Dillon 650 need advice.

[HappyHunter]

I recently upgraded my 550 for a 650.

My first attempt produced 700 38 special in under 50 minutes. I will like this press.

My 550 was set up for 17 different calibers. Man is that gonna be expensive at $73 per conversion kit, plus tool head, powder die, and powder check!

Where do you buy your Dillon parts, I have gotton some from Brian Enos web sight and direct from Dillon. Other than eBay and auction sights is there any other "discount" seller?

As far as the Powder check station....do you feel that it is necessary? I do like the piece of mind and will have at least two toolheads set up for it, but with the auto advance is it really necessary? What is your thought?

Thanks for any advice.

Fred

 

[HappyHunter]

I recently upgraded my 550 for a 650.

My first attempt produced 700 38 special in under 50 minutes. I will like this press.

My 550 was set up for 17 different calibers. Man is that gonna be expensive at $73 per conversion kit, plus tool head, powder die, and powder check!

Where do you buy your Dillon parts, I have gotton some from Brian Enos web sight and direct from Dillon. Other than eBay and auction sights is there any other "discount" seller?

As far as the Powder check station....do you feel that it is necessary? I do like the piece of mind and will have at least two toolheads set up for it, but with the auto advance is it really necessary? What is your thought?

Thanks for any advice.

Fred

 

[jj2am44]

I bought one just for the sake of having it. Once you get used to the 650, you develop a rhythm. You can usually tell if there is an extra motion in there. I only load 44 and 45 anymore. 12 grains of Unique would spill all over the place. I'd use it.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

I have a powder check tool for each of my two 650s, and I never use them. I leave the station immediately after the powder/belling staion open and without a locator pin. Every 10th to 20th round gets removed from this position and gets poured onto the digital scale. Whenever I have to stop for any reason, like adding primers, I weigh the charge in the case that is in that position. It really doesn't seem to slow me down at all.

As far as getting conversion kits a little less expensive, I would try posting in the WTB sections on several boards. You would be surprised at how many folks sell stuff they no longer use.

Last bit of advice. Take your time with the 650s. Get to know it well and as with any other press, pay close attention to what you are doing. They are great machines. Good luck with it.

WG840

 

[Skip Sackett]

NKJ_nut is a forum member here and he has a lot of different stuff. (Technical jargon for reloading equipment!

)

If he doesn't stop by here soon, you can go to his website. www.tennesseevalleybullets.com

I'm not sure if he has a full listing of stuff (see above) on his site but the phone number is there.

Do me a favor though. Wait until it is 2AM in Tennessee before you call him!

Just trying to help a friend out!

 

[John R]

I don't have a powder check on my 650, with the 650 being auto index, you have less chance of a double charge than you do with a manual index press.

It's an added cost, do what makes you feel good

 

[Beans]

Did you keep the 550 and Caliber conversions?

Over the years i have aquired two 650's and kept the first Dillon I purchased. A 450 that has been upgraded to a 550B.

I have the two 650's set up for the high volume pistol rds. The 550 still get used quite a bit for smaller batches.

Thr RCBS single stage get used for real small batches of 50 rds or less, most of the time less

 

[VonFatman]

You will not save much on conversions, but if you have a C&R FFL, Grafs will sell you at dealer cost which will save about 10%. Grafs does not stock all conversions, you may need to wait on an occasional back-order.
http://www.grafs.com/

I've heard Brian Enos will save you a little money over factory direct...I've not verified this.
http://www.brianenos.com/

I have 12-13 toolheads set up to go and believe me, it's not a cheap date...but I chose to invest in the quick-changes over other goodies to make my conversions faster.

BTW, the powder check is a MUST IMHO...I love it!

Bob

 

[Hoptob]

I had a double charge on 550 and will never reload on a progressive press without a powder check again. Your milage may vary but I just don't feel safe without that simple device watching my back. BTW, it only takes minutes to move it from one toolhead to another...

To save the cost I would contact Dillon directly and ask to trade your 550 parts for 650 parts. Sometimes these guys are incredibly nice to their customers.

Mike