Need help getting started in reloading

[chief38]

My intention was to have someone who is now getting into reloading NOT make the same mistakes that I did when I started out. I believe that no matter WHICH press one purchases, there will be a learning curve, mistakes made, and just plain getting use to it. I also believe that you should buy equipment that you can grow into, not out of! If the Dillon 650 was double or triple the price of the 550 I would not be suggesting it, but I believe it is only about a $100 bucks more. Well worth the extra coin being that it automatically indexes, has an extra station, and is over all a better press than the 550 is, IMHO.

When I got into Rifle calibers, I SHOULD HAVE sold my Square Deal, and gotten a 650 instead of buying the RCBS Rock Chucker in addition to the SD I still have. Now I have two presses mounted side by side, and while they do what I need them to do, the 650 would have been the way to go.

Now I am NOT "badmouthing" the 550, as it is a very fine press.......... I just feel the 650 for the extra $100 bucks is a lot better. Just ones mans opinion , of course!

Chief38

 

[Skip Sackett]

Well,

Now I am NOT "badmouthing" the 550, as it is a very fine press.......... I just feel the 650 for the extra $100 bucks is a lot better. Just ones mans opinion , of course!

Chief38

Chief,
I hear confession is good for the soul so.......here I go..............

Just a bit ago, this is would have been my EXACT post on the subject. I even went as far as saying that an RL550B would NEVER be on my bench because there is no auto advance feature. Listen, I have 2 XL650s mounted to benches in my man cave, I know what they will do, I love them and honestly, wouldn't be without them BUT, I can see the place for an RL550B on someone's bench too. Mostly because of volume but also for load type.

The XL650 can be used in single stage mode but, you have to remove the auto primer advance cam from the press. On this press, even if the primer is not used in a case, they still advance and then are discarded onto a tray provided for them. It is a pain in the neck to catch them so.....I just take the cam off, only one allen bolt, and use the press that way for load development. It isn't that way with the RL550B. The primer system is much like the Square Deal B in that it doesn't "drop" one unless a case takes it.

While my press is an RL450B, half converted, it has in essence the same exact functionality as the RL550B until you have to do a caliber change over. When I say load type, I will clarify by saying that mine is setup for 44Mag. Mostly because I have spent all summer long in trying to develop a satisfactory load for all of my carbines in that caliber. The RL450B worked flawlessly for that task. Then, when I wanted to run production, I simply put cases in every station and elevated my seat so I could look into each case before a bullet is seated. Of course, powder selection did play a part in making that a non-issue as I chose a ball powder that flowed like water anyway.

So, from having both presses, I can honestly say that there is a place for both on a bench, even the same bench!