Dillon press thoughts

[DP425]

Okay guys, I currently have a 550B, it's set-up with the auto case feeder; which is only useable for pistol calibers. Removing this case feed is sort of a pain, so I was looking at buying a second 550B so I can reload .223.

Well, then i thought- what if I sell my 550B and buy an XL650? I can run the auto case feeder for this press with rifle and pistol, plus it auto indexes.

Expected sale prices:
550B w .40 conversion kit, hard mount, tray and low powder alarm- $380
Case feeder w/.40, 9mm and .45 conversions- $200
9mm, .38/.357, .45 conversion kits- $60
SUB-TOTAL: $640
New 550B w/o conversion kit: $394
TOTAL: $1034

Cost of new XL650, case feeder, die heads and conversions kits to match what I'm capable of now.
$1161.54


Okay so as we can see, transitioning to the XL650 would cost me about $130 more than what I can get out of my current press and the cost of a second added together. Which direction would you go?


Points of consideration:
-Two presses would allow me to leave them set-up for .223 and .40; the two calibers I use far more than any others.
-Two presses takes up considerable space on my 10' bench, which also has to work for my precision single stage work
-I have to hand feed rifle cases on the 550B and manually index the 550B
-The XL650 will case feed everything I bulk load, but auto-indexing can be a difficult if an operation is missed; not easy to go back.

And of course, I would have to sell all of the crap I already have, which can be a pain.


Okay guys; what direction would you go? I'm having a tough time deciding!

 

[Hi Speed]

Re: Dillon press thoughts

I have 2 550b's and a 650. I rarely use the 650 as it's only used for .45. I no longer compete. I like 550's and see nothing wrong with having two. 1 for pistol and 1 for rifle.

 

[Leaddog]

Re: Dillon press thoughts

I have used a 550 for 10 years for two calibers. 40 S&W and 45 ACP. If I was still loading high volumes for USPSA/IDPA and considering a second machine, it would be a 550.

 

[Tomcat]

Re: Dillon press thoughts

I have one of each, 550, 650, and S1050.

I think changing the primer feeds is the biggest pain, so I keep one machine dedicated for small primers the 650, I will change to large occasionally because I sometimes shoot 45.

I keep the 1050 dedicated to 223. I like it because it has a swager and I use a lot of range brass.

I keep the 550 for rifle like plinking quality 308.
I use a Forster for single staging my good 308 rounds.

I use the 650 with a decapper die to quickly get through batches of ammo prior to cleaning or resizing or trimming in a single operation.

PM me if you have specific questions, but changing primer feeders on the 650 and 550 is pretty straight forward, I dedicate a machine for the most part. But its pretty easy none the less.

Manually indexing the the 650 back is a small issue, it can be done. Feeding cases through the 550 is not so bad, but a heck of a lot faster on the 650.
Though, in 223 the case feeder must be clean.
Also - like I mentioned above, if you are using range brass you will find heartache if the brass is not swaged. The downside of the 650 is the primer ALWAYS feeds when pulling the handle, so a lot of primers get dumped. Also, if there is a primer mis-feed its much harder to clear.
For this I don't like reloading 223 on the 650. I much prefer the 550, or better yet, much better is the super 1050.

The answer to your question, is : it depends on how much ammo you shoot and care to reload at one time.

If you don't mind standing at the press, the second 550 is the way to go.
If you are using range brass, the consider a super 1050 for the 223. If you are using brass of a know good quality, the a 650 will be fine.
Dedicating a 650 to pistol is a good idea, you can crank you 1000 rounds pretty quickly. For pistol, the brass is small and easy to fumble on the 550, the 650 makes life pretty easy for small pistol brass like 9 or 45.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Dillon press thoughts

I have a 650 and for what your using a second 550 would be perfect.

 

[DP425]

Re: Dillon press thoughts

Okay guys, thanks for the input! It seems almost unanimous that a second 550 would be the preferred route to go Especially after bearing there is no way to stop the primer feed on the 650. I like that on the 550 I can just slide the linkage off of the cam and it doesn't feed.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Dillon press thoughts

I have a 550 and a 650.

I would never buy a non-indexing progressive again. It's like having sex with a gorgeous woman but not being able to get off. You lose a part of the awesomeness of the machine, and for what?

Strangely, I actually use my 550 for 45acp (my main pistol caliber), and the 650 for 308 (currently my main rifle caliber). Mind you, the 308 I shoot is practical "precision" ammo. I do weigh each charge.

As you already acknowledged, the 650 can autofeed pistol and rifle brass - the 550 can't. If you'll weigh each charge while loading rifle ammo, the larger toolhead of the 650 provides more space for your funnel. The 550 is very tight in this regard. After using my 650 a bunch, going back to my 550 really sucks.

All that said, I advocate the Hornady LnL AP for a progressive. They have a great machine, and the price is awesome. You basically pay for a 550, but get a 650+.