I have recently acquired a used Dillon 450 press. The powder system is 90% gone, and the primer system is 75% gone.
Also missing is the auto eject system, and the ejector wire, and the index sprocket(star).
It does have a 45ACP, and a 38/357 shell plate and pin set, minus the powder funnels.
So, I need to upgrade to the 550 auto prime system for sure.

Question, I am currently using a Lee Turret press. Can I use the powder system from my Lee press with the Dillon? I will be using all Lee dies with this press.

I am trying to hold down my upgrade investment.

Is it worth upgrading the 450(in my case I must have a primer and powder system anyway), or sell the 450, with the shell plates, as is?
To upgrade auto eject, primer, powder, powder measure failsafe kit, plus small parts, is approximately $265.00 from the Dillon website.

Opinions please. Thanks in advance for your responses.

Paul

I upgraded a 450 to a 550. I did the primer system. and I use Lee dies and the Lee disc powder system. The 450 did not have the auto eject system, so I added that. As long as you are satisfied with the 450 solid frame, (changing dies will take time), vs the open frame of the 550, (dies are set in the removable shell plate.) the somewhat updated 450 will save you money over selling it and buying a 550.
I have since acquired a used 550. I then upgraded the frame of the 450 to 550. One press is set up for small primers and the other for large primers. I use Lee dies and the Lee powder system on both presses.
I load .380ACP, 9mm, .38/.357, and 223 on one press and .44special/magnum, .45ACP, and 30.06 on the other press.
I prefer the Lee powder system over the Dillon system because it is eaiser and faster to change the amount of powder when changing calibers or a new recipe.

I sold my RED reload master and bought a 450. I upgraded it in pieces until its now a 550 except I can't change tool heads. I have loaded many thousands of rounds from 380 to 30'06. Used it tonight for 45 acp.

Can you use the LEE stuff? I don't recommend it. The Dillon has a great system to keep from double charging.

Once you get it running, you will have it forever.

David

I started with a 450 Dillon as a newbie circa 1980, no other reloading experience at all. Shortly upgraded to the 550 stuff as I could afford it.

Used that 550 for 20 years, from 22-250 thru 45-70 & about all common pistol calibers.

Thought I was "being economical" cobbling together a wide range of dies etc. Yes they all work. Sort of.

Started using the Dillon dies a caliber at a time...and they seemed to be easier/faster/handier to clean/etc.

Yes all that stuff worked as far as I knew, just 'fine'.

Finally used a buddies 650. Sold my 550 ASAP (for more than it cost 20 years before) and went to the new 650 with case feeder.

I needed more and easier round production for more shooting I was doing.

Sure you can cobble stuff together and 'made do'.

Or not waste time/effort/sweat/tears/words of Power/ and go for the exact set up you know you'll need.

Sorta wish I'd kept the old 450 cuz now I could use it for specialty loads I could fiddle with in between loading bulk from the 650.

It's all fun. Enjoy.

__________________
Dum vivimus Vivamas

I bought my 450 in 1984 and slowly upgraded to a 550B about 5 or 6 years ago. The push bar priming and powder drop worked just fine, the new self actuated priming is much better. The case mouth activated powder drop is a must. I have bought a total of 4. The only problem was a small nylon piece on the side wore out after a little 100,000 rounds. The Lee measures are famous for leaking powder. This spells disaster in a couple of ways, aside from any fire hazard the powder will migrate under the shell plate gumming up easy turning and into the primer pocket, interfering with primer seating (same problems occur if you have no primer and have powder come out the flash hole). Replacing the central press body so you can use tool heads is a time saving option But the biggest time consuming part of cartridge change is the priming system, and that won't change!(until you buy a second press and leave one for small and one for large primers). There is a case feeder for the 450/550B system also.I bought one and do use it but it cannot be used on any thing longer than a 44 mag! Also it makes loading easier but not faster. You will want between 5 and 10 primer fill tubes, of both sizes.
That will be about 2 hours worth of loading, then you will want a break! (My father-in-law has 1050 loaders and we load with 2 people servicing the machine, and trade positions every 500 rounds, and break at meal time). There is a spare parts kit, you will want it. Having the spare parts keeps you loading until FREE warranty replacements arrive in the mail! On some of the shorter rounds, Lee dies are almost too short to work with the too head. Accessories are not going down in price!! Buy them now, I bought almost every shell plate and powder funnel the made around 1990, the prices have doubled since then (I didn't buy 45 auto rim and 8mm Label) shell plates and powder funnels and pins can be mixed and matched. You are missing the 38 powder funnel, if you buy the 9mm Luger caliber change kit that powder funnel is the same (at least it used to be) The same on 45 ACP and 45 Long Colt. There are several interchangeable shell plates.(45ACP,308,30-06, ant alot more use the sane plate!) My best friend bought a used 450 a few years ago and didn't go for tool head use, he only loads 3 or 4 different cartridges on his Dillion. Lastly, you don't need to buy Dillion's little rack and Blue Allen wrenches (I did and like it), but keep a set of the correct tools close at hand and a old tooth brush and a large set of tweezers, close at hand They keep you running when mistakes happen. It is easy for me to spend your money, but I have a great deal of practice. In 84 or 85, I did a 20,000 round batch of 223 on the 450 and still have about 6000; left I never had a misfire or squib load. Good ammo is the objective, not fast ammo! Take your time and speed will come. Make everybody stay away from you when you load. I've found soft background music reduces distractions, sports and TV increase them! You can load to golf but the world series and bowl games will mess you up!!! Most of all, this is suppose to be fun, enjoy yourself. Ivan

Exactly the info I was looking for.
This will be my 45 ACP volume machine.
I will start with the new primer system, and small parts, ejector system, and slowly go from there.
Thanks for all your responses!