Thinking about setting up a progressive press for 9mm, 38, 357, 44 and 223, have never seen a Dillon in person, but I believe they are supposed to be the best. If so, which model is best. Other brands? Any help would be appreciated. I'm actually setting it up for my grandson who is in Africa (Ranger), will be back in a year, and I'm turning everything over to him.
I was looking at their 550’s just today. Never owned one, but brother in law has one. Another friend has the big Hornady Ammo Plant. I’ve only ever ran the Dillon once, and that was a good while back.
I always said my Rock Chucker was enough, but reloading is taking too damn long in my old age.
Dillon can use any 7/8 dies. Their dies offer some efficiencies in the their press though like spring loaded decaps pins and some other features.
Pros of the 550: Quick to change for another caliber Simpler in use Doesn't auto-index (Con: Can also be a con which may lead to a double-charge if not paying attention)
Cons of the 550: Can not use a powder check due to only having 4 stations
Pros of the 750: Has more stations allowing for a powder check Auto-index (Cons: Can create a bigger problem if load is wrong and not caught in time)
Cons of the 750: Slower to switch calibers if loading multiple calibers Components more expensive (quick change systems, etc)
I have a 650 and 550 and there is no comparison. The 650 with case feed is 2 times as fast, maybe even faster.
The change over from different calibers isn’t that big of a deal, I don’t understand the criticism of that when both take time to change shell plates and tool heads.
If you are just loading pistol cartridges, you may want to consider the Square Deal loaders, they are much cheaper and work well.
Dillon has no peer in reloaders. They work and if you have any issues they will help over the phone and are very knowledgeable. I have sent my press back for reconditioning at no charge. No one makes as good a progressive and stands behind it like Dillon…
I have only ever used the Square Deal B because I don't reload center fire rifle in big volumes. It does take it's own dies,not 7/8".
I have loaded 9mm, 38 sp, .357 mag, 45 ACP, and 44 mag on mine. 44mag, I found I was stretching it's capability a bit and I ended up sizing on a std RCBS Rock Chucke first.
Along with all Dillon systems they have gone up in price tremendously. You get one caliber of your choice with purchase, all set up ready to go. Complete shell holder plates and tool heads for other calibers, I think are about $125 each now.
Average volume is about 300 rounds per hour. They quote more. I may get 400 but that is pushing it and I get mistakes every once in awhile.
Consider it if there is no likely hood of wanting large volume of center fire rounds be loaded.
If .223 is in the mix, step up to the next bigger model
I’m looking at the basic 550. I just want to size and bell on the press, then prime and dump powder outside of the press, the seat and crimp on the press. Not the way most guys do it, but a better “fit” for me. Plus I don’t have to buy their dies.
I’m looking at the basic 550. I just want to size and bell on the press, then prime and dump powder outside of the press, the seat and crimp on the press. Not the way most guys do it, but a better “fit” for me. Plus I don’t have to buy their dies.
I'm learning a lot, I read up on them, several different company's, reading the reviews on them. It will be a gift for my grandson when he gets back to the states and settles in. I will probably turn everything over to him. One thing for sure, he won't have to buy powder and primers for a long time.
When I went looking at what to buy, I wound up buying the Square Deal B. It only does pistol calibers, but I love it. I do rifle cases on a single stage Rock chuckerII. I am very happy with my set up. I usually leave it set up on 9mm which I shoot the most. You will have to figure out what is best for your application. Good luck.
IF you are needing to reload in high volume, go with 650/750. 800 per hour is the norm. YOU have to keep the monster fed with the ingredients.
The red item is finicky. Sorry, it just is.
550 - CAN be used with a no/low powder sensor, if you seat and crimp with one die.
Output of the 550 is 300 per hour, without breaking a sweat, regardless of caliber.
There is more aftermarket items offered for the Dillon brand. Only non Dillon item that I use - dead primer catch tray. Strong mount, roller handle, bullet tray.....and you are set.
