Made the jump to the XL650....WOW!

[Bullseye25]

Finally made the jump to the XL 650 from the Lee Classic Turret and I'm very pleased. I had a good rhythm going with the turret, I've loaded about 8,000 rounds on that bad boy over the last year and a half without any parts needing replacement. But the difference in time going to a progressive setup is huge. I can produce in an hour what used to take me 4 hours on the turret.

I'm sure all you progressive guys already know this, but it's cool to experience it for yourself. Anyone thinking about making that step from turret or single stage to progressive should do it if you shoot in volume.

I like the powder fail safe rod. Because the charge bar sticking was the major reason for squibs in my lee powder measure if I didn't pay close enough attention. That bar makes sure it returns to charge position completely after every charge. I can't see how you can have a squib with this thing, especially if you also have the powder check die. Over charges have never been my fear since both the turret and progressive index after each crank. So the same case never has a chance to go back up to the measure if you're technique is right. But squibs would get me every now and then with that Lee dispenser. Thank god, I had the instinct to check the barrel on my first one and not just tap rack it. After that, they were easy to detect.

 

[wlkjr]

I started loading just over a year ago on a Dillon 650 that I bought used. I really love this thing. I had never loaded before so I took about a month of practicing on it before I loaded live rounds. I have probably loaded almost 15,000 rounds so far. I am so glad I went with the 650 instead of the 550.

 

[Drop45]

Half stroking the 650 and not paying attention can get you in trouble in no time. If you're having so many squibs in your reloading that they are getting "easier" to detect, you might want to slow down a bit. Other than that, welcome to the 650 world, I've got 2 of them.

 

[rfwobbly]

Congrats on the big jump !!

 

[Osageid]

Half stroking the 650 and not paying attention can get you in trouble in no time. If you're having so many squibs in your reloading that they are getting "easier" to detect, you might want to slow down a bit. Other than that, welcome to the 650 world, I've got 2 of them.

This!!!!!! The one thing that causes me the stoppage is a small piece of cleaning media sliding down with a cartridge and getting stuck in case adapter on the number one position. But they are great machines!! I have two as well, each dedicated to small/large primer ! Enjoy and be safe!

 

[MtnCreek]

Great machines. If you haven't, go ahead and get a spare parts kits. I've broken a couple of springs and was glad to have replacements on hand.

 

[Bullseye25]

Yea, I agree, I was having too many squibs trying to go faster on the turret. But I feel like the equipment, being of simpler design than Dillon, made it easier for this to happen. The spring loaded powder dispenser on the lee sometimes got stuck. I learned the hard way (after a few squibs) that I had to watch and make sure the charge bar slid fully back and forth. The Dillon fail safe rod does this no matter what. And for the "half cranks", it doesn't reset the bar till you get all the way down. So if you half crank before it indexes, you won't get an additional powder drop. I'm sure there's always room for error, but I feel the more advanced design of the Dillon makes it easier to stay safe with over charges and empty charges. But of course nothing replaces using your head and paying attention to everything...

 

[jmorris]

The spring loaded powder dispenser on the lee sometimes got stuck. I learned the hard way (after a few squibs) that I had to watch and make sure the charge bar slid fully back and forth. The Dillon fail safe rod does this no matter what. And for the "half cranks", it doesn't reset the bar till you get all the way down.

Dillon learned the hard way too. My first couple Dillon presses used springs to return the powder measure. Once they came out with the fail safe rods they sent me all the parts for free.

The only press I know of that will prevent short strokes is the 1050 but not that hard to avoid if you pay attention.