Dillon 550 Question???

[Calplinker]

Neighbor is offering to sell me his pretty old Dillon 550rl along with accessories. He's reloaded .223, 308, 45 and .44 Mag for a long time and the dies for all are included, as well as a tumbler, scale, electric case trimmer (similiar to router motor), etc. I don't use .44, but the other calibers are what I primarily shoot.

I've seen the setup and it's an old unit, though it looks to be in good shape. Anything I should know? Look for? What's the difference between a 550A and B? How would I know?

I've never reloaded, but shoot quite a bit and want to begin the process. He has reloading logs dating to the 80's and is willing to help me get set up and to provide instruction. He only lives a few blocks away.

He has no idea of value and I have no desire to short change him. 50% off new is where I'd sort of start for well cared for used items that I buy or sell of Craigslist.

Any thoughts or feedback would be appreciated.

[five.five-six]

Where to start

50% off retail will probably be a great deal for you as things like extra primer tubes, and such never get computed it.


Now, to start reloading... is he including any components? Trying to find powder, bullets and primers is like trying to find a unicorn....literally.



You need to get a good reloading manual and commit several hours to reading the front 1/2 of it. It would be best if you could get a mentor to spend a few hours helping you get started.

[vonderplatz]

My understanding is that the 550 did not have the fail-safe powder system and the low warning primer system, but you can still purchase both as accessories making your 550 into a 550B.

You pretty much can't go wrong with a Dillion. If you break anything on your 550 the will still replace it, and having someone to help you set it up and get started is something a lot of us wish we had.

With everything you have described I would think that $700.00 would be a fair price, but if he was willing to wait and shop it I'm sure he could get more.

[GeoffLinder]

$500 for all or you might as well start new. The 550A is an older model and should be upgraded to 550B. Dillon will provide the parts for this for you for a nominal fee plus shipping.

The 550B has the low primer alert, the powder system has the new failsafe bar and linkage, and the ram linkage arms have holes for easier lubing. Last item is not that important, but the first two are very good features and highly recommended.

Even though he is providing dies for each caliber if he does not have separate tool-heads and powder measures for each caliber, changing from caliber to caliber will be a time consuming drill re-setting dies each time, especially the powder drop die.

In the long run you also want the strong mount, bullet tray, new case tray and roller handle. These items will cost you a few bux to add.

Here is a link to brianenos.com where you can see pricing for his EZ-Buy packages for the 550B where all this is included.

http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.ez.550.html

There is something to be said for instructional help, but you can learn this fairly well on your own from reading a loading manual and watching the instructional videos the new system will come with.

[five.five-six]

Has anybody ever ran dry on primers and not noticed it on the first casing?

I hate that buzzer thing. It wakes the kids.

[GeoffLinder]

It's a PITA to run dry on primers and have the punch embed itself in the primer pocket. Ruins the case and can deform the primer punch stem and/or it's lock screw.

[ChrisToad]

Has anybody ever ran dry on primers and not noticed it on the first casing?

I hate that buzzer thing. It wakes the kids.

There's gotta be an easy mod to get that thing to blink an LED or something to give it a 'silent mode'...

[five.five-six]

It's a PITA to run dry on primers and have the punch embed itself in the primer pocket. Ruins the case and can deform the primer punch stem and/or it's lock screw.

I've done it many times and never have it do any of those things you mentioned.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

[GeoffLinder]

I've done it many times and never have it do any of those things you mentioned.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

Depends on how aggressive you are on the prime stroke. I ran my 550 many years without the warning buzzer (it was a 550A to start with). Did this countless times and ruined two punches over the longterm because of repeated stress from this. Also had to replace the primer bar because this extra mashing ultimately reamed out the threaded hole the set screw that locks the punch is in. It was Dillon that suggested I add the buzzer system to keep this from happening again.

[XDRoX]

I'd give him $500 for it all and them send it to Dillon. Ask them to upgrade it. You may also have to pay a $50 refurbish fee in addition to the upgrade fee.

It will come back looking brand new or being brand new.

[Bill Steele]

What you describe will easily cost over $1000 new, even if you subtract the 44 caliber you don't load.

The press can be upgraded by Dillon for a nominal cost (and should be), when they are done it will come back like new.

$500 would be a terrific price for you, maybe a little less terrific for him as even in normal times Dillon gear retains a large share of its value used, mainly because of Dillon's warranty and upgrade poilicies (they are not like bananas that go bad, Dillon will make it like new for cheap to nothing).

Let you conscience be your guide, good luck, have fun.

[Calplinker]

Dillon

Thanks for all the helpful advice. Hadn't thought of sending it to Dillon to be refurbished and upgraded. He's invited me over to look at it tomorrow. I've seen it one other time and remember he has the strong back and a seperate, small press of some sort for reloading a pistol caliber. I think he said it was for .45, which I also shoot a lot. If I remember correctly, the dies he had were all set up on a rotating plate or head that he explained you just change out when chaning calibers. Does this make sense?

Right now, he's asking $400 for all of it, so that sounds like a pretty fair price. Sounds like sending it back to Dillon would be a good idea, so I'll look in to that.

Someone gave me Lee dies for .30 carbine, which I also shoot. Would these work with the Dillon, or do I need to buy Dillon specific dies?

Thanks again.

[Colt562]

For 400 I would jump all over that!!

Is there a powder hopper for each caliber?

[Bill Steele]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. Hadn't thought of sending it to Dillon to be refurbished and upgraded. He's invited me over to look at it tomorrow. I've seen it one other time and remember he has the strong back and a seperate, small press of some sort for reloading a pistol caliber. I think he said it was for .45, which I also shoot a lot. If I remember correctly, the dies he had were all set up on a rotating plate or head that he explained you just change out when chaning calibers. Does this make sense?

Right now, he's asking $400 for all of it, so that sounds like a pretty fair price. Sounds like sending it back to Dillon would be a good idea, so I'll look in to that.

Someone gave me Lee dies for .30 carbine, which I also shoot. Would these work with the Dillon, or do I need to buy Dillon specific dies?

Thanks again.

That is a good deal in the extreme, the Lee dies will work fine, maybe pick up an extra tool head so you can swap the whole set, just like the other calibers.

[finsfan21]

That is a horrible deal! You should definitely pass. You should also give me your neighbors phone number so I can call him and tell him he is ripping you off!