Dillon RL 450 vs RL 550b

[RCF]

I have been reloading for almost a year and I am really getting bored with my single stage press. I feel like i spend more time reloading then i do shooting...

So I am trying to decide between a rl 450 or a rl 550 cant decide what one to get. hopefully you guys can help me by explaining the differences between them.

I will be reloading 9mm 40 S&W and 223

 

[DesertFox]

450 is pistol calibers. 550 will do your 223 as well. Along with a whole host of other pistol and rifle calibers. If you were just doing pistol calibers, I'd say 450 good to go.

I reload 9 calibers on a 550B. 223 isn't one of them. I'm too old - old reloaders have a preference for large primers and larger cailber bullets cause we can see them and pick them up easier... I have a ton of 223 brass however I buy lots of mil-surp to shoot up by the case. If I was loading up 223, it would be for some varmint loads or hunting loads and I end up picking up the 7.62x51 if I'm doing those activities. Dillon is highly recommended in my book.

 

[cyberiad]

Does Dillon still sell the 450? I don't see it on their website. Get the 550, it's a great press.

 

[GIrine45]

RL450

The RL450 is no longer made. A lot of the 550 parts will work and vice versa, from what I understand. I have an old 450 I use just for one or two calibers.

If I was buying one today it would be a 550. I have a 650 but the 550 us very versatile for most everything.

Plus, you can't beat Dillon's customer service.

 

[Electraclyde]

Dillon has not made a 450 for 27 years. They can be updated to a 550 (I did mine). I was able to load all pistol calibers as well as 223 rifle when I used it as a 450. Updating to a 550 makes reloading faster.

 

[Engineer1911]

Affordable Dillons

The RL 450 and RL 550 are functionally the same press. I bought my 450 in 1982 new, bought the 550 used in 2007. The structural difference is the removeable tool head on the 550. For several hundred dollars , a 450 can be upgraded to everything a 550 does: auto prime, auto powder, auto eject, except the removeable tool head. To get the removeable tool head, Dillon sells you a new frame or does an in-house upgrade.

A RL 450 will reload any caliber a RL 550 reloads. All the parts and pieces are interchangeable.

The Dillon Square Deal reloads only pistol calibers using SPECIAL Dillon dies. Standard 7/8-14 dies do not fit a Square Deal.

 

[RCF]

I know that dillon does not make the 450 any more. But there is a guy at my local range that has a rl 450 that has all the rl 550 add ons and he said he would sell it to me for 300.00 bucks didnt know if i should buy it or just buy the new one from dillon site

 

[Slowhanddd]

I would go over to his house and run a few rounds to see it work.Then would probably tear my rear pocket off trying to get my money out as fast as I could.$300 is a real good price on that converted machine if it's in good shape.Even if it needs parts,Dillon will take care of you.I've bought two Square deals used and they have yet to charge me for a part that was needed on either machine.I load 45 acp and 357 on mine and use a Rock chucker for my rifle and a few other pistol cartridges.

 

[BE Mike]

I know that dillon does not make the 450 any more. But there is a guy at my local range that has a rl 450 that has all the rl 550 add ons and he said he would sell it to me for 300.00 bucks didnt know if i should buy it or just buy the new one from dillon site

My Dillon 550B was converted from a DL450. The only accessory that won't work on my conversion is the roller handle. If you are ok with using the original handle with big ball, then this would be a great bargain.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

For handgun ammo I like the Square Deal.......Have 2 and 6 caliber conversions. Had to have auto index....Bought both before the auto-index 650 came out. I can run off A_LOT~ of ammo in very short time.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

The 550 is the best, I had a 450 and a 650 before I got the 550. Today the 550 is the only one that I have. The 450 was to small for my big hands and the 650 took to much time to switch and cost for converison kits was to much. The 550 is king in my eyes.

 

[RCF]

I just got done meeting with the guy i bought a rl 450 with all the 550 upgrades for 300.00 bucks pretty sweet deal i thin any way.

