Dillon XL 650

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albog

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Opinion call to all Dillon XL 650 owners!

I'm thinking of getting the second press, to supplement my RL 550, for a fast reloading of one caliber that I use a lot of on a constant basis. Super 1050 is out of then question due to price and warranty, so, the next in line is XL 650.

Your positive and negative experiences with that press are very much welcome and appreciated. Couple of questions:

- Once set up, is it easy and relatively problem free in operation (let's say, compared to RL 550)?

- Does the optional bullet feeder work well? Where can I get one for this machine and which brand is considered the best - I don't think Dillon makes one? The links to manufacturers' sites would be appreciated.

- How much time does it take for caliber change?

- Due to the height of the casefeeder (and bullet feeder), is it better to operate on the strong mount or mounted directly to the bench?

- How reliable is the casefeeder?

Thanks a lot, guys, your opinions and experiences will help greatly.
 
I liked my XL650 so much, I bought a second one. One is set up for 45ACP and the other for 9MM. I bought 7 sets of primer tubes(21). My best hour is 1200 rounds of 45ACP. The next day my shoulder was sore. I don't have the bullet feeder but I do have both outfitted with case feeders. I upgraded to the aluminum roller handle. In 3 years the only issue has been with the case feeders plastic funnel section cracking. Dillon promply sent me 2 new ones. Keep it lubricated, lightly lubricate your brass like the manual says. Its easy to crank out 500 in 30 minutes, if you have everything handy. Once you have it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
 
I also run a 550, and a 650 dedicated to 9mm (3 different bullets). No bullet feeder, as I really like the powder check insurance (not that's the measure has ever missed), and a Redding competition seating die to make the bullet changes really simple. 650 (like the 550) simply needs be be kept clean and lubed, and then's it flawless. Not one squib \ bad primer \ primer explosion in 20,000 rounds. I run mine in a strong mount, can stand or sit on a stool, still see the powder in the case, and don't miss the bullet feeder. If you want really high production loading, I'd look at the 1050 as it still gives you the powder check station, (and others). Caliber change (sans bullet feeder) would be about 5 min wihout a primer change.. 10-15 min with.
 
I can't compare any other brands since the 650 is the only thing I own or tried. I have pretty much all the upgrades from Dillon, no bullet feeder and don't see the need.

I didn't time it but I think it takes ~10 minutes to switch from say 9mm to 44magnum. I asked around here about buying the another primer system instead of switching small to large and vice versa parts. When owners said it was simple and quick, there isn't really a need to spend the extra $100+ for it. Unless you have deep pockets, go ahead. :) One thing I find a pain is changing the screw that pushes primers into the pocket. There is no good way to tighten that thing properly. I guess I don't have a tool skinny enough for the job.

I had some problems before. Crushed primers, crushed cases (thought it was just a little harder to resize), upsidedown primers, etc... It did all that b/c I didn't adjust my 650 properly. I recently got 2-3 upsidedown primers for 223 in one batch of 100rds. I must have made the shell plate a tad too tight again. I think it should rotate with almost no effort.

BTW, watch the entire install DVD. It's great. Maybe you can find it on youtube nowadays.
 
Xl 650

Thank you, gentlemen, that was really helpful.

Question - the problems with primers seating really come through entire correspondence. Does 650 have a different primer system than 550? And are the upside down and crushed primers a problem specific to 650? I am asking as I never experienced this on my 550. The only crushed primers I am occassionally getting are due to the military trim (slightly smaller) flash hole on some brass.

Again, your help is much appreciated.
 
You can't go wrong with a 650. With the casefeeder & bulletfeeder I can do 1200/hr without rushing. Without the bulletfeeder I was more in the 800ish per hour. Lots of primer pickup tubes is the way to go to save time unless you have a primer filler.

For bullet feeders, you have the MrBulletFeeder ($$$) and the Hornady ($). I went for the Hornady since it was less than ½ the price of the Mr Bullet Feeder and it's not made with toilet fittings although it makes more noise.

If you have a strong mount, then the Hornady bracket will be too short, I made one and bolt it in the wall, here's my setup http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuDkrNU27uo

Caliber change is < 5 min with same size primers and < 10 min if you have to change the primer system

SB
 
Primers getting crushed from what I read and in my experience is more than likely user error. Dillon 650 just doesn't mess up on its own once it's properly set.

Since I was a noob in the beginning, I crunched a fair share of primers when they went sideways or had some difficult fitting due to dirty/crimped pockets. I know better nowadays. I don't force them in any more or just stop when it feels slightly off. My primer crunching days are more or less over. I mastered 9mm... I get my problems with 44 mag and 223.

I'll buy the 650 again in a heart beat. It's serving me well and will for a lifetime.

I have the super swage and case trimmer too. The case trimmer is insanely fast and accurate. The swage is pretty good too and the only problem is, I can't find the large primer pocket parts. I seem to have misplaced the box. Arrgh!
 
