Enough said. That puts it into perspective. I plan to do mostly pistol and plinking .223 rounds with this machine. For the precision stuf I only load 50-100 at a time anyway so the signle stage I have is fine. To all the Dillon pros here, is the shellplate the same for the .45 and .308 As I beleive they are for LEE. What would it take for me to get up and runnig for .308 if it was originally set from factory for .45?
Dillon in my future???
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Enough said. That puts it into perspective. I plan to do mostly pistol and plinking .223 rounds with this machine. For the precision stuf I only load 50-100 at a time anyway so the signle stage I have is fine. To all the Dillon pros here, is the shellplate the same for the .45 and .308 As I beleive they are for LEE. What would it take for me to get up and runnig for .308 if it was originally set from factory for .45?
On a dillon 550, the only caliber conversion difference is the powder funnel which can be purchased seperately for $11. You'd need 308 dies, of course. I would suggest another toolhead and powder funnel so you could leave the 45 dies adjusted when changing to another caliber.
It is possible to only use 1 toolhead and powder die for many calibers. The downside is you have to setup the dies each time you change calibers. I find changing the powder measure setting not a big deal, but readjusting dies each time is a pain. Maybe you would load one caliber for so long that setting dies again isn't a big deal.
On a dillon 650, there are several caliber conversion parts that would change going from 45 to 308. A 650 caliber conversion includes the casefeed parts also. A basic 650 press comes with the bottom half of the casefeeder. The separate "650 casefeeder" is the top half of the casefeed system.
redneck2
Member
Tool heads are just a few dollars. I would never reset dies for the very minimal cost of a tool head that you can just slide into place and use. I had a 450 and a Hornady Projector that I had to reset dies with every caliber change. It was awful.
I use the complete conversions with the powder measure. I don't get powder mixed up. I don't get bushings mixed up. I don't get measures or settings mixed up. I don't have to screw around with settings, bushings, dies, dumping and changing powder, anything else.
As much as the anti Dillon people here want to wail and moan about a few dollars, it's WAY easier to just have your tool heads all set up and go IMO. If you really need to, you can still swap the measures pretty easily. Pop the measure on, and you'll just have to re-adjust the powder slide which takes a few minutes.
I have over $20,000 in firearms. I could give a crap about saving $50 on a reloading set-up. I know not everybody is in that situation, but for the love of God, have some common sense. Your reloading set up will repay itself in six months if you do much shooting.
I use the complete conversions with the powder measure. I don't get powder mixed up. I don't get bushings mixed up. I don't get measures or settings mixed up. I don't have to screw around with settings, bushings, dies, dumping and changing powder, anything else.
As much as the anti Dillon people here want to wail and moan about a few dollars, it's WAY easier to just have your tool heads all set up and go IMO. If you really need to, you can still swap the measures pretty easily. Pop the measure on, and you'll just have to re-adjust the powder slide which takes a few minutes.
I have over $20,000 in firearms. I could give a crap about saving $50 on a reloading set-up. I know not everybody is in that situation, but for the love of God, have some common sense. Your reloading set up will repay itself in six months if you do much shooting.
Spartacus451
Member
This. Pick the equipment that does exactly what you want and don't look at the price tag. The more you shoot the less it matters how much you paid.
A word on warranties. If you need the warranty then the product has already failed. I don't buy products for warranties.
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Wow this turned into a GREAT thread! I'm learing a lot and I've been doing this a while.
Steve: thanks for your input. I have three single stages plus a T-7. The idea of decapping, prepping and trimming sounds like a good idea and think I'll try it.
The idea of priming with a hand primer is a good one as well. I've never liked changing from small to large on the 550. I can keep it set up for large and leave it for my 45 colts.
I've heard good reports on the uniflow powder measure, especially with extruded powders. That may be worth a shot as well. Then I can take the aquarium pump off if it.
+1 on extra toolheads for different calibers.
Looks like the 550 is enough press in my case. Seems like I'm in synch with what others are doing on progressives.
Steve: thanks for your input. I have three single stages plus a T-7. The idea of decapping, prepping and trimming sounds like a good idea and think I'll try it.
The idea of priming with a hand primer is a good one as well. I've never liked changing from small to large on the 550. I can keep it set up for large and leave it for my 45 colts.
I've heard good reports on the uniflow powder measure, especially with extruded powders. That may be worth a shot as well. Then I can take the aquarium pump off if it.
+1 on extra toolheads for different calibers.
Looks like the 550 is enough press in my case. Seems like I'm in synch with what others are doing on progressives.
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