Dillon 650...what to purchase for 45acp, 9mm and 38 super

[mtenenhaus]

Hi, a great friend gifted me a Dillon XL 650 reloader. I only have the reloader as it comes in box, no additional accessories/options.

It comes with:
One powder measure with standard large and small powder bars (small bar installed), Small bar throws from 2.1 to 15 grains of powder, Large bar throws from 15 to 55(extruded type)-60(ball/spherical type) grains of powder.
One prime system with large and small priming parts(appropriate size installed).
One large and one small primer pick-up tube.
Low Primer Alarm
One loaded cartridge bin
One toolhead
One powder die
One .45 caliber conversion kit - installed
One set of standard Allen wrenches


I shoot mainly .45acp and 38super and 9mm. I know i have to purchase dies and i was told to get the roller handle. I have an old balance scale.

Was hoping to make it easy to convert from .45 to 38 super and 9mm.

Not sure what else i should purchase both from the after market and/or from Dillon. Heard the aftermarket had some really nice options to strongly consider but i know little to nothing about all of this.

Really appreciate your help.

[mikeyr]

The proper way to do this is buy 2 more 650XL's and set each one up for specific calibers...I will wait for my call from Dillon thanking me when you guy them.

You will need to buy the dies and the Dillon converters for the 3 calibers (I don't think any of them interchange in your case) and then swap out the press each time you change calibers. I would personally purchase 2 more tool heads so that you don't have to keep switching and re-adjusting the dies, costs a little more but its the minimum I would do.

Next option is the one I chose because I had some extra $$ left over from a house remodeling project. Purchase the dies and 3 converters AND Dillon quick change kits so you get the toolhead AND powder drops, that way its easy to swap and don't have to re-adjust your powder drop each time you swap calibers, still check the drop every time you swap though please. The quick changes get expensive when you have 6 of them on your workbench.

Call Dillon or Brian Enos and they will walk you through all the details.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

Super easy caliber switch is also super expensive. It will require in addition to the dies and the caliber conversion kits, an additional powder measure, powder check and a tool head for each cartridge. Total for each cartridge is probably going to be about $450-$500. If you don't mind taking a little longer to set up when you change calibers, all you need are the conversion kits and the dies. Reuse the powder check and the powder check on the existing tool head.


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[popeye4]

Hi, a great friend gifted me a Dillon XL 650 reloader. I only have the reloader as it comes in box, no additional accessories/options.

It comes with:
One powder measure with standard large and small powder bars (small bar installed), Small bar throws from 2.1 to 15 grains of powder, Large bar throws from 15 to 55(extruded type)-60(ball/spherical type) grains of powder.
One prime system with large and small priming parts(appropriate size installed).
One large and one small primer pick-up tube.
Low Primer Alarm
One loaded cartridge bin
One toolhead
One powder die
One .45 caliber conversion kit - installed
One set of standard Allen wrenches


I shoot mainly .45acp and 38super and 9mm. I know i have to purchase dies and i was told to get the roller handle. I have an old balance scale.

Was hoping to make it easy to convert from .45 to 38 super and 9mm.

Not sure what else i should purchase both from the after market and/or from Dillon. Heard the aftermarket had some really nice options to strongly consider but i know little to nothing about all of this.

Really appreciate your help.

That's a score! This is a fun site to play on: http://thegunwiki.com/apps/calconversion/

[Rwnielsen]

Super easy caliber switch is also super expensive. It will require in addition to the dies and the caliber conversion kits, an additional powder measure, powder check and a tool head for each cartridge. Total for each cartridge is probably going to be about $450-$500. If you don't mind taking a little longer to set up when you change calibers, all you need are the conversion kits and the dies. Reuse the powder check and the powder check on the existing tool head.


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It's not quite that expensive but it's close to $300. Quick change tool head with hopper, dies and caliber conversion. I have a large pistol plate in my case feeder but the smallest I load for is 45acp, it may not work for 9mm. That's additional too... And then there's the powder check alarm ...... And tool head stands and covers.... maybe I was wrong :-)

[mtenenhaus]

thank you all, i really appreciate the information

[MrElectric03]

That's a good friend.

