molson

Opinions are like ..... never mind. Mine have been flawless with the so called junk springs a followers from day one without a single tweek. As have everybody's that I know. As well as many people here. Ford and Chevy thing I guess. If you have trouble with MBX, if you have not worked with the manufacturer, who I understand stands behind his product, well that is on you as well. I wonder how many problems are self inflicted? Thinking in writing and not really needing to know. If you have not had problems after running them stock, why look for problems? Yes I understand opinions are like .... everyone has one. Fortunately, to me, mine is the only one I listen too. ? Mike

Uplula is hands down the number one mag loader around here as well. Next in line would be the old stand by, "The human thumb". Get an Uplula and never look back. Your thumbs will thank you. Mike

On my Thunder 9mm open gun, I changed the recoil spring at 10,000 rounds. Only reason I did it then was it seemed like a good round number. Not one issue ever knock on wood. Factory spring is a Wolff 9lb. Your mileage may vary, but that is my experience. I would look elsewhere first, but springs are cheap. Order 3 sets and have them on hand. Change the firing pin spring while you are at it. Consider moving the Aftec spring forward and put a second one in per CK's recommendation while you are at it as well. Mike

My thoughts are "why are you not cleaning the brass first"? Even an indoor range that is spotless, the brass is dirty on the exterior with carbon. That minute amount of crud added to the lube could be an issue to case guaging and plunk testing. Running the cases through a cheap vibratory cleaner for half an hour certainly wouldn't hurt. Also, carbide dies are tough, but they are capable of being ruined by dirty brass. Not cleaning them makes no sense to me at all. But that is me. Different strokes I guess. You probably have been doing it this way for 40 years and this is the first time you have had a problem. I agree with rooster, get the egw die and be done with it. And clean the brass first. Your dies will thank you. molson

I don't believe you are correct in your statement about production "division" grip modification. The definitive answer is the USPSA rule book. Check out the appendix on production and allowed modifications. Go to USPSA.org rules to get your very own copy ?. Other divisions are covered in there as well and mods may be allowed. For the OP, you can replace the grips with a slimmer profile grip as long as they are available on a factory produced of the same manufacturer. See it on CZ's all the time. molson

I used to get this now and again until I made sure my press and bench where as solidly mounted and stable as possible. My guess is your case feeder is moving and swaying causing this. Ensure your bench is rock solid and as little movement as possible. I bet it goes away without the insert. I think Dillon will tell you they have two different case feeder designs. One is the old style that may require the insert and the newer one that does not. I have the new one and after securing the bench, my problems went away. Going on 20,000 loadings now. (I keep track of these things ?) molson

Shootersconnection has CK's in stock. You could have it Tuesday if you want. They make a good gun and if you don't like it, you could sell it here the following week and be done deciding if you like 2011's or not before the summer gets away from you. molson P.S. and it will not cost 4 grand ?

Seadog , i never like like these answers, but I must ask. Have you found and read the owners manual for this press? Many questions can be answered with a simple read of the manual. To your question. Do you have the correct primer pickup slide and primer magazine tube for the caliber you are loading installed on the press? (If I had the manual I could tell you the correct names of the parts ?). Also, from your description of your process, seems like some parts might be missing. Make a list after reading that manual and call Dillon. They most likely will hook you up with them at no cost, even if you are not the first owner. Molson

Problem will be 100% solved with a different primer bearing plate. Many will give advice for this or that to fix the problem and you should exaust that advice if you have time. But I would save the trouble and buy the bearing upgrade. Search for "EBay 550 primer bearing" and buy it. Current price is $27.99 and is the first hit using google. You will not be sorry. Molson

Fuzz, The USPSA.org site under rules / NROI rulings has a ruling on this. Go read it. Does not hurt to know the rules and this is why you are here. The people DQ'ing shooters for non compliance need to do this as well as this is not a DQ. Go look it up and educate those that are stating this. Edited: to add NROI rulings molson

Extreme will do something. Not sure what. Seems like it was 10% off and free shipping last year. But I have a short memory so don't quote me on that! Molson

