Lower40 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 Never owned a Dillon but am considering buying one for loading 38 special ammo (mostly wadcutter). Budget minded....is there a basic Dillon package (5 stage) that includes everything needed to start loading? press, dies, powder measure, primer feed etc? I do have a Lee LoadMaster now and have reloaded on/off for years now...have the misc like powder scales, tumbler etc. If so, have a Model number and possible source to purchase the unit? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rishii Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 I’d just go to the Dillon website and order a rl550c with the 38 special conversion kit your old dies will work, the press comes with the primer feed and powder measure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m700 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 https://www.dillonprecision.com/square-deal-b-reloader_8_1_25237.html Square deal B 4 stage https://www.dillonprecision.com/rl-550c-reloader_8_1_23594.html 550c 4 stage also 750 5 stage https://www.dillonprecision.com/xl-750-reloader_8_1_26745.html All of them come without dies. they leave them out because they know everyone has different tastes and needs for dies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 Square deal has propitary dies . Do not recommend for full wadcutters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RudyVey Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 I use a 550 for both 38 spl and 357 mag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lower40 Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 Thanks for the info..I'll be shopping around...prefer a press with 5 stations in case I use my taper crip die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 FYI on a 550 station 1 size/deprime/prime station 2 expand /powder drop station 3 seat projectile station 4 crimp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Service Desk Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Look around for a good used 650 or spring for a new 750...either work great for 38 Special and have real production rates in the 700 rounds per hour with a bullet feeder and around 500 per hour if you are manually placing the projectile in the case. There are plenty of accessories available and automation options are well proven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix1977 Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 (edited) I’ve been using a SD for a short while now for my .38 spl WC match ammo. absolutely love the press. I do have a special seater stamp for WC bullets. Works perfect, available at Uniquetek. Edited September 18, 2020 by Phoenix1977 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belus Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 (edited) I use a 550 for specials. The Lee Loadmaster is a four dies in five station press because they prime at the top of the stroke. You can do all the same operations in four Dillon stations. Edited September 18, 2020 by belus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ysrracer Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 I load .38 Special/.38 Short Colt/9mm on a 550. Station 1: resize, deprime, prime Station 2. Flare, powder drop Station 3. Seat the bullet Station 4. Crimp Easy peasy lemon squeezey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ysrracer Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 1 minute ago, ysrracer said: I load .38 Special/.38 Short Colt/9mm on a 550. Station 1: resize, deprime, prime Station 2. Flare, powder drop Station 3. Seat the bullet Station 4. Crimp Easy peasy lemon squeezey Or Station 1: resize, deprime, prime Station 2. Flare, powder drop Station 3. Mr Bullet Feeder mini / drop the bullet Station 4. Seat / crimp the bullet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78Staff Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 (edited) I used a 550 for 38spl for years (550 does all my revolver rounds really), but have been shooting so much of it lately, I am actually switching over to my 1050. But the 550 loads them fine. But since you want 5 stations, you'll have to move to the 650/750 (or the 1050 ) Edited September 19, 2020 by 78Staff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 On 9/17/2020 at 6:46 PM, Lower40 said: Thanks for the info..I'll be shopping around...prefer a press with 5 stations in case I use my taper crimp die. I think you have a misconception. 11 hours ago, ysrracer said: Or Station 1: resize, deprime, prime Station 2. Flare, powder drop Station 3. Mr Bullet Feeder mini / drop the bullet Station 4. Seat / crimp the bullet Pretty much. I use a taper crimp on most things now with the coated bullets in My 550... I still keep wanting a Square deal though for in the house just set up for 45, let a few good deals on used slip by. I just hate changing over my 550 primer feeder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 1 hour ago, Joe4d said: I think you have a misconception. Pretty much. I use a taper crimp on most things now with the coated bullets in My 550... I still keep wanting a Square deal though for in the house just set up for 45, let a few good deals on used slip by. I just hate changing over my 550 primer feeder. Buy a second 550 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ysrracer Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 It really depends on your needs. I always tell people, if you're shooting more than a 1000 rounds a month, a 750 with a case and bullet feeder is the way to go. Under a 1000 a month, a 550 will work just fine. Both crank out quality ammunition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jory45acp Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Over last 10 years I've loaded 10's of thousands of .38/.357 rds on 550b press without issue. You will get great results with either press 550/750. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OleGreyGhost Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 On 9/17/2020 at 1:48 PM, Lower40 said: Never owned a Dillon but am considering buying one for loading 38 special ammo (mostly wadcutter). On 9/17/2020 at 3:58 PM, AHI said: Square deal has propitary dies . Do not recommend for full wadcutters. Also, a Mr. Bullet Feeder will not handle wadcutters ( DEWC/HBWC ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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