OleGreyGhost

I stand corrected. In reading Lee's advertising: This is is what I took the press to be designed for. In reviewing that same advertising, following your post, I found a part of the description that I missed: I tried to find the post I read where the user complained about having a problem with the express shell holder and switched to a regular shell holder slowing the whole process down. Was unable to locate same. Thanks for pointing this out, now I might be able to use this for other projects if i can get past my swaging problem....

According to Lee the press was not designed to handle that much stress. Some of the posts I read relate that the x-press shell holder is the weak point, being thinner as compared to a regular shell holder. Haven't come across any posts to date, relating to a successful sizing session....

My understanding of the swage process is the tool is to have a gentle taper. As it enters the pocket it will encounter the crimp & expand it outwards. This opens the pocket to accept the primer. In our case it seems to be catching the crimp & pushing the excess material into the pocket forming the ring. Am wondering if there might be some microscopic tool marks causing the problem? At my age, I'm lucky I can see my hand in front of my face....

@Farmer I am having the same problem. Went back to the RCBS swager, but the ring of brass was too deep for it to be corrected, also too deep for the Forster crimp reamer. Tried a dental pick, to no avail. Finally had to jury rig a pocket brush in a drill press to scrape it out. It is taking 3 times as long to clear up the mess. Let us know if you found an efficient way to correct the ring problem. @Lesliet As designed, the collator seems to only work for pistol & short rifle calibers. If you purchase a second collator, use a 3/4" counter-sink and bevel the four holes; it will orient the 223 without a problem. Just be careful to not cut thru the plastic. You should be able to deprime approx. 400 cases per hour, easily. Am trying to work out a solution for the collator to accept .308 caliber. I have also gotten the Lee case feeder & collator to work on the Dillon 450 press by modding it to the Dillon case feeder. Not as fast, complicated or as expensive, but it will handle 300-350 cases ( .38 & 9 mm ) per hour. (Just using the lower mechanical parts. ) Also included in this setup, for pistol only, is the Lee bullet feeder kit. According to Dillon the 450/550 case feeder will not handle 223/556. I am currently trying to work out the kinks on the setup for 223/556. ( just need some uncrimped brass ). Tolerances for this caliber are very tight. Prospects seem promising. The Lee bullet feeder cannot handle a .22 caliber bullet. So you might have to use the DAA, RCBS or Hornady bullet feeder. Just be advised, the DAA will not work with DEWC and/or HBWC bullets. ( reason I am not using it ) Or go back to the old fashioned way of hand feeding the bullets. Slower but effective. Will update on any progress made....

First things first. How mechanically inclined are you? This is not your typical plug & play like the 650 & 1050. Space is tight & you might have to make some adjustments to your press frame. Also you will have to make an adjustment to the primer operating system. There are some videos on you tube. Search "Dillon 550 case feeder". To get some " tips & advice ", I suggest you look at the older posts in this thread. Also go to the Dillon website, in their forum, there are numerous requests for assistance for the case feeder. Even with the 650 & 1050. Search the manuals section for the 550 case feeder, it will show you what is involved in trying to set it up. The other thing is, it is only designed for handgun calibers. { 30 Luger up to 454 Casull }. It will not handle the longer rifle cases, or the shorter pistol cases, according to the Dillon reps. After that, let me know if you are still interested?? Cheers....

The Dillon dies are 7/8 x 14nc. They are the same thread size as the RCBS & Lee dies, that I am using. RCBS makes a micrometer seating die that should work & can be found on Amazon for around $ 85.00. Hope this helps.....

Sandbagger, Thanks for the info. They are both using the same measurement. Won't have to make any adjustments. This means a savings of $ 130.00 compared to the Shooting Chrony LED light setup. Cheers...….

Gentlemen, I read a large number of posts in this forum, to see if there was already an answer posted for my question about the skycreens (above). Observed quite a few Caldwell owners replying to queries about their equipment. I hope I am not asking anyone to violate any non-disclosure agreement. I proposed the same question to Caldwell on their website, five (5) days ago, and still have not received an answer. If someone would be kind enough to provide an answer, it would be greatly appreciated.. Cheers...….

Nathan, I am sure he does. But for now, I am just want to keep it simple. Lots of catching up to do. Thanx again...

That went well !!

Dave, Thanks for the invite, but I haven't participated in the last five years. Now it is just for fun & experimentation...

Anywheres' near the battlefield???

I have a gamma master Shooting Chrony, which I would like to improve. I was wondering if the Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Light Kit would fit on the end of the support rods of the Shooting Chrony. They appear to be the same " V " configuration. It would be much appreciated if someone can give me the measurement between the attaching points for the rods on the Caldwell skyscreens? Thanx in advance for your assistance....

Hi, Thanks for the acceptance to the forum. Am a long time reloader & varmint hunter. Was inactive for the last 7 years and am looking to pickup where I left off.