Darn all your Dillon talk....

[JD Lud]

Ok....all this talk on Dillon lately is going to make me order one.  I currently have a LNL Ap (no case feed) and a Hornady single stage. I have contemplated getting another Hornady LNL or a Dillon SDB, but I think im going to go with a 650 just so I can try out the case feeder with it.  A feeder plus a reliable powder check system would seem to be a large step forward.   Looking at setting one up in 45 colt on initial set up, adding the powder check sensor, and case feeder.  Debating on the strong mount or handle upgrades (saw separate thread, seems 50/50 on roller handle so probably try the ball first).  Missing anything?  Conversion kits probably down the road...looks like 200 plus each time you convert if you go with the toolhead so its an easy change, but sure would be nice once you do that.  Plus disks for the case feed.
 

Do they do military discounts at all, and is it best to order from Dillon or is there a preferred supplier?  I could buy two SDBs for less than will have in this...Ill also have to order some crimp dies as up to this point have been seating/crimping in one step, but will try the extra step on a caliber or two and see what it does.  

 

Fire away thoughts and suggestions please, and sincerely appreciate the input.

[Red Eye Jim]

Only do SDB if you're only ever going to load pistol cartridges with them.  I went with a 550C myself.  I may order a second one here for large primer as I'm not looking forward to making that swap when the time comes.  Of course to do that I'm going to have to talk my wife out of some space somewhere if I'm going to have two setups.

 

[Church Key, SASS # 33713]

Jim - The primer swap is an easy 15 minutes from your lifespan; no big deal. It's best if you have someone with experience guide you through it. No need to spend another $500+, instead buy more bullets and primers.

 

Church Key 

[Max Payne]

You can get a case feeder & powder check with the 550 if you prefer that machine. I started with a 550 & like it fine. But, my wife & I shoot every Saturday, plus at least one practice, so I'm loading a lot of rounds. I bought a 650 for the extra speed. The 550 is excellent if speed isn't much of a concern. And, you'll have less "train wrecks' with the 550. The 650 is really fast, but when something bad happens, it's a bigger deal than on the 550, mostly due to the auto index on the 650. I run a 650 for 38's, another for 32's (wife's), & I have my original 550, which is excellent for fixing problem loads, & good for black powder loading also (hand-dipping the powder). I can load 100 32's or 38's in 3-4 minutes, which is about 10 times the speed of loading on the 550 (for me). The powder check is a must-have, because if you pay attention to it, you'll never(?) have a squib or a double load. I like the roller handle, mostly due to speed on the 650, & I have it on all 3 presses. I've never heard anybody say they were sorry they bought a 650. I have heard lots of people say they wished they had started with one, instead of buying a 550 & then adding a 650 later. I think the difference pretty much comes down to the auto-index, & an extra position on the tool-head if you want to add a bullet-feeder sometime. Good luck!

[Cypress Sun]

I can do 600 rounds an hour on the 550 without casefeeder or roller handle. No matter what you decide to get, Dillon has the best guarantee out there and is the best machine for the buck.

 

Buy lots of primer pickup tubes.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Have run a D/550 for over 30 yrs. Like the manual indexing, way more than the automatic.

IMNSHO-The D/550 is the KISS of all progressive presses.

I load .32 S&W to .45-90 on mine.

Order direct from Dillon......

OLG

 

[Noah Cash]

and Dillon only does military discount if you are ACTIVE duty.  (Durn it!)

[Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903]

I only load 38's on it but I like my 650 with a powder check die and roller handle I and wish I'd bought it sooner.  I'm cheap so instead of the Dillon case feeder, I bought the Dilly case feeder adapter from Jackaroo and I wish I'd bought that sooner as well. I've used a Hornady Projector, Lee 1000 and a SDB, but to me, the 650 outshines them all.

 

Randy

[Smoken D]

I had the SD for 25 years and what a machine if you never plan on reloading rifle. 1 Year ago was able to get the 650 and no comparison to the SD. Got the case loader with it and man you can load 800 per hour with ease. I do not have the roller handle or the strong mount. For me I don't need them and was money spent on more important items. Never have a problem like others with the 550 making a double load with the auto-index. The 650 is one of a heck of a machine. This past weekend I loaded up 45-70 black powder loads. I purchased direct with Dillon.

Edited March 13, 2018 by Smoken D

[Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903]

Here is a good Dillon comparison.

 

http://brianenos.com/pages/dillon#650

 

Randy

[JD Lud]

Best place to order from or direct?  Thanks for all input.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

The SBD does not take standard dies and is for pistol calibers. I've got a 550 with about 7 different tool heads for loading multiple calibers both rifle and pistol. Easy change out including primers between small and large. Roller handle makes a big difference in comfort for your hand over the ball. Also have the single stage rock chucker I started with long before cowboy took over my shooting.

Scout

[Shooting Bull]

I've always ordered direct.  No idea how or why there would be an advantage to bringing in a third party.

 

Depending on your height and the height of the bench you'll be mounting it on the strong mount might have its advantages.  Mine is mounted on a regular counter height bench (32"?) and I'm 6'1", I definitely like that the strong mount brings the handle up to a good operating height for me. 

 

650 vs 550 is a Ford vs Chevy comparison.  You'll get about a 50/50 split in opinions just like the ball vs. roller handle question.  In my own case I bought a progressive press in order to load the largest amount of ammo in the smallest amount of time.  For that reason I have a 650. 

[Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L]

Welcome to the Dillon Crowd

 

I bought my SD for $129.95 new (tells you how old it is)

 

It will do 44-40 reloading which some call a rifle cartridge

 

only problem will be how quickly you run out of primers, powder and bullets

 

cheyenne

[Shooting Bull]

1 minute ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

 Roller handle makes a big difference in comfort for your hand over the ball.

 

 

Totally disagree.  The roller handle is horribly uncomfortable to me.  Viva le difference

[Marshal Chance Morgun]

Talk all you want. I'm sticking with my Lee 4 hole turret !

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

1 minute ago, Shooting Bull said:

 

 

Totally disagree.  The roller handle is horribly uncomfortable to me.  Viva le difference

 

Great point! You should try out both and see which you prefer for your comfort.

[Ace_of_Hearts]

https://inlinefabrication.com/collections/dillon

 

Much better roller handles.

 

[Michigan Slim]

58 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

Have run a D/550 for over 30 yrs. Like the manual indexing, way more than the automatic.

IMNSHO-The D/550 is the KISS of all progressive presses.

I load .32 S&W to .45-90 on mine.

Order direct from Dillon......

OLG

 

All of this!!!

[JD Lud]

Have an auto index progressive so no concerns on what its like.  Got all the goods in my cart at grafs...holding off on strong mount and roller handle, but added some extra tubes and some other stuff....all for just under a grand.  Have to wait until this evening to make sure its the route I want to go.  If I order one other conversion ill be up to about 1200 bucks...or again 3 SDBs....lol decision decisions.  Could just leave my LNL for rifle and go that route.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

38 minutes ago, Ace_of_Hearts said:

https://inlinefabrication.com/collections/dillon

 

Much better roller handles.

 

Tried one-Sent it back.

WAY to far of a reach, to seat the primer.

Stay'n with the Dillon roller.

OLG

[watab kid]

i think dillon is one of the best , if i start loading modern ammo beyond working with my friend [he has dillons] i will buy my own , but i load my 45 colt cartridges on an old lyman single stage 

 

for shotgun im fond of pontius warn , if i ever get to loading massive quantities ill add a power drive 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

5 minutes ago, JD Lud said:

Have an auto index progressive so no concerns on what its like.  Got all the goods in my cart at grafs...holding off on strong mount and roller handle, but added some extra tubes and some other stuff....all for just under a grand.  Have to wait until this evening to make sure its the route I want to go.  If I order one other conversion ill be up to about 1200 bucks...or again 3 SDBs....lol decision decisions.  Could just leave my LNL for rifle and go that route.

Which Dillon press?

What was the cost, straight from Dillon?

Yes, on extra primer tubes for large and small.

Primer flip tray is NICE.

Get the roller......

 

[LostVaquero]

Only five stations, not enough.

[JD Lud]

Price is for 650.  I save about 20 bucks in shipping and a few more bucks total through grafs.

[Captain Bill Burt]

I ordered a 650 yesterday. Strong mount, casefeeder, dies, powder check, and quick change stuff for both .38 Sp. and .32 H&R Mag. It’s supposed to get here Saturday. Once I get the 650 set up the SDB is going up for sale.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

I would get the extra cal conversions now, as the price on them only goes up.

OLG

 

[Captain Bill Burt]

I’m not sure what you mean, I ordered everything I need to switch between.38 sp. and .32 H&R.  I might want .45 ACP,  .556, or .45LC in the future but have no pressing need for them now.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

2 minutes ago, Captain Bill Burt said:

I’m not sure what you mean, I ordered everything I need to switch between.38 sp. and .32 H&R.  I might want .45 ACP,  .556, or .45LC in the future but have no pressing need for them now.

Sorry Bill

That was meant for JD.......

OLG

[J.D. Daily]

Aftermarket upgrades for the 650 that I recommend are: spent primer chute, live primer chute & Arredondo micrometer powder bar kit or micrometer powder bar.  The stock live primer chute design sucks  because some live primers wind up on the floor.  Also spent primers tend to escape the spent primer tray.  The micrometer powder bars save time setting up powder charges.  Alternatively like with toolheads have a bar for each load*.  An R&R die wrench works a lot better than the Dillon wrench.  There are also items that improve the function of Dillon presses.  A toolhead clamp kit which prevents toolhead movement.  This movement increases the chance of crushing straight wall cases at the sizing decapping station.  A shellplate bearing kit reduces shellplate friction & indexing G forces.  The stock index ball & spring snaps the shellplate into position.

*It takes me more time to adjust a non micrometer powder bar than perform a caliber conversion.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

I strongly recommend a dedicated ground(GND)wire from the press, to a GND rod to eliminate static 'cling' in the powder hopper.

DO NOT GND, to the house system.........

OLG

 

[Ace_of_Hearts]

2 hours ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

Tried one-Sent it back.

WAY to far of a reach, to seat the primer.

Stay'n with the Dillon roller.

OLG

Maybe that's why I have a better press in my Hornady!

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

26 minutes ago, Ace_of_Hearts said:

Maybe that's why I have a better press in my Hornady!

 

Didn't know, that you were a comedian.   

OLG

[JD Lud]

Believe me...if I didn’t want to try a Dillon and have a case feeder I’d really be hard pressed to beat another Hornady LNL AP.  Could get one with a feeder but are like 350.  I did find ammo plant Hornady with bullet and case feeders for 999

[Charlie Whiskers]

45 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

Didn't know, that you were a comedian.   

OLG

 

 Of course he is.....just look at the way he dress's. I keep telling you Ace...you dress funny.