Dillon 650 Questions

[Shmackey]

Let's say you're an experienced reloader who's been loading on a non-Dillon progressive for a while--so you have all the stuff you could possibly need to load rifle (.308) and pistol (9mm, .45ACP, 10mm, .357).

Let's further say that you were considering switching to a Dillon 650. What exactly would you need to get from Dillon (or Brian Enos) to be up and running? There's no need for new scales, tumblers, or any other non-press-specific stuff. But everything press-specific would need to go on the list.

This is where it gets a little confusing for non-Dillon users, as the terminology is new ("caliber conversion kit," "Quick Change," "toolhead").

 

[BullfrogKen]

Just call Dillon directly and tell them what you'd like to do, and what you have. They won't sell you anything you won't need. Seriously. I once called about getting what I needed to process 38 SuperComp brass. The rep asked if I had the .223 plate and pins, which I did. He told me nothing, use those. He didn't make a sale that day.


Dillon's customer support is the best in the industry. Hell, it's the best in ANY industry.

 

[Trent]

Agreed.

When I ordered my press the Dillon rep asked if I needed any Dillon dies to go with it. I said "I don't know, will normal dies work?"

He said "sure thing!". That was it. No pressure to switch out my existing stuff.

When you get a 650 with a caliber conversion for whatever caliber, you get everything you need except dies. They'll even knock off any "extra" common parts between the sets if you want, or ship them complete, depending on your wants.

When I order a caliber conversion I tell them send me everything for it - that way I don't have part of a set in a box. When I want to switch calibers I grab the top plate (I got each with their own powder measure) and the bits that are in that box and do the switch. Takes about 5 minutes for calibers with the same-sized primers, 15 minutes if I have to switch the primer feed out to a different size (small / large).

Dillon deserves the reputation they have, by the way. Their customer service is stellar - better than any company I've dealt with in any type of work, period.

 

[Trent]

They ALSO talked me OUT of a 1050 because it would be overkill for my needs. He said "it's meant for high-volume, but caliber conversions are a real pain and take a lot longer". The only practical difference for me would be the addition of the swaging station.

That alone says a hell of a lot. They could have sold a far more expensive press with a lot of bolt on goodies, and made more money, but talked me OUT of it.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Yup, they're cool like that.

 

[Shmackey]

Cool!

Any reason to choose between calling Dillon and calling Brian Enos?

Any reason not to use my existing RCBS Lockout Die instead of the Dillon buzzy one?

 

[Trent]

Don't know the former or anything about the latter, so I can't comment.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I don't know Brian Enos or his business practices. I do know Dillon and theirs.


Its your choice, and your call to make.

 

[highlander 5]

you'll need a tool head to hold your dies for each conversion. Screwing in and taking out die for each caliber change is a waste of time.

 

[Shmackey]

you'll need a tool head to hold your dies for each conversion. Screwing in and taking out die for each caliber change is a waste of time.

It sounds like each "caliber conversion" is really a shellplate and some associated tiny bits. That's the bottom (literally, physically) of the change. Then at the top, you need a toolhead and powder die at the very least--or if you want to go all out, a toolhead, powder die, and calibrated powder-checker.

 

[CLP]

I'd like to chime in. I bought my 650 from Dillon directly. Excellent customer service as previously mentioned. I've also bought from Enos- again, excellent top notch customer service. I purchased a caliber change in 308 Win from Brian and also a small primer assembly. At the time, I was outfitted to load 45ACP and he held my order, called my voice mail and left an email asking if I had made a mistake because the .308 is a large primer. I let him know I also used it for .223 and preferred the convenience of just switching out the primer assemlblies vs. breaking them down and switching out the parts.

I got my set up piecemeal and love it. It's really an ingenius machine, quality materials and craftsmanship, and superb customer service. Doesn't matter who you buy it from- Dillon or Enos. I prefer Brian Enos because he takes AmEx and I get good points back on that card.

 

[rightside]

I have a 650 and would not have anything else, as said already, Dillon is great to deal with and the no BS guarantee for life is the real deal.

 

[djthemac]

I just ordered a 650 from Brian Enos. He is a great guy with A+ customer service. I asked an unrelated question a few years ago on his boards and he personally emailed me with the answer. He is most definitely G2G

 

[rfwobbly]

I don't own a 650, but I play one on TV.

► Here's the difference between Brian Enos and Dillon Precision. Enos is going to ship any Dillon purchase over $400 for Free. Dillon will add shipping charges. BOTH shipments leave from Dillon's warehouse. Both shipments will leave at the same time and arrive at the same time. No one discounts Dillon equipment, so the only savings you can possibly achieve is the free shipping.

Brian Enos is one nice guy and a heck of a business man. He's a world renowned shooter with a really great forum at BrianEnos.Com. He's got a whole section of his forum set aside to answer questions about Dillon reloading machines, which is extremely authoritative.

