Unknown Dillon RL550B Powder measure change

thunderflash

thunderflash

CGN frequent flyer
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NL.
Dillon's great ,No prior problems . When things break they've never had a problem replacing parts ,but now -- I just can't help being a little ticked off . After installing , a .223 conversion kit ,setting up dies, & lastly the new powder measure . I find that the original "failsafe rod" which pulls the powder bar back , does NOT fit the new measure mechanics.
With a lot of "fiddling to fit" , & hunting around the workshop to see if I can jerry rig something , frustration tells me to give "DILLON " an 800 call the next day. The rep tells me that they should have mentioned that ( but did not) , I will need a new Failsafe rod - cost $11.00 bucks ( they eat shipping because of them failing to mention that a new one is needed ) .
My opinion , they should have thrown one in with every NEW measure ,or sent a new rod on it's merry way to me instead of asking what credit card number I wanted to use !, After all it is THEIR mistake ! So has DILLON changed their excellent
"NO B S Policy" ??
Be advised guys & gals , to preorder this rod on your next "Caliber Quick Change Kit " if you have the older style powder measure , Or it will take a bit longer to "Change " than advertised.
 
It was pt. # 593A -"rod"--- replaced by pt#9700 rod ( fr. the new Dillon RL550B downloadable manual )
it looks like the New rod is configured differently to accomadate the new config on the powder measure, also no more return springs --(old part# 548)
 
lol. This is so funny. I ran into the exact same thing this morning. no kidding. I inherited a 550 several years ago that has been working up a storm. Yesterday, I got 2 calibre conversions, and low and behold there is some extra safety widget on it.

My solution was to put a safety pin through the new safety thing in the off position btw. I am going to do my first batch soon. I will let you know how it goes. Worst case scenario, I will leak powder until I close it, but I can not see that happening.
 
About 5 years ago they changed to the new style measures and they sent out failsafe rods with everything...

I stock them and ship them to anybody I sell a new measure too if they need them..

The new failsafe rod eliminates a couple of pieces that were forever getting lost.

Did you tell them that your press was older them 5 years? Did you buy it new from them?

Dillon continually has upgraded the product line since I became a dealer 10+ years ago...They have changed the powder measure 3 times that I know of in the last 10 years... first change made the 550 and 650 measures the same and then there was the changes to the failsafe system and then a another change to the failsafe system..
They have changed the 650 twice that I know (the primer punch system and the thickness of the platen) of and the 550 3 times (there was a change to the knuckle anout 10 years ago which gave the 450/500/550's a longer stroke, they beefed up the back frame and added a couple holes and then they changed the strong mount...... the 1050 I lost count...
The square deal has had 2 retrofits but nothing has really changed...
 
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Did you tell them that your press was older them 5 years? Did you buy it new from them?

-- Answer ; yes to both questions , - customer # and all that.
BTW thanks for the info on their upgrades , if I'd known before ordering , I could be loading this very moment!
 
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