PULLED THE TRIGGER ON A NEW DILLON PRESS YESTERDAY

[AveragEd]

Chief, I assume you also found it a little too dark inside the 650. Our son suggested a grill light but I'd like to see your setup first.

Ed

 

[Bkreutz]

I find it strange that I read a lot of posts about adding lights to a 650 for visibility, add that to the fact that there is a company that sells a light that fits into the center hole on the die plate I start to think that everyone else must be reloading in a cave. I haven't added any lights to my reloading corner but don't seem to have any visibility problems. I do have T5 lights installed in that portion of the shop but nothing special over the press. I've added a couple of pics so you can see what I'm talking about. (I suppose the white walls help a lot)

 

[AveragEd]

I don't have the shell feeder (and really don't want one) so when I reach through the loader to place a shell in the first station, much of the good overhead lighting I have is blocked by the toolhead and my arm. It's not pitch dark in there but once or twice, I've wished for my light.

Ed

 

[Bkreutz]

I don't have the shell feeder (and really don't want one) so when I reach through the loader to place a shell in the first station, much of the good overhead lighting I have is blocked by the toolhead and my arm. It's not pitch dark in there but once or twice, I've wished for my light.

Ed

I'm going to assume you have a 550 because all the 650's come with the case feeder installed (the electric sorter/tube filler is an option). I can see the need for the light if you have to stuff a case in there every time you pull the handle.

 

[Moonman]

inlinefabrication makes a SKYLIGHT and LED STRIP LIGHTS for presses and Safes.

Nice stuff too.

His "ULTRAMOUNTS" for different manufactures presses is also 3/16 thick steel and very nicely finished.

Prices include shipping and will be at your door generally in 2-3 days.

 

[AveragEd]

I'm going to assume you have a 550 because all the 650's come with the case feeder installed (the electric sorter/tube filler is an option). I can see the need for the light if you have to stuff a case in there every time you pull the handle.

No, I have a 650. I did not install any of the case feeder hardware that was not already on the loader. Maybe I should remove what already was there.

Ed

 

[Moonman]

The Dillon 650 and the Hornady LNL-AP can be and are run by folks without

case feeders and they are perfectly happy running them that way.

The Hornady LNL has the case feeder as TOTALLY OPTIONAL.

The Dillon 650 COMES WITH part of the CASE FEEDER ASSEMBLY INSTALLED,

the remaining parts are purchased as an optional assembly.

That's why Hornady's is $300 Plus and Dillon's is $200 Plus.

 

[Bkreutz]

No, I have a 650. I did not install any of the case feeder hardware that was not already on the loader. Maybe I should remove what already was there.

Ed

The 650 comes with the case feed tube. You fill the tube with 20 odd cases and then load until it needs refilling. The tube is in a separate part of the packaging and you need to install it. The automatic case feeder is the accessory that attaches to the tube to keep it filled. I've attached a pic of mine that is stock (no case feeder) that I have to manually fill the tube every 20 or so rounds. If yours doesn't look like this, there is probably something in the box that you overlooked and didn't install. (it's the clear plastic tube with the green part on the bottom between the powder reservoir and the bent black metal support (for the optional case feeder). If you're having to load every case individually on a 650 I can see why you would need a light. BTW I don't have the auto case sorter and feeder, I'm leaving options for my wife and son for Christmas

 

[AveragEd]

I know exactly which parts you referenced. My preference is to insert each case manually rather than get up and refill the tube every 20 rounds (or, knowing me, forget to watch for no case to drop and keep pulling the handle). My thinking may change in time - if my son had his druthers, it would change today as he nags me about the case feeder every time he comes over.

I load my trap loads on an electrically-driven progressive shotshell loader, so I'm not opposed to automation. I just insert an empty hull and a wad and push a button; 3.8 seconds later, a 12-gauge shell is born.

Ed

 

[Bkreutz]

I know exactly which parts you referenced. My preference is to insert each case manually rather than get up and refill the tube every 20 rounds (or, knowing me, forget to watch for no case to drop and keep pulling the handle). My thinking may change in time - if my son had his druthers, it would change today as he nags me about the case feeder every time he comes over.

I load my trap loads on an electrically-driven progressive shotshell loader, so I'm not opposed to automation. I just insert an empty hull and a wad and push a button; 3.8 seconds later, a 12-gauge shell is born.

Ed

I find the break in pulling the handle every 20 rounds to be beneficial. It keeps my backside from becoming numb. I forget every now and then but all that happens is that I get an extra primer back that I have to re-load into the hopper the next time. I'm thinking I'll have the auto feeder at Christmas. I'm not into the speed thing and if the auto feeder is too noisy I may leave it unplugged. I reload what I shoot so that means 1000 - 1200 rounds per week. I reload M-F after my range trips and then on the weekend I process brass on the day that I don't have a match. Retirement is a good thing.

 

[dcxplant]

I love my 550B, and I can't wait to upgrade to the 650.

Try living just ten miles from Dillon's factory!! Man, I have to resist every time I drive down Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.

 

[chief38]

A FEW NICE IDEAS FOR THE 650

First thing that I did after setting up this new 650 was to install an LED clip on light so I could see what I was doing The lighting in my gun room is good, but the machine always casts a shadow where you are working. It was $15.00 bucks and is very bright. Since it's an LED it does not get real hot and it runs off a 12volt DC converter that just plugs into the wall outlet.

