I've been loading on a Rock Chucker for nigh on 7 years, I am ready for a progressive. I have did a little research, seems that the Dillon 550B is the best value. Who has experience with this press, would you recomend it?

I own the Rock Chucker as well as the Dillon 650. I know many who use the 550, they all love them. The 650 is a little much as far as a progressive reloader, it is very involved requiring quite a bit of time to change calibers. I would not recommend the 650 unless you shoot a lot of pistol, however I would definitly recommend the 550.

Dillon makes a great press, easy to use and very well made. Any problems ; make one call to Dillon and they will talk you through the proper procedure. Tremendous customer service. I would get the 550B, don't fool around with the cheaper progressives, get the best and be done with it.
Frank N.

I did what you are asking about, went from a rockchucker to a 550B and like everyone says it is an amazing experience...

Loaded up some 30/06 rounds with the RCBS the night before, did some case prepping but not much, and lubed by hand. This was many years ago, but I think I loaded 80 rounds in 1 hr 45 minutes. Got the Dillon next day, set it up, and loaded 100 44 magnums in 12 minutes! Granted they are not the same size cases, but man what a difference! When I ordered it I have to say I was disappointed that is did not automatically place bullets or advance the cases to the next station, but after I used it a while I thought of those as advantages, especailly when setting the dies up or loading one round at a time. It is certainly no slower than an auto indexing one.

One thing I wish dillon would do is contrive an easier loading primer tube. I have to say Lee has the best design so far for those. I have always thought about seeing if I could modify one sometime to at least just load the primer tubes.

David,

I have owned the "parent" press to the 550, the 450 press since, I think '84. Can't say enough good things about it or the company. I started out with the rockchucker as well, then got into service rifle match and was spending a lot more time loading than shooting. What a difference the progressive made! I think you would have to quadruple the price to find a press even a little better in quality than the 550. When they say lifetime warranty, they mean it. You will never have to pay for another one. I heard a guy returned his after a house fire destroyed it wanting to know if they could save any of it and rebuild it, he expected to pay for it, too. They sent him a new one free of charge, even though he told them in the letter it was fire damage. They displayed it in the showroom for a short time after that. It was pretty cool.

You can't go wrong with the 550B. Everything the guys here are saying is true. I started on the 450 and then 550 and now I have several - including the 650 for high volume pistol. I have probably put together over 200.000 rounds on my old 550. The 550 is the most versatile of them - you change dies very quickly, and you can load anything up to big rifle (I do 30-06). Actually bought a set for .375 so it is possible but ended up using the Rock Chucker for those (just use the Dillon powder measure manually to charge the 375.).
And - customer service is superb. I have cracked the bottomlinks twice (1*450 and 1*550) and a phonecall (not even sending the old parts back) is enough and Dillon will send you the spares (and they chucked in other spares to last a lifetime !!)
But - don't loose your Rock Chucker. Also a super press as singles go.
Rgds.,

Peter

I have used a 550B for 9 years and it is still going strong. I wouldn't trade or sell it.