Dillon RL550B or XL650

[jayman9207]

I am kind of kicking myself for buying the Square Deal B press as I now want to load rifle ammo as well. I am not complaining about the SQB at all as I love the press and really enjoy using it. I now own an M&P15 Sport and am in the process of building a second AR. I plan on putting down a layaway payment on a new Dillon press in a couple of months but keep going back and forth between the RL550B and the XL650. I am having a hard time deciding which one and was hoping for some insight from those of you that own either / both presses. There aren't really any cons per say to either press other than the extra costs associated with the 650. Thanks in advance.

 

[jepp2]

I think the answer to your question is more what your reloading style is like.

I have a pair of the 550's and have been very pleased with them. One has been in service over 25 years, I added the second one about 5 years ago. But I might consider going with the 650's if I was starting today. I just am very familiar with the 550's and find them versatile.

I have a pair of Pacific 366 shot shell loaders (now sold by Hornady). I always find it takes good attention to detail when you have 8 things happening at once. Three of which don't always complete properly.

So the 650 would prove faster, but I don't know that I would like it as well as my 550's.

 

[Autococker07]

My 650 does 7-8 hundred rounds per hour..... it is a bit of overkill for casual shooting, but when shooting competitively (or supplying a bunch of folks) that speed is well worth the $$. I ended up with the 650 and case feed, strong mount and roller handle.... for my purposes, I don't think I would have been satisfied with a 550B, although it is a fine press....

Also Dillon customer service is awesome.... call them up and ask for their opinion. They are not a normal retail company, they will flat out tell you if the cheaper press will work for you.

Either way, as you have seen from your Square Deal B, you will be happy with their product..... Good luck!

 

[austintexas]

I have three Square Deals and one 550. I love them all, BUT wish I had sprung for the 650.

SWCA 892

 

[jayman9207]

I am not so concerned about speed and quantity as I am enjoying the reloading process and I like taking my time. That and I am a bit anal about the whole thing (a bit OCD). I really like the extra features / options of the 650 but don't necessary like the extra cost that comes with them and with the press. The 550 will do everything I am looking for but I am just worried that I will have that "I should have bought the 650 feeling" like I do now after getting the SDB. I will most likely keep the SDB to load my pistol ammo off of as it is so easy to use and I already have a ton of extras for it. Decisions.....decisions.......I really appreciate the input so far.

 

[m657]

I had a 550 for 20 years and sold it for more than it cost new.

Used that to trade for the 650, now 13 years in use.

At the time of my change, the case feeder was not available on the 550....that MAY have made a difference....

but the 650 is magnificent when you've learned to run it.

I've loaded on the SD in 1 caliber only.....have more needs than it can really solve for me.

After a few years you look back and wonder just 'why' did you think the added features of the 650 'cost more'......

I've loaded many calibers from 38s to 45-70 on my 650.

It's a keeper.

And you don't "have to" load fast on it. I've used mine as a virtual single stage at times, and I've equipped it to load the Holy Black at times too.

I've come to prefer Dillon Dies in the 650.

 

[41 fan]

I have two 550s, one set up for small primers and one for large. I am more than pleased with my machines. The only advantage the 650 has is the auto indexing, and to me, the advantage is not that great. The resale value of used 550s is pretty good. If you bought one and didn't like it, I wouldn't think you would take much of a hit to move it. Dean

 

[shield]

Since you are used to the SDB auto-indexing feature, you may prefer to have it also with the 650 vs. the 550 that does not have it.

 

[wheelgun28]

Lets see, I started with a Square Deal, then moved up to a 650 as I wanted to do some rifle rounds.

I then bought a 550 and a few more square deals...

The idea was to not have to set up everything to do a short run. So I was going to leave a SD set up for 38 and 45. However going from the 650 back to the SD was to big of a leap back and I was unhappy. I bought a extra complete primer unit, just unbolt and bolt to swap it. I also got much better at conversion set ups, 10 min max sometimes less than 5...

I do use the 550 for loading rifle in small batch. Most of the time I only load a hundred or so. I mostly load 30:06, 308 but also do 303, 30:30, Mauser and others. I just did two hundred 308 and 100 30:06. I do case trimming on the 650 with a Dillon trimmer . Mil brass gets a decap in the coax and then decrimped by hand.

If I was going to do lots of rounds I would still use the 650.

So for me, the 650 and the 550 work well together.

 

[Big Fred]

My first progressive was a Square Deal. It is a good machine, but after a while I decided it was not what I really wanted. I sold it and moved up to the 650 and have been running it since 1999. It's a great machine.

 

[jayman9207]

Thanks for the great input so far guys! Looks like the 650 is in the lead. They are both Dillon presses so I can't go wrong with either one.

