Dillon to load 9mm and 45acp

The ROC said:
I picked a barely used 550B with bullet tray, roller handle and strong mount locally for $600. Maybe it would have been nice with the auto indexing... I don't know but I only load 9mm and if everything runs smoothly I can pump out 100 rds in about 20mins... I take my time and weight a charge about every 30 rds for accuracy. It goes up to about 30mins for a 100rds if a case does not de prime properly and the old used primer gets reseated agian. Dillion claims 400 - 600 per hour....

My setup is with RCBS and a RCBS Lock Out Die. 1 - size, deprime and prime. 2 - drop the powder and bell. 3 - Powder check lock out die. 4 - Bullet seater and crimp (if you want to)

I hear and read the Hornady LNL is at the same price point as the 550B, reloads well, has 5 stages and is auto indexing.
Click to expand...


I thought to myself "this guy is as slow as molasses in January" then I read that you are using a lockout die in station 3 instead of seating, well no wonder.

I too was worried about a missed or double charge of powder and drilled a small hole in the middle of the tool head and put an LED light in it. That way the light is bright enough to shine down into the case at station 2 and from where I sit reloading I can easily see into the case.

So you must run the ram up on station 3 to check the powder and bring it down then put the bullet and rotate instead of rotate out of 2 put the bullet and then seat as normal.

For best pricing on Dillon stuff I always watch castbullets web site and a guy on there by the name of parrott1969 always has a yearly sale on in about Oct or Nov. He only charges 5 bucks over his wholesale cost and ships USPS to the door.

So I bought a 550 with 4 conversion kits, 6 tool heads, spare parts kit, 4 extra large and small primer tubes and 6 powder dies and shipped to by door it cost 654.00 plus 37.70 for duty.
 
Still haven't bought one.

Should have bought the two Square Deals I say @ Willies in Ellsworth Maine this summer, but I was on the motorcycle.... not that it couldn't be done... but...

Anybody selling Square Deal Dillions in Canada?
 
I had a 650 in Oz, but with the voltage difference here, I sold it

I bought a 550 when I got here and I actually prefer the 550, it is more controllable and easier to set up loads, the auto indexer is a PITA when trying to adjust powder, OAL and crimp

I bought it directly from Dillon in the US and had it shipped to an agent in Blaine WA

No hassles bringing it back across the border, although I had to pay about $50 bucks duty, which was about1/3 of the shipping cost into Canada

You can get a case feeder for it too

Once you get a good rythm going, it's not much slower than a 650
 
I don't think that you can go wrong with either machine. I have a 550b and I love it. Everyone with a 650 has similar experience with their machine from what I can gather. I suggest that you go to the Brian Enos website and look at the "which dillon to get" section of the site. He has some really good information that you should take into consideration.
 
What you should consider asking yourself is how many rounds are you going to shoot in a year and determine your payback period.

Best guess, I'd say you're into it for about $1500.00 in order to make some ammo. By the time you add up: press (650) case feeder, caliber conv, quick change kit, dies, decent scale, puller, cleaner and misc stuff, prolly closer to 2 grand. For 9mm, there's very little savings over say the Win 100 round white boxes. 45 will save you some money.

How many rounds of each you think you'll be shooting yearly?
 
Yes. Shipping is a bit of a #####, but you cut out the middleman. That's how I order. They ship by UPS
 
Heli### said:
I bought a 550 when I got here and I actually prefer the 550, it is more controllable and easier to set up loads, the auto indexer is a PITA when trying to adjust powder, OAL and crimp.

Once you get a good rythm going, it's not much slower than a 650
Click to expand...

Personally I wouldn't even consider a progressive that doesn't have auto index. Inserting a case, inserting a bullet, rotating the shell plate....no thanks. The main attraction of progressives is to eliminate hand motions, not add more of them. With all that hand action you're not much above a Lee turret (or a cheap hooker). Go all progressive or don't go.
 
550 is a great press , very versatile , quick & simple to change tool heads or primer size , excellent when doing load development . BUT you have to have the physical ability to tie your own shoe laces , or the minimal thumb movement required to rotate the shell plate can really cause a major mind F .
 
nada said:
550 is a great press , very versatile , quick & simple to change tool heads or primer size , excellent when doing load development . BUT you have to have the physical ability to tie your own shoe laces , or the minimal thumb movement required to rotate the shell plate can really cause a major mind F .
Click to expand...

It's not a matter of not being able to do it, it's whether you should have to. For $600+ not having auto index is pretty lame. Even the Square Deal has it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom