Dillon xl650
- Thread starter Restricted
- Start date
The Dillon 650 is a good press for high volume reloading, but not necessarily a great first press. As with most progressives, there's a whole load of stuff happening at the same time, and none of what's happening can be skipped, as far as your attention goes. Additionally, progressive presses by their nature provide you with very little feedback about what's happening - you can't feel a high primer, can't properly see an uncharged, or partially charged case. I know Dillon makes a powder check die but things can happen that will fool that too. If you have no experience in reloading at all, a high speed progressive is a very frustrating and unforgiving classroom. Spend a few dollars on the cheapest single stage you can find and use it to learn the basics - it's cheap insurance when screwing up can cost you a hand or an eye. You'll still use the dies on your Dillon, and a scale will still be needed, so you won't be out more than $50-75 for the press and a either a basic measure, or a set of dippers.
Without going in to detail why, I disagree with this.
I bought a Dillon 650 four months ago direct from Dillon (best price at the time, likely still the case with the CDN-USD exchange rate).
It was my first press, and with 3,000+ rounds made to date, I am more than happy.
YMMV.
- Location
- Banana Republik of Kebekistan
Hi Restricted,
I am in a situation not too far from yours. In my case, the consumption rate of ammo is forcing toward the reloading option in order to cut down cost. I don't really want to but financially speaking, I believe it is the smartest way to go ahead.
I read quite a bit on the matter, talked to several long time "reloaders". Many will praise their equipment and never worked with other brand. Watch out for such bias. It is my opinion that all "brand name" reloaders will perform satisfactorily. No one I talked to bought one brand to switch to another one a year or two after. When they did, it was to migrate from a single stage press to a progressive press
If not already done, I strongly suggest you check out the following thread. Very rich in information and in opposed opinions.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127691
What enefgee said above deserves serious consideration as I heard it from many others. A mishap on a progressive press can be significantly more costly material and health wise than a single stage press.
That said and for reasons of my own, I came to the same choice as yours: a Dillon XL650. Based on the wisdom and experience of long time reloaders in my neck of the woods, I will probably fit Redding dies instead of Dillon's.
My intention is to start on the Dillon XL650 but without bullet and case loaders. That will definitely come but later, when confident I master the reloader perfectly.
Again, take into consideration that the above is from yours truly, an unexperienced and "wannabe reloader", that is about to make his purchase. Good luck at your reloading project. Should you come about a great deal on the equipment, don't be shy and share the information !!
Cheers,
I am in a situation not too far from yours. In my case, the consumption rate of ammo is forcing toward the reloading option in order to cut down cost. I don't really want to but financially speaking, I believe it is the smartest way to go ahead.
I read quite a bit on the matter, talked to several long time "reloaders". Many will praise their equipment and never worked with other brand. Watch out for such bias. It is my opinion that all "brand name" reloaders will perform satisfactorily. No one I talked to bought one brand to switch to another one a year or two after. When they did, it was to migrate from a single stage press to a progressive press
If not already done, I strongly suggest you check out the following thread. Very rich in information and in opposed opinions.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127691
What enefgee said above deserves serious consideration as I heard it from many others. A mishap on a progressive press can be significantly more costly material and health wise than a single stage press.
That said and for reasons of my own, I came to the same choice as yours: a Dillon XL650. Based on the wisdom and experience of long time reloaders in my neck of the woods, I will probably fit Redding dies instead of Dillon's.
My intention is to start on the Dillon XL650 but without bullet and case loaders. That will definitely come but later, when confident I master the reloader perfectly.
Again, take into consideration that the above is from yours truly, an unexperienced and "wannabe reloader", that is about to make his purchase. Good luck at your reloading project. Should you come about a great deal on the equipment, don't be shy and share the information !!
Cheers,
And,,, after you start using your 650, you'll still find uses for your lowly single stage. Its all good.
Without knowing what you are reloading - small calibre rifle? Pistol? I would suggest a single stage press to gain some experience and then the progressive later.
It is pretty easy to double charge a pistol case. Not so easy to double charge a rifle case but for sure they can be overloaded. It is not a pretty sight when they go off.