I use exclusively CCI in my production guns with lightened trigger pulls and never had a problem. They are rumored to be very hard. I would look for Winchester or CCI and call it good. Suggest go to your local gun store and buy 100 of each and try them. Bet they both go bang. Federal primers seem to be the preferred primer for revolver shooters with severely reduced pulls. Everybody will have an opinion. Buy a hundred of each, load 10 or 20 of each and if they light off, get whatever is available. Maybe a local shooting buddy would give you a few to try. I have in the past when this conversation comes up. Molson

Nah, I had the problem before I added the bearing. Bearing came after the ejector wire mod. Ran the press for a couple thousand before adding the bearing. Everyones mileage might vary on the ejector wire mod. Try it if you want. This mod was not mine and would love to give credit where due. I did not record the website location when I found it. Molson

Chuck, Here it is. In my case, I needed to add a little downward bend as well into the hole that the leg fits into. I have a bearing with a single race on top and with the very slight bend down, solved the issue of the ejector popping out of the hole. Molson Dillon XL650 Ejector Spring Bend.pdf

When I first started loading 9mm on my 650, I was frustrated with the ejector wire. So I would assume any case wire that rim diameter would be an issue as well. Found a PDF somebody posted on the proper bend and followed it. End of problems. 25,000 loaded since without a hiccup from that position. Want it, I could post it later, just let me know. i have a second ejector wire that I swap in for other calibers. Molson

I was reading all this and think the about the advice given and what a great place this is for asking questions and getting advice. My answer to how strict is this. When driving down the hi way, do you "occasionally speed"? Most of us do knowing it is illegal, but do it anyway. Some law enforcement officers will enforce the law if they see you doing it. Some give some leeway and let it pass. Others may be doing something else and not even see you speed by or care at that point. Point is, we all take chances and must live with the consequences. Can you accept the consequences if measured and you are out of spec by the rule book? Molson

Abitnutz, a call to Dillon will get you a pair of return springs. After you get them on the way (or before), do a search on google for "Dillon powder measure retrograde". You should end up at Ericwesselman.com . This gives the complete howto to convert them. Thousands perhaps millions of people have used both designs. Dillon designed the new one for a reason. Whatever the reason, I am sure it is a good one. Molson

I believe Aftec says no. But if you don't care about the warranty, it's yours, chrome it. I would polish the end at the rear of the slide and leave it that. Molson

I second MHitchcock's suggestion. Get a CK Arms. Mine runs like a typewriter right out of the box. So much so that when I did have an issue, it was so obvious, that the entire squad I was shooting with was as shocked as I. The issue turned out to be a relatively rare occurrence of having a broken Aftec spring and 2 weeks later the Aftec itself. And get this! CK is covering that broken part. CK Arms will give you great service and you won't regret the purchase if you go this route. I have little to no experience with the DVC other than one guy I see regularly shooting one cannot get it to run. 9 major. Not sure gun, mags, ammo. I let him use my mag and what ammo I had and it worked. I use MBX mags exclusively, his were STI. So that might rule out the gun. Just letting you know my exposure and what I have seen with one DVC. molson

Pictures

Eric, It broke just in back of the front spring to the hole for the spring. I will try and upload pictures tomorrow, late afternoon. I do not have the part with me at this time. molson

Bobby got back to me today (I sent an email on Sunday evening). Send broken part back and will send a replacement. Cannot beat that with a stick! A part they don't even make and will warranty it. Nice. Great service in my opinion ? Molson

Bad news. Aftec broke today. Bummer. Do these have a warranty? molson

Njl, Do a search on google or bing for "Dillon 550b primer track bearing plate upgrade with bearing". It fixes many of the 550b primer pickup issues. Others will have their opinions I am sure, and you would not be poorly served listening to them either. Do not over tighten the bolts holding the primer tube assembly, scotch bright the surfaces of the bottom of the primer assembly, keep it as clean as possible, and adjust the "z" bar thingy correctly are several to start with. My experience with the above upgrade is so positive that it is the #2 recommended upgrade for this press if the person is going to load 9mm or 40SW. EGW U die is #1 for these calibers. If they are loading other calibers than theses, the bearing plate is #1. Others will come along shortly and offer advice as well, you will get it figured out with the help of this knowledgeable group of people. molson

Fedupflier, the title of your post states BBI bullets. Aren't BBI bullets black. Reason I ask is you are saying blue bullets in your post. I will check my load data when I get home from work tonight. molson