because I can do that while watching a movie.)
Don't bother with ordering just the toolheads, order the Deluxe Quick Change Assembly. It includes the powder measure,toolhead, and stand. (I use my 550 to load .223, 38/357, 45acp, 30 carbine, 30-30, and 30.06) It makes things really easy to be able to just switch toolheads, and verify powder charges. (especially if you hand prime your brass, then you don't need to mess with the primer feed)
I love my 550B, and use it quite a bit.
Also, if you have to stop mid run, leave the ram in the up position. It makes it more difficult to double charge a round if you do this.

[seanhagerty]

Set the bullet in the newly charged case before you advance the shell plate. This will stop powder from being thrown out when it advances to the next station. The dentent ball and spring are strong enough to bounce powder out of the charged case.

[mulespurs]

I think that you can flip the primers as you rotate the shellplate if you try to index said shell plate before you let the ram return to what I would call normal operating level. When you index the shell plate make sure that you have no pressure on your handle. If you have not allowed the shellplate to get to it's normal level you can catch the edge of the primer and cause grief.
I would certainly take a flashlight and tooth brush or compressed air and clean the primer slide area just one more time.
Also run a bore cleaning brush or bore snake thru your primer tubes to remove any trace of burrs or other corruption.
Make sure that the small cotter pin on the primer catcher is straight so the primer catcher door swivel effortlessly.
Google brian enos forums on 550's
It will run perfectly if you do you part, or Dillon will fix, that woulb be my bet.
Let us know what you find out

[warf73]

I think that you can flip the primers as you rotate the shellplate if you try to index said shell plate before you let the ram return to what I would call normal operating level. When you index the shell plate make sure that you have no pressure on your handle. If you have not allowed the shellplate to get to it's normal level you can catch the edge of the primer and cause grief.
You deprime/size with the handle down, bring the ram down/handle up and push the handle forward and it primes the case, THEN you rotate the shellplate. There is NEVER a primer in the cup during the rotation of the shellplate.


I would give the priming system a good cleaning and try again. IF you didn't flip some over by accident while loading up the tube then it’s when the cup receives the primer.

Something’s to look for:

The feeder tube could be burgered up (the plastic tip) some look it over close.
Primer tube isn't seated in the priming system and that would cause some issue.
Also this might sound silly but make sure if you are using small primers that you have the small tube in the priming system.
Just make sure everything is seated right, the proper primer tube is in place when you put it back together.

[EDG]

Because ALL off the handgun kabooms that I have ran into originated with someone using a progressive and most of those progressives were the 450 and 550 Dillons.

Using common sense and staying focused works fine until it doesn't. If you get interrupted or tired you can easily make a mistake and it only takes one to destroy a pistol.


I load mouse fart 38 Special loads on my Dillon 550. Never had a problem. Never had a double charge. Never had any kind of problem with the ammo my 550s produce. Why would you say such a negative thing about the OP? Why would you think he would most likely mess up?

I think he'll do just fine. All he has to do is use common sense and stay focused.

[Alvarez Kelly]

Now I know what the ignore feature is for. EDG knows that the OP doesn't have proper safety habits...

I wish I was clairvoyant.

Ignore on!

[r1kk1]

Because ALL off the handgun kabooms that I have ran into originated with someone using a progressive and most of those progressives were the 450 and 550 Dillons.

Using common sense and staying focused works fine until it doesn't. If you get interrupted or tired you can easily make a mistake and it only takes one to destroy a pistol.

This thread hit rock bottom. No press is going to cause anything. I have witnessed as a RSO two destructions - both were with single stages and a double charge of pistol powder in a military rifle. The problem? The operator. Your logic is faulty. I guess guns kill people by themselves. I guess alcohol and drugs are the responsible party for fatal vehicle accidents - not the operator.

Rock bottom. No one person to take responsiblity for quality control but lets blame equipment.

Stay tune next week for, "My decapping die removed all my primers in loaded ammunition when left by itself."

