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550B powder setup


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I hate starting new threads but I wasn't sure if I should put this in the tips and tricks. It is a general question about the type of powder setup I have. Looking at the picture do any of you know if this needs the white top hat type of insert? Also, is this powder measure fairly old since I have seen videos that have a dual setup for the powder measure. Just looking for a little tidbit on my 550. Otherwise, I do have a good start on what I have read and watched. Thanks!

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If you mean the white pin on the first picture, it is the clip holding the spacer for the small powder bar. The large bar fills the space and there's no need for a spacer. Old measure as well as new type. Not sure if this is the white top hat you are taking about. The only diff between old and new is the powder bar return action. The new measures don't have return springs and use the down force of the failsafe rod to return the powder measure. I like the older setup. Other people swear by the new. YMMV

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^^^^

What Youngeyes said. I have that exact measure for a .223 set up (with the large bar) and it looks like you have everything you need. Heck, you even have a flourette knob! ;) I also like mine a lot, operates smooth and is consistent.

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Ok. Thanks for all of the replies. I am talking about the second picture where I have seen the white piece that attaches to the plate. If I am good I do appreciate the help. I just have to figure out what side I am supposed to attach the bar. Right now when I pull the handle, I doesn't raise the plate.

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Oh, OK. It's kind of hard to tell for sure, but it looks like your black "tophat" washer is sitting on the upper side of the bracket. It should be on the bottom with the smaller diameter seated in the bracket's round opening. With the handle fully up as when seating a primer there needs to be some good preload on the spring, but the spring shouldn't be two-blocked...if that doesn't make sense I can take a pic of mine tomorrow and post it.

Edited by Bamboo
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It's not supposed to actuate the powder bar. It's just a return rod. The powder bar is moved by a case actuating it. No case, no powder bar activity. The failsafe return bracket just rides up and down the rod. The older models had no return rod and ran fine. The top hat just centers the rod. Your version uses the springs on the powder measure to return the bar. The return rod is a safety feature.

Edited by Youngeyes
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It's not supposed to actuate the powder bar. It's just a return rod. The powder bar is moved by a case actuating it. No case, no powder bar activity. The failsafe return bracket just rides up and down the rod. The older models had no return rod and ran fine. The top hat just centers the rod. Your version uses the springs on the powder measure to return the bar. The return rod is a safety feature.

I understand what you are saying. My terminology is still in the works. Looking at my picture, do I need to replace the black piece to fit into the bracket coming off the plate? Otherwise, I am set up. Just have to look at why my primer slide is binding slightly. The joy of buying used has it's advantages and disadvantages. Thanks again for the help.

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I understand what you are saying. My terminology is still in the works. Looking at my picture, do I need to replace the black piece to fit into the bracket coming off the plate? Otherwise, I am set up. Just have to look at why my primer slide is binding slightly. The joy of buying used has it's advantages and disadvantages. Thanks again for the help.

The "new" white ones are a newer design. There is nothing wrong with the older style black ones. The "cup" side is supposed to contact the spring, under the failsafe arm.

If it was me, I would re-install it correctly, and load some ammo.

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I understand what you are saying. My terminology is still in the works. Looking at my picture, do I need to replace the black piece to fit into the bracket coming off the plate? Otherwise, I am set up. Just have to look at why my primer slide is binding slightly. The joy of buying used has it's advantages and disadvantages. Thanks again for the help.

The "new" white ones are a newer design. There is nothing wrong with the older style black ones. The "cup" side is supposed to contact the spring, under the failsafe arm.

If it was me, I would re-install it correctly, and load some ammo.

That is how it is installed now. I guess I just got used to seeing videos with the white one, it made me question the older style. As for loading some ammo, that just isn't happening yet. I am having to put this together little by little. So I bought the largest piece, now I have to get everything else. Tumbler, seperator, scale, etc. Thanks for the suggestion and help. :cheers:

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That is how it is installed now.

Sorry, it just looked wrong in the 2nd photo.

