dillon 550b toolhead setup 1/4

[huntingf0r]

Sorry i am new to reloading, what i dont understand is how you switch from powder dies to powder dies, do i switch that out with different calibers? and how and where do i buy them? specifically looking for .223. i just saw they sell in sets of three, but say nothing about switching powder dies. Will appreciate the help.

[PorterhouseV]

@huntingf0r The powder dies come with the shellplate/caliber conversion kit. So you need a 3 die set (sizing, seating, crimping), a caliber conversion kit (shellplate, pins, powder die), and a powder measure (which the powder die goes into). It can all sit on one removable toolhead if you want to make switching calibers easy.

[ddansvob]

I will be using your videos this week to set up my 550. Have you ever used lee dies in your press?

[PorterhouseV]

@ddansvob Not in this press, but any dies with a 7/8x14tpi threading should work.

[CaptRealist]

Thanks for spending the time to put together these videos. They were a great help to me.

[Bream243]

Well done.

[spritrocks]

Can u use the lee powder thru expander die with the dillon powder measure?

[oldPlatoonDaddy]

great video

U stated you can get multiple "tool heads" so you don't have too change your dies each time. If you change the "tool head" for different caliber, don't you also need to change the "shellplate?

How about a video changing out the "primer size".

Again thanks for the great video

[PorterhouseV]

@oldPlatoonDaddy Yup. Well... maybe. Switching the shellplate involves raising the ram, loosening the set screw, and unthreading the shellplate - threading in the replacement and setting the set screw. Pretty easy.

[pccchurch]

Less talking MORE DOING!

[SW20AE86]

I just want to thank you for the excellent video, very helpful and useful.

[PorterhouseV]

@SW20AE86 thanks, glad you found it informative.

[cranberry49]

Great videos and very helpful. I bought a used unit and maybe I can set the press up with the help you have shown.  I don't suppose that any other brand die will work or will they? Thanks

[PorterhouseV]

@cranberry49 any die with a 7/8x14 tpi threading (pretty much the universal standard) will fit. note that .50bmg dies will NOT fit in this press.

[kenthigginbotham]

Hey, I too want to thank you and the other guys who make these vids for us newb reloaders!

[PorterhouseV]

@kenthigginbotham thanks, glad you found them informative.

[stephenabm]

Great Video!!!

I wished this afternoon, that before the setting up of my New out of the Box Dillon 550B Press - watched your Video's. Dillon provided me with instructions and I purchased the USER Guide (DVD). I found these two forms of assembly to run opposite of each other, instead of going in the same direction. The video left out important parts of assembly, so I had to keep referring to the instructional paperwork. I did though do well, until the installation of the Dies. You saved me!!!

[PorterhouseV]

@stephenabm Glad you got it figured out, happy reloading.

[jkatz44]

Is the procedure about the same for the SDB?

[vicp57]

Great video of the set up of a Dillon 550 ... thanks for a great video!

[PorterhouseV]

@vicp57 thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[Jwesco777]

Lets say i want to switch from 9mm, to 45acp, do i have to buy the whole caliber conversion kit, or do i just hae to buy a diffrent powder die and diffrent shell plate?

[PorterhouseV]

@Jwesco777 at a minimum you will need: a caliber conversion kit (shell plate, shell pins, powder die drop-in), 3 die set (resizing/de-priming, seating, crimping), and most likely a new primer cup (a 550b ordered with a pistol caliber conversion kit should have come with two primer cups - one for small pistol and one for large pistol, so you may already have this component).

[chrisbudka]

You will need to buy the conversion kit. Conversion kits include the shell plate, powder funnel and brass plugs etc... You will also need the 45 ACP dies.

[tim8557]

Great video Porterhouse. I just received a Dillon 550B (self bought early Christmas gift) and I'll be watching your entire 4 part series. Even though I'm a vorcious reader, mechanical things are more clear to me by watching rather than reading.

Thanks for posting.

[blackquiver]

how much use can u get out of the brass...and do u buy brass constantly?...

