Is a dillion right for me?

carpriver · #51 04-13-2018, 11:50 PM

I use a Lee turret press, each caliber i load for the dies are in their own turret; so changing caliber take just a few seconds. I just need to adjust the auto drum powder measure load primer in the primer tray and I am good to go. I enjoy the process of reloading. I stay focused on the process and don't worry about other things in life. We get what we can afford. Low price does not mean low quality.

medic15al · #52 04-14-2018, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightowl

My friend bought a Lee turret press. I went over with another friend who was setting it up for him. By the time they got it working, and saw how it worked and how it was made, I couldn't stay around and watch anymore!
It just looked poorly designed and the priming system was at best clumsy.

OK, I am biased. I had a Dillon 450 for several years, sold it to a friend and bought a 550B about 28 years ago. I have loaded a lot of .38 Special target loads, .45 ACP and .44 Special and Magnum on it and a few rifle calibers. I like the manual shell plate and it is easy to use, and easy to correct if a primer goes in sideways or a bullet does not seat properly. It is a very well built solid machine.
Also, there is no better service available. I recently chipped the leading edge on a shell plate because I did not put the pins in the tool head. They sent me a new shell plate, free, even though it was oversight in changing the toolhead.

I wouldn't buy anything but a Dillon and would prefer the 550, now the C model, as the caliber change parts are less expensive.

Snob...... LOL!

I love my LEE turret and loaded I several thousands of each 38 and 45 ACP on it.

What I want is the Dillon that has the auto case feeder and bullet feeder so all you have to do is work the lever. I forget the model. But... I am poor after components are bought up!

Mike0251 · #53 04-14-2018, 07:04 AM

As you can see there are a lot of reloading machines out there and they all have one thing in common, they are mechanisms. The key to any mechanism is intimate knowledge as to how they work, what makes and keeps them running smooth and efficient. Some do this better than others and some owners can never figure out what might be slightly off and keeping the machine functioning smoothly as well as correct any issue that might arise. As for my personal choices its the 550B as well as the Lee cast iron classic all dependent upon what I am loading. I have nothing but praise for both machines and consider them to be excellent mechanisms and very well thought out.

smoothshooter · #54 04-14-2018, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeet 028

I happen to have 2 or 3 650s and a 1050 or two...and a 550 I have never used. I load handgun on the 650s and 223 on one also. To be honest I do not load 9mm...Yes you can save a little reloading it but in the scheme of things it is the least necessary to load. I can buy it at times on sale at under 8 dollars a box. The 650 is a good machine and has few problems, inherent in the machine anyway. good savings on the 38 and also on 223. The only bad thing about reloading any ammo is that we usually just shoot more for the same amount of cash outlay.. BTW buying a Dillon you will not lose any appreciable amount of money if you ever decide to sell it..the same can not be said about other progressive presses..either in green or red

You mean you don't even know how many reloading presses you have? Must be nice.

Hairtrigger · #55 04-14-2018, 09:51 AM

But they have quick change tool heads and changing primer sizes is quick and easy.......

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothshooter

You mean you don't even know how many reloading presses you have? Must be nice.

Hrbster · #56 04-14-2018, 11:31 AM

Thanks for all the replies! Sorry, it's been a crazy week at work. Haven't been able to check back on the forum as much.

All of this information is helpful. I think the first step I am going to make is go over to a fellow shooters place that as a couple of 650s and just watch them operate. He shoots a lot of GSSF matches so I make have him ask around in his circle if anyone has an older press they are trying to unload. I did see that MidSouth had the LNL on sale. And while the price is appealing, and I have full confidence I could get the press to run fine, I would like to make an educated and informed decision on what I buy.

The price point of whatever press I go with isn't necessarily a deal maker or breaker. I just would like to have a press that suited my needs and isn't over kill.

I'm thinking the biggest positive in a dillion would be I could grow into the press if that makes sense. If my need for more ammo was increased, the dillion would supply.

Again I appreciate all the replies and I will update when I decide on a press.

Skeet 028 · #57 04-15-2018, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothshooter

You mean you don't even know how many reloading presses you have? Must be nice.

Well of course I know. 3 650s 2 1050s a 550C and 2 AT 500s and a friend borrowed a 550B set up in 41mag. He likes it enough he wants to buy it. No I don't change primer sizes. The only one I paid full price on was the 550C...and it was on sale for 400 bucks with a free caliber conversion back on Black Friday. One of the 1050s cost 300 bucks and a 650 cost the same at an estate auction. The AT 500s were both bought at gun shows cheap and one 650 I got at a recent gun show with 5 caliber conversions for 400 dollars...so I don't have crazy amounts of money tied up. I buy large estates, sell what I don't need and keep what I can use. I have collected older reloading presses for a few years...but am selling off many of them recently. I use the Dillons, though. Owned 147 metallic presses of older vintage but am down to about 80 now. Hope to reduce that to under 20 by the end of the year due to some health issues(getting old sucks). Anyone can find these presses like this but you may have to buy large lots of other stuff you have to dispose of. I am looking forward to parking a car in my garage soon. Well my wife is anyway