BL550 vs RL550

[Paddy]

I had at one time an RL550 as my progressive press. Due to the lack of 5 stations and a few other operational issues I sold it in favor of a Hornady progressive and I'm very happy with that decision. However now I'm wanting to leave the Hornady set up for one pistol caliber all the time and I'm looking at either a turret or a semi progressive like the Dillon for loading rifle rounds. I'm considering purchasing one of these presses again because the 5th station isn't needed for my rifle loading and the manual index is beneficial for powder spilling reasons.

What is the difference between the BL and RL models? Seems the RL comes with priming system, bullet tray, powder measure, caliber conversion, and primer warning device.

I probably wouldn't use the priming system on this press, or the powder measure which I could sell on eBay for what seems like 95$ or so.

Does the BL model come with some sort of shell plate? It's not really clear on their website, and Brian doesn't even seem to offer the BL model.

Does anyone know the "street price" on the BL550 model? Dillon says 259$ which seems reasonable even if there is a required caliber conversion @45$

 

[ku4hx]

I always thought the BL (Basic Loader) was just a "stripped down" RL. I considered the BL at one time, but by the time I selected the accessories I wanted such as a primer feed device and powder measure, I'd assembled an RL. So I bought the RL.

That was in the mid '90s. Never looked back and have been very pleased with my choice.

 

[Paddy]

I believe you are right, but what I'm wondering is what all the differences are and whether they are worth the extra $ for me, since I won't need the powder measure or priming systems. Basically just trying to see what would be cheaper.

 

[2bfree]

It does not come with a shell plate (conversion kit). Good luck getting 95.00 for the powder measure, they sell new for 74.00/77.00 new. You can get the measure, tool head, powder funnel, and tool head stand for 104.00. I like the powder measure, I have a number of them.

 

[Catpop]

Jumping off the op just a little, the SDB makes a very dependable 1 cartridge progressive. I crank out 100-200 .357 rounds per week.
Now if you're going to be loading more than 1 cartridge, I'd go the 550BL as you probably already have the dies. Jmtcw

 

[Toprudder]

The SDB doesn't do rifle cartridges, which is what the OP wants.

I think whether you get the BL550 or the RL550B, or a turret press for that matter, depends on how many rounds you shoot and what kind of productivity you are looking for during your reloading sessions. IMHO, if you don't want the primer feeder or powder measure, it almost sounds like a turret press would do you well.

I have the RL550B, and use it just for semi-auto pistol calibers. Sometimes when I do ladder workups, I will resize/prime and flare all the cases (using the powder station just to expand/flare). I drop powder in the cases manually, then I go back to the 550 and insert the cases in the seating station, place and seat the bullet, and let it continue to the crimping station. Works fairly well for me, I get one loaded round for every two pulls of the handle this way.

I also have a Lee Classic Turret I use for revolver rounds. So far I have done mostly single-stage batch mode with it, but I did work up some ladder loads once using the auto-index feature. I used my Chargemaster powder dispenser to weigh the charges, and I manually dropped those charges in through the expander die. Still 4 pulls for each loaded round, but I only had to touch each piece of brass once so it went quickly. Each time I came around to the expander station, the Chargemaster had the powder weighed and ready for me.

Welcome back to reloading!

 

[cfullgraf]

I recently added a BL550 to my stable of progressive presses.

Since I resize at one time then reload at a different time, the 4 station press works for me. Powder measure in station 1, powder cop die in station 2, bullet seater in station 3 and crimp in station 4.

Also, I wanted to use my modified Redding 10-X or RCBS Uniflow powder measures, both case activated measures, so i did not need the Dillon measure. I prime off the press so the priming parts would collect dust and rust in a drawer. Also, I already have dies as I would be transferring a couple specific cartridges to the BL550. So, there was no sense paying for stuff I was going to strip off the press anyway.

I'm having problems with powder spillage during indexing with a couple select cartridges with my other progressive presses. I wanted to see if the manual index under my control would minimize the spillage. It does.

If I ever wanted to, I could buy the appropriate parts from Dillon and turn it into an RL550B. I never will.

It works for me. Most will probably want the full, tricked out RL550B.

 

[Catpop]

Sorry, misread the op

 

[Paddy]

Yes an sdb makes a lot of sense however I home brewed a bullet feeder collator thing that works awesome so I need an extra station. But that press is good to go for pistol stuff, I want more control on the rifle stuff, don't need 5 stations, and a turret makes lots of sense, however for the same $ it would seem rotating the shells rather than the dies would be even better. Now I remember what I didn't like on my RL550 was that it wanted me to use my right hand to load cases, and my right hand wanted to stay on the lever and not really do much else. Maybe I can get used to it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

a turret makes lots of sense, however for the same $ it would seem rotating the shells rather than the dies would be even better.