► Now to answer your 650 questions....
Your new 650 will come setup for the first caliber (this does NOT include dies). It will include the tool head to hold the dies, the shell plate (specific to your caliber), 1 powder die, and 1 powder funnel/ expander (specific to your caliber).

For each additional caliber you'll want: a tool holder (to hold the set of dies), 1 powder die, and whatever it takes to load your second caliber. (This last piece is where it get confusing.)

A "caliber conversion kit" includes: 1 shell holder, 3 buttons, and 1 powder funnel.

If your first caliber is 9x19 Luger and your second caliber....
• Uses the SAME shell holder (say 40S&W), then you need only the 40S&W power funnel, not the full 40 "caliber conversion kit".
• Uses a different shell holder (say 38 Spcl), then you need only the 38 Spcl shell holder, not the full 38/357 "caliber conversion kit". (This is a bad example)
• Is something like 45ACP, then you need the new 45 shell plate and the 45 powder funnel. Therefore you need the full caliber conversion kit.

Hope this helps!

 

[Shmackey]

That helps a lot! I think the shellplate for .45ACP is the same as the shellplate for .308 Win. That would mean I need only the .308 powder funnel instead of the full caliber conversion, if I understand correctly. So I think this would be the list for a Dillon 650 setup to load .45ACP, 10mm, 9x19, and .308 Win:

__________

Dillon XL 650 in 45 ACP $ 556.95

650 - As it should BE - Upgrade $ 123.95 (tray/handle/mount)

650 Spare Pts Kit $ 24.95

650 Press Instructional DVD $ 19.95

3 Powder Dies - 3 or more - ea $ 9.95 = 29.85

3 650 Toolheads - 3 or more - ea $ 24.95 = 74.85

XL 650 Caliber Conv: 40 S&W/10mm $ 76.95

XL 650 Caliber Conv: 9mm/38 Super $ 76.95

Powder Funnel B - 30 Cal. Rifle: 308/30.06/30.30 $ 14.45

Purchase Subtotal: $ 998.85

__________

I already have dies for all my calibers, including an RCBS lockout die. It's kind of lame to have to pay for the setup DVD, and I'm not sure how necessary the strong mount, bullet tray, and roller handle are--but everything else seems necessary and sufficient for what I need to do. I think.

 

[angus6]

I don't know Brian Enos or his business practices. I do know Dillon and theirs.

Its your choice, and your call to make.

They don't get much better then Brian to deal with , Plus you will find your final cost to be cheaper

 

[jfrey]

Severl years ago I called Dillon and ordered my press. I also told the guy I talked to that wanted a bench wrench and a case guage and a few other assorted things and he asked me why I was ordering that stuff. I didn't quite understand at first and he explained I didn't need that stuff and could just as easily use a crescent wrench and the barrel off my pistol to check my rounds. How is that for honesty? I wound up getting a second press two years later because of my first experience. I hear Brian is good to deal with but I think I'll keep going back to Dillon direct.

 

[joed]

It's tough to beat dealing with Dillon, they will only sell you what you need. I do like their sizing dies and have switched everything I load on the progressive to Dillon dies. I'm totally happy with every phone call I've made to them.

I have not invested in extra tool heads yet as what ever I set up for is usually there for a good while. I have a 650 and 1050, the 650 does small primer and the 1050 does my large primer loading.

Caliber changes on the 1050 take at least 20 to 30 minutes. But once that press starts moving the speed is amazing. I'd venture to say that if you had to set up the 650 and 1050 for the same cartridge you'd catch up to the 650 output after 200 rounds.

My 650's speed doesn't impress me but that may be because of the small primers and what I'm loading which is 9mm.

One thing I would insist on getting with the 650 even if they don't try to sell it to you is a powder check die. The peace of mind is worth the price alone.

 

[John C]

The strong mount and bullet tray are a must. They seriously speed up reloading because the ergonomics improve so much. I can't comment about the roller handle, but I'd get one if I had a 650. Everyone who has one raves about it.

-John

 

[Deavis]

Call Brain and talk to him, he won't steer you wrong. Brain (or Brian ) is as close to Dillon as you can get and he won't sell you items you don't need.

 

[Shmackey]

Whelp

Placed the order for the stuff in the list above, with one change: I realized I don't need the instructional DVD, so I replaced that line item with the 650 casefeeder. Apples to apples.

 

[john wall]

Get the strong mount and roller handle. You only buy them once. You appreciate them every time you use the press.

 

[Trent]

Yeah I have a blister on my hand right now from loading 1000 45ACP tonight.

Guess who didn't buy the roller handle and regrets it?

<<<< THIS GUY.

 

[amlevin]

john wall=

Want to thank you for posting a picture of your reloading bench. Makes me feel better about my "mess"

My wife looked over my shoulder while reading your post and said "where did they get the picture of your reloading room?".