PULLED THE TRIGGER ON A NEW DILLON PRESS YESTERDAY

[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

 

[dd45]

Some general comments. I have several Dillon presses, my first one in 1988, and generally try to dedicate one to the cartridge that I am mostly loading. Some years ago I acquired a well used XL1050 set up for .45 acp and that was the best buy I have made.

The 1050 IS great for the primer pocket swage position, no question. The case feeder is a PITA due to noise, but helps do the job, especially for old pharts who have problems with knees and hips getting up and down. If I had it to do over again, I would have bought three or four of the 1050s when they were $800, but now at age 70 justifying the expense would be over the edge.

The roller handle as well as the massive rotating wheel with bearings makes for a smooth operation. I really do have to get new handles for my 550s and SDBs.

See ultimatereloading.com or this guy's video tests on youtube.com

dd

 

[chief38]

Here's the light info you asked for.

JANSJÖ LED clamp spotlight - blue - IKEA

 

[Moonman]

Chief38,

How's the 650 Doing?

 

[chief38]

MM,
Let's just say its already paid for itself! I figure that on average I save $20 bucks a box (minimum) over Factory ammo. Actually, that figure may actually be higher since I shoot a lot of .45 Colt which costs a small fortune! My set up ran me $1700 with all the accessories. I sold my old SD-B for $500, so the net cost of my new press was $1200. $1200 divided by $20 savings per box = 60 boxes of ammo to break even. 60 boxes = 3000 rounds which is already on the shelf. So like I said, it's paid for itself in less than 3 weeks. The rest is gravy.

The 650 is doing excellent and I would highly recommend it to anyone who shoots often. Caliber changes are very quick (I have the extra tool heads and powder drops already installed & adjusted) loading with the optional aluminum roller handle is effortless, powder metering is flawless, and once I became familiar with its operation it as fast as greased lightening. The quality of the ammo produced is better than my SD-B and the Dillon Dies are so easy to take apart & clean due to the quick remove clip they have.

I ran out of ammo boxes (never did that in 30 years of reloading) so I am now storing some of the "over run" in 3 pound coffee cans until there are some empty boxes. I shoot at least twice a week so I do go through lots of ammo. I could not be happier!

I did install a few "upgrades" within the first day or two. The live primer "ski chute" has been replaced with a much better plastic bottle to catch the unused live primers. I also installed a spent primer collection system that holds about 2000 primers before it needs to be emptied and you NEVER get any primers on the floor. There is a plastic hose that guides the spent ones right into a large bottle mounted to the strong mount. The light that is in the photos I posted is also terrific and really illuminates your work.

Chief38

 

[Moonman]

Chief38,

If you would have purchased a Dillon 650 a few years ago,

Think about all the boxes and shelves you could have filled.

You would have probably saved SO MUCH MONEY,

A Wells Fargo Truck would be stopping by on a regular basis just to help CART IT AWAY.

Think about "What a Pain" that would be.

Good that you waited, or the shortages would be GREATER.

Ya Know, Maybe ALL THESE SHORTAGES ARE JUST REALLY,

MIKE DILLON'S FAULT.

 

[AveragEd]

I have managed to find a drawback to the Dillon 650. I load my .38 Special cases with 148-grain hollow-base wadcutters and often use Hornady bullets because they are readily available hereabouts. On my RockChucker Supreme, I've never had any problems but I just finished loading 250 with the 650. The dry, powdery lubricant that Hornady uses gets all over the machine and coated the finished shell ejection ramp and catch bin with so much that a shop vac wouldn't touch it - I had to wash both with glass cleaner and a rag. The vac was able to get it off the shell plate and the loader base.

Fortunately, those were the last of those bullets I had on hand. I have 500 really nice looking LHBWCs made by a poster to this site that I will start using next but I fear I may have another "messy" situation headed my way. I ordered 500 Remington LHBWCs because they've always been the most accurate bullet for me and most other people who have tried them. I never had any trouble with their lubricant with the RCBS press but your hands get covered with their lube unless you roll them around on a rag first so I'll bet the Dillon will be filthy when I'm done loading them.

I'm still a 650 lover, though! I now have four toolhead assemblies complete with powder measures, dies and low powder charge alarms. Without having to set up a toolhead each time I change calibers, that changeover takes between four and ten minutes, depending upon whether I have to change the primer feed from one size primer to the other.

Those 250 shells took almost no more time to completely load than it would have taken me to just resize them on my RockChucker!

Ed

 

[moosedog]

I have been thinking of getting a Dillion to replace my RCBS Rock Chucker that I have used since 1973.
I have numerous RCBS, Lyman and Lee die sets.
Will the Dillion take these dies or do I have to start over?

 

[blujax01]

AveragEd, I have been told that using an electric vacuum around gunpowder can have unintended consequences. I don't know of it actually happening but I use a foxtail broom and dustpan, myself.

Moosedog, the Dillon will accept any standard 7/8" thread die.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have been thinking of getting a Dillion to replace my RCBS Rock Chucker that I have used since 1973.
I have numerous RCBS, Lyman and Lee die sets.
Will the Dillion take these dies or do I have to start over?

Standard dies of other makes will work on the Dillon 550, 650 and 1050. However, the Dillon pistol dies are designed for use on progressives and have more flare on the bottom of the dies to allow the cases to self-center. This is more important with straight-wall cases. Getting the Dillon dies will pay dividends in convenience.

John

 

[Bkreutz]

Standard dies of other makes will work on the Dillon 550, 650 and 1050. However, the Dillon pistol dies are designed for use on progressives and have more flare on the bottom of the dies to allow the cases to self-center. This is more important with straight-wall cases. Getting the Dillon dies will pay dividends in convenience.

John

The Dillon dies also have another neat feature. The bullet seating die and the crimp die have a quick release center that allows you to pull the center, clean it, and reinstall it without disturbing the adjustment. I used standard dies for a while, but switched to the Dillon ones as soon as I could get some. (they can be difficult to get at times).

 

[Murphy's Law]

I've had my 550b for 8 years and never a problem. I load for 6 different calibers and darn machine can load something like 160 calibers. Had to call Dillon one time (human error) but like EVERZYONE says, their customer service is untouchable "bar none"

 

[AveragEd]

AveragEd, I have been told that using an electric vacuum around gunpowder can have unintended consequences. I don't know of it actually happening but I use a foxtail broom and dustpan, myself.

As stated in my post, I was removing excessive bullet lubricant from my loader. The person who told you that was correct, by the way.

Ed

 

[Skeet 028]

I too have a 650. I load 223s on it. For pistol rounds I use 1050s. Bought the first at an auction set up for 45 auto. Paid 300 bucks. What a mistake. It was set up for 5.2 gr of 231 powder. After using the darn thing for a while..I realized the dilemma. It worked so good I had to have one in 38..9mm 44 and 45. I do not and will not change calibers on them. I also have 2 550s and for my rifle rounds I picked up a Dillon AT 500 from a guy for a 100 bucks. I still use a Redding Turret press and some old RCBS A2s and A3s and I have a Lee single Stage for the 50 BMG. But for my money all the Dillons work great. I actually consider them an investment..not an expense