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Posted: 3/24/2013 6:37:04 PM EDT
| i have been reloading on a single stage press for 4-5 months now.i feel ready to move on to a progressive ..from what ive read the dillon machines are top notch.from what i can find for sale though the 550 and 650 are only about 150 apart in initial cost,plus i think the auto indexing might be a little safer...please recommend which would be a better machine for me.i usually shoot 1 or 2 times a week .thanks |
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How many calibers do you plan on reloading with your new progressive?
I started off with a 550b with no case feeder. I feel that manual indexing was a better way to have more control over the progressive process. I also have 5 quick changes. They really are quick to change everything over. So that's a plus. I do plan on getting a 1050 sometime this year for 45acp. I just shoot so much 45acp that 1050 would make my life a lil easier. I did get some upgrades for the 550b. Strong mount. Bullet tray. Aluminum roller handle. No problems with pistol and rifle loads. But if I was going to load one caliber on the progressive I probably would have gone with the 650. Don't know if this helped at all but when you get your new press post some pictures 
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I faced the same choice recently and went with the 650.
650: Auto indexing 5 station setup for addition of the powder check system Case feeding for pistol AND rifle brass Caliber conversions do get a little spendier, especially if you're putting a powder check sensor on each one. (You can use one sensor on mutiple toolheads and just get extra rods and the die piece and preset them for your various loads. Adds another minute to a caliber change, at worst.) It's also a bit more effort to change between calibers, but for me it's not a big deal since I'm not in a rush, nor do I tend to load small batches at a time. Only loading for 9, 40, and 223 currently. |
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I currently load 41 different calibers, and had been using only single stage presses for the last 15 or so years, finally stepped up to a progressive and went with the 550 last fall.
I've found the 550 exceedingly easy to work with, and the manual advancing to be no real issue in terms of speed. As for safety I have the press mounted with a small lamp next to me so I can visually inspect each case for powder levels as it comes down from the powder die. |
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I'm also a 550B fan. Once you get past the current panic buying, Caliber Conversion kits are around $48 and Caliber Quick Change kits are $104.
Producing 400-500 rounds per hour is not hard to do without breaking a sweat or rushing, and the manual indexing is preferable IMHO as it makes it easier to correct things if something goes wrong. The 650 may run faster but I've never seen the need and i don;t think it's worth the loss of control or precision. I also have 5 quick change kits and 3 more tool heads in order to load 8 calibers on a regular basis - using a powder measure adapter and a BR 30 measure for 3 of the rifle calibers where long grain extruded powders are the norm - powders the Dillon measure is not quite as accurate dropping charges. Caliber changes can also be done in less time on the 550B and if you are not changing the primer size and are using quick change kits, it's a 2 minute job. Changing the primer feed, pushes that out to 4-5 minutes with a quick change kit. |
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Quoted:
I currently load 41 different calibers, and had been using only single stage presses for the last 15 or so years, finally stepped up to a progressive and went with the 550 last fall. I've found the 550 exceedingly easy to work with, and the manual advancing to be no real issue in terms of speed. As for safety I have the press mounted with a small lamp next to me so I can visually inspect each case for powder levels as it comes down from the powder die. wat I couldn't keep track of that if I wanted to. I like the auto indexing on my SDB, but you can't use that one for rifles. I'd go with the 650 if I were you. |
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I have a 550 with strong mount and roller handle, and love it. I have quick-change kits for 9mm, 40S&W, .223, and .308. By the time it's all said and done with dies, a fully-loaded toolhead and shellplate for each caliber will cost you ~$200. That is the fastest way to change calibers. If you want to swap dies and reset everything every time, you can do it cheaper.
If you are loading for extreme accuracy, checkout UniqueTek (www.uniquetek.com). They have many things to tighten up the 550s and 650s even more. I use several items from there. |
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both presses are top quality. Both produce excellent ammo. The 650 cranks out ammo faster, it processes rifle brass very fast with the 1200B trimmer. the casefeed is a MUST on the 650 The 550B is much faster at converting calibers. I use the 650 for bulk 223 and IPSC pistol. I use the 550B for smaller batches of stuff I shoot less of, like 44mag, 30-06 etc. If you want to make 100 round batches of different ammo, get the 550 If you want to make 1000 round batches, get the 650. |
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My vote is for the Dillon 550B. Caliber changes are less expensive and occur much faster than the 650.
