DEP44

In short: Clean primer slide track New blue tip primer tube "Wobble reduction kit" (also cured case insertion problems): The 1050 is just.... amazing!

For what it's worth, I just changed the 550 to 50AE and get the same case measurements as you do: .523/.499 for a fired case. With the Rainier bullets (no cannelure, like your I assume DCHP's) I do have to set the OAL to 1.610 or I would be crimping beyond the point where the bullet tapers. They barely fit the magazine but still function flawless.

That's odd, I'm using the same RCBS dies in my 550 and have no problems. I use Rainier plated 300gr projectiles. They measure .5005 and Starline brass. The neck of the case is .540, while the base is .547. Maybe you need to screw your sizing die more down (to touch the shell plate). Now, and don't take this for advise , I have enough powder in there to leave no room for setback.

I had a Steyr STG58 (FAL) and the difference at 50y between using the std bipod and using a sling was at least 1 foot. Just saying.....

I had to run my LC brass through a (Redding) small base sizer (only the first time). My DPMS 24" has a very tight chamber and even the FAL had problems.

The brass was pre-sized and -trimmed. The blue tip did not look worn at all, but... when actually comparing it to the spare ones I have, it did appear to be more sloppy. I also decided to run a wire from the bulletfeeder bracket to a hook in the wall behind the press and the brass and bullet feeders dance around way less since. So far no problems, I'm starting to turn into a believer! Thanks!

Took the machine apart: The slot in the frame in which the primer slide rides, was gunked up. The slide is running smooth again. However, the press is still ejecting 1 out of 100 primers out of the back onto the bench. The ejected primers show no signs of damage. Now I'm trying to figure out how exactly that primer gets lost and the only thing I can come up with, is that it jumps out of the slot during the ride towards the primer punch. The only moment that the otherwise smooth operation gets disturbed, is when the expander gets pulled through the neck of the 223 cases. I bought this press new and went the extra mile for the carbide die, but now I'm considering a sizer with neck bushing. Any thoughts on this?

If I want the primer slide to be activated, the rachet stops the press on the upstroke. Adjusting it on the primer tube the slightest bit higher and the activater will skip over the slide (messing up the rubber tube). I ended up using a rubber band to keep the rachet out of the way. Other than that, the primer slide does not just slide backwards, it shoots backwards with a force. Many primers somehow escape onto the bench.

I use AA5 quite a bit and I'm not aware of issues. VV N140 is an ordeal to dial in.

Same here, but with my luck I'm only passing the ones with used clothes and sippy cups....

Almost 3 years ago now and I am curious about the experience so far. Time to call it a proven concept? Thanks.

If you need to justify your purchase, just tell her you want to spend more time with her. And since the 1050 doubles the production rate of a 550... As long as you don't end up watching more sitcoms like the nanny with her... (In that case I'd trade the 1050 for a nice single stage).

It never really bothered me until yesterday, when I filled up a primer tube with 100 primers, turned it upside down to drop 'm in the press.... and noticed there was no clip at the end. Quite irritating when you think you retrieved another primer and it appears to be a spent one.

I find the operating handle (esp. with roller handle) way more ergonomic on the 550/650. If I had to rate the advantages of the 650 over the SDB, position of the handle and leverage would come before increased speed.

Ditto! That's why I added the 650 to my 550 (ran into a barely used one last year, with all bells and whistles) in the caliber I shoot the most. The 550 now handles my low quantity large primer calibers, and the 650 is 357 only.

About cleaning the primer system: I keep an old toothbrush next to my presses. After about 100 rounds I use it to wipe off all crap from shellplate and primer seat. Takes a few seconds, and there's no need to take things apart.

Borrowed a kinetic hammer a while ago. Barely dared to pound with it, but in the end you have to whack very hard. Used it on vinyl floor (over concrete). NOT recommended, as it leaves round marks on the floor. Used it for 44Mags with heavy crimp, and ended up with the lead leaving of the jackets, how's that for creating your own sabots?

Had problems with 38sp also on my 650, which went away by removing the washer. They actually got through the holes and got stuck underneath the disc, or sometimes 2 cases got stuck in one hole in the disc, blocking it completely.

I'd take a few fired, not deprimed cases and insert them in station 2 with the sizer die screwed in too deep, and check the powder drops. If that's okay, I'd run the over-OAL rounds through the seater and crimper again. Maybe I'm advertising something unsafe here, but it sounds reasonable to me....

