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Dillon AT 500
- Thread starter chief63
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Northwest Cajun
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I started with an AT 500. I upgraded piece by piece untill I had a 550. I still use some of the AT 500 parts, Mainly the shell plate. The first thing I'd upgrade is the auto primer. Still do one at a time but the priming step is automatic.
It was a good way to learn.
Cajun
It was a good way to learn.
Cajun
I'll second that. If you've ever entertained the idea of getting a progressive, then by all means get it, along with the auto primer feed and the cartridge ejector. I sometimes use my 550B as a turret to work up loads. It's much easier to rotate the case carrier than the tool head on other turrets. To be objective, there are some other fine turrets out there ie. the Redding T7 which can be equipped with their optional primer feed.
Bronson7
Bronson7
AT 500
The AT 500 is a good machine that can first be used as a turret press and can later be easily upgraded to a progressive. The following is from my post a few months ago on this topic.
"I bought the Dillon AT 500 starter kit last year as a complete newbie reloader. I started w/.38 spl with this arrangement. I decapped and resized on station 1. I then handprimed with a Lee Auto Prime.
With one case in the shell plate at a time, I belled and charged with a RCBS Uniflow on Station 2, seated the bullet on Station 3, and crimped on Station 4. I liked the one-step-at-a-time approach that would still give me a completed round at the end of four steps.
The removeable toolhead is a big plus if you load several calibers.
If you stand while reloading, get the Strong Mount.
I then bought another toolhead, 9mm dies, and an Auto-Eject System which speeds the process considerably.
I bought a Dillon Auto Prime System but have never used it for several reasons. One, it seems overly complicated, which may lead to some fiddling and cursing. Second, I want to handle, inspect, and sort each case after decapping and resizing. I like to know if the primer pocket is dirty and the Lee Autoprime lets me know if the pockets are tight. I measure for length if necessary. That option isn't available if you use the AT500 or RL550 B as a pure progressive. Third, I seat the bullets at Station 3 with my right hand. Not having a case in Station 1 or a primer gizmo in the way makes that a little easier.
At this point, I like to prepare 100 or more cases as described above and then use stations 2,3, and 4 as a progressive to load them.
Don't get the bullet tray if you want to seat the bullets using your right hand.
Almost any powder charging mechanism can be used with the AT500. My Uniflow seems easier to set up and use than the Dillon system and is very accurate with most powders.
Now I can easily load 4- 5 9mm preprimed cases every minute once I get five correct charges in a row from the Uniflow. The .357 loads at about four preprimed cases per minute."
I'm very happy with mine and Dillon has good service.
Chris
The AT 500 is a good machine that can first be used as a turret press and can later be easily upgraded to a progressive. The following is from my post a few months ago on this topic.
"I bought the Dillon AT 500 starter kit last year as a complete newbie reloader. I started w/.38 spl with this arrangement. I decapped and resized on station 1. I then handprimed with a Lee Auto Prime.
With one case in the shell plate at a time, I belled and charged with a RCBS Uniflow on Station 2, seated the bullet on Station 3, and crimped on Station 4. I liked the one-step-at-a-time approach that would still give me a completed round at the end of four steps.
The removeable toolhead is a big plus if you load several calibers.
If you stand while reloading, get the Strong Mount.
I then bought another toolhead, 9mm dies, and an Auto-Eject System which speeds the process considerably.
I bought a Dillon Auto Prime System but have never used it for several reasons. One, it seems overly complicated, which may lead to some fiddling and cursing. Second, I want to handle, inspect, and sort each case after decapping and resizing. I like to know if the primer pocket is dirty and the Lee Autoprime lets me know if the pockets are tight. I measure for length if necessary. That option isn't available if you use the AT500 or RL550 B as a pure progressive. Third, I seat the bullets at Station 3 with my right hand. Not having a case in Station 1 or a primer gizmo in the way makes that a little easier.
At this point, I like to prepare 100 or more cases as described above and then use stations 2,3, and 4 as a progressive to load them.
Don't get the bullet tray if you want to seat the bullets using your right hand.
Almost any powder charging mechanism can be used with the AT500. My Uniflow seems easier to set up and use than the Dillon system and is very accurate with most powders.
Now I can easily load 4- 5 9mm preprimed cases every minute once I get five correct charges in a row from the Uniflow. The .357 loads at about four preprimed cases per minute."
I'm very happy with mine and Dillon has good service.
Chris
Thanks for your thoughts about the Dillon AT 500. I also looked at the Redding turrent press as I like Redding products, but with Dillon's reputation, I found myself going back to Dillon. Also the opportunity to move this press to a progressive one looked like a nice feature.
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