DIllon 750 XL - 9mm to .45acp

[Saluki91]

I was given a Dillon XL750 Basics Kit in 9mm for Christmas. Everything that was back-ordered has finally arrived, with the exception of my 9mm dies. Dillon assures me that I am in line for delivery, and that they will get the dies to me shortly after Mars is colonized. So... I am switching the 750 over to .45acp until NASA gets us there.

I have a spare tool head, a .45acp caliber conversion kit, and a set of .45acp Redding Pro dies. What else do I need to get the 750 set up and working? I know the wheel in the case feeder needs to be changed before it will function with .45acp brass, and I assume the powder measure will need adjusted... possibly a different bar? Anything else I am overlooking?

I really appreciate any insight you can provide. I know calling Dillon should be my first option, but that means 60-90 min on hold during business hours - something I really can't afford.

Thanks!

 

[507Reloader]

Only thing I can see you will, or maybe not, change, is the primer set up. If you are using SPP 45 acp brass you will not need to change anything. If you are using LPP you will need to swap out the primer tube and slide. Nice gift !! TONS of videos on youtube on the 750. Awesome press !

 

[RBRK]

Powder bar will be the same for 9mm and .45 ACP, the small one.

 

[Saluki91]

Only thing I can see you will, or maybe not, change, is the primer set up. If you are using SPP 45 acp brass you will not need to change anything. If you are using LPP you will need to swap out the primer tube and slide. Nice gift !! TONS of videos on youtube on the 750. Awesome press !

Thanks for your insight - and yes... it is an awesome gift! My father was really big into reloading many years ago, and I was on the periphery... interested, but only as much as a kid could be interested. I got back into shooting this fall, and this was his way of saying I needed to reload. So for me, it is much more about him than it is about ammo.

 

[Saluki91]

Powder bar will be the same for 9mm and .45 ACP, the small one.

Thanks! Glad to know this isn't going to nickle and dime me... <famous last words>

 

[AJC1]

Thanks! Glad to know this isn't going to nickle and dime me... <famous last words>

Depending on your goals and powder you can use the exact same load. 6 grains of power pistol 5 grains of unique or 4 grains of tightgroup work well for both.

 

[Saluki91]

I'm using Vectan BA9. It was the only powder I could get my hands on when this project began back in early December. Fortunately, I got a pretty good deal on it, and it will work with my 9mm loads as well.

In .45 apc, I plan on pairing it with 200g SWC from Brazos. Vectan's data says to use a range of 5.1-6.3 grains with a 200g SWC. Fingers crossed!

 

[AJC1]

I'm using Vectan BA9. It was the only powder I could get my hands on when this project began back in early December. Fortunately, I got a pretty good deal on it, and it will work with my 9mm loads as well.

In .45 apc, I plan on pairing it with 200g SWC from Brazos. Vectan's data says to use a range of 5.1-6.3 grains with a 200g SWC. Fingers crossed!

Never herd of that powder but would put it near unique with those load volumes.

 

[CDP45]

I use the Vectan GM3 powder for my 9mm. Works great. I have used Brazos bullets for 9mm and was very disappointed. Could of been my CZ barrel. Leaded up like crazy. I gave 1K rounds to a buddy to try through his STI Trojan to see if he had same results.

 

[lordpaxman]

Thanks! Glad to know this isn't going to nickle and dime me... <famous last words>

Dillon doesn’t nickel and dime you, they Quarter you. Looks like you were really good last year when Santa checked his list the second time. I think you have the “Essentials” kit which includes the case feeder, something I wouldn’t omit from a progressive. The caliber conversion kit has the basic parts for a caliber change but like mentioned above, the primer will have to be what your .45 cases call for. The only other thing I’d mention is a better lighting system, it really helps to have light on the shell plate. I use the starlight on a RL1100 and like it. Good luck.

 

[jmorris]

The manual for the 750 is more comprehensive than most on page 34 they list everything extra you need that didn’t come with the press. Some cases you might not need an entire conversion kit, others you will.



https://dilloncdn.com/manuals/dillon-xl750-manual-english.pdf

You will have to install LP parts for LP, SP parts for SP, since the 750 uses a reciprocal priming system like the 550, this concept might speed things up.



If you get an extra small powder bar, you can leave it pre set and swap it out like this.



Not as fast as another complete powder measure but a lot cheaper.

If you have the powder check, it came with three rods, so you can get an extra sleeve, jam nut and die/lock ring (1,2,17,18 page 65 of the manual above) and swap the PC die from one tool head to the other too, without any adjustment required.

 

[rfwobbly]

Ba9 is a wonderful, single-base powder that burns cool and fairly clean. I've never used it in 45ACP, but fired lots in 38Spcl and 32ACP which have similar burn characteristics. (In my guns, Ba9 leaves a light dusting of tiny orange balls that can be easily blown or brushed off.) You might even want to try some Ba9.5 or Ba10 on your next order. Faster is generally better for plinking or target loads in 45ACP... especially with 200gr SWC. The entire Ba family meters very well. Expect your fired brass to look clean and unused. Accuracy is very good-to-excellent.

