New to reloading - Dillon XL650?

[Diabolus]

I'm shooting practically every weekend now and want to save some money.

Any drawback with ordering a Dillon XL650 for .40, .45, and .223 reloading?

I'm reading everything I can online, and just purchased a Lyman reloading book to learn more. The reloading store up at Angeles Range offers classes that I plan to take as well.

If I educate myself enough on the usage of a progressive machine, are there any drawbacks to start off with the XL650?

Thanks

[popeye4]

The drawback I see with a rookie jumping right in on a big progrressive like a Dillon 650 is that you don't know what you don't know. There is a lot going on in one stroke on a Dillon and you might want to get set up with a good single stage press first. Learn the fundamentals and recognize the details that can bite you in the ***. You'll most likely need a single stage press anyway, so why not get one first?

Reloading using a progressive for straight wall pistol cartridges is a bit more straightforward than for the .223. For .308 and .223, I do all my brass prep work off the Dillon, so all I really use it for is powder charging and bullet seating. I can do that almost as fast with the single stage press and powder dispenser.

Can you take the class before you buy your press? You might want to do that and get some "hands on" experience before you buy.

I've got both a Dillon 650 and an RCBS Rock Chucker. The Rock Chucker is the do-all machine, the Dillon is a specialty rig.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've got a 650, a 550, RCBS Progressive Ammo Master, about six or seven different single stage presses and about half a dozen shotshell presses. Even if you get a progressive, I'd recommend mounting a single stage press to your bench as well. You will soon realize why. Also, although many here disagree with me, I recommend getting a 550 over a 650 for several reasons. First, the caliber conversions, tool heads, etc. are cheaper, Next, they offer many more caliber conversions for the 550 than the 650. Finally, it is quicker to change from one caliber to another. I would get close to the same production speed from both machines but, the shell feeder on the 650 does help production speed a little.

[freonr22]

one possible thought, is if you jump in, read,read,read, and reread, and pay attention, you can do it as long as you are diligent. I wish you well on your journey and encourage you to do a progressive.

[polygunner]

My first reloader was a 650.
Just be sure you understand every aspect of reloading before you start.
If there is any doubt as to what you are doing get on the internet and do research.
Never assume anything.
You'll eventually develope a system that works for you.
pg

[CSACANNONEER]

My first reloader was a 650.
Just be sure you understand every aspect of reloading before you start.
If there is any doubt as to what you are doing get on the internet and do research.
Never assume anything.
You'll eventually develope a system that works for you.
pg

It sounds like you're talking about women.
BTW, once ANYONE thinks they fully understand every aspect of reloading, they would be very dangerous to be around.
There is always something new to learn or experiment with and to let a new reloader believe that he/she can understand everything before he/she starts reloading is ..........well, since I don't want to be banned let's just say, it is not the way I'd go about teaching someone to reload.

[popeye4]

It sounds like you're talking about women.
BTW, once ANYONE thinks they fully understand every aspect of reloading, they would be very dangerous to be around.
There is always something new to learn or experiment with and to let a new reloader believe that he/she can understand everything before he/she starts reloading is ..........well, since I don't want to be banned let's just say, it is not the way I'd go about teaching someone to reload.

+1. I've been handloading for over 30 years and still haven't figured it all out....

[mike100]

I learned on mine, but I had a physical demonstration along with reading the usual info. You will be money ahead...you can disable the turret and go single stage with a manual turn by hand if you want to- just to get the set-up right.

[Diabolus]

I've watched several videos online for the XL650 and I am starting to understand each stage of the machine. My primary reloading would be for .45, .40, then .223 in that order.

Right now, I'm shooting an 18" SPR .223 so I would want to assemble cartridges of match quality. I'm building another .223 for range/training use and expect higher quantities of .223 at a later time.

I understand this is a dangerous hobby, but if I educate myself, get training, would it be safe to get a progressive?

[Revoman]

I agree that you can use the progressive as a single stage to 'learn the process', I think that's a good idea. Although as stated earlier, you will in all probability buy a single stage eventually anyway.

Just because you are able to learn the basics of reloading, don't be fooled into thinking that you have it down. It does take years of experience to even get a really good grasp of what reloading is all about.

Ballistics is a very intricate subject and one that cannot be taken lightly when rolling your own.

Just be cautious and careful at first, when you gain experience and knowledge you can move a little faster, but always be very aware that this hobby while relatively safe, can be very dangerous as well. I also think that a class is a great idea as you will get to see first hand how it goes and learn all of the parts and pieces to gain a better understanding.

[jb7706]

I understand this is a dangerous hobby, but if I educate myself, get training, would it be safe to get a progressive?

IMO, yes. The 650 is easy to convert into a "single stage" press by removing a few screws to disable the auto-index, primer feed etc. I have used mine that way many times when working up loads.

Having the fifth station is very good, I really like the powder check system as a double check. That is something you can't do on a 550.

[22popnsplat]

The drawback I see with a rookie jumping right in on a big progrressive like a Dillon 650 is that you don't know what you don't know. There is a lot going on in one stroke on a Dillon and you might want to get set up with a good single stage press first. Learn the fundamentals and recognize the details that can bite you in the ***. You'll most likely need a single stage press anyway, so why not get one first?

Reloading using a progressive for straight wall pistol cartridges is a bit more straightforward than for the .223. For .308 and .223, I do all my brass prep work off the Dillon, so all I really use it for is powder charging and bullet seating. I can do that almost as fast with the single stage press and powder dispenser.

Can you take the class before you buy your press? You might want to do that and get some "hands on" experience before you buy.

I've got both a Dillon 650 and an RCBS Rock Chucker. The Rock Chucker is the do-all machine, the Dillon is a specialty rig.

Above is some sound advice +1
I have been reloading for 30+ years and would never give up my single stage press . I shoot weekly and use my dillon 550 for bulk ammo ,mostly handgun.
due to the fact that I load for to many different cartridges/guns and do alot load development. When you want to play with powder charge weights and seating depth every 5 or 10 rounds you may find single stage easy to use.

[LexLuther]

Well, I just got into reloadinga little over 2 years ago. After reading so many stories of how people first bought a single stage and then eventually traded up to a progressive, I decided that I wanted to save some money and not buy both. I went with a Dillon 650. The cautions against going directly to a progressive mainly involved a person paying enough attention to detail to be safe, going slow and learning with a single stage, etc. For my personality, I felt that I could make the leap to progressive, but then again I am an auditor, so attention to detail and following instructions are my thing...
I started with .223 and have now added .45, .38 and 9mm. I will watch for a single stage at a garage sale...

[Diabolus]

I like the idea of purchasing an XL650 and disabling the mechanics to turn it into a "single stage". This is actually the first time I have heard of doing that and I like the idea.

How difficult is it to change calibers from a .45 to .223 on an XL650?

It seems like the most economical solution to jump into a progressive, especially if I can use it as a single stage and learn each stage of the operation individually.

[joelogic]

You can turn it into a non progressive press by disabling the indexing collar. You can turn it into a single stage by only installing one die. Its not difficult to change calibers, just costly and time consuming. Most people with dillons have more than one toolhead which really saves time. Find someone with a XL650 to show you how it works. That would save a lot of time in the trial and error stage of first learning to load. For rifle cases, get a case gauge, that will help out a lot when setting up the sizing/decapping die. A progressive is not more complicated than a single stage, it just does more things at one time. When the dies are all set, you just have to crank the handle and make sure primers and powder are flowing.