25 Years with my Dillon 550B

Boomer686

Boomer686

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So this month marks 25 years since I started reloading metallic cartridges. I started with "a new to me" Dillon 550 B with all the bells and whistles available at that time (including an auotmatic counter) and some reloading supplies from the original owner for $500. To date I have logged a total of 156 950 rounds of ammo thru it from 9mm to 338LM and it still runs like a top! The machine has had one bushing replaced on the cross pin where the handle attaches which was supplied free from Dillon. Regular cleaning and maintenace has kept it humming along like ... well like a well oiled machine lol! No idea how many rounds the original owner ran thru it however he was a very active pistol shooter at one point.

I have learned a lot in my reloading endeavour and can say I find it somewhat theraputic as a hobby. Thankfully I have never had any mishaps and have experienced only two squib loads and one stuck case (my first time reloading .338LM) in all the rounds I have cranked out. Maybe I have been lucky but I am always careful and mindful of what I am at. I am looking forward to teaching my kids the joys of reloading when they get a little older as they already help with passing boolits or brass and ocassionally trying to cycle the machine.

In any case here's to another 25 years with my trusty Dillon.
 
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Boomer686: My experience with the Dillon 550B is very much a reflection of your own. If memory serves, I bought the press new (plus a bunch of additional stuff, like tool heads, etc. ), sometime around 1984-1985. I hadn't really gotten into volume shooting at the time, so hadn't had the itch, until then. So, was content with my RCBS Rockchucker, for rifle shooting. A whole bunch of years later and, far too many shots down the pipe to remember how many rounds of all calibers loaded on that press but; mine is still running like a champ. Not only pistol rounds, but a plethora of rifle rounds too, up to and including: 458 Win Mag...... Up to a point. Ran out of room trying to seat the 500 grain bullet! Aside from regular maintenance, not a single problem, in all these years.
 
I got my 550 in 1985.. Updated the ram pin to grease fitting . A free mod. Thats it. Best investment ever. Started ipsc in 1990 and reloaded thousand and thousand of .45 acp and 9 x 21. Still in use today for rifle round. Got a 650 5 years ago for reloading pistol at a faster pace. For me Dillon is the best piece of equipment there is.
 
Makes you wonder how many rounds you cranked out over 25 years.... or even better imagine THOUSANDS of dollars you saved
 
That's really impressive to have tracked that many rounds. I have a square deal at the moment in 9mm and it will never leave my bench. The 550 is next for me as I don't shoot enough volume to warrant a 650.....yet.
 
And to add.. as mentioned thats only what I tracked: unsure how many the previous owner had and he was an avid pistol shooter / reloader. A little maintenace ( clean and lube) goes a long way. These are built like a tank and will literally last a lifetime.
 
Similar "good relations" with my Ponsness/Warren "Elite Grand" shotshell reloader.
A little over 20 years now, and I'm sure well over 100K. target reloads.
No broken parts issues at all - well maintained and lubricated as per the instruction manual.
Their S.T.O.S. (slipperier than owl s**t) synthetic lube is really good stuff !

Firm believer in investing in quality equipment. My CF reloading is "small scale", likely less than 200 - 300 rounds a year,
so the old RCBS Rockchucker works just fine for my needs. Dillon would be a first choice for a progressive !
 
Very impressive indeed! Thanks for sharing.

From everything I have heard, the Dillons are worth the investment.
 
Boomer686 said:
So this month marks 25 years since I started reloading metallic cartridges. I started with "a new to me" Dillon 550 B with all the bells and whistles available at that time (including an auotmatic counter) and some reloading supplies from the original owner for $500. To date I have logged a total of 156 950 rounds of ammo thru it from 9mm to 338LM and it still runs like a top! The machine has had one bushing replaced on the cross pin where the handle attaches which was supplied free from Dillon. Regular cleaning and maintenace has kept it humming along like ... well like a well oiled machine lol! No idea how many rounds the original owner ran thru it however he was a very active pistol shooter at one point.

I have learned a lot in my reloading endeavour and can say I find it somewhat theraputic as a hobby. Thankfully I have never had any mishaps and have experienced only two squib loads and one stuck case (my first time reloading .338LM) in all the rounds I have cranked out. Maybe I have been lucky but I am always careful and mindful of what I am at. I am looking forward to teaching my kids the joys of reloading when they get a little older as they already help with passing boolits or brass and ocassionally trying to cycle the machine.

In any case here's to another 25 years with my trusty Dillon.
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Glad to hear it's been crankin' out the rounds for so many years trouble free! I've had mine up and running for just under a year now, and hope in 24 years I can post something similar to your experience!
 
My 550 was purchased in 1992 direct from Dillon ,& Runs like the first day owned. At the time having inspected it a Lee loading buddy of mine asked ; "why would you need a loading machine so overbuilt that it will out last you? ---I replied your point is?

BTW after giving them your customer # the folks at Dillon still greet you by your first name.
 
thunderflash said:
...BTW after giving them your customer # the folks at Dillon still greet you by your first name.
Click to expand...

Yep! And the service has always been top notch. Ordered odds and ends (newer accessories, extra tool heads, stands & dies etc) as time went on.. never an issue and nothing but professional, courteous folk!
 
My 550 B finally caved after many many years and thousand upon thousands of multiple rifle and pistol calibres. The crank broke. Phones Dillon this morning and new crank is on the way, no charge, just shipping.


 
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