Dillon roller handle

[justinLB]

Is it worth it to upgrade from the stock ball handle to the $33 roller handle? Should I spend the extra $5 to get the aluminum version or will the plastic work just as well?

[rhbanjo]

I like the roller handle. It seems smoother to me. Some of the guys I shoot with will only use the big knob one. I feel I put too much pressure on the cartridge using it (ie when the primer seats). I have the regular one. And since you have your credit card dusted off, I like the strong mounts too.

[smguser]

I like my roller handle. Dillon told me that the aluminum handle is a smaller diameter than the plastic one, so they recommend the plastic one for larger hands. I have the plastic one.

[mike100]

I have the ball handle still and since I have never loaded more than 1000 rounds in one sitting, never felt the need to buy one.

Why don't they all come with one? Is it user preference or is it a vast Dillon conspiracy to make an extra $30 on the side on parts?

[ar15barrels]

Why don't they all come with one? Is it user preference or is it a vast Dillon conspiracy to make an extra $30 on the side on parts?

Both my 1050's came with them.

[TonyM]

Is it worth it to upgrade from the stock ball handle to the $33 roller handle? Should I spend the extra $5 to get the aluminum version or will the plastic work just as well?

I've got the aluminum roller.

I wouldn't even consider running the ball handle seeing that the roller is relatively cheap.

[anyracoon]

When I bought my 650 I added the plastic roller handle. Than bought a metal roller handle for the 650 and was going to put the plastic one on the 550. Sold the plastic one and bought another metal roller handle for the 550. P.S. Strong mounts and bullet trays are the only way to go! Just drink the blue KoolAid!

[scrat]

the ball roller works fine. just put some talc powder on it (baby powder). then you will start cranking big time.


Thats my secret

[rkt88edmo]

So tell me the diference you felt between the plastic and aluminum, I bought a used 650 with the plastic handle and haven't yet handled an aluminum one.

When I bought my 650 I added the plastic roller handle. Than bought a metal roller handle for the 650 and was going to put the plastic one on the 550. Sold the plastic one and bought another metal roller handle for the 550. P.S. Strong mounts and bullet trays are the only way to go! Just drink the blue KoolAid!

[eguns-com]

same shaft -- different grip

So tell me the diference you felt between the plastic and aluminum, I bought a used 650 with the plastic handle and haven't yet handled an aluminum one.

The plastic and aluminum handles are the same shaft. Just the grip is different. The aluminum one is sexy anodized blue and is round. The plastic one is a heavy duty black plastic that is more like an extremely bulged triangle, which may fit your knuckles a little bit better.

I used to sell 3 plastic for every aluminum one but for the last year or so the aluminum have been even or outselling the plastic one.

If you live in a cold climate the plastic one feels better in winter

Both work the same and the shaft is the same. It is the number one press upgrade in my book.

I have only ever had one guy not like his handle. Local guy. I think the roller handle is a must for long loading sessions as you don't have the ball rubbing in your palm (talc notwithstanding -- good tip btw!)

Chad
12 year Dillon dealer -- eguns.com

[bohoki]

so what keeps the roller handle form slipping out of square does it have to be really tight plus a couple lock washers? cause i like my ball shaft a little loose so it kind of rotates in my hand

[rkt88edmo]

Same with the roller handle, it can rotate to fit the user.

[mike100]

the ball roller works fine. just put some talc powder on it (baby powder). then you will start cranking big time.


Thats my secret

I'll sprinkle some foot powder I have on there...Not gonna buy the roller...must resist..

Seriously though, if you had to pick between a bullet tray or the roller handle, which would you get first?

[eguns-com]

I'll sprinkle some foot powder I have on there...Not gonna buy the roller...must resist..

Seriously though, if you had to pick between a bullet tray or the roller handle, which would you get first?

I assume from the question you have a strong mount.

I would either get the bullet tray, or make my own bullet box holder to get the box of bullets up by the press so that the hand/arm movement is reduced when getting a bullet and putting it on the brass. If you make your own "bullet tray" (stack a few pieces of 2x4 or something), then you can get the roller handle

Chad

[mike100]

I do not have a strong mount (it would be too high anyhow), but I do have mine mounted to a very thick table (which weighs a lot too). My current bullet tray is a magnetic parts tray that I drop the steel dillon small parts into when I'm taking stuff down. That really cuts down on finding lost bits under the table. I haven't really thought to elevate it closer to the tool head.

If anything, I need to make a tube for the stupid dead primer slinger since the little bucket doesn't catch very many of them. I have learned that if you put a duct tape wall at the end of the ski-jump, you can get 100 percent of your live primers back in circulation though. I rigged that up after the vacuum cleaner vs. live primers on the floor incident occurred.