Is it easier to change calibers and primer sized on a Dillon 550 or 650?

[Lone_Gunman]

Which is easier to change calibers on, the 550 or 650?

Also, which is easier to change out from large to small primers?

I load 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 9mm, 380, 223 Rem, and 308 win.

 

[loadedround]

Both can be a PIA, but the 550 is much easier to switch over. It''s far less complicated than the 650.

 

[lgbloader]

both can be a pia, but the 550 is much easier to switch over. It''s far less complicated than the 650.

yup.

Lgb

 

[Lone_Gunman]

What is involved in changing calibers with these two presses, and why is it a PIA?

I am used to the Lee classic turret, and keep dies for the calibers I load in the 4 hole turret disc. Swapping out is easy.

 

[lgbloader]

I am used to the Lee classic turret, and keep dies for the calibers I load in the 4 hole turret disc. Swapping out is easy.

Apples to Oranges here, Mate. XL650 is different to the 550B. Both have different Priming systems and the XL650 is more complicated. Thank God I don't have to change my 650's as I have 1 dedicated for one caliber and another 650 dedicated to another. I do change my 550B as I load 357, 44 Mag, 38 Spcl, 40 S&W, and 223 REM on it and it is far less complicated than the XL650 but more complicated than the system on your LCT. I am talking about the priming system here.

LGB

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I would like to be able to change calibers as conveniently as possible. I also would like something that auto indexes.

How hard is it to change pistol calibers on the Square Deal? Is it easier to change out calibers on it?

 

[lgbloader]

As far as the SD goes, I don't have one of those so I couldn't answer. I have loaded on one and it is a cool press but I never bought one since I didn't like the idea of those special size dies that they run. My standard size dies won't work so I walked on the idea.

LGB

 

[SSN Vet]

if you put a dedicated Auto-disk on each LCT press turret ($35 ea.) you can literally change out calibers in less than 5 min.

That's why I REALLY like mine.

 

[GaryL]

What is involved in changing calibers with these two presses, and why is it a PIA?

I am used to the Lee classic turret, and keep dies for the calibers I load in the 4 hole turret disc. Swapping out is easy.

It's really not that bad on a 550, just takes a little while to do. Correctly.

I make a point of not switching primer sizes very often. Load a bunch of the large primer stuff, and switch over when I'm ready to load small primer stuff.

Since you have a turret, it would be easy enough to dedicate a progressive to your highest volume primer size most of the time.

To chage primer sizes on the 550, you take off the priming system (2 bolts and a spring), swap the primer bar, remove the low primer sensor to swap primer tubes, reassemble. I doubt it takes me more than 10 minutes to do it, including a little tweaking to get everything lined up nice.

Edit - to swap calibers (same size primer), remove powder measure (2 bolts), remove toolhead (2 pins), swap shell plates (2 bolts) and 3 pins, put in new toolhead, replace powder measure (if switching between rifle & pistol the powder bar may need to be swapped). This assumes you have toolheads dedicated to a caliber, but I can't imagine not doing that.

 

[dmazur]

If you check Dillon's web site, they mention the 550B as capable of handling rifle calibers, due to the manual indexing.

I don't own an auto-indexing press, but I understand these are a little more difficult to deal with as you have to defeat the auto-indexing to interrupt the reloading process and deal with bottleneck brass issues such as trimming, chamfering, and cleaning off excess lube.

Which Dillon reloader is right for you?

What is involved in changing calibers with these two presses, and why is it a PIA?

As I own a 550B, I can answer for that press. -

1. You have to change the toolhead, typically already set up with the dies for a particular caliber and a powder measure and powder funnel. (For pistol calibers, the powder funnel handles case expansion, too.) Two pins secure this to the frame, so it just slides out after removing the pins.

2. You may have to change the shellplate. One shellplate may fit several calibers (like .45 ACP, .243 Win and .30-06 Sprg all use the same shellplate.) There are sized locator buttons that match the shellplate. Changing the shellplate is probably the most time-consuming, but it isn't hard. You loosen a setscrew on the main ram, unscrew a center bolt and slide the shellplate out, without losing the spring and ball detent. Replace with a different shellplate. Tighten center bolt until shellplate won't turn, then back bolt off a little, tighten setscrew.

3. You may have to change the primer feed assembly, which consists of the primer slide and primer magazine, if you are changing primer size. The primer slide changes easily, and the primer magazine has a knurled collar that secures it and it also changes easily, sliding out vertically.

IMO, you can fight the press, or you can make the process easier by doing things like running the primer magazine empty before changing sizes, and by using Dillon's toolhead holders to keep shellplates, locator buttons & toolheads organized together on a shelf. The plastic ends of the primer magazines and magazine loading tubes wear out and you need to have spares on hand.