On the subject and something to think about:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/171571-lets-see-your-reloading-benches.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/171571-lets-see-your-reloading-benches.html
I am about to jump into reloading with a Dillon press.....HELP!**Just ordered 550B!!*
- Thread starter peppercorn
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OP
peppercorn
Member
Mild to wild, these are some widely varied approaches. Great link, lots of food for thought.
My wife says I better get the garage cleaned out before I start 'buying' anything.
Well, that will be next weeks project.
My wife says I better get the garage cleaned out before I start 'buying' anything.
Well, that will be next weeks project.
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I've been a re-loader for 30+ years and so I will give you my personal experiences, regrets & opinion:
I originally bought the Dillon Square Deal - B because I had only intended to reload pistol caliber cartridges. The press is EXCELLENT, Dillon's service is EXCELLENT and I rarely have any issues. When I do (I have loaded TENS of thousands of rounds on this thing) they have taken care of it right away with their NO BS Guarantee.
I decided about 10 years ago that I wanted to reload some .45-70 and .38-55 rifle cartridges (but not large amounts) so I went out and bought an RCBS Rock Chucker Press which has served me quite well for its intended limited usage.
What I probably should have done is instead of buying the Rock Chucker I should have sold the SD-B and bought a Dillon 650 press which would be used for both rifle and pistol.
i am very much aware that Dillon's most popular selling press is their 550. That said, I would recommend you get the 650. The 550 is a little less expensive, however it does not index automatically which is something that I do not like. For about $100 more the 650 is (IMHO) just a better more advanced and more expandable, heavy-duty machine.
If you intend to reload pistol caliber bullets and you are absolutely positive you will have no future regrets about not having the ability to load rifle calibers, you can even go with the Square Deal - B which is also automatically indexing and is a great little press (less money as well). It does however have one draw back. The dies the SD-B uses are not interchangeably with other machines, and you will have to buy SD-B specific dies. Other than that it's a great press!
If you want to be a serious re-loader and have a press you can grow into instead of out-of, I would recommend the Dillon 650. Since there are lots of fella's here that have a 550 I would be shocked if there were not a few posts after this that don't quite agree with me, but hey, it's still America!
Bottom line here is ( and again JMHO ) Dillon's equipment is the way to go!
Chief38
I originally bought the Dillon Square Deal - B because I had only intended to reload pistol caliber cartridges. The press is EXCELLENT, Dillon's service is EXCELLENT and I rarely have any issues. When I do (I have loaded TENS of thousands of rounds on this thing) they have taken care of it right away with their NO BS Guarantee.
I decided about 10 years ago that I wanted to reload some .45-70 and .38-55 rifle cartridges (but not large amounts) so I went out and bought an RCBS Rock Chucker Press which has served me quite well for its intended limited usage.
What I probably should have done is instead of buying the Rock Chucker I should have sold the SD-B and bought a Dillon 650 press which would be used for both rifle and pistol.
i am very much aware that Dillon's most popular selling press is their 550. That said, I would recommend you get the 650. The 550 is a little less expensive, however it does not index automatically which is something that I do not like. For about $100 more the 650 is (IMHO) just a better more advanced and more expandable, heavy-duty machine.
If you intend to reload pistol caliber bullets and you are absolutely positive you will have no future regrets about not having the ability to load rifle calibers, you can even go with the Square Deal - B which is also automatically indexing and is a great little press (less money as well). It does however have one draw back. The dies the SD-B uses are not interchangeably with other machines, and you will have to buy SD-B specific dies. Other than that it's a great press!
If you want to be a serious re-loader and have a press you can grow into instead of out-of, I would recommend the Dillon 650. Since there are lots of fella's here that have a 550 I would be shocked if there were not a few posts after this that don't quite agree with me, but hey, it's still America!
Bottom line here is ( and again JMHO ) Dillon's equipment is the way to go!
Chief38
BearBio
Member
I have both a RCBS and a Dillon. I load probably 40 different calibers from 38 S & W upp to .458 Win and 45-90 BP. Including many old timers.
What you're getting is pretty good adviceo. Dillon will not steer you wrong. You will likely save some dollars ordering through Brian Enos=he has a deal with Dillon, so it's no skin off anyone's nose.
I have a powder measure on each toolhead (for each caliber). I don't vary loads, so it makes caliber changes easier. I also have the roller handle==my arthritis appreciates it. I needed to get a primer part and Dillon suggested I keep separate primer arms for large and small primers set up. Again, makes changes easier. They suggested it and sent me the additional parts for free.
I have mine mounted on a wooden table. I would also suggest a piece of 1/2 to 3/4 plywood between the desk/table and the press mount, if you have a wooden dest==distributes forces more evenly..
Dillon customer service is THE standard others hope to achieve. I've called twice and both times had delivery within a day or two. Once delivery came on a Sat.!
What you're getting is pretty good adviceo. Dillon will not steer you wrong. You will likely save some dollars ordering through Brian Enos=he has a deal with Dillon, so it's no skin off anyone's nose.
