For sure don't want to bag on the 650 but I sure love my 550. If I loaded a lot of one caliber I would probably look in to one. The manual indexing part is not a big deal to me. Left hand is right there to flip the wheel and set a bullet. Left hand is always waiting on the right hand to get a case and get back to the handle. Double charge is possible I guess but it doesn't take bout 3 rounds and your thumb will flip that wheel before you even have to tell it to.
Dillon 550B or 650?
- Thread starter nojoke
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nojoke
Member
Never really considered hornady before, but it looks to be some good engineering.
Yet another choice.
Yet another choice.
atblis
Member
What's the price difference between the 550 and 650? I come up with $130.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Don't forget to factor in the additional costs of each caliber change, toolhead, etc.
The 650 is an amazing machine. The 550 is too, but not quite so fast. Personally, I don't care for the auto-indexing for my uses (and the 650 priming system ... grrrr!), and I've never needed to get my loading done faster-enough that the 650 was worth the hassle.
But, most of my fellow competitors do use them and if I was starting from scratch, I'd probably have one, too.
atblis
Member
Caliber conversion kit
$45 versus $77
Tool heads
$22 versus $26
I don't see cost ultimately being the issue. Why would you buy either machine if you don't intend to load and shoot thousands of rounds?
$45 versus $77
Tool heads
$22 versus $26
I don't see cost ultimately being the issue. Why would you buy either machine if you don't intend to load and shoot thousands of rounds?
nojoke
Member
Why don't I have a quote option to reply????
Is it something unique to this website?
Anywhooo....Hornady is at the top of the list now.
Is it something unique to this website?
Anywhooo....Hornady is at the top of the list now.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
nojoke said:
Yes it is disabled here to keep threads from getting too long. If you want to quote, simply copy and paste the portion you wish to quote, then use the quote button.
ROCKMAN 308
Member
go with the 550b the manual index is nice if a round doesnt prime right bullett cocks sideways the ooops short stroke. have had both now run 2 550's one set up for small and large primers. i load everything from 9mm to 300 win mag. quick change kits are also cheaper and make life alot easier.
RTMiller
Member
I never reloaded until last week. I bought the 650 because I want to learn on the machine I will use in the end. I didn't pay much mind to those who said "walk before you run". I'm smart enough to be safe and learn as I go. I only reload pistol cartridges (9mm & 460 S&W).
IMO why manual index if your going with a progressive? I'm already thinking about auto bullet feeders...
IMO why manual index if your going with a progressive? I'm already thinking about auto bullet feeders...
Click on the "Quick Reply" button in the lower right corner of the post.
Check the "Include post in reply box"
Click on go advance.
Edit the quote to shorten what you don't need in your response.
Easy but not intuitive.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Rockman right above you gave part of the answer to that.
If you have any kind of a stoppage or blockage, a manual advance makes fixing the problem easy without having a whole shell-plate full of rounds screwed up because you couldn't finish one stroke. It also makes it easier (the way I do it) to set up the dies, adjusting powder charge, and other administrative tasks.
But, if I'd learned to do all that on the 650 instead of the 550, I'd probably be extolling the virtues of auto-indexing and claiming that it was far safer than manual-indexing.
(And, again... that primer system! Ugh.)
Without the bullet feeder or case feeder, the speeds obtainable between the 550, 650 or the Hornady L-N-L are probably comparable.
Of course, with the bullet and case feeders, the 650 and the Hornady are a bit more difficult to change over to other calibers.
I load primarily handgun cartridges on the progressive and spend about as much time setting up, then packaging ammo and cleaning up as I do stroking the handle on the press. Even with tool heads or L-N-L bushings for each cartridge, I probably don't save too much time on a cartridge change, but it is more fun than threading the dies in and out!
But, for handgun cartridges, I like the reduction in case handling since handgun cartridges requires extra steps over bottle neck cartridges.
I recently bought a Dillon SDB press set up for 9x19 to play with along with a cartridge change for 45 ACP. I have not gotten the press on line yet and am already considering buying a second to keep set up for 45 ACP. Virtually no cartridge change time. With the SDB, the entire press set up is only about $120 more expensive than a complete cartridge change kit.