Had a 550...gave it away.. Like I said above Hornady LNL, or 750..auto indexing to keep you out of trouble. Any die will work with both I have put 5 LNL together. In every instance From box to loading in 30 minutes. Including strong mount, roller handle, tool holder I get tired of people pissing on the LNL, if you have trouble with it, then you are not good enough to put it together. Both companies make lemons, but the majority are good loaders. I have more love for Dillon, than Hornady, but The LNL is my pick. I have green, red, blue, so I use what works.I dont drink any Cool aide I have no prejudice, I have both
Another question, we will use the .223 for an example, I have only used single stage presses, but on a progressive how do you resize the case? I use one shot on my press, but how can that work on a progressive without extra steps? Do they make carbide dies I'm not aware of for a .223, and I don't mean Lymans carbide as my understanding it is the center bell sizer and not the die itself? I have all kind of tumblers to shine the cases with, which is easy to do now, but with a progressive?
You need to lube the case. What you use for lube is up to you. You can tumble the loaded cartridges, wipe them down individually, or do nothing - depends on the lube.
For example, I've used Ideal Wire Pulling Lube and it dries completely leaving nothing but a hazy smudge on shiney brass. I've also used Johnson's Paste Wax which dries completely. And I've used Hornady One Shot, which is the most expensive but easiest to apply in bulk. And on and on. If I don't like the finish, I toss the rounds in the tumbler for cleanup
Dillon has no peer in reloaders. They work and if you have any issues they will help over the phone and are very knowledgeable. I have sent my press back for reconditioning at no charge. No one makes as good a progressive and stands behind it like Dillon…
You need to lube the case. What you use for lube is up to you. You can tumble the loaded cartridges, wipe them down individually, or do nothing - depends on the lube.
For example, I've used Ideal Wire Pulling Lube and it dries completely leaving nothing but a hazy smudge on shiney brass. I've also used Johnson's Paste Wax which dries completely. And I've used Hornady One Shot, which is the most expensive but easiest to apply in bulk. And on and on. If I don't like the finish, I toss the rounds in the tumbler for cleanup
I have had 2 or 3 650's (now they are upgraded and called 750's), I have a 550 and a Square deal. If I were starting from scratch, I would buy a 750 and call it a day.
I've had a Dillon 450 for will over 30 years. Even looking at their newest catalog that I got last week, I can't see any difference between it and a 550, other than some available add ons for the 550. My Dillon will accept any 7/8" dies. I use RCBS, Lee, Hornady (it doesn't matter) dies in mine.
I mainly use my Dillon, with their powder measurer, for all of my pistol reloading and my .223 and .308 Win reloading. I use carbide size dies for pistol reloading and Lee collet neck size dies for my rifles. My .223 and .308 rifle reloads are consistantly accurate enough to hit golf balls at 100 yards, a 10" steel plate at 300 yards, and the 15" steel at 430 yards.
I shimmed up under the die holder on my Rockchucker press so I can interchange my loading dies between my Dillon and Rockchecker presses without having to make any adjustments.
I went ahead and made a short video of the 650 and how it works. If you are not in front of the camera and listening to tunes while you load, you can crank out a bunch of loaded ammunition in a short time...
I went ahead and made a short video of the 650 and how it works. If you are not in front of the camera and listening to tunes while you load, you can crank out a bunch of loaded ammunition in a short time...
Wow, I had to watch that 4 times before I ever saw the press, don't think you will run out of anything for a while. Thanks for taking the time to do a video.
Used two Hornady Projectors loading for my High Power Rifle habit. One for deprime, size/trim and a M die to open the neck up. The second one just prime, powder drop and seat bullet. Cleaned cases and debur as needed in between.
Later on I traded in one of the Projectors and $200 for a new LnL. Mostly use it for 9mm now. Kept the other Projector, it still works great. The new LnL required some tinkering to get it working decent.
Have a Super 1050 that most always is set up to run .45acp. I love that press. Its a little more complicated to set up and cost more but has a few features the 650/750 don't. Mainly it has a station to swage crimped primer pockets. That is a great feature for stopping the press when a small primer .45 case slips in. Also the primer is seated on the down stroke and the depth is adjustable.
Everything cost more now but I think I'd still go for a new RL 1100 if your budget allows, especially if you load a lot of the same ammo.
If cost is a thing the 750 will get it done just as quick.
I like Mr. shrapnel's primer tube filler, I'm using one of the pistol grip buzzers that don't work so well.
I have a year to decide, they are all impressive, my grandson won't be back from Africa for a year. I plan to teach him on my single stage press, then surprise him with the automatic, might even buy him 2, I want him to have what I wish I would have had when I was young. At this point, money is no object. I just don't want my stuff sold in an estate sale. He only shoots 9's and .223 now, but as he gets older, that will change. I even heard scuttlebutt about sniper school in his future. Yes, I did study the 1050 and 1100. I read the reviews on every site that sells presses, it is a learning curve for sure. BUT the only negative I have read was on the LnL.
blind shooter, I have to ask, what are those PVC pipes with the wire in them for?
I have a year to decide, they are all impressive, my grandson won't be back from Africa for a year. I plan to teach him on my single stage press, then surprise him with the automatic, might even buy him 2, I want him to have what I wish I would have had when I was young. At this point, money is no object. I just don't want my stuff sold in an estate sale. He only shoots 9's and .223 now, but as he gets older, that will change. I even heard scuttlebutt about sniper school in his future. Yes, I did study the 1050 and 1100. I read the reviews on every site that sells presses, it is a learning curve for sure. BUT the only negative I have read was on the LnL.
blind shooter, I have to ask, what are those PVC pipes with the wire in them for?
They are cleaning rod tubes. Not wire, para-cord so the PVC threaded caps don't get lost. Learned the hard way cleaning rods in a pile of match shooting gear will get ruined.
There are some wires hanging down from a LED light used on the press.
Dillon makes carbide dies and the 223 is available in carbide. You do not need to use lube but I give a couple spritz of Dillon case lube. I have had 2. 550’s, 1. Square deal, 5. 650’s. I prefer the 650’s especially loading pistol cases. Hand rotation leave a possibility of a double charge in pistol rounds. Also avail is a lockout die which is a added safety measure. I wouldn’t wait until he returns, get it now and learn to use it. It will make loading with your Grandson more Pleasurable in my opinion. In that time you will become proficient and be able to teach him the ins and outs of the press.
I pretty much have decided on the 1100 Dillon, with all the amenities. Will get it with the carbide .223 dies. I have the 9mm dies and a rather large box of brass. All the primers and powder. Now, I have to admit to my ignorance on loading 9mm. Never shot a 9 or loaded for one. Being old school, I'm a revolver man. I know my way around .38/.357, 44mag/special. My confusion is bullet weight for the 9. Should I order 115, 124, 147gr? I know it comes down to what the gun likes, but I do not have access to his gun. I want to get a couple thousand and be ready when he gets home, we will just load plinking, practice rounds for now. I do know he has a Beretta 92, but I have not seen it. He lives 1100 miles away when he is home.
I was pretty much in the same boat a couple of years ago. I ended up going with 124 grain. For your use the 115 or 124 would be more than good enough. Whatever you can find the cheapest, in stock and in bulk. I haven't used them myself, but Rocky Mountain Reloading is often recommended on here as a good source for bulk bullets. I'm still burning through some Xtreme bullets I bought before seeing the Rocky Mountain stuff.
I started out with a Dillon 450. No Tool Head, and no Star Wheel. Other than that it worked very well. I sold it to a friend and replaced it with a 550. It was a very good reloader. Probably four or five years ago I got a chance to pick up a couple of as new 550's. My old 550 was sold to another friend, and I upgraded to the newest version of the 550, and my brother picked up the other one. I have added Dillon Dies over the years in 38 Special, 40 S&W, 45acp and a second set for 45GAP. I also have 44 Magnum, I believe my 480 Ruger dies are still RCBS. I prefer to index the rounds myself. I have a light so that I can check the case for powder. I also like the slower pace which allows me to check each primer to make sure it is in place and facing the correct direction before seating. I am perfectly happy with the 550, and have no plans to upgrade to a faster press.
I have two Dillon 550s and a square deal press .I have used them for 25 years they are far from perfect to say the least .Their famous for spilling powder and flinging the powder measure off .I actually stretched my 550 press trying to form brass on it so you need a regular press if you are going to format rifle brass. I WORE my first one out from that brass forming not made for that .They work pretty good with new brass if it's starline but alot of brass will give you total fits seating primers that's the other thing bad about them that primer system is not that good I has tons of problems with it too. HORNADY brass and dies gave me fits on my Dillon I stay away from them total junk .starline brass is awesome no problems from it It's hard to load little cases on the 550 too will wear your fingers out on anything littler than 357 .It's giving me total fits with 10 mm about to give up loading it .I had good luck loading 454 with starline brass 41 mag with starkine 357 rem max with rem brass .223 is terrible to load on it if you have once fired range brass I just quit loading it
Hornady all day..... But if Dillon 750 Got both, no problems with either. Just prefer red
If not for the priming system and pawl screw issues, then perhaps the LnL. Maybe… If you’re going to drink the blue Kool-Aid, I’d at least get the auto indexing 750.