[PorterhouseV]

i ditch brass after 8-10 reloads depending if it was range scavenged or purchased (or if its visibly damaged).

[PAGunGuy]

Depends on the caliber. Most handgun calibers - load them til you lose them. For rifle such as .223, about 5-10 times depending on how hot the load is and the quality of the brass.

[PorterhouseV]

@blackquiver for pistol caliber rounds i generally call it good at 15-18 firings as the metal does not "flow" like it would in a rifle cartridge. (in reality it does, but its to a much much lesser extent)

[joes68lc]

Bedbuginc. you really need to get yourself at least three loading manuals. they all have slight differences in "recipes" for each load. Don't load without the recipe in front of you.

[cromer77]

used your video a while back to set up my 9mm & 223 dies. Thanks for the video!!

Currently cost range ammo. With out buying brass. Reloading rocks!!

9mm - 85 bucks per 1k

223 - 175ish per 1k

[bedbuginc]

Hi i would like to know which gun powder you use and what website can i get it>? i got the 550 last week and i just need the gun powder for my 9mm Beretta!!!

[smallbass18]

is it true that at this point in time it is almost the same price to reload ur own bullets as it is to buy bullets.

[PorterhouseV]

pretty much the exact opposite in fact...

[Lichlord]

Depending on the caliber you can load rounds for around half the retail price. For example, 9mm components cost me just under $5 per 50.

[SAXD45ACP]

dude you have no idea how helpful your videos have been thank you so much for taking the time to make them I am forever in your debt. thanks

[PorterhouseV]

thx yo.

[11JedandEd11]

Hi, I am from Malta and am waithing for my Dillon RL550B to arrive from the US, I have learned a lot by watched your videos. Setting up the bench. Thanks.

[eriatarka1983]

Great videos, thanks! I'm going to order one of these to load .45ACP and .223. Much faster than my Lee Turret Press!

[bbmoose9]

Before you lock down the sizing die Dillon recommends placing an empty case into station #1 and raising the shell plate. This aligns he die in the station. Dillon recommends locking the die down while the case is inside the die.

Thanks for the vid, wish I had this when I was setting up my 550!

[PorterhouseV]

the case has a significant amount of play in the shell plate, so the case effectively aligns to the sizing die. this may become more of an issue as you are resizing cases that approach .50, but i find that with anything up to .45 its not an issue. there is very VERY little play with a fully threaded resizing die screwed into the toolhead. i havent had much experience with other manufacturers dies, but if they are cut small this might be a good idea.

[stclairstclair]

I Would like to see a video of 30-06, or any long neak rifle sizing, and bullit seating and crimping

[darksoldier300]

stclair i am working on mine for 50 bmg primmers are sold out till feb 28 09 so once i get my supplies ill finish but i did a case prep video

[rugerac556]

thanks a bunch for vids, wondering if you have case resizing vid demo. ammo shipping restriction in my county in md-so im going to manufacture my own. these videos help --thanks!

[PorterhouseV]

check out my other vids, i go over each step in detail. if you are talking about case trimming, i will be making some rifle vids at some point and will cover that in detail.

[1320crusier]

i live in MoCo too. that law was debunked by the supreme court in the 80s. a lot of companies will say they dont ship to md but will anyways.

[MrTieDye]

Thank you for your videos!

With the price of ammo, I will just have to start reloading, but also, I must say that I do not remember ammo being as inaccurate in the past as factory ammo is today. I recently shot some produced in the 1980's and it performed better than today's new out of the box factory loads.

[PorterhouseV]

the powder measure assembly and die housing does, the actual caliber specific die comes with the conversion kit which you get 1 of when you purchase a press, so yes.

[LOCUSLARSEN]

Great video. I guess you don't shoot much rifle? A bit more detail in the resizing die area of shouldered cases would be nice. I still don't think I have got the hang of that part. Anyways, thanks for posting. I like seeing how other people do this stuff because I really didn't have anyone show me hands on, so it was all trial, error, and praying I wouldn't do something stupid.

[PorterhouseV]

i will be adding to my collection in due time... when i get a rifle which uses bottle necked cases ill make a video about it.