Dillon XL750 question

[nraman]

Thinking about getting one.
I understand that it comes without a case feeder unless you get it as an option.
What happens if I don't get the case feeder, how hard is it to put a case under the die.
I have no problem doing it on my Hornady LNL

 

[EricBu]

Thinking about getting one.
I understand that it comes without a case feeder unless you get it as an option.
What happens if I don't get the case feeder, how hard is it to put a case under the die.
I have no problem doing it on my Hornady LNL

You wouldn't put a case under the die...without the feeder, it comes with a long tube, and you stack the brass in it, where it will still be fed into the press automatically as it indexes. You can also buy straight plexi tube of the same diameter and make "speed loaders" for it. Fill a bunch of tubes with brass, and as you empty one, plug the next one in. So, it's easily useable without the case feeder, and not a pain at all...in fact, it's easier than the LNL IMHO, because you just drop brass in the tube.

That said, if you can spare the funds, the case feeder is definitely worth it. Then again, you can always add it later...or keep an eye out for a used one. Also, you can rig up just about any case feeder to work on just about any press...so if you end up with a LNL feeder, it will work with the 750 with some minor modifications, and viceversa.

 

[ParallelCode]

I recently bought an XL750 w/ case feeder bowl. The press comes with the mechanism to actually feed cases into the shell plate, standard. The case feeder add-on just automates loading the drop tube.

I sometimes manually load the tube, just as one would do without the case feed bowl -- it's totally viable and holds maybe 25 9mm cases. That said, the automated case feed bowl add-on does save time over long sessions.

 

[rfwobbly]

The press comes with the mechanism to actually feed cases into the shell plate, standard. The case feeder add-on just automates loading the drop tube.

So the heart of the case loading system (the tube & shuttle system) comes with the basic press. You could look around for a used 650 or 750 case feeder later on. They basically only have 2 versions (fixed speed & variable speed) which they've made for decades, and they fit either press.

I sometimes manually load the tube, just as one would do without the case feed bowl -- it's totally viable and holds maybe 25 9mm cases. That said, the automated case feed bowl add-on does save time over long sessions.

• I think the actual number in the tube is well over 30 for 9mm Luger, and proabably in the low 20's for 38Spcl.
• Hire a 6 year old. They'll be fascinated to no end to help daddy "put the parts down the hole".

 

[NC9mm]

The tube of my 750 holds 23 9mm cases.
I bought my 750 and loaded the press manually but very soon after that, like one week, I ordered a case feeder. I then bought a second 750 set up for 40 cal and ordered the case feeder at the same time I bought the press.
I know it is easy for me to spend your money, but get the case feeder, you will really appreciate it.

 

[derek45]

the correct answer is to buy the casefeeder with it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

...in fact, it's easier than the LNL IMHO, because you just drop brass in the tube.

I found this a rather odd statement as Station 1, where the case enters the shellplate of the 750 is at the 1 o'clock position...on the right side, behind the operating handle. While it isn't impossible to use the 750 without a case feeder, it is awkward as your left hand has the cross your face/the press the reach the feel tube.

Station 1 is located behind the operating handle because it wasn't an issue with the original 650...which was designed to be used with a case feeder. The only reason it isn't sold as a complete package is to limit the initial price when shoppers price shop...it's like selling a car with an non-synchronized manual gearbox, knowing folks would opt for either a synchronized box or an automatic transmission.

On the Hornady LNL AP , cases are fed into Station 1 at the 10 o'clock position. It was design so that the operator could operate the handle with their right hand while simultaneously feeding cases with their left hand

When used without a case feeder, the LNL produces completed rounds faster than the 750. I've had both on my bench at the same time and used both with and without the case feeder

 

[EricBu]

I found this a rather odd statement as Station 1, where the case enters the shellplate of the 750 is at the 1 o'clock position...on the right side, behind the operating handle. While it isn't impossible to use the 750 without a case feeder, it is awkward as your left hand has the cross your face/the press the reach the feel tube.

Station 1 is located behind the operating handle because it wasn't an issue with the original 650...which was designed to be used with a case feeder. The only reason it isn't sold as a complete package is to limit the initial price when shoppers price shop...it's like selling a car with an non-synchronized manual gearbox, knowing folks would opt for either a synchronized box or an automatic transmission.

On the Hornady LNL AP , cases are fed into Station 1 at the 10 o'clock position. It was design so that the operator could operate the handle with their right hand while simultaneously feeding cases with their left hand

When used without a case feeder, the LNL produces completed rounds faster than the 750. I've had both on my bench at the same time and used both with and without the case feeder

Well.... that's not how you feed it without the optional case feeder, lol. You don't put the case in the shell plate. You manually drop them into the tube. 5 to 40 depending on caliber. It comes out of the box with the entire feeding assembly. The "optional case feeder" is actually just the collator and a different tube. Go to Dillons website and pull down the 750 install manual... you'll see exactly what we are talking about.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Well.... that's not how you feed it without the optional case feeder, lol. You don't put the case in the shell plate. You manually drop them into the tube. 5 to 40 depending on caliber. It comes out of the box with the entire feeding assembly. The "optional case feeder" is actually just the collator and a different tube. Go to Dillons website and pull down the 750 install manual... you'll see exactly what we are talking about.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I had a 750 on my bench before it got traded in for a Mark 7 Alpha

Perhaps you misunderstood. The tube that holds the cases to be fed into the assembly feeds into Station 1...which is on the right side of the press (at the 1 o'clock position), behind the operating handle (at the 4 o'clock position). You have to reach across your body/face/press to reach to top of the tube...if you are trying to do it simultaneously while operating the handle.

