Dillon owners a couple of questions.

[Goose5]

I have been reloading for many years on a single stage press. I want to move up. I don't intend to compete, or shoot thousands of rounds a month. I have turned over the thought of a turret press. The thought of 4000 pulls for 1000 rounds does not appeal to me. So, a progressive will be on my bench and I know my monthly round count will be far below justifying said press. That's okay. I have been flirting with the Hornady LNL but I can't find any in stock right now.

My questions are for Dillon owners.

1. Some complain about slop in the tool head. Have you had any trouble with this?
2. I have noticed in many posts about..."I started out with a 550 but moved up to the 650." Why? Is the 650 worth the extra 100 dollars?

 

[dmftoy1]

Oh no . . you've opened a whole can of worms now!! (Mentioning Dillon and Hornady LNL in the same post)

Slop in toolhead - I believe it's a non-issue. If you do a search in this forum someone did a real nice study showing runout and other stats. If I bothers you then you can pick up a kit from Uniquetek that locks it solid but I think it's a non-issue

550 vs 650 - I upgraded recently and to me the pros/cons are that the 550 is easier to swap calibers and a bit cheaper, the 650 has auto indexing and case feed. I've found that I load high volume stuff on the 650 and everything else on the single stage. The thing about the 650 is that it's NOTHING to crank out 2000 rounds of ammo . . with the 550 I thought nothing of cranking out 800 or so in a sitting. (now I'm slow on a progressive and really take my time . . and like to do 1-3 hours sessions max)


Just my .02

Regards,
Dave

 

[Goose5]

Sorry. My intention was not to start a flame war over which press is best. I am sure both are fabulous. I have been thinking about the 650 lately because I can't seem to find anyone who has the Hornady in stock.

 

[jarhead]

Part of a recommendation would consider several factors in your shooting/reloading habits -

• Do you load more than one caliber?
• Pistol cartridges only or rifle cartridges too?
• If you load multiple calibers, do they all use the same size primer (i.e. all large pistol, 1 large pistol & 1 small pistol, etc.)?
• Do you use any brass that have crimped primers (i.e. once fired military)?
• Do you want to reload enough during the winter to shoot the rest of the year?

As you move up in progressive reloaders, they tend to get more complex (which to many is enjoyable), if you are only loading one caliber for 300-400 rounds a month then a Dillon Square Deal may be the best option... as your number of cartridges to reload and volume increases, the recommendations would likely be different.

 

[Floppy_D]

Further, check ebay for used Dillon 450's. Here is one currently under $200 including shipping, with 4 die sets. I wanted to go progressive and do so inexpensively, and I went with a used 450. The original receipt says it is 22 years old, and it runs like a champ.

 

[mc223]

I have loaded on the 550 for several years and have experienced some frustrations with the powder measure. These frustrations can be overcome with a little effort on you part. Polishing the inside of the measure has provided me with more than adequatly accurate drops with even the most difficult of powders.
I would suggest checking out the Brian Enos website for package deals, where at least most of the stuff you will need is included.

http://www.brianenos.com/index.html

I have loaded on a 650 and it is in my opinion well worth the 100 or so bucks over the 550 if you plan to load huge quantities of ammo. I have loaded thousands of rounds with my 550 without a significant problem. Yeah there have been an occasional spent primer getting hung up in the chute and binding but not much more than operator error otherwise.
I load some of my precision ammo single stage style and pistol and rifle blasting stuff in progressive style. I have never had second thoughts or regrets for my choice. I am very pleased with the performanc and longevity.
I totally agree with the recommendation of a used machine. Dillons No BS warrantee covers them too.

 

[James41]

1. No head slop on my 550B, works just great. I use my old Lee dies they work fine.

2. Your better off with a 550B, easier to use, works just fine for pistols and rifles, less money. You can do 200 to 300 rounds per hour with out even breaking a sweat.

A 650 is great if you need lots of volume, but your going to pay quite a bit more for it. If you only need say a thousand or less a month then the 550B would be the much better deal.

 

[Roccobro]

650 has auto indexing so less chance of a double charge. It is what I would have bought if I started reloading a year ago. Got the LNL because it is so much like the 650 but a little cheaper in initial costs and caliber conversions.

