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Post by AxeHandle on Nov 19, 2018 20:44:10 GMT -5
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Post by smirker on Nov 19, 2018 22:07:21 GMT -5
I looked at these before. Really not sure how it would smooth up the operation. The primer slide bar travels thru the base of the primer feed tube. If someone put bearing into each side of that part../I would be excited!
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Post by AxeHandle on Nov 19, 2018 22:54:24 GMT -5
When the primer bar is forced to the rear it is pushed to the left and against the roller bearing. The plate extension supports it back there too..
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snappy
.30 Stingray
Posts: 421
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Post by snappy on Nov 21, 2018 17:13:57 GMT -5
I put one on my 550. Works a charm to smooth it out.
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Post by oddshooter on Dec 3, 2018 11:02:21 GMT -5
Dumb questions coming.
Why do I need this? I have never noticed any drag from the primer bar. Have I been lucky on my 550?
thanks,
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Post by wildcatter on Dec 3, 2018 19:17:16 GMT -5
I just don't see a reason to add something else to a machine that performs perfect the way it is. I passed on the 650 years ago when I bought the 550, shortly after it was announced. I chose it because of the fewer moving parts, and this just seems to add more parts at the expense of it's simplicity. If I had any issues woth the primer feed as it is I would be all for it, but for me anyways, I don't see how it could make it anymore reliable or faster?
The older I get though the less I like change, in almost everything!
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Post by AxeHandle on Dec 3, 2018 19:36:11 GMT -5
I own and run four Dillon 550s. The oldest dates from the early 80s. It has loaded a few rounds. I like this upgrade to the priming system. I run this upgrade on all of mine.
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Post by wildcatter on Dec 3, 2018 20:35:39 GMT -5
I have had mine since the early 80's as well, just never had any issues with the operation, and being the only 550 or progressive I own it has loaded many thousands of rounds with only one failure, and that was a seized linkage arm from not enough lubrication, I have drilled oiling holes on mine and have never had another issue. But with only one progressive on my bench since dumping the 650XL and trying the short lived SD, it see's a lot of work!
What I like most about the 550, is in less than 15 minutes I can be running another caliber, with a primer size change and powder change and be running about 500 rounds an hour without breaking a sweat. It is one sweet machine and why I sold the 650XL, it is to much like the 1050 both for me would be dedicated to one round as they just breed to much work in changing calibers,, for me anyways, and why I say I like to keep it simple, when it works as well as the 500 does for me anyways.
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jgt
.327 Meteor
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Posts: 782
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Post by jgt on Dec 4, 2018 10:57:29 GMT -5
I have an older 550 and have problems with it installing primers sideways or upside down. Dillon sent me a new part to install but it acted the same after the first fifty to one hundred rounds. I ended up using my rock chucker to size/deprime and a hand primer to install the primers. Then feed those cases into the 550. As you might imagine I finally gave up and went back to the rock chucker as it was not much slower than the progressive and I had control of each process. I have thought of sending the machine to Dillon for a rebuild/update but never checked into the cost of shipping that much iron. Might be a way if there was a flat rate box it could fit into. So far it remains packed away from my last move.
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Post by 45MAN on Dec 7, 2018 7:57:50 GMT -5
I HAVE 2 550's, 1 SET UP FOR SMALL PRIMERS AND 1 FOR LARGE PRIMERS. BECAUSE OF THIS THREAD I BOUGHT ONE OF THOSE UPGRADE KITS. HOLY S... IT COMES WITH INSTRUCTIONS WITH A LOT OF WORDS AND PICTURES, AND DO I HATE "INSTRUCTIONS". DID NOT REALIZE IT WAS NOT A SIMPLE "DROP IN". WHEN I AM BORED AND HAVE AN HOUR OR 2 OF TIME TO BURN I WILL UNDERTAKE THE PROJECT, MAYBE.
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Post by Markbo on Dec 9, 2018 14:49:47 GMT -5
Thanks Axe! My only complaint about the 550B is the sticky primer system. Guess I just wasn't as lucky as some of these other curmudgeons. Ordered mine!
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bodie
.240 Incinerator
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Post by bodie on Nov 3, 2019 9:19:08 GMT -5
I've had my 550 since about 1998 or so. I have had intermittent primer issues, mainly with small.
I have found cleaning the areas where the primer slide runs to help. But the problem persists.
I installed the aftermarket primer plate and that helped some. Finally called Dillon and they sent new primer slides and primer tube ends. Also replaced the entire primer assembly as one of the screws stripped.
Fixed. Ran a couple thousand .223, .38 and .44 Specials withour a hitch. Keep it clean and replace the plastic tube ends regularly.
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Post by wildcatter on Nov 3, 2019 11:58:52 GMT -5
I've had my 550 since about 1998 or so. I have had intermittent primer issues, mainly with small. I have found cleaning the areas where the primer slide runs to help. But the problem persists. I installed the aftermarket primer plate and that helped some. Finally called Dillon and they sent new primer slides and primer tube ends. Also replaced the entire primer assembly as one of the screws stripped. Fixed. Ran a couple thousand .223, .38 and .44 Specials withour a hitch. Keep it clean and replace the plastic tube ends regularly. One thing I have done since new is use a dri powdered graphite on the shelf the primer slide runs on, I also did shorten my return spring about a 1/4" and form a new loop to attach it. These were the only things I have modified and that was over 30 years ago. Maybe why I see no need to change? That and the older I get, the more I hate changing anything,,, cell phones, computers and programs foremost! But change anymore is so frustrating I try and steer clear of any change! The old Rock Crusher has never failed, or been modified,,,except the terrible priming system on it, it never gets used and that press is only used for load development. When it is all priming is done with the lee hand priming tool. |
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randyb
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 54
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Post by randyb on Nov 3, 2019 12:44:41 GMT -5
Be sure when you change primer sizes or do a caliber conversion to clean the primer seating plug.
By this I mean, remove the small set screw and clean the cup, spring and seating plug. When you get debris and gunk after many rounds built up, the cup/plug will sometimes get a bit off-center and cause primers to flip, not fully seat or fail to pick up from the primer tube.
When you reassemble the plug put the primer bar on the edge of the bench and press down firmly with a the Dillon Bench Wrench on the seating plug. Be sure you press the assembly as far down as it will go before tightening the set screw. If the stem and is not all the way down you will have malfunctions.
Whenever I get a primer issue this is the first thing I check and clean.
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Post by sixshot on Nov 3, 2019 19:39:24 GMT -5
Got my 550 in the 80's as well & it's loaded many, many thousands of rounds. Had a 650 also but sold it when I stopped competing USPSA but that old 550 just keeps plugging along, best buy in all of reloading in my opinion.
Dick
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