Where is the ignore button?

r1kk1

[NWFLYJ]

Caution soapbox:

Loading on a 550 involves manual indexing. If you do not index it (first requirement of a double charge) you will also put two empty casings in station 1, and you will put two projectiles in the case at station 3. The same argument carries over to guns kill people, no they don't, guns are machines as are cars as are Dillon 550's. The killer 550 has it fair share of threads here as does the Glock not being able to shoot lead. Hogg wash. Mark

[flintlock62]

You'll have to excuse me because I'm new to this forum. Killer 550B's? I've had my 550 for 20 years, and it hasn't tried to kill me even once. What is the alleged problem?


Caution soapbox:

Loading on a 550 involves manual indexing. If you do not index it (first requirement of a double charge) you will also put two empty casings in station 1, and you will put two projectiles in the case at station 3. The same argument carries over to guns kill people, no they don't, guns are machines as are cars as are Dillon 550's. The killer 550 has it fair share of threads here as does the Glock not being able to shoot lead. Hogg wash. Mark

[NWFLYJ]

There is no such thing as a killer dillon 550, I was exaggerating. The alleged problem is the operator of a 550 blowing up guns. Mark

[NWFLYJ]

Because ALL off the handgun kabooms that I have ran into originated with someone using a progressive and most of those progressives were the 450 and 550 Dillons.

Using common sense and staying focused works fine until it doesn't. If you get interrupted or tired you can easily make a mistake and it only takes one to destroy a pistol.

"Hand gun kabooms" caused by the "killer 550" :-\

[EDG]

No a press does not cause the problem but someone used to single stage equipment can easily double charge a case with a progressive. The OP asked for tips and that is most important tip I know.
It makes no difference who you assign the blame to. You are talking about a mistake that can result in a permanent loss of a firearm and potential personal danger. By reloading the OP has already accepted responsibility for that. His question appears to be well intentioned to avoid problems.

There is nothing wrong with my logic but it appears that you need some help.
Rock bottom - quality control as most people understand it is a joke. Quality control is appraisal after the fact. Quality control functions can also make mistakes just like any other manufacturing process. If your process and work habits are faulty you will produce bad product and some of it may get through appraisal after the fact. That includes double charges that can destroy a gun.

The truth - process control is the answer. Control the process correctly through a carefully planned sequence of events, tooling and good work habits and you will not make mistakes.

Process control is how real manufacturing is controlled. You can look it up.



This thread hit rock bottom. No press is going to cause anything. I have witnessed as a RSO two destructions - both were with single stages and a double charge of pistol powder in a military rifle. The problem? The operator. Your logic is faulty. I guess guns kill people by themselves. I guess alcohol and drugs are the responsible party for fatal vehicle accidents - not the operator.

Rock bottom. No one person to take responsiblity for quality control but lets blame equipment.

Stay tune next week for, "My decapping die removed all my primers in loaded ammunition when left by itself."

Where is the ignore button?

r1kk1

[sirAIG]

You deprime/size with the handle down, bring the ram down/handle up and push the handle forward and it primes the case, THEN you rotate the shellplate. There is NEVER a primer in the cup during the rotation of the shellplate.


I would give the priming system a good cleaning and try again. IF you didn't flip some over by accident while loading up the tube then it’s when the cup receives the primer.

Something’s to look for:

The feeder tube could be burgered up (the plastic tip) some look it over close.
Primer tube isn't seated in the priming system and that would cause some issue.
Also this might sound silly but make sure if you are using small primers that you have the small tube in the priming system.
Just make sure everything is seated right, the proper primer tube is in place when you put it back together.

Well, This is embarrassing - but hey, you gotta learn somehow!

I never changed over the larger primer tube once setting up the press for 40sw (SPP). DOH!! Running FLAWLESSLY now!

[NWFLYJ]

Good to here. Glad it is going good for you!

[flintlock62]

Are you letting go of the handle, and letting the press snap back into position? The jarring force could cause your primers to flip.


Thanks for all the tips everyone. Loaded a hundred or so real slow and taking my time. Started to get into the groove of things and noticed that I started to get primers upside down in the primer seating cup. I know for a fact I loaded all of them the proper way as I got a primer flip tray just for loading the pickup tubes. Any idea what could be causing this?

[warf73]

Well, This is embarrassing - but hey, you gotta learn somehow!

I never changed over the larger primer tube once setting up the press for 40sw (SPP). DOH!! Running FLAWLESSLY now!

