Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I am thinking about getting either a Dillon 550 or a 650 or a Hornady lock and load AP, any suggestions? I know the Dillon 550 is not auto indexing but is that a major drawback? Thanks

..... oh I thought you were ranting about ABC,CBS,NBC,PBS,MSNBC or CNN.....

I use the 550 because I wanted to load longer rounds like .338LM. The auto-indexing isn't a huge benefit and doesn't speed up the process much. 550 is rated for 400-600rnds/hour and the 650 is 500-800rnds/hour. The lower numbers are more realistic unless you are really moving...take you time and do it right.

I load match quality rounds using my 550 and this: http://www.whiddengunworks.net/toolhead.html
John Whidden loads his benchrest ammo using these! I like the system although it takes some time to learn how to set up micrometer dies since they float. I haven't noticed a difference in quality between a single stage press and using Whidden's floating die set-up on my 550. It is much faster though! The 650 doesn't lend itself to mods like this.

The 650 conversions cost much more than the 550. I highly recommend Dillon's carbide dies. The interchangeable tool head is a huge plus on both models, but gets costly. I find that set-up time is what I hate the most. Sure it only takes 5mins to physically change over, but that is only if you permanently set up a tool head for one caliber. Easy to do, but costs approx. $100 per caliber on the 550 to do (caliber quick conversions).

To change calibers you need dies and the caliber conversion kit. The 550 conversion kits are $43.95, while the 650 is $75.95.

If you plan on only loading lots of a few common calibers, get the 650. If not, get the 550. To put it in perspective, if you load 10,000 rounds it will take you 25 hours on the 550 and 20 hours on the 650 (using the minimum rates). If you are a commercial loader, the answer is easy, get the 1050.

I have had my 550 for over 30 year's now and many year's ago I converted it to a 550B. Over the years I have gotten extra die plates and now have about 15 diffrent calibers set up and adjusted and ready to go. Yep it was expensive to go this route but don't forget I did it over the last 30 year's. I am now in the process of converting my dies over to all Dillon Dies, without a doubt they are the best I have ever used. I now have the Dillon dies for my .40 cal and my .380 along with my .9 mm Hope you make the right decision.
P.S. I have had the best service in the world from these people over the years and very few broken parts that they did not replace for free. The breakage of the parts was my fault.
Bill

SgtBill wrote:I have had my 550 for over 30 year's now and many year's ago I converted it to a 550B. Over the years I have gotten extra die plates and now have about 15 diffrent calibers set up and adjusted and ready to go. Yep it was expensive to go this route but don't forget I did it over the last 30 year's. I am now in the process of converting my dies over to all Dillon Dies, without a doubt they are the best I have ever used. I now have the Dillon dies for my .40 cal and my .380 along with my .9 mm Hope you make the right decision.
P.S. I have had the best service in the world from these people over the years and very few broken parts that they did not replace for free. The breakage of the parts was my fault.
Bill

I should be specific, I have the latest version which is the 550B. Dillon's serviced is unmatched from everything I've heard, but I haven't broken anything yet.

I have a Hornady L-n-L AP. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

Hornaday L&L AP on clearance at Midway for $406.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=679228

I wonder why Midway has them on clearance....The price sure isn't a sale. You can get them from lots of other places for less. I bought mine from a local gun dealer for $389...I didn't think it was too bad of a deal considering when I bought mine, you got 1000 free premium bullets. I took mine in 185gr. .45 cal XTP.

BluemontGlock wrote:Hornaday L&L AP on clearance at Midway for $406.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=679228

I have a Hornady Lock n Load too. Not a progressive, but a single stage. The Hornady is nice, but the Dillon is better. IMHO you can tell the difference in quality. That being said, the Hornady is a very good press and much better than some other options.

Thanks for all the info, after reading all the posts and going to the gun show at the showplace I've decided on the Dillon 550b, I can get it for $419 no shipping or taxes at the show, same as catalog price.

I bought a Dillon 550b today at the Hampton gun show from Mac's reloading,good deal and friendly people, can't wait to start reloading, thanks for all the help!

camino wrote:I bought a Dillon 550b today at the Hampton gun show from Mac's reloading,good deal and friendly people, can't wait to start reloading, thanks for all the help!

Take your time on setting it up and try and use a set of calipers for the bullet seat depth. The shell plate is best set up with a empty shell at each station and you should still be able to turn the plate with a little friction. The primer adjustment is easy to make, again take your time.
Good luck with it
Bill

I love Dillon presses. Once owned a 450, now have a 550B and two 650's. You won't know how much you'll love a case feeder till you try it. Also like powder check feature on 650. I know someone who modded their 550B to take the 650 Powdercheck. Here is my contribution to the science of reloading:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8RV9PSuKTI

dougwilliams@embarqmail.com