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Build my Dillon Press!!!

Jackalope33B

Jackalope33B

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 5, 2010
1,457
0
Sunny Florida
<span style="text-decoration: line-through">Im going to start reloading some .45acp and.380 ammo.. Which DIES do you recommend? I have the Forster CO AX and I know Ill be switching the DIES around alot, but going from loading precision 308 ammo to handgun, this is what I have to work with.

Thanks</span>

Scratch the above.. It just dawned on me that I no longer have a need for a few high priced items that I have used for 308 reloading. Im going to start getting prices together for my items..

So now, ive been eyeballing a Dillon for quite some time! Lee Progressive was on the table, but hell a Dillon is a Dillon! The only issue I have had with Dillons website is what exactly do you need for a press? Im eyeballing the Dillon 550 & 650 Press for a .45acp & .380.

Whats the pros n cons of both presses?
 
Re: Which DIES?

All of them will work, the question is your budget. I have used Lee, RCBS, Redding, and Hornady. Most of my dies for calibers I don't shoot a lot are Lee, but unless you are on a budget I do not recommend them with exception of the collect neck die for rifle,s unless you are on a budget. For pistol if you pick up RCBS, redding, hornady, lyman, or forester. you will be happy. Right now the Hornady dies are appealing if you are interested in shooting one of the bullets they offer in the get loaded promotion.
 
Re: Which DIES?

I started with RCBS but then went to Redding for the Factory Rifle Crimp Dies and the .45 ACP 3 Die set for pistols.

Be sure which ever you get when ordering for the pistol dies get a carbine die set this way you do not have to lube your cases...

I'd go with RCBS for the current promotion deal but I think the Redding is a little better if you are not on a budget...
 
Re: Which DIES?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wilecoyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">redding </div></div>

start with the best
 
Re: Which DIES?

For the short handgun cartridges that are full diameter, I prefer the Dillon. They have a larger radius at the die mouth which makes it a LOT easier to get that big mouth into the die opening. If a little tipped, the big radius helps center the case. A close radius clips, checks or bends the mouth as you try to get the case into the die. It is hard to see when you have such a short case trying to get into a flat bottomed die. A bottle neck case is more forgiving. Just my preference. Get the Coax rings for them...the Dillon rings are: 1.Not locking, and 2. Thinner than the Coax slot.
 
Re: Which DIES?

Never saw much difference between pistol dies, as long as they are carbide. I like the Lee factory crimp dies.
 
Re: Which DIES?

Buy the Dillon Carbide dies and be done. Redding and others make great rifle dies but, Dillon makes a great carbide pistol die. I have both the 550, 650, and square deal. If you were only going to load pistol, the square deal would be my choice. Out of the other two, I prefer the 650. I load .223, 308, and 45 acp on the 650 press and 38 super(and soon 9mm) on the 550.
 
Re: Which DIES?

What accessories do you have on the 650? From what I see everyone who sells Dillons are within the same price.. I guess MAP pricing is in effect?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pcschwenke</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy the Dillon Carbide dies and be done. Redding and others make great rifle dies but, Dillon makes a great carbide pistol die. I have both the 550, 650, and square deal. If you were only going to load pistol, the square deal would be my choice. Out of the other two, I prefer the 650. I load .223, 308, and 45 acp on the 650 press and 38 super(and soon 9mm) on the 550. </div></div>
 
Re: Which DIES?

Find Brian Enos's forum. He is a dillon dealer, and makes good recommendations about which press you need and what accessories.
 
Re: Which DIES?

The only thing you "have to have" on the 650, for me, is the strong mount. Same with the 550.

I can tell you that unless your going to be shooting 1000+ round a month of each your better off with the 550.

It is cheaper over all, easier to operate, and you can use it for your rifle stuff as well.
 
Re: Which DIES?

I use and love my 550, and would buy it again without hesitation. I feel no need to produce more than the 250-300 rounds an hour that I can easily and safely do with my 550.

