I've had my 550 for 25 years, and I have gotten up to the 500 per hr. speed, but usually work in the 300+ per hr. Heck, I'm retired now and don't need to be in all that much of a hurry.
Dillon's Claims on load rates
- Thread starter danski
- Start date
R A Miller
US Veteran
Production Rates on a 650
I load on a Dillon 650 with the case feeder. I use WST for my most common loads in .45acp and .40 S&W. I always have the brass prepped and the primer tubes filled for the number of rounds I plan on loading that session prior to starting. As noted earlier WST meters well and consistently so I no longer make intermediate checks of the powder charge.
Dillon claims a one hour production rate of 800 rounds with a 650 equipped with the case feeder. I usually produce 500-600 rounds per hour. I like to visually check that everything is as it should be before each pull of the handle. I also like to case gauge and check for OAL periodically during the loading process. This production rate is misleading as I spend an hour or so in preparation prior to starting to load.
Once I tried to go as fast as possible and I got close to the 800 rounds per hour production rate. Not much fun and I wouldn't recommend it.
Rick
I load on a Dillon 650 with the case feeder. I use WST for my most common loads in .45acp and .40 S&W. I always have the brass prepped and the primer tubes filled for the number of rounds I plan on loading that session prior to starting. As noted earlier WST meters well and consistently so I no longer make intermediate checks of the powder charge.
Dillon claims a one hour production rate of 800 rounds with a 650 equipped with the case feeder. I usually produce 500-600 rounds per hour. I like to visually check that everything is as it should be before each pull of the handle. I also like to case gauge and check for OAL periodically during the loading process. This production rate is misleading as I spend an hour or so in preparation prior to starting to load.
Once I tried to go as fast as possible and I got close to the 800 rounds per hour production rate. Not much fun and I wouldn't recommend it.
Rick
NFrameFred
Member
FWIW I think everybody is making too big of a deal of the whole thing. It's the possible rate for advertising purposes - sure, you could load that many rph, but most of us won't because it would promote sloppy mistakes.
Some of us that load for high volume and like to pull the trigger more than the handle tend to set up for volume, know our machines well, and sit down once in a blue moon and crank out a bunch of rounds. Normally, I'm probably in the 300 rph range, but given the topic of the post, the point was is Dillon's advertising claim false ? Hey, it's ADVERTISING . . . and I was taught not to believe everything I hear from somebody trying to sell me something. Truth-in-advertising laws have made folks clean up their act from making most outrageous claims ( not counting Billy Mays, 'the mouth'
) but maximum speed and performance isn't usually indicative of routine speed and performance. And since a lot of us want to find out for ourselves we've pushed it to see if it's possible. Doesn't mean we make a practice of it. I responded because some seemed to state that "it couldn't be done". Well, it can.
It's like advertising about the car that will do 0 to 60 in 2 seconds - it might do it, but anyone with any sense surely won't make it a practice to do so.
Some of us that load for high volume and like to pull the trigger more than the handle tend to set up for volume, know our machines well, and sit down once in a blue moon and crank out a bunch of rounds. Normally, I'm probably in the 300 rph range, but given the topic of the post, the point was is Dillon's advertising claim false ? Hey, it's ADVERTISING . . . and I was taught not to believe everything I hear from somebody trying to sell me something. Truth-in-advertising laws have made folks clean up their act from making most outrageous claims ( not counting Billy Mays, 'the mouth'
) but maximum speed and performance isn't usually indicative of routine speed and performance. And since a lot of us want to find out for ourselves we've pushed it to see if it's possible. Doesn't mean we make a practice of it. I responded because some seemed to state that "it couldn't be done". Well, it can.It's like advertising about the car that will do 0 to 60 in 2 seconds - it might do it, but anyone with any sense surely won't make it a practice to do so.
My wife does the pistol cart. on a 550 and a 650, she runs between 500 and 600 on each as long as the primer tube are kept full. She does a powder check each time she adds primers. I load .223's on a old 1000 and can turn out 900 to 1100 per hr. if everything is in place when I start.
campfire
Member
I have the Dillon Square Deal and I can comfortably produce 200 to 250 quality rounds of 357 per hour but no way could I pump out 400 to 500.
I have developed a good rhythm which allows me to work at what I consider a safe and steady pace.
I would rather be making quality bullets in preference to producing them in large volume at high speed and being nervously doubtful about the result.
