I have been a single stage hand loader for longer than I can count.  I have some questions on the Dillon machines that maybe some folks here with experience can help me understand more quickly than 100 google searches.

 

I see the 550B on amazon for about 450 bucks.  It says it's a 650 without caliber conversion kit.  I assumed the press would have some sort of disk at the top of the turret to accept dies and use a shell plates at the bottom that you would need to cover the various calibers.  

 

If I want to reload 9mm and 45 ACP do I need a caliber conversion kit or can I just use my RCBS dies inserted at the top?  Does the caliber conversion kit just provide additional disks so I don't need to reset my dies each time I change calibers?

 

I guess just plainly I want to know what the heck a caliber conversion kit is and whether or not I can use the RCBS dies I already have should I decide to go Dillon?  

 

What is the difference between the 650 and 550?

 

thanks all.

A 550 is NOT a 650.  They are very different presses and what you say amazon says sounds completely wrong.

 

Both to caliber conversions via shell and die plates. 

 

The 550 as 4 positions, the 650 has 5. The 550 is manually indexed, the 650 is auto-indexed. The 550 has a better priming system (in my opinion). The 650 is faster. The 550 is more flexible (in my opinion).

 

Here is Dillons page on the subject: http://www.dillonprecision.com/customize-reloader.html

Rob,

You need the caliber conversion kit for each caliber you are going to load.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23804/catid/2/XL_650_Caliber_Conversion_Kit

Includes shellplate, locator buttons, powder funnel and casefeed adapter parts. available in most calibers; please specify caliber desired. (from Dillon site)

Also if you are loading small and large primers, you will have to switch powder assembly.

You also would want to get the quick change kit. So that you have a complete tool head with powder funnel to ease in loading differen calibers.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23806/catid/2/XL_650_Quick_Change

You can use the dies you have, but will need to use the Dillon powder measure and the Dillon powder funnel.

Also go for the 650 over the 550 for the win. (IMHO I prefer the auto indexing)

A 550 is NOT a 650.  They are very different presses and what you say amazon says sounds completely wrong.

 

Both to caliber conversions via shell and die plates. 

 

The 550 as 4 positions, the 650 has 5. The 550 is manually indexed, the 650 is auto-indexed. The 550 has a better priming system (in my opinion). The 650 is faster. The 550 is more flexible (in my opinion).

 

Here is Dillons page on the subject: http://www.dillonprecision.com/customize-reloader.html

 

To extend on what Vlad wrote;

 

the 550 is manually indexing( you rotate the shell plate by hand ), and you have to manually place each case into the shell plate every time.

 

The 650 is auto-indexing, meaning it will automatically rotate the shell plate with the handle pull. Also, the 650 has the option to have a case feeder, which will automatically load the cases into the shell plate.

 

They are two completely different beasts, I'd say spend the extra few dollars and get the 650 if you do any sort of high volume shooting, if you are the type of person who shoots 100-300 rounds a month, go with the 550

What's a caliber conversion kit?  I see a new xl 650, which if I got a dillon I would get that one, at reds trading post.  It is installed with a .223 caliber conversion kit.  What does that mean?

 

Nick why do you say Hornady over Dillon?

To extend on what Vlad wrote;

 

the 550 is manually indexing( you rotate the shell plate by hand ), and you have to manually place each case into the shell plate every time.

 

The 650 is auto-indexing, meaning it will automatically rotate the shell plate with the handle pull. Also, the 650 has the option to have a case feeder, which will automatically load the cases into the shell plate.

 

They are two completely different beasts, I'd say spend the extra few dollars and get the 650 if you do any sort of high volume shooting, if you are the type of person who shoots 100-300 rounds a month, go with the 550

I would 100% do the 650 I'm just confused about what a caliber conversion kit is vs just using my dies for different calibers.

What's a caliber conversion kit?  I see a new xl 650, which if I got a dillon I would get that one, at reds trading post.  It is installed with a .223 caliber conversion kit.  What does that mean?

 

Nick why do you say Hornady over Dillon?

 

The caliber conversion kit is exactly what it sounds like.

 

You cant just buy the press and load any and every caliber under the sun, you need caliber specific dies, shell plate, locater pins, case feeding adapters, etc etc etc

 

If you want to load both 45 and 9, buy the press with either 9mm selected, and then purchase separate 45 caliber conversion kit AND dies ( and i'd reccomend an additional tool head ) 

So you can't use Lee Carbide or RCBS dies and just by the shell plates and other bits?  I'm not against it but wouldn't mine reusing my existing stuff cause I load 380, 357, 9, 44, 45, 223, 5.7, 300 AAC, 308.  I'd probably continue to use my single stage for rifle loading because of the stop and trim thing any way.

 

Is 599 a good price with one caliber installed?

 

forgot 40 and 10mm.

This is a caliber conversion kit:

 

 

It includes three locator buttons (brass color) which hold the shells in place, it includes a shell plate for the caliber you are loading (black piece) and it includes the appropriate powder funnel which bells the brass properly to receive the bullet (silver color).

 

Does that answer your question?

Do yourself a favor, and spend a good few hours on youtube watching videos on the dillon 650 vs 550, and get a better understanding on what is what, and what does what and why. There is a ton of great videos on there that will visually show you what you need to know

So you can't use Lee Carbide or RCBS dies and just by the shell plates and other bits?  I'm not against it but wouldn't mine reusing my existing stuff cause I load 380, 357, 9, 44, 45, 223, 5.7, 300 AAC, 308.  I'd probably continue to use my single stage for rifle loading because of the stop and trim thing any way.

 

Is 599 a good price with one caliber installed?

 

Yes - you can use your dies.  The caliber conversion kit is just the "shell plate and other bits".