How else would you access the area behind the operating handle?

Just because it stands prouder than the handle/press, doesn't mean it isn't behind it. I found it easier to stop pulling the handle and load the tube with my right hand

 

[lordpaxman]

Thinking about getting one.
I understand that it comes without a case feeder unless you get it as an option.

I’m not judging, but if you identify as “progressive”, you should just add that case feeder to the order! I got one with my LNL just so I could concentrate on the other operations and didn’t have to feed both cases and bullets to the process. I also looked at the 750 vs the 1100 and decided the latter had the features I needed, and yes it’s more $$ but that’s the choice I made.

 

[EricBu]

I know exactly what you're talking about. I had a 750 on my bench before it got traded in for a Mark 7 Alpha

Perhaps you misunderstood. The tube that holds the cases to be fed into the assembly feeds into Station 1...which is on the right side of the press (at the 1 o'clock position), behind the operating handle (at the 4 o'clock position). You have to reach across your body/face/press to reach to top of the tube...if you are trying to do it simultaneously while operating the handle.

How else would you access the area behind the operating handle?

Just because it stands prouder than the handle/press, doesn't mean it isn't behind it. I found it easier to stop pulling the handle and load the tube with my right hand

Maybe I did misunderstand....but I have no idea why you think it's difficult to drop cases into a tube. <shrug> maybe we have different skill sets. Cute flex though.

 

[Nature Boy]

In my opinion getting the case feeder is a must if you want to get full value out of your press

 

[Dane R. Marley]

I bought mine with a case feeder and SR, SP, & LP disk

 

[MikeInOr]

I ran my 650xl back in the day with out a case feeder for about a year. For 45acp it seems like the tube would hold some where around 25 cases? So I would have to fill the case feeder tube 4 times per hundred primers. Not bad and much more productive than feeding every case by hand like the 550.

When I purchased my case feeder after about a year it seems like production increased by around 50% approx. That was 25 years ago and I dont remember exactly so dont hold me to the numbers listed.

 

[Bosn Ski]

The tube and shuttle system works very well by dropping in ~23 9mm cases at a time and even better with a case feeder of some kind. I didn't go with the Dillon case feeder system (cost & space). Instead I went with the Double Alpha Academy Mini XL-650 Case Feeder Tube Assembly. (Compatible with the 750). I made a short video (for my dad) demonstrating a 3D printed collator and talk about the feeders.

 

[luzyfuerza]

I ordered my 650 and 1050 each with case feeders. After years of use, and hundreds of thousands of rounds loaded, I cannot imagine using these presses without a case feeder.

Buying a 750 without a case feeder is kind of like buying a sports car without tires and rims. Just not worth it.

 

[MikeInOr]

If you buy a 750XL without a case feeder I am sure you will be thrilled with the productivity and be extremely happy with the case feederless press! It is only AFTER you buy a case feeder that you can't imagine not having one. If you have never had a case feeder I am willing to bet that you will absolutely love the 750XL even without one! The 750XL is NOT useless without a case feeder! It is a very capable and productive press without a case feeder. When you CAN afford the case feeder you will love your 750XL EVEN MORE!

Some of us have to swing our big purchases over multiple paychecks. If you want to go into debt by putting the whole ball of wax on a card I am sure you will LOVE the entire setup... this just isn't how I manage my personal finances. I don't believe in credit card debt, I like to only pay for an item once!

But everyone is different!

 

[JumboJVT]

Maybe I did misunderstand....but I have no idea why you think it's difficult to drop cases into a tube. <shrug> maybe we have different skill sets. Cute flex though.

But your not making ammo while you're filling the tube are you? Stop the press, fill the tube, resume.

 

[LeftyRed]

I had my xl750 fitted with the DAA tube feeder. Reminds me of the Lee tube filler that you shake the top. I did this because when we moved into out new house we had some electrical issues and I didn’t want extension cords running everywhere or breakers tripping. Plus, I like to wheel my mobile bench onto the back deck and reload out there enjoying the peace. So the manual tube fillers are what I kept on it, until I sold the setup earlier this year.

If I ever get another 750, would probably do the same. Don’t have to have to run your machine at full tilt to put out excellent ammo. Plus way cheaper.

Lefty

 

[EricBu]

But your not making ammo while you're filling the tube are you? Stop the press, fill the tube, resume.

