If you plan to continue weighing each charge, save your money and just buy components. The beauty of the semi progressive (450, 550 etc) and the progressive (750) is the ability to trust the powder dispenser. I have no idea how many pounds of Bullseye I used in the time I competed but I know I went through pallets of bullets. I never had a problem with under or overweight powder charges. The powder dispenser is the key to speeding up the process. I used a Lee dispenser and hand fed the bullets. I was happy with 350-400 rounds an hour.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

Considering how much you shoot, I really think you would be happier with the XL750 or maybe even the RL1100. The claims of greater control with manual indexing are dubious, in my opinion. You can still stop the machine and inspect components at any time with the auto indexing machines. That's not to disparage those who prefer the manual indexing. If you enjoy the process, there is nothing wrong with manual indexing. As for the claim that double charging is easier with manual indexing, I could see that, but I can also tell you that double charging is possible with the other machines if you short stroke the handle.

Another big factor is the number of die stations. I use all five stations on my 750 when loading pistol. I have the UFO light kit in addition to a powder check die. I have both an automatic and a visual assurance that every case is properly charged before inserting a bullet. Five stations is plenty for me. I could see adding a case feeder but I don't feel the need for a bullet feeder. You get a primer pocket swager on the 1100/1050 but that's not a big enough reason for me to upgrade. I do all my swaging on a single stage after decapping.
Personally, the only reason I would recommend the 550 is the cost of the machine and the conversion kits. It adds up to a lot if you load a bunch of different cartridges.

As for weighing every charge, I have found that with many of my favorite powders the Dillon measure is very consistent. You really would not get the full advantage of the progressive if you are going to hand weigh every charge. It's still an option though just by substituting the Dillon measure for a Lee charging die or powder through expander die.

I use a Lyman 1200 DPS 3 to meter out exact amounts for match rifle reloads, but the Dillon powder measure always seems to drop + or - .1 grain and is plenty accurate enough for pistol ammo, even match grade.

I've loaded on a pair of 550s for over fifteen years. So far, neither have needed any repairs whatsoever, and they get used regularly. If I had it to do over, I'd buy another 550.

I'd suggest toolheads and powder funnels for each caliber, so you can set up your dies and leave them. It's not absolutely necessary, but you'll be spending a lot of time setting up dies, otherwise. Some shell plates are interchangeable depending on caliber.

I went from loading on a lee turret to a Dillon 750 and ill never look back, the only thing I load on the turret is .44mag, I like the intimacy involved with the turret and that cartridge....

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This is the way....

Nope.
You can make a squib, but you can't do a double.

If you’re ready to buy Dillon, you should buy what you can now since most items are on back order. And, prices are on their way up.
It took 8 months for me to get a caliber conversion kit for my SDB. While I waited the price went up 20%. So I saved but had to wait.

So to catch up, I dont want to continue to weigh every single charge, thats the most time consuming step aside from case prep and Ive read time and again about peoples experiences with the dillon product dropping within .1 and for 80% of my loads Im very happy to load that. Ill probably never stop the RC press for my rifle, well some rifle rounds but range fodder 9 and 10mm rounds I meed more speed. Even for the 38/357.
And, I too am now leaning towards the 750 or similar. I dont mind waiting for whatever I buy I just need to make a move here because like you said prices are only going up, quickly.
Everyone has to get used to their machine, develope their own system and come up with a process that theyre comfortable with. So whichever one Im able to het Im sure I wont be disappointed once its up and running.
I did email the one posters guy about the 559s he has but havent heard back yet.

The owner of the shop I referred you to has taken his wife to Mayo. The son is running the place on his own. He may be a bit slow in answering. I apologize.

I use the Lee Auto Disk on my 550B for most all pistol cartridges. I still use the Dillon for most rifle loads. The AD is more consistent than the Dillon measure to me. Not to mention it is like 1/3 the price. You do however need the Lee powder die for the given cartridge. 90% of the dies I use are Lee anyway so I already had them on hand.

Rosewood

In stock, free shipping. Dillon XL750 They no longer ship with a caliber conversion kit so you will need to order one of those as well.

BillBro, sounds like it’s time to pull the trigger. If you order from Scheel’s, they have some pistol caliber conversion kits in stock too.

I have the 650 but they now make the 750 which has replaced it. IMHO the choice is clear and that is the brand and model to buy. While many might own and like the 550, I do not personally care for the manual only advancement feature - but that is my personal opinion.

