Radioteacher

Thanks for the loading tip. When I can buy some reasonably priced H335 I will make a run pushing it up to 25 grains. I changed my photo to force me to remember to check everything.....and then check it again. An old mentor of mine used to say "When one plus one does not equal two, take a closer look at the ones!" Have a great day.

I missed typed my load data. It should have read 55 grain FMJ bullet, 23.0 grains of H335, CCI Small Rifle primers. The load functions perfectly in the carbine. My target speed is 2750 to 2775. I like lighter loaded rounds...easier on the brass. I just ordered a .300 AAC Blackout Barrel for this gun so I might be done loading .223 Rem forever. I have one .300 AAC gun and I love it so much that I am changing out the barrel on the other. I see no reason to shoot .223. Shooting either subsonic with a 230 gr lead bullet that I can cast myself or supersonic with an all copper Barnes 110 gr bullet, it makes the gun fit more rolls then just a .223 Rem by itself. Oh yea, I like loading 300 AAC more than .223. Bigger powder funnel, faster pour. Load safe!

I could swear that I used alcohol and a pipe cleaner to clean it before loading. I do that to remove any oil used on them used for storage longer then a month. I guess I did a good oil job or a crappy cleaning job. Next time I will wash it with Dawn in the kitchen and finish cleaning it with alcohol. Don't be like me. Clean and polish everything!

I loaded some .223 and noticed that near the end of the run of 200 bulles that I had some spillage of power on my Shell Plate. I figured I was going to fast for the H335 to drop through the Powder Funnel. I slowed down. 55 grain FMJ bullet, 21.5 gr of H335 Went to the range and set up the Crony. Shot from a 16" gas carbine. 2676 2740 2798 2785 2607 So in five rounds I had a spread from 2607 to 2798??? I pulled the powder funnel and it looked like the picture below. Problem solved.

I sold my SDB (45 ACP) and 550B (45ACP and 9MM) on ebay in the past week. I added in some spare stuff I had to sweeten up both deals. Got $415 for the SDB and $670 for the 550B. Years ago I did a trade to get the SDB. I bought the 550B at a gun show last year for $320. I am keeping my original 550B. The money will buy bullet molds and lead......and a nice gift for my wifes birthday! If you have any spare gear....sell it! Keep reloading!! Radioteacher

Drill a set of holes accross the front of the plate for (T-Handle, Ball end) hex wrenches. I bought the set of dipped hex tools, wrench and holder that Dillon sells and mounted them to the front of bench. I find it more convienent then behind the machine. Great job.

I use the same setup. But I use my own bottle. I was thinking of replacing the bottle with a hose the will drop the brass in the ammo can on the floor. Take care

I just bought a second 550 from an acquaintance. After receiving it I tore it down and cleaned and lubed the whole unit. It works great but.... When I take a toolhead from my old press (purchased in 1999) and put them in the older press (just purchased that looks much older then my press) some things are different. The casting on this press looks older and rougher, the toolheads do not slide in flush to the frame and when I cycle the handle it hits the size die slightly before the bottom of the stoke. Looking closely I notice that the frame of the press is a different shade of blue then the rest of the parts of the press. Like it was rebuilt with new parts...except the frame. Also, the top of my 1999 frame has some machining on it near the toolhead and this older press does not. Should I get a new frame? Would that be like my 1999 frame? Shoot safe!

A Follow up. I added the 20304 Failsafe kit for the SDB to bring the powder measure up to date. The Delrin bearings were fine so I left them in place. The Failsafe kit came with a new Spent Primer Return Bracket that is a little different from the one installed. After I switched the brackets the problem of the moving Spent Primer Cup went away. I bought and installed the new Large Primer Slide Assembly and Large Primer magazine tube. Now I have a complete SBD in 45 ACP. I have the brass, powder and primers ready to go.....I will pick up some bullets next week. I did a run last month of 45 ACP and depleted my inventory of bullets. After making sure it is good working order, I am going to sell it. I bought a used 550 last week and will use it as my second press. I will be posting a new thread on the 550 I bought. Thanks to all. Shoot and reload safely! Paul

Do not feel bad....I have the "Been there Done that" t-shirt for the "forgot the brass tipped screw" issue. Buying the tool holder and wrench set really helps me remember that step in the process. The Allen wrench for the brass tipped screw calls my name if I do not use it!

