Limited space on Bench...which press to mount?

[Bongos]

Just finished building my reloading bench, it can fit comfortibly a Single Stage Forster Co-AX and either a Dillon 550B or XL650... or it can fit all three (Co-Ax, 550B & XL650) with minimal space left..

I'm trying to decide if I want to mount all three or sale the XL650, I load 10 different calibers and have all the toolheads as well conversion kits set up for my 550B, I have 8 tool heads for the XL650 but would need to buy conversion kits for 7 calibers (about another +$500 which isn't too bad) but the XL650 has a case feeder as well as powder checks, so it kinda put my mind at ease with the "double charge issues)... just thinking out loadly, if I keep both Dillon Machines, both will be mounted on strong mounts..

here is a pic of my Bench.. space is at a minimum
length is 60" or 5 feet x 26"

[Bill Steele]

Sweet bench, great job.

For me, I like some room to operate so I would sell one of the Dillons and all those tool heads, etc. cheap to a guy like me.

[popeye4]

What can the 550 do for you that the 650 can't? Sounds like unnecessary duplication.....

[Bongos]

What can the 550 do for you that the 650 can't? Sounds like unnecessary duplication.....

Well, my only gripe with the XL650 is the Primer assembly change, other than that, nothing

[Super Spy]

I put some inserts into my bench so that I can quickly mount and remove my reloading equipment. I also use my bench mounted vise to hold my case trimmer. I can put or take down my reloading stuff in under five minutes freeing up my bench for other tasks. I would imagine you could have several hole patterns of inserts and mount and remove quickly a variety of components.

[IntoForever]

I put some inserts into my bench so that I can quickly mount and remove my reloading equipment. I also use my bench mounted vise to hold my case trimmer. I can put or take down my reloading stuff in under five minutes freeing up my bench for other tasks. I would imagine you could have several hole patterns of inserts and mount and remove quickly a variety of components.

^ +1! Lee makes a kit like this but it looks like it's not so fast to change. At least you don't have to drill more holes in your bench. I have no idea how sturdy it is either.

[migz]

the lee kit is pretty quick to change presses. It takes me about 15 seconds.

[migz]

this is the lee kit:

http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Bench-Plate.html

[cjskalka]

I see no use for the 550 if you have the 650

[popeye4]

You must load a ton of ammo if you have 10 calibers set up on the 550, plus have a single stage. Any real need for all that? Do you really load 10 calibers in bulk? Just a thought, but there might be an opportunity to trim back on some excess capability (though if you are like me, it is hard to part with gadgets).

[BamBam-31]

I'd keep the 550 for ease of caliber change. Sell the rest.

[noylj]

If you have a 650, why would you want to keep the 550. it only has four stations and is manually indexed. Sell it and use the proceeds to get the 650 up to speed. For me, the SDB and 550 are non-starters. I want a minimum of 5 stations and auto-indexing.
Besides rifle cartridges, I use my Co-Ax to depirme all me cases when I sort and inspect them.
However, if you really like the 550, then the 650 is surplus Selling it would let you buy a case feeder for the 550 and several conversion kits.

Right now, I am wondering if I can put the powder measure on station 3 of my 1050 (the primer pocket swaging station) for certain cartridges, like .38 Super, so I can put an RCBS Lock-Out die in station 5 and a bullet feed die in station 6. I am mechanically un-inclined and will need to think about what I can and can not do after looking at various bullet feeders.

[Bongos]

(though if you are like me, it is hard to part with gadgets).

Yep, super hard to part with excellent machinery; specially when you have most of the accessories, I was thinking the 550B for lesser caliber bulk loading and XL650 for high volume like 223, 9mm, 45ACP and 40. as mentioned, I really like the powder check option on the XL650

[theduece]

well if you decide to keep the 550 let me know what toolheads conversions etc your going to sell from the 650

[Bongos]

And the Winner is.... XL650 and Forster Co-AX.... Plan putting my Dillon 550B up for sale soon