I ordered the big Dillon cover for the entire machine but was not thrilled with it. First off it was a P.I.T.A, to put on because I do not have too much room in the rear to get my hands back there to pull down the zipper. Secondly, it is a huge monstrosity and would not zip past the wire from the case feeder unless I store it unplugged. So what I did is I took one of the covers meant for a caliber conversion set up, slit the back neatly about 8 inches or so and bar tacked the cut to keep it from ripping. It covers all the essential parts of the machine like the powder measure, tool head, dies, primer tube etc. and takes about 3 seconds to put on.
I returned the real cover to Dillon and ordered another small one to replace the caliber conversion set up that I borrowed it from.

I also added two upgrades from Steve T.(Dillonupgrades.com on ebay) that catch the live primers in a screw on plastic bottle, and the other catches the spent primers through a funnel into a tube into a bottle that holds a few thousand primers. No more primers on the floor!

So far I an VERY impressed with this thing and tomorrow I think I'll load up a few thousand .38's.

 

[blujax01]

I cover mine with a fitted bed sheet. Works really well, especially since I have the auto case feeder on top.

I like the idea of the LED lighting but instead chose an articulated arm fluorescent unit with a built in magnifier. When I'm not using it, I close the cookbook fold-down shelf and swing the light up under the cabinet.
The shaving mirror, used to view the inside of the case feeder, also folds flat against the side of the cabinet.

 

[chief38]

blujax01,

The mirror is a nice idea - didn't think of that one yet!

I had the same type of light as you have on my older press but the springs weakened in short order and it would not stay in place without tying it up from a shelf. It was large and cumbersome and there were shadows from the circular fluorescent bulb which is why I switched to the miniature LED (much brighter, small, compact, never moves and for $15 bucks it's cheap enough to toss and replace when it gets "tired". I still have the circular fluorescent lamp but now use it on my work bench where it seems to like staying in one position better.

 

[AveragEd]

Chief, I like that light! It even matches the loader pretty closely - where did you get it? I labeled my toolheads just as you did.

And thanks for the link to those updates.

Ed

 

[chief38]

Ed,
I got it at IKEA furniture (lighting dept.). It was the first time I had been in that store. They come in lots of different sizes, colors and attachment methods and are very reasonably priced. I paid $14.99 for that one and will buy a back up for it next time I am in the area.

 

[Bkreutz]

First thing that I did after setting up this new 650 was to install an LED clip on light so I could see what I was doing The lighting in my gun room is good, but the machine always casts a shadow where you are working. It was $15.00 bucks and is very bright. Since it's an LED it does not get real hot and it runs off a 12volt DC converter that just plugs into the wall outlet.

I ordered the big Dillon cover for the entire machine but was not thrilled with it. First off it was a P.I.T.A, to put on because I do not have too much room in the rear to get my hands back there to pull down the zipper. Secondly, it is a huge monstrosity and would not zip past the wire from the case feeder unless I store it unplugged. So what I did is I took one of the covers meant for a caliber conversion set up, slit the back neatly about 8 inches or so and bar tacked the cut to keep it from ripping. It covers all the essential parts of the machine like the powder measure, tool head, dies, primer tube etc. and takes about 3 seconds to put on.
I returned the real cover to Dillon and ordered another small one to replace the caliber conversion set up that I borrowed it from.

I also added two upgrades from Steve T.(Dillonupgrades.com on ebay) that catch the live primers in a screw on plastic bottle, and the other catches the spent primers through a funnel into a tube into a bottle that holds a few thousand primers. No more primers on the floor!

So far I an VERY impressed with this thing and tomorrow I think I'll load up a few thousand .38's.

Neat idea on the cover, I'll have to steal that one.. I also think the 2 additions to the primer system are great as well. I never did like the "ski jump" new primer recovery system and while the box was an improvement over the other presses I've had. The bottle means zero spent primers on the floor.

 

[chief38]

So I loaded up about 1000 or so 38 Specials today ( on the new 650 ) and after that I decided to use my Rock Chucker to reload 200 45-70 Gov't cartridges for my Marlin 1895 Lever Rifle.

It took me all afternoon to do them and every time I pulled the handle I could not help thinking - - - man, I could never imagine loading pistol bullets on this thing. YET, I still have a few shooting friends that ONLY have a single stage press. Nothing wrong with that as long as you truly enjoy sitting there for hours reloading.

So far I think the 650 is THE NUTZ!!!

 

[AveragEd]

I'm with you. I now have Dillon Quick Change toolheads with powder charge sensors for .38 Super, .45ACP and .44 Magnum and plan to get ones for .38 Special and .357 Magnum. I like their dies for the same reasons you mentioned but as far as readjusting RCBS or Redding dies after cleaning, a dummy round for each recipe you load makes that quick and easy.

I set up the .44 Magnum toolhead yesterday and was done loading 150 shells before I knew it! The Quick Change toolheads come with a powder measure, so as long I don't change powders or powder charges, converting the top end from one caliber to another only takes about 10 seconds.

I have 50 empty .243 Ackley Improved cases on my bench but am struggling with starting to load them on my RockChucker Supreme. I'm spoiled already!

Ed

 

[dd45]

Chief, that clamp on work light must have been made with Dillon reloaders in mind. I hope that you have the stock number for that blue one as I would like to order same.

Internet catalog shows one for $20 but does not mention that is is 12vdc. Also, the head is slightly different looking than is yours. So, if you have the part number, please post.

Tnx, dd