I've had a Dillon 550B press for more than 20 years but haven't used in the last couple of years because of health problems. I had hundreds loaded rounds of many pistol and revolver calibers in inventory so it wasn't any problem once I started shooting again. Now I'm about ready to start reloading again so I was happy to see this video and use it as a review before I start. I will have to change back to small pistol primers again and I couldn't remember all the steps. I'm not new to reloading. I started with a Lyman C press in 1965 when I was shooting with the USRPAC Rifle Team at Ft. Benning. I'll be 82 years old next month.
Gary, I got my 550C a few days ago and put it together today - after watching your great video. I put on an the optional strong mount and used C-clamps to hold it down. The C-clamps allow me to move it for storage. Gonna tie down the back of my table to the floor (it's in my shed) to keep it from tipping over as Ireload. Even though you cautioned, my little detent ball rolled into the center hole of the 550 and I had to tip it over to get it out - no problem. And I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention and inserted my shell plate up-side-down into the 550 - by doing that I couldn't smoothly slide a case into the 550. I fixed that by flipping it over. I also found out why you have to snug up the blue wing-nut under the little spring of the fail-safe rod - it repositions the primer seater so that the next case can be loaded into the 550. About those three little brass pins that go into the shell plate, watch em', it's easy to drop one. I did and it bounced clear across the room. Luckily, I found it (I may have to buy a few more to have on hand, but wonder if they are caliber specific, - I'll call Dillon and ask). I also put a .45 case over the top of the follower rod of the primer sensor to give it a little more weight. It's together now and i'll set it up to start reloading next. This shouldn't be a problem because i'm not new the reloading. For the last 40+ years (I'm 72), I have used a Hornady "red" progressive press. I reload 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 "Long" Colt, 45 ACP, 30-30, 30-06 and 45-70 - all for guns I own..
I just made the plunge and went from my original Lee single stage to the 550C. Initially I was a little overwhelmed by the idea, there seemed like a lot of things that could get complicated. I found that was not the case, Dillon's in box instructions were exceptional. I watched these videos before I made my choice and this played a fair part in my decision; they are very informative and Gary is perfect for helping understand the whole thing. If you are pondering the move to progressive and feel like it's to complicated, trust me, Dillon is very well thought out. I wanted to maintain some measure of single stage control, I like to look at every powder drop and bullet placement etc... the 550C is exactly what I needed.
@@michaelstalenberg2407 I really like it now that I've learned the basics. I don't know what makes the 750 different, but the 550 has been great so far...easy to set up, easy to adjust, etc
Do you think its easy for a beginner to set up and use? I want to get one (recommendation from a friend) to have something to do this winter, but never loaded any ammo before.
@@Thetugisthedrug I have not loaded yet either but when I mentioned it to friends the 550 is always recommended...... so I bought one. 750 will be next purchase maybe next year. Maybe sooner. Only time will tell.
@DillonPrecision @Gary This vid is an awesome combination of just enough humor and an abundance of CLEAR yet concise directions. I have an approximately 31 year old Square Deal that has kept up for all this time. But, I am now feeding two Class III 9mm subguns and my twin boys who both shoot 9mm so, a new 550C is being ordered. I have no doubt I am buying the best in class machine on the market!
Best friend's dad gave me his old 550b from the 90s. Learning how to set it up and what parts it needs is a joy. Really looking forward to this. Thanks for making quality parts, Dillon!
I just got my 550 back from the refurbishment program today and Dillon is top notch! It looks like a new press and all the pieces I sent that were bad/weathered were replaced. (Long story short, it belonged to a friend that passed away almost 30 years ago. Another friend got it but isn't the reloading type so he just let it set in a wood crate in his pole barn for a couple decades. I recently got it so I sent it out so it could be used once again.) This video explained everything I needed to know for initial setup. Thank you for everything Dillon Precision. Again, you guys are top notch!
