Dillon???

[panman]

Hi guys.I have been thinking of buying a Dillon but know NOTHING about any progressive press.I have never seen or no anyone who has one.If not a Dillon what other press would be good?.
About what would it cost to get set up and running?Can ya load rifle and pistol on the same machine.?I have been only loading on a single stage and its a loooong night loading some 9s& 40ts.,for a couple of hours shooting.Whats the cost?[Most important lol.]Thanks,as always.pan.

[creophus]

The Dillon 550, 650, and 1050 all allow for loading of rifle and pistol rounds. Only the SDB doesn't do rifle, but pistol only.

Some folks like Hornady Lock N Load, some folks like Lee Loadmaster or Pro 1000s.

It's all a matter of how much you wanna spend and how fast you wanna go.

[craig110]

Pan, there are people on GP from all over the country so if you post the area you live in you might find that someone here lives near you and would be happy to show you a progressive in action.

As to your questions, the general consensus is that the Hornady Lock-n-Load is up there with the 650 in capabilities, but the Dillon does, of course, come with that wonderful lifetime warranty. Yes, you can load both rifle and pistol on the higher-end presses with some limits: If you want to load the really large rounds, such as .50BMG and I'm not sure about some of the other really long calibers, you need to get into specialty presses. (What would be useful is if you list the calibers you're interested in loading now and possibly in the future.) That said, though, one thing to watch out for is the amount of time it takes to switch the press from one caliber to another. The Lock-n-Load is pretty fast even if you're switching from a small-primer to a large-primer caliber (or vice versa) while the Dillon 650 has a reputation of being more time-consuming to switch. Should that be a show-stopper? That is personal preference but it wouldn't be for me. If I had a press that was really nice except was a pain to switch calibers, I'd just load that many more rounds while it is configured for a caliber to cut down the number of caliber swaps over the long run. If you're the kind of person who wants to load a couple of dozen of this then a couple of dozen of that, etc., then the caliber swap time could be an important factor.

Basically, let us know what you'd like to load for and I'm sure the suggestions will come rolling in.

[panman]

I dont know what i want.Thats why i came to youse guys,ya know the ins and outs of most presses.Like i stated,all i have used is a single stage and a progresseve is faster know matter witch one i get.The thing i would like is it to be as care free when set up as possable,and not be a pain in the other end every time i want to change something.Cry once,comes to mind,lol.Any priced on some of the presses?,sos i have a idea?.Thanks for the quick reply creophus.Gotta go now.Also,whats a SDB?.pan.

[cohutt]

SDB = Dillon Square Deal B

Brian Enos's Dillon learning page- http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillonfaqs.html


(be sure to read "which Dillon" )

I have 550 and 650, either is a fine progressive.

550 has a slightly shorter learning curve

[craig110]

I understand that you don't know what you want, Pan, but the more guidance you can give us on what you'd do with it the better our help can end up being for you. Asking "which press should I get?" is similar to someone asking "which car should I buy?" Without knowing the person's driving habits and what they hope to do with the car, the chance of a suggestion being the right one is pretty low.

You mentioned 9mm and .40 but wanted to know about rifle calibers as well -- are there any specific rifle calibers that you'd like to start reloading for or might want to get into? Knowing your likely calibers would really help. For example, both the 9mm and .40S&W take small primers. If the rifle caliber you are most interested in is .223, that also takes small primers which eliminates one big change. (And, as I understand it, a major hassle on the 650.) If your rifle caliber was .30-06, for example, now we'd be considering the amount of work needed to swap primer sizes in our recommendations / suggestions.

Also, how many rounds of each caliber would you like to load per month? If it is a lot of rounds (which I doubt if you're still using a single-stage), then the comparative costs of adding nice features like a case feeder come into the picture.

Since it sounds like ease of using the press and changing calibers is an important consideration, my initial inclination is to suggest that you look at the Lock-n-Load. I had one and can vouch that changing calibers is very straightforward especially with the die bushings they have. (You can adjust each die for its length and then lock it into the bushing and simply pop the entire bushing in when you want to change dies and everything is back to where you had it set.) I never changed mine from small-primer to large-primer, but I could see why it would be an easy process.