I still drool over my Dillon catalogs every month (not over the girls either!) I'd like to get a 1050 before I retire.... in 20 years.

Justin

 

[Nekron]

dmftoy1: Thanks for the suggestion about Uniquetek; I've always longed for a way to take the slop out of my toolhead fit. I didn't like the variance in the OAL of my .45 rounds. It didn't affect function - I'm just picky like that.

 

[jenrob]

I have a Hornady prog. and am the same I might look though both my Hornady catolog and Dillon catolog about the same (everyother day). If it was between the 550 and 650 I would get the 650. Reasons 1. Auto index 2. 6 stations this allows a powder cop and a seperate crimp die. 3. Auto index with case feeder. now that they have a case feeder for the 550. And as my wife always says you have to always get the most expensive. Nope if that was the case would have got a 1050 (one of these days) but it doesn't have a lifetime warrenty on it.

 

[Deavis]

Forget about the price difference you'll pay right now. You are making an investment for the long term and it is the peak of ignorance to consider only the present in your decision. The 650XL is slightly a larger investment, however, it is a better press overall. More stations, auto index, case feeder, etc... I bet you'll find that you will grow into it. No different than buying a safe based on your present supply of guns... ill advised.

You say that you like to take your time reloading, that's fine. However, I'd rather spend my time shooting and if you want "ultimate" satisfaction from reloading you'd stay with a single stage. You are looking at progressives because you realize you need more ammo in less time and that is nothing to be ashamed of. You can knock out 1k in an hour if you are fast or 2 hours if you are slow and be plenty happy with your product.

Forget 200-300 an hour with a 550. Pay the extra money and enjoy your time at the range or spend it with your family. The 650XL is no more complex than any other press out there for people of average intelligence. Read the instructions and you'll never have a problem. If you do Dillon is a phone call away.

 

[dcloco]

The 550B will crank out 600 223 rounds in an hour....without a case feeder.

I would still stick with a 550B. The cost to change calibers between a 650 and 550 is enough to be considered significant.

 

[Citroen]

I have a Dillon RL 450 that I bought new something like 25 years ago - still use it about every day and it still works just fine. I am considering upgrading the powder charger but for now am still using the pushbar unit that came with the press.

Dillon customer service is outstanding.

Oh, I only load 45 ACP and I only use the primer stage to de-prime. I prime with a Lee AutoPrime - the hand held unit.

John
Charlotte, NC

 

[WNTFW]

You didn't mention what caliber. I'm assuming pistol.

I have a friend who swears by Lee Pro 1000. So much that he gave away a 550B. I found this out after buying a 550B. The head slop seems to be a non-issue & can be addressed if it were. The 550B has a wide range of calibers & you will always have a press that is easy to resell.

I haven't seen the Pro 1000 or know anything about other than the price is quite attractive. That and is not suitable for cartidges over a certain length. It can do .223 but not .308. Supposedly you could set up 3 for the price of a 550B. I'm just going what someone who seems to know has told me. I'll be going check it out soon. Even though I already have the Dillon.

 

[wally]

To me, its not progressive if it doesn't auto index!

No issues with the XL650, other than the powder measure is a bid tedious to adjust as it scale to guide you.

--wally.

 

[caz223]

I'm not calling BS on anybody, but my personal best with my 550s is around 450 an hour, but that's checking every case for powder like you're supposed to.
It's relatively easy to hit 400 as long as you keep focused, but I never felt the need to do over 500 an hour, and I wouldn't plan on it if you have never used a 550 before.
Just trying to keep your expectations in line with what I've seen.
I shoot a dozen calibers, and the 650 doesn't make sense to me, as the cost for caliber conversions can really add up.
I have a dozen quick change kits, and 2 550s, and it really takes no time at all to get started loading the caliber I need ammo for.
If I had 1 650, it would take much longer to set up, with the case feeder, priming systems and all, but if you loaded one caliber for 4-6 hours the greater throughput would be worth the caliber change downtime.
I tend to load with a friend, and I can keep 2 550s fed and watch what he's doing as well as crank out a few on the other machine.
If you're new to progressives and have a 650, you can crank out a lot of bad ammo in no time at all if you don't pay attention to what you're doing. Just something to be aware of....
The simplicity of the 550 is nice sometimes.