I could have anything. But I have used a 550c since 1986. I like to do individual stations at times. I really smile when everything is set and tried. Then crank out a few thousand. I like to wet tumble the brass. Then anneal if needed. Lubricate the brass and size. Most guys look at it as a production only machine, but it is great for single station use. I have shot 10 shot 1/2" groups using this machine. I also shoot a bunch of cast bullets. I prepare rifle brass like I would for any but then bell the case mouth. For that I like a universal tool on my single stage press. Then I clean all of the brass with the wet tumbler. This machine has manual indexing so it makes this easy. Then primer, powder charge, seat, and crimp. Make a few hundred of really inexpensive large rifle rounds for steel or other reactive targets.
Dear Sir, thank you for this presentation. But when you show how to adjust the failsafe rod nut with two credit cards, the press lever is on down position. The same explanation "with the lever down" can be seen on the operating manual. An other vidéo (with the girl) shows this adjustment with the main lever up and pushed forward...like when priming operation...
I just bought the 550c I spent over 1200$ just getting it ready too reload. I guess I’ll take it back. My safety bar does not hang freely it is nothing like in this video. I asked for help they send me to watch another video. My bar does not hang freely or strait down. It is not long enough on the 90deg elbow. Guess I’ll just take it back over a 2$ rod.
It would be nice if you put in a brief close-up of each bolt, nut, screw, or other fastener before installing the part it attaches. I have a bewildering array of fasteners in front of me and it's not a;lways easy to tell what goes where. The line drawings in the manual aren't much help.
I've had a Dillon 550B press for more than 20 years but haven't used in the last couple of years because of health problems. I had hundreds loaded rounds of many pistol and revolver calibers in inventory so it wasn't any problem once I started shooting again. Now I'm about ready to start reloading again so I was happy to see this video and use it as a review before I start. I will have to change back to small pistol primers again and I couldn't remember all the steps. I'm not new to reloading. I started with a Lyman C press in 1965 when I was shooting with the USRPAC Rifle Team at Ft. Benning. I'll be 82 years old next month.
This guy is the Bob Ross of brass
Gary, I got my 550C a few days ago and put it together today - after watching your great video. I put on an the optional strong mount and used C-clamps to hold it down. The C-clamps allow me to move it for storage. Gonna tie down the back of my table to the floor (it's in my shed) to keep it from tipping over as Ireload. Even though you cautioned, my little detent ball rolled into the center hole of the 550 and I had to tip it over to get it out - no problem. And I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention and inserted my shell plate up-side-down into the 550 - by doing that I couldn't smoothly slide a case into the 550. I fixed that by flipping it over. I also found out why you have to snug up the blue wing-nut under the little spring of the fail-safe rod - it repositions the primer seater so that the next case can be loaded into the 550. About those three little brass pins that go into the shell plate, watch em', it's easy to drop one. I did and it bounced clear across the room. Luckily, I found it (I may have to buy a few more to have on hand, but wonder if they are caliber specific, - I'll call Dillon and ask). I also put a .45 case over the top of the follower rod of the primer sensor to give it a little more weight. It's together now and i'll set it up to start reloading next. This shouldn't be a problem because i'm not new the reloading. For the last 40+ years (I'm 72), I have used a Hornady "red" progressive press. I reload 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 "Long" Colt, 45 ACP, 30-30, 30-06 and 45-70 - all for guns I own..
I just made the plunge and went from my original Lee single stage to the 550C. Initially I was a little overwhelmed by the idea, there seemed like a lot of things that could get complicated. I found that was not the case, Dillon's in box instructions were exceptional. I watched these videos before I made my choice and this played a fair part in my decision; they are very informative and Gary is perfect for helping understand the whole thing. If you are pondering the move to progressive and feel like it's to complicated, trust me, Dillon is very well thought out. I wanted to maintain some measure of single stage control, I like to look at every powder drop and bullet placement etc... the 550C is exactly what I needed.
Welcome to the family.
I have a RL550C arriving this week. I feel like this video is going to run on auto-repeat for a while 😂
Im in that position that will i buy it or will i buy 750xl😅 are you happy whit your 550?
@@michaelstalenberg2407 I really like it now that I've learned the basics. I don't know what makes the 750 different, but the 550 has been great so far...easy to set up, easy to adjust, etc
Do you think its easy for a beginner to set up and use? I want to get one (recommendation from a friend) to have something to do this winter, but never loaded any ammo before.
