johnson184 Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Was going to get a second 1050, but now I'm considering a 550 or 650 for my less frequently reloaded calibers. Was leaning towards a 550 since it'll also reload 338 Lapua, but I could just use a single stage press for it since I don't need to reload a lot of those rounds. So now I'm leaning towards a 650 over the 550. But how long do caliber swaps even take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfalcon00 Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Depends if you gotta change primer size. 5 min if you dont, and maybe 15 min if you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copecowboy22 Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 It takes me about 10. But I've never timed myself. Just guessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3324temp Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Caliber changes on a 650 are not time consuming at all. Don't get hung up on this when choosing between a 550 or 650. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer1 Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 With a caliber change which requires a primer size change... How much does having an available complete second priming assembly ready-to-go help ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthyBlagga Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 With a caliber change which requires a primer size change... How much does having an available complete second priming assembly ready-to-go help ? Only saves you a couple of minutes. I bought one because I like things to be easy, but probably not worth the $$$ for many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1gcountry Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Changing out the primer disk is one extra screw after you get the priming system off. You also have to change out the magazine sleeve. Less than 5 min extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G19 Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Everyone talks about how easy it is to change calibers. Yet so many end up with another press to avoid exactly this. I don't enjoy changing calibers, and try to load a lot in one caliber (so that I won't have to swap right back) before changing to another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1gcountry Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 I'm not convinced having multiple machines saves any time in the long run. I think for most reloaders, collecting presses and getting them running is the real hobby. ...and I'm not talking about someone with a 650, a rock chucker, and a shotshell reloader. I'm talking about the guy with a 650 in three different calibers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhawk6 Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 I just recently sold one of my 550's and bought a 650 .It is currently set up for 9mm and 40 S&W .I use the 550 for large primer rounds ( 41 Mag and 45 AcP ) . It takes me about 30 min to change calibers and verify everything is ready to go ,however i've only done this a couple of times on the 650.I expect i will speed up with more practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3324temp Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 With a caliber change which requires a primer size change... How much does having an available complete second priming assembly ready-to-go help ? I bought one when I bought my press, I don't feel it was money well spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJE Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 With a caliber change which requires a primer size change... How much does having an available complete second priming assembly ready-to-go help ? Worth the money, IMO. I have a complete assembly for each size. I don't feel the time for a caliber change is any greater than what is required to clean and maintain the press anyway. I have a toolhead for each caliber and I even share the same powder measure for each one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfalcon00 Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Yeah the spare tool heads are where you save the real time in the caliber changes. I suppose that is a given though. I honestly have never understood why people make a big deal of the time to change over really, 10 minutes is nothing really. Sometimes I think its just an excuse to get another machine to play with. Then again I don't have a bullet feeder or anything like that as I like to take my time when I load. It always seems I can get a lot of bullets for the price of that upgrade and that always wins out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt1 Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I have one 650 and 14 toolheads. I have a powder die on each toolhead. A cal change takes 10 minutes max including changing the primer size, changing the powder bar, giving it a quick clean and greasing it up. I spent money on toolheads, spare powder dies and having multiple powder bars (one for each popular load plus one with the Uniquetek micrometer for load development). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Takes about 5 min of you have the toolheads set up. Changing primer size is a few minutes more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrG5122 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 If Dillon or an aftermarket company would come up with a primer system attachment that would be easier than backing out those two long bolts I would be a customer. That is the most time consuming part of changing primer sizes for me. Maybe two studs with QD levers like a picatinny optic mount? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJE Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 (edited) If Dillon or an aftermarket company would come up with a primer system attachment that would be easier than backing out those two long bolts I would be a customer. That is the most time consuming part of changing primer sizes for me. Maybe two studs with QD levers like a picatinny optic mount? Two "long" bolts are too time consuming? Edited September 20, 2015 by AJE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1gcountry Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 If Dillon or an aftermarket company would come up with a primer system attachment that would be easier than backing out those two long bolts I would be a customer. That is the most time consuming part of changing primer sizes for me. Maybe two studs with QD levers like a picatinny optic mount? Two "long" bolts are too time consuming?A hex key socket might solve your problem. .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDA Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 (edited) If Dillon or an aftermarket company would come up with a primer system attachment that would be easier than backing out those two long bolts I would be a customer. That is the most time consuming part of changing primer sizes for me. Try Bondhus Ball Drivers. Spin them right out. http://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-13190-Balldriver-T-handles-8-Inch/dp/B00012WYEM They are sold at lots of places for varying prices. I imagine you can buy individual sizes, but between my SDB and XL650 quite a few of the sizes get frequent use. Edited September 20, 2015 by TDA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3324temp Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 If Dillon or an aftermarket company would come up with a primer system attachment that would be easier than backing out those two long bolts I would be a customer. That is the most time consuming part of changing primer sizes for me. Maybe two studs with QD levers like a picatinny optic mount? Removing those two bolts takes less than 60 seconds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vixty Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I just don't know how someone could justify a complete new/different press because 10 minutes is to long for a caliber change. I find that the conversion kit and qc kit are expensive enough as is. But if someone can afford a 2nd or 3rd press more power to them I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrG5122 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 If Dillon or an aftermarket company would come up with a primer system attachment that would be easier than backing out those two long bolts I would be a customer. That is the most time consuming part of changing primer sizes for me. Maybe two studs with QD levers like a picatinny optic mount? Two "long" bolts are too time consuming?A hex key socket might solve your problem. .. Didn't mean to step on any blue toes. I have hex key sockets and ball hex drivers and a cordless drill. Yes, it only takes 60 seconds. 60 seconds out, 60 seconds in. I get it. All I was saying was that I'd spend money for it to take five seconds out and five seconds in. WOW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJE Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 If Dillon or an aftermarket company would come up with a primer system attachment that would be easier than backing out those two long bolts I would be a customer. That is the most time consuming part of changing primer sizes for me. Maybe two studs with QD levers like a picatinny optic mount? Removing those two bolts takes less than 60 seconds. I can only see it taking 60 seconds if I stop to drink a beer in the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1gcountry Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 For the record, chef don't judge. I just offered it as an idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
safeactionjackson Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Was going to get a second 1050, but now I'm considering a 550 or 650 for my less frequently reloaded calibers. Was leaning towards a 550 since it'll also reload 338 Lapua, but I could just use a single stage press for it since I don't need to reload a lot of those rounds. So now I'm leaning towards a 650 over the 550. But how long do caliber swaps even take? Whenever I convert to a different caliber I take the opportunity to clean the press, this generally takes longer than the actual caliber conversion (15-30 minutes total depending on how anal I'm being). The 650 is setup for large primer and handles .45/10mm. Probably order a couple of tool heads, and migrate my .380/.357sig/.40 reloading to the xl650 in the near future, doubt I'd invest in a separate primer system. ~g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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