Dillon Quick Change Assemblies for 550

[03fatboy]

I'm currently reloading for about 5-6 handgun calibers. 45, 9mm, 38/357 are the common calibers mixed with 44, 45lc and .32 H&R. Was wondering if you guys are using the complete quick change assemblies. I'm going to set up tool heads for each, but am wondering if I should save a buck and set up w/o powder drop? Available time for reloading can be an issue at times, just wondering if there is really much time saving to be had here. Seems the tool head set up will certainly help, but conversion plates need to be changed, sometimes dies adjusted depending on bullet and powder charge checked and/or adjusted as well.
Thanks

[Bill Steele]

I bought complete quick change setups for all my most frequent calibers.

I then bought one of those Uniquetek Micrometer powder adjustors and like it so much I started moving that powder drop to each tool head I wanted to use, basically making the other drops surplus.

I think the answer depends on how much you change loads versus just dropping the new caliber in and loading away. Guys that shoot competitively seem to have a favorite load and just want to crank. For sure, that kind of use really makes the complete kit the way to go.

If you are like me and are constantly experimenting with new loads, bullets, etc., I would say get a single drop and use the Uniquetek Micrometer adjustor and move the drop to each tool head installed.

Have fun, good luck.

[03fatboy]

I'm still very much into experimenting and maybe later will have some favorites to duplicate. I've seen the micrometer you mention, but not sure I completely understand the benefits, if you don't mind a little further explanation?
thanks

[Bill Steele]

I'm still very much into experimenting and maybe later will have some favorites to duplicate. I've seen the micrometer you mention, but not sure I completely understand the benefits, if you don't mind a little further explanation?
thanks

If you are an experimenter I personally don't think a separate drop is worth it. Like I said, for guys that leave things fixed being able to drop the quick change in and go has to be the hot setup. For someone who spends a little more time setting things up each time, the minute or so it takes to uncrew the drop and move it is not very important, at least in my experience. The tool head with the dies, sitting there on a stand is pretty nice though.

On the micrometer, you install it on a powder bar and then you use a spreadsheet they supply. You make 3 drops at 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 (on the micrometer dial) and input what is dropped into the spread sheet. The spreadsheet is now calibrated for a specific powder (for that bar). You save that powder spreadsheet under a unique name and when you want to go directly to a specific load for that powder, you input the desired weight into the spreadsheets calculator section and it spits out what number on the micrometer dial will produce that load.

You do have to calibrate each powder for that specific bar, so again, people that don't change charge weights often probably would not find it worth the time. The scale on the micrometer does produce a fairly linear result as it is opened up, so once you see the result on a spreadsheet, making ladder for a load test is really easy, dialing out a fixed number for each move up in charge, making the whole process much quicker. Of course, if you have a Chargemaster like trickler, none of that is needed.

Another benefit I have found with the micrometer is the finer screw thread and tighter tolerances eliminate the drift I used to get with the coarse thread that comes on the stock bars.

Good luck, have fun.

[the86d]

I did it for XL 650 and it was a HUGE time saver in change-outs, die depth-setting, powder swapping between pistol and rifle powder, however it was at a high cost. For me it was worth it, but I have not cash left for components... currently.

[XDRoX]

I buy compete tool heads with the powder measures for each caliber that I load the most for. I have one in 9mm, 38spl, and 380. Everything else I load I do on another one of my presses.

When experimenting and messing with loads I use another press as well. I have duplicate sets of dies in those three calibers that I shoot most.

For me it's very convenient, but yes the cost does add up. With my 3 complete tool heads I haven't even touched the powder measure adjustment in thousands of rounds. I just swap it out and load.

But like Bill said, you certainly don't need separate powder measure and for some guys it doesn't make sense to.

[03fatboy]

I think multiple toolheads is a must along powder die. Not sure I want to shell out for the powder drop yet and I don't mind changing it out as well as the conversion plates.

Hey Bill, Is the micrometer easy to install on the dillon small powder bar? The small bar is all I use too.

[Bill Steele]

..Hey Bill, Is the micrometer easy to install on the dillon small powder bar? The small bar is all I use too.

After I figured out what they were trying to explain in the instructions it was pretty easy. The instructions were particularly difficult for me to understand (not unusual for a math major I guess), if you decide to go for it and get the instructions and get stumped, I can talk you through what is trying to be accomplished.

I think you are on the right track with how far to go on the QC kits.