I have two Dillon 550s and a square deal press .I have used them for 25 years they are far from perfect to say the least .Their famous for spilling powder and flinging the powder measure off .I actually stretched my 550 press trying to form brass on it so you need a regular press if you are going to format rifle brass. I WORE my first one out from that brass forming not made for that .They work pretty good with new brass if it's starline but alot of brass will give you total fits seating primers that's the other thing bad about them that primer system is not that good I has tons of problems with it too. HORNADY brass and dies gave me fits on my Dillon I stay away from them total junk .starline brass is awesome no problems from it It's hard to load little cases on the 550 too will wear your fingers out on anything littler than 357 .It's giving me total fits with 10 mm about to give up loading it .I had good luck loading 454 with starline brass 41 mag with starkine 357 rem max with rem brass .223 is terrible to load on it if you have once fired range brass I just quit loading it
I was all set to purchase the 650.and called Dillon direct . The guy talked me out of the 650 for what I wanted in a Press and told me to get the 550B When I received it I set the Primer feed up wrong and Primers were going all over the place.
I called Dillon and they sent me an entire new Primer feed system at no cost to me.
Then I found out that it was my screw up setting the feed up wrong. I called Dillon again to try and send back the replacement system they told me no it was mine. I told them well then let me pay for it because it was my screw up and they told me nope it was mine have a nice day.
Dillon has some of the best Customer Service that I have ever experienced in any company that I have done business with.
And what Company out there will talk you out of purchasing a higher priced item for one of there lower priced items. No one will do that.
I absolutely Love my 550b and i am so happy that Dillon talked me into purchasing that one.
That said I have never used their 650 or any of their other presses.
I did use a Lee progressive made probably in the 60s or 70s. It was set up for 38sp's and was a pain to change calibers.
I do not have any other experience with Progressive Presses so I can not talk about them and be objective.
I was all set to purchase the 650.and called Dillon direct . The guy talked me out of the 650 for what I wanted in a Press and told me to get the 550B When I received it I set the Primer feed up wrong and Primers were going all over the place.
I called Dillon and they sent me an entire new Primer feed system at no cost to me.
Then I found out that it was my screw up setting the feed up wrong. I called Dillon again to try and send back the replacement system they told me no it was mine. I told them well then let me pay for it because it was my screw up and they told me nope it was mine have a nice day.
Dillon has some of the best Customer Service that I have ever experienced in any company that I have done business with.
And what Company out there will talk you out of purchasing a higher priced item for one of there lower priced items. No one will do that.
I absolutely Love my 550b and i am so happy that Dillon talked me into purchasing that one.
That said I have never used their 650 or any of their other presses.
I did use a Lee progressive made probably in the 60s or 70s. It was set up for 38sp's and was a pain to change calibers.
I do not have any other experience with Progressive Presses so I can not talk about them and be objective.
The way I look at it is how many rounds will you load in a session, and how often will you change calibers?
The advantage of the 550 is lower initial cost, less expensive cartridge conversions and less time to convert between calibers, the downside is it's slower because you have to feed cases and bullets manually.
The advantage of the 750 is you can load faster, but the downside is higher initial cost and cost of cartridge conversions.
I'm happy with the 550 because I load from 100-500 rounds in a session and have it set up for 1/2 dozen calibers (and growing) If I was loading 1000 rounds or more in a session I'd seriously consider a 750.
The 550 is simple. Priming slide travel can get sticky. There's a roller gizmo fix. Other than that, prefer it over my 1050. Latter is one smooth sumbitch, until something goes wrong.
Judgment comes from experience (especially with age). Experience comes from bad judgment. Simple is best for this bear of little brain.
The way I look at it is how many rounds will you load in a session, and how often will you change calibers?
The advantage of the 550 is lower initial cost, less expensive cartridge conversions and less time to convert between calibers, the downside is it's slower because you have to feed cases and bullets manually.
