scott22
Member
I've got experience with two presses, a old Lee single stage press my Dad bought about 20 years ago and my 550b. Boyyyyyy do I love my 550B and I have NEVER regretted that purchase.
Dillon Reloaders
- Thread starter Smithiac
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Dravur
Member
buy the 550b
I love mine. have loaded .223 and .45 Colt on it. I want to do .45 ACP and 9mm on it next.
Here's a photo.
I love mine. have loaded .223 and .45 Colt on it. I want to do .45 ACP and 9mm on it next.
Here's a photo.
Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
There are some great progressives out, there is no cut-and-dried answer. Being frugal, I found a used 450 (which can be found with a little looking) very inexpensively. Despite it being 24+ years old, Dillon still sends me what few parts I need at no charge. The primer drop issue is solved with a bucket between my knees. The next one I buy will likely be the 650, but that's a ways down the road.
BigJakeJ1s
Member
There are two areas in most reloading presses (single stage or progressive, other than die features/quality) that influence the straightness of sizing and expanding brass, and seating bullets: How or if dies are allowed to float independently to seek their own center relative to the case, and tightness/sturdiness of the ram in its bearing(s).
The latter is particularly critical in progressive presses, since different forces in different stations impart a tilting force on the ram, which if not sufficiently restrained will misalign the cartridges with the dies. Also, traditional compound leverage presses (with the toggle at the bottom end of the ram) have varying levels of tilting (lateral) force applied to the the bottom end of the ram during the stroke. Given equivalent manufacturing tolerances (i.e. bearing play), the sturdier, larger diameter ram of the LNL AP better resists/restrains the off-axis thrusts. In single stage presses, this is one reason many H-style presses and the Forster co-ax have excellent reputations for accuracy/concentricity.
The former (die float) issue is quite different between the two major systems of die retention in progressive presses. Dillon, Lee, and RCBS have the dies mounted rigidly in a single plate that floats in the press frame. The LNL AP has dies that individually float (to a lesser degree) in LNL bushings. As the cases advance into the dies, if one die engages (excerts pressure on) its case before others do, that one die/cartridge starts to lift its side of the tool head before the other side, causing tilt. Furthermore, each die is tilted at the same time/degree because they are all rigidly attached to the die plate. Granted, once the tool head travels to the top of its slot, it will even out consistently, but in the meantime, different cases were advancing into dies at an angle, causing problems. The LNL die retention system does not suffer from this problem.
At least one user has measurably improved the runout in ammunition loaded on their Dillon press by drilling a hole in the lock ring parallel to the die axis, and then installing a corresponding pin in the tool head that engages the hole in the lock ring. In this manner, the pin can keep the lock ring and die from turning, while still allowing the lock ring to float above the tool head, thus allowing the die to float in its threads. This is repeated for each station. Note that this modification requires the use of lock rings which can be fixed to the die via a set or clamp screw, excluding Dillon and Lee lock rings. While not perfect (conical die threads couple lateral float to angular float, which can interfere with the resulting alignment of the die to the cartridge) this is certainly an improvement over the stock arrangement.
Andy
cpttango30
Member
I got a 550B off ebay for for $340 with free shipping. This was not the stripped down model either. This was the $395 model with one caliber conversion kit with it.
Of course then I had to order
Strong mount
Bullet tray
Cover
Parts Kit
RCBS powder cop die
and 2000 bullets to get it going.
The parts kit and cover are not have to have items but they sure make it look nice.
the strong mount is a god send, same with the bullet tray. I am so glad I spent the money on them.
each of the progressives have they're quirks. But for the money I spend It took me about 1 hour to totaly set up my 550B from the box to the first round comming out. I prefer the manual index as I have more control over the process. Plus it gives me time to check the powder level by eye.
Of course then I had to order
Strong mount
Bullet tray
Cover
Parts Kit
RCBS powder cop die
and 2000 bullets to get it going.
The parts kit and cover are not have to have items but they sure make it look nice.
the strong mount is a god send, same with the bullet tray. I am so glad I spent the money on them.
each of the progressives have they're quirks. But for the money I spend It took me about 1 hour to totaly set up my 550B from the box to the first round comming out. I prefer the manual index as I have more control over the process. Plus it gives me time to check the powder level by eye.
Hey THR Crew,
This is getting ridiculous!!! We are grown men acting like frickin' Jr high school kids on who's right and who's wrong here. The OP asked a frickin' simple question and this turned into a thermo nuclear engineering science lab project. I am sick of the know it alls on this post trying to get points across, one after the other after another.... Give your FN opinion and let it rest. Quit being last word freaks.
These strong disagreements suck ass. Some people like Ford, Some like Chevy. There are good things about both. Deal with it. You guys are drowning in a glass of water!!!
Everybody should start behaving like gentlemen and start respecting eachother and eachother's opinions and realize that sometimes, we have to agree to disagree. Look, if someone looks like they are going to blow themselves up, advise them and let it rest. You can't save the FN world or expect the world to think you have the final word on what is right, no matter how right you think you are. Different strokes, Mate. Remember, we are on a public forum that is supposed to be enjoyable. FUN??? I know Knowledge is power, I give you that, but Real power is knowing when to use the power or when not to use it. Think about it.
To the OP: Smithiac,
First off, sorry. Normally, threads don't end up like this so I hope we didn't scare you off. If you are looking at the 550b and that's what you really want, then buy it. Bottom line, you're the one who's going to be pulling that lever and maintaining it so the hell with what everybody thinks, what's important is what you think. Besides, the best press has a different name to everybody's situation. Custom tailor what your needs are and what your wants are and you'll find your press. You do have some good advice on this thread, you'll just need to weed out the bull ****.
