Quote:
Originally Posted by HOLLiS
Gene, I bought my first 550 about then too. I had several issues. I think part of it was just a transition issue. One of aspect of a progressive, is stopping and then re-starting in the middle of a load. It is much easier, if one has to stop, is to run all the case through first. The other aspect was primer seating, It took a while to get it all sorted out. I think I was the most of the problem that I had with my 550. I have friend who have other progressive or multiple stage presses. They would be a good way to go, if a person only has a few calibers they reload. I would be interested in knowing more on what your complaints where. I fell like I need to still learn a lot. H.
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Hollis:
You covered the main problem that was the primer feed. Essentially -- it wouldn't.
Intrestingly enough given the somewhat floating die holder on that early 550-B Dillon, -- the alignment between dies and ram (shell plate) was horrible. Cartridge run out was so bad that necked cartridges wouldn't chamber reliably. That was strange as the 450's had a little tool that you used to align the ram with the head and you would think that this would cause alignment problems but that 450 could produce blasting ammo for necked cases with no problems.
Well, I have my two 450's and the Hornady among a couple other turret and single stage presses. Almost all of my rifle ammo is loaded on a Redding T-7 turret these days. Pistol on the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP.
I buy Dillon products and have done so since the days their flagship was the 450. Honestly, I believe their 450 remains an exceptional press that is far less prone to mistakes or problems than the 550. I have no experience with the 650 series.
Gene