New Dillon owner!!!

[MrSchultz]

I had a Dillon 550 and changing calibers was very easy (I had extra tool heads)

Not quite as easy on the 1050

but you still have to take out the powder system (unless you buy another powder system) maybe i'm just being lazy.

the primer plate also takes a while to change on the 650.

 

[Quigley]

The quick change tool head on the 550 has everything...you just pull out two pins and slide the new tool head in (assuming you are still using the same sized primers)

but you still have to take out the powder system (unless you buy another powder system) maybe i'm just being lazy.

the primer plate also takes a while to change on the 650.

 

[john777]

I have Dillon XL650. I'm loading 9mm right now but will load 44 mag and 223 in the future. You guys think it's a good idea to just buy entire large primer assembly or just switch the primer plate?

First I'm planning to cheap out and just buy tool head and dies and swap the powder dispenser. But it's already such a hassle adjusting powder charge. Right now it's tuned perfectly for my 9mm. I already hate re-tuning it for 9mm with different bullets. Doh.

Me thinks I will have to buy powder charge as well for each caliber and the only thing I will have to swap out is the high/low powder check, shell plate and primer assembly.

 

[MrSchultz]

i would definitely buy another tool head and powder dispenser to make that part nice and easy. I would also invest in the primer assembly for large primers. I don't like changing the primer plate in the dillon 650 i might even buy a second dillon 650 press for my 9mm (if the Lee Pro 1000 is as bad as some people say it is).

 

[chemo]

The quick change tool head on the 550 has everything...you just pull out two pins and slide the new tool head in (assuming you are still using the same sized primers)

yeah since im reloading all calibers sharing same shell plate and large primers, caliber change is about... 4 seconds

I'm on a 550

 

[Quigley]

yeah since im reloading all calibers sharing same shell plate and large primers, caliber change is about... 4 seconds

I'm on a 550

The 550 is a perfect press for anyone shooting low - med volumes of multiple calibers. I added a case feeder to mine, which in my opinions is quite finicky.

I loaded two calibers (9 and .40) and change over was literally a few seconds with the extra tool head.

I only load one caliber now (9 mil) mostly 9 Major but a bit of 9 minor. I upgraded to a 1050 and added a Mr Bulletfeeder. That setup is insane...but I wouldn't want to have to change over calibers very often.

 

[Paulinski]

I load 9mm on my 650 but I'm gearing to load .40 and .38 Special. I bought toolheads / powder measure for each caliber - all use small pistol primer but if I were to load large primer I would buy complete priming system.

Makes switching much more easier.

 

[Hoser-eh]

I agree on the extra expense for quick caliber changes.

After all, didn't we pony up the coin for a high-output machine to make the most of our time?

Now who has the Mr.Bulletfeeder or the GSI bulletfeeder?

Where did you get it?
How much did it cost?
Is it worth it?
How did it affect your output?

 

[MrSchultz]

Now who has the Mr.Bulletfeeder or the GSI bulletfeeder?

Where did you get it?
How much did it cost?
Is it worth it?
How did it affect your output?

i was JUST checking out some bullet feeders online and found this:
http://www.gaspariusa.com/bullet_feeder.htm

it's not automated like the KISS bullet feeder, but it sure is a lot cheaper and doesn't look like it would take much work to get set up.

 

[albertacoyotecaller]

Dillion Products

Like most guys sometimes I overkill items too. Such is the case with buying items like a Dillion press. Most guys figure that if the 550 can do this many an hour, and the 650 can do this many more it must be better!

This is not always the case. Dillion will walk you through you purchase and will help you decide what is best for your loading needs. You just have to call them and they are more than happy to do that for you.

The 550B is probably suited for 80% of the shooters out there. The 650 probably get another 10-15% and the 1050 is probably good for only 5% of the reloading population.

I have a 550B. I reload up to 15k pistol and about 15k rifle in a year. The 550B suites my needs perfectly. There is a few add ons I am thinking about but they are not necessary even at that level.

How many shooters out there are going through 30k of ammo a year. I would hesitate to say not that many.