HEHE it happens, glad my tip helped you out.

[Gunslinger1911]

Well, This is embarrassing - but hey, you gotta learn somehow!

I never changed over the larger primer tube once setting up the press for 40sw (SPP). DOH!! Running FLAWLESSLY now!

I did the same thing one time - I put a big "S" and "L" on the ends of the primer slide facing me with white paint.

[tengaugetx]

My suggeston would be to index the press immediately after you push the handle forward to prime. If there are any problems to address, I make sure the press has been indexed before I do anything.
I double charged a couple 38spl rounds when I first started using my 550. It is very easy to do, especially when just starting/learning to use the 550. I was only using 3.4gr of bullseye. It was very distinguishable from both the recoil and the report. I'm glad I was shooting my Smith 686 and not a cheap 38 like my Rossi M68. I'm almost sure it happened when I was fooling with a case that did not prime properly.

I have ended up getting a quick change kit for the calibers I load the most.

[StratsMan]

Well, This is embarrassing - but hey, you gotta learn somehow!

I never changed over the larger primer tube once setting up the press for 40sw (SPP). DOH!! Running FLAWLESSLY now!

That thought just came to mind as I was re-reading this thread... :groner: Of COURSE... the primer tube... I'll wager more guys have learned that lesson the hard way than are willing to admit... [smilie=1:

[btreanor]

Here is my verbal, out-loud procedure for using this press:

1. Check (powder in case)
2. Turn (index)
3. Bullet (on charged case)
3. Case (put case below sizing/decapping die)

[ROGER4314]

I've been using Dillon presses for a long time so thankfully, errors are few. If I had to pick ONE error that happens more often , it would be failure to seat the primer. That error, coupled with mechanical failures to feed primers, (when the primer refuses to get into position), makes this my number one issue.

Look for powder flakes on the shellplate and on the primer seater. If you see powder present, stop immediately, find the un-primered round and blow powder off of the shell plate. Powder flakes on the primer seat plug will dent the primers, too.

I tried two different versions of the low or high powder sensor dies and found that they retained powder flakes then deposited the flakes on the shell plate. Instead, I mount a mirror so I can visually inspect the powder charge. On rifle rounds, it's hard to see the powder charge so I set "Tare" weight on the scale and check the loaded rounds for consistency. It works very quickly and the number of rounds to check is lower.

To do this, take one loaded round, place it on the scale and set "tare". Check each round against that sample round and if you find one reading "-5 grains" or similar, you have a short charge. When you find a -5 there will likely be a +5 in the same batch.

Flash

[hicard]

Might be debris in the primer cup. I use an old toothbrush to clean it often as I go.

[MrWolf]

Careful with the tare weight as I have found variations even with the same headstamps. I will weigh each cartridge and set tare. Just an observation.

[ROGER4314]

In my reloading room, I have a small Campbell Hausfeld air compressor. It is very small and I keep it aired up 24/7. I few puffs of air cleans off any power flakes. As stated earlier, powder flakes will dent the new primers.

Flash

[David2011]

Over the last couple of weeks I've introduced a buddy to progressive loading .223 on my 550. He's been loading for about 15 years, has been using a Forster Co-ax and shoots 1000 yd so knows what he's doing with a single stage press. It's been eye-opening to teach and observe him getting up to speed on the 550. Having used this press for over 20 years, it's second nature to me. He's much more comfortable after 500 rounds than he was initially but still proceeds very cautiously. This has given me renewed respect for the huge change in going from a single stage to a progressive press. In this case, the cases are already sized and prepped so he's just priming, charging and seating the bullet. I fully respect his caution and we've worked together to develop good safety habits as he learns progressive loading. Although he's still loading slowly by Dillon capability, he is blown away by how much faster he's loading than he was on the Co-ax. He's loading plinking ammo and doesn't expect it to perform like his long range ammo but we have both been pleased at how consistently the stick powders he prefers meter in the Dillon measure.

A .223 conversion kit and small rifle casefeed plate for the 650 will be on the way soon. I think it will make it easier and faster for both of us to not have to handle the cases. He hasn't loaded pistol on the 650 yet. That will no doubt put an ear-to-ear grin on his face.

David