NoTenX

i have had problems with bullet lube on cast lead but could not quite say they don't work, just not the accuracy i wanted compared to rest of batch kept cool.

I started with a 400/450in early 80's kept my single stage presses for a couple of years upgraded to 550, got rid of all single stages and turrets replaced them with bonanza coax. I like having the simple 550 and being able to load everything else except the main comp pistol/rev cowboy cartridge that i and wife use several thousand per month on the 650 which is always set for. The bonanza coax is dragged to range for load development. glad i kept 550 after buying 650(two months ago)will change from 38spc to 45acp and 40sw after i get stock built up. After a head injury multitasking was a challenge but what i really lost was confidance in not messing up on the 550. Even modified one 550 toolhead to add a powder check and loading previously sized and primed cases. the auto indexer made all the difference and reloading is fun again and i feel safer. Back to the original question, I would keep the 550 load 223 and 308 ,9mm. The 650 shines in large quanity pistol. for now the 550 will do and if he is just engaged he really does know what his goals may be and priorities will change. You may not be able to afford a 650 if you family expands

broke index ring on new 650 after 2000 rounds have new part and allignment tool. pretty sure did not short stroke or double stroke handle,talked with dillon. other than just fatique on this part do you have a weird reason you broke a index ring before. I wont wait to reload for the weekend match a couple of days before again. don't want to replace indexer for several 10s of thousand rounds

If you shot benchrest, the big change you are going to see is that you are going to shoot a lot of ammo. You ought to factor in a progresive loader if you don't have one already as to what portion of your budget will be ammo and what will be gun. The guns you finally end up with might change several times the reloading can be more more stable. check out this forum as it is a very good source of info on reloading from the pistol compeditor viewpoint.

I have two but for a little more you can purchase a bulgarian makarov, the trigger pull on the pa-63 in double action is not very good. the makarov is fair to good, the east german better. Dillon, fobus have carried concealed leather for some time for the makarovs even though military holsters were availible for both. It generally speaks that the gun is worthy for ccw. Of all the guns in my safe a pa-63 would probaly be chosen last.