SteelEye

One problem I ran across is the video and Kuhnhaussen book cover pre-transfer bar hammers. I don't know if this is a problem yet. After I took off the side plate and got the main spring off, nothing else would come out. In Jerry's video, he just pulls everything out. Does this have anything to do with the new parts, including the lock under the thumb release?

Been studying the Miculek Trigger Job video and would like to begin, very carefully, to disassemble and put some wear on selected parts. Brownells sells a S&W do-alll-be-all kit for $400 but that's a bit steep for me. Do I really need cupped punches? A set is $75 and I'm not sure I have more then 2 pins. Don't know which stone to buy and I could use a good screwdriver set too. What do you guys use? SteelEye

Thanks guys. Found tons of info thru your links and a simple search for "knobs"

I'm new to the 550B. Have loaded about 600 rounds so far. I am experimenting with 45 Super/Rowland loads and find it slow going making adjustments with the wrench. I will admit that adjusting the powder measure is easy, simple and not as slow as I thought. However, Brian mentioned that some of you have devised a way to use a knob. I searched thru the site but didn't find anything. Can someone offer some insight? Thanks, Burt

Where does one get graphic powder? Any particular brand?

Dillon! Today I really appreciate this press. I put the small primer bar on and it wouldn't load the large pistol primers, so I gave the large primer bar another looks and figured, what the heck, it's damaged already so why not hit it with a hammer. Took out my plastic hammer and gave the seater punch a few whacks until is looked about right. Put it back on, jiggled it a bit and everything works, smooth as silk. Just loaded 100 round in what seemed like a few minutes. Checked all the primers and they appeared to be seated as deeply as the rounds I loaded yesterday. All Fixed! Thanks to all for all suggestions. I will ask Dillon for a new primer bar since I still can't get the seater punch out of the bar. - Burt

Brand new 550b. Loaded 200 rounds last night. Had problems with a sticky primer bar which was resolved with One Shot. Once I put the assembly back together I had these problems.

Got the primer bar to go in and out smoothly, but now the primer cup appears to be bent. I unscrewed the primer punch set screw but the seating punch and cup stay in place. I can see that the cup is not perpendicular, off by about 10 degrees (?). Installed the other primer bar and if fits fine. Thing I don't understand is it looks the same, that is, I cannot see any difference between primer bars. Is it that the small punch is on the other side of the large punch and I have two so I don't have to take apart the seating punch/seating cup? Hope so, because I'm going to try and get back loading my 45AR. Any suggestions welcomed. Burt

Couldn't find any fine sandpaper or grease but had some One Shot on hand. Gave a light spray on both sides of the bar and it works much, much better. I found that the Primer Track Bearing (#14015 ver 8.1) was a bit...not smooth. The One Shot smoothed it out enought that there is no sticking. I'd still like a smoother glide but am satisfied with what I have. Thanks guys, Burt

The first thing to pop into my mind was to lube it but being so close to primers I felt reluctant. When I called Dillon and asked about this the tech said, "absolutely not." Then he said I should stone the slide. I'm glad to read that sanding and a bit of lube will resolve this problem. Many thanks for the suggestions! Burt

Loaded my first rounds on new 550b. First 100 went OK...sorta. Priming bar would hang up going out or going in or both. Would hang then slam and wouldn't drop a primer into the cup. But, I managed to get good loads. Second batch was worse in that I had to manually move the bar so it wouldn't slam. When it did slam a primer would fly out of the Dillon on to the floor. After the priming buzzer when off, I began to manually move the priming bar back and forth to simulate wear. After a few minutes of this a primer dropped into the cup. This happened one other time. I ended up with 95 finished rounds, 2 primers on the floor (recovered), 2 late drops and 1 MIA. Dillon tech support said I should get the priming bar stoned. I offered it Jack because I don't have a stone. What are my options to get the bar slick and smooth? Thanks, Burt

I've only shot jacketed bullets from my 625 but have a growing collection of lead ranging from 185s to 255. When I begin shooting lead should I only shoot lead or can I mix and match with jacketed?

What's involved with installing the gold bead on a 625-8? And what would be the recommended size? I'd like to pair this bead with an outlined blade so any recommendations are appreciated. Burt

I saw this sight on the jpar15.com site. Looks interesting and not to spendy. As I am very far sighted I was thinking about mounting this on my, soon to arrive, G35. Anyone use it or heard any stories about it? Thanks, SteelEye

I've got a G35 on the way. I plan to reload jacketed mainly. I'm more concerned about the cases as I hear the stock barrel is unsupported. Sure, a BarSto would be nice but it's beyond my abilities at this moment in time. However, if the stock barrel will give me problem with case bulges then I'll pop for the BarSto. Any suggestions? Thanks, SteelEye