what press to buy. i know, its like beating a dead horse.

nate18

nate18

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ok i do know that this is like d:h: but i always have trouble with the search. yes i know that i have to put the time back to last 36 months.

anyways, im looking at the dillon 550b. the only thing i dont like about this is that it doesn't auto index. or am i wrong? if im not wrong can i buy anything that is cheap that will make it auto index. next, im looking at the dillon xl 650. for the amount of rounds i want to load(maybe 20000 a year) i hear that that press is a little much. but i like the idea of the auto index and the brass feeder. does the brass feeder come with it or is it sold separately.

now i like the idea of the brass feeder and love the idea of the auto index. but im not sure if either on is worth the extra money even if i have the extra money.

does anybody know if i can save any money going down south and buying one?

thanks, nate
 
I am in the same position as you. I want a dillon xl 650 but its $755, dies are $89 and you have to buy the case feeder separately. Not sure how much the casefeeder is for sure but the minimum is $212.

I think I am just going to get a load master for $329.
 
20 000 rounds is alot of ammunition. If you calculated out the cost of components (bullets, primers and powder - not brass) for 9mm, that would run you about $180 per thousand. Multiply that by 20 and you are sitting at around $3600 just in the cost of the reloaded ammo. It is going to cost more for other larger calibers, and more still if you are footing the bill for brass.

Based on the above and the machines I have, I would not hesitate to go with the Dillon presses. They will retain their value, and you will have paid for them several times over within the year with that kind of volume.

As far as I know, the 550 cannot be made to auto index. All of the casing or bullet feeders are extras to both the 550 and 650.
For your application I think either will do handily, and would recommend you go with the 650 if auto index is a feature you really want.
 
I have a Dillon 550 and debated upgrading to a 650. For me it was not worth it, to upgrade it would have to be the 1050 (dream). The cadillac of presses, it has auto indexing, primer pocket swaging tool etc. The basic 650 does not come with the case feeder you have to add it, I didn't think that auto indexing was worth what the new press would have cost.
I probably shoot about that a year, and am happy with the 550. Besides what else are you going to do on those long, cold winter nights?
 
Take another look at Hornady LNL AP, auto-indexing and WITH case feeder, it's US$699, takes any dies.
Loading 20K rounds a year, you def want case feeder. But you can also get the press without it and add it when you decide you need it.
 
I watched a friend of mine use his Dillon 550, he loaded 50 rounds in about 10 minutes. Seemed pretty fast to me, and that was with out a case feeder. FS
 
I'm with CeeZer, have a very long look at the Hornady.
Dillon makes great stuff; but in this case I think that the Hornady would serve you better for the same sort of money.
On the other paw... remember you are spending $4k a year on components, so the upgrade to the Dillon 1050 really isn't that big a leap.
 
If you are loading 20k a year, your starting point is the 650. It will tide you over until you realize you really need the 1050.
 
Canuck223 said:
If you are loading 20k a year, your starting point is the 650. It will tide you over until you realize you really need the 1050.
Click to expand...

You got that right...less time at the bench means more time on the range.

I needed ammo for the Frontenac Level 3...sat down and cranked out 300 in about 12 minutes (and that was not trying to beat the clock). They chrono'd nice as well...extreme spread was 17 fps (using Aim 124's and 3N37). A 1050 with a Mr Bulletfeeder is the way to go if you shoot anything over 15k a year (unless you really like hanging out in the basement)

My personal experience with the 550 was postive up until I added the case feeder. If you want anything semi automated...go 650 or better. I know other people like their 550 with case feeder...but I wanted to throw mine in the ####ing river.

If you opt not to buy a 1050...what ever you do...do not ever pull the handle on one. You'll instantly hate whatever press you did end up buying :cool:

Expensive...yes...worth it...you bet.

A few buddies have Hornady LNL's, and they seem to like them
 
Quigley said:
If you opt not to buy a 1050...what ever you do...do not ever pull the handle on one. You'll instantly hate whatever press you did end up buying :cool:

A few buddies have Hornady LNL's, and they seem to like them
Click to expand...

hahaha thanks. looking at the new hornady lnl ap. looking at the case feeder later. maybe for a bday present/grad present or something.
 
Finally something I can give advice on :)

I started shooting and reloading about 3 years ago and was in the same substitution, and here is my story
When I started shooting 3 years ago I had nothing I had to buy everything, safe trigger locks reloading equipment targets cleaner I think you get the point. I bought a Lee Pro 1000 for 9mm. It was cheap and I thought that 300 rnds an hour would be enough.

My advice,
If you want 20k per year save your money and get a Dillon 650 if you plan on shooting more than 20k a year get a 1050! I am shooting about 10k a year with my Lee and find it hard to keep up. If I had the money I would have bought a Dillon right away.
 
thanks a lot guys. i think the hornady lnl ap is best for the price. save a few bucks from the dillon and save that other money for a case feeder.
 
nate18 said:
i think the hornady lnl ap is best for the price. save a few bucks from the dillon and save that other money for a case feeder.
Click to expand...

Once you start outfitting the LnL with all of the stuff you need, the price difference between dillon is a wash.
I know they were (are still?) giving away a 1000 bullets to get their product out there, but the prices at the end of the day are no different.
 
I started with a 550, eventually got another 550 that I use as a single stage for rifle.I had about 5000 rounds of 9mm to load, and after running about 1000 through I ordered a 650. I wish I'd bought it to start with.
 
beltfed said:
Once you start outfitting the LnL with all of the stuff you need, the price difference between dillon is a wash.
I know they were (are still?) giving away a 1000 bullets to get their product out there, but the prices at the end of the day are no different.
Click to expand...

This year it dropped to 500 bullets. :)

Glad I got my .308 BTFMJ's when I did...
 
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