Press upgrade time. Thinking Dillon 650

I love mine. One of my friends recently sold his 550 and bought a 650. Doesn't know why he waited so long.

Good friend has one and loves it for pistol ammo but says rifle (223) has been problematic so far.

Get it with a case feeder then don't look back!!

Lafitte

Keep the turret and enjoy the 650 for what you shoot the most.

Just changed over from 10mm to 9mm, took about 20 minutes and I was loading 9mm. It really is a great press once you get it dialed in. Buy new toolheads for each caliber, new powder measures, have both large and small primer setups...costs more (but what doesn't) but you will end up with 20 minute caliber changes. Great press, have been using it for close to 10 years now.

I've owned all the Dillon presses except the SD, each are good. My favorite was the 1050 but I sold it because I have way to much ammo to shoot. Still have a 650 to load ammo and I won't part with it.

You can't beat Dillon in my opinion.

The ONLY reason not to would be financial. I bought one this last summer, and I am amazed at how nice a machine they are.

I have loaded several thousand rounds so far, 9mm 380 300blk 357 357maxi 44 mag and special. In that time, I have screwed up 2 rounds. Both times the primer got turned upside down.

You will like the blue koolaid.

I've had mine for almost 20 years. I got tired of loading all week just to shoot on sundays. Make sure to buy the low powder sensor or you may load bullets with No Powder. Be nice if they had a powder option that would hold 8 pounds of power.

After much contemplation of which 5 station progressive press to get, I ended up getting the 650 but I would suggest the case feeder option if you are considering the 650.

The 650 is great. I just loaded 500 .38s and then changed back to my 9mm setup. Only took 20 minutes. I don't have a bullet feeder and don't think I'll get one.

The casefeeder is a vast improvement.

I upgraded from my 550B that I've been using for years. Just wish I would have done it sooner. My shooting buddy now has my 550B.

I would be tempted to add a 650 for small primer pistol loading and keep the 550 for large primer loading?

It seems like it is common to sell the 550 when moving up to the 650.

I just started with the 650 so I wouldn't be faced later with a delima over upgrading. Glad I made the decision. I load .308, .223 and .30-06 on it and have had no complaints

SwaneeSR said:

I would be tempted to add a 650 for small primer pistol loading and keep the 550 for large primer loading?

It seems like it is common to sell the 550 when moving up to the 650.

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Changing primer sizes on the 650 is not very hard at all. Adds maybe 5 mins to a caliber conversion.

I have had a Dillon SD for 20 yrs. Love it . I bought a 650 about 8 yrs ago, and I love it too. Around 2 yrs ago I bought my second 650. I have a large reloading room. I would not trade my Dillon loaders for any other loader on the market. You won't regret investing in a 650. They are a little tricky to set up and learn how to use, but worth it all. LOAD ON BROTHER.

I've been loading with a 650 for a couple of decades.
good stuff

Keep in mind that the 650 was designed to use a casefeeder (has high and low speed). That is why so many say get both.
THe 550 was NOT designed fro a casefeeder. due to demand Dillon designed one was developed as an add on (has 1 speed)
AFAIK they are not interchangeable.

I have a 650 with case feeder and bullet feeder. Once you get everything dialed in, it is a remarkable piece of machinery.

Also don't forget their No-BS guarantee. This also includes upgrades in design.
Visit Brian Enos forum under reloading, 650 specific, and read all the examples of Dillon going above and beyond on their warranty.
Things like buying a used press with missing parts and rust. Send it in with a check for $67.50, and get6 back a completely refurbished like new press with all new parts.

Nature Boy said:

I just started with the 650 so I wouldn't be faced later with a delima over upgrading. Glad I made the decision. I load .308, .223 and .30-06 on it and have had no complaints

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Wish I thought like that 2 yrs ago. My 550 is nice but I'm ready for auto indexing.

Bob4 - I am not so sure. After purchasing my 550B which I use for pistol, I purchased a Rockchucker and recently a Lee Classic turret.

The 650 would be great for high volume pistol. I am not sure about rifle. I load 9mm and 40sw on the 550. I load four rifle calibers 6.5x55 se, .270 Wthby, 30-30, and 30-06 on the other two presses.

It seems the full progressive would not work for rifle other than .223/5.56. I am not sure how Natureboy does .30-06. How well does an extruded powder like IMR 4350 meter in a Dillion powder measure?

I agree if you need high volume pistol, all you need is one 650.

SwaneeSR, You're probably right. I really don't load anything in high volume. About 100 at a time is it. I load 9mm and just ordered everything for .40 cal. My 2 rifles I load for I do on the Dillon but use as a single stage one at time. Also still have my RCBS Partner press I started with.
Thanks you probably just saved my a few bucks.

I went from a Lee Turret to a 650 a few years ago and couldn't be happier. I might be the only 650 user who doesn't have a case feeder, but, as they say, ignorance is bliss.

I only load handgun ammo on mine, and only use small primers. I have 2 extra toolheads already set up with dies and dispenser, so switching to one of the other 2 goes very quickly.

I've had very few (and then only minor and easily addressed) issues with my 650. The auto-index feature is very nice. It seems that, at matches, when someone shoots a (rare) squib or (even rarer) double charge, it often comes out they used a press without the auto-index feature.

FWIW, I don't use my 650 to load rifle rounds, not even 5.56/.223 - I use a Co-Ax single stage for that.

Nearly everyone recommends getting the case feeder with the 650. I didn't get one and don't regret it. I simply didn't want the noise.

I made a coupler for the top of the case feed tube that allows me to attach additional tube sections that I preload with cases. Very much like primer pickup tubes. The tubes hold 47 9mm or 25 blackout cases. I have four such tubes. I preload the Dillon tube on the press and can then run 200 9mm or 100 blackout with only quick tube changes before having to stop to refill my tubes. I've been quite satisfied with this setup.

SCC said:

Nearly everyone recommends getting the case feeder with the 650. I didn't get one and don't regret it. I simply didn't want the noise.

I made a coupler for the top of the case feed tube that allows me to attach additional tube sections that I preload with cases. Very much like primer pickup tubes. The tubes hold 47 9mm or 25 blackout cases. I have four such tubes. I preload the Dillon tube on the press and can then run 200 9mm or 100 blackout with only quick tube changes before having to stop to refill my tubes. I've been quite satisfied with this setup.

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I did pretty much the same thing; works for me.

Steelworker said: The ONLY reason not to would be financial.

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I couldn't agree more. If I were starting over, I'd get a 650.
(I have a 550 & 10 toolheads. To me that's just too much to start over)