Dillon 550B Plate 25ACP

[kywoodwrkr]

Anyone know of a 25 ACP shellholder plate for these?
I've been reverse engineering one but not sure if it will work.
I understand that Dillon either offered or started to offer one in 25ACP but ran into problems.
I've identified a couple of them and can see why they did not continue with production.
Anyone made any other plates for the 550B?
I will have limited access to some CNC mills this next fall.
I'm conversant with MasterCam9.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Dave

[deltaenterprizes]

Have fun!

[Dale53]

kywoodwrker;
I don't envy you your task. I cannot even imagine trying to reload those (tiny size, itty bitty semi-rim, I hear howling in the back ground...

Good luck, however!

Dale53

[elk hunter]

KYWOOdWRKR,

Some where in my stuff I have a 25 acp conversion kit for the 550B. Never did use it. I could dig it out and measure the shell plate for you if you like.

[kywoodwrkr]

elk hunter,
I'd appreciate any thing you might be able to provide on this item.
I won't be back in the shop until next fall so speed is not important.
I'm going to reverse engineer a couple of other conversion units I have and see if I can break the code on them.(Will have CMM available in fall as well.)
Due to the single die holder the radius of certain points will remain constant, which may have been the problem with the 25 round as it is so small in diameter. Will have to review the expander/powder measure die as well. But that's why they call it learning I guess.[smilie=1:
Thanks for letting me know that they did make it, albeit for a very short period of time.
Let me get the basic design together and then I'll possibly be better able to ask pertinent questions.
Thanks.
Dave

[happy7]

It came with a very unusual pin, that was actually a strip of metal shaped in an arc that lined the edge of the shellplate all the way around, instead the action of a pin that just pushes it in at the actual station. I have one of these sets as well. Let me know if I can help in some way.

As far as others making these plates, I know that someone has had a bunch of plates made up for the 5.7x28 and that, although dillon does not and will not make one of these, one was offered for sale for a while by a third party.

[elk hunter]

Here are a couple of pictures of the conversion. You have a PM with dimentions.

[kywoodwrkr]

Elk Hunter and happy7,
Thank you both for the wonderful responses.
I have at this time got preliminary drawings done for the conversion unit and a fixture to hold the plate while milling.
I say preliminary because I will have to clean my 550B of smoke and etc to get some other measurements I need.
The plate itself is pretty staright forward I think
Those 'pins' are an entirely different thing.
Right now I'm thinking about taking a piece of flat brass for the wing or body and drilling a hole of correct size and press fitting a piece of round stock into it and then lightly welding the two together. Brownells silver solder might be better choice, I'll just have to experiment and see which I like best. Then design a fixture for holding while I mill it out.
I do want to say thank you once more.
First for verifying that my memory is not completely shot, and then for the excellent feedback on this.
Guess I wait till September now so I can start my milling on it.
Dave

[Echo]

Man, I do NOT envy you - reloading 25ACP's is a treat I have never experienced, and intend for it to stay that way! Like Dale53, said, itty-bitty all over the effort - itty-bitty pea-sized bullets, itty-bitty brass, itty-bitty powder charge, &cetera.

I can see it as an exercise, but for practicality, it's way down.

[gunlovingsob]

Hi, newbe here, I just read an interesting artical about loading the 25 acp and some of the problems it can present, I thought you might be interested, If you havent already read it, February's Guns&Ammo page 20

[kywoodwrkr]

Hi, newbe here, I thought you might be interested, If you havent already read it, February's Guns&Ammo page 20
Welcome and thanks for the heads up.
Am just taking a break from class work and even had the Dillon shellholder on the class computer(MasterCam) screen.
We will be doing wire EDM this semester and I want to try cutting one out.
Already have CNC mill programs in place, just need time.
Bought some plate brass to make, for the lack of correct name, indexing arms from.
Was going to EDM them but brass wire and brass-not sure of that at this time.
I am originally from IL.
Iroquois Co and later Ford Co and then Jackson for school.(SIU)
Again, welcome to the friendliest forums on the Wide World Wait, I mean Wide World Web.
And thanks for the information.
Dave

[Happyguy]

I have been using the Dillon 25 ACP conversion for about 7 years without a problem, A lot easier then a single stage. David

[lisa_wolf]

As far as others making these plates, I know that someone has had a bunch of plates made up for the 5.7x28 and that, although dillon does not and will not make one of these, one was offered for sale for a while by a third party.