I now have the 550c😉
@@Thetugisthedrug I have not loaded yet either but when I mentioned it to friends the 550 is always recommended...... so I bought one. 750 will be next purchase maybe next year. Maybe sooner. Only time will tell.
@DillonPrecision @Gary This vid is an awesome combination of just enough humor and an abundance of CLEAR yet concise directions. I have an approximately 31 year old Square Deal that has kept up for all this time. But, I am now feeding two Class III 9mm subguns and my twin boys who both shoot 9mm so, a new 550C is being ordered. I have no doubt I am buying the best in class machine on the market!
We appreciate you Tomi.
Best friend's dad gave me his old 550b from the 90s. Learning how to set it up and what parts it needs is a joy. Really looking forward to this. Thanks for making quality parts, Dillon!
I just got my 550 back from the refurbishment program today and Dillon is top notch! It looks like a new press and all the pieces I sent that were bad/weathered were replaced. (Long story short, it belonged to a friend that passed away almost 30 years ago. Another friend got it but isn't the reloading type so he just let it set in a wood crate in his pole barn for a couple decades. I recently got it so I sent it out so it could be used once again.) This video explained everything I needed to know for initial setup. Thank you for everything Dillon Precision. Again, you guys are top notch!
Just remember it’s not a small block Chevy! This guy is absolutely hilarious! Great video!
I could have anything. But I have used a 550c since 1986. I like to do individual stations at times. I really smile when everything is set and tried. Then crank out a few thousand.
I like to wet tumble the brass. Then anneal if needed. Lubricate the brass and size. Most guys look at it as a production only machine, but it is great for single station use. I have shot 10 shot 1/2" groups using this machine.
I also shoot a bunch of cast bullets. I prepare rifle brass like I would for any but then bell the case mouth. For that I like a universal tool on my single stage press. Then I clean all of the brass with the wet tumbler. This machine has manual indexing so it makes this easy. Then primer, powder charge, seat, and crimp. Make a few hundred of really inexpensive large rifle rounds for steel or other reactive targets.
I love my 650. Thanks Dillon! 5yrs strong for me. I think I made initial investment back. lol
Amazing explanation, thank for the deliciated sense of humor and ton of useful explanation
Awesome video
Great video, but I need a tutorial on setting up the powder measure for rifle brass.
Dillon! you did ammazing sharing, ))
Thank you, great instructions
Great Video. Very easy to follow Thank you for sharing.
Dear Sir, thank you for this presentation. But when you show how to adjust the failsafe rod nut with two credit cards, the press lever is on down position. The same explanation "with the lever down" can be seen on the operating manual. An other vidéo (with the girl) shows this adjustment with the main lever up and pushed forward...like when priming operation...
I just bought the 550c I spent over 1200$ just getting it ready too reload. I guess I’ll take it back. My safety bar does not hang freely it is nothing like in this video. I asked for help they send me to watch another video. My bar does not hang freely or strait down. It is not long enough on the 90deg elbow. Guess I’ll just take it back over a 2$ rod.
550 is my go to press
LOVE IT !!!
Damn Gary, what a large knife you have there.... :)
😄I instinctively backed away from the screen every time he pulled that out!….
It would be nice if you put in a brief close-up of each bolt, nut, screw, or other fastener before installing the part it attaches. I have a bewildering array of fasteners in front of me and it's not a;lways easy to tell what goes where. The line drawings in the manual aren't much help.
Really...optional mount??
That does make sense.
Just snug, it's not a small block chevy!
You have to manually rotate the shells?? They don't rotate when the handle is stroked??
On this model, yes.
So this RL550C won't reload 30-30 and 30-06 rounds ? That is the rounds I will mainly be reloading . Thanks
Yes it will be able to load 30-30 and 30-06. 550C can reload up to 338 Lapua Magnum.
@@boostedlx8277 Been Loading 30 06 on my 550 since 1985. It will work
@Robert McPherson
Christmas 1986 for me. The plate and 2 funnels used most does 30-06, 308, and 45acp.
Whats your purpose in life?
To win.
@@DillonPrecisionVideos Correct answer. Your team is definitely full of winners as are your machines.