The Dillon 450

[Boogsawaste]

A couple months ago I was asking about progressive presses because I have a bad shoulder and I wanted to minimize handle pulls while making ammo. A local member mentioned that there was a 450 for sale in the area that was sitting for a long time and only $100. I quickly scooped it up and took it home. It was a very early model (first year I believe). Has the solid bronze links and had the solid bronze manual primer feed. It was upgraded to the auto primer feed and included 45acp dies and conversion. I sold the 45 stuff, manual powder measure, and manual primer system and re couped almost my total investment into the press.

At this point I stuck a lee auto disk pro on top (blasphemy!), and stuck in my 9mm dies and was ready to go.

Or so I thought....I couldn't get the primers to seat deep enough. I noticed there was a set screw under the shell plate holder and searched online to find out it's a primer depth adjustment screw! Easy fix, screw it in a little and go from there. Well the hole in the holder was stripped.

Next day I called Dillon and asked them if the set screw was even necessary. Whoever I spoke with had no idea what the screw was until he looked at a schematic and saw it. He said the 550's and such don't have it but if I wanted to fix it to just tap it to a larger screw. I was fine with that but by the end of our conversation he basically said forget it and sent me a 550 shell plate holder and case eject kit! Wasn't expecting that!

So I install all the pieces and now my handle is way off and not even close to the relief in the ejector chute. Another call and a new crank is on the way with the pin for it!

Now it's all up and running and I couldn't be happier. I was hesitant on the manual indexing but it really simplifies things and I don't mind it at all. I actually like it!

So if you've stuck with me this long, I give Dillon props for taking care of this old press. I don't like to ask for free things and was willing to pay for the parts but they (like my dealings with rcbs in the past), wanted nothing to do with that. I might actually put a 12 gauge I don't use anymore up for sale locally so I can find another unloved 450 and set it up for 357.

Sorry about the long winded post but I'm just happy loading 100 rounds in 20 minutes and my shoulder feeling no pain.

Ps, I still love my rcbs and lee stuff. No problems there. It's just this 450 was such a bargain I want another!

 

[muddocktor]

Glad to hear that Dillon fixed you up on the old 450. I am still using mine and I have no idea how many rounds I've reloaded with it, but it's a lot. About the only thing I've had Dillon replace because of breakage was a return spring for their powder measure that came with the press and the chute that holds the akronbin broke. Both were replaced free of charge. I still have the old manual primer feed setup on mine, but I rather prime off press anyways with my RCBS bench priming tool.

But, if you have their carbide sizing dies, they do not warranty the decapping pin. I have their 9MM carbide sizing die and actually wore out the decapping pin where it was too short to reliably kick out the primer and was told that the decapping pins were "wear items" and not subject to free replacement. I ended up buying a new decapping pin for my die, but I won't buy any new dies from them. Heck, Lee covers their decapping pins and will send you a new one for free and I like their carbide pistol sizing dies. My Lee dies in 44 and 357 are from the early to mid 80's and still have their original decapping pins. But I have a universal decapping die from Lee and had bent the decapping pin and they replaced it for free.

 

[Thomas15]

I have been curious to know how you were making out with your new press and I'm happy to hear that all is well.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Glad to hear that Dillon fixed you up on the old 450. I am still using mine and I have no idea how many rounds I've reloaded with it, but it's a lot. About the only thing I've had Dillon replace because of breakage was a return spring for their powder measure that came with the press and the chute that holds the akronbin broke. Both were replaced free of charge. I still have the old manual primer feed setup on mine, but I rather prime off press anyways with my RCBS bench priming tool.

But, if you have their carbide sizing dies, they do not warranty the decapping pin. I have their 9MM carbide sizing die and actually wore out the decapping pin where it was too short to reliably kick out the primer and was told that the decapping pins were "wear items" and not subject to free replacement. I ended up buying a new decapping pin for my die, but I won't buy any new dies from them. Heck, Lee covers their decapping pins and will send you a new one for free and I like their carbide pistol sizing dies. My Lee dies in 44 and 357 are from the early to mid 80's and still have their original decapping pins. But I have a universal decapping die from Lee and had bent the decapping pin and they replaced it for free.

Decapping pins are easily made from small "finishing" nails......I never ever buy a replacement.

