I am about to jump into reloading with a Dillon press.....HELP!**Just ordered 550B!!*

Your on the right track. As a matter of fact, your on the PERFECT track. I have been loading since about the mid 80s, thats 1980s. I own both the RL550B and the XL650 with almost all the options. The RL550B is one fine loader. Easy to convert different calibers and is a very straight forward machine. The RL550 will last a life time and do everything you want. The RL550B is great for both small (pistol) and large (rifle) loading. I find the XL650 not so good for the large caliber (rifle) loading. Its a little fussy and does need adjustments once in a while. The auto casefeeder works well most of the time but will on occasion jam up. The XL650 just seems a little more touchy and more complicated and seems to like the small (pistol) loading over the bigger stuff (rifle). I use the RL550B for the big medicine and the XL650 for my pistol stuff. I no longer shoot as much as I used to, but even when I was shooting 50-60,000 rounds each year the RL550B would have been able to supply my needs. Most of the time the XL650 just sets on my bench waiting to load more 45ACPs, and it does an exceptional job for that round. The XL650 also cost more for the caliber conversions. YEP, the RL550B is more machine than most will ever need. One other side note, the RL550B is IMHO much safer and user friendly for the begginer. Good luck and please keep us all updated on your reloading.
 
More great information and relative perspectives on the 550 vs 650.


Again,I really appreciate all the experience and feedback here.
It looks like the 550 is the way I will be going, sounds more straight forward and simpler. I have allways adhered to the 'KISS' fomula and it sounds like that is apropos for reloading.
 
The more that can go wrong, the more that will go wrong. And, sooner or later, something will.

keep it simple, and the results should be minor.
 
fredj338 said:
BTW, unless you are loading 10gr or more of powder, trying to weigh them is useless in finding a squib. The case, bullets will often be a diff of 5gr so it's not a good way to look for a suspected dbl.
You can buy lots of goodies for the 550B but what yo uhave is agood start. The roller handle is a bit more comfy than the ball handle for most. The stongmount get the press up higher if you want that. Your bench need to be very solid or you'll have issues priming, so make that bench top thick & solid. fasten the bench to the wall if you can.
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I second this post regarding a bench. IMO the most important component of reloading with a 550B or any other for that matter. Get a strong, sturdy bench that won't wobble. In a perfect world, anchor it to the wall if you can. If you can't, just make sure it has good depth, nice and heavy, thick solid wood top and level.
 
Faulkner said:
I started out on a Dillon 550 about 10 years ago and I'm glad I didn't listen to those who where advising me to start out on a single stage. I learned the basics just as well and didn't waste money on a equipment that wouldn't turn out the rounds per hour I was looking for.

I do recommend utilizing the services of a mentor if possible.
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I agree with this except I started out reloading back in the mid-80's with my RL-550B.

Using the Dillon progressive, it was much easier to learn since I could use the progressive reloader as a multi-single stage, learning each stage before progressing to the next stage. If had started out with a single, I would have spent most of time just changing dies and worse, recalibrating and remeasuring everything that had changed.

I was given a single stage press about 5 years after I started with the Dillon 550B, I tried using it for just .308 hunting rounds - what a PITA. Just when I'd get into a rhythm, I'd have to tear it down and start all over again with the next stage. I found it much easier to change over the Dillon from small to large primers plus the powder measure from small to large rather than fool around with the single stage.

If I had taken the usual advice to start with a single stage press, I probably would have never taken up reloading as much as I have (about 12 rifle calibers and 4-5 pistol calibers)
 
Skip Sackett said:
Thanks for your honesty! Even with a single stage! IMAGINE that! ;)
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Actually, it is easier to create squibs and doubles on a single stage than on a auto-indexed progressive. There is this myth that a single-stage is safer - not so!
 
dla said:
Actually, it is easier to create squibs and doubles on a single stage than on a auto-indexed progressive. There is this myth that a single-stage is safer - not so!
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Well, only if you violate all the tenets of safe reloading. One should NEVER get a squib or double using proper reloading techniques, never, not once. The way I teach reloading is on a ss press. It is virtually impossible to get powder charging wrong using a proper technique. You would have to be reloading drunk or asleep to accomplish that. Neither fits into safe reloading doctrine. It is much easier on autyom,ated gear as you get into a habit of just pulling the handle after awhile & then anything can happen. It always comes down to the operator & the technique, rarely is the equip at fault.
 