That's why most people run a case feeder. The whole point of this thread was the OP asking if it's possible to use a 750 without, and it is certainly possible. And it's super easy to make pvc speed loaders. And you don't even have to stop to fill the tube at all if you bribe kids with M&Ms to sit on a step ladder and drop cases into the tube.

 

[jmorris]

Thinking about getting one.
I understand that it comes without a case feeder unless you get it as an option.
What happens if I don't get the case feeder, how hard is it to put a case under the die.
I have no problem doing it on my Hornady LNL

The optional “case feeder” for the 650 and now 750 is really just a case collator. A case feed, feeder. Tube filler, how ever you would like to think of it. The tube to hold cases and all of the parts to take the case from the tube and put them into the shell plate (actual case feed) comes on the machines from the factory already set up.

This is one reason why the Hornady LNL AP is cheaper as a base machine but it’s optional “case feed” is more expensive and doesn’t always work very well. It includes the collator and all of the other parts that get the case into the shell plate and it’s all end user installed.

For awhile, I didn’t have any machines that would sort large/small primer pockets on 45 ACP. Realizing I had to pick up every case and look at the bottom while sorting, I started dropping them into PVS tubes 25 cases long with pins at either end like primer tubes. I then extended the Dillon case tube and used 4 case tubes to 1 primer tube when loading.

That said, it’s nice to just flip a couple switches, make sure the low primer and powder check alarms are functioning and get to loading, without having to stop. Makes 100 rounds in under 4 minutes kind of uneventful when all you have to do is keep an eye on everything.

 

[GW Staar]

The optional “case feeder” for the 650 and now 750 is really just a case collator. A case feed, feeder. Tube filler, how ever you would like to think of it. The tube to hold cases and all of the parts to take the case from the tube and put them into the shell plate (actual case feed) comes on the machines from the factory already set up.

This is one reason why the Hornady LNL AP is cheaper as a base machine but it’s optional “case feed” is more expensive and doesn’t always work very well. It includes the collator and all of the other parts that get the case into the shell plate and it’s all end user installed.

For awhile, I didn’t have any machines that would sort large/small primer pockets on 45 ACP. Realizing I had to pick up every case and look at the bottom while sorting, I started dropping them into PVS tubes 25 cases long with pins at either end like primer tubes. I then extended the Dillon case tube and used 4 case tubes to 1 primer tube when loading.

That said, it’s nice to just flip a couple switches, make sure the low primer and powder check alarms are functioning and get to loading, without having to stop. Makes 100 rounds in under 4 minutes kind of uneventful when all you have to do is keep an eye on everything.

All true. When I first started, and had to make the choice between, Dillon 650, Hornady AP, And RCBS Pro 2000. The two things that kept me from deciding Dillon, was the case feeding on the right side, only possible using the press crank hand.... and the expense of having to buy a powder measure for every caliber, if caliber change was to be reasonably fast. I was also limited in the amount of money I was willing to spend on going progressive. I really thought I'd be happy enough with no feeders at all as long as I didn't have to feed cases with my right hand. I still think the Dillon 650/750 without their great case feeder is a pain....buy the case feeder or print one. Because.....

I soon found out, that the most important thing was to automate everything I could automate, so that I could FOCUS on the important thing. Powder Charge. (iow's too many things to keep track of manually) So auto-feeding both cases and bullets became the obsession, to lessen the brain load.

Thankfully, it ended well, once I learned to 3d print and great collators were made for about $70 a piece. The $500 printer expense 2 years ago was worth it, and it still keeps on giving. Up to 4 electric collators, so far, both bullet and case.

So you can buy Dillon's fine case collator, and DAA's bullet feeder, for the big bucks and every caliber change bumps it up more....or you can get a printer, and buy some $20 rolls of plastic and print away. If I want to add a new caliber, and I don't have case or bullet plates I can still do it with about $30 worth of plastic, ball bearings, and a couple of tiny springs. If I have plates that work, only an eight dollar printed feeder die is needed. Both choices work well, it's just the dollar difference.

Pistol Case feeder works pretty good.....one plate for .357, .40, .45, 9mm works great.

 

[anothernewb]

Add me to the list that say get the casefeeder. Without it, the press is essentially a more expensive auto index version of the 550.

The casefeeder is worth every penny. IMO.
I used to swear by my Square deal B Figured I'd keep it forever for pistol loading. Tried a 550. was OK, but didn't care for it. once I got the 650, I gave the SDB to a friend of mine a month later and never missed it since.

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

Press still rules without automated case feeder attachment. I don't have the clearance in my workshop with my press on an elevated mount on its bench. Not worried about it. Would buy the 750 again every time. I have all my cases prepped and mouth up ready to drop in the tube. Loading 45, about every 15 cartridges I pause to drop another 15 into the feeder. I see whether cases are present in the feeder while looking through my powder cop stem each time the ram hits TDC. And on the way down I glance at the primer arm to make sure a primer is there and correct way up. Still profoundly faster than single and turret loading.