About to buy a Dillon...
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BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- of No Fixed Address
I believe you get one "conversion kit" with the press. This contains the shellplate and indexing buttons, which are case head specific.
- Location
- sudbury, ontario
look at hornadys lock and load .....
stormbringer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S.W. Ontario
Because it is a better deal then the 550B unit.
If you want a better press you should look at the 650.
But honestly..........it sounds like you need to do some more research if you have to ask why someone would suggest the LNL.
True you might not accept their (my) advise but the fact that you do not even know the basis of their suggestion indicates to me that you have not really done that much research into the choices you face.
That said.............I have yet to meet anyone who HATES their 550 so it is not really a BAD decision.............
stormbringer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S.W. Ontario
The 650 is a TRUE progressive press as is the LNL. The 550 IMHO is a multistation manually indexed press.
The Dillon is a better and more flexible machine...
The 550B include (off Dillon web site )
The basic 550 includes:
Machine with caliber conversion kit (shellplate, locator buttons, powder funnel) in the caliber of your choice.
Powder measure with standard large and small powder bars (small installed), Small bar throws from 2.1 to 15 grains of powder Large bar throws up to 55 to 60 grains of powder.
One prime system with large and small priming parts.
One large and one small pick up tube
One toolhead
One powder die
One loaded cartridge catch bin
One written instruction manual
One set of standard Allen wrenches
No dies are included. If you do not have any dies, you should go for the Dillon dies.
The manual indexing is great if you plan to reload many caliber. If you make a mistake or are not sure, you can go back on station without problem.
The big + of the 550B is the easy caliber change - be rifle or pistol.
I have a least 400000 rounds loaded on my 550B, pistol & rifle and I will not change it for a Hornady even if it was given to me..
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canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
If you want a better 'bargain', you should wait until a 550 comes up in the EE. Usually, they are sold with many extras and goodies, for about the same price as a new press on it's own.
Dillon's warranty is excellent, so you don't need to worry about buying a used unit.
That's what I did, and got about $900 worth of gear for about $500.
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
A new Dillon 550B should ship with both primer sizes.
If you are ordering new, figure out what calibres you will load for, and then buy a deluxe quick change kit for each one. Pricey, but SWEEEEEET.
If you want a better 'bargain', you should wait until a 550 comes up in the EE. Usually, they are sold with many extras and goodies, for about the same price as a new press on it's own.
Dillon's warranty is excellent, so you don't need to worry about buying a used unit.
That's what I did, and got about $900 worth of gear for about $500.
And you better be quick because it would be sold in minutes.
Shelldrake
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Right behind you,,
I use a 550 but will be getting the 650 next. The caliber change kits are more expensive on the 650. With the 650 you can also add a KISS bullet feeder which fully automate the system giving you the capability to churn out about 1500 rounds per hour.
I have both a 550 and 650. I use the 650 for large volume loading jobs and 550 for rifle (308 and 223). Although I have done large volumes of 223 (must feed the AR) on the 650 as well. The added hand movements on the 550 to feed the case and index the shell holder does increase the reloading time over the 650, but calibre conversion is faster and cheaper on the 550. As to brands, I would stick with Dillon, I have used other brands over the years but have none have turned out to be as flexible as the Dillon, plus when you factor in their warranty the combination is unbeatable.
Jim
Jim
