Dillon 550 or the Dillon 650

[Highland Lofts]

What is your personal preference the Dillon 550 or the Dillon 650?
I have two 550s and a 650 and will be setting one up here shortly. Curious as to which one you guys like better.

 

[LiveLife]

While 650 has higher production rate especially with case feeder; if you are looking for higher level of finished OAL consistency, 550 utilizes open shellplate where bottom of case base actually contacts solid platform whereas 650 utilizes shellplate that captures case base which can add shellplate tilt/deflection to finished OAL consistency.

Personally, since I did rifle case prep and priming off press, I found 550 with manual index more relaxing to use, especially with C-H 502 micrometer powder measure.

 

[Bronco72]

Cause I have a 550 ! 650's are nice but not enough to get one . Content with the 550. Caliber conversion are more $ for the 650 and I reload about 8 calibers.

 

[buddyd157]

i have only been reloading now for 1 year...my 550c is great. i am seriously considering another, and putting my Lee away.

i went with the roller handle, and an Inline Fabrication 4" mount, bullet tray, and also have 4 tool heads with powder hoppers, all set up with the calibers i reload, which are all pistol.

better control over the Lee, no dropping of primers like the Lee, over all better pricing for the 550c

 

[Soonerpesek]

I have had a very good experience with the 550 for the majority of my reloading, that I haven't looked at the 650 or 750.
With the manual indexing, it can be utilized as a single station if needed.
No problems priming on the press, no issues with the priming system.....................It's been a VERY solid press for me.................


...................and yes, I do have other brands of presses and equipment............................

 

[joed]

650 without a doubt. I started with a 550 about 20 years ago. There was only one reason I got rid of the 550 and that was because there is no room for a powder check die on the 550. My second press was a 1050 that I picked up from a gunshop that was closing its doors, that was my favorite press and convinced me the 550 just didn't have enough stations. I sold the 550 and moved up to a 650.

 

[DesertFox]

550B here, solid for years.

 

[rfwobbly]

I sold my 550 to "step up" to a 650. Within 2 months I had purchased another 550.

• For the super-volume ammo (like 9mm and 38 Spcl) the 650 was great. No complaints at all.
• But for lower volume cartridges, the loading was over too fast on the 650. The 650 die and case feeder setup time took longer than some of the loading. So the 650 actually stole the enjoyment for me when I was only loading, say, 50 rounds.

So by all means, get the 650/750 with a case feeder. But don't sell the 550 until you're sure you won't miss it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I learned to reload on a Dillon 550, helped setup and loaded on a couple of different 650s, and had a 750 on my bench for about a year. The manual rotation of the shell plate wasn't an impediment to loading speed until you add a case feeder and bullet feeder.

If I were loading rifle cartridges, the 550 would be the obvious choice as the case sits on the frame as opposed to riding on the shell plate. The only thing that gave me pause was only having four die stations; since I only reload handgun rounds...I'm using 6 and 10 station presses for handguns

 

[nettlle]

I took a hard look at the 650 before I bought my 550C. Thought I would regret it and always wish for the 650. Not the case. The 550 has been an excellent choice for me.

 

[gudaki]

Two 550 presses and never had a desire to change.

 

[troy fairweather]

Would like either lol.

 

[BBarn]

I chose 650 because I strongly prefer auto indexing and 5 stations. I used a 550 for a short time but didn't care for it too much. The only thing I don't like about the 650 is the priming system. I hate not being able to see the primers at any point during the loading process.

 

[MikeInOr]

I have been using my 650XL for over 30 years now. I have helped friends get started with their 550's and couldn't imagine giving up my 650 to downgrade to a 550. Auto case feed, auto index and 5 stations, what is there not to like? I have never had a problem with the primer system. It is a bit laborious to swap from large to small and back but after the first dozen times it goes quite quick. I have never had problems with inconsistent OAL on my 650 with any of my rifle ammo (hand gun ammo either).

I suspect that people prefer what they are used to and have worked with most.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I suspect that people prefer what they are used to and have worked with most.

I suspect you're correct. It took me a while to get used to the shorter handle throw of the Dillon 650/750. It took even longer to get used to the longer throw of the Lee SPP.

