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Dillon 550

Death From A Distance

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
I picked up this 550 for a song at one of my shoots. What you see is all I have, and I would like to get this up and running.
I am pretty sure it's missing parts etc.....

What would you recommend?

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I think the first thing I'd get is some sand paper and primer and hit those rusty handles up. Then call Dillon and they will help you figure out the other stuff you need.
 
Dillon has a parts schematic on-line. They also have a life-time warranty that is transferable or least used to be. The rust will come off. Put some wax on it. I have two Dillon 650s and a 450.

I think the 450/550 primer system is better. There should be a rod thing that pushes down on the primers. It has taken me awhile to get used to progessive reloading. I don't use if for my rifles. It's like a slot machine for pistols.

There are caliber conversions for it also. Funny when I was in the Army I never could afford a Dillon press. My friend had one and I was envious. All I had was a single stage. Overall great quality product.
 
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Thanks for the info, will request rma from Dillon and get the ball rolling. I think I gave 60.00 for it so probably a good deal

I have been gathering up everything I need to reload all the calibers I have.


I submitted my info to Dillon, and created an account
60 dollars is an excellent deal for a Dillon press. It will last you a long time. What I like about the 550 is that it takes regular dies so you can get by with what you already have. I do have a low primer buzzer that is handy. Later on, you may want to look at getting one.
 
Response from them, I told them to send me an RMA. So I guess I will have to end up buying parts as well?


We offer a Clean & Lube service for your RL550 press. The cost is $85.00 which includes a thorough clean and lube plus replacement of broken/worn/damaged parts and return shipping. Missing parts are available for purchase. Rust is not covered under our warranty.

We are pleased to create an RMA# for you to use to ship your press to us for this service.

Please let us know.
Thank you!
 
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Only the missing or worn parts. The cost is worth it. You will get back a fully functional press in top working order.
I picked up a used 550 at a good price too. Sent it in and paid for the replacement parts nd was still money ahead. No clue on the round count since then, but its in the 10’s of thousands. Would I like to upgrade? Yes, but components vs press are where I’ve been spending my cash.
 
I've never had a issue with over charging on 223 on my 550. Once you get it set up and get all your primer tubes, cases and bullets ready to go you can kick some rounds out pretty quick. I to use a single stage for long gun loads. Pistol and 223 on the 550b.
 
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I've never had an issue with over charging on 223 on my 550. Once you get it set up and get all your primer tubes, cases and bullets ready to go you can kick some rounds out pretty quick. I to use a single stage for long gun loads. Pistol and 223 on the 550b.
I load my 5.55 and 308 on mine. That’s why I never strayed from BLC-2.
 
Had a long conversation with Mike at the repair shop, and he was very helpful in advising what I needed. So another 249.95 thrown at this, we will see what we have when it lands here. So I have 60.00 purchase, then 56.00 in shipping to them. So 365.00 in it with some extras stuff they are shipping. Will open the box here and see what shows up
 
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Had a long conversation with Mike at the repair shop, and he was very helpful in advising what I needed. So another 249.95 thrown at this, we will see what we have when it lands here. So I have 60.00 purchase, then 56.00 in shipping to them. So 365.00 in it with some extras stuff they are shipping. Will open the box here and see what shows up

Uh your into this for very little money and I bet what you get back is a fully functional no worries machine ready to go
 
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If it looks like mine did, I couldn’t tell it from a Brand New 550 SD-B. You will still be money ahead of buying a new one.
That's the way I looked at it. I told him I wanted to load 9mm, .45acp, .223, .30-40, .308, 30.06. So he is sending everything I need to do that
 
That's the way I looked at it. I told him I wanted to load 9mm, .45acp, .223, .30-40, .308, 30.06. So he is sending everything I need to do that
Definitely money ahead! Be careful, I ended up with two to keep from having to change priming systems when I changed primer size SP/SR to LP/LR.
 
I was gonna switch my creed brass. Maybe I need another press lol.
It didn’t work🤣. Both of mine are now SP because we load 38 and 357 for CAS. The large primer stuff is shot so little, it’s hand primed and loaded on the single stage. Of course when you have 3 shooter doing 2 matches a month plus big matches it makes sense. 🤷🏼

I just haven’t made the jump to a 650 or 1100
 
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