Dillon Square Deal or 550B

[K_Labs]

I'll chime in about my LNL.... I got a 550 and don't use it (the LNL)anymore. Get it and start cranking out rounds.

 

[Capt Academy]

I have had my 550b for about 12 years and love it. I only load rifle, but it been great for 416 Rem mag down to 223. It works great. For precision, I weigh each load and work it like a single stage.

 

[280nosler]

If you will never venture into the world of rifle, the SD is your best bet, but most people fail to comprehend they have t buy the dies and everything from dillon for the SD, hereby increasing the cost. I think I read the break even was 3 calibers before it made more sense to get the 550.

I'll throw in the caveat that I own a 550, 650, LNL, T7, and chucker. That said the primer changeout for the 550 is akin to removing the blades on your lawnmower- not something anybody looks forward to. The 650 has an optional kit that has the plate, tube, and everything and can be changed out in 5 minutes. If you think you will get into big rifles (large primer), you will have to make a decision, but I know lots of people that add a second press for a different type (read as rifle vs pistol) or reloading. I keep my 550 set up for large primer reloading (44 mag, 45 app, and 308), and my 650 does 9mm, 40sw, and 223.

 

[EddieNFL]

but I know lots of people that add a second press for a different type

650 for .45ACP and 550 for .223. If either goes down for an extended period (say, return for an overhaul), I have conversions on hand so I can load either on either.

 

[Deadshot2]

The 650 has an optional kit that has the plate, tube, and everything and can be changed out in 5 minutes. If you think you will get into big rifles (large primer), you will have to make a decision, but I know lots of people that add a second press for a different type (read as rifle vs pistol) or reloading. I keep my 550 set up for large primer reloading (44 mag, 45 app, and 308), and my 650 does 9mm, 40sw, and 223.

I use a little different approach with my 650. I just leave the small primer feed mechanism in place. I load GI ammo boxes full of 9mm and 223 in a given session so I absolutely need the small primer feed assy. Changing the shell plate is no big deal and unlike a lawnmower blade you referenced, the shell plate isn't covered with green goo mixed with doggy doo

When I load large batches of .308 I prefer to prep all the cases in advance to include priming. When the time comes to load I just fill the case feeder with the sized, trimmed, and primed, brass. When it passes over the primer station it doesn't even notice that the punch is small. To make sure that the case is aligned in Station 1 I use an extra powder die body that's screwed down to touch the plate when the ram is up. This makes sure that the plate isn't cocked, even slightly, when seating bullets and OAL variations (measured to ogive with a comparator) are as consistent as when loaded on a single stage.


Another press offered by Dillon but not often discussed is their basic 550. A stripped 550 that you can upgrade at a later date without having to buy a new core press. For someone on a budget it allows them to get started and then add more features "at tax refund time"

 

[280nosler]

650 for .45ACP and 550 for .223. If either goes down for an extended period (say, return for an overhaul), I have conversions on hand so I can load either on either.

I do the exact opposite - large primers on the 550, and small on the 650.

 

[280nosler]

I use a little different approach with my 650. I just leave the small primer feed mechanism in place. I load GI ammo boxes full of 9mm and 223 in a given session so I absolutely need the small primer feed assy. Changing the shell plate is no big deal and unlike a lawnmower blade you referenced, the shell plate isn't covered with green goo mixed with doggy doo

When I load large batches of .308 I prefer to prep all the cases in advance to include priming. When the time comes to load I just fill the case feeder with the sized, trimmed, and primed, brass. When it passes over the primer station it doesn't even notice that the punch is small. To make sure that the case is aligned in Station 1 I use an extra powder die body that's screwed down to touch the plate when the ram is up. This makes sure that the plate isn't cocked, even slightly, when seating bullets and OAL variations (measured to ogive with a comparator) are as consistent as when loaded on a single stage.


Another press offered by Dillon but not often discussed is their basic 550. A stripped 550 that you can upgrade at a later date without having to buy a new core press. For someone on a budget it allows them to get started and then add more features "at tax refund time"

I don't change the mech anymore myself. I bought a 550 and do all 308 44mag and 45acp on it.

 

[Pinecone]

I bought a spare priming assembly. Takes maybe 2 minutes to swap the punch and entire priming assembly.

I load .45, .40, 9mm, and .223 on the 650.

Most of the .308, I load on a single stage, doing the processing in batches of each step.

 

[rsplante]

Will definitely look at the light posted above, need more illumination there for sure.

I posted about the light, and Actually, it's just OK. Main problem is that if you forget to turn it off, it is afterall just battery powered, and not standard batteries at that. Go somewhere like ebay and several people are selling LED lights. They come in a strip about 3" by .5" by about .3" and run off of an AC adapter. I bought one last year, but haven't gotten around to mounting it yet. (oops)