Please Help Me Decide - 550 or 650

[GregInAtl]

I had the same dilemma. I was hung up on the fact that the 550 is not auto indexing. I actually spoke to Brian on the phone and he told me that if I was going to change calibers more than once a month, get the 550. Also, he said that if you get a 650 you pretty much have to get the case feeder if you want to take advantage of the extra power of the 650, so you may as well add the cost of the case feeder to the cost of the 650. Brian told me he thought the 550 was Dillon's best all around machine and I am sure he would have been happy to sell me a 650 instead of a 550. I found the lack of auto indexing to not be as big a deal as I thought after getting used to it.

The 550 may not load as much ammo in an hour as a 650 but you can still crank out a lot of ammo in an hour with the 550.

[MarkCO]

I change calibers a few times a week on the 650. It is simple, but then I am organized in how I do it.

[GunBugBit]

$2,000 for a fully-loaded 650 must include a bullet feeder (like a Mr. Bulletfeeder).

Even then 2k is a stretch. 650+CF+MBF is closer to 1300 bucks

Yes. I was counting the casefeed assembly and the stuff a new reloader needs, as listed on Brian's order page. The total was around $1,500 and I think the Mr. Bulletfeeders are around $500.

[Sarge]

$2,000 for a fully-loaded 650 must include a bullet feeder (like a Mr. Bulletfeeder).

Even then 2k is a stretch. 650+CF+MBF is closer to 1300 bucks

Yes. I was counting the casefeed assembly and the stuff a new reloader needs, as listed on Brian's order page. The total was around $1,500 and I think the Mr. Bulletfeeders are around $500.

That is pretty close. And well worth it!

[benos]

Info on your topic here:

Dillon FAQ:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillonfaqs.html

“Which Dillon”:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html#which

[jkrispies]

I agree that the lack of auto index on a 550 isn't a big deal at all. The slow down (in my opinion) is from the lack of a case feeder. Having read some comments, I'm not sure how effective the 550 case feeder works relative to the 650 feeder, but I understand that the 650 feeder works well.

[Tino2212]

I have a casefeeder on my RL550 and must say works great

[rishii]

I started on a rockchucker, then an upgraded 450, 20 years ago I got a 650

and every up grade had to do with speed, with the rockchucker I could maybe load 100 rounds an hour, and that was pushing it

the 450, I was up to 500 rounds and hour

with the 650, I'm at 900 rounds and hour

the 550's main advantage for the new re-loader is you can use it as a turret press until you're comfortable loading progressively, inother words, load 1 round at a time, put a shell in the shell plate, and run it thru all the steps, after the 1st one is done, repeat, with the first 200 rounds, you should be confident enough to start loading progressively

also caliber conversions are cheaper, simpler and faster than a 650

everything to do with the 650 cost more, but it's worth it, the last time I used my 450, I got so frustrated with how slow it was, I un-bolted and gave it away

[warpspeed]

All things equal, I actually like loading on a square deal.

I have owned both the 1050 & 550 as well as a SL900 and the Square Deal, for loading pistol calibers, is great.

For speed and quality you will not get anything better than a 1050 but at a cost.

Read Brian's "Which Dillon ?" and then go from there but I would say to read the "drawbacks" comments as "warnings" because for me, none of the ones listed under the Square Deal are drawbacks for me.

[Hi-Power Jack]

All things equal, I actually like loading on a square deal.

I also love my SDB, but if I were still working, had a family and loading

3,000 rounds/month, it would be worth some pesos, to me, to be able

to load those rounds a lot faster ...

It would take me 4 hours/week to load 3,000 rounds/month.... That's

just too long, for me.

[warpspeed]

All things equal, I actually like loading on a square deal.

I also love my SDB, but if I were still working, had a family and loading

3,000 rounds/month, it would be worth some pesos, to me, to be able

to load those rounds a lot faster ...

It would take me 4 hours/week to load 3,000 rounds/month.... That's

just too long, for me.

I agree.

At one point I was shooting 4000 a month and was very glad to have a 1050. I'm lucky now to get that in a year.

[glocklife34]

Im on the same situation as you couple weeks ago. I read alot of forum, talk to people, gun clubs asking about Dillon press 650 and 550 but almost 70% of people answered go with 650. So i did more research and posted in one of the local forum if anybody could help me decide or walk me through their 650, one nice guy did and i tried the 650 it's a nice press but you have to consider there's alot going on in one pull. I observed every mechanism everytime i pull the crank, i learned about the operation quick. 650 is a fine machine.

After what have been said above evrything positive to 650. But guess what? I bought a 550. Why? Caliber change is easy, 650 for new to reloading like me is kinda complicated for the first time(alot of people started 650 for first press). 550 you can manually go back if you messed up something. Basically everthing is manual thats is what i like on the 550. Imo i want to learn every mechanisim(operation) dillon press for me to know whats going on in every pull and so i choose 550.

Now im learning alot on the 550 enjoying every pull im making i only made around 200 rounds since i bought it. But going slow during the process will make you a safe reloader. Imo money is well spent on the 550. But if im more experience reloader i sure will upgrade and get a 650 and still keep the 550.

But whatever press you choose Dillon is a nice press, you just have to know what is right for you. You can always upgrade if you get the 550. Dillon presses dont depreciate value tht much.

Edited September 24, 2015 by glocklife34

[GunBugBit]

Definitely see multiple presses in my future. 550 to start is the route I'm currently most likely to take.

