Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Send TopicPrint
Normal Topic Dillon 550b or 650 or?? (Read 3771 times)
emmett22405
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 164
Location: Virginia
Joined: Sep 21st, 2009
Dillon 550b or 650 or??
Nov 21st, 2016 at 11:15am
Print Post  
We plan on taking over 1K 40-65 rounds (smokeless) with us to the Quigley and another shoot in MT for next year's vacation and my better half is [gasp] now amenable to splurging on some sort of advanced reloading press.  We also each shoot 2x a month in offhand matches from 200-500 yds plus cowboy silhouette in pistol calibers, and the odd military rifle. --it seems i am always reloading on my 2nd Rockchucker (broke the first after 15 years).  Dillon seems to be, while expensive, very highly esteemed.  I don't know enough to make a choice between either the 550b or 650 or some comparable other brand, especially for reloading single shots in (smokeless) eg 32-40, 38-55, 40-70 SS and 45-70. Input welcome
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
craigd
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 2059
Location: midwest
Joined: Feb 22nd, 2009
Re: Dillon 550b or 650 or??
Reply #1 - Nov 21st, 2016 at 1:00pm
Print Post  
I'd think the 550 would be plenty enough. I haven't checked lately, but a plain one might be good because I wouldn't typically use the progressive primer or powder measure. I think another good option for relatively low volume is a decent turret press with extra turrets so you don't have to change and readjust dies, but still confirm settings before doing a run. A little bit ago, I was cleaning out stuff and flipped through a Shiloh mini news paper from '86. They had an article about using the Dillon 450 for 45-70, a pretty much twin to the 550 without the removable tool head.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
nuclearcricket
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 824
Joined: Oct 15th, 2008
Re: Dillon 550b or 650 or??
Reply #2 - Nov 21st, 2016 at 1:16pm
Print Post  
I have a dillon 450 and am very happy with  it. When they moved up to the 550 they just added some automatic features to it. Sometimes you can find used presses available at good prices. 
I feel that you may be like me in that when you look at some of the parts on a Dillon, they may not look all that rigid, I am here to tell you that they are more than rigid enough for the job at hand.  I have managed to stick a couple of .308 and -06 cases over the years and the dillon will rip the heads off slicker than you can imagine. They are good solid well made and well warrantied presses.
Sam
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
SSShooter
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 2944
Location: Southern NJ
Joined: Aug 1st, 2010
Re: Dillon 550b or 650 or??
Reply #3 - Nov 22nd, 2016 at 8:09am
Print Post  
Had a 550 and it was fine. After 6mon traded back to Dillon for the 650 and it was even finer. After another year I sold the 650 and now use a Lee Cast single-stage on the left side of the bench and a Redding Boss II single stage on the right side of the bench and have been happy as a clam in the 7yr since. I load ~5000 rounds a year (3000+ BP & <2000 hi-power). One at a time. Just never felt comfortable that a progressive would get it as "right" as a single-stage. But, I also listen to LPs & FM radio rather than CDs & the computer. Old fashioned. If I wanted a progressive, again, it would be the 650.
  

Glenn - Stevens 044 1/2, Bartlein SS 5R barrel in 22LR
Back to top
GTalk  
IP Logged
 
shovel80
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 896
Location: Sonora,CA
Joined: Jun 6th, 2011
Re: Dillon 550b or 650 or??
Reply #4 - Nov 22nd, 2016 at 9:05am
Print Post  
Have never used either one of those but have used the Hornady Auto Progressive a lot. Has worked Very Well.

Terry
  

ASSRA Member # 11021
Back to top
IP Logged
 
Longdistance1
Senior Forum Member
****
Offline



Posts: 468
Location: Amidon, ND
Joined: Feb 11th, 2013
Re: Dillon 550b or 650 or??
Reply #5 - Nov 22nd, 2016 at 11:58am
Print Post  
I have had a Dillon 450 since they came out in 1979 I think and never had a problem. If you get a Dillon also get the 450 powder die and adapter so that you can use any powder meisure that is threaded 7/8-14. If you need more than 4 stations go with the 650 but I have never needed any more than 4 stations and I like the all manual press. Plus they have a No BS lifetime guarantee!!
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Travelor
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 132
Location: Central Arkansas
Joined: May 5th, 2008
Re: Dillon 550b or 650 or??
Reply #6 - Nov 23rd, 2016 at 7:41am
Print Post  
I love my Dillon 550B.  I used to shoot IDPA and practiced a lot.  I have loaded tens of thousands of rounds with absolutely NO TROUBLE.

Production rate was around 400/hour.  If you have an extra tool head and powder measure the time to change calibers is about 2 minutes or less.

You will love this machine!

Grin
« Last Edit: Nov 23rd, 2016 at 7:49am by Travelor »  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send TopicPrint