I'm not quite sure what you are comparing, but the price difference between a Lee Classic Turret and a Dillon BL550 is about $160. Plus caliber changes are only $15

 

[Paddy]

This is true, but lee is a stand out bargain among presses. I have some lee stuff, and I like it and appreciate their philosophy, however with this equipment I've decided that I only want top notch quality which lee isn't usually associated with. Nothing wrong with that, I have a lee C frame press that I paid 25$ for. But even at 160$ difference, the rotating shell plate wouldn't take long to pay off. That is, if I can get used to the right handed nature of the press.

 

[9mmepiphany]

however with this equipment I've decided that I only want top notch quality

Then you should be looking at the Redding T-7 turret press. It is only $35 more than the BL-550 and you can leave 3 sets of rifle dies set up on it.

It is likely the best turret press available and will be more stable and consistent than any progressive

 

[Paddy]

You think it will be more consistent despite being a cantilevered open frame as opposed to the O style of a 550? They are nice, and plentiful die holes appeal. However, do you spin that turret around with a powder measure on it? That's the only part that seems awkward.

 

[ku4hx]

I believe you are right, but what I'm wondering is what all the differences are and whether they are worth the extra $ for me, since I won't need the powder measure or priming systems. Basically just trying to see what would be cheaper.

It was for me, but my budget is likely very different from yours. Only you can decide what's economically feasible for you.

Essentially, all the differences are all the accessories you can add to the BL that come standard on the RL. They'll all listed on the Dillon website.

The BL costs less. And if you don't need the powder measure and priming system you can not buy them and save a bit. That kind of defeats the purpose of a progressive loader, but I used an RCBS Jr single stage press for decades. It worked just fine ... still does.

It all depends on what goal you have in mind. When I go into production mode, I usually load 2,000-3,000 rounds over a week's time and then we spend the next few weeks enjoying them. If you plan on something at that level, I'd think you need a progressive type press. If your output is less than that, you may do well with a lower production model. It just depends ...

 

[cfullgraf]

That is, if I can get used to the right handed nature of the press.

I had similar issues with my Dillon SDB press, which I had before the BL550. I did not like removing my right hand from the press handle to load cases.

When I built the stand for the BL550, I located a case bin in a convenient location near my right hand and station 1 on the press. This really improved the operation and flow of the press and it is not so awkward removing my hand from the press handle.

I went back and made similar modified the stand for the SDB and improved its operation.

 

[9mmepiphany]

You think it will be more consistent despite being a cantilevered open frame as opposed to the O style of a 550? They are nice, and plentiful die holes appeal. However, do you spin that turret around with a powder measure on it? That's the only part that seems awkward.

If have to really play with one to understand how massive and stable the T-7 is.

The T-7 doesn't have any of the issues that the Lyman turret has. They look the same, but feel completely different.

If you mount 3 rifle sets on the Redding turret, there is one more station where you can mount a powder measure. The set ups I've seen have had the powder measure mounted on an articulated arm, at turret height, next to the the press...like this one

http://inlinefabrication.com/collec...lating-arm-for-the-lee-perfect-powder-measure

 

[Paddy]

Ah okay so the powder measure levitates over the turret and you manually drop a charge that falls into a funnel/tube type arrangement? That makes sense and would be pretty cool.
Well, thanks guys, now I'm all locked up haha. I will say when I see pictures of guys who have gone overboard with presses, and have them all on their bench, the Redding turret seems to be the one with the most room around it, and the most central located on the bench, which to me says it gets the most love.

Good tip on the bin arrangement, that can make all the difference. With my LNL I will say that my left hand sometimes gets overloaded doing cases and bullets, which is where the bullet feeder came in and was a real boon.

 

[9mmepiphany]

With my LNL I will say that my left hand sometimes gets overloaded doing cases and bullets

You know what makes that chore a lot easier
http://inlinefabrication.com/collec...et-tray-system-for-the-hornady-lock-n-load-ap

 

[Paddy]

Nice idea. Man those guys are really filling a niche aren't they? Good for them.

UPDATE: ordered a BL550 today now all I need is a Redding t7 and a co-ax and my life will be complete. :/.

Btw, as a ffl holder I applied for dealer pricing at Graf and sons, and got the press for a great price! Unfortunately they also have both of the other fore mentioned presses so my finances are really hopelessly screwed. At least this addiction can be mostly recouped if I ever decide to sell stuff off. Now, off to make my bench larger.