Words of Wisdom from Dillon Owners

[Glockster]

After a disasterous flirtation with a Lee Pro 1000 I finally stepped up to the plate an bought a Dillon RL550B. Right now I'll primarily use it for 9mm and .223. Any words of wisdom from Dillon owners? Things to look out for, things to do or not do? Can't wait for days off to get it mounted and crank out some rounds.

 

[Quigley]

Make an extention for the spent primer chute (the factory one is a bit small) so it doesn't dump spent primers all over the floor.

Replace the factor seating die with a Redding Competition Seating die (micrometer adjustable)

Fight the urge to add the case feeder. Far too finicky on the 550 (it is a retrofit)

Get totally hooked on shooting

Start saving up for your 1050

 

[TPK]

When you buy your conversion kits, splurge and get an additional tool head, powder measure mechanism, and tool head stand (or make one). Makes for quicker easier swaps between calibers and increases your reloading enjoyment immensely. I also went with the roller handle and strong press mount.

 

[Glockster]

TPK. Yaaaa, realized that when I got my four conversion kits from Dillon. Should have gotten complete sets. Oh well, one thing at a time. Thanks for the input guys. Can't believe I waited 30 years to get into a Dillon....all that time on a single action and an old Lee Turret press....

 

[ampegor]

welcome to the blue zone - i find switching the powder measure from set up to setup is not a big deal but you MUST have a toolhead for each calibre it's WAY easier for caliber change outs.

here is a picture of how mine is set up with bins for brass. bullets and loaded cartridges

 

[Kevin M.]

Words of wisdom?

2 steps.

1) Learn to use it well.

2) Start saving for your new Dillon 1050. You will never... EVER... look at reloading the same again.

Here is mine in action loading 30-06, one of the biggest cases a progressive loader can do, at about 1000 rounds per hour.

[youtube]eyCVwd64eEk[/youtube]

 

[Spawn-Inc]

hey kevin, in your video there at 0:20 seconds, in the bin with the finished rounds, did one have a primer missing?

 

[nada]

get extra pwd slides, it saves the BS of resetting for each load & alot cheaper than pwd meas. unique tek has a micrometer deal that works great & is totally repeatable , but it is prone to creeping . if you deprime before & tumble you avoid the primers missing the can & also the dirt on the primer slide, any media in the flash hole gets ko'd while resizing, i find this also does a fair job on the pockets. i love my 550 so much that i had to get another one. happy crunching & good luck trying to explain away the next gotta have toy.

 

[bclinehand]

hey kevin, in your video there at 0:20 seconds, in the bin with the finished rounds, did one have a primer missing?

first thing I noticed as well.....lol

 

[Kevin M.]

hey kevin, in your video there at 0:20 seconds, in the bin with the finished rounds, did one have a primer missing?

Nope, just on odd reflection from the light that made it look darker.

I check every round I load for powder and primers, and it is rare that somthing goes wrong when I have it all set up.

99% of the time when somthing goes wrong, I feel it on the stroke.

 

[Walter Hornby]

for 223 you have to trim the case most time. i am saving up for a Dillon case trimmer.

 

[hunter64]

As previous posters have stated, buy a tool head for each caliber.

While at Home Depot I was rummaging around in the small screw section looking for something unrelated when I noticed these turnbuckle nuts in a bin. I had a eureka moment and bought a bunch of them with some small bolts and washers. Found an old piece of steel and after some drilling and mounting I have a platform to hold 8 of my conversion tool heads together. I now have 2 of these made up. You can buy the tool head stands from Dillon for about 25.00 bucks each but I thought I would rather spend the $400.00 on something else thank you.

I bought a Plano plastic case (for fishing) and I have all my conversion shell plates,locator buttons and powder funnels in one case. I made a spreadsheet with all my calibers that I reload for and at an instant I just have to look at the piece of paper taped to the inside of the case to tell me the 3 things I need, get the toolhead with the dies on them and I am off to the races. Makes life way easier and organized.