Decided it was time to upgrade my press......

[bkincaid]

Well, today I finally decided it was time to take a leap, so I broke out the plastic and bit the bullet and ordered a Dillon RL 550B with the accessories "as it should be" and a few others from Brian Enos' site. Up to this point, all of my reloading for metallic cartridges has always been on single stage presses. I have been using my MEC 9000G since they first came out for shotshells, so I am not totally green (read dumb) with regards to the processes of progressive types of presses.

I've been reading all I could find on this site and many others, it seems like the RL 550B will fill my needs quite nicely. Out of the gate, I will only be loading 9mm, to the tune of only about 2k rounds per month, but maybe later 40 S&W and 45 ACP, time will tell.

I have a question for those that use the RL 550B, are there any quirks/issues/problems can I expect to encounter?...are there any tips to save me adding anymore gray hair?... or just any tips in general???

Thanks,
Bryan

[spqrzilla]

You can't say anything about the powder measure that hasn't already been cussed ... err, said.

[Great-Kazoo]

The 550 is a turn key operation. between enos , dillon, here and other reloading forums, you're GTG. The only issue i have with the 550, is not being able to use a case feeder w/out a moderate amount of fabrication, IF you choose to load 223.

If you approach the 550 like a single stage, with the luxury of not having to change out dies for each step, you will have it down by end of the day.

[Great-Kazoo]

You can't say anything about the powder measure that hasn't already been cussed ... err, said.

I use the unique tek powder bars.
The issue with the powder measure body / housing. I disassembled one to see why there was powder spillage. If you look down the powder measure body, tube to body fitment is where an issue lies. They pressed the tube in to the body, BUT the tube is not chamfered. This causes some powder to be caught between the tube and body. IF the tube was chamfered and not flat, it might resolve one small issue.

[sellersm]

Keep the primer slider mechanism clean! It's a great press. Enjoy!


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[Danimal]

Keep the primer slider mechanism clean! It's a great press. Enjoy!


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This is the only thing that I have problems with. Every third round or so I drive the primer mechanism up while it is empty and make sure there is nothing stuck to it. Somehow powder, or random bits of media or brass get in there and every primer afterwords looks like hell. Dents the crap out of them. I don't think that it has ever effected the function of the rounds, but I am just not a fan of smashing up primers.

Other than that I have had absolutely zero problems with mine in probably about 15,000 rounds. Take your time setting everything up and you are good to go from there on out. I can swap between calibers in about 10 min and be up and running cranking out spot on rounds.

[Great-Kazoo]

This is the only thing that I have problems with. Every third round or so I drive the primer mechanism up while it is empty and make sure there is nothing stuck to it. Somehow powder, or random bits of media or brass get in there and every primer afterwords looks like hell. Dents the crap out of them. I don't think that it has ever effected the function of the rounds, but I am just not a fan of smashing up primers.

Other than that I have had absolutely zero problems with mine in probably about 15,000 rounds. Take your time setting everything up and you are good to go from there on out. I can swap between calibers in about 10 min and be up and running cranking out spot on rounds.

you have this on your bench?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Compressed-Gas-Duster/23877617?action=product_interest&action_type=image&placement_id=irs_middle&strategy=TIC&visitor_id=58534260232&category=0%3A3944%3A546952%3A1070964%3A1072399&client_guid=f994a576-bf37-4167-b1a6-c81b9418984f&config_id=0&parent_item_id=31404153&guid=c1666390-7d6a-44dc-87af-fa1ad8bc1413&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n

[Hoser]

Speaking of Dillon measures...

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/4606-Dillon-Powder-Measure-Tips?p=58216&viewfull=1#post58216

I have done this to every Dillon measure I own (about a dozen) and they are much more consistent than they were. All powders from Varget to N310 to 231 meter much better.

[sellersm]

Speaking of Dillon measures...

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/4606-Dillon-Powder-Measure-Tips?p=58216&viewfull=1#post58216

I have done this to every Dillon measure I own (about a dozen) and they are much more consistent than they were. All powders from Varget to N310 to 231 meter much better.

Not to derail, but how in the world do you get the plastic hopper off? It seems it's glued on! I swear it's gonna crack into a zillion pieces if I try any harder to remove it (and yes, the screws are out of it)!!?!?!

[Danimal]

you have this on your bench?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Compressed-Gas-Duster/23877617?action=product_interest&action_type=image&placement_id=irs_middle&strategy=TIC&visitor_id=58534260232&category=0%3A3944%3A546952%3A1070964%3A1072399&client_guid=f994a576-bf37-4167-b1a6-c81b9418984f&config_id=0&parent_item_id=31404153&guid=c1666390-7d6a-44dc-87af-fa1ad8bc1413&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n

I do have some, and it works well. But I just turn the base and before I put another piece of brass in I drive the handle forward and give the primer ram a quick wipe with my finger even if it looks clean. It only takes a second, then I slide in a piece of brass and keep truckin. I just wanted to stress this to a new dillon owner because I was pretty disappointed when I cranked out my first 100 rounds and the primers were all smashed up because a piece of polishing media had found its way out of a piece of brass and onto the primer cup.

Also, Hoser that is a great idea. I am going to do that right now. I don't know how I missed that thread. Actually yes I do, its from 2006.

[bkincaid]

Thanks for the tips so far guys, it is much appreciated.

[Great-Kazoo]

Not to derail, but how in the world do you get the plastic hopper off? It seems it's glued on! I swear it's gonna crack into a zillion pieces if I try any harder to remove it (and yes, the screws are out of it)!!?!?!

Is your's a new or older powder measure. the one i had on a 45o upgrade looked like it has a thin layer of silicone between the 2 pcs.

[sellersm]

Is your's a new or older powder measure. the one i had on a 45o upgrade looked like it has a thin layer of silicone between the 2 pcs.

New. It does seem as though there's some 'adhesive' or similar on it. I'm thinking that I need to apply a little heat to it and see if it breaks free...

[Hoser]

Not to derail, but how in the world do you get the plastic hopper off? It seems it's glued on! I swear it's gonna crack into a zillion pieces if I try any harder to remove it (and yes, the screws are out of it)!!?!?!

Gently pry it off with a screw driver.

I had to break off my older hoppers, order new ones from Dillon and drill holes.

[sellersm]

Gently pry it off with a screw driver.

I had to break off my older hoppers, order new ones from Dillon and drill holes.

Will give it a try, thanks! Now back to the OP...

[Great-Kazoo]

Gently pry it off with a screw driver.

I had to break off my older hoppers, order new ones from Dillon and drill holes.

You had to order one? Figured there was a case of spare parts in your storage area ;)

[Hoser]

You had to order one? Figured there was a case of spare parts in your storage area

Ordered and paid for new ones even though they were going to send them out for free. I told them I broke them prying them off knowing they were going to break. Had to insist I was going to pay.

The only part I have a spare of is a 1050 lower link arm. Broke one and figured I might need a spare. Pricey little buggers.

[bkincaid]

Speaking of Dillon measures...

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/4606-Dillon-Powder-Measure-Tips?p=58216&viewfull=1#post58216

I have done this to every Dillon measure I own (about a dozen) and they are much more consistent than they were. All powders from Varget to N310 to 231 meter much better.

Thanks for that tip Hoser.

I got the powder bowl all polished up today and put the machine together. Going to go try to get some geese tomorrow, so hopefully Sunday I'll be able to get dies adjusted and some rounds loaded .

[bkincaid]

Got the machine setup this morning and loaded 100 rounds, I am a happy camper:).
My only regret with this machine, is not getting one years earlier.