Dilloon 550B VS 650?

[Chuck R.]

Ok, here’s the “deal”. I’ve got another TDY trip to Korea this SEPT and the end result will either be another Baer, or a Dillon 650 (and a new duck boat trailer).

I’ve owned my 550B since 1988 and load 9 calibers on it now. I’ve never had a problem with it to date. I can comfortably crank out 3-400 rounds an hour. The problem is, I’m now loading for myself, and a friend that does all of our .45 ACP casting. It’s getting harder to find the time it takes to load a couple of 1000 .45s a month.

I’m thinking of buying a 650 just to load 45ACP, and keeping the 550B for the rest.

For you guys that have owned or do own both, is the 650 significantly faster? What’s a realistic production rate on a 650?

Thanks,

Chuck

PS: Please don't respond "other", I drank the Blue Cool-Aid, it made my hair grow back, I won the lottery, and chicks now dig me.

 

[1911user]

That sounds like a good plan assuming the 650 includes a case feeder; IMO a 650 doesn't really make sense without one. 700-800 an hour isn't hard with a well organized bench and everything handy. Since the purchase money isn't an issue, I'd go for it and reap the benefits for years to come. A dillon strong mount would be a good idea also; they really mount the press solid to a bench.

 

[Rico567]

I agree with the advice of "1911user," with the exception of the comment about the case feeder. In your situation, if you're up to a couple thousand rounds per month, yes. The case feeder is just another way of keeping the components flowing, and that's going to be the secret to getting the kind of production you want from the 650. The machine itself is capable of putting out quite a few rounds. If, for instance, you figure a generous seconds to cycle the press, that's 1200 per hour. But without a continuous feed of cases, primers, powder, and bullets, such a rate is impossible for a single individual. Ideally, it would be two individuals who could swap off press operation when it became tedious, taking turns "feeding" the operation.

A final note about case feeders: I like my 650 a lot, despite its rather complex caliber changes. I solved that one by going to longer runs in a particular caliber. You should have no such worries if you're sticking to .45 ACP only. I don't own a case feeder and don't need one.....simply because I just don't load that much volume. But I still value the 650 for minimizing the time I DO have to spend.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

a 650 is definately fast then a 550 when set up with a case feeder but without one is no faster then a square deal at half the price. Id look at a square deal if your only going to load one caliber on it anyway. But if moneys no object the 650 or better yet a 1050 with a case feeder is the fastest.

 

[aguyindallas]

I have given some consideration into reloading and it would be probably only 3 calibers:

.40S&W, .38Spec, and .357Mag....maybe .357Sig. The majority would be .40S&W. If 9mm prices continue to rise, I will be looking at that too since that is what I shoot most of.

Does it make more sense to buy a 550 or 650 or a SqDealB?

 

[cordex]

My personal choice would be to get another 550B and set one up for small primers and other for large primers, but in your situation a 650 + casefeeder dedicated to .45ACP would probably be the way to go.

 

[Outlaws]

A couple thousand rounds per month? Wow. Wish I had the time/cash for that.

I don't like suggesting things that a truck load more more money that what someone asks about, but there are some auto loading machines out there for a few grand. I don't know your financial situation and how much you value your time, but that might be something to consider. If I recall you can get setup for about $5k.

I forget which one was $5k, but here is one. Google didn't turn it up, but it was a dark blue-grey background on the website if I recall.
http://www.ammoload.com/

Here is one that was on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Automatic-Ammunition-Reloader-by-AMMO-LOAD_W0QQitemZ130011429566QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Chuck R.]

Thanks guys, it looks like the 650 with case feeder is the way I’ll go. I’ve been doing a little research and it looks like Dillon offers a complete primer conversion kit for the 650 to speed up conversions. Might be an idea if I decide to load .357s on it in the future.

Thanks again,

Chuck

PS: OUTLAWS, man those are some beautiful machines, but I’m only looking at a couple of K a month, those are some high out put devices!

 

[strambo]

$5K isn't so bad. If you save 10 cents per round...it will pay for itself in only 10 hours! Of, course it may take you 3 years to shoot the 50K rounds...