 

[patrickd]

Look at all the FREE positive advertising they get throughout many reloading and gun forums, which in turn far outweighs the cost of mailing a few free parts by increased sales and brand loyalty in future purchases .

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I bought a 450 in 1984, and am still using it. I have upgraded along the way to a 550b configuration. If you look carefully at the sizes of the cartridge "Head" and web area, along with the extractor notch, you will see that the 9mm Lugar family and the 223 Remington family are extremely close. On my press I use the shell plate for 223 to load 9mm Lugar, 223, and 380 and several others. Likewise the 45 ACP plate will work with 30-06, 308 7mm & 8mm Mauser, and a host of others. You will of course need the correct powder through funnel. 40 S&W, 10mm, and 7.62x39 (and others) use the same shell plate but check that all you brass has the same size primers, a few of those have cases with both size primers. Another group with the same shell holder are 45 Colt, 45 Schofield, 44-40 & 38-40, 44 mag, 44 Special and 44 Russian.

I ended up with the shell plates for everything except 45 Auto Rim and 8mm Label. There have been a few added since I stopped buying but I haven't found a round I can't load under 50BMG size.

Once you are used to the adjustments, a complete change over of dies, shell plate and primer system only takes 15 or 20 minutes. While I have the 500b with changeable tool head, it saves 5 minutes. I also have the case feeder, that doesn't make loading any faster; it dose make it easier (and with you shoulder problems, it MIGHT help. Getting back into the swing of things after a stroke, I appreciated it a lot more than before!)And it won't do rifle cartridges.

For higher production rates, I found having several primer tubes is the simplest upgrade. I have 10 for Large and 6 for small. After 1000 rounds straight, I need a break to unwind, bathroom, beverage and communicate with the world, plus fill the tubes again. That is around 2 to2.5 hours.

One last hint; for projectiles, a soup bowl of hard plastic (or anything similar) placed right where your left hand falls and screw it to the bench. Sure speeds up that next projectile. I liked a size that will hold 500 or more 45's, a mounded pile above the bowl is a good thing. Getting bullets out of cubical boxes that scoot around as the get close to empty wastes a lot of time.

have fun

Ivan

 

[chief38]

I just am unable to think of a single Company in existence that has the customer service that Dillon does!

One of my friends that purchased a used Dillon 1050 had a problem with a slight cracking of the frame. When he called them he was informed that because the 1050 is a commercial press it is not covered under their lifetime no BS warranty- however they said to send it to them anyway. A week or so later a new press (1050) arrived at his door step. Now how's that for customer service on a used - unwarranted machine!??

I have not heard of a single case of bad c.s and have never heard someone complaining about the Company. They are TOPS!

 

[Tom S.]

I just am unable to think of a single Company in existence that has the customer service that Dillon does!

One of my friends that purchased a used Dillon 1050 had a problem with a slight cracking of the frame. When he called them he was informed that because the 1050 is a commercial press it is not covered under their lifetime no BS warranty- however they said to send it to them anyway. A week or so later a new press (1050) arrived at his door step. Now how's that for customer service on a used - unwarranted machine!??

I have not heard of a single case of bad c.s and have never heard someone complaining about the Company. They are TOPS!

There was another case of 550 that was in a garage fire, and yes, Dillon replaced it for free. Can't beat that with a stick!

 

[Boogsawaste]

Thomas15, thanks for the tip on it. Couldn't be happier!

Only thing I bought for the press was the shell plate and locator buttons. Dillon sent me everything else. Oh yeah I forgot, they also sent me some primer pick up tubes. I'm very impressed with their customer service. I originally called just to ask if a screw was needed or not and got all kinds of parts.

 

[BE Mike]

I've been happy with my 450, bought before they started selling them direct. I got the conversion as a Christmas present one year and it has been a 550 for many years. Dillon is tops. As far as decapping pins, are you kidding me? I thought I was cheap, but you guys have me beat by a country mile! I always have some spare ones on hand. I recently had to replace one on my RCBS die because one of those Berdan primed cases slipped by me. Spare Pistol Decapping Pins Package of 10 (21528): Reloading: Reloading Dies at Dillon Precision

 

[muddocktor]

My biggest problem with their decapping pins wasn't the fact that I had to pay for a new one, but rather the head on it is larger and the diameter of the pin is larger than the Lyman or older RCBS pins that have a small head that goes under the center holder/inside neck sizer. The die itself worked just fine still but about 20% of the time the old decapping pin wouldn't kick off the primer but rather suck it back into the pocket.