[moonman16]

GunBugBit,

Addiction cause multiple presses to appear on your bench.

[GunBugBit]

Yes moonman, the more I shoot, the more I want to shoot. Like a lot of others here.

[GunBugBit]

Read Brian's "Which Dillon ?" and then go from there...

I read it quite some time ago, and have revisited it a number of times. I know I didn't have to get anyone else's advice besides Brian's -- his expert advice will get me on the right path.

But I wanted to get input from guys at the club and you guys on the forum just to have additional insight.

All signs point to the 550 for a shooter like me. It looks like a good one to learn about reloading. Rugged, versatile, simple, can use it as a single stage if desired -- several good reasons to get one of those first.

Since I'm a ways from true high-volume shooting, I'll see if I move in that direction. If I get there, I'll add another press, having learned the ropes on a 550.

Thanks all again for your very generous sharing of knowledge.

Edited September 27, 2015 by GunBugBit

[glocklife34]

Read Brian's "Which Dillon ?" and then go from there...

I read it quite some time ago, and have revisited it a number of times. I know I didn't have to get anyone else's advice besides Brian's -- his expert advice will get me on the right path.

But I wanted to get input from guys at the club and you guys on the forum just to have additional insight.

All signs point to the 550 for a shooter like me. It looks like a good one to learn about reloading. Rugged, versatile, simple, can use it as a single stage if desired -- several good reasons to get one of those first.

Since I'm a ways from true high-volume shooting, I'll see if I move in that direction. If I get there, I'll add another press, having learned the ropes on a 550.

Thanks all again for your very generous sharing of knowledge.

That's how i think few weeks ago and went through 550. Enjoy and be safe reloading!

[GunBugBit]

Thanks glocklife, safety first!

[skydive121]

I started in a single stage Lee Classic Turret and loaded 1,000's of rounds on it with great success. I just recently upgraded to the 650 and it is fantastic! I say, "I wonder why I waited so long?" But then again, maybe there needs to be that progression? You don't learn to drive in a Ferrari.

Anyways, either Dillon will be great, just go slow at first and check your powder charges! And don't forget to check your powder charges

[GunBugBit]

Right, I think the 550 will be really good for learning about reloading. I will definitely be very diligent about checking powder charges!

[Hi-Power Jack]

I will be diligent about checking powder charges!

Only way to be diligent about powder charges (Extremely Important) is to be

able to SEE the powder ...

That means some type of excellent lighting system - I have one attached to

my SDB - I LOOK and SEE every powder charge on Every Round I

reload.

Can't check the powder if you can't see it ...

[Bob DuBois]

Started with a 550 then bought a second 550 Later bought a loaded 650. 650 is faster running but a little longer to change over.

If your loading short runs then changing calibers 550 is the way to go. Easier to save bad rounds on a 550. Loading 223 I have

a tool head set up with a full length sizing die, Lee then a neck sizer when prepping brass then another tool head to load on.

Bought a three dollar inspection mirror, drilled a hole just in front of the back left mounting hole and secured the mirror there.

I can easily inspect station three while seated. Bought the extended primer slide with bearing off E Bay very pleased as it stops

the wobble out of the primer slide. There are times a 550 will do work a 650 won't as pull bullets with a collet puller. You'll

need a good light to see station three bought a clamp light from Lowe's. My 550 is mounted flat on the bench and has the roller

handle.

650 wish I had bought it sooner, usually leave it set on 9mm but load 38 Super, 40 S@W on it, Well tuned with both spent and

fresh primer catch cups, bearing kits light springs it runs very well. I use Lee's sizing die in the first station on both presses.

Lee for a few bucks will cut an insert to go in the seating die, helps hold OAL tight and a Dillon crimp die.

Modified my Powder Measures by replacing the adjustment bolt by one sold on E Bay for $12.00 has the knob machined on the bolt

very well made and easy to adjust. Cut screens from 1/8th wire screen from the hardware store, using the top as a guide mark

the screen with a sharpie. Installed between the tube and housing, also polished the inside of the housing and powder through die.

Stops bridging, powder drops more consistant.

Sorry for being long winded but bottom line speed cost how fast do you want to go. both machines will produce quality ammo.

Both will provide years of use.

[GunBugBit]

I will be diligent about checking powder charges!

Only way to be diligent about powder charges (Extremely Important) is to be

able to SEE the powder ...

That means some type of excellent lighting system - I have one attached to

my SDB - I LOOK and SEE every powder charge on Every Round I

reload.

Thank you for your valuable guidance on a very important topic.

One shooter described his lighting and mirror system he uses for powder checking on his 550. I bookmarked that.

[GunBugBit]

Modified my Powder Measures by replacing the adjustment bolt by one sold on E Bay for $12.00 has the knob machined on the bolt

very well made and easy to adjust. Cut screens from 1/8th wire screen from the hardware store, using the top as a guide mark

the screen with a sharpie. Installed between the tube and housing, also polished the inside of the housing and powder through die.

Stops bridging, powder drops more consistant.

I ordered a Mr. Dial last week. I'll have to look into that screen technique.

[gunsablazin]

Definitely see multiple presses in my future. 550 to start is the route I'm currently most likely to take.

The 550 is a great press, I have two of them, the oldest is 30 years old! I have two 1050's, and just ordered a 3rd, but both of the 550's still get used on a weekly basis. When you add another press down the road, you'll always have a use for the old 550!