Tight space.. Dillon caliber conversion kit vs a 2nd press (single stage)

DocBurN

DocBurN

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Im very happy with my Dillon xl650 press.. i was only reloading 44 magnum so far and now i added a Tikka T3 in 30-06 to my collection and would like to reload 30-06 as well. My reloading dealer suggest me to buy a single press (redding) to reload the 30-06, that it is gonna be cheaper than buying a Dillon caliber conversion kit and everything i need to do the job on the dillon.

What do you guys think.. ?

1) Keep the progressive Dillon xl650 and buy the caliber conversion kit/dies/etc..
2) Buy a second press (single stage) just for reloading the 30-06 since it is suppose to be cheaper..

I know the single stage is suppose to me more precise but i still beleave it can be done on the xl650 with a good ammo accuracy.

The space is limited but i maybe could be lucky and find a spot to mount a single press on such limited space.. but it would be more compact to pay more for the gear (conversion kit, dies, etc..) and use tghe xl650 for the 30-06.

Here is what my mobile ammo station looks like:
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I have that same rolling toolbox in my gun room. I use it as a platform for cleaning and doing the odd, light work on my guns. As is, I don't think it is stable enough to mount the 650 to for pistol caliber reloading; you will exert much more pressures and force on it trying to size the 30-06.
The idea of getting a single stage press is sound, as they come in very handy for odd work and tinkering.
You may want to look into a solidly built bench of sorts - with maybe a modular mounting system whereby you can swap the presses onto one mount.
Oh, and get a case feeder for that 650!
 
being stuck in the corner of the room.. the rolling toolbox don't move while reloading.. so far.. but the lack of free space is a terrible reality and i have no choice until i move out of here (years probably).

Being mounted right in the center, with the strong mount from Dillon.. its too late for a modular system and would not like to remove that 650 beast mounted on a plate to insert the single press plate into the system .. would rather have it both mounted on the "bench" that i dont have right now. Same thing for the case feeder... waiting on more space but that feeder was not bought mainly to save a few bucks and not scare my girlfriend away.. being an old anti-gun.. she's been converted but that "lil press i need" is really big in reality and not esthetically ###y according to her.

Where i am at and why i posted here:
As of right now.. i know with a caliber conversion kit it can be done (rifle ammo) on a xl 650 .. just hope it can be done with a good (not perfect unfortunately) accuracy. And in X years when i get more space.. buy a 2nd press.. Also i like precision but in no way doing competitive shooting with world class shooters.

Ok plan ?
Good plan ? (according to my situation)
The rifle ammo on progressive press are just really that bad and should not exist ?
 
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If I was in your situation, I would by a really accurate scale, place it beside your 650, and remove your powder measure and replace with a powder drop through die. The only thing that your press might not do that well compared to a single stage is really precise OAL, If you treated your press like a turret and charged each case individually with a measured amount of powder I think you would get the best of both worlds. Just my $.02

Evan
 
DocBurN said:
Where i am at and why i posted here:
As of right now.. i know with a caliber conversion kit it can be done (rifle ammo) on a xl 650 .. just hope it can be done with a good (not perfect unfortunately) accuracy. And in X years when i get more space.. buy a 2nd press.. Also i like precision but in no way doing competitive shooting with world class shooters.

Ok plan ?
Good plan ? (according to my situation)
The rifle ammo on progressive press are just really that bad and should not exist ?
Click to expand...

The 650 will be just as accurate as most common single stage presses insofar as the presses ability of imparting inaccuracies/accuracies in your loaded ammunition. The biggest factor will be the quality of dies used.
 
First, i dont know why Dillon sell those 30-06 conversion kit if they are that terrible with rifle ammo.

nevanevan said:
The only thing that your press might not do that well compared to a single stage is really precise OAL, If you treated your press like a turret and charged each case individually with a measured amount of powder I think you would get the best of both worlds. Just my $.02
Click to expand...

You think the main problem on the progressive xl 650 would be the OAL and amount of powder not being exact between each rounds ? I beleave it would be good but i never reloaded rifles ammo.. only pistol so far. i dont mind removing the powder and do it by hand on the progressive if the inconsistency of the amount powder is a real factor. For the OAL.. i don't really know what i can do about it..

beltfed said:
The 650 will be just as accurate as most common single stage presses insofar as the presses ability of imparting inaccuracies/accuracies in your loaded ammunition. The biggest factor will be the quality of dies used.
Click to expand...

What kind of dies would you suggest ? Are Dillon dies great compared to other brand ? I don't now a lot of brand/type of dies.. only have experience with Dillon .44 magnum dies..