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OK guys, I'm still here taking notes so thanks for the thought out, experience backed insights.
In fact just today I made my first reloading supply order: 500 rounds each of nickel Starline brass in .44 and .357 along with Rainier plated bullets.
I don't even have a press or a desk/bench yet as I am still carving out a space for it, I am just excited to get going.
 
The 550B is an excellent press. I think where most people get into trouble on any progessive is trying to go too fast too soon. When I bought my Dillon 550 I was tempted by the speed too but seeing a few gun blow up over the decades (none of mine, thank goodness) caused me to stop and take a deep breath. Now, about three years later, I still don't use my Dillon 550B as the designers intended.

I take my clean and deprimed brass and run it through the first two stations -- prime and charge. Then I remove the case and set it upright in a block. When I get ready to seat and crimp bullets -- usually at 100 -- I first shine a light into every single case to visually check the powder level. Then I finish with stations three and four. True I can't load 5,000 rounds/hour but I can crank out 100 between coming home from work and washing up for dinner. That suits my needs well enough.
 
indymike said:
I second this post regarding a bench. IMO the most important component of reloading with a 550B or any other for that matter. Get a strong, sturdy bench that won't wobble. In a perfect world, anchor it to the wall if you can. If you can't, just make sure it has good depth, nice and heavy, thick solid wood top and level.
Click to expand...

I third that,especially when you are loading mixed bag of 44 mag brass.
I have my presses on a flat car rail road wheel with many ten # bricks of lead places on the wheel.
IT STILL moves.
 
I agree with what everyone has said. I have been reloading since 1977 and currently have a Dillon 650, a Rockchucker, and a Redding T7.

I only load practice ammo on my Dillon and follow the safety procedures others have mentioned. Watching the powder charge is of PARAMOUNT importance.

I use the T7 for load development and defense ammo. I weigh every charge and do a loading block / flashlite cross check in addition. That way there is 100% QC check.

May I suggest, that as an alternative, you buy a T-7 to start with and move up to the Dillon as your needs dictate. Also, a good thing to have is a Forster collet bullet puller. It is infinitely superior to the impact type.

S/F, SST,

RAS
 
parabarbarian said:
... When I get ready to seat and crimp bullets -- ...-- I first shine a light into every single case to visually check the powder level. Then I finish with stations three and four. ...
Click to expand...

As do I, my friend. I just don't do it away from the press. :cool:
IMG_0253.jpg
 
with all the chatter on the forum I sometimes need to be aloan...... HA HA........ :) yes, load alone... I have had two squids on a single stage press over the years :(

get an oops can like Skip said... mine only a few in it.... right
 
I have done it now, and I can't be more excited!

I went to the gun show this past Sunday, yeterday to be exact, and put money down on a new 550B which will arrive early next week.
I have read and re-read this post and others concerning this press and other progressives along with the single stage arguments.
All arguments carried merit but I kept coming back to what I wanted, ultimately, and this is where I ended up.
I almost went single stage, to get the basic concept down but knew I would end up with the Dillon in the end. My road has been littered, in the past, with in between/ interim steps and anymore I try to start where I think I will end up anyway, mainly because it saves time and money.

I have everything you guys have mentioned above except the Speer/Lyman manual and a bullet puller. Well, and a desk but I do have a line on one.

This next weekend is the garage clean out/ reloading area creation.

Thanks again everyone, really a huge help!

Speaking of help I will need to start another thread now to gleen ideas for downsized .357Mag and .44 Mag loads........
 
You know what they say:

"Without pictures it didn't happen."

Looking forward to seeing your reloading bench.:cool:
 
OK men, I just spoke with 2hawk this afternoon and it looks like he and I will be tackling this together.
2hawk has offered to help, not only with the reloader but with the bench setup as well, how generous is that!
I have to tell you that this pleases me to no end.
As I mentioned above the process has been a real hump for me to get over so having someone on deck with 20 plus years reloading experience is a big confidence booster.

CMD',
Brian Enos is moving servers right now but I will check it out when they are up and running.

blujax,
I will post those pics as soon as it materializes.
 
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