headednorth
NES Member
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- Apr 9, 2012
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Im starting to feel like Im outgrowing my single stage and Im thinking about going with a 550b. Ive spent some time reading some threads that came up after a search here and also at Brian Enos' site and had just a few questions to ask of people who have some experience with the 550 and/or the 650.
Im trying to avoid buying twice. If the 650 is a better choice, then I'd rather go with that. Im leaning 550 because Ive read an avg. round/hr rate of 400-600. Even if it only ends up being 200/hr, if I spend an hour or so even just every other day, I'd be happy with the round count. I dont feel the need to crank out huge amounts of ammo.
Fwiw, Im reloading 9mm, 45acp, .223, and will probably be doing 38/357 sometime in the future. Shooting a total of anywhere between 100 to 5-600 rounds a week combined. No competition shooting at the moment, but it could be a possibility at some point.
-Has anyone bought the 550 and then went on to the 650? If so, what made you move on?
-Is the 650's having an additional station a big deal?
-Afaik, other manufacturers dies work in the 550 (650 too?). Ive heard that non-Dillon dies have to be screwed almost all the way into the press to be at the correct height, not leaving much room for further adjustment. Anyone have any issues with using other dies in a Dillon?
-Probably just a matter of personal preference, but what are peoples thoughts on the "how it should be" package? (strong mount, bins, roller arm...) Is it something I could live without? I have a single stage mounted to the bench with a straight handle and a ball on the end and to be honest, it operates fine and I have no issues with that kind of set-up. Maybe I dont know what Im missing?
- Im leaning towards the option of the toolhead/powder measure for each caliber to avoid having to switch the powder measure each time and re-calibrate it. Seems easier and one thing I dont like about my current set up is changing out the rifle and pistol rotors on the powder measure. Not a big deal, but I like the idea of just pulling a couple of pins and sliding the whole set up out/sliding a new one in. Ive read another approach is to just buy one for rifle calibers and one for pistols. Anyone have an opinion on these different set-ups?
Thanks in advance
Im trying to avoid buying twice. If the 650 is a better choice, then I'd rather go with that. Im leaning 550 because Ive read an avg. round/hr rate of 400-600. Even if it only ends up being 200/hr, if I spend an hour or so even just every other day, I'd be happy with the round count. I dont feel the need to crank out huge amounts of ammo.
Fwiw, Im reloading 9mm, 45acp, .223, and will probably be doing 38/357 sometime in the future. Shooting a total of anywhere between 100 to 5-600 rounds a week combined. No competition shooting at the moment, but it could be a possibility at some point.
-Has anyone bought the 550 and then went on to the 650? If so, what made you move on?
-Is the 650's having an additional station a big deal?
-Afaik, other manufacturers dies work in the 550 (650 too?). Ive heard that non-Dillon dies have to be screwed almost all the way into the press to be at the correct height, not leaving much room for further adjustment. Anyone have any issues with using other dies in a Dillon?
-Probably just a matter of personal preference, but what are peoples thoughts on the "how it should be" package? (strong mount, bins, roller arm...) Is it something I could live without? I have a single stage mounted to the bench with a straight handle and a ball on the end and to be honest, it operates fine and I have no issues with that kind of set-up. Maybe I dont know what Im missing?
- Im leaning towards the option of the toolhead/powder measure for each caliber to avoid having to switch the powder measure each time and re-calibrate it. Seems easier and one thing I dont like about my current set up is changing out the rifle and pistol rotors on the powder measure. Not a big deal, but I like the idea of just pulling a couple of pins and sliding the whole set up out/sliding a new one in. Ive read another approach is to just buy one for rifle calibers and one for pistols. Anyone have an opinion on these different set-ups?
Thanks in advance