Greg

 

[Quigley]

I just installed a Mr Bullet feeder $550 USD plus shipping right from Mr Bulletfeeder. Definitely worth it. It puts output on the 1050 to about 1750 per hour.

I tried a GSI and couldn't get it to work properly. It also has a rather major design flaw (IMO). You have to relocate the casefeeder to the back...and it gets in the way of being able to load primers in the press. I'm not sure if it's the same on the 650...

Now who has the Mr.Bulletfeeder or the GSI bulletfeeder?

Where did you get it?
How much did it cost?
Is it worth it?
How did it affect your output?

 

[Freedom Ventures]

I've been running a Mr. Bulletfeeder for a few years; never a problem.

A friend got the GSI (because the KISS/Bulletfeeder was unavailable for a year or so) and he's having horrible issues with it.

I'll agree on the big D presses; it's an effort to switch calibers, but let's face it - if you've got a grand + investment in a machine capable of outputting 800 rounds an hour; why not bulk purchase and make large runs of calibers?

That's my modus operandi - roll out 15K of 40 and then switch over for 38 super to run 8K (for my father) - then over to 9 for another 8K of major and minor - and I'm still shooting 40 by the time I'm done.

 

[MrSchultz]

Mr. Ventures, you are HARD-CORE !

where can i purchase a Mr Bulletfeeder in Canada?

 

[Freedom Ventures]

I just installed a Mr Bullet feeder $550 USD plus shipping right from Mr Bulletfeeder. Definitely worth it. It puts output on the 1050 to about 1750 per hour.

Yep! heads up - you're in tendonitis territory!!! A good investment now is a simple arm brace - at least until you get on the line to Ponsness Warren...

 

[Freedom Ventures]

Mr. Ventures, you are HARD-CORE !

I load for another person and I shoot a lot - add in that I can't stand reloading, so the faster I get it done - the happier I am...

where can i purchase a Mr Bulletfeeder in Canada?

DVC Ventures was selling them when they were called KISS. I don't know if anyone has them since they re-appeared.

 

[Quigley]

Yep! heads up - you're in tendonitis territory!!! A good investment now is a simple arm brace - at least until you get on the line to Ponsness Warren...

I have a different strategy...

Every time I decide to load...I grab a box of bullets and a box of primers (1,000)...and sit down until it's all loaded (About 45 mins)

I don't see myself sitting down and loading for 4 straight hours...but ya...I'm getting at that age where my body doesn't recover as quickly from the stupid things I do from time to time.

Bottom line...I've never had so much ammo loaded and ready to go before.

The 1050 is such a step up from the 550...and the bullet feeder is flawless.

 

[Quigley]

I load for another person and I shoot a lot - add in that I can't stand reloading, so the faster I get it done - the happier I am...

DVC Ventures was selling them when they were called KISS. I don't know if anyone has them since they re-appeared.

I think you can only buy them direct now.

Mine arrived at my door 13 days after I ordered it...the guys pretty good to deal with

 

[rdgietz]

Tool heads work well.

I had a Dillon 550 and changing calibers was very easy (I had extra tool heads)

Not quite as easy on the 1050

+1 for Dillon Tool heads... i have all my different calibers in different tool heads.. takes no time to convert if you are not changing the primer size.

Dillon Rocks for pistol rounds..

RDG

 

[JOJOPINTO]

What about caliber change overs are they extra, also do you have to replace one of your dies so you loose a station when add the bullet feeder?

I just installed a Mr Bullet feeder $550 USD plus shipping right from Mr Bulletfeeder. Definitely worth it. It puts output on the 1050 to about 1750 per hour.

 

[Quigley]

The caliber change over kit is about $150...and that would be a new collator and bullet drop die (or whatever they call it)

On the 1050 the die goes into station 6...so yes you do loose a station. I had a powder check die there but found it unnecessary so I didn't mind loosing it. You gain much more than you loose with the bullet feeder...

What about caliber change overs are they extra, also do you have to replace one of your dies so you loose a station when add the bullet feeder?

I just installed a Mr Bullet feeder $550 USD plus shipping right from Mr Bulletfeeder. Definitely worth it. It puts output on the 1050 to about 1750 per hour.