Caliber conversions really are quick once you get a feel for the machine. I have tool heads ready to go for mine but reset the powder measure and powder check each time. I keep and eye out for cheap powder measures at time but for now only have two. One stays set for .223.

A digital scale comes in real handy for setting the powder measure each time.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

It's not quite that expensive but it's close to $300. Quick change tool head with hopper, dies and caliber conversion. I have a large pistol plate in my case feeder but the smallest I load for is 45acp, it may not work for 9mm. That's additional too... And then there's the powder check alarm ...... And tool head stands and covers.... maybe I was wrong :-)

45 ACP uses the large plate, 9mm requires the small. 2 9mm cases will fit into one of the large plate holes. If the clutch is set too tight, you will have shell casings popping out of the feeder.

[wweigle]

The three handgun rounds you are talking reloading for have similar charge weights for the most part depending on which powder you use. For the handgun rounds I load for, I can use the same powder set up and move it to a different tool head and have it adjusted for the new load weight in a few minute. My intent, when I get through the powder I have is to settle on one powder for all three rounds load for, so there will be no powder switch from the charger hopper. Should not be a problem as I load for 45 acp, 38 special , and 9mm. Might be something you consider. Unless you are also trying to load rifle rounds, or rounds that require dissimilar charge weights, then its not a problem having only one powder charger. You definitely want to buy tool heads for each set of dies so you only need to set those up once. I can switch calibers in about 15 minutes and be up and running if I have everything out ready to go.

[04Glider2]

Case Feeder

As you said it has what came in the box with it. The "Case Feeder" is a very worthwhile upgrade if you don't have it already. Leaves you to just handle the projectiles and push-pull the handle.

[Chewy65]

From what a friend has suggested to me, in addition to what came with your press you need:

Aluminum roller handle
Strong Mount
Aluminum bullet tray
Set of Pistol Dies ( ex. .45 ACP)
Powder check system
Electric case feeder
case feeder plate ( small if you already have a large)
Digital Caliper

case cleaner
media separater
polishing media - 2 bags
rapid polish - 2
case lube

Primer flip tray
2 small / 2 lg primer pickup tubes
2nd primer system (large or small)

Maintenance kit
Spare parts kit
Bullet Puller

[mtenenhaus]

thank you so very much. this information was really helpful.

[Gryff]

I really feel that a full quick change kit is worth every penny. The fewer components that you have to individually change and calibrate, the happier you will be.

I strongly recommend using BrianEnos.com to purchase your Dillon accessories. The full Dillon warranties apply, his prices are competitive, and Brian does a **** ton of work supporting competitive shooting across the country.

Brian's Dillon FAQ page is superb: http://brianenos.com/pages/dillonfaqs.html#650pu

He offers an As It Should Be upgrade to the 650 for $128.95:

• Strong Mount (650 only Strong Mount)
• Bullet Tray
• Aluminum Roller Handle

Here is his estimate on the "Nice Caliber Conversion" (NCC):

• $77.95 - Caliber Conversion Kit
• $63.95 - Dies
• $107.95 - Deluxe Quick-Change Kit (Includes Toolhead, Powder Measure, Powder Die, and Toolhead Stand.)
• $249.85 - NCC Total

Approximate time to change calibers: 20 minutes.

You will find the price worth every penny the first time you are ready and eager to switch calibers and get going on cranking out rounds. Pay once, cry once.

Only other item to consider relatively soon is the case feeder. I lived without one for a couple of years, but it is a god send once you have it (without the case feeder, you have to stop loading every 18 rounds or so to refill the case tube).

[tanks]

You really do not need the powder check. Also, in the future you might want the a bullet feeder in addition to the case feeder and it goes into the location after powder station. ( http://www.doublealpha.biz/mr-bulletfeeder )

[9mmepiphany]

He offers an As It Should Be upgrade to the 650 for $128.95:

Strong Mount (650 only Strong Mount)
Bullet Tray
Aluminum Roller Handle

All those are nice add-ons, but I'd also recommend that you take a look at the offerings from Inline Fabrication

Ultramount
Ergo Handle
Double Bullet Tray

...they cost a bit more (price includes shipping), but I feel the upgrade in quality and utility is well worth it