Looking into buying a Dillon 550B

[5ohguy]

Seeing as the future seems uncertain, I want to reload .45 ACP and .308 for now. I'm looking to reload about 200 or so rounds a week. This will be my first dive into reloading, but I've been doing research online and have read 2 books from cover to cover. I feel confident I can understand the 550.

I think eguns.com has the best prices, but I am a bit confused about what I need to get started with both calibers. I want the tool heads setup, so I don't have to swap and adjust dies.

My purchase is looking like this:

1) Dillon 550B. Comes with conversion kit for .308. I don't think the bundle comes with dies.
DL14261-20130
2) .308 Win 3 die set.
DL15574
3) .45 ACP 3 die set.
DL14404
4) Quick change assembly. Includes toolhead, toolhead stand, power measure, powder die.
DL22058
5) .45 ACP conversion kit.
DL20126

Is there anything I'm missing? Am I right in the fact that .308 carbide dies are a waste?

Some other things I will need:

1) Calipers. Preferably dial.
2) Scale. Preferably beam.
3) Case tumbler.
4) Case trimmer.
5) Deburring tool.
6) Primer pocket cleaner.
7) Case lube.
8) Hordes of bullets, powder, and primers.

Anything else? Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

[Waldog]

The Dillon is a good machine. I have loaded on both the 550 and 650. However, I bought a Hornady LNL instead. I think it is a better machine! But, that's only an opinion based on my experience with BOTH machines. Just something to think about!!

The only thing missing on your list is couple of books (At a minimum!!!): ABC's of Reloading and Lyman's latest edition of their manual. You have got to have a reloading Manual and Lymans is tops

[jwest]

Go for it.

Just reloaded 50 rounds of .308 with my 550B - very satisfying.

[5hundo]

I think the 650 is worth the extra money for piece of mind. It just seems safer to me to have the powder check die on the 650...

[jwest]

650 won't reload .50 AE.
Checking charges on the 550B hasn't been an issue for me. It's easy enough to use the old eyeballs. Lot's of easy ways to do that.
I am not knocking the 650 - if that's what you want - go for it.
I don't think carbide dies are a waste - depends on what you are using the reloads for to some extent. Carbide will last longer, regardless.

[Inkman]

I can tell you i love mine (starting to sound repetitive).

I also decided early on to get a progressive and not a single stage press. I knew being new to reloading would have its share of "huhs and why did that happens?". With the 550B at least you can stop where you are at and check any stage of the process for anything, which is what i did a whole lot of. Manual indexing helps you get a feel for things too. Thing was i knew i'd out grow a single stage press in no time and didn't want to waste the money.

Al

[B Strong]

Seeing as the future seems uncertain, I want to reload .45 ACP and .308 for now. I'm looking to reload about 200 or so rounds a week. This will be my first dive into reloading, but I've been doing research online and have read 2 books from cover to cover. I feel confident I can understand the 550.

I think eguns.com has the best prices, but I am a bit confused about what I need to get started with both calibers. I want the tool heads setup, so I don't have to swap and adjust dies.

My purchase is looking like this:

1) Dillon 550B. Comes with conversion kit for .308. I don't think the bundle comes with dies.
DL14261-20130
2) .308 Win 3 die set.
DL15574
3) .45 ACP 3 die set.
DL14404
4) Quick change assembly. Includes toolhead, toolhead stand, power measure, powder die.
DL22058
5) .45 ACP conversion kit.
DL20126

Is there anything I'm missing? Am I right in the fact that .308 carbide dies are a waste?

Some other things I will need:

1) Calipers. Preferably dial.
2) Scale. Preferably beam.
3) Case tumbler.
4) Case trimmer.
5) Deburring tool.
6) Primer pocket cleaner.
7) Case lube.
8) Hordes of bullets, powder, and primers.

Anything else? Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

You're on the right track.

The 550 is a great machine, and once you set the thing up and adjust the toolheads for each caliber, you can switch out for your reloading requirements very easily.

Remember that speed is not your goal - safe reliable ammunition is the object of the excercise.

Go Slow and don't perform any task without knowning exactly what you are doing and why you are doing it!

[freakshow10mm]

Good list and make sure you get the large charge bar with your second powder measure. The pistol one will only throw about 19-20gr of rifle powder and you will need 40-50gr for the .308.

Also, don't waste your money on a separate conversion kit for those two. The casehead is the same diameter as the .308/30-06 family (270, 280, etc). Both kits contain the same locator buttons and shellplate. Only change dies and powder funnel, so swap out the toolhead and leave everything in place. Call it a 5 second caliber change.

I have an extra .30 caliber funnel here. Buy the .45 ACP conversion kit, let me know your address and I will mail the .30 caliber funnel to you.

[5ohguy]

Good list and make sure you get the large charge bar with your second powder measure. The pistol one will only throw about 19-20gr of rifle powder and you will need 40-50gr for the .308.

Also, don't waste your money on a separate conversion kit for those two. The casehead is the same diameter as the .308/30-06 family (270, 280, etc). Both kits contain the same locator buttons and shellplate. Only change dies and powder funnel, so swap out the toolhead and leave everything in place. Call it a 5 second caliber change.

I have an extra .30 caliber funnel here. Buy the .45 ACP conversion kit, let me know your address and I will mail the .30 caliber funnel to you.

Thanks! Good to know. Found this table that shows conversion overlap between calibers.

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon/cal.conv.chart.html

[ar15barrels]

I want to reload .45 ACP and .308 for now.

My purchase is looking like this:

1) Dillon 550B. Comes with conversion kit for .308. I don't think the bundle comes with dies.
DL14261-20130
2) .308 Win 3 die set.
DL15574
3) .45 ACP 3 die set.
DL14404
4) Quick change assembly. Includes toolhead, toolhead stand, power measure, powder die.
DL22058
5) .45 ACP conversion kit.
DL20126

Is there anything I'm missing? Am I right in the fact that .308 carbide dies are a waste?

45acp and 308 share the same shellplate and buttons.
You don't need to buy the 45acp conversion kit.
All you will need is the 45acp powder funnel.
Since you have the quick change setup for the 45, you will only need to pull two pins, swap out the complete toolhead and change from rifle to pistol primers in order to switch from 308 to 45.
There's no need to swap shellplates.

The carbide 308 dies are a waste of money for th volume you are doing.

[natasha69]

where is the best place to purchase the 550? seems direct from the mfg is the same price as all the e-tailers out there, or am i missing something.

[freakshow10mm]

Pretty much. BE and Eguns offer free shipping +$400 orders if I recall. FOB Arizona will be quicker shipping from Dillon direct. I used to sell Dillon stuff but not any more.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

Best place to order from would be brianenos.com.

[5ohguy]

I was thinking of a 650 but it's alot more expensive to to buy additions to. And it almost seems like you need to buy the auto case feed which is more money. The 550 should be fine for me with the amount I'm looking to reload.

[ar15barrels]

I was thinking of a 650 but it's alot more expensive to to buy additions to. And it almost seems like you need to buy the auto case feed which is more money. The 550 should be fine for me with the amount I'm looking to reload.

What's the amount you are looking to reload?

Take that amount and triple it.
Once you start reloading, your shooting volume goes way up.
If you even THINKING about a 650, just get one.
It's cheaper to upgrade to the 650 NOW before you commit to tooling up a 550.
I started with 550's and they lasted me a few years.
Eventually I got a 650 (as soon as I tried it actually) and now 1050's...



If I knew then what I know now, I would have started with a 650.