Doublehelix
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2016
- Messages
- 1,059
I have to say that I do not really see many issues or needed improvements with my XL650, but I do have a few cool add-ons that I have bought to enhance the product. I have listed them at the end of this post.
Not trying to be confrontational or get into the "Red vs. Blue" debates, just stating a fact about how I feel, I don't see many issues with my press, certainly nothing that I would contact Dillon about that needs fixing.
I am very much of the opinion that both Dillon and Hornady are great presses, and either would serve you well. There is really no need to bash anyone for making a choice that is not of their brand.
I get loyalty, but sheesh guys, who really cares whether someone makes their bullets on a red press or a blue press? Do the bullets fire? Did the loader enjoy the process? Great. Move on. Smile!
This is like the political division that exists within our country. Left vs. Right, and people get SO ANGRY if your beliefs are different than theirs. It is our right to have our own beliefs, and there is no reason to yell and scream and be idiots because someone does not see things your way.
The same thing with all of this silly Hornady vs. Dillon arguing. It's all good brothers!!! We are in this together, not against each other!
I want to give my side to the list of XL650 "issues" you mention so that others that are reading this can see opinions from both sides of a story and not just assume that the Dillon XL650 is a piece of junk.
Of these issues you mention, the only one that can be annoying is the powder spillage, and that is actually not as big of a problem as some make it out to be, and is easily fixed with the low mass detent ball and spring. But I actually find that technique helps with this "issue" as well. I never have spilled powder any more once I learned how to load properly.
I agree that it takes a good half-hour to adjust/align the XL650, but I only have had to do that ONCE on my press, and honestly, I didn't really NEED to do it, I just decided to try it to make sure everything was perfect. It has not needed it since.
You say "Dillon 650 are known for primer donation in the primer tube". I am not sure what you meant here, unless you meant "detonation" as in "explosion". I have seen reports of incidents of explosions, but honestly, I would not say that the Dillon 650 is KNOWN for primer detonations. These have all pretty much been attributed to user error by trying to force a primer, and the cool thing is that Dillon encases the primer tube in a very strong iron tube that directs any kaboom towards the ceiling. I know a ton of XL650 owners, and none of them even know anyone that has had a kaboom! A few posts on the internet does not make the "XL650 known for primer detonations". Primers can be dangerous for anyone that reloads with any press.
I have no problem cleaning and lubing my XL650, and in fact I really enjoy it! I take pride in a nice clean press and one that operates smoothly, so the cleaning and lubing of the press is a task that I enjoy. I don't normally listen to music when I reload to minimize distractions, but I do when I am cleaning and lubing the press. Seems like it only takes a few minutes, but you are right, it is probably a good 30 minutes to take it all apart and do it right.
All-in-all, I love my XL650. But here are a few of the cool additions that I have made to my press:
1) Used primer drop tube (long rubber tube that goes to a catch bottle on the floor)
2) New primer catch bottle
3) Primer feed on/off switch (very cool!)
4) Low mass detent ball and spring (for the power spill issue mentioned above)
I spent probably less than $20 on these updates.
I honestly cannot think of a single thing that I would change on my press, except maybe to buy a bullet feeder someday when I have the money!
Not trying to be confrontational or get into the "Red vs. Blue" debates, just stating a fact about how I feel, I don't see many issues with my press, certainly nothing that I would contact Dillon about that needs fixing.
I am very much of the opinion that both Dillon and Hornady are great presses, and either would serve you well. There is really no need to bash anyone for making a choice that is not of their brand.
I get loyalty, but sheesh guys, who really cares whether someone makes their bullets on a red press or a blue press? Do the bullets fire? Did the loader enjoy the process? Great. Move on. Smile!
This is like the political division that exists within our country. Left vs. Right, and people get SO ANGRY if your beliefs are different than theirs. It is our right to have our own beliefs, and there is no reason to yell and scream and be idiots because someone does not see things your way.
The same thing with all of this silly Hornady vs. Dillon arguing. It's all good brothers!!!
We are in this together, not against each other!I want to give my side to the list of XL650 "issues" you mention so that others that are reading this can see opinions from both sides of a story and not just assume that the Dillon XL650 is a piece of junk.
Of these issues you mention, the only one that can be annoying is the powder spillage, and that is actually not as big of a problem as some make it out to be, and is easily fixed with the low mass detent ball and spring. But I actually find that technique helps with this "issue" as well. I never have spilled powder any more once I learned how to load properly.
I agree that it takes a good half-hour to adjust/align the XL650, but I only have had to do that ONCE on my press, and honestly, I didn't really NEED to do it, I just decided to try it to make sure everything was perfect. It has not needed it since.
You say "Dillon 650 are known for primer donation in the primer tube". I am not sure what you meant here, unless you meant "detonation" as in "explosion". I have seen reports of incidents of explosions, but honestly, I would not say that the Dillon 650 is KNOWN for primer detonations. These have all pretty much been attributed to user error by trying to force a primer, and the cool thing is that Dillon encases the primer tube in a very strong iron tube that directs any kaboom towards the ceiling. I know a ton of XL650 owners, and none of them even know anyone that has had a kaboom! A few posts on the internet does not make the "XL650 known for primer detonations". Primers can be dangerous for anyone that reloads with any press.
I have no problem cleaning and lubing my XL650, and in fact I really enjoy it! I take pride in a nice clean press and one that operates smoothly, so the cleaning and lubing of the press is a task that I enjoy. I don't normally listen to music when I reload to minimize distractions, but I do when I am cleaning and lubing the press. Seems like it only takes a few minutes, but you are right, it is probably a good 30 minutes to take it all apart and do it right.
All-in-all, I love my XL650. But here are a few of the cool additions that I have made to my press:
1) Used primer drop tube (long rubber tube that goes to a catch bottle on the floor)
2) New primer catch bottle
3) Primer feed on/off switch (very cool!)
4) Low mass detent ball and spring (for the power spill issue mentioned above)
I spent probably less than $20 on these updates.
I honestly cannot think of a single thing that I would change on my press, except maybe to buy a bullet feeder someday when I have the money!
