Give 550 Casefeeder a Chance?

[IceDevil]

I have a 550 that I load 9 and 45 on and have been thinking about either an upgrade to a 650 or adding a case feeder. I wouldn't complain about more speed but my primary motivation is to make the process more comfortable. I find placing the brass to be the worst part and my hand gets fatigued during long loading sessions. I know I can sell my 550 for a decent price and buy a 650 and that the 550 feeder has a mixed reputation, but why not give it a try? From other posts on here it sounds like with a few tweaks the 550 feeder can be used on a 650 so if I'm not happy w the 550 and feeder I'm no worse off (except to the extent the 550 feeder costs a few bucks more than the 650 version). If I'm happy w the feeder, I have saved money and headache over an upgrade to a 650. If not, I'll upgrade later and already have the feeder. Any flaws with this approach?

[Glk21C]

had a case feeder on my 550, loved it. I have now switched it over to my 650, wasn't that difficult. I would recommend just getting the case feeder for the 550 and go from there.

[benos]

Lots of helpful info:

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=88204

[98sr20ve]

650 is worth it.

[IceDevil]

Thanks for the input. I'm sure the 650 is a great machine, but I'm only shooting about 7k per year and the 550 seems to handle that volume well. I placed an order with Brian this morning for the 550 feeder and will give it a try.

[IceDevil]

I received the case feeder yesterday and was able to get it installed last night and crank out 100 rounds without issue. I loaded another 200 this morning which also went really well. It's a little early for judgment, but so far the feeder is everything I wanted. It looks like the handle pulling time is about 20% less than without the feeder. It is also a pleasure not to have to take my right hand off the handle, orient the brass and shove it in the shell plate. The only problems I ran into were that a 380 case slipped into the bowl and it took me a minute to figure out why the feeder wouldn't push it into the shell plate and I ran the case feed dry once. Neither of those are the feeder's fault. Overall I'm very happy with the feeder.

Edited September 10, 2012 by IceDevil

[FlyinBrian]

I received the case feeder yesterday and was able to get it installed last night and crank out 100 rounds without issue. I loaded another 200 this morning which also went really well. It's a little early for judgment, but so far the feeder is everything I wanted. It looks like the handle pulling time is about 20% less than without the feeder. It is also a pleasure not to have to take my right hand off the handle, orient the brass and shove it in the shell plate. The only problems I ran into we're that a 380 cases slipped into the bowl and it took me a minute to figure out why the feeder wouldn't push it into the shell plate and I ran the case feed dry once. Neither of those are the feeders fault. Overall I'm very happy with the feeder.

Thanks for the follow-up report. I am a new 550 owner and I am already thinking about getting the case feeder. I hope you report back again after 1K rounds and let us know how it is going