The advantage of the 750 is you can load faster, but the downside is higher initial cost and cost of cartridge conversions.
I'm happy with the 550 because I load from 100-500 rounds in a session and have it set up for 1/2 dozen calibers (and growing) If I was loading 1000 rounds or more in a session I'd seriously consider a 750.
One of the things I really like about my 550 is that I can pull a pin and take the case with the powder charge out from time to time and check the charge.
Some of the other Dillon Presses you can not do that very easily from what I have been told.
I started reloading on a single stage RCBS Rock Chuker and really liked it but then I got into shooting a lot more than that single stage would keep up with
I now load 15 different cartridges and changing between them is just a few minutes.
The way I look at it is how many rounds will you load in a session, and how often will you change calibers?
The advantage of the 550 is lower initial cost, less expensive cartridge conversions and less time to convert between calibers, the downside is it's slower because you have to feed cases and bullets manually.
The advantage of the 750 is you can load faster, but the downside is higher initial cost and cost of cartridge conversions.
I'm happy with the 550 because I load from 100-500 rounds in a session and have it set up for 1/2 dozen calibers (and growing) If I was loading 1000 rounds or more in a session I'd seriously consider a 750.
One of the things I really like about my 550 is that I can pull a pin and take the case with the powder charge out from time to time and check the charge.
Some of the other Dillon Presses you can not do that very easily from what I have been told.
I started reloading on a single stage RCBS Rock Chuker and really liked it but then I got into shooting a lot more than that single stage would keep up with
I now load 15 different cartridges and changing between them is just a few minutes.
Cases can be removed and charges checked on the 650,750and 1050 just as easily as the 550 they all use locator buttons!
The way I look at it is how many rounds will you load in a session, and how often will you change calibers?
The advantage of the 550 is lower initial cost, less expensive cartridge conversions and less time to convert between calibers, the downside is it's slower because you have to feed cases and bullets manually.
The advantage of the 750 is you can load faster, but the downside is higher initial cost and cost of cartridge conversions.
I'm happy with the 550 because I load from 100-500 rounds in a session and have it set up for 1/2 dozen calibers (and growing) If I was loading 1000 rounds or more in a session I'd seriously consider a 750.
One of the things I really like about my 550 is that I can pull a pin and take the case with the powder charge out from time to time and check the charge.
Some of the other Dillon Presses you can not do that very easily from what I have been told.
I started reloading on a single stage RCBS Rock Chuker and really liked it but then I got into shooting a lot more than that single stage would keep up with
I now load 15 different cartridges and changing between them is just a few minutes.
Cases can be removed and charges checked on the 650,750and 1050 just as easily as the 550 they all use locator buttons!
Thanks for the information. I was misinformed about the other Presses
I’m looking at the basic 550. I just want to size and bell on the press, then prime and dump powder outside of the press, the seat and crimp on the press. Not the way most guys do it, but a better “fit” for me. Plus I don’t have to buy their dies.
You don't have to buy their dies. Their die sets have several advantages though: They are very well made. Seating and Crimping are done in separte operations. And, the mouth of the dies are "champhered" to allow the round to enter the die even if all the stations are not perfectly alligned.
This practice of champhering the case mouth of each die is not limited to Dillon. Read the technical overview on the Redding "Pro" series of dies. They do the same thing to their pro series as Dillon does - and for the same reason.
I have been reloading since 1994. When I first started, the basic Dillon press - no accessories was $259. I though that was too much and decided on an RCBS. No problems with the RCBS. It will last me the rest of my life and beyond.
However - if I knew then what I know now - I would have purchased the Dillon.
When it comes to loading pistol rounds like 9mm, 40 S&W, or 45 ACP - a single stage press is not even in the same ball park as the Dillon.
I’m looking at the basic 550. I just want to size and bell on the press, then prime and dump powder outside of the press, the seat and crimp on the press. Not the way most guys do it, but a better “fit” for me. Plus I don’t have to buy their dies.
The SDB would give you volume handgun, and a LEE Classic Turret would give you on press/off press rifle cartridge operations for a lot less money. But it is two presses. The SDB requires both sides access whereas the LCT just needs left-side access.
I load 9mm, 40sw, 45acp, 44mag on my SDB and a number of different rifle cartridges on my LCT.
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