Possible Dillon 550 purchase to pay "homage" to my start of reloading

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LiveLife

LiveLife

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Came across an entire reloading set up around Dillon 550 that includes caliber conversions, dies and components.

While I already have Dillon 650 with case feeder, I was trained to reload on 550 along with Pro 1000 and thinking about buying to pay homage to my reloading start. (Wow, good times memories back 28 years when I was single, starting a new job out of college while fixing up my house)

Only issue is I already have Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro which is 4 station auto index press I am happy with. While 550 will provide sentimental memories; if I had both presses, I will likely prefer to use the ABLP over the 550 on a daily basis.

So do I buy the 550 to just sit on the bench to collect dust?
 
I learned awhile ago that buying stuff for sentimental value comes to bite you after awhile, or at least it does me. I first deer hunted with a Marlin Lever action at 13yo. I thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread, but after purchasing one 2yrs ago to deer hunt with I learned its heavy, somewhat inaccurate and kind of a PITB to shoot. I would have rather went the bolt gun route but its done and over with now. I started off with a CVA muzzleloader and because that's all I ever owned for 15yrs I was partial to them. My current one has cost me a few hundred bucks trying to get it to shoot accurately. I would say seeing how retirements right around the corner and if its a good deal maybe you will start using it. I often keep things that remind me of my childhood and some days I am tempted to throw them out and others it makes me smile and daydream about the past.
 
That's a decision only you can make. I normally don't buy stuff I'm not going to use. I do collect tools though. I find in most all cases the tools will save you money in the long run if you use them and don't hire someone to do the job. For a 1 time deal some times I rent what I need if the tool is real expensive.
 
My wife buys paintings she just likes looking at. I generally don’t buy stuff I never intend to use though.

If you can get it for a good enough deal buy it and leave it in the box until the next panic comes along. After Obama’s re-election and sandy hook I sold a 650 for $1840 on eBay on a $200 starting bid.
 
I would only do that if my boy had any interest in reloading. Teach him on it then gift it to him.

Unless it just does something better or more efficiently I wouldn't want another press. But that's me and my priorities are best speed with good quality and least amount of space. "Gun stuff" in general really takes up a lot of space for me so I'm getting picky about additions.
 
If I had 2 progressive presses they would both be Dillon 650XL's. One for large primer and a second for small primer.

Unless the 550 was just some fantastic screaming deal that you could double your money on by selling it I would pass on it if I were you.
 
bds that is a dilemma.

All I can say is if you know a young person that would appreciate it and put it to good use I would pass it along. At least that is what I'd do as I too already have 4 presses and really don't need another. But to be more specific it would be someone I know would use and keep it and not just buy it and flip it, cause if that were the case I'd flip it myself.
 
I checked out the package and it includes:
  • Dillon 550 in near new condition
  • 2 powder measures and one stand (They look brand new with clear hopper)
  • Low primer alarm
  • 3 tool heads
  • Shell plates for 40S&W and 45ACP
  • 40S&W Dillon and Hornady dies
  • 45ACP Dillon dies
  • 20+ pounds of powder
  • 5 gallon bucket of nickel .223 and nickel 40/45 brass
  • 10 lbs of stainless steel pins for wet tumbling
  • Other extras
We got to talking and seller is interested in shooting matches and we made arrangement for me to teach him point shooting specific to USPSA match shooting.

As to reloading package, I am thinking about making the purchase. Since our son and daughter don't plan on pursuing reloading, my reloading equipment will likely end up PIF later in retirement (So you probably want me to accumulate as much as possible now ;):D).

While Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro/Dillon 650 both with case feeders will be more productive to use, getting to reload on Dillon 550 WILL DEFINITELY bring back fond memories of being young in 20s with lofty dreams again ... Wow, happy times.

I will end up with many extra stuff that I will put together to help other reloaders get started (I have like 12 presses and growing) or PIF as opportunity arises.

I told the seller I will finalize the deal after I return back from visiting my sister/BIL (I am delivering their latest .223/.300 BLK builds) next week. Chances are, what they will pay me for the builds will cover the purchase of the reloading package (I have been asking my sister/BIL to pay half of parts cost).
 
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MikeInOr said:
Unless the 550 was just some fantastic screaming deal that you could double your money on by selling
Click to expand...
The deal is pretty good. I am essentially getting everything for less than the price of a new 550 and I load both calibers.

I prefer to not sell reloading equipment. Per my reloading mentor who asked me to PIF his generosity, I will continue to PIF everything as reloading has been a happy hobby/passion for my life which brought many happy memories.
 
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Yes, price is right.

I did a quick calculation and "extras" cost way more than few hundred dollars I am paying (We have not finalized our deal yet).

Using the 550 will definitely take me back in time. I think just having the 550 mounted on the bench (Maybe on the same portable bench as 650) will be enough of an ongoing happy reminder for me and that's priceless and definitely worth several hundred dollars.

So for me, it's "How much is happy memory worth?" :D
 
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bds said:
Yes, price is right.

I did a quick calculation and "extras" cost way more than few hundred dollars I am paying (We have not finalized our deal yet).

