Dillon 550 or 650?

[Kevin Rohrer]

For 3 years I was satified with my 550 and then it gave me 3 squibs.

I use Unique exclusively for my .45ACP and 357mag.

And one reason I prefer the 550 over the 650 is that w/ the manual advance of the 550, I look down into a charged case to make sure the powder dropped before I advance the cases. If it didn't (and I haven't had the powder measure fail yet), I just have to cycle the press again before seating a primer at station-1. You can't do that w/ the auto-advancing 650.

 

[Robert]

I have loaded on the 550 and 650 and I have to say I like the 550 better. I am a low volume reloader and find the 650 to be a tad more complicated than I need. I mean once you get used to how it run and how to trouble shoot it when you mess something up it runs great. But for my limited needs the 550 works amazingly well.

 

[joed]

I use Unique exclusively for my .45ACP and 357mag.

And one reason I prefer the 550 over the 650 is that w/ the manual advance of the 550, I look down into a charged case to make sure the powder dropped before I advance the cases. If it didn't (and I haven't had the powder measure fail yet), I just have to cycle the press again before seating a primer at station-1. You can't do that w/ the auto-advancing 650.

It only takes once. Weird though that I've talked to lots of others about Unique and Dillon and more then half don't have a problem.

I'd rather have a mechanical device warn me then check with my eyes. My eyesight isn't the greatest anymore.

 

[horsearcherwannabe]

I have a 550. I load a lot of 38/357
I also load 44 russian/44 special/44 mag, 45 ACP, 380/9mm, 9 mm mak, 6.5 x 55 swede and 32 special.

The only problems I have had with my dillion I caused. I bent the silver colored rod the drives the primer filler in a move.

I use ball powders and they meter just fine. I have never even tried to use any form of stick powder.

I can change set up in about 30 minutes. I never hurry anything when I am reloading.

 

[EddieNFL]

You can't do that w/ the auto-advancing 650.

True enough. However, I can count on one had the number of times any of my four Dillon measures have failed and have three fingers and one thumb left over. Loaded enough to require a press rebuild several years ago.

It happens, but the occurrence is so rare I can't see it being a deal breaker.

That said, it's all a matter of personal preference.