Dillon 550B or C or Dillon XL650 Parts Help Please

DarcyM

DarcyM

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EE Expired
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Location
Alberta
Hi all,

I'm new to reloading. I'll be reloading for 9mm Luger, and in future likely 7.62x.39, and any future pistol calibres i become infatuated with. While I am waiting to buy a unit used, I need help. I need the exact list of items to purchase for the presses above, as I don't know what press will come available for me in Alberta. I want to make sure I buy what I NEED, and not spend tons of money on things that are NICE to have. I will work on the NICE to have list over time, but for now I want the NEED list to be perfect so if I get a used kit I'm not buying the wrong stuff. Any help would be appreciated! I'll be posting in EE for training possibilities from a local person who is interested in showing me how it all works in the meantime. For now I'm only loading 9mm so that's all I need parts for. And go!! :sniper:
 
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Other will shime in, but this is the way i see it.

Need : Casefeeder if going dillon 650

Nice : Strong mount
Roller handle
Bullet tray
Spent primer tube catch system
Dillon auto primer fill station (love that one)
Mr bullet feeder (only for 650), this is the only one i don't have, and don't feel the rush to. But very nice.


Too bad we are not local, i have offered a CGNer in the past to come and try my installations

I can take pics if you want, i could also look in ext HDD see if i still got my ex-550 setup
 
For a 550:

It comes with one calibre conversion kit...
You will need dies - I like to seat and crimp separately so use 4 dies for 9mm

Very nice to have:

Strong Mount
Roller Handle
Bullet Tray
Extra Primer tubes
 
MartyK2500 said:
Other will shime in, but this is the way i see it.

Need : Casefeeder if going dillon 650

Nice : Strong mount
Roller handle
Bullet tray
Spent primer tube catch system
Dillon auto primer fill station (love that one)
Mr bullet feeder (only for 650), this is the only one i don't have, and don't feel the rush to. But very nice.


Too bad we are not local, i have offered a CGNer in the past to come and try my installations

I can take pics if you want, i could also look in ext HDD see if i still got my ex-550 setup
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Thank you for the info. I am going to advertise in the EE section if I am allowed for someone local to show me their operation and give me a hand learning the basics. I can watch youtube videos and get the manual, but it's nice to see someone who knows what they are doing run me through their operation. Then I will understand from start to finish and know what to watch for (avoiding double charging etc.).

The catch systems. I see some people use just a bottle of some kind, so I assume I can make a system if I don't want to buy one. However, if making one is a headache I will buy something ready made to accomplish it.
 
MartyK2500 said:
Other will shime in, but this is the way i see it.

Need : Casefeeder if going dillon 650

Nice : Strong mount (very solid upgrade)
Roller handle (make sure you install it properly or you could create alignment issues)
Bullet tray (good thing to have if you don't have Mr B-Feeder)
Spent primer tube catch system (ebay)
Dillon auto primer fill station (love that one) (is it worth it?!?!)
Mr bullet feeder (only for 650), ( one of the best upgrades if you are shooting large quantity of pistol ammo - 7minutes for 100rounds)

I would add this to your shopping list - RCBS 9440 Bullet Puller without Collet - especially if you get 650.

Click to expand...

......
 
For primer catch system, i just went to see and i have uniketech
Instead of the small pot, you get a hose with an adapter.
The hose is in a 5 gallon pail, never managed to fill that one yet.

Greenbob, i swear by that primer filling machine.
Called dillon rf 100
By the time you load 30 rounds, your next priner tube is filled and ready to drop in your 650

This was the job i hated the most about reloading.


Oh and OP, if getting a dillon press get dillon dies.
I use to not care for them, but if you are cranking on a 650 as fast and focused as humanly possible, you will enjoy the flared opening on the resize die, and not risk a sudden stop from brass catching From not being perfectly indexed
 
Couple important points... are you just looking for information for the presses, or reloading in general with those presses. If you have no reloading equipment you will need; manuals, scale, calipers, cartraige gauge, cleaning device ( dry tumbler, wet tumbler, ultra sonic), etc. Also personally i wouldnt recomend buying any press acceasories until you get the press as it might come with some of this things you buy. As for reloading help, is there a range that does ipsc near by? Those guys are always helpfull.
 
