Just bought a Dillon 650....

[MarikinaMan]

I’ve got RCBS Rockchucker and a Dillon 550. Plenty satisfied. If there is anything I wanted more, it would be a fully progressive process to prep 223 cases.

Along comes a deal. A good friend of mine is selling a barely used XL650 set up. I considered it, it’s a bro deal so I bit.

Now I’m wondering, what is my next move. I’m a little anxious about the time it takes to do a caliber change. Is a case trimming tool head set up is worth taking out the primer assembly for a swage it stage?

Not sure what I’ve done. At a minimum, have I made reloading easier? Or am I now a slave to increased complexity? Will I end up selling my 550 or keeping it? Does it make any sense to use the 650 purely for case prep? My wife will want for a new handbag if she sees 3 presses in the garage.

[bruce381]

bolt it on bench wifes cannot count things on the bench tell her you had it for years LOL.

Oh yeah setup for pistol

[Cheep]

Don't know much about a Dillon but, compare pairs of shoes and handbags to presses...

[Archon_g24]

I have the same setup: 650, 550, RC.

On the 650, I setup a dedicated tool head for sizing 223 then switch the tool head to one with the powder measure, powder check, and dual seaters to load. I trim after sizing with a Tri-Way so I don't use a Dillon trim die and swaging is a one time deal that is easy with a Dillon Super Swage and primer pocket gauges.

[MarikinaMan]

Don't know much about a Dillon but, compare pairs of shoes and handbags to presses...

Presses are cheaper Components, thats another matter.

[MrElectric03]

I never got any of the swage deals to work on the 650. Just buy a super swage and do that step separately. You only need to do it to range brass you buy or pickup. Otherwise the rapid trim setup on the 650 is sweet, make sure you have a case gauge to properly bump the shoulder back.

[GW]

First, congratulations on getting a 650.
Get the super-swager for the brass, but, fwiw, I prefer the Giraud trimmer over the Dillon.
I strongly advise getting additional tool heads with the powder measures, a Quick Change set, then once you've set them up, you are good to go for as long as you like that particular load. If you have the quick changes set up, then switching calibers takes less than 5 minutes, unless you need to change primer size (large to small or vice versa) then it will take perhaps 10 minutes once you get the hang of it. It really is a simple system to learn.
You're going to love it.

[nahpungnome]

Don't know much about a Dillon but, compare pairs of shoes and handbags to presses...

no no, firearms to shoes, presses to handbags

[MarikinaMan]

First, congratulations on getting a 650.
Get the super-swager for the brass, but, fwiw, I prefer the Giraud trimmer over the Dillon.
I strongly advise getting additional tool heads with the powder measures, a Quick Change set, then once you've set them up, you are good to go for as long as you like that particular load. If you have the quick changes set up, then switching calibers takes less than 5 minutes, unless you need to change primer size (large to small or vice versa) then it will take perhaps 10 minutes once you get the hang of it. It really is a simple system to learn.
You're going to love it.

Thanks to other guy for the feedback on the after market swage accessories, and your feedback on the caliber change. That's what I really wanted to know.

We shook hands on the deal yesterday. I felt a little guilty as my bud was moving and was getting rid of the stuff pronto. I offered storage, but he was determined to sell. I, on the other hand was satisfied with my current set-up, am a sucker for deals, and luckily had some cash. I did extend a little helping hand by buying all the components he wanted to throw my way.

In the end I got an XL650 press, 2 extra tool heads, 2 powders measures, a case feeder, 3 shell plates, 2 powder check monitors, a super swager, 223 and 9mm Dillon dies.

I will be setting it up over the next month, I'm in the midst of home construction, and will be selling my 550 on the classifieds soon after.

[GW]

IIRC the 9mm and .223 use the same shell plate and both rounds use small primers, so to switch calibers between those two might be doable in less than a minute
Disconnect powder measure linkage
Remove toolhead
Position new toolhead
Connect powder measure linkage

Don't know if you'll need to swap out locator pins but add 30 seconds to the job if you do. (Or add an hour if you drop one and it rolls away... )


ETA: If there aren't any tool head stands in the deal I strongly recommend you either buy a pair from Dillon or make your own if you are handy.
They keep things neat and organized.