I still prefer to do rifle cartridges on the single stage. The runs are smaller, I make load changes more frequently, and I prefer the powder charge control with the powder measure separate from the press. I can load 100 rounds on the single stage faster than fooling with the progressive.
Of course, with the bullet and case feeders, the 650 and the Hornady are a bit more difficult to change over to other calibers.
I load primarily handgun cartridges on the progressive and spend about as much time setting up, then packaging ammo and cleaning up as I do stroking the handle on the press. Even with tool heads or L-N-L bushings for each cartridge, I probably don't save too much time on a cartridge change, but it is more fun than threading the dies in and out!
But, for handgun cartridges, I like the reduction in case handling since handgun cartridges requires extra steps over bottle neck cartridges.
I recently bought a Dillon SDB press set up for 9x19 to play with along with a cartridge change for 45 ACP. I have not gotten the press on line yet and am already considering buying a second to keep set up for 45 ACP. Virtually no cartridge change time. With the SDB, the entire press set up is only about $120 more expensive than a complete cartridge change kit.
I still prefer to do rifle cartridges on the single stage. The runs are smaller, I make load changes more frequently, and I prefer the powder charge control with the powder measure separate from the press. I can load 100 rounds on the single stage faster than fooling with the progressive.
It is probably what you learn to do with the press you have. I found to do with an auto index press is to not ever short stroke the press. Only make full strokes. If I have a problem, I remove the cases with the potential problems and the continue. The problems are usually limited to the powder charge area.
But, I prime off line. I got frustrated with the priming system and since I prefer to clean cases between sizing and loading, why not.
rfwobbly
Member
I was considering an upgrade from 550 to 650 at one point, but backed off.
• The six or seven new 650 tool heads would be way expensive
• I change calibers too much to make a case feeder effective
• Generally my lot sizes aren't that big
• For the single caliber I do load in volume I'd be better off with a dedicated SDB
• The six or seven new 650 tool heads would be way expensive
• I change calibers too much to make a case feeder effective
• Generally my lot sizes aren't that big
• For the single caliber I do load in volume I'd be better off with a dedicated SDB
Red Cent
Member
Where is it written that if you don't load more than 30,000 rounds a year you really need to buy.......
Red Cent
Member
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oemIpuRwCEQ
Mod edit: These videos show Dillon presses in use. FYI, it's bad form to post a blind link without some description.
Mod edit: These videos show Dillon presses in use. FYI, it's bad form to post a blind link without some description.
Last edited by a moderator:
Red Cent
Member
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6TGAvfNXjE&feature=related
Mod edit: These videos show Dillon presses in use.
Mod edit: These videos show Dillon presses in use.
Last edited by a moderator:
Red Cent
Member
Last edited by a moderator:
I started my reloading experiance this year. I started on the XL650. As some have pointed out a progressive press is a bit " busy" for a beginner but not overwhelming. I've loaded 1k rnds of 9mm and I'm now doing a cal. change and will begin loading .223 rem. next. I must admit as I aproach two grand for equipment alone and I'm far from finished, I wonder if I'll live long enough to make my money back.
I have a 650 and love it. The only real down side for me is that it is slow changing between small and large primers.
but I suppose it depends how much money you want to put into it. The quick change kit is $101.95 and it has a toolhead and a powder measure. I have one set for each caliber I reload. Once the dies are set on the toolhead, it takes only seconds to swap the toolhead. Just pull a couple of pins and it slides in and out.
A couple of minutes to change the base plate. As long as you stay with the same primer size, it is very fast to swap between calibers. I load 45 ACP, 45 AR, and 45 Colt on my Dillon 650 xl. I have no problem switching between 45 ACP and 45 Colt in just a couple of minutes. Going between 45 ACP and the auto rim is even faster because all I have to change is the base plate.
One thing I like about the 650 is that it has 5 stations. You have separate seating and crimping dies as well as room for a powder check die.
