Quick change conversion costs between LNL and 650

[Bayou1535]

New reloader and have been reading for the last several weeks/couple months and deciding on a LNL or 650. I know there is ton of threads and I've read alot of them but my question pertains to the cost of doing quick change outs on both machines. Wanting to use the press for multiple calibers and want a case feeder. See if I'm getting this right or what I'm missing

Dillon 650:
Conversion kits---76.95
Quick change---101.95
plus dies

LNL:
shell plates--40.72
Bushings 3 pack---18.45
case activated lower assembly---30
case activated powder die---11.37
I guess I would need an extra Powder measure---93.25-------one for pistol and one for rifle

What about switching between large and small primers and powder bars? Thanks for any help

 

[capreppy]

For the Hornady LnL AP, you should be able to find shellplates for much cheaper than $40. Bushings, same thing. Even Cabela's sells a 2 pack for $10. If you're going to do a fair number of calibers, buy the 10 pack from MidwayUSA.

You don't need a new case activated lower assembly. Just change out the fitting for powder sleeve. There is only one for Pistol and the other two are for Rifle depending on what caliber you are loading. If you use the PTX (I don't), then yes you would need the PTX for your specific usage.

You don't NEED a separate powder measure. You can empty the powder measure (which you should do anyway when done reloading), clean, & then put in your rifle powder.

My change over cost from 45ACP to 9mm was 3 bushings (already had the 10 pack so figure $12), Die Set (your own personal preference), and Shellplate $30.

I load rifle on a SS. Eventually I will do 5.56 NATO and that will likely be done in the Hornady, but again, I'll only need to add bushings, die set, & shellplate.

edit: Recommend the MicroMeter for Pistol & Rifle to make reproducible changes to your Powder Measure.

edit2: didn't see the case feeder, you'll need the appropriate case feeder plate. I don't have one, but that would need to be figured into your calculations.

 

[cfullgraf]

F

You don't need a new case activated lower assembly. Just change out the fitting for powder sleeve. There is only one for Pistol and the other two are for Rifle depending on what caliber you are loading. If you use the PTX (I don't), then yes you would need the PTX for your specific usage.

I agree with capreppy for the most part.

If you are talking about the Hornady Quick Change Powder die, it is handy to have extras for different cartridges. While they can be re-adjusted when you make a change it is handy to have one set up for the cartridge to be loaded.

Sometimes, one die can serve a couple cartridges if everything else is the same length. The Powder die is $30.

A second measure is not necessary. It takes just a few minutes to swap out the drum. But, if you got a second measure, you would want another linkage kit for the measure. This adds another $55 or so plus the cost of the powder measure.

I have both the micrometer adjuster metering insert and the standard metering insert for the powder measure. While I like the micrometer adjusters on my other powder measures, I have not decided which I like best on the Hornady. With Hornady's quick change feature, you can swap out the adjusters in an instant. If you record the micrometer adjuster's setting, it takes an instant to get it set for a new, recorded charge weight. Of coure, you need to verify the setting with your scale regardless of the metering insert used.

The standard inserts are $10 each.

 

[MtnCreek]

Your costs for the 650 lookk about right. If you're using a case feeder, you'll need multiple plates for that as well. The quick change is nice, but not required; you could just by additional tool heads for around $25/ea and reset you're powder drop. You probably add a powder check to the list; I think they are +/- $75. You can move it from tool head to tool head with conversions.

Swapping out the primer system from large / small is pretty quick and easy. Buy plenty of pickup tubes. A pick up tube holds 100 primers and the 650 will go through them in less than 10 min (kinda like drag racing from stop light to stop light).

Give Dillon a call and tell them what you are wanting to do and they will work up a quote w/ everything needed. There is a guy that sells Dillon as a package. I don't remember his name, but someone will likely fill in the blank for me.

650 is a great machine at what it's designed for. If you're going to be loading less than a thousand or so between conversions, you may be better served with something different. Also, I don't feel it's very learner friendly; five things happening every time you pull the lever.

 

[Seedtick]

There is a guy that sells Dillon as a package. I don't remember his name, but someone will likely fill in the blank for me.

Are you thinking about Brian Enos?

If so, here's his website ---> brianenos.com <---

Seedtick

 

[amlevin]

five things happening every time you pull the lever.

That's the idea behind a Progressive Press. With my 650 All I have to worry about once set up is to pull the handle and place a bullet over a charged case. I invested in the Powder Check and Powder Level Alarms. The press comes with a low primer alarm.

On "changeover" with Dillon powder measures. just buy another slide for each favorite load. Set it once, change it out as you change powders and calibers, check to see if it's dropping the correct load, and move on. A bar change takes only a few moments. I have powder measure tubes mounted on each of my tool heads so all I have to do is loosen the clamp and move the powder measure body to the next setup. Since I load several thousand rounds for each setup I'm not changing every day.