Price of the Dillon 1050 is a factor but forget about the warranty worries; I never had to use the warranty for any of the three 1050s I owned and I still have the original loader, 26 years old.

The best feature of the 1050 is that at station three the primer pocket is automatically swaged, makes using military brass look a lot more attractive!
Think about that you 9mm and .223 guys.

Back in the day, early 80's, EVERYONE in IPSC shot a Colt 1911 in .45 acp and the only brass available in any quantity was military with crimped primers. The 1050 was the shooters dream setup.
 
I use a 650 set up exclusively for 9mm high volume, and then I have a 550 that I swap out for 45, 38 etc. Not a problem with either one. The 650 is quicker but not as easy to swap out calibers on. Case feeder works great although about 1 in 1000 will jam in the chute, but it's no big deal.
 
Has anyone figured out the best way to screw down the primer part that pushes primers into the pocket? Sorry, lack of better words.

Space is so tight underneath. I can't tighten it enough with whatever tools I have. It can sometimes come loose and that may contribute to flipped primers.

What do you guys use? Thanks
 
albog said:
Opinion call to all Dillon XL 650 owners!

I'm thinking of getting the second press, to supplement my RL 550, for a fast reloading of one caliber that I use a lot of on a constant basis. Super 1050 is out of then question due to price and warranty, so, the next in line is XL 650.

- Does the optional bullet feeder work well? Where can I get one for this machine and which brand is considered the best - I don't think Dillon makes one? The links to manufacturers' sites would be appreciated.

to operate on the strong mount or mounted directly to the bench?

- How reliable is the casefeeder?

Thanks a lot, guys, your opinions and experiences will help greatly.
Click to expand...

While the price of the Super 1050 isn't a trivial concern, the warrantee issue is a non-issue. If it doesn't fail during the warrantee period, it never will. The limited warranty is primarily due to the number of smaller commercial reloaders using them. Any part that does fail on the 1050 outside the warrantee period it replaced by Dillon at cost and quickly. (and generally after being worked to death)

I own a Mr.Bulletfeeder and it works perfectly. I've had exactly two misfeeds with it. One was due to a deformed AIM 147 stuck inside, and the second was due to my overfilling the hopper.

The Dillon casefeeder works fine.

The principal reason for buying the 1050 over the 650 is dealing with crimped primers, for which it has no equal.
 
They say the Dillon is great but the Hornady lock n load progressive is the best all around. Just my two cents worth, will be my choice in the near future. There is a comparrison done in the forums on CGN that lists the pro's and cons of the top presses that is worth the read before you decide.
 
motocross guy said:
to tighten the primer thing on a 650 I use a snap on wrench, they make special thin ones. that fit
Click to expand...

Who makes it? Can you provide a linky please for particular size I need? I'm not even sure what this kind of wrench looks like. If we're talking about putting a wrench bit on a screwdriver handle, I actually might have one. If so, I'm going to slap my head now. lol

I have to get one of these! Next thing is modify primer cup so that I don't have primers falling on the floor. I wonder how much lead residue it can leave behind. I wonder the same thing for the tumbler. I always tumble outside. I don't even do it inside my shed.

Thanks!
 
paininthe10 said:
They say the Dillon is great but the Hornady lock n load progressive is the best all around. Just my two cents worth, will be my choice in the near future. There is a comparrison done in the forums on CGN that lists the pro's and cons of the top presses that is worth the read before you decide.
Click to expand...
Don't believe everything you read on the internet. "They" are always biased, and none are "experts".
For example, I love my Dillons and despise the Lee progressives I used before I clued in and went blue.
Others have plenty of differing opinions.

Better to listen to each sing the praises of their own equipment and then make the comparison for yourself based on your own needs.

Now, back to topic,

I have a Dillon Super 1050 and a 1000, both equipped with Mr. Bulletfeeders. While both feeders look like toilet part rejects, they work perfectly in 9, 40 and 45 sized bullets. I'd recommend Mr. Bullet Feeders to anyone.

My Dad has a 650 I borrow when I visit in Florida; I find it difficult to get used to seating the primers on the upstroke, but find the machine as easy to use as my big guys; the casefeeder is very reliable.

As for height; get the press with the strong mount; it's easier to set up on the bench. You can get a rubbermaid step to fill the feeders if you can't reach (I do. :D)
 
headspace said:
Is there an aftermarket bullet feeder for the 550? I have two 550's with case feeders, would love to add bullet feeders.
Click to expand...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but on the 550 station one is size/prime, station two is powder, three is seat, and four is crimp.

Y'ain't got room for the bullet feeder as it would have to live between station 2 and 3.
 
Canuck223 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but on the 550 station one is size/prime, station two is powder, three is seat, and four is crimp.

Y'ain't got room for the bullet feeder as it would have to live between station 2 and 3.
Click to expand...

You are correct, was just wondering if someone had overcome that. Not sure how the guy in the the link provided by Quigly is seating and crimping in one step (Which dies is he using?) as I'm using RCBS and Dillion dies (separate stations for seating and crimping).
 
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