I have a powder measure on each toolhead (for each caliber). I don't vary loads, so it makes caliber changes easier. I also have the roller handle==my arthritis appreciates it. I needed to get a primer part and Dillon suggested I keep separate primer arms for large and small primers set up. Again, makes changes easier. They suggested it and sent me the additional parts for free.
I have mine mounted on a wooden table. I would also suggest a piece of 1/2 to 3/4 plywood between the desk/table and the press mount, if you have a wooden dest==distributes forces more evenly..
Dillon customer service is THE standard others hope to achieve. I've called twice and both times had delivery within a day or two. Once delivery came on a Sat.!
OP
peppercorn
Member
Chief,
You make a compelling argument and I will take it under advisement.
Bear',
Thanks for the input. What you mirrors what some others have also said, which is great.
Thanks for the input on the table top also.
Great input everyone, thanks again.
Moonman
Member
Check Brian Enos out online, He has a bunch of Questions/Answers, and What and Whys.
I started out with the 550 and VHS tape. It all worked out. One advantage of the 550 vs the 650 is you can do single stage (no auto indexing). I do this when loading the for the 338 RUM / 300 Win Mag and need a bit more flexability.
mwtdvm
Member
Tumbuler media
This is probably a minor point of the reloading operation but for me, it has been a real PIA. The corncob media gets "packed" in my small rifle cases, 223 and 22-250 and in all cases, plugs the primer holes. A dental scaler is great but I have better things to do with my life.
The "Reptile Sand" from PetCo is walnut hulls and the uniform diameter of the particles is smaller than the primer holes. The first time I used it I thought I had died and gone to heaven. No cleaning the primer holes!!
As far as tumblers go, the vibrator ones are probably the fastest but I scored a two drum rotary tumbler on Harbor Freight on sale for about 40 bucks. It is relatively quiet, esp when compared to the vibrators and while I doubt it will last 20 years, the motor is replaceable.
As others have said, have no distractions when reloading. I consider it a solitary enterprise. I also reload for my bolt action 50BMG and you better believe I have no distractions. Any bolt coming back in your face would be a disaster but that one.... Well R.I.P.
This is probably a minor point of the reloading operation but for me, it has been a real PIA. The corncob media gets "packed" in my small rifle cases, 223 and 22-250 and in all cases, plugs the primer holes. A dental scaler is great but I have better things to do with my life.
The "Reptile Sand" from PetCo is walnut hulls and the uniform diameter of the particles is smaller than the primer holes. The first time I used it I thought I had died and gone to heaven. No cleaning the primer holes!!
As far as tumblers go, the vibrator ones are probably the fastest but I scored a two drum rotary tumbler on Harbor Freight on sale for about 40 bucks. It is relatively quiet, esp when compared to the vibrators and while I doubt it will last 20 years, the motor is replaceable.
As others have said, have no distractions when reloading. I consider it a solitary enterprise. I also reload for my bolt action 50BMG and you better believe I have no distractions. Any bolt coming back in your face would be a disaster but that one.... Well R.I.P.
fredj338
Member
Well, I would consider myself a very serious reloader. I currently load for 26 diff caliber, have dropped a few more along the way. Many of my rifle rounds are wildcats that have no loading data to work from. I am quite happy using a 550 to reload on & often recomment one. I also use a 650 & ss press, I did say I reload for 26 diff caliber? Buying conversions for a 650 for all the calibers alone would set you back the cost of another press!
No, the 650 is a high end production machine, not something you want to tear down every time you want to load 40rds of this or that. The advantage of the 550 IMO is the manual indexing. It's just so simple & flat works. There is no speed advantage to auto indexing, none, zero. I ran my 650 w/o case feeder for a month & can tell you for sure, they are not faster. In many ways auto indexing presses are a PITA. A mistake can't be easily corrected before the press advances itself & you get a jambed up machine that takes time to clear.
Still, I love my 650, but I am not breaking it down from 45acp to setup for 223 to make a 20rd test batch. Very easily done on a 550. I load a lot on a ss press for the same reason. I am not breaking down a perfectly good running 650 to load 20 rds of 338-06 for practice before deer season or try out a few new bullet designs. SO the 550B is not a press you ever grow out of IMO. I still load 8-10 calibers on it & leave the 650 set up for 600-1000rds a month of 45acp I shoot. I would still be happily churning out 450rds an hour on the 550B for that, but the 650 kind of fell into my lap.
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mkk41
US Veteran
I too have a Dillon 550B. Great machine! I still do most of my ammo on my old Pacific 007 or Redding Ultra single stage , but for hi-volume .38 and .45 target ammo , the Big Blue rocks! Watch the video a few times (VHS in my time) , especially while setting up. I have complete tool sets for .38 & .45 , and have been using the same powder charge and bullets in each caliber for many years , and really can't remember having to re-adjust anything. I manually drop and weigh the first few powder charges and I'm good to go.