 

[GIrine45]

You done good!!

Have fun!!

 

[RCF]

So get this i call dillon before i purchase this used rl 450 to ask about the warranty, the man tells me that it has a total warranty. So i purchase the press, when I get it today some springs are rusted parts are missing would not fuction right and so on. I called dillon three time, first call after being on hold for 25 minutes i tell him my story he tells me to call back in two hours my problem is to complex. So second times calling new person i tell him my problem he tell me that I can send it they will look at it and let me know how much it cost to repair i asked about the the no bs warranty some how we got disconnected. On my third call now and I am still on hold. I thought dillon had a great warranty WHATS GOING ON DILLON

 

[LTC]

I have been using a RL550B for a few years. It is my only press except for an old single stage I use occasionally to re-size and deprime. I only reload handgun calibers (8). I don't have a need for any thing else.

My expearances with Dillon have been very positive and they have replaced broken or wornout items at no cost to me. Maybe the guy on the other end of the line was having a bad day.

Go to Dillons web site and you can look at an exploaded view of the 550B. Pick out the part numbers you need replaced and then call Dillon for warrenty service with part numbers and part discription in hand. Keep your explaining to a minimum and just answer the questions you might be asked.

Good luck.

LTC

 

[Beerjman]

First of all I think that you being new to all this Dillon stuff you do not have a good base to judge whether that deal was a good deal .
I think that you should have listened to the many folks that told you to buy a 550 . That is most likely what your range buddy is doing right now .
Since I have got that of my chest - Dillon will treat you well no matter what ! If you ship your press back to Dillon be prepared to inhale twice when you find out the shipping charge .
Your best bet might be get with somebody else -not the seller - that knows what he is doing and find out what you need to make that into a regular 550 . When you said you have rusted parts on your press - I have my 550 since July 1989 and there is ZERO rust .
Sometimes we made a good deal and sometimes - well - .
Like so many other people told you - Dillon will treat you well they just might have had a very busy time that day .
I am sure that eventually you will be a very happy customer .

 

[RCF]

First person on here i have found that is rude and what a shocker your from cali cant say I am suprised.

 

[BE Mike]

Ok, take a deep breath and count to ten. What you want to do is get a manual for a Dillon 550B. You can download one from the internet and print it out. Read the manual from front to back. Study the parts that are bad and look them up on the diagram. That way you will be armed with knowledge when you make your next call to Dillon.

I bought a used Dillon 650 with a lot of accessories, for a very good deal, because it was missing some parts. I was very familiar with my 550, but the 650 is a different animal. After I really got "into" the 650 to see what made it tick, I could speak the same language as the Dillon rep. It didn't take me long to get the 650 up and running and the Dillon folks were, as always, great.

Unfortunately you are inexperienced with reloading in general, so not getting a "turn key" loader is probably overwhelming. Once you study the press and it's parts, things will start to fall into place. Good luck!

 

[dillonhelp]

Unfortunately, The first day after a holiday is always extremely busy. Your used machine is still under lifetime warranty, except for missing parts. If it needs to be disassembled to be cleaned and lubed, we can send you the necessary punch and alignment tool (with instructions) at no charge. If you prefer to send it in for us to clean and relube, we charge $67.95 for that, return shipping included. We can mail you a photocopy of the RL450 manual, as well as the current RL550B manual (part numbering system changed since 1985). Worn and damaged parts are covered under warranty. Minor parts we simply mail out, some major parts we do require that the damaged part be sent in first.

 

[RCF]

Thank i finally got to talk to somone his name was matt and I will be asking for him from now on he was great. I am positive that the powder measure was shot and the priming system was either broke or just needed a really good cleaning and lubue. so I sent the press In if i have to paysomething thats fine I understand just would like the press to work and I am sure they will get it done for me. Sorry for the previous post I was angry and could not get the press running right. thanks