The down side is that it is a pain in the you know what to swap between primer sizes. When I start loading 38/357, I will load a whole bunch of them before I switch back to the large primer calibers. I have also had a couple of primer feed jams with the small primers that I never had with the large primers.
But overall, I am very satisfied with the 650 press for pistol ammo. Never tried it for rifle ammo. I use my single stage Rock chucker for rifle. Weigh every charge. But that is a different game. Nobody expects sub MOA accuracy from a revolver.
Tom
but I suppose it depends how much money you want to put into it. The quick change kit is $101.95 and it has a toolhead and a powder measure. I have one set for each caliber I reload. Once the dies are set on the toolhead, it takes only seconds to swap the toolhead. Just pull a couple of pins and it slides in and out.
A couple of minutes to change the base plate. As long as you stay with the same primer size, it is very fast to swap between calibers. I load 45 ACP, 45 AR, and 45 Colt on my Dillon 650 xl. I have no problem switching between 45 ACP and 45 Colt in just a couple of minutes. Going between 45 ACP and the auto rim is even faster because all I have to change is the base plate.
One thing I like about the 650 is that it has 5 stations. You have separate seating and crimping dies as well as room for a powder check die.
The down side is that it is a pain in the you know what to swap between primer sizes. When I start loading 38/357, I will load a whole bunch of them before I switch back to the large primer calibers. I have also had a couple of primer feed jams with the small primers that I never had with the large primers.
But overall, I am very satisfied with the 650 press for pistol ammo. Never tried it for rifle ammo. I use my single stage Rock chucker for rifle. Weigh every charge. But that is a different game. Nobody expects sub MOA accuracy from a revolver.
Tom
Red Cent
Member
Sorry. Thought that applied to original post. Thank you.
TexasRifleman said:
Not mine! I've been using the same auto indexing PiggyBack II on a RCBS RockChucker for over 15 years producing quality ammunition without any drama and minimal maintenance. I can switch between .45 ACP and 9mm Luger in 15 minutes and comfortably turn out 150 ~ 200 rounds per hour (real world numbers). This is a sufficient production rate for me to cover USPSA matches and practice sessions on the weekends. I haven't looked into case or bullet feeders but that would definitely speed things up.
If I were starting from scratch I'd probably buy a Hornady LNL, but since the RCBS PiggyBack system produces quality ammunition, albeit at about 1/3 the production rate, I won't be upgrading anytime soon. If/when I do upgrade, the PiggyBack II will remain in service for 9mm Luger.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Mine must have come from the evil parallel universe, it was a nightmare. I don't know if it was a "II" model so maybe that was the problem. I bought it in like 1988 or so.
Cowboy1629
Member
I have had a Dillon RL550B for about 17 years and load for every handgun and long gun I own on it. This winter I decided I needed the XL650 with all the bells and whistles to run my USPSA ammo on (9mm & .45 ACP). One thing is true, this baby sure can spit out some ammo!
I kept my 550 and use it for lower volume runs of ammo and rifle. Since I was already setup on the 550 didn't make much sense to buy the tool heads and conversion kits for the 650.
If I had to choose one, it would be the 550 due to the ease of changing calibers and the less expensive conversions. Besides, I was able to keep up with everything for 17 years on it before.
The 650 is really nice but if you load multiple calibers and smaller runs of 2-300 you will spend more time running it on the 650 than the 550 when you add setup time. I don't normally uncover my 650 unless I'm running a minimum of 500 to 1000 rounds.
I kept my 550 and use it for lower volume runs of ammo and rifle. Since I was already setup on the 550 didn't make much sense to buy the tool heads and conversion kits for the 650.
If I had to choose one, it would be the 550 due to the ease of changing calibers and the less expensive conversions. Besides, I was able to keep up with everything for 17 years on it before.
The 650 is really nice but if you load multiple calibers and smaller runs of 2-300 you will spend more time running it on the 650 than the 550 when you add setup time. I don't normally uncover my 650 unless I'm running a minimum of 500 to 1000 rounds.
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