I ordered the Dillon 750 XL Essential set up for .223 to start with. After I get the hang of things I will add .357 & 9mm. I know I have a lot to learn but I'll get there.
I'm in deep now
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bigggbbruce
Member
In deep is when you shoot 6 or more calibers, rifle and handgun and never buy factory loaded rounds.
I'm sure you'll get there tho..
I'm sure you'll get there tho..
old pipefitter
Member
It will come with pretty detailed instructions. Maybe now they come with a DVD instruction. Welcome to the Dillon club where you want to buy everything they make. Swage tool for brass, Dillon carbide dies, Case feeder, Bullet feeder. electric primer tube feeder. ETC ETC. Its a disease
hotshot357
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Congratulations, welcome to the "blue crew" !!!!!! Your going to love it. Have fun and be safe.
You will love it, I've been using a 650XL for years....great machine. Only
thing I don't use is the powder drop, I chose to use my Pact powder drop and scale, I use a Dillon balance scale to check the Pact scale. It may slow me up a bit but little. Enjoy a great press you bought. Oh, and the tech support you will receive is second to none.
thing I don't use is the powder drop, I chose to use my Pact powder drop and scale, I use a Dillon balance scale to check the Pact scale. It may slow me up a bit but little. Enjoy a great press you bought. Oh, and the tech support you will receive is second to none.
Free knowledge from my experience
If you shoot an AR 15; buy an RCBS Small Base X-die sizer die OR if shooting a bolt action; buy an RCBS standard X-die sizer die, AND anneal your case necks before resizing.
Case life will be much more than 2 or 3 firings before the neck cracks. Also, the force needed to resize the cases will be 50% less. I have had a torn rotator cuff repaired on my right shoulder because of reloading for 45 years. 35 of those years was using a Dillon progressive press that is still working tonight.
My experience, your free knowledge.
If you shoot an AR 15; buy an RCBS Small Base X-die sizer die OR if shooting a bolt action; buy an RCBS standard X-die sizer die, AND anneal your case necks before resizing.
Case life will be much more than 2 or 3 firings before the neck cracks. Also, the force needed to resize the cases will be 50% less. I have had a torn rotator cuff repaired on my right shoulder because of reloading for 45 years. 35 of those years was using a Dillon progressive press that is still working tonight.
My experience, your free knowledge.
They use to come with a vhs tape. I bet they have something better now or you can use youtube.
The problem now may be finding the components to use with that new Dillon. I hope you have a good stock of parts already. If not you will be ready to roll when supplies come back.
OP
Thanks. I will check into it.
I sure don't need any more shoulder problems than what I already have.
I sure don't need any more shoulder problems than what I already have.
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
I certainly resemble that remark; sometimes I wonder if "in deep" and "in over my head" are the same thing. I'm at ten different calibers that I shoot and load for. Only factory ammo I buy is shotgun, and I'm thinking of loading for the 12 gauge at least.
OP
I'm shooting an AR 15, no bolt actions.
Will the RCBS Small Base X-die sizer be used on the Dillon 750 or will I need to get something else for this part of the process?
Thanks.
Will the RCBS Small Base X-die sizer be used on the Dillon 750 or will I need to get something else for this part of the process?
Thanks.
Getting in deep? Just wait and you will learn what deep is. Started loading in the late 70's. Wound up loading for around 15 calibers. Wound up selling all my loading stuff when kids came and no longer had time to hunt and shoot. Started back after 20 years with intention of only loading .38 wadcutters. Now load for 8 Handgun calibers and 2 rifle. You don't save money by loading, you just shoot more but with better ammo
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I guess I'm different. I started to load decades ago but stuck to just a few handgun calibers. .38/.357, .45ACP/AR, .41 Magnum, .380, 9mm. The last two I don't shoot or load a whole lot but I do have the ability to do so if need be. I shoot .22 handguns also. I don't even own a rifle.
I find I can only shoot so many guns. Any more than half a dozen or so and I can't seem to get regular trigger time. Plus I can't say I really love reloading. I just want the ammo.
My Dillon RL450 (due to a conversion it's now really a Franken 550) is still going strong.
I find I can only shoot so many guns. Any more than half a dozen or so and I can't seem to get regular trigger time. Plus I can't say I really love reloading. I just want the ammo.
My Dillon RL450 (due to a conversion it's now really a Franken 550) is still going strong.
I've come to the same conclusion. I shoot 5 or 6 guns regularly but own many more.
I never set out to be but somehow have grown into being a collector.
In terms of the loading learning curve and simplicity, 38/357 are the easiest as they are straight-wall. Then 9mm (slight taper) and lastly .223 as a necked cartridge. Good luck and be safe.
wheelgun28
Member
Honestly, I would not bother with the RCBS dies. Everyone has a favorite, it is just not my personal preference.
The Dillon die works fine and makes good ammo. The properly adjusted Dillon die sizes fine for the AR chamber no need for any other gizmos.