Using the 550 will definitely take me back in time. I think just having the 550 mounted on the bench (Maybe on the same portable bench as 650) will be enough of an ongoing happy reminder for me and that's priceless and definitely worth several hundred dollars.

So for me, it's "How much is happy memory worth?" :D
Click to expand...
Women pick out the shoes they are "feeling" that day. bds picks out his press.

The 550 is a good machine as you know. I think dedicating it to a cartridge or two and passing it on when it's ready will be enjoyable. Hope the deal works out.
 
After 28 years of shooting/reloading and spending over $170,000 mostly on reloading components, money spent on reloading equipment is "small" in comparison.

Yes, it's true that during our lifetime of reloading, cost of presses really don't factor that much compared to cost of components. And why many say spend the money to get the press you want and this is an accurate statement, especially for Dillon (except for 1050) which comes with lifetime "No BS" warranty and excellent customer service.

For me, coming across this Dillon 550 deal right before my retirement, I consider it return of goodwill for decades of PIF I have seeded and perpetuated. Believe me, I have been blessed many times over to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars (For only tens of thousands of dollars I have spent on PIF ;)) which allowed me to buy our retirement property and also house for our son (But one should not perform PIF because they expect "return on investment" rather from the heart to spread goodwill to mankind :p).

Dillon 550/Pro 1000 not only trigger happy memories from my 20s (One of many reasons why I still reload on Pro 1000), but it triggered a life-long pursuit of a hobby that grew to a passion which allowed me to enjoy an activity like USPSA action pistol match shooting that provided respite from life's challenges and stress but also foster calm and therapeutic state whenever I reloaded (Wife said I ALWAYS came out of reloading room happier with a smile).

Thing is, we don't actually "own" anything in this life rather just allowed to use them while we are alive as we can't take anything with us when we die. And reloading equipment sure have allowed me to better enjoy my life and therefore, I hope they will allow others to enjoy their lives also. My family has enjoyed fourwheeling and quad riding and one by one, trucks/SUVs/trailers/quads were PIF to others (along with all of our cars) so they too could better enjoy life.

And using Pro 1000 and now 550 will instill lifelong flashback of happy memories.
 
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bds said:
Came across an entire reloading set up around Dillon 550 that includes caliber conversions, dies and components.

While I already have Dillon 650 with case feeder, I was trained to reload on 550 along with Pro 1000 and thinking about buying to pay homage to my reloading start. (Wow, good times memories back 28 years when I was single, starting a new job out of college while fixing up my house)

Only issue is I already have Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro which is 4 station auto index press I am happy with. While 550 will provide sentimental memories; if I had both presses, I will likely prefer to use the ABLP over the 550 on a daily basis.

So do I buy the 550 to just sit on the bench to collect dust?
Click to expand...
Dillon sells machine covers buy one and cover the press that should keep a lot of the dust off. lol
 
Buy it, use it, and have some fun. Or, send me their phone number. If the price is that good I’ll buy it, use it, and have a whole lot of fun.:rofl:
 
After I gifted various AR builds and PCC builds for my sister/BIL and her family over the years, she paid for the Dillon package as my retirement present. :)

And I will be PIF point shooting/defensive shooting instruction for the seller (I always supply PIF ammo as my "give back").

So, I will definitely be paying "homage" to my reloading start with my mentor who taught me to reload on a Dillon 550 more than 25 years ago.

Happy memories. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
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I'm glad to hear that the decision to buy was made a little easier for you. It's great when good deeds are rewarded. I know you will enjoy it for many years.
 
I made arrangement to pick up the Dillon 550 "package" tomorrow with the seller.

While visiting my sister/BIL, I had a chance to price things up more in detail and value of "other" stuff (Extra powder measure, conversion kits, dies, powders, 5 gallon bucket of brass that will be PIF to THR members starting next week, SS pins, etc. etc.) far exceed the price I am paying so I am getting the 550 press set up for essentially free. :eek: Seller is selling the press due to medical injury so I am paying the asking price but consider the value factored in.

Being at the coast, there are some surface rust I need to address on the press, but that's par for the course of my mechanical routine now (Even stainless steel rusts where I live ... dang salt water mist :cuss:).

I am thinking about building another portable bench to accommodate both 550 and 650. Due to no case feeder option, I am planning to continue using ABLP for high volume pistol rounds but considering using 550 for higher volume .223 blasting ammo with H335 and continue loading .308 on C-H single stage.
 
Sweet deal you found there. I'm sure you will put it to good use just as I'm pretty sure the seller is hating to part with it. But sometimes we find ourselves in those positions.

Now if you happen to find some small primer 45acp you do not want then please keep me in mind. I know many reloaders hate that stuff.
 
kmw1954 said:
Now if you happen to find some small primer 45acp you do not want then please keep me in mind. I know many reloaders hate that stuff.
Click to expand...
I am using up a particular lot of Tula SP primers with harder cup in small primer 45ACP as I do not experience failure to ignite in my various 45 pistols.

Once all the Tula SP primers are gone, I will gladly PIF the small primer 45ACP brass to you.
 
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