Now, are you pretty handy when something breaks? Dillon's lifetime no-BS warranty (not on the 1050) is pretty sweet if someone wants to be able to pack up a problem and ship it to someone to fix for free or very cheap bucks.

Lots of factors go into the right press for someone. Sorry that the answer isn't easier.

[BigSlick]

I'd go with a 550.

It loads more calibers than any other progressive on the market, and is less complicated than some folks think.

I've loaded a hell of a lot of 9x19 and 45 ACP on a 550 and never thought I was missing anything. I do have 650's, but they're primarily for pistol ammo, and because I'm lazy.

Loading straight wall revolver rounds on a 550 is as good as it gets. Smooth as silk, easy as can be and shazzam, you have a metric wad of ammo to shoot.

You can get setup in one caliber for ~$500 with a bell and whistle or two. Additional calibers run $40 or so plus the dies if you don't already have them. Or, if you want to switch calibers in a heartbeat, a quick change setup runs ~$100. Pull and replace two tool head pins, remove one bolt, swap shell plates, funnel and reinsert caliber specific (3) pins, good to go.

A 650 is nice, but, if I had to get rid of all my presses except one, I'd keep the 550.

It loads rifle just like pistol, except one or two less dies depending upon whether (or how) you crimp.

[cohutt]

Since it sounds like ease of using the press and changing calibers is an important consideration, my initial inclination is to suggest that you look at the Lock-n-Load.


"Ease of using the press and changing calibers" on a 550 isn't prohibitive if you've graduated from shoes with Velcro tabs to ones with laces.

:patriot:

[VN350X10]

pan, I've got all 4 of the Dillon presses, SDB, 550,650 & 1050....
Personal suggestion is go with the 550, most cost effective & most versatile.
I know your grief, I loaded on a RCBS RockChucker for the first 3 years I shot Shilouette....PITA when you needed ammo in a hurry.
And until you learn all of the ins & outs, the 550 can be used like a turret press, 1 round at a time. All around, a great machine.
I've loaded from .32 auto up to .375 H&H Mag on mine.

uncle albert

[panman]

Well i guess that i have made a great choice in the guys i asked about presses.I never new all the considerations that went into finding a press:yikes2:.Thanks a bunch for ALL of your answers.Ill try to list my needs.
1I want to load for the 357 mag-38,41 mag,9mm,40,223,270,243,30-30,35rem,& 6.8 rem spl.Later on i may want to get some other lever cal.
For some reason im fallin in love with those levers.Getin old, and using old timmie guns, may have something to do with it.I sure do enjoy em.
I have a pile of 9,40,& 223 cases & not to mention 357,38,& want to load em all up so i can get my man cave in some kind of order,and do a LOT more shooting.I live in the North east kingdom in the hill of VT.A long hall to get anywhere,POP.67,yr round.I only know of one person that loads,a gunsmith,retired,good friend.He prefers to load on his single stage,& is in the dark on progressivs.I was hinkin of the dillon,but the LNL seems rite to me.What do youse guys think???.lol.Sorry for being so long winded.pan.

[panman]

Money is also a consideration.Im 69,& stuck with what little money commin in.pan.

[Pitmaster]

I"m a Dillon fan because of their customer service, lifetime warranty, and I don't find changing calibers that much of a pain. I have a 650 with a casefeeder. I've had some minor problems that have been more operator oriented vs the press itself. A call to Dillon has always got me up and running within 15 minutes unless its a part that is broken. Dillon usually gets the part off that day or the next and within 3 days I'm up and running. A spare parts kit solves that delay. I did buy my press used which does not void the warranty.

One thing I did is I kept my eye out in the For Sale sections of several gun and reloading forums. I set up my profile to email new posts in each section daily. That way I didn't have to check each site daily. I picked up a great deal on 2 Dillon's that way.

You can go to You Tube and see some videos of various presses in action.

Dillon is the most expensive unless you buy used but their customer service is probably the best in the world.

[blueline541]

I'm a massive Dillon fan.