So you can't use Lee Carbide or RCBS dies and just by the shell plates and other bits?  I'm not against it but wouldn't mine reusing my existing stuff cause I load 380, 357, 9, 44, 45, 223, 5.7, 300 AAC, 308.  I'd probably continue to use my single stage for rifle loading because of the stop and trim thing any way.

 

Is 599 a good price with one caliber installed?

 

 

You can use your dies, assuming they are the same thread size and will fit in, I think they are mostly universal. 

 

You'll just need caliber convesion kits for each caliber , shell plates, locater pins, etc.

I'll watch the  you tube videos for sure.  Thanks for the help and clarity on these.  

 

I think dies are fairly universal threading.  I've used LEE and RCBS dies in both Lee and RCBS presses.  

 

I shoot a boatload and I load for my brother and my dad and my time is becoming more precious thus the potential move to progressives.

 

Any accessories a must that the 650 doesn't come with?

I have 5 complete tool heads setup for different loads and the majority of them have only 2 Dillon dies; the powder funnel and crimp die. The other 3 dies are Redding and Lee.

BTW, I'll remain the lone standout here,  I like my 550 quite a bit, over a 650. Not that both  aren't good, and I know most people prefer a 650, but personally I like manual indexing. Case feeders are now available for both so realistically there isn't that much of a difference in production rate as once was. I do think the 550 is more flexible because it can act as a turret press for processing rifle brass and the like in more natural way.

I'll watch the  you tube videos for sure.  Thanks for the help and clarity on these.  

 

I think dies are fairly universal threading.  I've used LEE and RCBS dies in both Lee and RCBS presses.  

 

I shoot a boatload and I load for my brother and my dad and my time is becoming more precious thus the potential move to progressives.

 

Any accessories a must that the 650 doesn't come with?

Case feeder, strong mounts, roller handle, and bullet tray. Also extra primer tubes and vibra prime. Makes loading primer tubes much easier.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/890424/frankford-arsenal-vibra-prime-automatic-primer-tube-filler

Case feeder, strong mounts, roller handle, and bullet tray. Also extra primer tubes and vibra prime. Makes loading primer tubes much easier.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/890424/frankford-arsenal-vibra-prime-automatic-primer-tube-filler

 

Those are all nice, but none are a 'must'.  If cost becomes an issue, those are things that can be deferred initially, much like an extra powder measure so you can keep one set up for small pistol charges, and one for large rifle charges, if you load rifle on the press.  A nice addition, but you don't need it to start.

Rob, how many rounds of each do you plan on reloading per month?

I'm watching some of the universe of videos on Youtube.  Interesting that certain caliber conversion kits that I though would be the same aren't e.g. 40 S&W and 10mm.  I would imagine the shell plate and buttons are the same but may there are other differences in the kit?  Research time after I get back from Yankee stadium later today.

 

 

Rob, how many rounds of each do you plan on reloading per month?

More than 1k a various calibers.  

Add a little reading to the mix.  Maybe can explain Nick's and my opinion on Hornady APLNL.

www.UltimateReloader.com has some interesting facts also. 

Started with a Hornady Projector 25 plus years ago. Still runs today. Added a LNL last year, just for pistol (9mm,45ACp). But staring to think it maybe used for small rifle as well..

Good Luck in your decision.

dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

I grew up with a Dillon XL650 and I am perfectly happy with it. Yeah, there are other brands on the market but at the end of the day they will do the same thing. Some will do them a little faster or slower and each one has its own set of convenient features attached. Dillon has an excellent warranty program if anything does break or fail then its covered under warranty.

 

I also have a couple Dillon RL1050 machines which are more commercial grade reloaders. They are made to produce millions of rounds a year for a very long time. Overkill for most recreational shooters (me included) but nice to have on my bench. Its a faster, and larger reloader then the XL650 but realize that both machines produce the same quality ammo.

 

Personally, if I had to choose one machine it would be the XL650 but make sure you get the casefeeder with it. Most guys I know that have gone from the 550 to the 650 wish they started out with the 650.

A 550 is NOT a 650.  They are very different presses and what you say amazon says sounds completely wrong.

 

Both to caliber conversions via shell and die plates. 

 

The 550 as 4 positions, the 650 has 5. The 550 is manually indexed, the 650 is auto-indexed. The 550 has a better priming system (in my opinion). The 650 is faster. The 550 is more flexible (in my opinion).

 

Here is Dillons page on the subject: http://www.dillonprecision.com/customize-reloader.html

+1

What's a caliber conversion kit?  I see a new xl 650, which if I got a dillon I would get that one, at reds trading post.  It is installed with a .223 caliber conversion kit.  What does that mean?

 

Nick why do you say Hornady over Dillon?

 

 

Nick says Hornady over Dillon because he's cheap and FoS...  No comparison  Dillon makes damned mini guns that's the quality you're buying.

So you can't use Lee Carbide or RCBS dies and just by the shell plates and other bits?  I'm not against it but wouldn't mine reusing my existing stuff cause I load 380, 357, 9, 44, 45, 223, 5.7, 300 AAC, 308.  I'd probably continue to use my single stage for rifle loading because of the stop and trim thing any way.

 

Is 599 a good price with one caliber installed?

 

forgot 40 and 10mm.

 

 

Yes, Yes, Yes  you can use your dies but you need more than just dies.

Just stop by the house and fondle my Dillon.  It will all make sense.

 

 

Yes, Yes, Yes  you can use your dies but you need more than just dies.

Just stop by the house and fondle my Dillon.  It will all make sense.

Lol.

If you don't want to travel to Old School, I may be a bit closer to you and you could see my Dillon as well.

i'll show you my dillon if you show me yours.

ouch

I have been looking at the hornaday lock n load AP recently.. It looks like a nice set up with easy caliber changes. Maybe this summer I'll look to upgrade from my lee classic turret.