Dillon Press

[toddyboman]

So I am leaning towards purchasing a Dillon 550 press.

What other accessories do I need with this press to make life easier?

Strong mount, additional primer pick up tubes, case gauge, ect....

Thanks!

 

[loadedround]

I run two dillon 550B's(one set up for small primers and the other for large) and with the exception of dies and the appropiate shell holder you are good to go as is. Everything else are add ons you purchase as needed. The strong mount is nice but unnecessary. Mine do not have it since this mount was not available when my presses were purchased. The strong mount does raise your press to eye level depending on your bench height however. nothing more is needed initially than you would use for a single station press.

 

[mrokern]

toddyboman-

Depends...how new are you to reloading? If you've already been working on a different press, then you've likely got all the usual reloading gear and just need the Dillon-specific stuff (pickup tubes, dies, shell holders, extra toolheads, etc.).

If you're new to reloading, then the list increases.

-Mark

 

[skipsan]

The Dillon "strong backs" are not mandatory, but sure makes mounting the press a whole lot easier, and gives you a lot more mounting options. The Dillon case gage (or equivalent) is also semi-mandatory, although a gun barrel could be used. I found the Dillon tool kit that bolts to the back of the press to be handy, but not nearly mandatory like the strong back. You can make out of sheet metal, the bracketry to hold case and bullet bins, saving a considerable amount of dollars there and having the bins handy helps a lot. My attention span lasts for around 400 rounds, so I have four primer tubes so that I don't have to pause and reload tubes.

The assumption is that you have a decent caliper, and powder scale, both absolutely mandatory. Case tumbler is mandatory in my opinion, but a lot of folks go without it.

 

[LubeckTech]

If you don't already have them reloading manual(s) and chronograph

 

[redneck2]

There's a parts kit that has some of the more common wear items. The plastic end of the tube that holds the primers in the feed chute comes to mind.

I have a Vibra-Prime that I got thru Midway. I don't think they're made any more, but they were great. Love mine. WAY better and faster than pick up tubes.

Maybe a couple of extra locator buttons in the correct sizes. They're kind easy to lose.

I have tool heads for every caliber I load. Relatively cheap and you don't have to re-adjust dies each time.

If you're going to load a lot, a roller handle would be nice, but not necessary.

 

[dcbridgwater]

The UniqueTek Micrometer Powder Bar Kits work great and make powder adjustments easier. http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1231

 

[Balrog]

I am curious, why go with a 550 instead of 650?

The auto index feature of the 650 makes it well worth the extra cost.

 

[loadedround]

The 650 with the auto case feed will run close to double the price of the 550B. The 650 press is not recommended for a beginner with several catridges to reload unless he has very deep pockets....$$$$. It will cost over 100.00 or more to switch calibers. JMHO!

 

[GaryL]

I would second the toolhead for each caliber (set of dies).

As far as the 550b vs 650 goes, the 550 is easy to treat as a single stage press at any station without having to mess with any of the dies in the toolhead. I confess IDK how that would play out on a 650.

As far as the strong mount, I don't have one. It is nice, I've used one with it, but I have mine setup so I can glance into every case to verify powder.

 

[NoAlibi]

A Word of caution about primer pick-up tubes and primer feed tubes:

When they are filled they are pipe bombs. Treat them gently and really avoid dropping them. Primers will detonate sympathetically - if one goes off they will set the others off.

I have dense carpeting on the floor surrounding my reloading press; I wear impact resistant glasses; and I wear ear guards. No need to go blind or deaf for a hobby. Oh yeah, in the event of a primer jam I remove all the primers before trying to remove the jammed primer - I see a real need to keep all my fingers too!

 

[DIV03]

Call Brian he will answer all your questions.
Brian Enos
PO Box 3168
Tempe, AZ 85280

(877) 219-5598 Toll-free
(480) 829-6512 Local AZ number
(208) 445-9982 Fax

 

[HighExpert]

I second Redneck about the caliber change setups. I have 12 each with its own powder measure. Make life much easier and lets you go for a callber change without any bad words being said. The only other goodies would be the stands for caliber change sets. They help.

 

[45ACPUSER]

Dillon-specific stuff (pickup tubes, dies, shell holders, extra tool heads, etc.)

Any standard die will work in 550. The problem with standard handgun die sets you do not need the expander die, as this is accomplished by the powder thru expander with each cartridge. So getting Dillon or Redding Pro Series dies is the way to go!