If no one has suggested it, check out Dillon and Hornady videos on youtube. It will give you the opportunity learn a ton about them in the comfort of your own home.

[Jerry Snyder]

I have had a few presses in my day. I went from a Rock Chucker to a Dillon 650 in a heartbeat. Easy to operate, easy to change out claibers.

You only cry once with a Dillon....

JS

[panman]

Does anyone here run a Lee progressive?Some guys love em & others hate em.pan.

[zdogk9]

I have ran a Pro 1000.
My view on tools, table saws, routers, drill presses. Is that if you're doing a repetitive task, you do your set up and then you DO NOT have to fiddle with the tool other than to feed it material. Sadly the Pro 1000 requires constant fiddling to keep running properly. Mine sits on the BACK of the bench to remind me that there is a difference between being a CRB and stoopit with my money. I run a Hornady AP, love it. Can't speak to the Loadmaster.

[VN350X10]

pan,
along with the Dillons on my bench, I've got a Lee Pro 1000, dedicated to 9mm.
I usually only run one of 2 different loads on it, so I don't have to fiddle much.
The big thing about them is making the priming system work, am little graphite does wonders. Other than that, it runs not too bad. It's no Dillon, but for what it costs, you can afford to fiddle & tweak a bit to get it 100%. Mine gets used a lot, as I shoot USPSA production division, & that's why there's a loader dedicated to 9mm on my bench.

uncle albert

[bello]

I have had a few presses in my day. I went from a Rock Chucker to a Dillon 650 in a heartbeat. Easy to operate, easy to change out claibers.

You only cry once with a Dillon....

JS


i cried 3 times :whistling1:

[gokyo]

If I had to do it all again I would buy a Dillon 650 10 years earlier.

I love my dillon.

650 over the 550 because....
650 loads all callibers I care about (550 will too however 550 will do even more)
650 Auto indexing is fantastic.
650 you can turn the auto indeing off super easy and use it like a 550 or even a single stage.
650 has 5 stations (550 only has 4)

The extra station is huge for me. I use case trimmer on that station for my bulk 223. I also use a powder sensor on my bulk 9mm and 40S&W.

Get the 650 and you will never have to wonder if you got the correct one.

[bigboremaico]

Does anyone here run a Lee progressive?Some guys love em & others hate em.pan.


I have posted at lenght in other places so I will keep it short here.

Lee = J-U-N-K! PERIOD.

By at your own risk.:superman::band::censored:

[gokyo]

I have posted at lenght in other places so I will keep it short here.

Lee = J-U-N-K! PERIOD.

Buy at your own risk.:superman::band::censored:

Fixed it for you

[bigboremaico]

Dang it. I was gonna claim it was late at nite or some crap like that. But it was 4 pm!!

Yes, I SUK:censored::dog::36::wavetowel2:


Thanks for the redo!

[craig110]

Fixed it for you.

Fixed it for you as well.


Dang it. I was gonna claim it was late at nite or some crap like that. But it was 4 pm!!

Yes, I SUK:censored::dog::36::wavetowel2:


Thanks for the redo!

Don't miss the counter-jaw-busting softballs when they are tossed up. :gathering:

[Steviewonder1]

I've been a Dillon Fan since the early 1990's with two SDB's. I don't reload rifle cause I have 10,000 .223's in cannisters. One is set-up for Small Pistol Primers the other for Large Pistol Primers. The Large does .45ACP. The small does 38/357Mag, 9MM and 40S&W. Caliber change is about 5 minutes. And yes the Service is Golden, Free and they ship fast.
Good Luck with your choice.

[craig110]

I don't reload rifle cause I have 10,000 .223's in cannisters.

And why would that stop you? :grin:

[Arc Angel]

Without reading the entire thread I'm going to recommend a Dillon 550B for your use. The 550B is a manually-indexed progressive press that can, also, be used as a single-stage press. It's plenty fast; but, you can run it as slow as you like while you're learning.

A reloading press of this quality should remain both useful and in service for the rest of your life. Dillon's Tech Support for new reloaders is, also, excellent.

[Dukerdog]

You can't go wrong with any Dillon, the machines are great and the customer service is outstanding.
Marc