After reloading at least 40,000 - 45,000 rounds on the 650 I feel I have used it more than enough to have a solid opinion. I have also owned a Square Deal B and still currently own a RCBS RC and IMHO they are NOT in the same class and should be considered on a different level.

The 750 is basically a 650 that has been tweaked and improved with a different priming system. That is the major difference.

Probably no slower than I am so no biggy. Saw your PM and answered. My email is in there.

Thanks again

A question, can you use other brand dies with the dillons? Scheels doesnt have a 223 toolhead/conversion kit.

Ive got a 750, 38/357kit and a 10mm set in my cart

The 450/550/650/750 all use normal 7/8-14 dies, so knock yourself out. The SQ-deal and 1050 use proprietary dies.
You will need the caliber-specific parts like shellplate, powder measure activator, and locator buttons, but Dillon is happy to sell those separately.
Of course, you get a .45ACP shellplate and it does .308, 30-06,... .223=.380, etc. and some kind soul has actually created a database/spreadsheet program for free download that will spit out the dillon part numbers and tell you what other conversions use those parts.

Also worth noting that some clever folks have come up with add-ons and doodads for the Dillon presses, some of which are excellent. In particular I find adding the roller-bearing between the shellplate and it's bolt helps smooth advance action. The primer-advance cutoff for the 650 pretty well cured me of my itch to sell my 650s and buy a 750. I liked the ski-slope primer-stop attachment, but haven't needed it since I bought the primer-stop.

The 550 owners manual has the cross reference for the conversion kits in it. You can download it off their webpage.

Rosewood

The 550 is a 4 station press. Station 1 you typically install your sizing/decapping die. You reprime the case on the return stroke. Station 2 is for the powder die. If you use the Dillon, you need the generic powder die with the caliber specific powder funnel. If you use the Lee Auto Disk, you need the Lee powder thru die for that cartridge. Station 3 is your seater die (some choose to crimp here also). I only seat in station 3, then I use station 4 for crimping. I find it is much easier to set up the dies when you separate the seating and crimping functions.

Since I size and prep my rifle brass on a single station Lee press, I generally leave station one empty unless I need to flare the case mouth for cast or flat base bullets, then I use an expander die in station 1.

Most powder thru dies for pistol cartridges can be used to flare the case mouth. Most rifle powder dies do not expand the case mouth.

Rosewood

I sent you an email

The die sets and the conversion kits are two separate things. Sorry, but that's where this starts to get pricey. The conversion kit gives you the case feeding adapters, powder funnel/expander, shell plate, shell plate buttons. The good news is, you can use any dies. I have used Lee dies with great success which are 1/3 the price of the Dillons. The thing to keep in mind about Dillon dies is that they can be disassembled for cleaning without spoiling adjustments. This is a great feature if you plan to set up one toolhead for one specific caliber and loading.

The other thing about Dillon dies is they split the seating and crimping steps, which is convenient on a progressive. Also, you don't need an expander die on a Dillon because the powder measure does that for you. So with a typical three die pistol set you get sizer, expander, combo seater/crimp die. With Dillon you get sizer, seater, crimper. They are very high quality dies. I will let you in on a little secret which is the Lee four die set, which can split the seat/crimp steps and load great ammo.

New Guy here,


I've been reloading since I was around 13 years old(approaching 50). Learned on a RCBS Rock Chucker. When I moved back home to be around all of my Relatives my uncles had Dillon Presses. One uncle had a couple 550 loaders and the other had a 650 I think it was. It auto Indexed but it wasn't a commercial set up like the 1050.
I loaded a lot of ammo on their machines. Out of the two I liked the 550s the best because you could do larger rifle calibers and you could treat it like a single stage if you wanted. You could also go back and re-prime a case. You could feel the primer being seated. With the 650s you had to go full stroke every time even if you forgot to place a bullet or something was off. If you didn't you would short stroke and either not get enough powder or you would end up getting to much.

My old Boss uses the XL650 for all his handgun, 223, and 308 ammo. He let me use it before I bought my 550C. It cemented my choice for the 550C.
I have thought about buying another 550 so I can have one set up for large primers and one for small primers. But until components come back in stock i'm not shelling out the cash for a desk another ornament.
I already have the 550C, a MEC shotgun loader, and a Redding T7 turret press on my loading bench.