dillion xl650

[hundy]

I just bought a XL650. I have been using single stages for about 20 years. I noticed dillion does not sell a seating/crimping combo dies. I have plenty of RCBS dies, that include seater/crimp in a single die.
My question is does anyone use RCBS or any other non dillion die on their XL650? How does it work?

The reason I want to use a combo die, is so I can still use a powder check die and get a bullet feeder in the future.

Thank you

Jay

[Chief-7700]

If the die with screw into the toolhead you should be good to go. Some dies are to short and the lock rings will have to go under the toolhead. Your correct Dillon only sells seprate seating and crimping dies. Please feel free to ask more questions, there are many of us here willing to help.
Chief

[mjmagee67]

They say seating and crimping is best done is separated steps hence the 5 stations not 3. A powder checker is a waste, just look at the powder level when you put the booolet on the case.

If you want all that stuff you might want to look at a 1050. Sometimes it's just better to buy a 10 lbs bag than try to get 10 lbs of ***** in a 5 lbs bag.

[jericho89]

You can use any die set on the 650. As for the powder check die, I just made one. I took a gas fitting adaptor that comes with every new gas line and machined a piece of steel that will fit in the case and not fall through the fitting. When the case comes up the steel rises up. I marked it and that way you can get a quick visual of powder, too much powder, or no powder. It is a quick way of checking when you are running 600-800 rounds an hour.

[Eljay]

Seating and crimping in one die is bad news. Nobody with any sense relies on the automatic powder check. You have to keep your eyes glued to the powder level for safety even with the powder check. So all that happens with the bulletfeeder is instead of checking the powder level as you're setting the bullet by hand - glancing just before your hand covers up the powder - you don't move your left hand at all and you just keep your eyes glued to the powder level at the prior station, before it comes up and gets a bullet. It's actually easier to see the powder because you're not getting your hand in there and you don't change directions on the handle until you've verified it.

[Divernhunter]

I just use Dillon dies on my 650. I saved the RCBS dies for when I want to load only a few rounds, such as for testing. Then I use the RCBS dies on one of my single stage presses.

[MrElectric03]

I use mainly rcbs dies on my 650. I do prefer to seat and crimp separately but Dillon dies are pricey as much as I like them, I can buy two rcbs seat/crimp dies and set the seater die body high so it doesn't crimp and leave the seater out in station5 so itonly crimps.

[RayB]

Though I prefer the Mr. Bullet feeder, you will lose your powder check station in a 650 or 1050. Your best bet would be the GSI bullet feeder......