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Very interested in stepping up to a Dillon reloading press, have my sights on a 550 that I'm bidding on on eBay. It doesn't specify if it's a B or C . How do you tell the difference and is the C just a newer model. If so does Dillon offer an upgrade? Anyone know?
 
I think the easiest way to tell is to take a look at the upper pivot pin. The C has a zerk fitting on the end and the B doesn't.
The C is an upgrade to the B and I believe they do still sell an upgrade kit. If you're buying used though, I can't imagine it would be cost effective to buy a used B and then pay for an upgrade kit. The upper frame body is also different so... why buy a B only to have to pay to swap out the main frame?
 
well I can't answer that as I didn't know what the difference was but if I can pick a 550 B for $300 i'll make due without the changes. In regards to zerk fittings that is probably something I'm capable of machining into the machine myself.
 
well I can't answer that as I didn't know what the difference was but if I can pick a 550 B for $300 i'll make due without the changes. In regards to zerk fittings that is probably something I'm capable of machining into the machine myself.
Yeah. Just drilling a hole and plugging one in is a common mod on the B.. The C has a grease groove on the other side of the pin that the B doesn't, but for a hobbyist reloader I really don't see that as all that big of a deal.

So long as the B can do the calibers you need and you can get by without the other little tweaks integrated into the C... I mean... the B is a real solid loader and been churning out smoke makers for folks for years without complaint. KWIM(?)
 
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well I can't answer that as I didn't know what the difference was but if I can pick a 550 B for $300 i'll make due without the changes. In regards to zerk fittings that is probably something I'm capable of machining into the machine myself.
I've been flogging a 550B for over 25 years. Near as I can figure somewhere North of 200,000 rds with VERY few problems, none of which would have been different with more lube on the link pins! If you can get a decent deal on a 550B do it.
 
Yeah. Just drilling a hole and plugging one in is a common mod on the B.. The C has a grease groove on the other side of the pin that the B doesn't, but for a hobbyist reloader I really don't see that as all that big of a deal.

So long as the B can do the calibers you need and you can get by without the other little tweaks integrated into the C... I mean... the B is still a real solid loader and been churning out smoke makers for folks for years without complaint. KWIM(?)
Disassemble it once a year and grease it. That is what Dillon advised me. I have the older one with no grease
zerk fittings. I have broken so many parts on my RL 550 some more than once. Always replaced it at no cost.
Had the press completely rebuilt by Dillon for FREE!
 
Disassemble it once a year and grease it. That is what Dillon advised me. I have the older one with no grease
zerk fittings. I have broken so many parts on my RL 550 some more than once. Always replaced it at no cost.
Had the press completely rebuilt by Dillon for FREE!
That's what I'm talking about and looking forward to. Many of the components that have failed on Lee presses over the years are also replaced at no charge but I'm finding that I prefer quality over the cheaper deal . I've come to find that comparing Dillon or Hornady to Lee is like comparing Snap on to Harbor freight. There's always going to be the guy that swears the cheaper stuff is just as good of quality but experience has showed me that they are not equals. I do believe I will also invest in a square deal just for loading 9&10 mm pistol cartridges
 
I do believe I will also invest in a square deal just for loading 9&10 mm pistol cartridges
I have helped friends get going with their 550 presses and they are great presses!

Instead of getting dedicated Square B presses for 9mm and 10mm I would take that money and upgrade to a 650XL or 750XL with auto-index, an extra station and a case feeder. The higher productivity of a case feeder will more than make up for the caliber swap over time.

I have owned my 650XL for 30+ years now. I REALLY went back and forth between the 550 and 650 when I bought the 650. I have never regretted it for a second. I load all of my ammo on my 650, a dozen different cartridges. Both hand gun and rifle cartridges. Swapping between large and small primers takes the most time but after 30+ years it only takes me about 5 minutes to swap primer sizes these days.
 
I think the easiest way to tell is to take a look at the upper pivot pin. The C has a zerk fitting on the end and the B doesn't.
The C is an upgrade to the B and I believe they do still sell an upgrade kit. If you're buying used though, I can't imagine it would be cost effective to buy a used B and then pay for an upgrade kit. The upper frame body is also different so... why buy a B only to have to pay to swap out the main

I have helped friends get going with their 550 presses and they are great presses!