The way I look at the 550 vs 650. Are you planning on pumping out several thousand rounds with only a couple calibers? Then 650 is your machine. If you are pumping out only 400-500 rounds per session and using the same machine for many different calibers then the 550B is your machine. |
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http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.html is a great guy to buy DILLON from. |
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+1. That's where I bought my press. Orders over $400 are free shipping. A few things to note: You WILL be charged when you place the order, regardless when it ships. Dillon direct does not charge you until it ships. Brian is NOT a stocking dealer, he simply passes the orders to Dillon and they drop-ship them to you. You do NOT get provided tracking information automatically, and Brian cannot call and get tracking info for you until it has shipped. Under normal circumstances, I would not hesitate to order from Brian again. If you can pay now and worry about when it ships or tracking numbers, then I say go for it. If you would rather be billed when it ships, and KNOW when it ships/get tracking info, order from Dillon. |
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Quoted:
+1. That's where I bought my press. Orders over $400 are free shipping. A few things to note: You WILL be charged when you place the order, regardless when it ships. Dillon direct does not charge you until it ships. Brian is NOT a stocking dealer, he simply passes the orders to Dillon and they drop-ship them to you. You do NOT get provided tracking information automatically, and Brian cannot call and get tracking info for you until it has shipped. Under normal circumstances, I would not hesitate to order from Brian again. If you can pay now and worry about when it ships or tracking numbers, then I say go for it. If you would rather be billed when it ships, and KNOW when it ships/get tracking info, order from Dillon. +2 |
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If you're ordering a Dillon press, quickest means for delivery is through Graf & Sons. No, this isn't a plug, it's simply because Graf is the largest Dillon stocking dealer there is, replacement stock received every couple of days.
In other words, Grafs has unspoken for equipment being built now. Wait time is shorter through them than would be for your direct through Dillon order today and will be this way foreseeable future. dc. |
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Why not buy direct from Dillon?
When something breaks, they are the ones to provide the replacement parts. They also keep good notes on what you already have so you can avoid duplications if you so choose. How does some of the mark-up going to a third party benefit me? Thanks |
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Why not buy direct from Dillon? When something breaks, they are the ones to provide the replacement parts. They also keep good notes on what you already have so you can avoid duplications if you so choose. How does some of the mark-up going to a third party benefit me? Thanks It drops ships from DILLON. Brian is a retired world class IPSC and Steel shooter, who I like to support. DILLON customer service is so good that they will support presses bought used. I got my 650 from a garage sale, it was beat to shit and DILLON did a total refurb for FREE. 
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Quoted:
Why not buy direct from Dillon? When something breaks, they are the ones to provide the replacement parts. They also keep good notes on what you already have so you can avoid duplications if you so choose. How does some of the mark-up going to a third party benefit me? Thanks A RL550 from Brian is going to cost you less then from Dillon , and Grafs is going to have it in your hands sooner then anyone |
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If you plan on getting the case feeder, then get the 650. It works with rifle while the 550 does not. That is the reason I got the 650 and couldn't be happier. I also got the dillon trimmer setup on a dedicated tool head. The trimmer delivered on Friday. I got it adjusted Sunday afternoon. I just de-primed, resized and trimmed 277 pieces of .223 in about 30 min! Caveat, I only load .223, 9mm and .45 ACP (small primer) right now. I am looking for a SS LNL or Rockchucker and it will be used for the .308 bolt gun I am also looking for....... Also, if you have or get a C&R you can get a pretty good discount at Grafs. On a complete setup with the press, CF, a conversion or two, strong mount, etc it would be a free C&R at minimum..... I saved at least $30 on my trimmer and trim die..... |
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