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DarcyM,

PM me your email address I have tons of pdf reloading books and dillion xl650 setup video that I can share with you.

Cheers,
 
tomknotts said:
Couple important points... are you just looking for information for the presses, or reloading in general with those presses. If you have no reloading equipment you will need; manuals, scale, calipers, cartraige gauge, cleaning device ( dry tumbler, wet tumbler, ultra sonic), etc. Also personally i wouldnt recomend buying any press acceasories until you get the press as it might come with some of this things you buy. As for reloading help, is there a range that does ipsc near by? Those guys are always helpfull.
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I both agree and disagree with you, on 2 points.
Agree with a local IPSC shooter setting you up, and disagree with manuals (to some extent).
As in my personal experience, starting loading pistol in 2012 with next to no knowledge in reloading, i did the classic CGN buy a reloading book advice.
When you know nothing of reloading, the book seems overwhelming.

Got a local IPSC guy to set my press at my house for a small pail of brass, beer and pizza. Now that got me loading in no time.
Once i started loading rifle, books made more sense as i had a better grasp of basics and what was really going on.

Edit : I did start with strong mount, roller handle and bullet tray right off the bat.
If you got the budget, why not make it more comfortable?

like tomknotts mentioned, don't forget a chunk of budget for the small reloading related tools (gauges and scales and such)

Edit #2 : visit this page.
The section what a press cost is nice to give an idea.
He mentions stuff that isn't all that necessary, but still to give you an idea.
Prices are higher than anywhere else, just so you know,

http://www. mdgardner.com/reloading.htm
 
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One thing that is a must as far as I'm concerned is a powder checker (no double charges, no empty cases). It means you have to seat and crimp in one go but that's the way it's been done forever and I've never had an issue with it. But I wouldn't go out and buy anything till you get the press. Some stuff is press specific and you may get stuck with it. Also if you are buying used there's a 90% chance it's already set up with the stuff you need
 
tomknotts said:
Couple important points... are you just looking for information for the presses, or reloading in general with those presses. If you have no reloading equipment you will need; manuals, scale, calipers, cartraige gauge, cleaning device ( dry tumbler, wet tumbler, ultra sonic), etc. Also personally i wouldnt recomend buying any press acceasories until you get the press as it might come with some of this things you buy. As for reloading help, is there a range that does ipsc near by? Those guys are always helpfull.
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Yes, I need everything. This is why I'm compiling a list so that I know what I need and what I'm getting in a used purchase. Also I will know what I don't need, so that if a purchase can't be split up, I won't buy a press that comes with 20 things I don't need that are driving the price up.
 
GreenBob said:
DarcyM,

PM me your email address I have tons of pdf reloading books and dillion xl650 setup video that I can share with you.

Cheers,
Click to expand...

tomknotts said:
Couple important points... are you just looking for information for the presses, or reloading in general with those presses. If you have no reloading equipment you will need; manuals, scale, calipers, cartraige gauge, cleaning device ( dry tumbler, wet tumbler, ultra sonic), etc. Also personally i wouldnt recomend buying any press acceasories until you get the press as it might come with some of this things you buy. As for reloading help, is there a range that does ipsc near by? Those guys are always helpfull.
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Great idea. I will make sure I have the press secured unless there's the odd part I get a super cheap deal on. Calgary has an IPSC range in the city or near it, so I will ask them. I'll also need to get initial brass etc so have to start planning to find cheap sources of that since I'm not at the range yet collecting brass.
 
Since you haven't gotten your press yet, start thinking also about where you're mounting it and if you already have a bench or are building one.