 

[bofe954]

I bought a 550 and don't regret it. I was fairly new to it and loaded 300 .45 ACP in 1 hour. That is start to finish, from picking up primers from a flip tray to boxing up the loaded rounds. My guess is that loading more would be quicker, since you get used to the repetitive motion, maybe I could get 1K in 3 hours.

The 550 isn't really progressive in my book either since it isn't auto indexing. For the money I think the LnL is a better deal, since it is comparable to the 650 for less money. It is even a better deal with the bullet offer, and if you can swing some discounts from Cabela's it is a smokin deal.

I went 550 because it was proven, there are tons of people using them and tons of info out there, and all I really wanted was a little more speed than my Lee turret.

Check out the brian enos site for $'s of setups and differences between the units.

Anyone using the 650's without the case feeders and bullet feeders? What kind of speed do you get then? Just curious, part of the reason I went 550 was my perception that the real speed advantages of the true progressives would only come with case and bullet feeders which would bump up the price and complexity.

 

[bigbird1]

you can't find the Lock N load anywhere? seems strange, I once had a old guy tell me when looking for a machine shop to do some work, go to the one you have to wait on, there is a reason the other guy is not busy. Maybe it's the same here?

 

[nwb01]

If you don't plan on buying the optional case feeder for the 650 then all you really have is a auto indexing 550. The true beauty in the 650 is the case feeder and the auto indexing.

I can easily load 1000 rounds an hour on my 650, never made over 350 an hour on my 550.

 

[LeonCarr]

As far as slop in Dillon presses goes, I read that the US Palma Team .308 ammunition (Palma match shot with open sights at 800, 900, and 1000 yards) is loaded on a Dillon 650, and it shoots 2 inch 10 shot groups at 600 yards...so much for slop .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[dogrunner]

Used my 550 for well over twenty years with absolutely zero complaints.

Customer service is outstanding in the unlikely event you ever need it.

As stated, the caliber change issue alone is real justification for the 550.

 

[KeithB]

87% of IDPA nat qualifiers use Dillon

Lately we are hearing stories of the LnL AP bushings falling out.

No slop in my 550B Tool head and it has never popped out

 

[snuffy]

Tool head slop? Some people have too much time on their hands. They have to think up problems so they can offer solutions. But then tis the season for cabin fever, isn't it.





I rigged up my dial indicator to read the so-called-slop of the toolhead. In the 2 pics, you can see how much deviation is taking place during loading of some 45 ammo. What is important here is it is the same each time! I loaded 25 rounds while watching the indicator. Each time it returned to zero, and each time it deflected .013.

Now if it was defecting a different amount, not returning to zero, then I would say there's something to be said about a kit to remove the play in the toolhead.

As far as loading with a 650 WITHOUT a case feeder, I tried that! Didn't take me long to scare up the $$ for a case feeder! Bullet feeders ARE available, BUT they cost as much as the whole 650 loader! Setting a bullet on the case mouth just doesn't take that long.

Caliber changes take as long as they take, period. There's just no getting around it. I try to load all my ammo in the winter time,(like now), so I've saved up components to load a bunch of the same caliber, while it's set up. One thing I'm gonna do is get another complete primer feeder. Then it's just 2 screws to change sizes.

jenrob ; I have a Hornady prog. and am the same I might look though both my Hornady catalog and Dillon catalog about the same (every other day). If it was between the 550 and 650 I would get the 650. Reasons 1. Auto index 2. 6 stations this allows a powder cop and a separate crimp die.

How come mine only has 5 stations? Is the sixth station like the 19th hole on a golf course? Just picking on ya jenrob.

 

[Hunter0924]

If it were me I would continue to look for a Hornady L-N-L.
The bushing set up is great (and no they do not fall out) an well as the Get Loaded promotion.
Of the folks I spoke with that has used both Dillon and Hornady they preferred the Hornady.
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

 

[snuffy]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=314049

If it were me I would continue to look for a Hornady L-N-L.
The bushing set up is great (and no they do not fall out) an well as the Get Loaded promotion.
Of the folks I spoke with that has used both Dillon and Hornady they preferred the Hornady.

Then why are those folks on that thread having so much trouble?