Joined the Dillon Gang!

[XDJYo]

Hiya all!

Mostly lurked and posted a few random posts in the Reloading forum. But, I thought I'd introduce myself to the rest of y'all.

I bought a Dillon XL650 about a year and a half ago from another Calgunner. Got a pretty good deal over new (I think so anyways). It came set up for 40 S&W so I needed to get the caliber conversion kit and dies for 45 ACP. It came with the strong mount, casefeeder, powder check system, primer flip-tray, scale and a few extra plastic ammo containers.

In between buying the press, I hunted for powder, primers, bullets and of course picking up brass whenever I could. I also bought a Frankford Arsenal wet tumbler and have been going thru a few batches and cleaning my brass.

The biggest hurdle has been building a workbench to mount it. Mostly laziness, since I was going to build from scratch. But, from an idea on the reloading bench thread, I utilized an old dresser I bought at a garage sale as a platform. I finally accomplished that over the long weekend.

After a few hurdles, I finally got everything done that I can at this point. Just awaiting on a few items (case lube and a case gauge aka go/no-go gauge) and a repair/replacement of the scale and the powder check system. So, by next weekend, I should be able to start cranking a few reloads out.

I promise to go slow and consult the mighty Calguns reloading forum if I have any questions! Oh, and a reloading manual here and there! LOL!

Happy shooting and be safe!

PS-I'm using Bullseye, CCI large pistol primers and Berrys Bullets plated round nose. Going to start off at about 4.2-ish or so grains and OAL of 1.25" with a slight taper crimp (whatever that is). Still haven't decided on all of the finer details yet as I'm still sorta just playing with the press at the moment and haven't gotten down to the science part of reloading yet. I've read the Lyman 47th Edition and the ABC's of Reloading.

PPS-Pics of the set up.

Q: Any concerns about the proximity to the heater? I'm thinking I should be o.k.??? I could always hang a drape or nail up some plywood in between the heater and the work bench. I'm storing the powder in a cabinet far away from the heater at the moment.







Cuz' ya gotta have a label!!!

Happy shooting and be safe!

[stranded1980]

I can't comment on the heater, but from your 3rd pic, it appears your case slide cam is positioned for rifle instead of pistol (Dillon part 97082).

I highly recommend watching the entire Dillon's tutorial on their Dillon 650. The old version of the video is available on youtube for free. Almost everything is still applicable, and is well worth the 1 hour investment of your time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O31fBMaFB4

[stranded1980]

And congratulations on the Dillon 650!

[jericho89]

Unless you are throwing powder all over the place or your heater is malfunctioning there should be no issue with the heater. As stated your case slide is backwards, it is the black wedge thing that moves in and out when you pull the handle down. Take the two screws out and turn it around and then adjust it per the manual.

[liber]

I can't comment on the heater, but from your 3rd pic, it appears your case slide cam is positioned for rifle instead of pistol (Dillon part 97082).

Funny enough, he is aware of that as I mentioned it to him in another thread. I hadn't seen a pic, just know that's a common mishap.

Welcome to the Dillon family XDJYo, here's to many rounds of reloads for 'ya!

[XDJYo]

Thanks all! I've watched the video a few times. Looks like I have to pay better attention to the black wedgie slide thingy part!

Good to hear that the heater won't pose a problem.

Appreciate all of the help!!!

Happy shooting and be safe.


Sent by a Monkey in Outer Space

[liber]

Looks like I have to pay better attention to the black wedgie slide thingy part!

If you don't have a manual, here's a link to one:

http://dillonhelp.com/Dillon%20Manual%20PDFs/XL650v6p1.pdf

Page 54 shows it.

[hundy]

Congratulations. I just upgraded also to a XL650. I have been loading on a single stage for almost 20 years. I wont be able to set mine up until after Christmas, part of the deal with the wife. I cannot wait to set it up and try it out. Mine also comes set up to do 40cal. Well enjoy, and like you stated, don't be shy to log in and ask questions.

Jay

[slamfire1]

Well I am the dinosaur. I am still plugging away with my Dillion 550B. Have had the same one since the late 1980's. Must have loaded a hundred thousand rounds total, rifle and pistol, on the thing. Your 650 looks like a rocket ship compared to mine. I am all jealous.

Good going. You will find that Dillion has an incredible "NO BS" warranty policy. Things that I wore out, they were willing to send free replacements. I had a rock on inside a 45 ACP case and that broke the de capping spindle. I called for cost, they sent me a new one, free, even though, it broke due to my negligence.

[XDJYo]

If you don't have a manual, here's a link to one:

http://dillonhelp.com/Dillon%20Manual%20PDFs/XL650v6p1.pdf

Page 54 shows it.