I do recommend getting a good case gauge to size the cases and adjust the die. You'll need to trim the cases to the correct length. A good case gauge will help with that too. I have a Dillon gauge other people make fine gauges too.
I also think that rifle is harder to start out with over the pistol cartridges. Be sure to read up on the process and start with small batches.
Glenn,
I purchased a Dillon SDB in the late 1980s, then moved into a 550B in the early 1990s. I quickly learned that I was unable to load an acceptable match round for my Garand and M1A using the Dillon, so rifle ammo is coming off the old RCBS single stage, and the Dillon is producing: 380, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 9mm, 40 S&W, 41 Magnum, 44 Special, and 45 ACP.
I would venture that once you get the feel of reloading with your Dillon, you'll most likely give casting a shot!
I purchased a Dillon SDB in the late 1980s, then moved into a 550B in the early 1990s. I quickly learned that I was unable to load an acceptable match round for my Garand and M1A using the Dillon, so rifle ammo is coming off the old RCBS single stage, and the Dillon is producing: 380, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 9mm, 40 S&W, 41 Magnum, 44 Special, and 45 ACP.
I would venture that once you get the feel of reloading with your Dillon, you'll most likely give casting a shot!
JJEH
Member
Good luck with it. I want to start too, especially since I now own somewhat of an exotic. But I also like to keep people like Buffalo Bore, Weatherby, Hornady and Norma in business. The struggle is real 
SLT223
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There's also youtube videos from individual users that can be helpful. Some of them fill in with experience factor where Dillon instruction leaves off. At least I found this to be the case with the 650.
In deep is when you load for LOTS of calibers and guages. In deep is when you cast bullets for almost everything you shoot and pour your own shot for your shotguns. In deep is when you build your own rifle/pistol range and build your own skeet field........Guess I'm in so deep I'm drownt.
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You will like drinkin that Blue Kool-aid.
To add to this - I'd start with .357 until very familiar with your press operation; it's a straight wall, no neck, no shoulder case and doesn't have the critical shoulder length and OAL length concerns a magazine fed autoloader does.
Nice rig - be careful and have fun!
gwpercle
Member
Go slow , take your time and Load Safe .
It's ok to get anal and OCD about getting one charge of powder in the case .
Two charges is just as bad as no charge ...check twice .
There are no awards given for speed reloading . My dear Mom would tell me " Haste makes waste" ... I will tell you , do it right the first time and you won't spend as much time with a bullet puller undoing mistakes ... Trust me on this one ... I know !
Load Safe,
Gary
It's ok to get anal and OCD about getting one charge of powder in the case .
Two charges is just as bad as no charge ...check twice .
There are no awards given for speed reloading . My dear Mom would tell me " Haste makes waste" ... I will tell you , do it right the first time and you won't spend as much time with a bullet puller undoing mistakes ... Trust me on this one ... I know !
Load Safe,
Gary
Congrats on your new setup; as other above I'd suggest to start with a straight wall cartridge. 223 is a little more involved, I do it in 2 stage - 1st is size and trim (I have Dillon trimmer) so it's 1 cycle through the press, then clean the lube and go for 2nd cycle with actual priming, powder, bullet seat and crimp.
OP
That is what I have got in mind, not really trying to save money. But I do want to buy all necessary supplies when available so I can get stocked up on the calibers I need.
fixed it for you
I have a lightly used 650XL. It is in the neighborhood of 150k rounds loaded since I bought it new about 4 years ago. I do a little competition shooting so loading my own ammo is a VERY economical solution for me at the volume I shoot.
When it comes to loading 5.56 ammo, the only sizing die that has NEVER caused me an issue in my rifles is Dillon. I have tried many other brands of dies with varying degrees of failure.
Pro tip: Visually inspect EVERY case for powder charge BEFORE you seat the bullet. Static bridge in a powder hopper is rare, but it does happen. It is also easier than you would think to run your powder hopper empty ...
OP
I have a bunch of lead that I have used for fishing weights and jigs. I also have a Lee melting pot so I guess I'd just need to get the right molds?
OP
What all do I need to change calibers? The Dillon setup is for 223 and I ordered some 9mm dies after I ordered the press. If loading for .357 would be better to start learning on, do I just need the 3 Dillon dies? Thanks.
No, you are gonna need a conversion kit. It should include a shell plate, powder funnel and buttons (forget correct name). I'm speaking from 550 knowledge, pretty sure 750 will be the same. Some parts of the conversion kit will interchange with other calibers. If your cheap like me, you can piece some together.
I hope you like your Dillon, I love mine.
David
I hope you like your Dillon, I love mine.
David
OP
Thanks David. I will do a search on conversion kit or shell plate for the Dillon 750 and see what I can find.
You're right, the conversion kit comes with all the stuff you mentioned plus a few things. But it does not come with the dies. That seems odd to me. Is it because some guys use different brands of dies or may already have the dies?
You're right, the conversion kit comes with all the stuff you mentioned plus a few things. But it does not come with the dies. That seems odd to me. Is it because some guys use different brands of dies or may already have the dies?
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