Upgrading my press

I've read some folks have issues with the Pro 1000. I've had mine for close to 10 years, and haven't had any significant issues with it. A little bit of a learning curve to know what to watch, but basically clear sailing. I've cranked out 5000 rounds in a week without issue. No squibs, no double charges. And in that time I've replaced one little plastic part. The original press came with 2 of those parts, and I bought 3 more spares for $1.
I wouldn't mind upgrading to a Loadmaster, but the Pro 1000 is cheaper for the caliber conversions, only $26 per new caliber. And the caliber changes are quit fast. So not really a priority to upgrade for me.
 
snooze98k said:
Save up and upgrade to the last press you'll ever need
650
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Is it really that good?

I`m currently trying to figure out whats what with this reloading caper and the best press is a big part of the puzzle (probably the biggest)

Are there any others in the same league? Can it do all calibers (I`m guessing not 50BMG but everything else)?
 
dillon 650 gets my press. i own a 550 now and although i like it, i find it too manually intensive for what i like. i dont get around to loading as often as i like too, so when i do i would like to be able to load more rounds than what i can now.
 
Sniffer said:
Is it really that good?

I`m currently trying to figure out whats what with this reloading caper and the best press is a big part of the puzzle (probably the biggest)

Are there any others in the same league? Can it do all calibers (I`m guessing not 50BMG but everything else)?
Click to expand...

The XL650 is great, and if you were planning on doing a large volume in a single caliber, then the best plan would be to buy the base model and add things like a case feeder and bullet feeder later on as your budget allows. Here's my XL650 setup to run my 9mm practice and match reloads. I can easily do up a 1,000 rounds in a couple of hours which includes loading primer tubes, case gauging each round, and packaging up into 100 round bags.

With the addition of these accessories, caliber changes get more expensive though, so I added a 550b for my low volume calibers like 45acp, 40S&W, 10mm, and 44mag. I do up 400 rounds in a couple of hours. Caliber conversion kits only cost ~$80 and are very quick and easy.

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Sniffer said:
Is it really that good?

I`m currently trying to figure out whats what with this reloading caper and the best press is a big part of the puzzle (probably the biggest)

Are there any others in the same league? Can it do all calibers (I`m guessing not 50BMG but everything else)?
Click to expand...

The 650 really is good.
You can load anything with it. (Although, again, for precision long range stuff I would still use a single stage)
 
I have a 550 with no casefeeder and no bullet feeder. I can load 5-600 rounds in an hour on it. If I ever get another press, I would go for a 1050, but for now the 550 suits me just fine. Calibre changes are easy, and it is reliable AF. Lots of other good machines too.
 
Balance said:
Hey there! I'm a young fellow who started reloading a few years ago. I started out with a single stage press then moved to my current lee classic turret press, which is great but I would like a more efficient press. I currently load 8 pistol calibers so I'm looking to move to the Dillon 550b (manual rotating progressive) do any of you have this press? Care to share your experiences? Where would I be able to buy one? Thanks!!
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Boils down to volume... When I was shooting HG, I had a few cartridges I would load for but each one didn't really have alot of rds per month. I ended up with a Lee 1000 for each cartridge as Lee was selling off refurbs for next to nothing. Easy to make a couple of hundred rds in an hour... more then enough.

Then we started doing alot more shooting and gravitated to 9mm. Buddy got into IPSC at the same time and the Dillon was purchased. For making huge volumes of ammo, the dillon is a thing of beauty.

I now get my 9mm made by a Dillon. I putz with the lesser consumed stuff on the Lee's. The current use of the Lee 1000s is to make my 223 practise ammo. 300rds per hour is ALOT of rifle ammo so the Lee is plenty fast for this useage.

Dillon is always a great investment when you are pumping out buckets of ammo.

Jerry
 
Just got my 650 and must say it is a work horse well build strong and reliable.


I was running a single stage I still use it for large rifle cartridge. I was also using for years a lee pro1000 Lee was working ok but we don't talk about the same thing. Dillon is stronger and faster with no worries.

