Dillon RL550B

[technojock]

I have a 550B that hasn't been set up for at least the last 2 moves and maybe 15 years. I see that the 550B is now an obsolete model and I don't see anything about upgrade parts on the Dillon site. Anybody know what's changed and if I should be concerned?

I built a new bench for it and I hope to get it set up again sometime soon.


Tony

[Bronco72]

I have had a 550B for years! Still use it and do not feel like I am missing anything

[Big Wes]

Likewise what Bronco72 said!

[sigep1764]

The new model is the 550C. All upgrades fit onto the B model. They changed the lower handle pivot points with greasable zerks and a few bobs here and there, nothing major changed. Order any replacement part for the 550B as if it were a 550C.

[tunnug]

I finally went blue when I found a great deal and had the cash, then found a second one, been using them without problems, found out they're the older ones, I had to get some parts for the second one and didn't have to know what upgrade it was, just 550, great machines but wow, pricey parts.

[G W Wade]

I have 2 550's and do not feel shorted having older models. Prefer them over others mostly for cheaper conversions and just appreciate their simpliciity. GW

[max it]

jock, just ignore it. imho.
I have a 450 now, had a 550-B traded it off. The RL450 has been upgraded twice. I am fine with it. Granted I can't switch tool heads. But I mostly load 9mm, and may occasionally do 223. all others I am doing on other simpler presses because I don't shoot enough of them to bother getting conversion kits: 38, 45, .357, etc.
your situation seems a bit different;
It was easy enough to change the primer parts to 550 style, and the hopper.

[Baltimoreed]

Have been running 2 gifted 550Bs for years. Haven’t had to do anything much to them other than clean things once in a while. Keep a toothbrush handy. Use them for 45colt, 45ar and 45acp.

[hermans]

Have been using my 550B for many years loading 9mm, 45acp and 223, never thought that that I need any "more" in that configuration.

[jmorris]

The 550c doesn't do anything a B cannot. The C had threaded upper pivots, some groves and zerk fittings, the B has a heavier frame.

See figure 8 page 8 in the B manual.

https://www.dillonprecision.com/medi...al-english.pdf

vs the top left photo on page 14 of the C manual. Look at the front part of the "O" on them. The B is solid, the C is not.

https://www.dillonprecision.com/medi...al-english.pdf

[Codger2]

my 550 was used ;but they still supplied a complete new powder dispenser when the arm broke, no charge.
same with the ramp cases; slide into the loading plate. best warranty. Easy to deal with...

[Ken 45LC]

Dillon used to sell an upgrade kit for the “B”, I think it was a new frame and pins for around $175 I believe. Not sure if they still offer it, but I would never spend that for it.(I think there was a YouTube video on it) I’m happy with mine and can lube my pins every few years and save my money for primers.

[45DUDE]

The C has oil holes. I have 2 550b's and a 550c. I use the 550c like a 550b. Clean the ram good before use or the ram will scratch. I bought my C used and spent a few hours cleaning. Frames size looks the same to me other than a place to hook up a powder index which I removed. I bought my first one in the early 80's and they still work like new.

[technojock]

Thanx guys. I boxed up my RL550B when I got married and moved 15 or so years ago. I've since moved again and the 550B is still boxed up. I'm hoping it's still all there and when I go to set it up again (hopefully) soon...

BTW, when I bought my M1911, I also bought a box of 500 cast 200g boolits. Working with a single stage press, it took me more than a year to load up all those along with other boolits I bought along the way. The next box of 500 cast slugs took me a little over a month to load the same way.

After getting a pretty good paying job I bought my RL550B from long gone and much missed "3 Bears" gun shop. At the time I could only afford 1 tool head and 2 caliber kits. Anyway while learning how to use it, I loaded 500 rounds over a weekend. That was the last time I really paid attention to how many rounds a day I could produce...

Tony

[Kevin Rohrer]

Too many are concerned about having the newest/shiniest model rather than just using it. I used one for >30-years and only replaced it w/ a 650 after the 550 wore-out. I reload too much to do without a (semi)progressive press for the time it would take Dillon to rebuild it.