Dies - I went Dillon Carbide for my recent .45ACP and 357 Magnum purchase. I recently killed a Redding .45ACP sizing die (but hold no grudge, as all (but one) of my rifle seating dies are Redding and my sizing dies are either Warner Custom or Redding).

JeffVN
 
Re: Which DIES?

Go with the 650. Yes it's more of press than many of us need, same goes for the Dillon 1050. Pumping out hundreds of rounds an hour, only good for those who shoot competitively.

The way I look at it, I don't have time to spend reloading for hours. Don't get me wrong I love reloading as much as I love shooting but with work and family commitments the time I do have I want to be shooting not sitting in front of my reloading bench. I started off with a RCBS Rockchucker for a year and quickly realized how much a time suck it can be. I off set my lack of availability by buying a 650 and haven't looked back. It's a marked improvement in time at the range vs. time at the bench.

As far as the dies, I use Redding for my rifles and Dillon Carbide for my handguns. Don't use the Redding competition dies if your doing crush loads, use the normal Redding dies in that case.
 
Re: Which DIES?

From what I see, the only difference between the 550 and 650 is the 650 is Auto Index.. Everyone is saying the 550 is easier to use, faster to swap out DIES, and cheaper for caliber changes.. What else am I missing?
 
Re: Which DIES?

Easy to use is a very loose term based on what you are use to. If your requirements are minimum time at the bench to produce quality rounds a 650 with casefeeder is hard to beat. I load 2k in 9mm a month and 1k of bulk .223 plus prepare all my precision .223 brass on it with a RT1200b. For your chosen calibers a 550 would be a good choice, they share the same shell plate. A tool head for each and extra powder drop is only necessary for .308 if you intend to use a good metering ball powder. Otherwise you could just use a funnel, drop and final trickle you powder or use a electric auto charge of some sort.
 
Re: Which DIES?

It all comes down to the cost of the machine, cost of changing calibers and how much time you can spend reloading.

With the Dillon 550B you can/ but Dillon does not recommended the use of the auto-casefeeder. Also, with 550B you can't use the 650 Powder Check Alarm System.

Apart from that you are correct. It's faster to swap, cheaper for changes and the 650 is an auto index vs. manual with the 550B.

As far as being easier to use, I don't know. I don't think the 650 is any harder to use than the 550B. The 650 has more parts to it. So if that's the defining factor than I guess it's harder to use than the 550B.

Something else to keep in mind, when it comes to the 550B and reloading for handguns, since you manually rotate the shell plate you can run the risk of double charging the case. So you just need to make sure that you always rotate the shell plate. That being said, with both machines you need to make sure you don't short stroke the lever.

Apart from that:

Rounds per hour
550B - 550
650 - 1,000

Stations
550B - 4
650 - 5

Calibers - Handgun
550B - All common
650 - All common

Calibers - Rifle
550B - All common
650- Most common

If you are like me, I knew which machine I wanted, but I was looking for someone to sell it to me. As such, I made the mistake of being talked into a single stage RCBS. After a year regretting that choice, I went out and bought what I had originally wanted, the 650. Been happy ever since. Just go with your gut instinct and buy once, cry once.
 
Re: Which DIES?

Just bit the bullet and bought a Dillon 650, Dillon Carbibe 45acp DIES, 45 Case Gage, Primer Flip Tray, Extra Primer pick up tool, Case Feeder, and Berrys Plated Bullets.. Am I missing something here?
Also, has anyone heard of "Berrys Bullets?"
 
Re: Which DIES?

Sounds like you have everything that you need. Might want to consider this

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23823/catid/3/XL_650_Machine_Maintenance_Kit

Also the bullet tray and the strong mount kit are nice. The strong mount positions my 550B at the proper height for me.

I have an old steel desk from the 50's/60's that I have mine mounted on.

I have heard of Berry's bplated bullets, but I don't use them for my reloading.

In the latest issue of the Dilion press, a warning has gone out that there are some 45 ACP brass that has small primer pockets, instead of the normal large primer pockets.

The gentlemen that found that ignited his primer tube full of primers on his 650. Fortunately no damage to him. It didn't say where the primer tube ended up, usually when that happens it winds up through the ceiling a bit.
 