Anyway, speed isn't what reloading is all about, it's supposed to be a relaxing and pleasurable experience with no stress.
My two cents.
Campfire
I have developed a good rhythm which allows me to work at what I consider a safe and steady pace.
I would rather be making quality bullets in preference to producing them in large volume at high speed and being nervously doubtful about the result.
Anyway, speed isn't what reloading is all about, it's supposed to be a relaxing and pleasurable experience with no stress.
My two cents.
Campfire
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Hey Camp, not to rain on your parade but there are other reasons to reload than shooting flame throwers from a 357mag.
Some of us that shoot competition NEED to have the ability to crank out the rounds. They aren't at the top of the data and are going to either knock down pins or plates or punch holes in paper, some of which don't even have a bullseye!
While you feel "quality" ammo cannot be produced in a "fast" manner I respectfully disagree. With the correct components and equipment it is quite attainable to get both. I might even throw in safely as well.
Inattention to details is what will get you. Depending on the individual, some may be able to maintain that while going faster than some!
campfire
Member
Smithcrazy
It was by no means my intention to suggest that quality rounds can not be produced in a "fast manner" and after reading my post again I don't think I said that.
I was only saying that I feel comfortable doing the amount of rounds that I can produce at, what for me is, a safe and steady pace.
I am sorry if you have interpreted my post any differently.
Campfire
It was by no means my intention to suggest that quality rounds can not be produced in a "fast manner" and after reading my post again I don't think I said that.
I was only saying that I feel comfortable doing the amount of rounds that I can produce at, what for me is, a safe and steady pace.
I am sorry if you have interpreted my post any differently.
Campfire
dennis40x
US Veteran
Each of us must have our comfort level in regards to rate of production. Methodology differs example beings reloaders and hand loaders. With some individuals it's a labor of love and with others it's a necessary drudgery. As for quality that's sort off like beauty it's all in the eyes of the beholder. All things are dependent on your usage. Stalin I believe is credited with "Quantity as a quality all of its own" or at least words to that effect.
With some as long as it goes bang and hits the paper that's quality with others it's a little more involved to the extreme of pointless in certain aspects. You're your own customer. If you're satisfied with the end product then that's all that is required.
I shoot competitively but each year I shoot less and less. At least for me it's not as important as it was at one time. That said no way in ---- would I go back to a single stage press for pistol reloading. I like a progressive that is reloading equipment but I now load at a more leisurely rate of production than others have indicated.
With some as long as it goes bang and hits the paper that's quality with others it's a little more involved to the extreme of pointless in certain aspects. You're your own customer. If you're satisfied with the end product then that's all that is required.
I shoot competitively but each year I shoot less and less. At least for me it's not as important as it was at one time. That said no way in ---- would I go back to a single stage press for pistol reloading. I like a progressive that is reloading equipment but I now load at a more leisurely rate of production than others have indicated.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I'm not going to split hairs but rather seems to me mutally exclusive in the phraseology you use. I understand your point. You don't want to rush through things just to get more ammo. You want quality, agreed.
There has to be a balance for those of use that shoot a bunch or I would use Lee dippers and a scale for each and every load. To me that would just be silly.
Making your equipment work as designed doesn't seem abnomal to me nor should it be unexpected. If a piece of equipment is designed to produce x number of rounds per x time and you produce that volume at that rate, what is the problem? If you produce those rounds in more time that would seem to be just fine too. As long as you have that amount of time available.
No need to apologize, I wasn't aggravated at you. Hope you weren't at me either!
Ancient1
Member
Loading Rates
Have been loading for 44 yrs. From Lee to 650 to HydroMec. Most progressive loader stated rates can be met but usually only with one loading & one setting up,ie keeping hoppers,tubes filled,removing loads,etc. One person can do it but not usually for a prolonged time or repeatedly. You need feed devices & large hoppers & no distractions. Everything has to be set up just so. Now,is it fair to count all this extra set-up time.
Have been loading for 44 yrs. From Lee to 650 to HydroMec. Most progressive loader stated rates can be met but usually only with one loading & one setting up,ie keeping hoppers,tubes filled,removing loads,etc. One person can do it but not usually for a prolonged time or repeatedly. You need feed devices & large hoppers & no distractions. Everything has to be set up just so. Now,is it fair to count all this extra set-up time.
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