Question on Dillon 550/650

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Nordeste

Nordeste

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Oct 1, 2011
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Hi gents:

This question is for those of you who have owned one and now own the other, own both, or have operated both models. It comes from a conversation I had the other day, where a fellow shooter/reloader told me it wasn't worth to buy the 550 when you had a 650 for a 170€ difference (over here), and that that they were completely different animals. I know the differences between the two, and quite frankly, for my shooting needs I think the 550 should serve me well. I know the fifth station on the 650 can be dedicated for a powder cop/bullet feeding die, but I don't think I need those for shooting 200/300 rounds per week. Just the convenience of cranking one round per stroke vs one round per four strokes on my current LCT would make me happy.

He said, however, that the 650 overall quality was better. His plain words was that it was a built better than the 550. He also said the leverage was of a better design and that less force was required on the lever to operate the press. This is the only thing that made me raise an eyebrow.

So, your inputs appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
I've run both, and I own a 550. For 200-300 rounds a week, I wouldn't spend the money and deal with the additional complexity of the 650, probably.

If you're just churning out pistol ammo for one gun, yeah the 650 is quicker, but I didn't like operating it as much as the 550.

After all, with a 550 and 300 rounds a week, you're only looking at maybe 30 minutes per week. The 650 might cut that down to 25.
 
That's the point, Sam. You want to take advantage of a 650, you'd get a case feeder. Get a case feeder for the 550, and the 650 is no longer that quicker than the 550.

It was the "overall build quality" and "less force on the lever" things that made bring the question here.
 
I started out with a SDB. I found it to be ok for 9mm but lacking in leverage to reprime .45 ACP. I looked at the 650... and bought a 1050. Later I went from SDB to 550 for pistol calibers other than .45 ACP.

It is my perception that there are more primer magazine explosions with 650s than any other model of Dillon loader, maybe more than ALL other models. The 650 uses a rotary primer transfer that is claimed to be safer, but I don't think it is.
 
I have (2) 550s.

One setup large primer and one small primer.

Change overs for me if I have a dedicated toolholder for the caliber is less than 5 minutes.

Love them
 
I have at least one of all the Dillon presses on my bench, I use the 550 for rounds that I load more of than I would want to do on a single stage or turret press but not enough that I would take the time to convert one of the 650/1050's.

That said 300 a week of the same caliber, I would be using a 650. On a bullet fed 650 with a case collator, I can load 100 rounds in 3 min.

100 each of 308, 458 socom and 45 acp, that would be a better job for the 550, less to change over (and buy) with no case feed. If you had tool heads already setup for the above it would take 10 seconds to go from one to another.

I think the primer feed on the 650 is the best one out of all of them. The 550 is my least favorite but still better than the LNL IMO.
 
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I was trained to reload on 550 and currently use 650 with a case feeder.

For me, the main differences between 550 vs 650 are the 4 station with manual indexing of shell plate vs 5 station with automatic indexing of shell plate.

- 5 stations give you more options like using the powder check die on station #3, seating bullet on #4 and crimping on #5

- 650 auto index reduces the likelihood of double charging a case when using denser powders that won't overflow the case as the shell plate advances to the next station before another powder charge can be dropped.

With auto index and case feeder, I operate the ram lever with my right hand and set the bullet with my left hand which allows for faster rounds per hour. With manual index, it requires an extra step of advancing the shell plate then setting the bullet which breaks up the rhythm.
 
I've been eying a progressive and will eventually get one, in terms of rifle loading, do Dillons make rounds to the same precision as a hornady lnl? I read somewhere that the lnl ammo plant could be more precise, but half the stuff you read isn't true either
 
Nordeste,

I know you asked about the Dillon 550 and 650. But, if all you are doing is handgun reloading and you are comparing a 550 to 650 for ease of loading have you considered a Dillon Square Deal B (SDB)? I load both 9mm and .45LC on my SDB. Have loaded over 10K rounds. I find it easier than a 550 and a whole lot cheaper than a 650.:D
 
I've been eying a progressive and will eventually get one, in terms of rifle loading, do Dillons make rounds to the same precision as a hornady lnl?
Click to expand...

David Tubb uses a 550 and a promethious powder measure, he has won more precision rifle matches than any other person that I have ever heard of.
 
In short:

650 has auto indexing (less chance of error for me)
Dillon told me (couple of years back) the 550 case feeder wouldn't handle rifle
650 has a station for powder check die
650 caliber changes are more expensive

Either one is top notch quality, and outstanding customer support

Best bet is call Dillon, they'll help you select without pressure.
 
