I was just given a call last night by a buddy at the LGS that knows I am looking to buy my first reloading press. Someone came in the shop and brought up wanting to sell a slightly used dillon press with extras for $500. I was initially uninterested in the offer, however I am starting wonder if I should rethink my decision. I was pretty much set on a rock chucker and just buying the kit that comes with it from midway or some similar store until now. Am I better served spending the $500 on the dillon or just starting with a single stage for now? I don't have a lot of room to reload and will only be reloading on a modified benchmate for now, will that handle a Dillon if I go in that direction?
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novalty
Member
Wow, not sure if a benchmate would work for a progressive press well. In regards to the Dillon, it really depends on what model press it is whether or not it is worth the $500 investment. Dillon does make great presses & has excellent customer service...but you have to ask yourself if your volume of ammunition you require, would substantiate such an investment.
Not enough information.
What calibers do you want to load?
How many of each caliber per year?
Which Dillon? (The SDB is super for pistol, does not load rifle ammo)
Do you know anything about loading? Ever try it?
A benchmate will work for a press mount, but a bench is far better.
What calibers do you want to load?
How many of each caliber per year?
Which Dillon? (The SDB is super for pistol, does not load rifle ammo)
Do you know anything about loading? Ever try it?
A benchmate will work for a press mount, but a bench is far better.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
While the Dillon is a good press so is the RockChucker. I'm in the camp of learning all the ins-and-outs of reloading on a single stage press before you move on. If in the future you decide you want to upgrade to a progressive press your RCBS press will lose little of it's value.
Andy Griffith
Member
It depends upon which press and how many extras.
It have to have a whole lot of extras for being $500 used.
It have to have a whole lot of extras for being $500 used.
Sebago Son
Member
I started loading on a single stage press a long time ago. I am most comfortable with it. That being said, I also have a Dillion Progressive but I don't use it much. I don't think it's a set up for a beginner, or someone who is going to load less than 1,000 rounds at a sitting, or someone who is going to load many different calibers.
I much prefer the feel and control of a single stage press.
I much prefer the feel and control of a single stage press.
As much as I know right now is an RL550b with "all the accessories" I will have to call the guy myself probably and see what caliber conversion kits he has with it and what he actually means by accessories. Being my first press and just starting in reloading, the progressive press initimidates me some. The only reason I was considering the dillon was if I could get a good deal on what he was offering, but as I don't know everything being offered I guess it is a tough thing to get a feel for right now. Sorry for my lack of info didn't think the question all the way through.
Andy Griffith
Member
A brand new RL550B is only $429...no dies of course...but a used one has to go for a decent percentage less. I'd hope it'd come with at least five or six caliber conversions, and many other extras.
No use in paying new price for a used...well...anything. That's a lot of money to shell out for a press that has a slight chance of possibly needing some factory maintenance/rebuilding. (Dillon will service it for free...but shipping is a hassle and $$$ for something this heavy)
I do agree with everything that's been said so far- single stage for starting out.
The best thing is to find someone with a Dillon FL550B locally and go and watch or try it for a bit so you can get the hang of it, and see what's involved. Try to find someone with a Hornady LNL-AP too- if nothing else, watch some videos online of people using these presses and see if it's for you.
No use in paying new price for a used...well...anything. That's a lot of money to shell out for a press that has a slight chance of possibly needing some factory maintenance/rebuilding. (Dillon will service it for free...but shipping is a hassle and $$$ for something this heavy)
I do agree with everything that's been said so far- single stage for starting out.
The best thing is to find someone with a Dillon FL550B locally and go and watch or try it for a bit so you can get the hang of it, and see what's involved. Try to find someone with a Hornady LNL-AP too- if nothing else, watch some videos online of people using these presses and see if it's for you.
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Sebago Son
Member
Used reloading equipment is typically discounted drastically. You never know just what you are buying and how worn it is. A new RL550 can be had for under $400. Unless there is a BOATLOAD of extras, this press doesn't sound like much of a deal to me.
It's $430 new. So I would think it would have to have a lot of extra stuff.
Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders
Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders
Andy Griffith
Member
I guess there is a chance it is a 650 or 1050. 
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Dillon equipment usually holds its value better than the other stuff. Not that it's better mind you, just retains it's value better.