Hi guys We sell the Dillon 550 shell plate for the 5.7x28mm
http://www.eliteammunition.net/reloading.html

[daved63]

I know this is an old thread, but did you have any luck with the 25 ACP shellplate?

[kywoodwrkr]

Dave,
PM answered.
Trying to put finishing touches on shell holder and rings(buttons) next week.
Expander and powder measure situation still in the air.
Looked at the 'standard' Dillon measure last night to see what if anything I can make to work in it.
ie. Like preset bar, sliding secondary bar etc. etc.

Thanks.

[elk hunter]

If I remember correctly, the conversion came with a special powder bar.

[scarry scarney]

I have a little 25 acp, dies and mold. One of these days, I need to try and load this little round. Anyone have a copy of the article gunlovingsob talked about? Find a Dillon conversion kit? I only have a single station shell holder for mine. But it do have a lathesmith sizing die for my star! I need to retire so I have some time to reload.

[kywoodwrkr]

elk hunter,
Thanks again for the valuable pictures back then.
Am going to try and utilize them to completion of this project.
Trying to scrounge up machine time, when students aren't on them to finish projects.
Actually looking good if I do say so myself.
Will attempt to use Lee disk powder measure on press.
Thanks.
Don't have article but have been reloading these for many, many years.
Have about 2-3k loaded as I peck here.
Have the Lyman SC mold in HP.

[firebrick43]

My question is why? Mother n law friend shot an intruder at point blank with her 25 acp and it just pissed him off that he raped and then nearly beat her to death. After we substituted my mother n laws 25 for a sp101 in 357 I was playing with the little gun and was stupefied on its worthlessness. I shot a rusty fire barrel (55 gallon drum) at 30 paces and just a dent? 15 paces I barely pierced it? Disgusted I walked away and shot a board on my firewood stack. The bullet bounced off and hit me in the forehead and didn't even leave a welt??

So 22lr yes, 380 yes, 32 acp eeeeee maybe, 25 acp why??????

[DukeInFlorida]

Has anyone confirmed whether the 5.7 Dillon dial plate will work with the 25 acp?
From WIKI:
Case type


Rimless (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimless), bottleneck [7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-forker2008-7)


Bullet (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet) diameter
5.7 mm (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millimeter) (0.224 in (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inch)) [7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-forker2008-7)


Neck diameter
6.35 mm (0.25 in) [8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-rodriguez2008-8)


Shoulder diameter
7.9 mm (0.311 in) [8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-rodriguez2008-8)


Base diameter
7.9 mm (0.311 in) [8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-rodriguez2008-8)


Rim diameter
7.80 mm (0.307 in)


Rim thickness
1.14 mm (0.045 in) [8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-rodriguez2008-8)


Case length
28.83 mm (1.135 in) [8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-rodriguez2008-8)


Overall length
40.50 mm (1.594 in) [8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-rodriguez2008-8)


Case capacity
0.90 cm3 (13.9 gr H2O (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grain_%28unit%29))


Rifling (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifling) twist
228.6 mm (1:9 in) [7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-forker2008-7)


Primer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primer_%28firearm%29) type
Boxer Small Rifle [7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-forker2008-7)


Maximum pressure
345.0 MPa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPa) (50,040 psi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pounds_per_square_inch)) [8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm#cite_note-rodriguez2008-8)

[Chev. William]

Dillon 550? not mine.
I use an RCBS "RC" Press with a Longer Handle to both Reload .25ACP and to Reform 5.7x28mm or .22 Hornet cases into Lengthened .25ACP/.25 Stevens parent cases.

The Main Problem I found with the .25ACP is that Development seems to have Stopped with the Cartridge with the use in short Barrel "Pocket Pistols". I have only found an early (About WW1) mention of any commercial attempts to market a Rifle in this Caliber.

John Browning designed it as an easier Feeding Cartridge than the the .22LR of the same era (1904-1908) with equivalent Ballistic performance. The .22LR has improved greatly since, but not the .25ACP. It is even Tested only in a 6" barrel! The .22LR Is tested using a 24" barrel.