Re: Which DIES?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jackalope33B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just bit the bullet and bought a Dillon 650, Dillon Carbibe 45acp DIES, 45 Case Gage, Primer Flip Tray, Extra Primer pick up tool, Case Feeder, and Berrys Plated Bullets.. Am I missing something here?
Also, has anyone heard of "Berrys Bullets?"

</div></div>

Smart move.
 
Re: Which DIES?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wilecoyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">redding </div></div>

start with the best </div></div>

What's the price for a Redding progressive?
 
Re: Which DIES?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EddieNFL</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wilecoyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">redding </div></div>

start with the best </div></div>

What's the price for a Redding progressive? </div></div>

They don't make a progressive
 
Re: Which DIES?

No shit!?!?!!!

Is the smaller primer pocket something you can see with the naked eye?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mgoodrich</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In the latest issue of the Dilion press, a warning has gone out that there are some 45 ACP brass that has small primer pockets, instead of the normal large primer pockets.

The gentlemen that found that ignited his primer tube full of primers on his 650. Fortunately no damage to him. It didn't say where the primer tube ended up, usually when that happens it winds up through the ceiling a bit. </div></div>
 
Re: Which DIES?

I've got a 550B with Dillon dies, like everyone else says here, they have a bigger radius and feed much easier than other brands. I've loaded thousands and thousands of .45, .38 special, 9mm etc and have zero complaints. I know peeps that have the 650 but it is auto indexing and unless you are a seasoned reloader I think that a auto indexing press is a big mistake. The 550B is a manual indexing press, which means you have to turn the the case holder but every crank of the handle makes a loaded round. Easier, IMO, to be safe and easy to work. As far as the auto case feeder etc, not worth it unless you are shooting 1000 rounds a week or using it to reload commercially. I can easily load 300 rounds an hour and enjoy it. Before my Frankford Arsenal vibraprime broke I could do 400 rounds an hour but loading primer tubes takes time.
Sounds like a commercial but get a 550B with Dillon dies and be done with it, for life!!
 
Re: Which DIES?

Honestly if you can swing 1050 do it. But the 650 is the only other option. I use Dillon dies all the way around personally. You would prolly shit a brick if you knew how many manufacturers used Dillon dies
 
Re: Which DIES?

Yes, they are visible by eye, but it helps to have a large primer case there to compare. I usually check as I am sorting cases to filter out the damaged and other calibers. With brass coming from matches, I now have one of those square nut jugs half full and am just holding on to them. It might be easier to just go to all small primers for my shooting.
wink.gif
 
Re: Which DIES?

Priming with a XL650 is a a bit of a learning curve. It has such great leverage that if you should come across any resistance, you need to stop and assess before driving forward. Otherwise situations as above are bound to happen. I would highly suggest taking 50-100 cases inspect them for the proper primer pocket and run them through just to size, decap and prime. Get a feel for the machine.
OP I hope you took the suggestion of buying through BE... would have saved you the entire shipping cost if not.
 
Re: Which DIES?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: biggenius29</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EddieNFL</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wilecoyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">redding </div></div>

start with the best </div></div>

What's the price for a Redding progressive? </div></div>

They don't make a progressive </div></div>

No Kiddin'?
shocked.gif



My wife complains my sarcasm is too subtle.
 
Re: Which DIES?

When I started reloading, I got a used RL550B, and was loading straight-walled handgun cartridges exclusively; .45ACP and 9mm Para. The set came with Dillon dies, and that's what I used. Never had any issues. I shared it with a pistol team and eventually bought back their shares and moved out of state. They upgraded to a 650 and were/are quite happy.

I ceased reloading for handgun and moved over to bottleneck rifle cartridges. I'm glad I have the 550, instead of the 650.

I use RCBS, Redding, and Hornady dies. I prefer the first two, and am not especially keen on the Hornady's sliding collet adjustment for the sizer ball height.

Greg
 
Re: Which DIES?

As for the small primed 45 brass if you use a 1050 with the swage rod it will make picking them out more easy before they go to the priming station.
 