Look at ebay. You will be able to get a good idea of what presses of that kind are selling for used. Ebay is a different place than a reloading section on any gun forum, remember that. Most of us are so cheap that we will scrounge lead from berm dirt to make new bullets. We think everything should be next to free.
Just sayin'
Look at ebay. You will be able to get a good idea of what presses of that kind are selling for used. Ebay is a different place than a reloading section on any gun forum, remember that. Most of us are so cheap that we will scrounge lead from berm dirt to make new bullets. We think everything should be next to free.
Just sayin'
thndrchiken
Member
If your just starting to handload then I'd say save your money and get a single stage press, progressives are a big learning curve and that's for those of us that have been loading a while.
The benchmate will work fine if you put a 3/4 inch plywood top on it. I used exactly that setup for several years and it worked fine.
As others have stated, the price may or may not be good, depending on the extras. Dillon machines do have excellent resale value. You can't go wrong with a 100% lifetime warranty. That is why it is unusual to find a really cheap price on one, although both of my 550 presses were bought cheaply. I was at my buddys store a few weeks ago and a customer sold him a 550 with two converseions, a powder scale and some other odds and ends for $75. I had to disassemble it and clean and lube it but it should work fine now. Dean
As others have stated, the price may or may not be good, depending on the extras. Dillon machines do have excellent resale value. You can't go wrong with a 100% lifetime warranty. That is why it is unusual to find a really cheap price on one, although both of my 550 presses were bought cheaply. I was at my buddys store a few weeks ago and a customer sold him a 550 with two converseions, a powder scale and some other odds and ends for $75. I had to disassemble it and clean and lube it but it should work fine now. Dean
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with the provided information...i would go with the rockchucker....great setup and super customer service
I just sold my Dillon 550. I sold it with 4 extra conversion kits and 4 extra tool heads. No dies and only 1 powder measure.
The press was 4 years old.
Everything new was $693 My price was $550
I had it listed on C.L. for one night and had 4 people email me and agree to my price no negotiating.
Unless you count the last guy who tried to offer me $15 extra to sell to him instead of the guy I agreed to sell it to.
Hopefully my 650 arrives Friday
The press was 4 years old.
Everything new was $693 My price was $550
I had it listed on C.L. for one night and had 4 people email me and agree to my price no negotiating.
Unless you count the last guy who tried to offer me $15 extra to sell to him instead of the guy I agreed to sell it to.
Hopefully my 650 arrives Friday
wheelgun28
Member
I have said this before and I will say it again. If I started reloading with a single stage I would have quit long ago. The press would be rotting away under my bench...
If you have some mechanical inclination and can read then follow direction the Dillon might be for you.
I am pretty much blue to the bone, 650, SL900, 550, a few SDBs and pretty much every blue thing that can go with it...
I had a Rock chucker, I really didnt like it, I sold that and bought a CoAx press, its more gooder
It is nice for decapping rifle rounds or making 30:06 in to other sizes etc...
Do your research, youtube has lots of videos on set up and operation off all kinds and styles of reloading.
They all work, some just fit different folks better.
If you have some mechanical inclination and can read then follow direction the Dillon might be for you.
I am pretty much blue to the bone, 650, SL900, 550, a few SDBs and pretty much every blue thing that can go with it...
I had a Rock chucker, I really didnt like it, I sold that and bought a CoAx press, its more gooder
It is nice for decapping rifle rounds or making 30:06 in to other sizes etc...Do your research, youtube has lots of videos on set up and operation off all kinds and styles of reloading.
They all work, some just fit different folks better.
socal s&w
Member
I would also think that it should come with more extras, but you gotta remember that Dillons hold their value very well. Even older ones sell used for not much off of brand new. At least that's what I see mostly.
Yeah the press is $430 new, but the dies if Dillon, are about $60, plus toolhead. So if there are those kind of extras, then it should be a deal.
Does it have a case feeder? There are some heavy bucks there if it does.
Yeah the press is $430 new, but the dies if Dillon, are about $60, plus toolhead. So if there are those kind of extras, then it should be a deal.
Does it have a case feeder? There are some heavy bucks there if it does.
I'm going to try to contact the seller this weekend and see what all he really has and go from there. I like to think I can figure out progressive press if the price is right. However if I don't feel like it is a deal I am going to go with the rockchucker.