One thing is sure Dillon is $$ expensive. but I think it worth it if you load good volume.
 
VanMan said:
The XL650 is great, and if you were planning on doing a large volume in a single caliber, then the best plan would be to buy the base model and add things like a case feeder and bullet feeder later on as your budget allows. Here's my XL650 setup to run my 9mm practice and match reloads. I can easily do up a 1,000 rounds in a couple of hours which includes loading primer tubes, case gauging each round, and packaging up into 100 round bags.

With the addition of these accessories, caliber changes get more expensive though, so I added a 550b for my low volume calibers like 45acp, 40S&W, 10mm, and 44mag. I do up 400 rounds in a couple of hours. Caliber conversion kits only cost ~$80 and are very quick and easy.

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So, if I understand correctly can a Dillon 650 do multiple calibers including rifle by purchasing additional hardware?

I noticed you only mentioned pistol calibers hence the question
 
JoKa said:
The 650 really is good.
You can load anything with it. (Although, again, for precision long range stuff I would still use a single stage)
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I think I just figured out the answer to my last question (it can reload any calibre)

So why do people prefer a single stage for precision? Accuracy I`m guessing? Doesn't it take waaay longer?
 
Sniffer said:
So why do people prefer a single stage for precision? Accuracy I`m guessing? Doesn't it take waaay longer?
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You can't speed up perfection. :)

It may seem to take longer but you're only making a handful at a time for precision ammo, not cranking out 1000rnd to load up an ammo can for plinking.

Theoretically, there are tighter tolerances on a single stage due to less deflection with the shell plate etc. Not that you can't use a progressive press like a single stage one. Some folks do.
 
VanMan said:
The XL650 is great, and if you were planning on doing a large volume in a single caliber, then the best plan would be to buy the base model and add things like a case feeder and bullet feeder later on as your budget allows. Here's my XL650 setup to run my 9mm practice and match reloads. I can easily do up a 1,000 rounds in a couple of hours which includes loading primer tubes, case gauging each round, and packaging up into 100 round bags.

With the addition of these accessories, caliber changes get more expensive though, so I added a 550b for my low volume calibers like 45acp, 40S&W, 10mm, and 44mag. I do up 400 rounds in a couple of hours. Caliber conversion kits only cost ~$80 and are very quick and easy.

Nice setup! On the 550B how would I change calibers? Do I have to buy the whole caliber conversion kits for each caliber or can I just buy the shell plate? Thanks!!
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Balance said:
VanMan said:
The XL650 is great, and if you were planning on doing a large volume in a single caliber, then the best plan would be to buy the base model and add things like a case feeder and bullet feeder later on as your budget allows. Here's my XL650 setup to run my 9mm practice and match reloads. I can easily do up a 1,000 rounds in a couple of hours which includes loading primer tubes, case gauging each round, and packaging up into 100 round bags.

With the addition of these accessories, caliber changes get more expensive though, so I added a 550b for my low volume calibers like 45acp, 40S&W, 10mm, and 44mag. I do up 400 rounds in a couple of hours. Caliber conversion kits only cost ~$80 and are very quick and easy.

Nice setup! On the 550B how would I change calibers? Do I have to buy the whole caliber conversion kits for each caliber or can I just buy the shell plate? Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Just buy the 550b caliber conversion kit. It will come with the correct sized powder funnel, shell plate and brass buttons, all for $75. They sometimes come up for sale in the EE too.
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Trinimon said:
VanMan said:
Do those kits come with the dies as well?
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Dies are separate, and you should probably buy a powder die (~$20) as well so you can have a completely set up tool head for that caliber. I hate tinkering with my dies to get the COL, seating and crimp right, so I set up a tool head for each caliber/bullet type so when I have time for reloading, I can get into it right away. Tool heads for the 550b are ~$40
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I purchased the Hornady because I needed to do many pistol calibers and it was cheaper to do so on it compared to the Dillions and their extra expenses per caliber.
Both very good machines. No regrets.
 
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