Any reason NOT to get the Dillon XL 650?

[dla]

As the 650 is an auto-indexing progressive, it is much harder to create squibs and double-charges. Dillon is first rate. I don't have any experience with Hornady, but their progressive machine is in direct competition with the 650 for less money. But Dillon's customer service is legendary and I doubt Hornady can equal it. I think you are making the right choice with the 650 for a first press and Dillon will be right there with you to make your purchase work for you.

 

[MikeChandler]

I purchased the XL650, and I did it right there at the Dillon store. I would have had to pay the sales tax either way, and the ride was quite ez, 25 minutes door to door. I took my wife with me, and we went to the arabian horse show that's happening now 1/5 mile away from there, so it was well worth the trip.

I think the LnL beat the dillon out on price, build for build... but I like buying from an Arizona company, employing people in my own state is a good thing. So that and the "no BS" warranty won out. I am sure the Hornady is great too... if both Dillon and Hornady were in Phoenix, it would have come down to which one is closer.

The 1,000 free bullets would have been nice, no question about it. I couldn't even get a free hat out of the Dillon sales! Still, no regrets.

Thanks all!

 

[johngalt]

I have seen one in action and that is one of the things that kind of "freaked me out" about it really. There is a whole lotta movin' goin' on all the time. The only other thing that is a minus in my opinion is that the tool head is nonexistent. I know there are bushings but, if I count right, that is a minimum of 5 movements to get them out. 2 pins on the XL650 and you are done UNLESS you don't purchase an extra tool head. $15-$20 used through ebay.

Just sayin'......................

Both are great machines and capable of producing a bunch of quality ammo in a hurry. Neither one should be put down. They just have differences is all. The ONLY thing that makes one better than the other is personal preference, period.

The LNL bushing system is an advantage over the Dillon/Lee toolhead system because you can easily add/remove/setup dies individually. Makes it easier to adjust the dies - you can concentrate on one without the others interfering.

At the start of a reloading session, I like to remove all of the dies except the powder measure and do a bunch of test throws to verify that it is throwing what I want. Then plug the rest in and start loading.

I also have a couple different seating dies depending on the bullet - one is for wadcutters and is set for almost no crimp. Another is set for full power SWC with heavy crimp. I just swap the one die, and don't have to touch the others.

 

[Skip Sackett]

John,
I just unscrew the die seating stem and flip the plug over for that scenario.

5 moves of the hand cannot be faster than one, unless you are secretly "Flash"

 

[johngalt]

John,
I just unscrew the die seating stem and flip the plug over for that scenario.

5 moves of the hand cannot be faster than one, unless you are secretly "Flash"

Adjusting the AOL is no big deal - I keep a bunch of dummy rounds for guides - unscrew the stem, put in the dummy, and screw down the stem until it touches.

The crimp is the main reason I keep 2 seating dies - one is set for light, the other heavy. I find keeping the crimp consistent from one batch to the next rather tedious and fussy, so I just use separate dies instead re-adjusting. That, and adjusting the powder measure is where I really like the bushing system.

 

[andyo5]

I prefer the manual indexing of the 550 over the automatic indexing of the 650.

 

[hawgleg]

I want one, just can't afford it.

 

[Beans]

I have been running Dillons since 1984.

FWIW IMHO If you are new to progressive machines I recommend the 550B, If not then go with the 650.

My bench currently hold two (2) 650's and my orginial 550b, which was upgraded from a 450.

 

[Charliee]

I have had a 650 now for three years. It does what it is supposed to do and does it well. You can turn out a lot of loaded ammo in a hurry.
I enjoy running it and time seems to fly when loading these days. The biggest problem is how to shoot up all that ammo. Seems like everytime the wife has a chore for me I am at the range

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I see I'm late to this thread since the OP has already purchased the Dillon XL 650.

I was going to ask if you looked at the RCBS Pro2000 before you decided but it's too late.

Out of curiosity, does anyone own or has anyone here used a RCBS Pro2000? I saw it in use on Shooting USA and it looks top rate, more so than the Dillon 550B or XL 650. (but I have never used any of them)

 

[Skip Sackett]

I see I'm late to this thread since the OP has already purchased the Dillon XL 650.

I was going to ask if you looked at the RCBS Pro2000 before you decided but it's too late.

Out of curiosity, does anyone own or has anyone here used a RCBS Pro2000? I saw it in use on Shooting USA and it looks top rate, more so than the Dillon 550B or XL 650. (but I have never used any of them)

Waisted the reason for the 5th station, in my opinion. In the Dillon and I think the LNL AP, the case flaring and powder dump are done in the same step. That gives you and extra spot in the XL650 to put a powder check die. The RL550B only has 4 stations and does the flare and powder dump in the same station. This is ONE reason that the caliber change overs are more expensive, they come with the correct powder drop "die", for lack of a better term.

 

[3Gunnah]

I use 2 650's, 4 550b's, and a 450. I thought all reloading presses were BLUE. LOL The only place with better customer service is L.L.Bean and even the are starting to slip.

 

[MikeChandler]

My first loads were terrible, they were tumbling, making keyholes on the target. I couldn't chrono them - it's an indoor range I tested at, and I don't have the lighting attachments for my shooting chrony - but I think they were either moving too slow and/or I had too much crimp on them. They were 45 acp loads.

But I had fun and am prepping now for phase two: "Bye Bye Berrys, Let's try HSM 230gr with WST".

Oh - one thing is for certain - I need to loop back and get the case feed. There is waaaaayyyyy too much going on with the progressive, to be popping cases in there too, I've got my hands full.

 

[Engieman]

You only list pistol calibers in your post, therefore look at the Square Deal. Great machine, will do everything you need to do. Mine is close to twenty years old, and have served me well. Simple, durable, dependable, consistent. As others have stated, the Dillion customer service is unparalleled. Given the age of my machine, some of the synthetic parts have hardened (primer pick up head), and when I attempted to purchase new ones, they sent them out free. When I have lost screws and such, they send new ones, no charge. They stand behind their product like no other. I currently load four different calibers, getting set up for a fifth. I have a Redding Single Stage for the few rifle rounds I load

 

[264BORESTEVE]

Congrats Mike on your Dillon! I've been running no less than 7 different calibers (9mm through 30-06 Garand ammo) for six years on my 550b. Never had a problem. Sometimes, finding the right load for a particular gun may elude a reloader. So keep at it and enjoy your new toy and saving money or, like me, just shoot that much more!

 

[chickenfried]

The PRO 2000 was the press I learned to reload on. It was an earlier version without auto-indexing or a casefeeder. So not exactly fair to compare it to the 650 since the newer PRO's have auto indexing and a casefeeder option.

I really didn't care for the PRO. Been years so I can't remember many specifics. I remember not liking the APS strips. I remember having a hard time seating primers below flush. Anyway the PRO 2000 must not have left that good an impression. When it came time to buy my own equipment I went dillon and I'm happy with my decision.

I prefer a progressive press with auto indexing. Manual indexing is another area for human error to enter into things.

Out of curiosity, does anyone own or has anyone here used a RCBS Pro2000? I saw it in use on Shooting USA and it looks top rate, more so than the Dillon 550B or XL 650. (but I have never used any of them)