Plea from a Dillon RL-550B Stalker

[ezypikns]

I'm on the verge of ordering an RL-550B. Right now I've got a big Redding turret press which I've been real happy with. I reload .38 sp, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt. Typically I resize and de-prime, index, and flare each case. Then hand prime using an RCBS hand primer. Then I charge 50 or so cases with powder, then seat, index and crimp. It seems to be pretty efficient for me, but still takes a little time.
What I hope to accomplish with the Dillon is to save some time reloading, and making it easy to do caliber changes with the same press. I intend to buy at least two Deluxe Quick Change Kits (with powder measure), a caliber conversion for each caliber, and some extra primer pickup tubes. I've already got the dies.

This is a substantial investment.

Am I going to be saving any time with this setup?

 

[1911user]

How fast can you realistically load on the turret press? (don't forget to count the time for all of the off-press priming, powder, etc.) If you can consistently beat 200 loaded rounds an hour, you are fast. Take the mental leap, a progressive press is a higher level of technology that allows faster, safe loading. Can someone be stupid with a progressive and not pay attention? Sure they can, but the same is true on a single-stage press.

Once you get everything setup and you are comfortable with the press, 500 loaded safe rounds an hour is very realistic to achieve. That requires all of the components to be located close and handy with the press solidly mounted in a comfortable location. It also means you aren't spending 10-20 seconds doing quality checks and admiring every bullet or case to be loaded; get those checks done first then just concentrate on loading. If you can get someone to load primer tubes for you, 600 an hour isn't that hard, but it requires focus. Don't race though, go only as fast as you are comfortable and can see everything on the press that you need to watch.

Think of it this way, you're working on 4 cases (vs. 1) every handle stroke. You only have to pick up a case once before it's completely loaded. Less handling time means more time spent reloading.
The only similarity between turret and progressive presses is that they hold more than 1 die at a time.

Have you done any looking for used equipment? Dillon stuff rarely wears out although abuse is possible.
From your list, caliber change will be quick and painless.
Plan to buy a set of allen wrenches (english) to leave with the press; quite a few different sizes are used depending upon what is being removed or changed. It's easier if the press has its own set.

 

[dmftoy1]

I've never used a turret, but I have used a single stage and it's significantly faster on the Dillon. I don't see the numbers above, but I take it pretty slow. I'd say on average I'm probably 250-300 rounds per hour. I could go quite a bit faster, but I'm typically loading on a rainy day so I'm in no hurry. Caliber changes (once setup) if they don't require a change in primer size takes me maybe 3 minutes. If I need to change the primer system then probably 8-10 minutes and that's really taking my time.

Regards,
Dave

 

[mc223]

Ditto the above posts. I take my own sweet time and still twice as fast as my Lyman Turret. Just make sure to load at times when your focus will not be disturbed.

 

[loadedround]

I have been using two Dillon 550B's for over 15 years now and I load 250 rounds an hour at my slow comfortable pace. I have several little things speed up reloadinf. First of all I have all my dies set up in die heads with powder measures( measures only on heads for calibers loaded frequently). Purchased several extra primer pick up tubes and load them prior to starting. I also have one press set up for large primers and the second for small primers. I know that this last item could be considered a wasteful expense, but I bought it very cheaply and it's the way I like to do things. YMMV

 

[redneck2]

If I'm going shooting and I don't have the right ammo, I can knock out 200 or so in 15-20 minutes. I'm guessing you're at least 3 times as fast with the Dillon because you handle the brass and pull the handle once for each loaded round versus multiple times for each round for the turret.

Then hand prime using an RCBS hand primer. Then I charge 50 or so cases with powder, then seat, index and crimp.

If you're doing all this, you'll save more time than that. I let my cleaner run while I'm doing other stuff. I pick out a couple hundred cases and do them all on the Dillon.

 

[KIMBER45TLE]

325 rounds

I'm loading right around 325 and hour give or take a few. I also have three quick change kits for the calibers I load and shoot most often. 44 special, 44 mag, and 45ACP. To change from 44 special, to 44 mag it takes about a minute or so. Changing from one of the 44's going to the 45 takes about six minutes max. The time consuming part when loading on the Dillon is changing the amount of powder you'll be using. Going from IMR 4756 to say like W231 can take a bit of time. This is not something I do much of though. Usually when I find a load I like, I stick with it.