Instead of getting dedicated Square B presses for 9mm and 10mm I would take that money and upgrade to a 650XL or 750XL with auto-index, an extra station and a case feeder. The higher productivity of a case feeder will more than make up for the caliber swap over time.

I have owned my 650XL for 30+ years now. I REALLY went back and forth between the 550 and 650 when I bought the 650. I have never regretted it for a second. I load all of my ammo on my 650, a dozen different cartridges. Both hand gun and rifle cartridges. Swapping between large and small primers takes the most time but after 30+ years it only takes me about 5 minutes to swap primer sizes these days.
I'd second this. As a current owner of two 550 presses, and a 650 with the case feeder, and former owner of a square B, I've had experience with all 3 platforms.

I like them all. If I could just buy have one, and was loading a variety of different calibers, I'd choose the 550 for the versatility, ease of changing caliber conversions, and lower cost of acquiring the press and conversions. The 650 or 750 is a nice upgrade with the case feeder (if you add it on), auto indexing, and 5th station in the toolhead which opens up options for a powder check die or bullet feeder (if you add it on). I typically leave the 650 set up for my highest volume rounds (mainly 9mm). Liked the square deal b also, and it was pretty quick to load on with the auto indexing feature, but I prefer the versatility of the 550 (uses standard dies, easy to swap toolheads, can load a wider range of calibers). I can crank out a good amount of quality ammo for a wide range of calibers on the 550 pretty efficiently.

One of my 550s is older, the other is newer (maybe a C model with the grease zerks). They both work great. I have disassembled the older one to grease it, and it did have some galling on one of the link arms the first time I took it apart (was used quite a bit without being greased over time). Dillon provided me the needed parts for free. Since then, I use a small grease gun with a needle fitting that I keep on my loading bench to inject grease in the small holes on various parts of all 3 presses periodically, and clean/lubricate the ram with 30 weight motor oil each extended loading session. This has kept them all running smoothly for quite a few years now. I've never been disappointed with any of the Dillon stuff I have, or with their response when I reached out for a replacement part in the few times I've had an issue.
 
I do believe I will also invest in a square deal just for loading 9&10 mm pistol cartridges
I would stick with the 550 even for pistol (unless you want to go 650/750) Being able to use standard dies is a plus. Example--my 9mm setup. Sizer is a EGW U die. Powder drop/expander is Dillon. Seater is Redding micrometer and crimp is a Lee factory crimp die. I also have a Uniquetek micrometer on the powder bar.
 
Disassemble it once a year and grease it. That is what Dillon advised me. I have the older one with no grease
zerk fittings. I have broken so many parts on my RL 550 some more than once. Always replaced it at no cost.
Had the press completely rebuilt by Dillon for FREE!
I'm curious? What parts do you break on a 550?
 
The 550 is bullet proof and I enjoy using it and the ammo piles up.
The 650 which I prefer over the 750 is much faster. I have come to really enjoy the case feeder and 5 vs. 4 stations.
I have several of each so I don't mess with caliber conversions. A luxury I have afforded myself so I don't have to change primer size.
Question I always ask?
How much do you really load? How much do you need to load?
550/650/750 parts due seem to be more readily available on the secondary market and the proprietary dies of the SDB to me is a drawback.
Never a case feeder and not alot of room to work in which is a factor for me as I have large hands.
All that being said I do have a 650 I should rehome so if you are interested contact me.

All that being said if you can get any 550 that is comeplete for $300 grab it. I have had all versions and there really isn't that much difference. I do presently have a pair of the c model only because they were newer and cleaner.
If it is not comeplete you can spend a small fortune buying the missing pieces.
 
I'm curious? What parts do you break on a 550?
The frame itself!

IMG_2014.jpeg
 
You probably could've duct taped that bad boy and still be making rounds.











:s0140:
Actually, I did make quite a few rounds without the duct tape, but I was puzzled why my overall length suddenly became erratic. Finally figured out why. (Checking the frame for cracks was not the first place I looked..)
 

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