Pay particular attention to your bench height and if you plan on sitting or standing when reloading. If sitting, don't get a swivel stool. For the Strongmount, there' two different versions (550/650 or 650 only) which will be slightly different in height. I planned my bench build so that the top of my shoulder was pretty much in line with the roller handle when it's at the top. I can also see easily into the toolhead / shellplate area.

LED lighting is also nice to have. Check out Inline Fabrication. You can never have too much lighting when reloading. Nor electrical plug outlets (for LED lighting, Dillon casefeeder, lighted magnifier, etc).

If you go with a casefeeder, I found that Princess Auto carries a small convex mirror that I've mounted the ceiling above my casefeeder so that I can easily see if my casefeeder need refilling.
 
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My 2c. For the bullet tray I use old ice cube tray that holds 1000 CamPro 9mm no problem and was FREE, sits nicely on left side of Strong mount.
 
You should add a Frankfort Arsenal Vibra Prime to your list. Take 2 minutes to put a 100 primers in a filler tube. Buy extra tubes.
You should look at how you are going to clean your brass. Some people prefer dry media, I personally use wet tumbling. I load 10K rounds a year.
The only problem is when you start reloading, it can cause a real drain on the bank account. I started with a single stage press 3 years ago, now I have 2 x 650's, 1 x 550, 50 BMG Lee loader and the Lee anniversary loader. I recently bought a Mark 7 pro auto drive for 1 of my 650's and can load 1K and hour with 9mm.
So, good luck and welcome to reloading.
 
Airbob10 said:
You should add a Frankfort Arsenal Vibra Prime to your list. Take 2 minutes to put a 100 primers in a filler tube. Buy extra tubes.
You should look at how you are going to clean your brass. Some people prefer dry media, I personally use wet tumbling. I load 10K rounds a year.
The only problem is when you start reloading, it can cause a real drain on the bank account. I started with a single stage press 3 years ago, now I have 2 x 650's, 1 x 550, 50 BMG Lee loader and the Lee anniversary loader. I recently bought a Mark 7 pro auto drive for 1 of my 650's and can load 1K and hour with 9mm.
So, good luck and welcome to reloading.
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Thank you. My spouse is going to limit me to ONE press for sure, so I am not going to win that fight. I'm trying to prove we'll save money doing this, not start a new expensive hobby on top of shooting!!:HR: Otherwise I'll end up sorry! I think I've seen one of those in a video and will check it out.

Will 1 tumbler do both 7.62 and 9mm? I don't want to double up on anything I don't need to double up on. Eventually we'll own a .357 magnum, but that won't be shot a ton so likely I'll buy factory ammo for that one. The 22lr pistol and the 9mm will be the fun shooter.

I am in an auction right now that has a ton of presses, but I'm afraid to buy an as is auction press, dies etc in case I get junk. Cheers!!
 
Hi,
You can use a tumbler for all types of brass. You can mix as well, but with the wet tumbler, if one size brass is smaller, it always seems to fit in the bigger brass. A lot of people will use a sonic cleaner, or a dry media, but I use wet stainless steel media to clean. Use what you think is best for you. Everybody will have their view point to which is better.
With buying used, Dillon will replace parts for free under warranty. You will have to pay for shipping, taxes and duty though.
I believe I read in an earlier post about finding an IPSC guy that does a ton of reloading to learn from. This is a good idea, but there may be other shooters from your range that can help you as well.
The only tip I can give you is take your time. Keep it slow and do it right. You don't want squib loads or too much powder. Once you get the hang of it, the pace will pick up.
 
We are at same boat. Shooting hobby is expensive. But having reloading equipment it will add up the initial cost beyond the comfort zone of CFO.

I tumble my brasses using kids rock tumbler.
Hunting Rhodes one from Valuevillage for about $8.
It will serve great , but quantity through it is limited.
The stainless pins I got if from the local gun shop at
Inglewood for a reasonable price.
It makes big difference.
Good luck
 
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