Bought a Dillon 450 - What should I do next?

[LiveLife]

My shooting/reloading mentor taught me to reload on Dillon 550/Lee Pro 1000 and I have been a happy user of two Pro 1K and Classic Turret for the past 17 years.

I came across a used Dillon 450 in good condition with a price I couldn't pass up (much less than the price of Pro 1K) and wondering what I should do next. I have C-H 205/RCBS RS5 single stage and Lee Classic Turret I have been using to load .223/.308 and two Pro 1K that are set up for 9mm/40S&W and 45ACP.

The Dillon 450 already has the auto case ejection added but still has the manual powder measure and primer feed. I am thinking about using the 450 for 45ACP and perhaps .308 as they share the same shell plate.

My current considerations are:

1. Use Pro Auto Disk powder measure with return spring and hand primed cases (no extra cost as I already have extra Pro Auto Disk powder measures and hand prime .308 cases).

2. Use Pro Auto Disk powder measure and upgrade the primer feed system ($86).

3. Upgrade the powder measure and primer feed system ($88/$86).

4. Upgrade to 550 frame body with removable toolhead ($95) and powder measure/primer feed ($88/$86).

Any other suggestions/ideas?

 

[bbq fan]

I would do the upgrade to 550b. Give Brian Enos a call in the am and he will set you up. BTW Congrads on the blue koolaid...

 

[PCCUSNRET]

If you already have a single stage I would go with the upgrade to 550B. I use my 550B for reloading handgun and RCBS Rock Chuckers for rifle. Main reason is I don't find the powder feed on the Dillon as accurate as I like for many of the rifle calibers I currently load. Now that I am shooting a lot more .223 due to cost of components, I may start loading the .223 on the Dillon since the powder I am using for this round meters quite well.

 

[morrow]

Do the 500b upgrade

 

[LiveLife]

Thanks all.

I sent Dillon an email.

 

[kingmt]

I would use the Pro Auto Disk. Try it for a few times then decide what else you would like to change.

 

[dcbridgwater]

. Upgrade to 550 frame body with removable toolhead ($95) and powder measure/primer feed ($88/$86).

And then sell me the old 450 frame body.

 

[hang fire]

Think it was in 1983 when I bought my 450 and have never looked back. It has loaded one heck lot of ammo without a hiccup and I have no desire to upgrade.

Same with my old Dillon Square Deal a couple years later, is set up for .45 acp and does an excellent job.

 

[rodinal220]

I have a 450 I purchased in 1984 and still use it today.It is box stock and I have never had a problem with it. I would leave your press alone and use the money to buy more reloading components.Enjoy!

 

[sniper762]

Next? Load then load some more

 

[Jaxondog]

Get to loading and forget about an upgrade. They work great the way they are.

 

[rfwobbly]

2. Use Pro Auto Disk powder measure and upgrade the primer feed system ($86).

After you use a Dillon powder measure 1 month you'll wonder why you even considered this as a viable option.

 

[LiveLife]

rfwobbly, the 450 has manual powder measure. I have used the 550 with the auto powder measure/primer feed and no issues for me.

I will try loading some 45 ACP test rounds this weekend with manual powder measure and primer feed, but I can already imagine it being more tedious hand charging powder and primer than using the Classic Turret (and I got spoiled with the simple case feeder on Pro 1K).

For now, I am thinking about doing the primer feed upgrade.

dcbridgwater, if I do end up upgrading the body, I will consider your offer. How much are you offering? (sent you a PM).