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Posted: 5/9/2016 10:37:46 AM EDT
| I've been using my RCBS Pro2000 manual index press for about 5 years to good effect. Decided to add another press to the bench and wanted something with a little more speed. The XL 650 seemed to fit that description nicely so just placed a order for one with case feeder and think I'll eventually add a Mr. Bullet Feeder. Now my question is, how finicky is it? I want to set it up as a dedicated 5.56 press with my load of choice and leave it once dialed in. |
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5.56 is one of the easiest to run through the 650. Use good dies and Dillon lube.
Make your own light kit. The parts required are in a thread around here or the googles. You probably already have a 12V charger/transformer lying around. All you need is a 20 gauge shotgun shell and a cheap LED turn signal replacement light. It fits in the center hole of the press. |
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Just set it an forget it. Just check the powder charge each time you use it. Don't leave powder in the measure when you are not loading. ETA: Complete Video Instructions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O31fBMaFB4 |
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It's a great press, you won't be disappointed.
Ignore all the BS you hear, you will figure out what is myth/BS, and what is actually something to be concerned with. Take your time and read the manual, couple good videos on youtube should just about cover everything. I have the BE.com as it should be setup, with an inline light. Other than that it's bone stock and has been rock solid. I reload a few pistol calibers, along with 300BLK. Quoted:
ETA: buy a second primer assembly and you have avoided 99% of the annoyance in caliber changes. ^never understand this, it's two hex bolts to remove the primer system, with 1 additional hex bolt to change it over to L/S..... if that 15 seconds is worth $80 to you, then go for it. The OP sounds like he was going to leave it setup for .223. ~g |
| Only thing I've heard that could potentially bother me, is the powder measure. I use Varget and AR-Comp almost exclusively for 5.56 now and get within .1gr +/- with the RCBS measure and I'm wondering if the Dillon measure will be up to the task. I'll find out soon enough I suppose, and I can always stick the RCBS measure on the 650 if need be. I do a full prep on my rifle brass before reloading it and prefer to prime off press. However that's due mainly because I never had much luck priming on the Pro 2000. Any comments on the 650's priming system? |
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Quoted:
Only thing I've heard that could potentially bother me, is the powder measure. I use Varget and AR-Comp almost exclusively for 5.56 now and get within .1gr +/- with the RCBS measure and I'm wondering if the Dillon measure will be up to the task. I'll find out soon enough I suppose, and I can always stick the RCBS measure on the 650 if need be. I do a full prep on my rifle brass before reloading it and prefer to prime off press. However that's due mainly because I never had much luck priming on the Pro 2000. Any comments on the 650's priming system? Varget meters like s**t through dillon powder measures. 10g one pull, spilling out the top on the next. |
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^never understand this, it's two hex bolts to remove the primer system, with 1 additional hex bolt to change it over to L/S..... if that 15 seconds is worth $80 to you, then go for it. Quoted:
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ETA: buy a second primer assembly and you have avoided 99% of the annoyance in caliber changes. ^never understand this, it's two hex bolts to remove the primer system, with 1 additional hex bolt to change it over to L/S..... if that 15 seconds is worth $80 to you, then go for it. I'm with you. It's the darn primer punch that is the killer. |
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The 650 priming system is fine, as is the rest of the machine.
You'll need a SOLID bench I load a lot of 556/223 on mine If you polish up the Dillon powder measure, it works ok with varget the 650 is a fun and reliable machine Last night I loaded 700 rounds of 40/180 without any stoppages, except two 45ACP brass that ended up in the case feeder, they get stopped by design before entering the press ...other than that, it was every pull made a perfect 40 round 
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I love mine, there's lots of little piddly ways to make it run even smoother found on youtube.
I would like a case feeder, but I like manually setting bullets in, gently gripping the case and setting lead on during primer seating kinda helps find the sweet spot of the primer pocket and align the shell plate to seat the primer, especially with swagged 223/556. Your biggest problem will be running out of brass, primers, powder and bullets. Honestly, even if you don't think thats possible. The biggest pile of reloading supplies will be gone and your press will only go as fast as your bank account and midway can send you more. My 650 is getting dusty because I can't afford to keep it running. |
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I love mine, there's lots of little piddly ways to make it run even smoother found on youtube. I would like a case feeder, but I like manually setting bullets in, gently gripping the case and setting lead on during primer seating kinda helps find the sweet spot of the primer pocket and align the shell plate to seat the primer, especially with swagged 223/556. Your biggest problem will be running out of brass, primers, powder and bullets. Honestly, even if you don't think thats possible. The biggest pile of reloading supplies will be gone and your press will only go as fast as your bank account and midway can send you more. My 650 is getting dusty because I can't afford to keep it running. I agree with this. |
| Running out of supplies to load sounds like a great problem to have. Got my shipping notification yesterday, so it looks like Tuesday evening I'll be turning off my cell and locking myself in my reloading room. Out of curiosity, how long did the unboxing and setup take you fine folks? |
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Running out of supplies to load sounds like a great problem to have. Got my shipping notification yesterday, so it looks like Tuesday evening I'll be turning off my cell and locking myself in my reloading room. Out of curiosity, how long did the unboxing and setup take you fine folks? Think the first time to get the press up, mounted and tool head set up was a couple of hours. Last time I set it up after a move was about thirty minutes (guesstimate). |
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Well? Update us. What were your first thoughts of the 650? I set her up last night but didn't have 5" bolts to go through my bench frame. Just got her bolted down and ran about 250 rounds through the sizer die. My first impressions? Holy crap is that thing fast!!! A lot less shell plate woble then the Pro2000......all in all, I'm extremely exited! I had a few cases tople over between the case feeder and shellplate, and one drop in the tube upside down, but aside from that she ran super smooth. I found out fast smooth and steady on the handle is the best way to go about it. I'd say I'm definitely a fan of the blue now. |
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U must be talking about Hornady cause there is nothing finicky about MBF. Quoted:
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I looked briefly into the bullet feeder. For me it was too expensive and finicky about the bullets. U must be talking about Hornady cause there is nothing finicky about MBF. Some bullet designs definitely are finicky in the MBF, but they are few and far between. If you try to use the Lee 401-175 in the MBF, the bullet is just the right size and shape that it falls and catches sideways in the plastic part of the output assembly (the funnel, I guess?). Really irritating/. I fixed that by just using another bullet... it's the only one that does that and certainly it would only be bullets very very similar to that one that could have that problem. |
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How is the MFB with 5.56? I'll be using mostly 62 and 77gr projectiles. The big benefit of MBF is its adjustability. Yes, I still need to swear at it on occasion, but the only thing I havent been able to load on it that I really wanted was 45-70 (cases too tall). I have run all manner of 223 (77, 55, 69, 62), no issue. BUT, the secret to getting it right is to go on MBF website and read tips. Again, tons of adjustment on it. For example, 110gr 30 carbine obviously is way different than a 220gr 300BO bullet. Lots of fine adjustments but then run perfect. I admit I havent run the Lee 40cal mold memtioned above. I have run tons of 38cal, 44 and 45 cal powder coated bullets without issue. i have not run a ton of 40 (only some cheap nosler 135 seconds). I am running it on a 1050 and PC7. I would give up case feeder long before a BF. Video running MBF with Hornady 75's |
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