GhostMercury Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I am trying to get into reloading because I currently shoot about 300 rounds of 9mm, and 200 rounds of 45 each week. I would shoot more but it gets too expensive. I have reloaded before when I was younger with my dad, but he now lives in a different state so it's kind of hard to use his stuff. He says to start off with a RCBS single stage, but all said and done I would prefer to spend the extra money on the Dillon unit initially rather than extra money on stuff I will replace down the road. Currently I am torn between the 650 and the 550 which from reading the threads seems to be a common situation. I would be reloading 9, 45, and 5.56 if that helps make any difference. The 650 produces more rounds from what I have read, but the 550 seems to be easier to use with less malfunctions. For you guys that have run both, if not all of the dillon units, what one do you wish you started out with to have saved some cash on the road to get to where you are now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98sr20ve Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Are you pressed for time? The 650 is mostly about speed. It deserves a case feeder. I prefer the 650 but the 550 is plenty for most people. The extra station would be nice for 223. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limited 10 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 At 26,000 rds per year, the single stage is out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostMercury Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 Yeaup, and with a setup like the 650 or 550 I would shoot even more. Time isn't too much of an issue, it gives me some me time. I use shooting, cleaning guns, and reloading as an escape from the stress of life. Plus I enjoy doing things myself, not to mention the cost effectiveness of the whole reloading thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairmckenzie1 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I started shooting about a year ago and trust me you do not want to load on a single stage press. I do because its all I have, but its not fun. And trust me I'm saving every red cent to get a 650... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangeman711 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 You can't beat a 650 with a casefeeder. If you can afford it also get a bullet feeder unless you plan to load lead bullets. Ck. with Brian here on the forum for your unit. Great price and a stand-up guy to work with, you won't go wrong; Brian won't let you. Good luck with your new endevour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chills1994 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I started with the RCBS single stage master reloading kit back in about 1995. Then probably around 2000 I bought a used 550, then a couple of years ago I bought a casefeeder equipped 650. I wish I had gone with the 650 right from the get go back in 1995. I would recommend that at whatever clubs/ranges you shoot at to basically spread the word that you are looking for a casefeeder equipped 650. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostMercury Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 Which unit is easier to change calibers on? I see mixed responses on the forums. I would be switching between 45 and 9 pretty regularly, and owning 2 units right now isn't in the budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chills1994 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 since you are changing primer sizes, you also need to change the primer feed mechanisms out...from large to small...or small to large. Me? It easily takes me 15 minutes to do it, but I figure while I have the machine mostly broken apart, I might as well clean it too. So I will take a Q-tip, dip it in some WD40 and clean every thing, basically just wipe it down, without leaving the thing sopping wet with WD40. some guys will be along shortly to tell you that it takes them 5 minutes. having a dedicated toolhead, one for 9mm and one for .45 would help. my theory on things is if your going to reload some .45 or some 9mm, you might as well crank out a bunch of ammo before you switch the machine over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcracco Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 OMG, pass on your dad's advice. I am shooting 400-500 rounds/week got my life back when I retired the RCBS single stage and bought a 1050. Guess I would vote for the 650 if you are switching calibers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I shoot 300 rounds of 9mm and 200 rounds of 45/week. I would be reloading 9, 45, and 5.56 Ghost, I'm sure that two 1050's is the best way to go, or a 650, except for that infernal die changes and the high cost of the machines. Wish I had two 1050's:(( If you have some extra time (think you said you do), and you realize there is little advantage to reloading 5.56 (costs almost as much as you can buy the ammo for?? I think I've read??), you do have one additional option to consider - the choice is yours. [ of course, if you really are planning on reloading the 5.56, my idea doesn't make any sense whatsoever:)) I have a Dillon Square Deal set up for 9mm and one for .45 - no reason to change calibers - only cost you $750 in total (less than a 650 and case feeder and two calibers) - and, no reason to switch calibers constantly:) You could load a week's worth of ammo in one hour on each machine and save the 15 minutes to switch calibers:)) Just a thought ... Good luck with your decision, Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acekc Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Which unit is easier to change calibers on? I see mixed responses on the forums. I would be switching between 45 and 9 pretty regularly, and owning 2 units right now isn't in the budget. Based on your question regarding ease of caliber changes I wonder if you've read Brian's information section on Dillon presses yet? http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html Apologies if you've already seen it, but it's such a great resource that I felt compelled to point it out just in case. As others have already said I highly recommend buying from Brian; if you look around you'll find that Dillon equipment essentially sells for the same price everywhere, and Brian offers not only the great info page I just linked but also this forum. Oh, and he'll give you free shipping on everything in your