Loading 9mm Luger on a Dillon 550

[@bluestarindustrialarts7712]

Ive used my 550 for 18 years now. Best reloading equipment made.

[@kyos2000]

I have this same press. Since I can’t find components, I am watching others use theirs. Very therapeutic.

[@bertsbug]

Why can't you buy components????

[@kyos2000]

@@bertsbug There has been a shortage since the pandemic started. They sell out as soon as places get them in stock. Many fake websites have popped up pretending to have them for pre-pandemic prices. And places that are legit and have them in stock consistently are way overpriced and usually pre-saleing them with no known shipping date. Primers and powder have been the most difficult for me to obtain.

[@darkstar9008]

@@kyos2000 primers and powder are impossible to find

[@Rusty_ok]

I know this was difficult and time consuming to post and I will thank you for that. I also have an older 550, I have used my experience from the manufacturing world to streamline the operation of the press. Couple of quick ideas. Minimize movement - set the empty cases as close as possible to the side of the press. If you can pickup and place the case in the press while moving your hand just a few inches you reduce errors and increase speed. This applies to the bullet placement also. Because it takes a certain level of concentration I typically do not load for longer than an hour or so.

[@Hickamfield]

i tend to load for a couple of hours listing to books on tape.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Thank you so much, that was a great instructional video. I am brand new to loading, got a lot out of this video.

[@fredericramsey3688]

Great video. I love the close up's at each station..

[@bunkstagner298]

the slowest and most important part of the process is setting the dies and especially adjusting the powder measure. To insure quality about every 25 rounds I pull a charged case and weigh it. As the powder settles it seems to get denser and heavier. With these small charges even a tenth of a grain is an important variation.

[@Hickamfield]

i have not had that issue. I do check about every 100 or so. Once the dies are set though on the 550 i never move them as i have several replaceable heads with several different calibers

[@shaverlocal]

That is a great illustrated video to teach a new loader on how to teach a guy on a 550. I have been running mine along with other presses and for straight walled cartridges it is very hard to beat. That said tonight I was loading 223 , but the prep time to size, deprime, trim, de-bur in and out, swage the military primer, debur the flash hole, prime and then get ready for press powder drop bullet seat and crimp. If it sounds like a lot of steps it is because each cartridge offers it's own challenges.

[@richardiacovelli236]

i use two heads one to de prime and resize and trim, then i run a wet tumble then run through the second to prime, power set and crimp

[@michaelschneider4894]

I liked the video, was helping a lot to set up my dillon 550. Thank you!

[@Hickamfield]

thanks, let me know if you have any questions

[@firearmsfreedomcanada7169]

Kinda funny watching you pick up those primers! Lol

[@spikebite785]

Great close ups for people trying to understand the process A++

[@dennismcnamara6299]

Noticed that your shell plate is way to loose for proper operation, the priming would be way more precise and your cases will be less likely to wobble around during the powder and bullet seating as well, just an observation on your loading session, JMO, THANKS

[@bill830pc8]

Hello, I’m going to reload some 9 mm lugar. Do I need to lube the casings?

[@Hickamfield]

not if you have carbide dies

[@bill830pc8]

Got it, thank you very much.

[@4570Govt]

Would you recommend a 550 as a “first press” for a brand new reloader(in this case, me)? I would like to start with pistol cartridges, 9mm/45ACP/357/38SPL. Eventually rifle as well, mostly for benchrest work and some varmint loads.

[@Hickamfield]

i started on a 550 about 20 years ago, it is a great press, just take your time, get about 3 manuals and read thous and make sure your scales are in grains not grams.

[@JH-kh9lf]

Doesn't the plate rotate itself with every pull of the handle?

[@Hickamfield]

no it does not

[@jamesbramblett3346]

The sped up primer pickups is extremely satisfying to watch👍🏻 excellent vid thanks

[@prebaned]

Nice video, some constructive criticism. Shell plate to loose, crimp way to tight which will reduce neck tension since lead dont spring back, but the brass case will. Also 9mm head spaces on the mouth of the case which is over crimped and will not consistently hit the barrel shelf leading to inconsistent accuracy and bullet plating getting stripped.

[@Hickamfield]

Thanks, I just moved so my equipment is all still in boxes. I have a three gun in a couple of weeks so need to break it all out this weekend and load a bunch of stuff for it. BTW my 9mm was really contestant and i have never had any problems. I load a lot of powder coated lead as well with the same set up and no issues.

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

Great video, thanks! Nice closeups of each station. FYI, I have all the Dillon case gauges but was shocked last year with a 9mm round my friend loaded. He was just starting out on a single stage and didn’t know what he was doing, and loaded several rounds with a huge roll crimp. The rounds wouldn’t chamber in a Glock factory barrel, in a BarSto match barrel, or in a KKM barrel. But they dropped just fine into the Dillon 9mm case gauge. I sent it back to Dillon and they verified it was cut wrong and replaced it. I bought the gauge in 2019. Frankly that made me suspect my other Dillon gauges even though they’ve been working, and for new calibers I only use L.E. Wilson gauges. Q: Where did you get the blue locator pin tabs? Great idea. Thanks again. 👍

[@Hickamfield]

get them on Ebay, or if you have a friend with a 3D printer have them print you some.

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

@@Hickamfield will do, thanks for the info.

[@xnorcal831x]

Looks like the shell plate is loose. Personally I stick a case in each station then tighten then shell plate then dont forget the screw on the side of the ram.

[@bennyboy6367]

ha. I stick a case in each station then tighten the shell plate - then back out 1/4 turn. Works for me. I also deprime first, then wet tumble. Then my reload process is clean and easy.

[@DHS956]

Nice video thanks it help me to understand how to set up my press.