Re: Which DIES?

When I'm loading 45 acp on my 650 I don't bother sorting small primer and large primer. Out of a thousand I maybe run across only a few small primer cases and you can easily tell when you have one in the priming station. Just pick it out and keep loading. I don't find this to be a problem. This is my experience. Hope you enjoy the press I love mine.
 
Re: Which DIES?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: phearkno1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When I'm loading 45 acp on my 650 I don't bother sorting small primer and large primer. Out of a thousand I maybe run across only a few small primer cases and you can easily tell when you have one in the priming station. Just pick it out and keep loading. I don't find this to be a problem. This is my experience. Hope you enjoy the press I love mine.</div></div>

In my latest blue press a guy blew the whole priming unit off his press because of them small primer eastwards. BE CAREFUL
 
Re: Which DIES?

Im stoked... The press will be here tomorrow, but fuck me, Im working this weekend and wont get it together until Monday
frown.gif

I know Dillon sells a DVD on how to setup, operate etc each of their presses. Is there any sites where someone has uploaded the DVD to the www? I know youtube has lots of vids, but I want something that is consistent and will take me from begining to end.
 
Re: Which DIES?

The press was just delivered. Now Im scratching my head!! Went to go mount the press to the bench and the crank interferes with the bench. According to the instructions " It is important to have an overhang of 3/4", or the crank will not operate right."
Well, I didnt buy a strong mount and I wish the Dillon guy would have expressed this concern because now if I dont figure something out, Im going to have to order the strong mount and wait another week for it to get here.. UGH!!!!

Here is a pic of the bench. As you can see there is no overhang.
photobucket-16116-1347645950775.jpg


Here is a pic of the crank in the up position. I still have another 1/4" i need to go, but the bench is in the way..
photobucket-13276-1347645951256.jpg


EDIT- Just got ahold of a 8"x8" piece of Propoly that is 1" thick! Im going to attach the Propoly to the bench and let it over hang the bench about 1" or so.. This should work. Any thoughts?

heres where i got the poly idea!

IMG_0626.jpg
 
Re: Which DIES?

<span style="text-decoration: line-through">Ok, now I just read that I cant use the Case Feeder with out a strong mount.. Can someone please confirm or deny that..</span>

Called Dillon to order a beam scale and the guy said I dont need a strong mount with the case feeder.. ::wiping sweat from head::
 
Re: Which DIES?

I've been using a Dillon 550B for about five years. It's great and the factory support is second to none.
Also, using Berry's Bullets in a couple of calibers and they seem to be fine. Good Luck!
 
Re: Which DIES?

Got another question for you guys.. In regards to the powder dispenser, how are they wanting you to align the Fail safe bracket and Bellcrank? The pics in the manual are not really clear and I dont understand.
In my pic below, you can see the Bellcrank is off centered (canted to the right). Do they want the Bellcrank to be centered with the front of the press (do I need to turn the entire powder assembly the left about 2"?)

photobucket-13409-1347889624808.jpg
 
Re: Which DIES?

It's not absolutely crucial to have the rod perfectly vertical, but it's not hard to do, either; so why not? If it's not, the rod will rub against one side of the plastic bushing, and someday, it could wear out.

Greg
 
Re: Which DIES?

Finally got it set up... On the left is a LED light I got from Lowes for $16. Illuminates the whole shell plate assembly!
photobucket-15264-1348011962318_zps69b29d03.jpg


photobucket-1376-1348011962837_zps118e0e0c.jpg


Dont mind the mess. Im still tying up looses ends.. Oh yea, the yellow tape keeps the good primers from falling out of their small tray. I dont know why the hell didnt build a bigger tray to contain the primers.
 
Re: Which DIES?

Im going to hold off on getting the strong mount. I just cant see myself spending $50 for a mount. The mount I have rigged up now seems to work.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mgoodrich</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.youtube.com/results?search_qu...c.1.u7PzUwd3-L8

you tube has the 650 set up, here is the link.

I still think getting the strong mount with the bullet holder would be good for you. </div></div>
 
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