 

[M1A]

I've had my 450 for over 40 years. Made a few upgrades. Now a 550 w/o the tool bar. You might consider a roller handle instead of the ball. I like the mounting stand too.

 

[Amp]

Cleaning up my old Square Deal after many years of storage.
Looked online and the design didn't change much.
I like it.

 

[loc n load]

Dillon 450

Bought my 450 in the early 80's, set it up for 45acp's and been loading on it ever since. Upgraded it years later, still crank out 45's on it. My satisfaction with the 450 led me to buy a square deal, another 550 and a 650. Definitely " blue country" in my loading room.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I know what you mean;my old 300 is still my favorite one(amongst 4 presses).
Qc

 

[Thomas15]

Thomas15, thanks for the tip on it. Couldn't be happier!

Only thing I bought for the press was the shell plate and locator buttons. Dillon sent me everything else. Oh yeah I forgot, they also sent me some primer pick up tubes. I'm very impressed with their customer service. I originally called just to ask if a screw was needed or not and got all kinds of parts.

Good on you Sir!

I thought about getting that press for myself but then it would have been another press on my bench, I really have enough. But knowing that it has a good home is, really, in a sense a very cool thing. I hope we are able to get together someday and do some shooting. That is as soon as I figure out how to do this thing.

 

[Boogsawaste]

Good on you Sir!

I thought about getting that press for myself but then it would have been another press on my bench, I really have enough. But knowing that it has a good home is, really, in a sense a very cool thing. I hope we are able to get together someday and do some shooting. That is as soon as I figure out how to do this thing.

Hope we can shoot some time too!

Besides another 450/550 a square deal would be perfect too.

 

[BE Mike]

My biggest problem with their decapping pins wasn't the fact that I had to pay for a new one, but rather the head on it is larger and the diameter of the pin is larger than the Lyman or older RCBS pins that have a small head that goes under the center holder/inside neck sizer. The die itself worked just fine still but about 20% of the time the old decapping pin wouldn't kick off the primer but rather suck it back into the pocket.

I've never had that problem with any decapping pins and I have 3 different brands of dies (Dillon, Lyman and RCBS). Maybe you needed to adjust the decapping pin to pop the primers off. It could also have been that your decapping pin became slightly damaged during use. It could also be that your brass has undersized flash holes.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have Lee, Lyman, Redding, C-H, Forrester, Hornady, Pacific (pre Hornady) and RCBS dies. Some of which pre-date WWII. Decapping Pins have changed inside a brand and there is no standard! I keep 4 or 6 brands and up to 3 sizes per brand (Redding and L.E.Wilson have an extra small for BR and PPC cases) on hand and often find I still need to hand make a replacement every so often.

Many/Most brands of dies use common diameter and thread pitches, so sometimes I just swap for a common RCBS decapping stem. There are 2 or 3 of these for different applications. Also, Hornady used to make decapping stems with carbide expanding balls in 22 and 30 Caliber, I have these in lots of different rifle dies.

When all else fails, use a universal decapper, OR worse yet, bang them out with a hammer using a Lee tool. Anything is better that decapping berdan primers on exotic European ammo!

The point is, If you don't like the performance of a minor part, do something about it. (you may just start a new business!)

Ivan

 

[muddocktor]

BE Mike, the pin was actually worn down enough to where it wouldn't reliably kick the primers out. The pin would kind of grab onto the inside of the primer and on the return stroke would be sucked barely back into the pocket. It was just enough to tie up my 450 about 10% of the time. And I haven't yet run into a 9MM case that has undersized flash holes. I figure that die had resized around 20K cases or better when that started happening. The pin was never bent and I even tried dressing off the end of it. And once I had replaced it, the problem went away. So I guess it's good for another 20K rounds or so. I just don't particularly care for the spring loaded primer punch on that die. The solid mounted ones on my Redding, RCBS and Lee dies have never given me problems that weren't user-induced.