Getting started possibly buying an RL 550B
Quote from Reloader on January 11, 2016, 9:44 pmHello, brand new here. Been reloading for quite awhile looking to possibly move into the more automated era. Been using a rock chucker for years.
Do I understand correctly that if using an RL 550B one needs a Caliber Conversion Kit for each caliber you want to reload using the RL 550B?
Thanks!
Hello, brand new here. Been reloading for quite awhile looking to possibly move into the more automated era. Been using a rock chucker for years.
Do I understand correctly that if using an RL 550B one needs a Caliber Conversion Kit for each caliber you want to reload using the RL 550B?
Thanks!
Quote from Reloader on January 11, 2016, 9:56 pmMost of the time you will need the Dies and the Caliber Conversion Kit for each different round you will reload. I have Hand Loaded 9mm, 40 cal, 45 Acp, 45 Colt, 380 Auto, 223 Remington,357 Mag, and 38 Special. I had to buy both the Caliber Conversion and the Dies for each one except 357Mag and 38 Special use the same caliber Conversion kit but different Dies.
If you Hand Load a lot of different calibers you will quickly have more money in Dies and Caliber Conversion kits than what you paid for the press (which ever one you decide on).
For me I have been Hand Loading now for almost a year, have I saved any money, NOT YET but I am shooting a lot more and having a ball!
Most of the time you will need the Dies and the Caliber Conversion Kit for each different round you will reload. I have Hand Loaded 9mm, 40 cal, 45 Acp, 45 Colt, 380 Auto, 223 Remington,357 Mag, and 38 Special. I had to buy both the Caliber Conversion and the Dies for each one except 357Mag and 38 Special use the same caliber Conversion kit but different Dies.
If you Hand Load a lot of different calibers you will quickly have more money in Dies and Caliber Conversion kits than what you paid for the press (which ever one you decide on).
For me I have been Hand Loading now for almost a year, have I saved any money, NOT YET but I am shooting a lot more and having a ball!
Quote from Reloader on January 28, 2016, 6:25 pmLook at the Caliberr conversion chart and yo will find the only difference in the kits is the locator pins which are a lot cheaper to buy. For example 30 06 and 308 use the same kit so you need nothing more as far as the caliber conversion kit is concerned.(mm calls for a shell plate 5 and locator buttons #3 while 40 S&W calls for shell plate 5 and locator button#2. So say you have 9mm set up and want to load 40 S&W you would need to buy only 3 #2 locator pins at $1.40 each from Dillon. Of course you need the appropriate loading dies. The chart is at end of 550 manual and you can download the manual prior to buying.
I have am extremely impressed with Dillon service and still believe after 20 years they make the best progressive. The 550b is the perfect solution in that while somewhat manual it stops you from making mistakes that can occur with an automatic press such as the 650 or square B.
Look at the Caliberr conversion chart and yo will find the only difference in the kits is the locator pins which are a lot cheaper to buy. For example 30 06 and 308 use the same kit so you need nothing more as far as the caliber conversion kit is concerned.(mm calls for a shell plate 5 and locator buttons #3 while 40 S&W calls for shell plate 5 and locator button#2. So say you have 9mm set up and want to load 40 S&W you would need to buy only 3 #2 locator pins at $1.40 each from Dillon. Of course you need the appropriate loading dies. The chart is at end of 550 manual and you can download the manual prior to buying.
I have am extremely impressed with Dillon service and still believe after 20 years they make the best progressive. The 550b is the perfect solution in that while somewhat manual it stops you from making mistakes that can occur with an automatic press such as the 650 or square B.