Switching Calibers

[CiccioC]

I just bought a used 550b (brand new in the box) which came with .45ACP dies.
I'd guestimate I blow through 9mm about 3:1 over .45ACP. So I'd like to get setup for 9mm as well. Assuming I have everything I need to load 0.45, what else besides a caliber conversion kit and dies do I need to get started loading 9mm. We're talking bare minimum. And...assuming I only buy the bare minimum, how long does it take to to set up for another caliber? Basically I'm trying to justify the extra $120 for the quick change setup.

Just to clarify, I'm not asking about bullets, primers, powder, tumblers, calipers, handbooks, etc. I'm strictly talking about the press.

[trackcage]

Quick change set ups are a must, at least for me. Otherwise you'd need to unscrew the dies in the tool head each time - which means readjusting and measuring everytime you change calibers. With the quick change kits, caliber conversions are a several minute operation at most. I have quick changes for every caliber I load on the 550.

If you want bare minimum, you would need:
- Shell plate
- Locator buttons
- Powder funnel
- Dies

And that's it... assuming of course you already have things to clean brass, a scale, calipers, etc.

[CiccioC]

Thanks for the advice. I'm probably gonna go for it anyways. Just out of curiosity, how long does is take set up for another caliber? I obviously haven't done it yet but I imagine you're in 30-45 minutes?

[RestrictedColt]

If you lock the rings to the dies you can just unscrew them from the head and transfer them whenever you wanna change calibers. Defeats the quick change deal, but avoids having to wait and spend the money on it.

[trackcage]

If you lock the rings to the dies you can just unscrew them from the head and transfer them whenever you wanna change calibers. Defeats the quick change deal, but avoids having to wait and spend the money on it.

If it were me, I'd still want to measure and make the dies were where I wanted them to be. But you're right, it would make the adjustment process much quicker than starting from scratch each time.

[bruce381]

I have all the dies mounted and adjusted for each caliber, each caliber has its own head.

Also buy extra powder dies for each head and adjust them also.

So change out is change the tool head and transfer the powder measure over to new head.

If small or large primer change out primer disk at the change over takes about 10 minutes.

[RestrictedColt]

If it were me, I'd still want to measure and make the dies were where I wanted them to be. But you're right, it would make the adjustment process much quicker than starting from scratch each time.

Checking is smart, but if the lock rings are locked to the dies there will be no measurable change induced by removing/re-installing the dies.

[jsanch03]