Hammerless-12
Member
Your on the right track. As a matter of fact, your on the PERFECT track. I have been loading since about the mid 80s, thats 1980s. I own both the RL550B and the XL650 with almost all the options. The RL550B is one fine loader. Easy to convert different calibers and is a very straight forward machine. The RL550 will last a life time and do everything you want. The RL550B is great for both small (pistol) and large (rifle) loading. I find the XL650 not so good for the large caliber (rifle) loading. Its a little fussy and does need adjustments once in a while. The auto casefeeder works well most of the time but will on occasion jam up. The XL650 just seems a little more touchy and more complicated and seems to like the small (pistol) loading over the bigger stuff (rifle). I use the RL550B for the big medicine and the XL650 for my pistol stuff. I no longer shoot as much as I used to, but even when I was shooting 50-60,000 rounds each year the RL550B would have been able to supply my needs. Most of the time the XL650 just sets on my bench waiting to load more 45ACPs, and it does an exceptional job for that round. The XL650 also cost more for the caliber conversions. YEP, the RL550B is more machine than most will ever need. One other side note, the RL550B is IMHO much safer and user friendly for the begginer. Good luck and please keep us all updated on your reloading.
OP
peppercorn
Member
More great information and relative perspectives on the 550 vs 650.
Again,I really appreciate all the experience and feedback here.
It looks like the 550 is the way I will be going, sounds more straight forward and simpler. I have allways adhered to the 'KISS' fomula and it sounds like that is apropos for reloading.
Again,I really appreciate all the experience and feedback here.
It looks like the 550 is the way I will be going, sounds more straight forward and simpler. I have allways adhered to the 'KISS' fomula and it sounds like that is apropos for reloading.
BearBio
Member
The more that can go wrong, the more that will go wrong. And, sooner or later, something will.
keep it simple, and the results should be minor.
keep it simple, and the results should be minor.
I second this post regarding a bench. IMO the most important component of reloading with a 550B or any other for that matter. Get a strong, sturdy bench that won't wobble. In a perfect world, anchor it to the wall if you can. If you can't, just make sure it has good depth, nice and heavy, thick solid wood top and level.
I agree with this except I started out reloading back in the mid-80's with my RL-550B.
Using the Dillon progressive, it was much easier to learn since I could use the progressive reloader as a multi-single stage, learning each stage before progressing to the next stage. If had started out with a single, I would have spent most of time just changing dies and worse, recalibrating and remeasuring everything that had changed.
I was given a single stage press about 5 years after I started with the Dillon 550B, I tried using it for just .308 hunting rounds - what a PITA. Just when I'd get into a rhythm, I'd have to tear it down and start all over again with the next stage. I found it much easier to change over the Dillon from small to large primers plus the powder measure from small to large rather than fool around with the single stage.
If I had taken the usual advice to start with a single stage press, I probably would have never taken up reloading as much as I have (about 12 rifle calibers and 4-5 pistol calibers)
Thanks for your honesty! Even with a single stage! IMAGINE that!
Actually, it is easier to create squibs and doubles on a single stage than on a auto-indexed progressive. There is this myth that a single-stage is safer - not so!
fredj338
Member
Well, only if you violate all the tenets of safe reloading. One should NEVER get a squib or double using proper reloading techniques, never, not once. The way I teach reloading is on a ss press. It is virtually impossible to get powder charging wrong using a proper technique. You would have to be reloading drunk or asleep to accomplish that. Neither fits into safe reloading doctrine. It is much easier on autyom,ated gear as you get into a habit of just pulling the handle after awhile & then anything can happen. It always comes down to the operator & the technique, rarely is the equip at fault.
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OP
peppercorn
Member
OK guys, I'm still here taking notes so thanks for the thought out, experience backed insights.
In fact just today I made my first reloading supply order: 500 rounds each of nickel Starline brass in .44 and .357 along with Rainier plated bullets.
I don't even have a press or a desk/bench yet as I am still carving out a space for it, I am just excited to get going.
In fact just today I made my first reloading supply order: 500 rounds each of nickel Starline brass in .44 and .357 along with Rainier plated bullets.
I don't even have a press or a desk/bench yet as I am still carving out a space for it, I am just excited to get going.
parabarbarian
Member
The 550B is an excellent press. I think where most people get into trouble on any progessive is trying to go too fast too soon. When I bought my Dillon 550 I was tempted by the speed too but seeing a few gun blow up over the decades (none of mine, thank goodness) caused me to stop and take a deep breath. Now, about three years later, I still don't use my Dillon 550B as the designers intended.
I take my clean and deprimed brass and run it through the first two stations -- prime and charge. Then I remove the case and set it upright in a block. When I get ready to seat and crimp bullets -- usually at 100 -- I first shine a light into every single case to visually check the powder level. Then I finish with stations three and four. True I can't load 5,000 rounds/hour but I can crank out 100 between coming home from work and washing up for dinner. That suits my needs well enough.
I take my clean and deprimed brass and run it through the first two stations -- prime and charge. Then I remove the case and set it upright in a block. When I get ready to seat and crimp bullets -- usually at 100 -- I first shine a light into every single case to visually check the powder level. Then I finish with stations three and four. True I can't load 5,000 rounds/hour but I can crank out 100 between coming home from work and washing up for dinner. That suits my needs well enough.