Example shown. Lots of potential reasons. Barrel obstructed? Maybe by previous underloaded cartridge? Overloaded cartridge? Who knows. Bottom line is reloading is something that requires your strict attention.
It is pretty easy to double charge a pistol case. Not so easy to double charge a rifle case but for sure they can be overloaded. It is not a pretty sight when they go off.
Example shown. Lots of potential reasons. Barrel obstructed? Maybe by previous underloaded cartridge? Overloaded cartridge? Who knows. Bottom line is reloading is something that requires your strict attention.
- Location
- Just West of the GTA
You can still go really slowly and put one case through at a time. What I mean is load 1 case and put it through all stages that way you can keep an eye on everything. Then speed things up a little at a time. Put a reading light or flashlight next to the powder station and have a look at it as cases come through. Use a high volume powder so you can tell if it's not charged or double charged.
I think that if someone is going to make a serious mistake they can do it on any type of press. You certainly can use that 650 to walk before you run. You do have to be very conscientious but it isn't exactly splitting atoms.
I am also assuming you are looking at reloading for pistols.
I think that if someone is going to make a serious mistake they can do it on any type of press. You certainly can use that 650 to walk before you run. You do have to be very conscientious but it isn't exactly splitting atoms.
I am also assuming you are looking at reloading for pistols.
- Location
- Halifax - NS
^^^^ Excellent post! 
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I am looking to reload for a pistol. I do understand that reloading is not something to be taken lightly, but I would rather buy the press I will eventually end up with anyway instead of going through 2-3 other presses before settling on the one I originally was interested in.
As oneskilledshooter said, I can still go through the all steps with a progressive as apposed to a single stage press.
This being said, lets go back to the original question. Where can I get a Dillon XL650 for the best price?
I am looking to reload for a pistol. I do understand that reloading is not something to be taken lightly, but I would rather buy the press I will eventually end up with anyway instead of going through 2-3 other presses before settling on the one I originally was interested in.
As oneskilledshooter said, I can still go through the all steps with a progressive as apposed to a single stage press.
This being said, lets go back to the original question. Where can I get a Dillon XL650 for the best price?
directly from Dillon
I bought one in Dec this past winter, and it was here in 3 days with $75 in GST. I think all done for the press with one caliber delivered was around $650.
I do find that they have unnecessarily high prices on many items though, so I use different dies and accessories where possible.
If I were you I would also buy a USED single stage... trust me. You will find MANY situations where this will be handy, even while using the 650. I have a Lee turret press I use all the time.
For the record I have been loading for everything about 20 years (and I am still learning
Good luck
When you later decide to purchase a single stage to mount along side the 650, you'll find it very handy for such uses as:1) Decapping (If you want to)
2) Using your Lee bulge buster die (If you shoot 40 S&W)
3) Stuck case removal (RCBS kit or equivalent) inevitable !
4) Using RCBS (non-slamf*ck) bullet puller
5) Various swaging operations (maybe ??)
6) Troubleshooting a die issue.
7) Any other small operation not worth disturbing your 650 setup for.
You needn't drop 00's for an RCBS press. You can pick up a SmartLoader "C" press from MidSouth Shooters Supply for $18.00 ! Their "O" press is a whopping $32.00. These would do.
As to my dead horse
, I'm not critiquing your choice, its great! A SS press isn't absolutely necessary to your learning the game. I don't agree though, that a SS press is a wasted step for those whose ultimate goal is to crank out zillions of pistol rounds on a progressive. Thats a popular albeit flawed conclusion among new Reloaders,, just so you know . There are, in the main, 2 types of Reloader; those who own a SS press and those who will
. You don't see the EE forum festooned with WTS adds posted by reloaders selling SS presses because they just bought a progressive,, and you never will. They use em.
1) Decapping (If you want to)
2) Using your Lee bulge buster die (If you shoot 40 S&W)
3) Stuck case removal (RCBS kit or equivalent) inevitable !
4) Using RCBS (non-slamf*ck) bullet puller
5) Various swaging operations (maybe ??)
6) Troubleshooting a die issue.
7) Any other small operation not worth disturbing your 650 setup for.
