Striker9

+1 to be....it is a nice feature to be able to index fwd and back. one of the main reasons i went with the 550b. speed and complete automatation is not my goal, if it was i would have gone 650 or 1050 but the 550 is quite versitile and change outs are quick. sounds like a good project, good luck!

There are lots of Q&A's here i've seen for primer catch pin probs. All sounded like easy fixes. I have never had a prob but have a back up if i do. As far as them getting dirty from decapping, i wouldn't know. I have an old RCBS partner press i make do all the dirty work. ;-) For primer cup and spring set up, I press handle fwd like i'm seating a primer and tighten the set screw. I'm not actually sure what the instructions say to do to set that up but was easy by pushing handle fwd. Actually just did it yesterday cuz i took the primer stuff apart to clean it all. It was sticking. You're gettin closer dude....then....Happy Reloading! Say goodby to the gal pal! ha!

Lots of setup vids on youtube. pretty sure brian has links to some here too. But, I think most of them are for pistol setup. For me it was trial and error. Hopefully you have a bullet puller or kinetic. I used them often to load dummies (no powder or primer) for fine tuning seat and crimp die. The shelplate/indexer adjustment is feel. I tighten mine down til it doesn't turn, then back it off about 1/2 turn or so, so there isn't much play in shelplate but will index freely. I like mine a little on the tight side. I'm sure you've done your homework, seems like it, but don't forget the small set screw in the main shaft.

It's not much, but is functional. Press: Dillion RL550b on strong mount. I currently have quick change for .223 and .40 s&w, with 45 acp on the wish list. The workbench I picked up on Craigslist for $80 and has solid oak top. And it's solid. The drawers house all my other tools, dies, stuff, you know. The cabinet is where I keep my tumbler, powder in a box, scale when not on bench. Speaking of the scale, I traced a ring around the adjustment part and if I put it in the same place every time it's balanced or close to it with little adjustment. The table on the left has RCBS Partner press I use for extra stuff, decapping, pulling bullets, etc. and I can move it around to wherever I'm working. The rack on the right shelves my cases in plastic bins from Dollar Tree, the garbage can is full of brass, file thingy with manuals, notebook, books, etc. and I sto my Super Swage there. I mounted swage on a block that I can move around or take inside and swage on the coffee table while watching TV. The pegboard is handy for keeping tools I find myself using a lot. Lastly, before y'all try and pull my Mancard, the ironing board is for setting my guns on behind me while I'm working. Folds up, it's padded, and sto's easily! Oh, and I mounted my Dillon left of center so I still have room to work to the right and it doesn't stick me in the corner while reloading. Like I said, not much but works for me!

Sweeet! You will have NO regrets. Very nice presss, versatile, super easy to change out calibers. You will love it. Post pics when you get your setup setup! Oh, and yes...you will continually find yourself "needing" other things. So long as the pocket book will allow....and the ole lady! ha!

Ya know....that would be great if I knew how to use the darn thing. I have one but the instructions didn't help this newbie very much. Not sure if I'm reading the tick lines on the headspace nut or the body. And I'm not sure on how to get my dies to correct measurement per the mic instructions. I currently have them set up per the die instructions. Almost thinking I should just call a gunsmith and have him show me how to use it. I am self taught reloader and don't know others except here on these boards.

Hey, I'm pleased to report that the Redding Small Base Body die worked! It appears to have left a shiney ring all the way down by the base. My other FL size die was not doing that. Then, I made several dummies and they chambered and extracted perfect! I'm jazzed. Except, now...i have to process 2000+ pieces ....again.... Thank you all for the input and suggestions.

Thanks Spanners, i'll keep that in mind. I keep my partner press nearby if i need to do some dirty work. I do have a question for the salty dogs. Once the shoulders are pushed back, is that going to be a reoccuring issue for those 5.56 cases? I.e. will I have to size them again? I've had no problems reloading my commercial brass. Thanks.

Thank you very much for the input and suggestions. I will try this again. Just on a visual check the shoulders look slightly different to my commersh 223. The cases I've tried to load are trimmed so I've eliminated that as a variable. I just don't know. g56 indicates he's had no problems with Dillon dies but it may not hurt to try small base or body die, they don't cost that much. I have another press and extra toolheads i can try it on. I'm going to narrow it down and figure it out. And will let you all know.

Small base die, i was wondering if that would do the trick. I will get one, hopefully local shop has them, if not there is a big gun show this weekend and maybe can find one there. I was think about the RCBS Precision Mic too. Thanks for the input all. Fortunately i have a couple extra toolheads i can use as additional prep for the 2000+ pieces i'll need to take the shoulders down on. It seems that is the problem becasue they are sized, proper length, etc. They just get stuck in the chamber and won't extract properly. I did try the different shellplate/die adjustments and just don't feel like that is the issue. And I basically have the FL die down to the shellplate. Not willing to take it lower for fear of bending it, then i'll have a whole host of other problems.

I have an Anderson Mfg. AR15, and they indicated it IS chambered for 5.56. I resized on 550b using Dillion dies but they don't chamber properly and get stuck. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I'm feeling like the shoulders aren't getting size/pushed back far enough because I've measured everything else compared to .223 and I can't find any major differences. I just don't have a way to measure the shoulders angle. They fit fine in case gage. I've tried taking the size die all the way down to shellplate but i know that's not proper setup or the way to go so put it back to recommended specs. If anybody has had this problem or knows how i can fix, please help. I have a lot of 5.56 brass and would like to be able to use it. I'm a newbie so please keep words to five letters or less. ;-)

Good deal, mine was doing the same but i thought it was tight enough. I'll tighten a little more.