Dillon 550B help

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ryanv

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I am new to reloading and need some help with my Dillon 550 with lee dies in 9mm. I am getting inconsistent powder charges from 0.1 to 0.4 grains and bullet seating depths I am using separate dies to seat and crimp and help or suggestions to help get more consistency would be appreciated
Thanks
 
For the powder charges - are you sure you're using the small powder bar? Don't know if it's possible to throw a small charge with the large bar... Also, the 550 doesn't meter that great with non-ball powders. Using a good ball powder (AA No.2 for .45acp or H335 for .223) I get down to +/- 0.1 grain accuracy. You won't get better than that on a 550 (in my experience).

As for the inconsistent seating - what shape of bullet are you using?
 
Also, make sure that when you set the spring tension on the failsafe rod, that it is done with the handle pressed forward in the priming mode. Turn the butterfly nut to full tension and back it off a turn or two. That insures that the powder bar completes its full cycle. Could be part of your problem unless the powder is extruded, which I don't think many of the pistol powders are.
 
Thanks for the replys, the powder im using is winchester 231 and the bullets are winchester 115gr fmj-flatbase component bullet they are roundnose
 
Check the seating depth of the powder throw die and make sure that the powder throw bar goes all the way back to the powder throw housing with each crank.

The 550 throws very accurate pistol caliber charges - it's rifle caliber's with 550's powder system you sometimes have to watch.
 
Last edited:
thunderflash said:
What is the issue with rifle calibers in the 550?-- Just changed mine to .223
Click to expand...

You probably won't notice much of a problem with 223 because the volumn of powder being thrown is relatively small, it's larger volumn cases where you can get some variance of powder dumps - extruded or spherical. If you're looking for real accuracy for loading rifle rounds use an electronic powder dispenser, otherwise you'll be fine for general range ammo.
 
Makes sense for the larger Cals. --- maybe staying on (hesitating )the handle on the up stroke for large powder dumps might help. Accuracy loads ?,--thats another bench.
Thanks!
 
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