I'm tired of not being able to find ammo and am going to start reloading
I'm going to buy a dillon 650 what all should I order with it all I will be reloading is 22-250 and 270
Possibly 45 but that is not important at this time

Hi Ed,

Great choice... I love my XL650...

I would recommend getting the electric case feeder (with the appropropiate case feed plates) and buying the XL 650 Quick Change and Caliber Conversion Kit for each cartridge planned for loading. You will be able to switch between cartridges in 10 minutes or so, leaving your dies adjusted in the respective "warheads".

This tools will allow you to easily load 100's of rounds per hour. You will be buying bullets, powder and primers in bulk!

Regards,

For rifle ammo the Dillon 550 Is a easier machine and more appropriate
For most.

Unless you need 10,000 rounds if 270 a year.


I shoot rifles competitively and load all my stuff on 550 even though I have a super 1050 sitting next to it.


The difference can buy you a RCBS chargemaster and you'll be miles ahead on consistency.


Besides the press you'll need a bunch of other items as well.

Calipers
Case cleaning setup
Scale
Case gauges
Etc.....

Eddie, how much shooting do you do?

First let me say, great decision on choosing to reload. It does save money i the long rung, but I find it more rewardiing to build a load that works supremely in my rifle exactly how I want it to.

Not trying to steer you away from big blue, i have a 550 and love it. But, there are a couple questions you should answer before buying.

How much shooting in 1 year? If it is a hundred or so of each. The 650 is too much press for the job. My biggest round count year was 7500 rounds of 40, and about 2500 rounds of 45. My 550 handled that.

What is the goal for the ammo? Plinking, hunting, match grade- I found that I get pretty consistant loads in my pistol rounds from my 550, but if I were going for precision, I would go to a single stage press with a chargemaster or similar powder thrower.

I am in no way saying that you cant use a 650 if y want too, just saying that looking at your use there may be a better alternative out there.

Buy the way, be ready to not find bullets and powder, there as hard to come by as loaded ammo now.

Good luck to you

Matt

Get single stage press for rifle ammo

I presume you looked at, and dismissed, the Forster Co-Ax?

I have a 650 and crank 9, 40 and 45 through it. for rifles i use a rcbs single stage. Prefer it for consistancy on High Powered rifle.

I agree with this. I have the Hornady LNL for pistol ammo, but use my 3 single stage presses for rifles. Unless you shoot in semi-auto rifle matches, there's really no need for loading rifles with progressives.

I just started looking and was told the dillon was the best I had just looked at dillons site and that is what steered me to the 650
I don't shoot a lot, at most couple hundred rounds a year

650 is way more then you need, My 550 is a 1980 model still pumping them out
If your just looking to make a few hundred rounds a year you should be looking at a single stage type press like a RCBS or Lee most all brands make a press these days, so save yourself a few years worth of shooting, and look at some of the kits on the market today

The RCBS kits are a great place to start & learn the process. Especially if current usage is a couple hundred rounds per year. You can always use it for working up loads, or other smaller volume uses, even if you end up with a Dillon later as your volume goes up.

Pretty decent deal at Cabelas. It looks like a $50.00 rebate, too.

LINK to RCBS kit

For the calibers you mentioned, and how many rounds you shoot, I would not recommend a Dillon 650. A 650 will crank out 400-800 rounds an hour, depending on a few factors. It would make a good 45 ACP press cranking out a lot of rounds, since handgun is easily loaded on the 650.

If accuracy is the goal, I would be looking at a single stage set-up, like an RCBS or Hornady single stage reloading kit. Those can be had for $300 to $500. The progressive presses are the worst to learn on, because every stoke of the handle the press does 5 different tasks. Look into a single stage set up. If you buy a starter kit, you may need an extra case vibrator (to clean your cases) and some walnut or corn cob media.

Also, just because you can't find the ammo and want to start reloading, doesn't mean you will be able to find the powder, primers, and bullets you are wanting. There is a shortage on all those items also!

Unless you just want a new hobby you would be better sered by just buying ammo in bulk when it comes back in

if you don't shoot a lot why not invest in something
simpler but built with tight tolerances where you can make
cartridge of high quality one at a time

rifle cartridge you need to scrape the carbon out of the
primer pocket, progressives will not allow you do that

my favorite brand is REDDING, then RCBS, Hornady

invest in good REDDING Carbide dies,
Competition Series if you want concentric bullet seating
and super fine adjustments

Does dillon make a single stage set up?

They do not. Dillon is known for thier progressive presses.

RCBS, LEE, Hornady all make a similarly priced single stage press that will allow you to load very high quality ammunition.


The Lee Anniversary kit is about 100 bucks and comes with almost everything you need to make top shelf ammo.


Single stage is a pain for pistol ammo but if you have the time you can probably make 100 rounds an hour.

Just my opinion, but Dillon's claim to fame came by producing a very fine progressive loader with outstanding customer service and a lifetime no BS warranty. I have had the 550 since about 1989.

But a RCBS single stage would serve you very well for what you have said you want to do so far.

If you have the money get what you want. If you begin to shoot more the 650 will allow you plenty of options. Although Dillon does not make a single stage press, you can use the 450,550,or 650 as a single stage operation. Dillon probably has a better resale value of all reloading equipment.

I agree with blackcoal. If you do get the 650, I suggest getting the strong mount and powder check with it.

Don't forget that you can use the 550B as a single-stage press too. You can still weigh all your charges, resize, seat, etc. Very versatile machine. Gives you the ability to go progressive with other loads too, 9mm, .45, .223, etc.

Since I have one of just about everything I can honestly say the 650 is the end all for presses..besides the 1050.


200 rounds a year you say? It will take you longer to set the press up then to make 200 rounds. If money is no object I guess get it.

It's like buying an F-350 dually when a Ford Ranger is all that is needed. It's way overkill but it is really nice and just in case you want to grow....it will grow with you through the years.

I recommend to most people to start out on a single stage press like the RCBS Rock Chucker. It too will last through the years and I still use mine for rifle ammo like .270 and it's the best way to learn safely.

I use my dillon for 5.56, .300 BO, and some pistol ammo like .45 and 10mm, .44 mag and .357.

I use Lee Pro 1000's for 9mm and .40 cal.

So the 550b can be used either way

Yes.

I found the 550 more versatile and easier to use than the 650 - Particularly if you have to back out a jam.

Brian Enos has some nice packages and can be a big help making your selection. Here is his website.