Another Milestone For My Dillon 550

Boomer686

Boomer686

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So as a follow up to my 2016 thread about 25 years with my Dillon 550 located here:

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1416342-25-Years-with-my-Dillon-550B

I hit another milestone with it this week. As I loaded up some .357Mag rounds I rolled my round counter over a second time meaning I have now personally reloaded more than 200K rounds on my 550 that will be celebrating 30 years with me this coming June. No issues of any kind since my last report when it turned 25 in 2016. The total round count of this machine is unknown as I bought it used from an very active "action pistol" shooter back in 1991 and he reloaded lots of rounds as well.

In case you are wondering what 200K + of spent primers looks like see the pictures below. I just dumped them in there when I started reloading back in my student apartment way back when with the intention of disposing of them periodically then I said "Nah... I'll wait just to see how many I can fit in there" lol.


Just before rolling over to 200K Reloaded rounds...

Dillon Counter.jpg


What 200K+ Spent Primers Look Like...

200K Spent Primers.jpg
 

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That is right on!
You got to love it when you get to the point where your tools owe you absolutely nothing.

I am looking forward to the day that I used my 120-1 & Autotrickler V3, Forster Co-Ax, and soon a Primal Rights CPS for 200,000 loads.....until then I keep thinking "NO MORE UPGRADES"
 
My 650 hit 500,000. It was dedicated to 308 ammo. I say 'was" because it needs an overhaul. I spoke to Dillon at the Shot Show and they offered to re-build it, with some upgrades.

My 550 has about 300,000 rounds of pistol ammo on it, and so far as I can see, it is still tight.

Dillon makes a fine machine.
 
It always makes me laugh when I read about the police confiscating guns and toting how many rounds they found. The media blows this number up to express that each round means a death.

Dillon owners must be responsible for entire wars!
 
Those are some awesome looking rounds, great crimp on them! I have to setup my 550 for .357 I have the extra tool head etc. but just haven't made the time ... soon I hope ... soon.
 
Boomer686

A word of warning with your high round count and Dillon press.

If the hand you operate your Dillon press with starts getting bigger than your opposite arm and you start looking like a crab you might want to switch arms.

Or enter arm Wrestling contests and use your winnings to get an automated press and give both arms a rest.

P.S. I'm still using the Rockchucker press I bought in 1973.......sobs uncontrollably and signs off.
 
bigedp51 said:
Boomer686 A word of warning with your high round count and Dillon press. If the hand you operate your Dillon press with starts getting bigger than your opposite arm and you start looking like a crab you might want to switch arms. Or enter arm Wrestling contests and use your winnings to get an automated press and give both arms a rest. P.S. I'm still using the Rockchucker press I bought in 1973.......sobs uncontrollably and signs off.
Click to expand...

LOL I'll keep that in mind.
 
Boomer686 said:
So as a follow up to my 2016 thread about 25 years with my Dillon 550 located here:

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1416342-25-Years-with-my-Dillon-550B

I hit another milestone with it this week. As I loaded up some .357Mag rounds I rolled my round counter over a second time meaning I have now personally reloaded more than 200K rounds on my 550 that will be celebrating 30 years with me this coming June. No issues of any kind since my last report when it turned 25 in 2016. The total round count of this machine is unknown as I bought it used from an very active "action pistol" shooter back in 1991 and he reloaded lots of rounds as well.

In case you are wondering what 200K + of spent primers looks like see the pictures below. I just dumped them in there when I started reloading back in my student apartment way back when with the intention of disposing of them periodically then I said "Nah... I'll wait just to see how many I can fit in there" lol.


Just before rolling over to 200K Reloaded rounds...

View attachment 478572


What 200K+ Spent Primers Look Like...

View attachment 478575
Click to expand...


I don’t want to even think what my Hornady Progressive did in 30 years

View attachment 478717
 
Impressive milestone!

I only use a a few thousand 357 per year so never reloaded for it but there is almost no factory ammo available these days so I just bought a Dillon Square Deal in 357. The price of the press and 1000 bullets isn't much more than a case of 1000 loaded rounds and I have powder already sitting on the shelf that is suitable so it makes plenty of sense. I hear a square deal will do about 300 rounds an hour so it's no speed demon but at least I will have ammo. :)

I've never kept spent primers so I am also wondering about that. :)
 
madcow said:
I don’t want to even think what my Hornady Progressive did in 30 years

View attachment 478717
Click to expand...

DaveMachine said:
Other than as a token, why keep that many spent primers?
Click to expand...

I think keeping them as a token is the best part as per Madcow's pic above...... that is Goddamn impressive !!

I've heard that spent primers can be used as a somewhat "gentle" wet tumbling media.
Apparently, they will clean polish without removing as much material from brass as stainless steel pins, and it will not peen the chamfers on case mouths.

However, I foresee them not getting all the carbon out of primer pockets as well as steel pins do.

I started saving my spent primers about 2 years ago in order to test this idea for myself.
 
DaveMachine said:
Other than as a token, why keep that many spent primers?
Click to expand...

I have no logical explanation what so ever as to why I keep doing it. It wasn't even supposed to be a "thing" when I started reloading lol. I had every intention of disposing of them then it got to point where I thought "may as well fill the jar first" and now I guess it's a thing :dancingbanana::cool:
 
When I started reloading, I though it would be interesting to see what I would go through. 30 years later with a break here or there I have the final result. Just averaging .10$ a round, I spent a lot in the shooting sports.

I’ve been told by an Alberta ammo manufacturer that primers can be reloaded, true or not, that’s quite interesting.
 
Ganderite said:
My 650 hit 500,000. It was dedicated to 308 ammo. I say 'was" because it needs an overhaul. I spoke to Dillon at the Shot Show and they offered to re-build it, with some upgrades.

My 550 has about 300,000 rounds of pistol ammo on it, and so far as I can see, it is still tight.

Dillon makes a fine machine.
Click to expand...
Is that upgrade Free of charge?
 
Ganderite said:
My 650 hit 500,000. It was dedicated to 308 ammo. I say 'was" because it needs an overhaul. I spoke to Dillon at the Shot Show and they offered to re-build it, with some upgrades.
My 550 has about 300,000 rounds of pistol ammo on it, and so far as I can see, it is still tight. Dillon makes a fine machine.
Click to expand...

I expect my numbers to increse a lot more as now both my boys are shooting pistol and rifle with me. With regards to the machine: yup solid! I have had minimal issue with it and if it were to wear/ break, full support with a no questions asked lifetime warranty is only a phone call away.

I do an annual teardown, deep clean and relube as well as the periodic lube while in use. These are definately built for the long haul!!!
 
silverfoxdj said:
Is that upgrade Free of charge?
Click to expand...


Yes most likely. Any wear / broken item thru regular use or regular wear/tear is 100% covered free of charge. I had a close friend packed his up and send it to Dillon USA as it was completely wore out (mind you he was never strong on c;eaning / maintenance): they rebuilt the machine top to bottom, and returned it. He paid one way (to them shipping) and that was it.
 
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