You will need the 45cal Dillon Powder Funnel in order to use the Dillon Powder Measure. This part does the interior case sizing, case expansion, and powder insertion.

Suggestions
I can suggest some very handy accessories...
>> The basic, push-on plastic knobs make adjusting the powder bar very easy and quick. From Ebay, usually 2 for ~$7. (Don't bother with the far more expensive "micrometer knobs".) And large diameter will do the trick.



>> The 650/750 Spent Primer Chute from UniqueTech. This is a static part that attaches under the press which routes spent primers and all their smut to a sealed container under your bench. You can catch spent primers for recycling, and stop breathing the dust.
https://uniquetek.com/product/T1346-650

>> The 650/750 UFO Press Light by KMS Squared. Nothing helps you see what you're doing better than a great light. Don't bother with the other brands.
https://kmssquared.com/ufo650.html

Hope this helps.

 

[Saluki91]

Ba9 is a wonderful, single-base powder that burns cool and fairly clean. I've never used it in 45ACP, but fired lots in 38Spcl and 32ACP which have similar burn characteristics. (In my guns, Ba9 leaves a light dusting of tiny orange balls that can be easily blown or brushed off.) You might even want to try some Ba9.5 or Ba10 on your next order. Faster is generally better for plinking or target loads in 45ACP... especially with 200gr SWC. The entire Ba family meters very well. Expect your fired brass to look clean and unused. Accuracy is very good-to-excellent.

You will need the 45cal Dillon Powder Funnel in order to use the Dillon Powder Measure. This part does the interior case sizing, case expansion, and powder insertion.

Suggestions
I can suggest some very handy accessories...
>> The basic, push-on plastic knobs make adjusting the powder bar very easy and quick. From Ebay, usually 2 for ~$7. (Don't bother with the far more expensive "micrometer knobs".) And large diameter will do the trick.

View attachment 974158

>> The 650/750 Spent Primer Chute from UniqueTech. This is a static part that attaches under the press which routes spent primers and all their smut to a sealed container under your bench. You

The manual for the 750 is more comprehensive than most on page 34 they list everything extra you need that didn’t come with the press. Some cases you might not need an entire conversion kit, others you will.

View attachment 974151

https://dilloncdn.com/manuals/dillon-xl750-manual-english.pdf

You will have to install LP parts for LP, SP parts for SP, since the 750 uses a reciprocal priming system like the 550, this concept might speed things up.



If you get an extra small powder bar, you can leave it pre set and swap it out like this.



Not as fast as another complete powder measure but a lot cheaper.

If you have the powder check, it came with three rods, so you can get an extra sleeve, jam nut and die/lock ring (1,2,17,18 page 65 of the manual above) and swap the PC die from one tool head to the other too, without any adjustment required.

can catch spent primers for recycling, and stop breathing the dust.
https://uniquetek.com/product/T1346-650

>> The 650/750 UFO Press Light by KMS Squared. Nothing helps you see what you're doing better than a great light. Don't bother with the other brands.
https://kmssquared.com/ufo650.html

Hope this helps.

Thanks - I'll look into the Unique Tech for sure.

 

[Saluki91]

The manual for the 750 is more comprehensive than most on page 34 they list everything extra you need that didn’t come with the press. Some cases you might not need an entire conversion kit, others you will.

View attachment 974151

https://dilloncdn.com/manuals/dillon-xl750-manual-english.pdf

You will have to install LP parts for LP, SP parts for SP, since the 750 uses a reciprocal priming system like the 550, this concept might speed things up.



If you get an extra small powder bar, you can leave it pre set and swap it out like this.



Not as fast as another complete powder measure but a lot cheaper.

If you have the powder check, it came with three rods, so you can get an extra sleeve, jam nut and die/lock ring (1,2,17,18 page 65 of the manual above) and swap the PC die from one tool head to the other too, without any adjustment required.

Thanks - That part of the manual is a handy feature.

 

[Saluki91]

Dillon doesn’t nickel and dime you, they Quarter you. Looks like you were really good last year when Santa checked his list the second time. I think you have the “Essentials” kit which includes the case feeder, something I wouldn’t omit from a progressive. The caliber conversion kit has the basic parts for a caliber change but like mentioned above, the primer will have to be what your .45 cases call for. The only other thing I’d mention is a better lighting system, it really helps to have light on the shell plate. I use the starlight on a RL1100 and like it. Good luck.

Thanks - You are correct in that I must have been a good boy. I asked Santa for some primers as well, but they must have fallen out of the sleigh...

 

[rfwobbly]

I asked Santa for some primers as well, but they must have fallen out of the sleigh...

Hmmmm. At my last pistol competition there was a reindeer with a suspicious red nose that said he got free primers over the holidays.

 

[rfwobbly]

Thanks - I'll look into the UniqueTech for sure.

Think about it. If you got a press that makes lots of ammo, then you also have a press that creates lots of trash in the form of spent primers. I like to think of the Spent Primer Chute as akin to a device that automatically takes out the kitchen garbage... before the wife asks. When I'm at the press, I want to concentrate on creating ammo. Stopping to empty a catch tray is "backing up".

 

[garandsrus]

Download a manual nag get familiar with every stage of the press. There is a learning curve!