Advice Please: Dillon 550 or 650

[tobin]

I have a mid 80's Dillon 550 which has loaded tens of thousands of rounds for me for PPC, IPSC, IDPA and always worked well. I think it is getting near time for a rebuild at Dillon.

I do not enjoy reloading and like to get it over as fast as possible.

Should I send the old 550 back for a rebuild, or sell it and buy a 650 to speed up the process a bit?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

 

[RePete]

Are you happy with the 550 and loading speed?

That's what you need to ask yourself.

If you are, then rebuild, if not, then a 650 is in order.

Are you having problems with the 550?

 

[bear.23]

Here is another option... send it back for the rebuild and add a case feeder to the 550...

If all you are loading is pistol rounds will add 20-60% to your loading speed...

 

[tobin]

To answer your questions, I am satisfied with the speed of the 550 , but just. Anything that could speed up the process would be attractive.

I have had few problems with the 550, most of which were my screwing up.

On the other hand, does the 650 complicate things to the point where it is easier to make mistakes? I have heard that if you go too fast with the 650, powder jumps out of the cases as the shell plate speeds up and gets banged from station to station. I also like to examine each case to confirm it has powder and no too much powder. Is this harder to do with the 650?

 

[rommelrommel]

I don't know how you could go faster than a 550 allows and still check each case for powder.

 

[ron hilchey]

I was planning to sell my 550 when my new 650 arrived. The 650 does have a faster loading rate, but caliber conversions take a lot longer. Now I load the bulk of my ammo (9mm, approx 20k a year) on the 650, and use the 550 for everything else. Once set up the 650 is a joy to use.
Ron.

 

[tigrr]

Keep the 550 for a back-up, spoil yourself and spring for a new XL650.
You won't regret it, I didn't. Get the case feeder, case - powder level senser(checks powder level in each case to +/- .3 grains) and have fun. Mine cranks out 6000 45ACPs a year.
You set it at 5 grains of W-231 and check a few, then forget about the powder because all the following charges will be 5 grains on the money and you can load up to 800 pr hour. Best ever was 1000 in one hour, with sore arm to prove it the next day.

 

[Glockenspiel]

550 vs. 650

well, this is a timely discussion!!

I was going to post the same question. I have a 550 which works well most of the time (unless I forget to clean the primer feed mechanism, which can cause real grief). I have a used 650 which I am now setting up but am having second thoughts regarding such a complicated machine. I too like to check every odd case (sometimes 1 in 10) just to make sure primer seating is OK and that I'm getting proper re-sizing. I also check a lot of my 9mm range brass individually before I insert them to the press.

Potential problem with the 650 is it is so fast, that it is difficult to see the screw-ups. also the change overs are slower and more expensive if you are loading multiple calibers.

so let's keep the discussion going. I'm not into speed reloading but would not mind 400 per hour as opposed to 200 (I'm slow and picky).

and if I don't keep my 650, it will be for sale, at an attractive price and way below new (has all the goodies you need ).

Glockenspiel

 

[tigrr]

Advantages of a Dillon XL650

Advantages of a Dillon XL650. My version.
Having started out with a Lee Challenger press kit and then went to a Lee pro 1000 with a bullet feeding kit and case feeder and then bought a Lee 3 hole Turret for making test loads, then upgraded it to a 4 hole, to have crimping space.
After all that I now have a Dillon XL650 for my 45. In the package with the Dillon I bought the case feeder and case powder check, roller handle and the video. I watched the video and read the manual and dove into the set up following the manual, it was pretty straight forward. From the first hole drilled on the bench till the first completed bullet was probably 4 hours (same for Pro 1000). Other than changing the bullet seating depth for different bullets, everything is as it was from day one.
First I pour in 400 cases into the case feeder, turn it on.
Depriming and repriming, tuned just like the manual says.
Dillon’s powder drop is on the money, each case is exactly what I set it too, very consistent.
The powder check lets me know if the amount in the case is low or high. With the consistent powder drop it only goes off when there is no case.
The bullet seating die works great. I cast my own bullets and use Lee alox lube so I have to clean it out every 1000 bullets or so.
The bullet crimping die functions great.
All this is done on 45 ACP ammo.
I lube the cases with Lyman quick lube like the manual says and it runs smooth, almost effortlessly, just the way I like it.
I fill 8 tubes with primers and in less than an hour I have 800 completed rounds to shake around in an old sweatshirt to remove the excess lube and then I package them up and check the primer seating, mark them, so I know there mine and store them till shooting time. I like my Dillon!!

 

[IRC]

I started with lee 1000 which I used for about 5 years. I hated the primer system and finally spoiled myself with a 650. I love the new press but load for about 6 calibres that cover the full spectrum of small and large primer sizes in both rifle and pistol. Calibre changes where you are not changing primer size are relatively fast but increase in time and complexity going from small to large or vice versa. I picked up a used 550B and tend use it for small batch numbers and the 650 for the big batches. Of note, I really notice the extra hand movement without the case feeder on the 550B especially when coming directly from the 650.

Bottom line for me, 650 much faster but harder to change calibers. 550B slower but more flexible for changing calibres. I guess it would depend on what you value more.

 

[Walter Hornby]

if you don't like reloading go with a 650 with a case feeder and a KISS bullet feeder. i can load a 100 rounds in under 4 minutes without breaking a sweat. the only down side of the KISS is you cannot use the case powder check. with the new Dillon powder feeder it has not been an issue for me besides 99% of my reloading is for 38 supper and it is wasy to see the powder as the case comes around.