It finally happened!!! Ran into a used 650 last week. 1,5yrs old and not more than 2500 rounds behind it. Came with strong mount, bullet tray and powder check. It was set up for 45, but the guy had also everything for 357, so he decided to sell the 45 parts seperately. Got the press mounted and adjusted today and loaded my first 100 rounds on it... in 6 minutes! Managed to get it running in little time without even needing the manual. The only thing I have to get used to, is the priming system. It looks like it takes 6 strokes before I can turn on the case feeder. Then its 2 strokes to get the first case primed. Had a little hassle at the end of my 100 round batch too because cases kept coming. Figured out afterwards to remove the case tube as soon as I feel an empty primer disc when trying to seat the primer. And that you can remove the case from that station because the locater is spring operated. I made my bench 104" high, and I figured I never needed a strong mount that way. Being 6'7", the strong mount is a big improvement when it comes to ergonomics. Want one now too for the 550, which I'm keeping for .44 and .308 (and occasionally .45LC). Never saw any purpose for a powder check either, but it feels nice knowing it sits there doing its job when you're on a roll. All I need now is the roller handle. I'm a happy camper. Every now and then I have an urge to go upstairs and stare at it in the door opening of my reloading room. Like a child in a candy store. My own candy store.

I 100% agree with the advise that you should only get a SDB if you have tried it somewhere, and like it. I started out with a SDB, didn't know what else there was, so I didn't know any better. Used it for 38sp/357m and 44m. Until a 308 came along, and I got the 550. I recently got the 44 conversion for the 550 (SDB small primers, 550 large primers), and it makes a world of difference. I like the position of the handle better, and it takes way less force to operate it. The auto-index makes the stroke of the SDB less smooth, which can cause spilling with full house loads. The 550 has way more room for your hands to seat the bullet. IMHO the ease of operation easily outweighs the manual index. Don't get me wrong, the SDB does it's job, and fast. I just think the 550 is more pleasant to operate. And, if back then there would have been internet for a bit of "research", I would have skipped both and got a 650. In fact, I still want one.

I bought my first reloader, a SDB, 10 years ago, and it has served me well. My findings: Changeover from .357m to .38spl only requires a toolhead (not valid for you, but still...can't get easier and cheaper than that). Primer return breaks often. Gotta have 'm in stock. Easy to operate, changing from .357 to .44 (which includes going from small primers to large primers) doesn't take more than 5 minutes. I keep my SDB stuff in a fishing tackle box, making it very easy to swap parts. I also own a 550B (currently only used for .308) and I like the less centered position of the 550 operating handle. More ergonomic. Especially .44 requires quite some force to operate on the SDB (Dillon advises lubing). Also, the 550 shellplate is easier to access, and there's way more room above the shellplate in case of manual intervention (or simple load developement). I also *personally* prefer the manual index, I think it makes operating the handle more smooth. My SDB is (or has become) a little bumpy. The 550 feels more sturdy, but that's just a feeling. There's no play in the 550 handle and also not in the shellplate platform. I've been thinking about getting rid of both, and buying a 650 in return, but to be honest, I shoot less than 500 rounds/month and I like to try different powders etc. Which results in small batches and changing calibers all the time. What I would like, is to be able to sit down and not having to take my right hand off the -roller- handle. I don't need a casefeeder at all, but I sure would enjoy the comfort, combined with a roller handle. The little push to forward the shellplate for me outweighs the "harder" handle handling of auto-index, compared to the SDB. On the SDB I can feel the auto-index during operation of the handle.Never experienced the feel of a 650. Until I got the 550, I didn't think reloading could get better than on a SDB. Having them both, I would never pick a SDB over a 550.

I have the RCBS primer flip tray, and there's always primers that won't flip. IMO the thing sucks.

I've had the same problem, and found out the primer tray (if that's what it's called, it's that thing underneath the primer tube that slides in and out) wasn't running smooth. It caused the timing of the tray to be off and the cup would hit the shellplate instead of fitting in. Primers would flip, and powder all over the place. I oiled the tray a bit on both sides, which solved the problem.

The only thing I've had with the SDB priming sytem, is that I screwed on the top of the tube too tight after inserting the inner tube. Somehow no primers came out.