*Thanks for the link! I'll have to switch that thingy around. Appreciate the heads up too!

Congratulations. I just upgraded also to a XL650. I have been loading on a single stage for almost 20 years. I wont be able to set mine up until after Christmas, part of the deal with the wife. I cannot wait to set it up and try it out. Mine also comes set up to do 40cal. Well enjoy, and like you stated, don't be shy to log in and ask questions.

Jay

*Congratz on the upgrade!!! I was on the fence about even reloading for a while. In the year and a half that it sat in the box, I pondered selling it. Glad I didn't!

Well I am the dinosaur. I am still plugging away with my Dillion 550B. Have had the same one since the late 1980's. Must have loaded a hundred thousand rounds total, rifle and pistol, on the thing. Your 650 looks like a rocket ship compared to mine. I am all jealous.

Good going. You will find that Dillion has an incredible "NO BS" warranty policy. Things that I wore out, they were willing to send free replacements. I had a rock on inside a 45 ACP case and that broke the de capping spindle. I called for cost, they sent me a new one, free, even though, it broke due to my negligence.

If a 550B is good enough for Uncle Hickok, then it's good enough! LOL!

I've heard nothing but great things about Dillon and their warranty. So, great to hear first hand accounts too.

Probably last item that I will need is a comfy chair/stool to sit on. That wooden cheapie thing is just a pain in the rear and tips over real easy.

Happy shooting and be safe.

[Red9]

Heater location is fine. There should be a warning label with proximity of clearance. I.e. "appliance needs X amount of free clearance." Rule of thumb is 30 inches. If you ever watched Mythbusters, it takes alot of fuel to Blow Up as well as it has to be confined.

OK im jelly. I have a dillon 550 that i bought used. It works pretty darn good, as long as i keep the primer feed clean. That 650 is awfully nice!

Did i mention im jelly?? Lol. Take it slow, set up each station slowly. Do you have a light over the press? As long as you watch the powder before the pellet, you should be gtg.

Bullet puller? Thoughts on cleaning cases? O and a little tip, place the rounds primer up. Dont ask how i know.

Have fun with the new hobby. you will be in the garage alot.

dino

[Gringo Bandito]

Looks like you are missing the white fail safe bushing for the fail safe bar...

[jericho89]

Looks like you are missing the white fail safe bushing for the fail safe bar...

If you are talking about the powder fail safe rod that is the older style and the bushing above the spring is black. The new z bend rods have the white bushing.

[XDJYo]

Heater location is fine. There should be a warning label with proximity of clearance. I.e. "appliance needs X amount of free clearance." Rule of thumb is 30 inches. If you ever watched Mythbusters, it takes alot of fuel to Blow Up as well as it has to be confined.

OK im jelly. I have a dillon 550 that i bought used. It works pretty darn good, as long as i keep the primer feed clean. That 650 is awfully nice!

Did i mention im jelly?? Lol. Take it slow, set up each station slowly. Do you have a light over the press? As long as you watch the powder before the pellet, you should be gtg.

Bullet puller? Thoughts on cleaning cases? O and a little tip, place the rounds primer up. Dont ask how i know.

Have fun with the new hobby. you will be in the garage alot.

dino

Thanks!!! I figured 'Buy Once, Cry Once'. The Dillon 650 had a lot of upgrades as well as safety features that I liked over the others.

No light yet. I've got some overhead lights, but those are above and behind me. I've got an assortment of small LED flashlights w/rechargeables that I will try. If not, I'll get a small clamp mounted lamp or something. I've got the powder check system out for repair with Dillon. But, yes, checking each case is the way I'm going to go.

I've got a bullet puller. Kinda neat. Neighbors will probably be wondering what all that racket is coming from my garage! LOL!

I'm using a Franford Arsenal wet tumbler. No stainless steel pins or soap, just Lemishine. So far, the results have been pretty good. Just need to figure out the magic formula and how to get my brass more brass colored than tarnished/army-green.

Not sure what you mean about putting the bullets primer up. Are you talking about after they're finished and they go into the bullet tray? I imagine this is an easy way to check to see if your primers are all even etc. I've also got a go/no-go gauge coming that I will test each round.

Thanks again!

Looks like you are missing the white fail safe bushing for the fail safe bar...

The bushing I have is a tiny black one. It clips into the black metal failsafe bracket.

Again, thank you all for all of the help and support!!

Happy shooting and be safe.

[liber]

The bushing I have is a tiny black one. It clips into the black metal failsafe bracket.

I think he's talking about a different washer than you're describing.

Missing washer:



Washer in place: