fritzthemoose Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Hi all I am looking into getting another press amont others the 550 is on the list too. Now I found out that you have to move the shellplate manually by hand. Is this no pain in the ass? Whats the advantage of the 550 compared to the Square Deal and can I do more rounds with it even without the case feeder or only with the case feeder? As I am mainly doing 9 Major loads with automatic shellplate movement and indexing I have some powder spill because the case is so full. Does that happen with the moving by hand too or would that be an advantage? Do you have that type of powder spill with Dillon presses too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 (edited) I have 2 550's indexing by hand is no issue for me. Hit the index-star with my thumb, and set the bullet on the case with my left hand, while the right is reaching for a new case... As to the full cases.. I don't load anything like that.. so can't speak to it. Edited May 22, 2009 by BerKim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elenius Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I have 2 550's indexing by hand is no issue for me.Hit the index-star with my thumb, and set the bullet on the case with my right hand, while the right is reaching for a new case... As to the full cases.. I don't load anything like that.. so can't speak to it. Don't you mean new bullet with the left hand, case with the right hand?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 lol - opps.. yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mda Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Hi allI am looking into getting another press amont others the 550 is on the list too. Now I found out that you have to move the shellplate manually by hand. Is this no pain in the ass? Whats the advantage of the 550 compared to the Square Deal and can I do more rounds with it even without the case feeder or only with the case feeder? As I am mainly doing 9 Major loads with automatic shellplate movement and indexing I have some powder spill because the case is so full. Does that happen with the moving by hand too or would that be an advantage? Do you have that type of powder spill with Dillon presses too? The square deal only loads straight wall pistol and you must use Dillon dies specific to the square deal as they are not the standard thread size. Loading on the 550 in easy once you get the sequence. Pull handle down and backup, seat new primer and place bullet, index shell plate, insert new shell, repeat. Since you are indexing by hand you can control index speed so should not spill any powder. I can load 300-400 rnd an hour easily. You can get a auto shell feeder for the 550 but for the cost and trouble auto feeders can be, it's not worth the trouble. Check out the link below for a comparison between the different Dillon presses. http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html#which. MDA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_pinto Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 The 550 will be better for 9 major as mda stated you can control the speed. I have seen powder spill out of .40 cases on a 650 when you really get going, I can only imagine how careful you have to be with major 9.. Get the 550 and if later on you want to increase productivity, get the auto case feeder.. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry White Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 The case feeder for a 550 is a good add on for a 550 you already own. The cost of a new 550 and a case feeder gets you real close to the cost of a 650 which gets you back to auto indexing. There are some simple mods that can help with the powder slinging on the 650 and operator techque has a lot to do with it also. The SDB is a really good little press but it is a little press and is pistol only. Get the 650 and learn how to use it. I've had mine longer than I care to admitt and have no wish to trade, either up or down.----------Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boz1911 Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 The 550 is easier to control powder spillage for "full" cases such as 9 major and 38SC. When I load 9 major on my 1050 I have to be very careful about controlling the handle so it doesn't stop too fast and spill powder. When I load ammo for a major match this is one of the steps I get very careful with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nad1967 Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 I have both... prefer the 650 but like loading rifle ammo w/550 to each their own Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 I actuallly prefer the 550 with manual indexing, it allows me to visually nspect the powder fill on the case before moving on to bullet seating. 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