I have the Dillon sickness...

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IndianaBoy

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Bought a 550B and conversions for 9mm and 223(5.56) a few weeks ago. Finally had enough free time off work to get everything set up.

Have been loading on a single stage for bolt action rifles for years....


Wow....

Loaded up some test loads of various amounts of powder for 9mm to find an accurate, reliable and low recoil load for myself and the girlfriend for USPSA. Even changing powder charges every 20 rounds, inspecting everything, and making sure everything was kosher, this thing is fast.


After ammo testing I can load up a ton of 9mm (loads of components sitting around.), then go ahead and load up all this 5.56 brass with already proven loads.


Now enters the sickness.

I am looking at hundreds of 30-06 and 8mm cases, 5k large rifle primers, multiple pounds of powder and hundreds of bullets.

And I am thinking.... more caliber conversions.

I could load enough in one day to shoot them for years at current volume.


Ah... the possibilities are only limited by the funding.....
 
A 1050 is probably the best dillon out there due to two things
1.Primes on downstroke, no more achy back
2.Removal of crimped pockets
 
I think the 1050 is really cool but the XL650 better fit my needs and that is basically what it comes down to. The only thing I don't like about the 650 is to change calibers on it. So I bought two. To me, that was the easiest quick change caliber solutions. However, I have messed around with a 550B and I gotta say, if there is another press out there that I want (and will be getting shortly), this is the one.

Drinks all around...
 
650 Caliber Change

I find the 650 fairly fast to change calibers on with spare toolheads and a spare primer assembly (one setup for LP and one setup for SP). Takes me about 20 minutes.
 
I know how long it takes, even if it 15 - 20 minutes... I still don't like it. So this is my way of dealing with it. I would rather take the 15 - 20 minutes and reload for my pistols. By the time you finish setting up for a different caliber and loading your primers and adjusting your measure and all the other little b.s., I'm already almost done with my reloading, you know what I mean.
Your way's yours and my way's mine and I'm cool with that.
 
I find the 650 fairly fast to change calibers on with spare toolheads and a spare primer assembly (one setup for LP and one setup for SP). Takes me about 20 minutes.
Click to expand...

I did a test one my Dillon 650. I timed myself from changing 45acp to .223. After the change and setup I was able to get out 425 rounds of .223 in a hour.
 
Again, I still don't like it. I applaud those of you who do. I would rather spend the extra 20 minutes getting laid:evil:
 
Again, I still don't like it. I applaud those of you who do. I would rather spend the extra 20 minutes getting laid.
Click to expand...


*murmers something about a squib load* :neener:
 
The 1050 is the king of the heap..
The 650 is great for production runs of handgun cartridges...
The 550 is the best of the Dillons with respect to versatility....with cheaper conversions.....
 
I've a 550B and although it is a fine machine, I prefer my Lee Classic Turret. 550B for 45LC, LCT for everything else.
 
Uncle Chan,

You said something that really caught my attention. You really like your Lee classic turret better than the 550b? Hmmm...

I have heard some good things about that Lee press but not that good. I am thinking about buying the 550b for some of the other hand loads that I my two XL650's dont load (I have one set for 9mm and one set for 45acp) because I think it is easier to change calibers on the 550b. I am gonna start a new thread on this and get some opinions before I buy because this is not the first time I heard a rave about the Lee classic Turret. Maybe the Lee might be the way to go.

Thanks for the input and look out for the new thread.
 
I have heard some good things about that Lee press but not that good. I am thinking about buying the 550b for some of the other hand loads that I my two XL650's dont load (I have one set for 9mm and one set for 45acp) because I think it is easier to change calibers on the 550b. I am gonna start a new thread on this and get some opinions before I buy because this is not the first time I heard a rave about the Lee classic Turret. Maybe the Lee might be the way to go.
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Igbloader,

I won't go into all of the wonderful attributes about the LCT and there are quite a few. There are drawbacks too, most notably speed. I can load 200 rounds of rifle/hr and about 300 of pistol/hr. On my Dillon, I can load 500-600/hr. So, if quantity is your primary objective, the LCT is not the route to go. However, the quality of the LCT machine is EXCELLENT. The quality of the reloads are every bit as good as those produced on the Dillon. There are fewer moving parts. It is easier to maintain. A caliber change takes less than 30 seconds. There are no special conversion kits to buy (each of which could cost the price of the whole LCT). You need dies, a standard single stage shell holder, and a way to charge case. Oh, and you need a Turret head ($6.00/ea through Lee - seconds).

Since I do CAS/SASS, I need the Dillon for the 1000s/mon I shoot. But for reloading my 45ACP, 30-30, 30-06, 44 Mag/Spec, 8mm, 7.62X54R, 7.62X39, 32 Rem, and 223, my LCT is my "go to" machine.

U.C.
 
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