I think it comes down to how much the extra 170 Euros matters to you. If it's not too big of a deal, then I'd go for it. Be sure that the price includes the case feeder. Here in the US, the base price does not include it; it's a separate item to purchase.

I have several Dillon presses, both SDB and 550. The best thing about the 550 is the ease of caliber conversion. If you're only loading one primary caliber, and it sounds like you are, then consider the 650. If you're changing back and forth all the time, especially between large and small priming systems, then definitely the 550.

Alternately, get two SDBs, as long as you aren't loading for rifle. One for small primers, and one for large. It really is a great press.
 
Well, the 170€ would be much better in my pocket, invested in components, or, with a bit more, pay for a case feeder for the 550. My concern was if it was actually true that the 550 required more force on the lever and this build quality thing.

As for the priming system, all I had heard is that the 550's was more finicky than the 650's, and that you got more primers seated sideways (for example) in the 550. I don't know to what extent this is correct.
 
The reason the 650 has had the most bullet proof primer feeding system is because it is the only one that uses a brass tip on the primer magazine. The SD, 550 and 1050 use plastic oraface tips on their primer magazines. When I have a problem with one of them it is generally fixed by replacing it (and they are free).


Here is a video of my 45 acp bullet fed/powder check/case collator equipped 650.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3hVi6PuduM
 
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Auto-indexing is a major thing IMHO. It's not really the fault of the machine but the bottom line is that that you have more chance of a double charge when manual indexing just due to manual error.

The extra station on the 650 also gives you some more room for things like a powder check or RCBS lockout die.

With that in mind, the 650 is not only a little faster, but safer (even though it's really only protecting you from yourself).

I'd probably pay the extra. You're talking about a machine that will probably last you the rest of your life. The extra $$$ when amortized over the useful life of the machine will be insignificant.
 
If you're considering getting a case feeder for the 550, skip it and get the 650. The case feeder for the 550 narrows the price difference significantly, so you might just as well get the 650. Only consider the case feeder for the 550 if you already have one, and want to upgrade.

Also, it sounds like you can easily absorb the extra cost, so go for the 650. You're only loading one caliber, so that points to the 650, as well.

My one piece of advice is get the strong mount and bullet tray with your initial purchase. Though expensive, they are very much worth it for speeding up reloading.

Good luck!

-John
 
I have 2 550's and I can't imagine I will ever shoot enough to need anything faster.
Choose your powders well and double charges won't be an issue.
I say this without ever using a 650 or 1050 but to me the auto index and case feed don't mean that much.
The ability of the 550 to run large rifle cartridges is important, haven't checked to see if the 650 will do that but I don't think so.
The cost of the conversion kit is higher for the 650's and take longer so I'm told.
 
I am still using the Square Deal (Not B) that I got in about 1987-88. I did send it in once for a free rebuild and have since replaced the neoprene bearings in it. I also have a 550 that I have been using for about 20 years. I am knocking on wood here but have never had a primer magazine explosion yet.
 
I have a 550 and very happy whit it.
For 300 ctg a week don´t need a 650. I can reload 600 ctg in 3 hours without any hurry.
For Nordeste in castellano.
Tengo la 550 y la verdad no echo de menos una 650 para nada. El auntoindex puede ser una ventaja y un inconveniente ya que no puedes usar la 650 como tu quieras sino como ella te marca, para grandes volumenes de recarga te facilita la tarea pero para recargar unos pocos cartuchos no.Comprendo que tiene una estación mas pero tampoco es imprescindible. Para los volumenes que recargamos aqui tienes mas que suficiente con la 550.
El cambio de calibre es mas rapido y barato.
Saludos.
 
Good to see I'm not the only Spaniard here, thought so sometimes :D. Luis' point is right, as for what the average production needs of a Spanish shooter are concerned, a 550 is usually all you'll need. I don't know if the 550 is better suited for reloading rifle cartridges than the 650, but if so, that would place it ahead of the 650. A rifle chambered in .308 for target shooting is one of my plans for the future.

So far, I'm leaning more towards the 550. Manual indexing doesn't bother me that much. Double charging, with the (narrow) choice of powders we have over here, is not an issue at all. They fill the 9mm case pretty well and in the event of a double charge, it would be immediately noticed by the powder spill all over the shell plate :banghead::rolleyes:. I'm also used to eyeball the powder prior to placing the bullet on the case in my LCT, and even though I know that powder cop dies work well, I trust my eyesight and good reloading practice more than I trust any mechanical device, especially if they're battery operated.

Thanks everyone for your time and guidance ;)
 
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