This is not something to worry about. Actually, the black ones are easier to remove when you want to dump the powder. Some prefer them.

Enjoy!

You're right, in the picture I took it was on top. I changed it before you made your post. Until I get some supplies, I am stuck with where I am at.

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I had three of the old style. A quick call to Dillon and they sent me a parts kit to change the old style black bar slide activators to the new style with the failsafe. I was skeptical, but I fall into the camp of I now like the new style better.

What started this was I purchased a new SQD B for 9mm and noticed the slight difference in the powder measure setup and the fail safe. To myself, hum, I think I like this, hence a call to Dillon about the 550s.

You just can't beat Dillon's customer service!

I also took this opportunity to clean my measures and re-apply graphite to the moving parts. Slick and Smooth.

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I had three of the old style. A quick call to Dillon and they sent me a parts kit to change the old style black bar slide activators to the new style with the failsafe. I was skeptical, but I fall into the camp of I now like the new style better.

What started this was I purchased a new SQD B for 9mm and noticed the slight difference in the powder measure setup and the fail safe. To myself, hum, I think I like this, hence a call to Dillon about the 550s.

You just can't beat Dillon's customer service!

I also took this opportunity to clean my measures and re-apply graphite to the moving parts. Slick and Smooth.

So Dillon upgraded your powder measure no questions asked? I am surprised but in a way not based on all the reviews of their great customer service.

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Hi BrianF,

They sent me a parts kit to replace the single piece black triangle looking thing, lock nut, washer, screw, and a new failsafe rod. The new piece(s) are two zinc looking things with the fail safe action. This was about two years are so ago. All other stuff was from my original measures. Cast head, powder bars, hopper, ect...

I can post a pic of before and after parts?

RT

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Hi BrianF,

They sent me a parts kit to replace the single piece black triangle looking thing, lock nut, washer, screw, and a new failsafe rod. The new piece(s) are two zinc looking things with the fail safe action. This was about two years are so ago. All other stuff was from my original measures. Cast head, powder bars, hopper, ect...

I can post a pic of before and after parts?

RT

No you are fine without having to put up pictures. I am just surprised they sent you and upgrade parts kit, unless your powder measure was broken? If it was just to upgrade to the newer failsafe system that is impressive!

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In the machine photo posted the throttle clip does not appear to be correctly attached. The black bushing is fine, it just needs to press up into the bottom of the failsafe bracket. On the RL550 there isn't a significant safety advantage to the newer design. Since the 550 is manually indexed, it will drop a powder charge every time you pull the handle whether or not you have indexed the shellplate. On auto-indexing machines such as the Square Deal B and the XL 650, the advantage to the two-pice lock link design is tht it delays retraction of the powder bar to pick up another powder charge until after the shellplate has rotated the charged cas to the next position.This pretty much prevents an accidental double charge.

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since this has changed somewhat and Dillion replied , I want to say , I have had nothing but excellent from Dillion , , two parts been replaced one was missing and other I bent the rod too much they sent me replacement right out , they even called and made sure everything was OK best customer service i had on anything in many years .

In the machine photo posted the throttle clip does not appear to be correctly attached. The black bushing is fine, it just needs to press up into the bottom of the failsafe bracket. On the RL550 there isn't a significant safety advantage to the newer design. Since the 550 is manually indexed, it will drop a powder charge every time you pull the handle whether or not you have indexed the shellplate. On auto-indexing machines such as the Square Deal B and the XL 650, the advantage to the two-pice lock link design is tht it delays retraction of the powder bar to pick up another powder charge until after the shellplate has rotated the charged cas to the next position.This pretty much prevents an accidental double charge.

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Hi, I went back and looked at some pics of my loading room. In May of 2010 I had the old setup.

Attached are the pics of the new setup and the parts bag with the old parts.

Thanks Dillon for responding, your service is great. I don't know if I paid for the parts are not ( I will always offer on something like this), but even if they were $15 buck each, I would still be impressed. I always get professional folks on the phone @ Dillon when I call, this is priceless!

Kind Regards,

RT

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