OK, another 550 versus 650 thread

[Sealawyer]

I am looking into going Blue, and am stuck in the 550 versus 650 quagmire. Brian Enos seems to be big on the 550 but I am attracted to the powder check and AI of the 650. I don't forsee buying one and then buying another-I want a buy once option.

Enos and others seems to steer newer reloaders away from the 650, from what I can gather, this is because the 650 involves more adjustments and has a higher learning curve? But how so? I have read just about every thread here and elsewhere on the topic but can't really see what the big deal is if one is slow and careful at the beginning.

I plan to load primarily 9 (to shoot USPSA production) and then some 40 (for limited), probably 1000-1500 round month, and eventually smaller runs of 223. For the next 6-8 months, I'd probably load just 9 until I have the process down.

As a reasonable smart guy, is there any reason to not go with the 650 w/casefeeder versus 550, if taking the extra $400 or so off the table as an issue? Is the learning curve all that great?

And yes, I have considered the Hornady LNL.

Thanks for any advice here.

[gose]

Get the 650 and dont look back.
I'm not very mechanically inclined and I started on a 650 and I've probably loaded close to 200k rounds now, .38, 9mm, .40 and .223.
Dont really know why they say that the 650 is hard to set up, just be slow and careful and maybe have someone experienced over to keep an eye when you set it up.

[Chief-7700]

The XL-650 has worked for me the last 5 years.

[chickenfried]

Maybe the 550 is better for your needs. I believe caliber conversions are quicker,available for more calibers, and a little cheaper than for the 650. But I see no reason to avoid getting a 650 if it's a better fit for you. Automatic indexing and room for a powder check are big pluses. IMO the manual indexing opens up another area for human error.

I learned to reload on a progressive, a RCBS pro 2000. When I decided going to a friend's house to reload wasn't very convenient bought a 650. I've been very happy with my purchase and I also am not that mechanically inclined. This isn't rocket surgery, like you said just go slow and be careful. Following the instructions in the manual was fine to get me going. But brian enos' forum is great for fine tuning.

Someone's that's careless or a moron will find a way to blow their gun up single stage or progressive(knock on wood).

[shokatsu]

I just started reloading last year and I have the 650 w feeder and love it!! The powder check is a great little safeguard for us newbies! So far I have made some impressive 9mm, 44 mag, 45 acp and 10 mm rounds. I will never part with this blue beast. Hope this helps.

[Chief-7700]

The real difference between the RL-550B and the XL-650 is the 650 will produce operator caused errors in greater quantities.

[Cowboy T]

If you want a 650...then get a Hornady LnL AP and don't look back!

[Chief-7700]

Cowboy thought we were going to play nice. I have been a very good boy and stayed out of the LEE posts. (Big Smile)

[Cowboy T]

Hey, Chief, I didn't even mention Lee! But in all fairness, the OP did mention he was considering the LnL.

OK, I'll get serious here. Just recently I tried out someone's 650 (had already tried a 550), and if I were to choose a Dillon press (and could afford it), I would probably lean toward the 650. The reason for that is the 5 stations and auto-indexing. Since I want to shoot cast boolits in my rifle rounds, I'd want to slightly bell the case to prevent shaving the boolit. This is one big reason why I cannot go with the Load-Master (the 2nd station is for priming only, despite the 5 holes in the turret).

The auto-index feature on the 650 (and LnL) is also very nice. I know we're supposed to pay attention at all times. However, when you're using a progressive press, I'd like as much to be automated as I can get from a stock configuration. For me, part of that is auto-index.

The learning curve issue? Single-stage and turret press, OK, I can see that, but for progressives, they're all somewhat more complex by nature, and one should have some good experience before tackling *any* such press. Therefore, for progressives, that doesn't matter so much to me. A press is a tool, and it's simply a matter of learning your chosen tool.

[Chief-7700]

Hey, Chief, I didn't even mention Lee! But in all fairness, the OP did mention he was considering the LnL.

OK, I'll get serious here. Just recently I tried out someone's 650 (had already tried a 550), and if I were to choose a Dillon press (and could afford it), I would probably lean toward the 650. The reason for that is the 5 stations and auto-indexing. Since I want to shoot cast boolits in my rifle rounds, I'd want to slightly bell the case to prevent shaving the boolit. This is one big reason why I cannot go with the Load-Master (the 2nd station is for priming only, despite the 5 holes in the turret).

The auto-index feature on the 650 (and LnL) is also very nice. I know we're supposed to pay attention at all times. However, when you're using a progressive press, I'd like as much to be automated as I can get from a stock configuration. For me, part of that is auto-index.

The learning curve issue? Single-stage and turret press, OK, I can see that, but for progressives, they're all somewhat more complex by nature, and one should have some good experience before tackling *any* such press. Therefore, for progressives, that doesn't matter so much to me. A press is a tool, and it's simply a matter of learning your chosen tool.

:

[Oceanbob]

Get it

The 650. You will love it.

Have fun!

[PBRStreetgang]

Goto Dillion and play with the interactive to pick the best.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/customize-reloader.html

I have a 550, but only because I reload a ton of different stuff. If I was only reloading the most common stuff, I'd have got the 650 I am sure of that.

[anyracoon]

If you are going to shoot primarly 1 or 2 calibers with big runs the 650 is the way to go. That is what I started out with years ago. I did add a couple of 550s to the stable for small runs and load developement. Find some one close to you that has a Dillon and try it out.

[rsrocket1]

If you are going to just run small batches of 223, get something simple in addition to the 550/650 like a Lee Breechlock Challenger, Classic Cast, or an RCBS Rock Chucker. That additional single stage press will always come in handy for all sorts of tasks and by the time you have the 223's full length sized, trimmed, swaged (if necessary) and primed, you don't need a progressive for the final step of dropping powder and seating the bullet.

[jwest]

550 handles more calibers. Also - pretty sure the 650 doesn't have .50 AE capability if that is important to you.

But, if you're like most of us - you'll own more than one soon - so you can get a 550 now with the plan of adding a 650 in the near future.

Me? I have two 550's.

Check out the BL 550 if you are limited on start-up funds - you can add parts to make it into a RL 550B:

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25792/catid/1/BL_550_Basic_Loader