Due to the squib load & the old Lock-N-Load being a bunch too slow---accurate, but but numbing slow and tedious------------
I am really considering getting a Dillon 550 or 650 with the caliber changes I want.
I have a fear that this can result in squibs or doubles.
What is your thoughts on this thinking.
Do the powder charges come out pretty accurate.
This is the thinking stage of this consideration.
I like to load 500 rounds at a time and this can take up to 3 hours per caliber if I do it fast.
Blessings

__________________
TEXAS, by GOD

It is theoretically posible to load a cartridge without powder on any press, but I have found on the Dillon you really have to do a series of things wrong to make it happen, like taking a cartridge out of the press and putting it back o the wrong station, or letting the powder hopper get completely empty.

One of the nice features of my Dillon is you can load one cartridge at a time all the way around as easily as having a cartridge on each station. If a station has no cartridge on it, nothing happens there; just keep pulling the handle and the case will go to the next station and load normally.
The primer seats with a forward push of the handle, and all the other actions happen with a downward pull. So pull to decap (and all the other stations at the same time), push to prime. Keep that straight, check the powder level each time you fill with primers, and load 'em up. I'm not sure what convoluted series of mistakes it would take to load a double charge on my Dillon; as the case comes down from the powder, it automatically turns to the next station.

Perhaps somebody with a 550 can address that loader.

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Science plus Art

I am assuming when you say LnL you mean you have their single stage press. I'm also going to assume if you are using the same brand powder measure that you were using Unique or another flake powder. Am I correct with either of these?

I use a Dillion 650 to load 6k-10k .223's per year. I use a powder check. About once in 500-600 rounds I have the powder check alarm. It is usually just after I have removed a cartridge for some other reason. I have never had a squib load nor an over pressure load when shooting.

Willis Layton wrote:
I am really considering getting a Dillon 550 or 650 with the caliber changes I want.
I have a fear that this can result in squibs or doubles.
What is your thoughts on this thinking.
Do the powder charges come out pretty accurate.

Don't be afraid of squibs or doubles with a 550. No worries unless you start taking cases out of the plate to weigh powder charges and forget to return powder to the case, etc...
Regarding throwing accurate charges, this is the feature I admire the most of any dillon press. These powder measures repeat so well, it is crazy. Always the same charge, very impressive. Initially, I was worried about the 550 not having a 5th station to install a powder checker...now, I realize I don't need it since I trust the powder measure so much.
Good luck-

lmcgust is quite correct....you have to work at it on a 550B to have a problem in either no charge or double charge. The only time I have seen this come close to a problem is when an expended primer falls on to the slide plate where the priming arm goes back and forth. A spent primer on this will impede the forward motion of the priming arm. When you raise the ram to clear it you CAN raise it too much and re-charge the casing under the powder die.
So when I have a problem like that I always remove the casing under the powder die and dump it back into the hopper so as to ensure that there is no problem. I know I could simply look at the powdered casing...however it is simply MY procedure.
I really enjoy my Dillon 550B......might work well for you also!
Their customer service is the best in the industry and I have had occasion to use it several times. When they say NO BULL warranty they have always backed it up for me and then some!

Randy

Ditto on what has been stated. I have 3 550's and have been using them since 1993 and I have loaded over 100K rounds in a myriad of calibers from 32 long to 500 S&W, including bulk loading in 9mm, 40, and 45 acp. Once you get a 550, you'll be asking your self why you waited to get one. Bob!

Have loaded thousands of rounds of 45lc, acp, .38 spec, .44spec on my 550 and have yet to have a squib. I have the changeable toolhead assys for each caliber. You just leave it set when you change and it is ready to go instantly when you go back. If you change from large to small primer you must change the primer feed bar and assy.

I highly recommend the 550. Additionally, I have never had to replace a part, etc. in over 9 years of loading (loading a bunch) with it.

Good luck

Bill

Max
It is a single stage.
I do have an electronic powder measure--pac, I think.
It is a slow process--the only thing good about it is you have tink thru each stage----the only thing bad about it is you have to think thru each stage.
For building a load---which I had fun doing for a long time--it is great and great fun.
For making a product to a steady reciept it is a numbing process.
Perhaps I should say, for me, I know lots of folks who get lost in this process and it is entertainment for them.
I am detailed but not that detailed.
The powder measure has me a little concerned---I guess I will learn to trust it.
I don't enjoy a day of loosening lug nuts for fun.
Blessings

__________________
TEXAS, by GOD

The only way to get a squib or double on any progressive is to stop paying attention. Unfortuantely w/ many newb reloaders, they think that a progressive means they only have to pull the handle. A squib o rdouble is ALWAYS the fault of the operator not the gear. I load on a 550 & 650, never happens unless you get distracted or stop paying attention. On either machine, 500rds is less than an hour for most.

Actually it's very easy to load a bullet in a Dillon with no powder. I've done it too many times to count.

There is a nut on the linkage that comes slightly loose and if your not watching the powder bar stops moving. Loaded around 50 rounds of 357 last month that I had to pull.

Dillon has sent me replacement parts for the linkage twice in the past. Still happens. Now every time the bullet tray fills up I go thru the press and tighten everything up.

I like my Dillon but between the powder and primer system I'm ready to try something else. I've had the Dillon for at least 10 years.

Since we are ALL still human, and are prone to lose our attention span at the most inopportune time, get a press that has auto index and you will at least eliminate that lapse from causing you problems in a firearm.

Look, I have an RL450B, the predecessor to the RL550. It has its place on a reloading bench. With the manual advance though, it is limited, and that is my opinion, not likely to change now.

The Square Deal B or XL650 are the two Dillon presses to consider when looking at a progressive press. Quick tool changes, and you need to get the XL650.


The Hornady LNL AP is another press to consider. It has auto index as well and I have heard nothing but good about them. They don't have the history behind them that Dillon does, seems to work well for folks though and that is a plus.

If we all were perfect or incapable of ever making an oops while loading, then I say get an RL550, since we aren't in that state yet, the XL650 is the way to go. The ONLY way to get a double charge is for you to remove a case, keep the powder in it, reinsert it under the powder die and pull the handle again or, make the shell plate go backwards by hand after you have filled a case. Either way, it makes it real hard to do but, it can be done.

Hard and fast rule for dealing with problems in ANY progressive press: When a problem arises and the shell plate is full, STOP setting bullets, CLEAR the shell plate, fix the problem, start again. NEVER back one up, which can easily be done with the RL550 by the way, and empty all powder from the cases you extract.

Set your chair/press up so you can look into a case before you set a bullet too. I use the powder check die from Dillon on the XL650, something else that cannot be done on the 4 hole RL450B or RL550B, but still like to make the visual inspection too. The powder check die physically goes into the case with a probe, so to speak, and checks if the powder is within a certain range. Not an exact check, with some powders, it could be a whole grain off I suppose, for most powders though, it works just fine.

Well, this is too long of a post but, it pretty much sums up my point of view on the subject of progressive presses.