Art Yeo Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 (edited) I am using a 550B and all is working fine. Currently, loading pistols only (9mm, 357mag, 44mag, 45ACP, 500SW) and will proceed to load 223 and 308win for rifles in the near future. The management of primer size on the 550B can get a little old quite quickly when you have to switch out the support for small primers to large primers. Yes, it is a 5 mins job with all the quality checks included but still ... it's quite a drag when you think about it. Is it time to get another machine so one machine handles small and the other do large primers? Or are there better ways to do this? Edited September 22, 2012 by Art Yeo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Orr Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 A 550 dedicated to large primer and another for small is really nice. If you get a complete toolhead with powder measure set up for each caliber to load you will be in rarefied company......And be a happy loader for sure.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youngeyes Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 +1. Two 550s are the way to go. Wish I had done it sooner. The next step is a casefeeder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCBDoubleTap Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 Another +1. I just set up my second 550 today for exactly this reason. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GR8GIFT Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 I did almost the same but went with 2 650's one for large primers one for small primers. I also have 1 550 but am using it for small batches of rifle ammo which I don't load often enough to mind switching out the primer assembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassochist Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 2 550's or a 650 with a complete small and large primer assembly, the primer system on the 650 is the one with the least malfunctions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Orr Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 2 550's or a 650 with a complete small and large primer assembly, the primer system on the 650 is the one with the least malfunctions. They must REALLY behave differently in the Netherlands.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmca Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 After you get the second press for different primers, you'll probably begin thinking about a press so you don't have to change out shell plates. I know I am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Yeo Posted September 22, 2012 Author Share Posted September 22, 2012 After you get the second press for different primers, you'll probably begin thinking about a press so you don't have to change out shell plates. I know I am Ideally, I'd like a 550B for every caliber I am reloading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassochist Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 2 550's or a 650 with a complete small and large primer assembly, the primer system on the 650 is the one with the least malfunctions. They must REALLY behave differently in the Netherlands.... language difference i think. i had an sd and a 550b, but both had a lot of problems with the primer systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 After you get the second press for different primers, you'll probably begin thinking about a press so you don't have to change out shell plates. I know I am Ideally, I'd like a 550B for every caliber I am reloading. Over kill. Set one up with large, the other with small, less costs, tool heads and powder measures are cheaper than an entire press, and conversions take less than a few minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 2 550's or a 650 with a complete small and large primer assembly, the primer system on the 650 is the one with the least malfunctions. They must REALLY behave differently in the Netherlands.... language difference i think. i had an sd and a 550b, but both had a lot of problems with the primer systems. Yeah my 650 priming system is infinitely better than my 550's was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GmanCdp Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 2 650's both with Case feeders and strong mounts..38 spl and 45 acp.will just go with a conversion for the 9mm..kid loads all my 9's on his for me,because he is just a good kid.hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natgas Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 2 650's here, one for large primers, one for small; currently switching the small primer from 9 to 40 and back; both with case feeders and bullet feeders; it's a pleasure to reload! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PROBIKE101 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 2- 1050,s small and large............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alvarez Kelly Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 My bench has 2 550s... one set up for small primers, and one set up for large primers... and toolheads for each caliber I reload. Life is good. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwsnowbum Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 I went with 2 1050s aswell. One small and one large primer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaster113 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Two 550s or 650s is the ideal solution for the small primer/large primer question if one can afford it and has the bench space. When I had a 550 I bought a complete large primer slide assembly from Dillon, so when I wanted to load stuff with large primers all I had to do was take off the priming assembly and swap the large primer slide assembly in. No screwing around with changing the primer cups, etc. that way. (Sigh), I neither have the bench space or the $$$ for another press so I'll have to go this route with my 650.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SixBarSpur Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Got an RL1050 for all small primer, high volume stuff. Keeping the 650 for change overs and longer stuff (.308). Have a custom plate bolted to the workbench that I just unbolt the 1050 and bolt on the 650, using the same casefeeder. I've not loaded any large primer cartridges yet, but will do so with the 650. Have a couple of 550s coming up for sale. Mine and a deceased friends that I need to pick up. Any interest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRush Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I moved to two 550s because of the hassle in changing primer assemblies- its really not that bad but loading for a range trip meant .223, .38 special on the small primer then switching to the large primer assembly for .45. One stupid mistake I made was thinking I could quickly load some small primer .45s for a lost brass match. I swapped the shell plate and toolhead over to the small primer press and cranked out 100 rounds, got to the match and the COAL was too long. Live and learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Yeo Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 [...] When I had a 550 I bought a complete large primer slide assembly from Dillon, so when I wanted to load stuff with large primers all I had to do was take off the priming assembly and swap the large primer slide assembly in. No screwing around with changing the primer cups, etc. that way. [...] If understand you correctly, you are unscrewing the 2 screws underneath the priming assembly and swapping it out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 [...] When I had a 550 I bought a complete large primer slide assembly from Dillon, so when I wanted to load stuff with large primers all I had to do was take off the priming assembly and swap the large primer slide assembly in. No screwing around with changing the primer cups, etc. that way. [...] If understand you correctly, you are unscrewing the 2 screws underneath the priming assembly and swapping it out? Correct. Takes all of two minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I use a 1050 for my high volume load and a 650 for everything else. If i need to change from small to large primers I do it on the 650. The primer change over on a 650 is easy. I never change the 1050. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiggerJJ Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I change primer size on a 650 and a 1050. I load rifle on the 1050, pistol on the 650. IF the swager on the 1050 is not in the equation, the time and work involved to change from large to small on EITHER machine is about the same. The problem with the 1050 is the cost for a tool head; ~$200! (vs ~$35 for a 650 tool head) jj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Yeo Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 [...] When I had a 550 I bought a complete large primer slide assembly from Dillon, so when I wanted to load stuff with large primers all I had to do was take off the priming assembly and swap the large primer slide assembly in. No screwing around with changing the primer cups, etc. that way. [...] If understand you correctly, you are unscrewing the 2 screws underneath the priming assembly and swapping it out? Correct. Takes all of two minutes. Unscrewing them is easy, putting it back and aligning it takes more than 2-3 mins in itself. Then, some QC check by looking through the primer magazine from the top (vertically down) and lifting the platform to ensure the primer seat arrives directly underneath the primer mag. So, in my experience, to manually switch out the primer size support, it takes slightly more than 5-6 mins. Yes, a little patience can help. -- Art Y. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now