[@Hickamfield]

no problem, PM me with any questions or go on to the Dillon owners group on Facebook

[@wrasmuss1955]

yes I must say this is a very good video thank you

[@JuanCruzPeraltaRamos]

Excuse me sir, what is that wire clip at the first station for?

[@richardiacovelli236]

that is to retain the brass for the first stage

[@Hickamfield]

@@richardiacovelli236 That is correct

[@MegaBait1616]

Now if I could only buy small pistol primers for 30 bucks during the Buyden administration.....

[@Hickamfield]

you can for 100 LOL

[@maduro169]

Love you video but I have a question , do you have a problem with bulging case's ( range brass more than likely fired from a Glock ) resizing them using Dillon resizing die . Someone suggested I use a Lee under sizing die . Whats your advice ?------ Sorry loading 9mm.

[@richardiacovelli236]

no problems with bulging, just check head spacing and don't over crimp

[@kumaquattro-le1vk]

Your shell plate is not tightened down enough . When you installed the primer, you can see that shell plate moved up . Shell plate should NOT move or tilt whenever you pull or push the handle . When you zoomed in at 9:05 and especially when viewing at 1/4 speed , you can clearly see your shell plate lift or tilt up . When your shell plate tilts like that, it's not straight up or in the same vertical plane when your primer it makes contact with your brass . Check your finished primers, they may be set deeper on one side than the other because of that . The same is true for your other dies, the shell needs to be in the same vertical plane for powder, seating and crimping .

[@Hickamfield]

works fine, if i tighten it down any more it locks up

[@celestinopoletti4773]

Ottimo..tutto molto chiaro, grazie.

[@Hickamfield]

grazie per aver guardato

[@shamirantimatyous8898]

hi there, i like your video, im trying to buy same press but im not sure if its 550 or 550c, and second what do i need to start loading my 9mm beside the press, would appriciated if you will let me know, i emailed Dillon few weeks back but no answer yet,thanks

[@Hickamfield]

First a couple of good reloading books, I like the Hornady Handbook 11th edition and the Lyman 50th edition reloading handbook next a press, I love my 550’s I have a couple. I would go with a used one if you can find one, If not Dillon is 4-6 weeks out I hear and yes it is a 550C. Then you will need a caliber conversion for the caliber you want to load. You will also need a set of reloading dies. Other thinks you need are a good scale, calipers, and a case gauge. That is the bear minimum. I almost forgot you need powder, primers and projectiles…. RMR is backorder 12 weeks on 115 grain 9mm right now, and good luck on finding any primers. If you can get it all together it is a great hobby, be careful and stay safe and use the manuals to load safely.

[@michaelbattin6717]

thanks ...good info

[@gunnwild1]

I thought Dillon's rotated on their own...must be a different model. I've seen set ups that have a brass feeder as well

[@Hickamfield]

550 is a manual rotate, it is a great machine

[@shadowcat3163]

Dillon's are good presses, but good luck getting parts from the maker. Sent in an order for conversion kits for my 550 back in late December. Just shy of 300 bucks so not a small order. After 3 months they still have not answered 4 e-mails asking for a status and nothing has arrived. Been an owner for 25 years and never had anything but outstanding service. But since Mike (the founder) died service has gone to ####. Been forced to try and scrounge the parts I need and look at trying to single stage the calibers I only need small batches of rounds for. I understand the demand, and I understand some delays. But flat out ignoring my simple question of if they even received the order has me a bit upset. If you find a press and have all the conversion kits you need, by all means go for it. But good luck dealing with the maker until they get their act together.

[@Hickamfield]

that is strange, i had a bad part last week, called them, they called me back in 15 minutes and set out a replacement part and i got it in 2 days, no cost under warranty. Love there life time no BS warranty

[@shadowcat3163]

Not sure what the problem is at this point. As I said, have had great luck with them in the past. Cracked my frame 20 years ago and they replaced it for free with out any questions. Again, it is not the product I have issues with it is the radio silence. Answering ONE of my messages would have answered questions and settled things.

[@Hickamfield]

@@shadowcat3163 try calling they have been returning my calls within 30 minutes. I know they are slammed as far as orders go, a friend of mine is a Dillon dealer and he has parts on back order since last year too,

[@Peregrine48]

Huh, had a 1980s 550 that was super corroded, sent it in about 3.5 months ago and asked them to upgrade it to the C... They cleaned it beautifully, updated it to a C, and sent it back within a month for about $200.

[@shadowcat3163]

I know, as I said I have never had a problem with them and it was always outstanding service. This last time (Dec 2020 to March 2021) they just flat out ignored at least 4 messages from me even though I had a complaint number assigned. Never charged me though so that is not an issue. If they would have contacted me and just said they never got it I would have sent in another order and we would have been good. But ignoring me for three months sort of ticked me off.

[@skytrooper506]

Ah the good old days when you could buy primers.

[@Hickamfield]

still can, they just cost a lot more

[@sabretom7594]

Nice!! Everyone has there own way. I stop every 50 rounds to weigh the powder charge and check overall length. Not that I’ve ever found a problem. Must be the aviator in me that makes me terminally anal. I prefer the manual indexing over the auto like in the 750. I’m not in too big a hurry and rarely load more than 300 I an evening. When you make any kind of mistake on a auto indexing machine, you can easily compound things by not paying close attention to the indexing. Easy to get ahead of yourself. Thanks for taking the time.

[@Hickamfield]

thanks for stopping by to watch

[@bjagfan9452]

Move the butane torch away from your reloading station

[@Hickamfield]

why? They don't spontaneous combust

[@jerkygutts8386]

@@Hickamfield lol the fire marshal. But that’s how I clean up spilled powder. That’ll blow his mind