Im still trying to beleave the xl 650 can produce great 30-06 rifle ammo.. even tho most reloader all seem to preach for the single stage press church! My reloader source try to push me into a single press over the more pricy dillon conversion kit option.. so he accept loosing money on a sale and sell me the cheaper option (single stage over the conversion kit)
 
I do all my rifle reloading on a Dillon 550 and am quite satisfied with the results. In the process of developing a load for my CZ .223, I was able to shoot an approximately 5/8 MOA 10 shot group with the charge weight I settled on. Unless you are shooting at very long ranges, a progressive press will produce more than good enough ammo for most purposes.

Less time reloading beats more time reloading in my books.
 
I reload. 300 wm and. 223 with my dillon 550b. Have rcbs dies for the 300 and dillon for 223. I do prefer the dillonprecision dies 3 pieces instead of rcbs 2. If there is a difference in the palm it would be minimum.
 
DocBurN said:
First, i dont know why Dillon sell those 30-06 conversion kit if they are that terrible with rifle ammo.
You think the main problem on the progressive xl 650 would be the OAL and amount of powder not being exact between each rounds ?
Click to expand...
The press (whether single stage or progressive) will not impart inconsistencies on OAL - your dies are responsible for that, and specifically the fact that most every seating die sets the seating depth of rifle bullets on the bullet ogive. As the end of the bullet ogive is where it begins engagement of the rifling, this is 'where the rubber meets the road', so to speak.

DocBurN said:
i dont mind removing the powder and do it by hand on the progressive if the inconsistency of the amount powder is a real factor.
Click to expand...
That is something you'll have to play with. Ball powders flow very well, giving much better consistency from throw to throw. A regular, consistent rhythm tends to throw more consistent powder charges - but that is true whether you want to use the powder measure on the press or if you are using a top of the line thrower like a Harrell's.
If you get to a point where you want to individually trickle charges, just remove that step to the bench, and re-insert the charged brass in the path -I've done this and it is still faster to do this on a progressive, and fairly seamless.

DocBurN said:
What kind of dies would you suggest ?
Click to expand...

For rifle I use 'competition' series dies. Redding is the brand I have the most of, but others are good too.
'Match' or 'competition' lines typically come with micrometer seating stems, and depending on the types of dies used, other variables which help to create more uniform cases (TONS of info on just case prep alone- not going into that here).

DocBurN said:
Im still trying to beleave the xl 650 can produce great 30-06 rifle ammo.. even tho most reloader all seem to preach for the single stage press church!
Click to expand...

They can and do. I would venture a guess most who hold that line of thought have never tried to tweak their precision loads on a progressive.
 
DocBurN said:
How long range are we talking here.. ?
I will most of the time be under 200m i guess (range max distance).. And for hunting pretty much the same guess.
Click to expand...

200m and under should be no problem. NRA High Power has courses of fire out to 600 yards and Dillons are used by many shooters.
 
The only rifle powder I reload on the progressive is plinking 223 ammo because it doesn't really matter to me if there is a variation in load, I don't benchrest target shoot with my ar15....
I use a scale for all rifle precision loads. Powder dispenser is too unreliable for target.
 
If you plan on using the auto case feed mechanism of your 650 for rifle shells, there is a change-up peice you will have to purchase also. Its the pot metal peice at the back of the press that drops the case onto the slider/feeder.

I havent loaded any shells with course stick powder yet but have tested a couple of 650 powder measures for consistency with 4064, 4350 type powders at 52 grns and they throw consistent charges within .2 of a grain.

The second 650 i bought was used and the guy I bought it from loaded thousands of .308 rounds for competition shoots on it.
 
While i still beleave it doable.. I decided to get a redding boss single stage today.. Still not sure of my move and gonna have to mod my dillan strong mount to fit 2 press on it.
 
I have a Dillon 550b I use for reloading my ammo eaters like 9mm pistol and M14. For my varmint rifle I use my RCBS single stage. Slower but I'm only shooting 40 or 50 rounds per session with it.
 
I'm waiting on a case conversion kit and quick change kit for my Dillon 650 to load 30-06 (and will need to get another one for 223 soon), so I haven't used it yet to load and rifle loads. But, by comparison, I loaded 80 30-06 rounds yesterday, completely manual on a RCBS Supreme. I started with cleaned / de-primed brass (which I did last weekend) and it took me what seemed like hours to: prime (using the press), load - completely manual using a scale and funnel, seat/crimp. Truthfully it prolly took me about 3 hours to do all that running at a slow/deliberate pace. I sure hope using the 650 will be a little faster ;)
 
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