Dillon Case Feeder

blujax01

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I just bought a case feeder for my XL650. A full report will follow this weekend.
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I put a case feeder on my 450 uped to 550 about 1.5 years or so ago. I makes reloading easier but not any faster. They are only for handgun cartridges, not even 30 Carbine! and the installation/set-up/abjustment was so unlike Dillion in difficulty. But it is there, and changing cartridges is not bad at all. Would I do it again, Not really. But with the bullet feeder by RCBS (RCBS say is suppose to work) It might work out for faster production. The picking up and placeing of the bullet (left handed) seems to take longer than the same steps for the case (right handed). The case feeder might be the answer for south paws, but they usually do prea.ty good with their right hands
 
Okay, if you have been considering the XL650 case feeder and have not yet made the move - put your shoes on, get in the car, and go to your local Dillon dealer. Now.

The case feeder unit ($179) comes completely assembled. Additionally you will need casefeed plates that are available for either small pistol, large pistol or rifle ($39 each).

Setup was a long drawn out process that took approximately 45 seconds.

1) Set the unit on the pre-existing mounting post making sure that the feeding tube is lined up. Tighten the set screw.
2) Lay a casefeed plate on the spindle.
3) Fill the bowl with cases.
4) Plug the unit in and turn it on.

It really was that simple. Not one glitch, hiccup or stumble. I was immediately able to start turning out ammunition.

What is the advantage? Previously, depending on the caliber loaded I would load 12 -15 cases in the feeding tube, make that many rounds, stop and reload the tube. It seemed that as soon as I got up a decent rhythm I had to stop and refill.
Now I have to stop after 100 rounds to reload the primer tube (Dillon has a fix for that too but Man, is it pricey!).
I did make a trip to the hardware store to purchase a mirror ($6) and mounted it on the ceiling so I can see what's going on inside the thing.

For high volume reloading it simply cannot be beat.

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looks great, well worth the money!!

I wonder why they sell the 650 without the case feed, seems like a must have item to me?

Next try the aluminum roller handle :)
 
It's like an automobile with a "base price" advertised but the "as shown" model runs twice that, right?

The XL650 has a base price of $566. With the case feeder, strong mount, four (so far) caliber conversions, electronic scales and other bells and whistles I am into it for about twice that amount.
I try not to think about it. :D

I saw the roller handle at my dealer and thought to myself - well Christmas is coming soon and the wife does need gift ideas ...:cool:
 
The major draw of the 650 over the 550 is the case feed and auto index. Mine has been happily chuggin along since 1993 when I bought it. No problems or issues other then it sometimes gets jammed up with cases that don't fall right.

You should get some extra primer tubes. I have 5 each small and large. I find that by the time I have done 500 rounds its time for a break anyway to refill powder and cases and empty other things.
 
I thought about that but I use the primer flip/pick up/refill at the 100 round mark to also check the powder charge and cartridge OAL.
I am able to chug along at 350 - 400 rounds per hour without any pressure and that's plenty good for me.
 
I saw the roller handle at my dealer and thought to myself - well Christmas is coming soon and the wife does need gift ideas ...:cool:


I often do the same thing.

The Blue Press magazine comes with my wifes name on it not mine ;)


I am a Dillon junkie :)
 
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