 

[hAkron]

Personally I've never understood why somebody wouldn't want auto index on their progressive press. Over the long years of service, I highly doubt the cost difference between a 550 and a 650 is even noticeable. I have a 650 and its great. I don't currently load for rifle, but for .223 wouldn't the 1050 be ideal? Doesn't it have a station for the optional trimmer and a built in primer pocket swager?

 

[gaijin]

I have both the 550 and 650.
The 650 is used for QUANTITY handgun and .223.
The 550 is for handgun hunting ammo and rifle. I find it much easier to stop and make adjustments for load development, different components with the 550.
I had a 1050 that was set up exclusively for .38 Super when I was actively competing (USPSA/NRA "Action Pistol").
The 650 (and 1050) can't be beat if you require volume reloading, with a known load. Not so user friendly if one is "tinkering", developing loads and continually switching calibers.

 

[blujax01]

I have the 650 and am able to tinker to my heart's content. Once one learns their way around the machine, it's obvious that each stage can be isolated when desired.

But I just bought a 45-70 and have decided to go single stage with reloading this rifle for three reasons: volume, economy and curiosity.

I will maybe load 20 to 50 rounds for the Marlin at a time as opposed to 100 to 1000 for my hand guns.

The Hornady press, RCBS powder drop and dies are either used or were bought on sale. Like, for cheap!

And I want to further develop my knowledge base. I learned to reload on my Dillon (my one and only press) and want to see what all this noise about single stage machines is about!

But if I were loading any sort of volume, say .223 or .556, I'd definitely use the XL650!

 

[Harrison]

The 550 is simpler (fewer parts to break or get out of adjustment) and more reliable.

The 650 is faster, but more complicated, and more likely to develop quirks.

 

[fredj338]

WHy when I bought my first progressive, the SDB was a no go, to limiting, so it was the 550B & I have no cpmplaints after 25+ years. I also run a 650, great machine, but more complicated & costly to swap calibers. If you change often a 550B is easier & cheaper, still gives you 400rds/hr easily. FOr pure produciton, the 650 w/ case feeder is hard to beat. I can easily run it at 700rds/hr for as long as I want to pull he handle. Most of us just don't need 700rds/hr.
BTW, much is made about auto indexing, usually by those that have never run a 550. Auto indexing is NO FASTER than manual, none. I had my 650 for 2m before I go the case feeder. You either wait for the case to come around & put a bullet on top or place the bullet as you manually index, zero speed advantage. Then the 650 tube must be filled often slowing things down further. What makes the 650 a 700-800rds/hr machine is the case feeder, not auto indexing. What the manual indexing does allow is 100% control over the machine.

 

[jayman9207]

One of my only concerns (minor at that) about the 550 would be forgetting to index as I have grown accustomed to the auto-indexing of the SDB. I am sure it wouldn't take me long to get used to it though. On the other hand the manual indexing is also very appealing to me as it would give me more control over each of the stages of the reloading process and as already stated I enjoy taking my time and being anal about the whole process.

 

[m657]

re: "The only advantage the 650 has is the auto indexing"

another 650 advantage is the station 3 powder check mechanism....that actually has saved me a number of times from a charge-weight issue;

further (I am NOT a shill for Dillon) advantage on 650 is being able to choose station 4 bullet seating and station 5 crimp die.....I actually found I prefer to use the Lee FCD for autoloader cases that solves a number of issues.

The other 2 aspects of Dillon-ANYTHING are 1) brilliant design and 2) exquisite tech support.

Yes, I'm biased to the Blue. After 30+ years they continue to treat me RIGHT.

Just a few days ago, an old buddy of mine wanted to load some 45 ACP. As a long time bullet caster & very skilled as a single stage press user, he came over for a look at how the 650 works.

We managed to introduce him to the process, and HE enjoyably loaded 500 in a couple hours before lunch break. He was almost giddy with that production. Many rounds had been checked for OAL and case gauge along with charge weight, just to confirm what seemed like "too easy".

After lunch we ran another 500. In the middle, there was a break down, which would have stopped me cold, except I had a spare on hand....the 'index ring' which advances the shell plate, providing the "self indexing" part of the process. It is literally the most demanding part of any repair I've ever needed to do on my 650.

I showed him what had to be done; we dismounted the necessary parts, and HE actually installed the 'index ring SPRING' on his very first try!!!!

I awarded him a "Field Commission 650 Mechanic" status and told him there wasn't any more demanding procedure than that, so he was ready for full operational command.

Even including the time for the repair, he finished the last 500 rounds in well under 3 hours after lunch.

Impressive for all of us, and a wonderful day spent with a shooting buddy NOT at the range.

 

[varmint243]

Just get yourself a quality single stage press for rifle reloading.

I do handgun ammo on progressive presses.
Rifle ammo on single stage presses.

The only reason I could see for reloading rifle ammo on a progressive is if you have a full auto rifle.

 

[houdini26]

buy bot you will like them