You needn't drop 00's for an RCBS press. You can pick up a SmartLoader "C" press from MidSouth Shooters Supply for $18.00 ! Their "O" press is a whopping $32.00. These would do.
As to my dead horse
There are, in the main, 2 types of Reloader; those who own a SS press and those who will
you hit the nail on the head!
This:
When I took up reloading a few years ago, I bought a Dillon RL550 and learned to use it because it fit my needs best. I keep a spare toolhead for jobs like sizing rifle brass or mounting a collet bullet puller. I would buy a progressive press first and buy a single stage if/when you find you could use it.
When I took up reloading a few years ago, I bought a Dillon RL550 and learned to use it because it fit my needs best. I keep a spare toolhead for jobs like sizing rifle brass or mounting a collet bullet puller. I would buy a progressive press first and buy a single stage if/when you find you could use it.
- Location
- my heart in the blue sea
i've got a better price with CZ custom shop . they're slightly under everyone else,including dillon .
My first reloading press is the 650XL. Bought the roll bar handle and case feeder too right off the bat. Since I load pistol, I wanted SPEED!
Being at total noob and wanted speed, I skipped the single stage press entirely for good reason. No way will I want to spend all my time reloading when I was dumping 250rds per visit for the first year.
I think i reloaded 10k rds. 9mm, 44mag and 223. Still a noob compared to most reloaders here.
Just tweak out the dillon and understand it and it will treat you well. Make sure you do full strokes and never stop in the middle and walk away. I have powder check die but can't trust it entirely. Things can still go wrong as someone else said even though it looks fool proof. I have never double charged or could be just as bad, squibs... and will keep my fingers crossed. Only fear is 9mm... 44mag and 223 is obvious.
Just don't take reloading for granted and you will not blow up your gun or injure face, hand or eyes.
If you reload pistol and plan to shoot a ton, skip to progressive of some sort right away. That is my advice. But READ and read some more and watch reloading videos on youtube.
I bought the 650XL, case feeder from Epps and tons of accessories. Get a nice digital scale too. I hate all of mine, including cheap RBCS balance beam scale. I still ended up ordering some stuff from Dillon directly.
I bought the dillon case trimmer for rifle cases. Wow that things works great. Super swager is awesome too! I haven't shot my Norc M4 lately because it's too cold. I'm still looking for a scope. It's going to take a while to pay off the accessories for 223. I just don't shoot that as much compared to pistol and I haven't been to the range in over 2 months. Arrgh!
The initial setup is basically paid off shooting almost 10k in 9mm using mainly boolits I casted from free wheel weights.
Now, I need more used wheel weights. Anyone have some? I'll pay $25 per 5 gallon bucket.
Being at total noob and wanted speed, I skipped the single stage press entirely for good reason. No way will I want to spend all my time reloading when I was dumping 250rds per visit for the first year.
I think i reloaded 10k rds. 9mm, 44mag and 223. Still a noob compared to most reloaders here.
Just tweak out the dillon and understand it and it will treat you well. Make sure you do full strokes and never stop in the middle and walk away. I have powder check die but can't trust it entirely. Things can still go wrong as someone else said even though it looks fool proof. I have never double charged or could be just as bad, squibs... and will keep my fingers crossed. Only fear is 9mm... 44mag and 223 is obvious.
Just don't take reloading for granted and you will not blow up your gun or injure face, hand or eyes.
If you reload pistol and plan to shoot a ton, skip to progressive of some sort right away. That is my advice. But READ and read some more and watch reloading videos on youtube.
I bought the 650XL, case feeder from Epps and tons of accessories. Get a nice digital scale too. I hate all of mine, including cheap RBCS balance beam scale. I still ended up ordering some stuff from Dillon directly.
I bought the dillon case trimmer for rifle cases. Wow that things works great. Super swager is awesome too! I haven't shot my Norc M4 lately because it's too cold. I'm still looking for a scope. It's going to take a while to pay off the accessories for 223. I just don't shoot that as much compared to pistol and I haven't been to the range in over 2 months. Arrgh!
The initial setup is basically paid off shooting almost 10k in 9mm using mainly boolits I casted from free wheel weights.
Now, I need more used wheel weights. Anyone have some? I'll pay $25 per 5 gallon bucket.