Now I KNOW the case will Perform to higher Pressure loading in a SUITABLE Firearm (Don't try it in a typical Blow-Back Action Pistol) as I have fired successfully several rounds of .25ACP loaded with 3.0 to 3.1 Grains of BE-86 and a 63 grain Lead FP bullet out of a converted Ruger 'Single Eight' Revolver.
This is a compressed Load of Propellant that has a somewhat slower Burn Rate than the Typical Bullseye charges recommended.

My Revolver also has a 10-5/8" barrel on it, over 5 times the length of the typical 'Pocket Pistol" ones.
Factory .25ACP fired in the same revolver do feel 'weak' by comparison, naturally.

Anyway, my main problem reloading .25ACP is ACCURATE measurement of the Small Propellant charges (Bullseye = 1.3 to 1.4 Grains) even with a Balance Beam Scale; as its resolution is only 0.1 grain as Marked.
Doing Load Development trying to hold 0.01 grain accuracy repeatably is a problem.

At least in the Lengthened cases the total charge weight gets up to where 0.1 grain accuracy is 'good enough'.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[DukeInFlorida]

Yes, old thread, but.... I'm still pursuing this.
Kywoodwrkr has sent me a prototype dial plate and pins. Hope to be able to make that work. I'll use an extra small charge bar. However, now comes the subject of the powder funnel. Ideas?

[Chev. William]

RE: Powder "Funnel" problem.
I use an RCBS balance bean Type Powder Weighting 'scale' to measure my Charges an it has a Pan with a spout formed into it. Since I am loading on single stage press I don't experience the problems of high production progressive press Systems.

That being said:
Since I guess the Primed Case is placed in the progressive press then rotated into position to receive the powder Dispensed by an automatic measure device; the 'funnel' would need to be attached to the powder measure and the 'spout' positioned over the Center of the Case to be charged. Is therer a mechanical Linkage that moves the spout into the case mouth while the powder is flowing into the case? Or is the Spout fixed and the case raised to surround the spout?

Conceptually the 'funnel' needs to have a spout ID that is smaller than the case mouth ID by a Margin, probably more than the 'funnel' material thickness so the powder stream is smaller than the Case ID to limit the amount of spillage that may occur from slight misalignment.
The Small weight of charge is very sensitive to any 'spillage' due to the relative weight of charge.
A single piece of many powders is a significant weight compared ot a 1.00 grain intended charge weight.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Mk42gunner]

Yes, old thread, but.... I'm still pursuing this.
Kywoodwrkr has sent me a prototype dial plate and pins. Hope to be able to make that work. I'll use an extra small charge bar. However, now comes the subject of the powder funnel. Ideas?
It has been a long time since I had a 550B, but what about getting a .25 cal rifle powder die and turning it down on a lathe to resemble a Lyman M-die?

Robert

[happy7]

If you just need the powder funnel, you can use the Lee Auto Disk. Of course you will need the Lee die for powder. But Lee auto disk works very well on a 550. For small charges associated with 25 acp you will probably need the discontinued micro disk, but it is available from aftermarketers.

[DukeInFlorida]

I am adding this tread to my references regarding my 25 acp project.

[Pebbles]

Hi There

I know this is an old thread but just like the topic starter I want to load 25 acp on my Dillon 550. What I’m looking for is the following:
- either a drawing of the shellplate so I can let a milling company make it (I know one that takes small milling jobs);
- Someone who wants to sell it it and ship it to me (I live in Europe, EliteAmmunition produces one but doesn’t want to ship outside the US, they are quite formal about it);

This is purely for recreational shooting, here in Europe you can easily find curious little guns in this caliber, often well made but very old. Museum category. I don’t mind handling small components. I mind more using a progressive press than single staging it.

send me a PM if you can help.

Thanks!

[deltaenterprizes]

I use a LEE turret press to load 25ACP, a little slower but I don’t need a new of them!

[Pebbles]

That’s a viable option, thanks.
If the custom shellplate is too expensive then that is wat I may do. Then again I hoped I could stick to the few presses I already have. Buying an extra press just for my 25acp is a bit overkill.

Thanks for your input

[SOFMatchstaff]

I can help with this project, PM sent. Avoid Elite, buggerem

[Iowa Fox]

Dillon actually made a .25acp shell plate. It was shell plate i in the chart that came with my loader. I'm sure there are a few floating around.