Dillon shmit disturber--> 550's and 650's

[stellarpod]

Reloading and shooting is the pair of hobbies that permits to to build something and then have it disappear so you can build it again. Can't do that if you build birdhouses.

You can if you give them away.

Why the emphasis on speed? Is that your preferred means of evaluation? Having been through and engineering analysis such as you are currently engaged in, I must say it matters not one whit.

Granting that we should all be concerned first about, 1) safety, 2) relative accuracy, isn't THE most basic tenant of a progressive press (vs. single stage) the ability to radically improve speed? And isn't this discussion about the merits of one progressive versus another? Then, doesn't it follow that a comparison of the speed component is of at least passing interest? I can understand differences of opinion regarding what rate of production is adequate, but I would have to say that if you care enough to upgrade from a single stage to a progressive press, you probably care a least a "whit".

You're absolutely right about the cost of peripheral items. But, those cost are a reality regardless of whether you go single or progressive.

stellarpod

 

[Zak Smith]

Even a newbie will eventually become an experience reloader. Nobody is proposing that someone totally new to reloading buy a decked out 650 and then crank out rounds without following proper loading practices for safety, consistency, and accuracy.

But given that I can produce the exact "same" .45ACP round - my IPSC load, say - on a RockChucker single-stage press, a Dillon Square-Deal B, and a Dillon XL650, the XL650 wins because I can fill a .50 cal ammo box in about an hour and a half or two hours, start to finish. The SDB would take about 5-6 hours, and the single-stage would take weeks..

Time is money after all.

-z

 

[Novcon]

Not long ago I too shared the "whats so great about Dillon" perspective. I have been loading 20+ years with Lee equipment and thought it was great. I bought a Dillon 650 about 3 months ago, WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG was my first impression. It works 50 times smoother and is more accurate on OAL (maximum variance is .002"). I have had zero problems and the powder is more accurate with the powders I use than advertised. It's just a far superior product than anything else. I too would like to get a second 650 just for rifle.

ONE VERY HAPPY DILLON OWNER...

 

[MoNsTeR]

First, the low powder sensor is useless, IMHO. Subtract $36.
More important, it's incorrect to include the cost of dies. You'll spend the same amount on dies whether you have one press, two, or five. It's also not required to get Dillon's super-expensive dies (I use Lee dies myself). Subtract $50.

That leaves you at $414, and you've still got the strong mount and roller handle in there, which are thoroughly optional and have no analogues for other press makers.

 

[Gewehr98]

I confess. I have two Dillons in my reloading room/evil lab.

They sit right next to a Hornady and RCBS, by the way. I also have a Dillon D-Terminator electronic scale, I calibrate it against my Ohaus 1010.

I was never much interested in how many gazillion rounds per hour they could crank out. I watch each round like a hawk as it makes it's magic little trip on the shellholder through each station, before it pops out the exit chute into the basket. Faster than a single-stage press? Sure. But I'm not in a race with anybody on rounds manufactured per hour. Quality means more to me than quantity, in this application. I can make a lot of quality rounds a good deal easier with a progressive press. Life is good that way.

I've got some work to do after I get off the computer tonight. I have a bunch of .45-70 blackpowder brass I need to deprime before I wash them in hot soapy water. And I use a Lee hand press for that.

 

[21 shooter]

I use a 550 for almost everything I load. My big complaint is when I have to change the primer feed. I have never been called "mechanically inclined" so maybe that is it. I would like to have another 550 just so I would not have to change the primers system.

Hornady makes good stuff. A little competition will generally lead to product improvement, so I am glad that there is more than one company making progressive loaders. If I bought another single stage, I would get the Hornady just to get the lock-n-load bushings. I wish they had made those 25 years ago!

The main thing is enjoying reloading and shooting. I like both. I just wish I had not run out of primers and powders.

 

[s64woody]

I am still using my original 450B. I am quite happy. I may add another Dillon press. I could not do what I want without a single stage of some sort. Wonderful product, without lightweight do-dads that break all of the time.

 

[Jeeper]

To answer the original question

I personally have two 650's. I shoot USPSA so I leave one permanently setup for my competition load for my 40. This way I can load whenever I want for that gun and dont have to change anything. I have the other one for everything else. I think I have about 9 or 10 other toolheads for it. THen I use my rockchucker for rifle. I bought the other one because I basically ended up getting it for free. I will probably sell one of the 650's soon and get a 1050 for my USPSA loading.