order if you buy a 550 or a 650. I started with an auto-index progressive and actually got a single stage later. I still like the single stage for loading low volume rifle (how many 30-06 rounds does my shoulder want me to shoot anyway?) and it's also handy for miscellaneous tasks so I don't have to mess with the setup on my progressives. Having said that however the thought of loading the volume of handgun ammunition you're talking about on a single stage gives me the shakes. You said you reloaded previously - how much do you still remember about the process? One advantage that people cite about the 550 is the fact that since it doesn't auto-index it can be used very similar to a single stage while you're learning how everything works. One of the reasons I started with the auto-index progressive was I had a friend who had reloaded for years and helped me with the initial setup of the press and explained how everything worked. Auto-index progressives are great, but they're by necessity complicated beasts with lots of moving parts and possible things to tweak. Your dad's advice on the single stage is probably rooted in this fact. The other factor is your question about caliber changes. I've never touched a 550 so I can't comment directly but if Brian says a 550 is best for people who change calibers often I believe him. Of course, if you're not scared off by the thought of starting with an auto-index progressive like the 650, the caliber change can be mitigated by two things: how you load and money. Let me explain. Changing calibers is a pain on any machine in my experience. When you get a caliber set up though you can fly through components and load a ton of rounds. Once you figure out your pet loads in each caliber, buy a case (5000) of small pistol primers, a 4 pound jug of powder and a case of Montana Gold 9mm bullets and GO TO TOWN. Don't load a month's worth of rounds, load until you run out of something. THEN switch to .45 ACP and do the same thing. If you don't have enough brass to do that, consider buying some once-fired brass; you'll get plenty of use out of it. That covers the how you load part. The money part comes in with how you do you caliber conversions. If you buy a deluxe quick-change kit with its own powder measure and tool head, changing calibers is a lot less of a pain. On the 650 you can also get a primer quick change kit that makes going from small primers to large primers a lot easier. Some people also standardize on .45 ACP brass with small primers so they don't have to mess with the primer changeover just for .45 ACP. All of this costs money, but it costs less money than purchasing a second press. If you feel comfortable starting with an auto-indexing progressive and feel like the stuff above is doable to minimize the pain and frequency of caliber changes, you're running out of reasons not to get a 650. One final observation however: If you get a 550 and at some point in the future decide to step up to a 650, you will have no trouble finding someone to buy it, probably for pretty close to what you paid for it. Or you'll be like this guy, trying to figure out if it makes sense to sell the 550 even after you get a 650: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=143631 If all of this is too much for you, flip a coin: Given choices on your list a bad decision is impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotys Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 The single stage is definitely out. You would be happy with a 550 or 650, you will probably add which ever one you don't buy later! Single stage or cheap turret (i.e. Lee Classic turret) is good if you plan to load very small number of rounds. I still use one to load .270, 44-40, and 44 Mag hunting loads. I can load 40 or 50 and it lasts for years. High volume goes on my 650 (.40, 9mm, 45 ACP and 5.56). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johoevasmatrix Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I have been loading on my own now for over a year. I just bought my first 45 and right after I bought a quick change conversion kit for it. Change over is a breeze on the 550. I switch for 40 to 38 often and that is done in about 3 mins. I use a blow gun to clean the press when I switch. Now I am getting set up for 45 and I do not like the fact that I have to switch over the primer size.I do not know anyone that uses small primer 45 brass but for right now Its worth looking into. but the best idea I have heard is set up the press and run rounds till your out not I have enough for now. and then switch calibers. I started out on a rcbs w/piggyback and it was nice. I have often thought of expanding my setup to include another press. I have thougtht about buying another 550 and leaving it set up for large primers and one for small. then my other thought was to get a 650 and set that up for small primers since that is what I shoot the most. and leave the 550 set up for large primers. I bought the 45 because I can find all kinds of brass for it. but not small primer brass. If i had it to do all over again I would buy the 650. at this point it will do everything you would like it to do. I shoot alot of 223 I won't reload them because they are too cheap to buy. but I still collect the brass and but them in lots of 500 and store them into a airtight container till it becomes smart for me to reload them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostMercury Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 I am finding more and more posts about the presses, and sites in which have videos about the Dillon setups. In some ways the information is overwhelming, thats why I'm posting this thread. Both machines just seem to be able to do everything I want, and it's even harder when there isn't really that much of a price difference either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeyedme Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I am finding more and more posts about the presses, and sites in which have videos about the Dillon setups. In some ways the information is overwhelming, thats why I'm posting this thread. Both machines just seem to be able to do everything I want, and it's even harder when there isn't really that much of a price difference either. You can't go wrong with either press. I also load .45apc and 9mm and have a 650 w/casefeeder and toolhead w/powder for each. Change over is pretty quick on the primer feed but I am usually not in that big of a hurry. I like having the powder check & the auto indexing on the 650. Either way you go, you win!! Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaster113 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 (edited) I just sold my 550 to upgrade to a 650. started my foray into reloading with a single stage Rockchucker loading rifle rounds only. The 550 is super easy to use and was easy to make the jump from single stage to progressive. There is a bit of a learning curve with the 650 and is a bit more PITA to deal with malfunctions. Caliber swaps with the 550 are relatively easy, especially with separate tool heads with the dies and powder measure bolted in place and separate primer slide assemblies for small and large primers. Only loaded a tiny bit of ammo with my new 650 but already I can tell that the 650 will more easily output a greater volume of rounds. Went with a 650 cause I felt it was taking too long to load ammo. I work out 4-5 days a week after work, plus average 50-60 hour work weeks. Currently burning up 2-300 rounds twice a week for practice plus club matches 2-3 times a month. 75% or more of what I shoot is .40 major, the rest .38SC for about 10000 rounds total annually. Advantage of the 650: volume! Advantage of the 550: ease of use If I had extra money I'd have kept the 550 around for low volume reloading and rifle rounds Edited February 9, 2012 by blaster113 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 GhostMercury, Have you seend these: Dillon FAQ: http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillonfaqs.html “Which Dillon”: http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html#which Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbulladdikt Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I personally just purchased a 550 last weekend...I am loading .40S&W currently while I compile my needs for 9mm.... As suggested you need to think about 'give and take'....these are a few things Dad and I discussed before the purchase 1) how much time do you have to load? If you are limited on reloading time with the volume you are cranking the 650 might be a better choice 2) are you sticking with FMJs or loading cast? We have been told the 550 is a better option for cast slugs either way a single stage press is not suited for your volume--either way you go Dillon has ya covered...trust the advice you get on here....I wish I had invested in my 550 years ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glynnm45 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Change over to .45 from 9mm or the other way around would be super quick if you just used the .45 cases made for small pistol primers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostMercury Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 Brian I appreciate you posting in here. Actually I have read both of those threads, it's kind of the reason I'm so torn between which one to buy. I'm not so new to reloading that the 550 would work perfectly, but I am no expert reloader. I think I have decided to lean towards the 650 after a day of reading and surfing the internets. There may be a learning curve but I have a few people that can help me get setup, and I have no problem bothering my dad with a bunch of phone calls lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Brian I appreciate you posting in here. Actually I have read both of those threads, it's kind of the reason I'm so torn between which one to buy. I'm not so new to reloading that the 550 would work perfectly, but I am no expert reloader. I think I have decided to lean towards the 650 after a day of reading and surfing the internets. There may be a learning curve but I have a few people that can help me get setup, and I have no problem bothering my dad with a bunch of phone calls lol. I'm always to hear, when a guy will be starting with his first press as a 650, that he knows someone with a 650 who will help get him setup. be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diversmith Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Don't be scared of a 650....if you have some mechanical ability and "mechanical common sense", you'll get it figured out in no time. You will quickly learn the "feedback" you get from the press and how to quickly deal with any issues that might pop up, like upside-down cases from the casefeeder. I am so glad I went right to the 650 from a very short time on a single stage. The casefeeder is a dream! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingdarb Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 I went with the 550 myself and I am very happy with it. It was the first machine I loaded on. I learned to use the machine by reading - it isn't hard to teach yourself. I have loaded probably about 2k 9mm so far (not alot I know) and I have had no issues. Because it manually indexes, you can operate it like a single stage with one round at a time until you get the hang of it. Some people claim that it is easy to double charge a case on a 550. I don't really agree with that. If you are paying attention and look into your cases before you set bullets, it will not happen. I also dig that the 550 can change calibres really easily. Like you, many people recommended that I buy a single stage to learn on and then progress from there. I am really happy that I didn't do that. It might work for rifle, but not for pistol (quantity). With the 550, I believe that I learned all of the steps involved in safely reloading ammo, and I can also do it at a reasonable pace. I don't churn out 500/hour like some folks do, but 300/hour is pretty easy for me while going at a fairly relaxed pace. I probably shoot about 500-700 rounds a week, and the 550 is perfect for me. If I ever end up shooting a tonne of ammo, I might consider moving to a 1050 for a particular caliber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmc_md Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 I started with a 550 and it was quite easy to get started. Sure, I made a few mistakes at the beginning in terms of sizing, but nothing dangerous. If you've got someone who can teach you hands-on, it won't be hard. Absolutely do not try to load the volume that you want to shoot with a single stage. Huge mistake. I shoot about 600-1000 .223 per month, and my standard reloading time on my 550, going slowly, is 350-400/hour. This does not include case prep time, obviously. The case prep takes by far way more time than the loading. Darren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now