Be smart about what you are doing....the 550 is press to get. Much more versatile then 650!

Case in point....if you load 9mm then to load 40 you just need a different set of locator pins and a 40 cal powder funnel.. Costs about 16 bucks vs a full blown conversion kit. Same with 45acp....the addition of 30 cal funnel....and you can load 308......


Min Shopping List....
Press with 1 conversion.
For Handgun Loading Dillon or Redding Pro Series Dies if you do not have dies already so you are buying die set that you only use two of the three dies. Rifle dies....use what you like.
Scale...get the Dillon Mechanical Scale....best value on the market....you will always want a mechanical scale to back up any digital scale.
Primer Flip tray....Dillon is huge.....but RCBS or Lyman or MTM makes one that is about 5 bucks.
Loading Manual.....Lyman 49th for handguns is a must!

If you have dies already...get a separate crimp die for hand gun rounds.

A tumbler is almost a must...you want clean brass to help spotting defects and clean brass sizes easier....and clean brass helps keep the dies safe. There are liquid methods to clean brass with too....and wiping them down by hand is okay...


Optional...
for each caliber you load get a separate tool head and powder die; no need for separate PM. This allows the dies to stay set up and so all you need is to swap the PM out.

The Strong Mount is optional....you can always get it later...make sure your bench is ROCK SOLID. Extra pick up tubes are good idea. The Roller handle is nice, too.

 

[Balrog]

I would not want to give up my 650 for a 550, but maybe thats just me. I don't see the point of a progressive without auto index.

Case in point....if you load 9mm then to load 40 you just need a different set of locator pins and a 40 cal powder funnel

What about the shellplates???

 

[rfwobbly]

The shell plate for 9x19 also fits 40, 38 Super, 9x23 and several others.

45ACPUSER gave you some great advice. You'll definitely want to gang all your dies together, each in their own dedicated "tool head". Buy several.

If you reload rifle AND pistol, at some point you'll want to get an extra powder hopper and set one up for each.

 

[EddieNFL]

I am curious, why go with a 550 instead of 650?

The auto index feature of the 650 makes it well worth the extra cost.

I absolutely love my 650. However, I enjoy the control of manual indexing when I load rifle on the 550. Preferences.

 

[rfwobbly]

I absolutely love my 650. However, I enjoy the control of manual indexing when I load rifle on the 550. Preferences.

+1

For an "only machine", the ability to advance 2, or backup 1 is invaluable. You've got to reach for the shell holder anyway to place the bullet, so it's simply not a big deal.

 

[TonyT]

I use the stock Dillon 550 without the strong mount. I tend to load ca 3000 rounds of a particular pistol caliber before changing over to anoither caliber. For convenience I have three assemblies ready to go complete with powder measure - 9mm - 38 Special and 45 ACP.

 

[toddyboman]

WOW thanks for ALL the great replies!

My father has reloaded for years and has everything needed to reload. I have helped him....but I am going to now get my own press and start reloading at my home.

So my list right now is...
Dillon 550 press
Dillon 9mm dies
a 9mm case gauge
extra pick up tubes
flip tray
scale

Call Brian he will answer all your questions.
Brian Enos
PO Box 3168
Tempe, AZ 85280

(877) 219-5598 Toll-free
(480) 829-6512 Local AZ number
(208) 445-9982 Fax

Thanks I will!

 

[EddieNFL]

Welcome to the addiction.

 

[mrokern]

WOW thanks for ALL the great replies!

My father has reloaded for years and has everything needed to reload. I have helped him....but I am going to now get my own press and start reloading at my home.

So my list right now is...
Dillon 550 press
Dillon 9mm dies
a 9mm case gauge
extra pick up tubes
flip tray
scale





Thanks I will!

Just a note, and I should have elaborated...with the 550, you can use any standard-sized dies (Dillon, RCBS, etc.). Carbide is your friend, of course.

But if you want to drink the Dillon Kool-Aid and stick with true blue, you can certainly do so. I did. Great service, great equipment.

 

[strambo]

A vibratory case cleaner and separator (I have a DILLON one) is also an almost necessity IMO, along with manuals, dial calipers and a chronograph. The chrono (I have a fairly inexpensive one) is very helpful since all the loading manuals (plus your own gun) are different.

I have a SDB...but it was a gift (and a cool one a that!), if buying for myself, the 550 makes more sense and I would have gotten that.