Thanks for the tip....I will try to remember that.

Jack, I might be keeping the SDB just to load 45 ACP or I could still sell it. It would save me a little time since I would not need to change out to large primers as often on the 550B. I would still use the 550B for 45 Colt. I love the 550B and do not mind changing it from large to small primers or from one tool head to another. My dies are all set and usually take the time to maintain the machine during changes. My 550B has a Failsafe and I like it. To me, using a failsafe powder setup puts less pressure on the brass to lift the powder measure and dispense the powder. This would also take less force to operate the machine. I could be wrong about this. I have checked the diagram and the spent primer hole lines up with the bracket 17212. I install the spent primer cup 16211 and I see it slide back a little when I operate the handle. In testing, the spent primer cup still catches the primer. Maybe I push the spent primer cup on too far? Thanks for the reply. Paul

First off I would like to thank Brian for hosting this fine site and its users for keeping me informed for many years. The corn cob media buy from Drillspot was spot on....thanks. I signed up about a year ago and have only posted a few times but have read a lot of FAQ's and posts. I apologize in advance for this very long post. I bought a RL 550B back in 1999 and love it. Titegroup is my powder of choice for all the calibers I shoot. .380, 9mm, 38 spl, 357 Mag, 40 S&W, 45 ACP and 45 Colt. So far the only part replaced under the no BS warranty was the plastic primer rod from the Primer Early Waring System. It was warping and would get hung up in the small primer tube thus failing to alert me that I was running low. About six years ago I picked up a used Square Deal B (SDB) in a trade. I put it on a shelf and there it sat until last month. I was thinking about selling it but I wanted to make sure it was complete. The SBD had .45 ACP dies in it. First, I examined all of the parts were in the press from the tool head up but I noticed that the older pre-failsafe parts were on the powder measure. Looking in the manual I saw there was a part number 20304 Failsafe kit for the SDB but I do not find that part listed on the web Dillon site. I would like to add the kit. Now it looks like I have to buy the 97034 "Slotted Bellcrank and Cube" and the part 16814 "Failsafe Return Rod Assembly" to do the same thing, is this true? Second, should I or could I get the Brass Link Arm Bearing part number 18077 to replace my Delrin bearings? My Delrin bearings look fine at this time. Third, I bought a new Spent primer cup (the original was lost) number 16211 and when I cycle the arm it pushes back on the cup sliding it a little out of place. Is this normal? I was thinking of out the heat gun to soften the Spent primer cup and put a bump in it where the arm hits it. Would this be OK? I did a full examination of the press. The spent primer cup was not all that was missing or just plain wrong. The press did nor have a Primer magazine tube in it at all. I bought one with the proper red tip for the .45 ACP large primers and installed the tube. The press had a Small Primer Slide Assembly in it. I bought the Large Primer Slide Assembly Part 20124 and it will arrive on Friday. The press does not show much wear on it but the grease on it was old and waxy. I tore the SDB down completely and cleaned it from top to bottom. I removed all of the old grease, grime and powder on every part and re-lubricated it as suggested in the FAQ with the grease from my 550B maintenance kit. It is now running as slick as my 550B! It was great looking at every part and mechanism so I could understand it purpose. What a nice machine. Shoot and reload safely! Paul

I ran across a few of these Federals on my last reloading session of .45 ACP. The first one was a shocker. I looked at it and could not believe my eyes. It was easy enough to feel on the up stroke...if felt like the primer hit a wall. After that one I felt/found three more in 800 rounds and tossed them all in the trash. Load Safely

Rocky, First, thank goodness that you are doing well. Second, thank you for posting about your experience. I also use Titegroup and have for about 12 years for all of my calibers I shoot. .380, 9mm, 38 spl, 357 Mag, 40 S&W, 45 ACP and 45 Colt. For over 20 years I have had a Beretta 96 in 40 S&W, and two years ago I purchased a Glock 27 Gen 3 and have put tens of thousands of reloads through them made on my Dillon 550. I have made one squib that left a bullet in the barrel of my Beretta 96 that I cleared with a wood dowel. Other then that I have been diligent in my reloading. I guess I have been good or lucky. After reading your post I will re-double my efforts in keeping safe when reloading and at the range. Take care, Paul