A plug for Dillon

[PJ Hardtack]

Doing some maintenance and cleaning, I managed to strip one of the holes in the aluminum primer feed body of my Dillon 450, an early version that doesn't have a removeable tool head.
Ordering an extra powder measure, I mentioned it when I called Dillon. They're sending me one under warranty. I'll have to modify it slightly to fit, but that's no big deal.

I've had that machine longer than I want to remember, loading tens of thousands of rounds on it - .38 Spl. /.357 mag, .45 Colt, .45 ACP. .44 Spl./.44 mag, .308, .30-'06 ....  I did put an update kit on it, but other than that, all I've done is use it. Right now, it is a dedicated .38/.357 machine, all my other reloading being done on a 550B with removeable tool heads.

If I ever buy another machine, it will be a Dillon.

[Southpaw]

I've always had great service from Dillon. A truly upstanding company...........Southpaw

[litl rooster]

ahhh and then there is always the Blue Press that will continue to come even if you haven't bought anything for a couple of years.  That's customer service.

[PJ Hardtack]

And how 'bout those classy ladies with guns in the 'Blue Press' and Dillon calendars?

[Southpaw]

I wish I could setup my 550B for black powder.........Southpaw

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Southpaw, why can't you?

I've been using mine (unofficially and NOT if I talk to Dillon) for 8 or so years now.  There are several ways to do it safely if you fear the dreaded static discharge.

I believe I have a better chance of winning the Lottery than blowing up while loading BP rounds on my 550.

I actually went to a hardware outlet and replaced the plastic clear hopper of the Dillon Powder Measure with a 2 ft. length of copper tubing.  It's a smaller diameter than the plastic, but with bracing and long screws I made it work.  I also modified the Powder level alarm to work with the new tube.  After about 4 years of doing it that way, I switched to an enlarged clear polycarbonate hopper that I use now.  They make those things from static-free plastic after all.  I then grounded the whole thing to a wire which ends up in a copper lightning grounding rod into my yard.  (Radio Shack used to sell them, but I don't know about nowadays. Besides, if you ground to your cold water pipe, it's still right.)

Is it still a possible explosion waiting to happen?  (See my comment RE: Lottery) 

Your Mileage May Vary !   But it works ... safely ... for me.

[Shotgun Franklin]

Yep, I love my old 450. I filled up 2, 5 gallon buckets with spent primers before I quit keeping track.
It's setup for .45 Colt now, what else could a guy need?

[PJ Hardtack]

I've yet to load any BP rds on my Dillons, but it wouldn't bother me to do so.

I use my Lyman DPS III 'lectronic dispenser for both rifle and pistol charges of BP. None of the 'lectronics are  warranted for use with BP. In the time it takes to spit out the next charge, I'm seating and crimping the last.

I'm not 'zackly clear on the physics of it, but in the event of an ignition, I think there would be one hell of a flash but no explosion as the powder is not confined. Keeping the hopper 1/3 to 1/4 full might be an idea.

[Cliff Fendley]

You know we were always told not to use plastic for reloading BP but now it comes in plastic jugs.

[Southpaw]

SHB, I'm not so worried about static discharge as I have never seen a powder measure for this thing.I know I can fill the cases one by one and use a tool head without the Dillon powder measure. I use my Dillon to load (don't flame me} for smokeless 45 colt cowboy loads.When I load I run about 500 rounds at a sitting so I am looking for a time saver. If someone can show me an easier way I'm all ears.ThanksSouthpaw

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Southpaw, I've sent you an IM.  Let's talk.  

Pard, 'tho I prefer BP for playing Cowboy, I would NEVER flame you for loading smokeyless powder. 

BP or smokeyless.  CAS shooting or IPSC.  Hunting or recreational shooting. It matters not.

We ALL (2nd Amendment supporters) are in the fight of our (gun owning) lives regarding the political anti-gun sentiment in our great country.  I refuse to bicker about which powder is "Better" than any other when our basic freedoms, as guaranteed to EVERY Law Abiding  U.S. CITIZEN in our Constitution (& Amendments) is/are under daily attack!

Now ... I might get into a friendly discussion regarding which powder may be more FUN, but that's not the same thing!  And, in FACT, it's ALL about the fun, so it's all good, right? 

RIGHT!



Jeff "Steel Horse Bailey"

[HolliferADollar]

I bought my 550B in 1990.  The only thing that has gone wrong with it was what happened to you - the tapped holes in the primer feed base stripped out.  I think mine is a zinc (aka potmetal) diecast part.  I JB-Weld-ed some 10-24 screws into the holes, then cut off the screw heads.  Now the studs go through the frame & I use a nut & washer on each.  It tightens down solid & no worry about stripping out the threads.

Holler

[Shotgun Franklin]

Holler, call Dillon and tell'm how you fixed your's. It might lead to a way for a bunch'a people to fix theirs.

[HolliferADollar]

Holler, call Dillon and tell'm how you fixed your's. It might lead to a way for a bunch'a people to fix theirs.

I posted in the forum at Dillon, describing the fix.  That should get it to their attention.

Holler