After much reading, observing, interviewing, watching, consternation and wringing of hands, I finally got a Dillon 650. Although I know many here do not care for the 650, I have (so far) found I really like it. I told a friend of mine it's kind of like crack cocaine-- "just one more 100 rounds, then I'll go to bed..." Then, 400 rounds later.....
It arrived safely packaged in several boxes, and I found it fairly straight-forward to set up. Although I ordered only a .223 setup, I quickly also ordered a coaliber conversion kit for the .40S&W and the 9mm. (BTW, I found Brian Enos' site to be very good reading). I did order the aluminum roller handle (a must!), the auto case feeder, the strong mounts (for the 650 only) and a bullet tray. I'm happy with all of them.
Issues:
1. It was a little tricky getting the powder checker to keep from alarming, but I think I've got it right. Learning curve on my part. Make sure you tighten everything down.
2. The first night, I had about 10 rounds go through where I didn't fully seat the primers. O.k.-- push all the way down til it bumps, and all the way up until it bumps. Problem solved.
3. I was going through .40's, when the handle wouldn't go fully down. I checked everything, and didn't see any obstructions. Finally found the large allen screw holding down the shell plate was turning and locking down the plate. OK, tighten the allen screw on the shaft to lock the plate allen screw.
4. I had 23 rounds go through without a primer. Not sure what happened there-- primers must have gotten stuck in the tube.
5. Don't put more than three handfuls of brass in the cae feeder-- it slows down and binds.
6. The primers are what slows down the process. I'm going to order at least another six tubes (already have three). My kids love to fill the tubes, so that should keep me going.
I've already loaded 2K rounds of .40. Used 4.2 grains Hodgdon titegroup with no flow problems. Using 165gr bullets from Precision Delta. Brass from the range and cleaned in a rotary tumbler (used only water, Dawn and Lemishine- no SS media). CCI primers.
Rounds running flawlessly through my Glock. Life is good. Don't know why I didn't do this years ago.
It arrived safely packaged in several boxes, and I found it fairly straight-forward to set up. Although I ordered only a .223 setup, I quickly also ordered a coaliber conversion kit for the .40S&W and the 9mm. (BTW, I found Brian Enos' site to be very good reading). I did order the aluminum roller handle (a must!), the auto case feeder, the strong mounts (for the 650 only) and a bullet tray. I'm happy with all of them.
Issues:
1. It was a little tricky getting the powder checker to keep from alarming, but I think I've got it right. Learning curve on my part. Make sure you tighten everything down.
2. The first night, I had about 10 rounds go through where I didn't fully seat the primers. O.k.-- push all the way down til it bumps, and all the way up until it bumps. Problem solved.
3. I was going through .40's, when the handle wouldn't go fully down. I checked everything, and didn't see any obstructions. Finally found the large allen screw holding down the shell plate was turning and locking down the plate. OK, tighten the allen screw on the shaft to lock the plate allen screw.
4. I had 23 rounds go through without a primer. Not sure what happened there-- primers must have gotten stuck in the tube.
5. Don't put more than three handfuls of brass in the cae feeder-- it slows down and binds.
6. The primers are what slows down the process. I'm going to order at least another six tubes (already have three). My kids love to fill the tubes, so that should keep me going.
I've already loaded 2K rounds of .40. Used 4.2 grains Hodgdon titegroup with no flow problems. Using 165gr bullets from Precision Delta. Brass from the range and cleaned in a rotary tumbler (used only water, Dawn and Lemishine- no SS media). CCI primers.
Rounds running flawlessly through my Glock. Life is good. Don't know why I didn't do this years ago.