By the way, the 550b rocks and Hornady LNL is a great press too. So is the XL650.
They are all great so if you buy any one of these, you will no doubt load great ammo, shoot more, save money, become a star shooter, and feel better about the overall bottom line. Having fun and getting good at it.
Drinks all around...
This is getting ridiculous!!! We are grown men acting like frickin' Jr high school kids on who's right and who's wrong here. The OP asked a frickin' simple question and this turned into a thermo nuclear engineering science lab project. I am sick of the know it alls on this post trying to get points across, one after the other after another.... Give your FN opinion and let it rest. Quit being last word freaks.
These strong disagreements suck ass. Some people like Ford, Some like Chevy. There are good things about both. Deal with it. You guys are drowning in a glass of water!!!
Everybody should start behaving like gentlemen and start respecting eachother and eachother's opinions and realize that sometimes, we have to agree to disagree. Look, if someone looks like they are going to blow themselves up, advise them and let it rest. You can't save the FN world or expect the world to think you have the final word on what is right, no matter how right you think you are. Different strokes, Mate. Remember, we are on a public forum that is supposed to be enjoyable. FUN??? I know Knowledge is power, I give you that, but Real power is knowing when to use the power or when not to use it. Think about it.
To the OP: Smithiac,
First off, sorry. Normally, threads don't end up like this so I hope we didn't scare you off. If you are looking at the 550b and that's what you really want, then buy it. Bottom line, you're the one who's going to be pulling that lever and maintaining it so the hell with what everybody thinks, what's important is what you think. Besides, the best press has a different name to everybody's situation. Custom tailor what your needs are and what your wants are and you'll find your press. You do have some good advice on this thread, you'll just need to weed out the bull ****.
By the way, the 550b rocks and Hornady LNL is a great press too. So is the XL650.
They are all great so if you buy any one of these, you will no doubt load great ammo, shoot more, save money, become a star shooter, and feel better about the overall bottom line. Having fun and getting good at it.
Drinks all around...
Last edited:
Jacka L Ope
Member
I'll drink to that. Cheers!
Shoney
Member
BigJakeJ1s: Thank you for your scholarly and gentlemanly explanation.
It would appear that some people whose 4 letter gutter intellect of loud "fig pluck cluck" do not understand it when people converse intelligently. Somehow they think they are being insulted when the language exeeds their ability to understand. Or perhaps could it be that they are just drunk again???????
It would appear that some people whose 4 letter gutter intellect of loud "fig pluck cluck" do not understand it when people converse intelligently. Somehow they think they are being insulted when the language exeeds their ability to understand. Or perhaps could it be that they are just drunk again???????
Chief-7700
Member
Sounds and looks like it is time for a "TIME OUT GUYS". So go to your man caves and do some reloading on the machines THAT YOU BOUGHT AND LIKE............ An stop the brand bashing!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chief-7700
Chief-7700
PowderApe
Member
Suggest you stay away from the Lee Pro1000 (AKA: the SquibMaster!)
My buddies swear by the Dillons, but I'm certainly swearing AT the Lee!!
Suppose I'm doing something wrong but it's been nothing but trouble..... Think I'll save up some bucks and go for big Blue, too!
My buddies swear by the Dillons, but I'm certainly swearing AT the Lee!!
Suppose I'm doing something wrong but it's been nothing but trouble..... Think I'll save up some bucks and go for big Blue, too!
okeybug
Member
I would get the 550. It's a great press and if you don't reload a carload full of ammo, it will more than fit your needs. I have the 550 and the 650. Actually, when you get the 650, the learning curve goes up somewhat. It's a great press if you do a lot of shooting. The one thing that stands out about Dillon is how well they keep their value. Keep it for 10 years and you will still get most of your money back. You can't say that about the Hornady LNL or RCBS. I got stung on the RCBS AmmoMaster as well as Hornady's Projector. Both of these are obsolete now with no way of upgrading. Dillon's have always been upgradable for the rest of your life plus the next owner's life.
okeybug
Member
okeybug
Member
I have the 650 set up for 9MM and the 550 setup for .223
BigJakeJ1s
Member
lgbloader,
Look at it this way, some people buy cars based on paint and upholstry, some based on engine and transmission, and still others based on prior experience with dealers/manufacturers. All are completely valid means of choosing a product for those individuals.
Individual readers are free to tune out responses that don't mean anything to them, but given the OP's unrestricted request for opinions, I believe all responses are valid and useful to the community as a whole.
At the risk of sounding harsh towards the OP (not my intention), asking for opinions on progressive presses will ALWAYS draw a varied and sometimes heated response. The reason I keep reading and participating in these threads is because every once in a while some new nuance I had not considered comes up. I guess I just assumed that's the same reason most everyone else participates too.
Andy
Look at it this way, some people buy cars based on paint and upholstry, some based on engine and transmission, and still others based on prior experience with dealers/manufacturers. All are completely valid means of choosing a product for those individuals.
Individual readers are free to tune out responses that don't mean anything to them, but given the OP's unrestricted request for opinions, I believe all responses are valid and useful to the community as a whole.
At the risk of sounding harsh towards the OP (not my intention), asking for opinions on progressive presses will ALWAYS draw a varied and sometimes heated response. The reason I keep reading and participating in these threads is because every once in a while some new nuance I had not considered comes up. I guess I just assumed that's the same reason most everyone else participates too.
Andy
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