The Lee replaced the Dillon 750 on my bench for about 25% of the price and is fully capable of performing 80% as well..until you add an automated case and bullet feeder, which brings the price up to about 40%. The Lee isn't as clean looking as the Dillon...with it's exposed springs, but it really a very comparable press

 

[AzShooter1]

650. Just for the auto indexing it's worth it. I blew up one of my favorite guns on my 550 because I got interrupted and double charged a case. This cannot happen with the 650.

I sold my 550 to a friend. The same thing happened to him. Blew a Ruger up in the first 50 rounds.

 

[Bronco72]

Never assume the reloading machine is infallible !

If I get interrupted First thing I do when I get back I check exactly where I left of. Usually by removing a case from the powder station

 

[LouB]

What is your personal preference the Dillon 550 or the Dillon 650?
I have two 550s and a 650 and will be setting one up here shortly. Curious as to which one you guys like better.

I‘be loaded on my Dillon 550 for 30 years. Nine calibers. Quick and easy changes. It has been a faithful friend. Never thought of changing. Suspect 550 or 650 will serve you well.
All the best,
Lou

 

[Big Wes]

I started out with a 550b in the early 90's great press. since then I've obtained three used presses, two SDB's and a 650 I like and use them all. The only other press I bought last year was Mec metallic single stage. Love it very smooth to operate.

 

[jmorris]

What is your personal preference the Dillon 550 or the Dillon 650?
I have two 550s and a 650 and will be setting one up here shortly. Curious as to which one you guys like better.

I like them both, what one I pick, depends on what I want or need.

There is no way any 550 could keep up with a decked out 650 like these 100 rounds taking just under 4 minutes to load.

100+ rounds Dillon 650

www.youtube.com

but I can change calibers in 30 seconds on a 550,

Converting a 550 from 7-08 to 458 socom

www.youtube.com

primer size can be swapped in less than two minutes,

550 primer size swap

www.youtube.com

the 650 is much more involved but is also the most reliable feed system Dillon has ever offered. My expectations change too, why I have both, each have their strong points and weaknesses.

Like most any tool, the one you pick often depends on the task you have and how you wish to complete it. Lots of stuff can work but we are all different as are our expectations.

 

[Laphroaig]

I was gifted a 550B. So that's what I have. I'm sure that if my present was a 650 I'd be just as happy (I didn't vote). As a long time single stage loader, I don't mind the manual indexing.

550 utilizes open shellplate where bottom of case base actually contacts solid platform whereas 650 utilizes shellplate that captures case base which can add shellplate tilt/deflection to finished OAL consistency.

I never knew that. I crank out some accurate .223 match ammo on mine. I get about 200 rds./hr. at the pace I feel comfortable. Maybe 250 if I push it a little.

 

[DesertFox]

I was gifted a 550B. So that's what I have. I'm sure that if my present was a 650 I'd be just as happy (I didn't vote). As a long time single stage loader, I don't mind the manual indexing.



I never knew that. I crank out some accurate .223 match ammo on mine. I get about 200 rds./hr. at the pace I feel comfortable. Maybe 250 if I push it a little.

Darn good for .223. I do approx, 500 rds.hr with 9mm, and most pistol calibers on a 550B.

 

[MarshallDodge]

My first Dillon is a 550B. About 20 years later I purchased a 650. Both have been great presses.

I use the 550 for smaller batches of pistol and rifle ammo, and 99% of the time the 650 is setup for 9mm. It is blazing fast to load up 500 rounds of ammo.

If you are loading 100-200 rounds at a time, the 550 works great, but I would recommend the 650 if you really want to crank out a lot of ammo quickly.

 

[PO2Hammer]

My BL 550c is a pleasure to use and surprisingly solid.
After loading 9mm and 45 auto on a Redding T-7 I was worried that the 550 would lead to OAL variations, but I get the same OAL accuracy with the 550, very solid press.

 

[cfullgraf]

I bought a BL550 because I already had a Hornady L-N-L for volume production and I did not need the Dillon powder measure.

I bought the BL550 for cartridges that need a bit more attention and I use either a modified Redding 10-X powder measure or an RCBS Uniflow depending on the cartridge being loaded.