Dillon Case feeder for 550 Question

[scarry scarney]

Any of you blue koolaid drinkers out there have a case feeder on the 550? I keep thinking about this addition to my 550, but keep having a hard time justifing the expense. Thinking about setting up a 550 with both the Dillon case feeder, and maybe a GSI bullet feeder on down the road. Looking for info from someone who has used them...

Thanks

[anyracoon]

Keep in mind that even with the case feeder the 550 is manualy index, plus it only works for pistol calibers! Save your money and buy a 650 fully loaded. I have both, the 550 is for load developement and small runs while the 650 is for large batches. If I get a good bonus than will add a Super 1050 to the stable this year.

[TonyM]

Keep in mind that even with the case feeder the 550 is manualy index, plus it only works for pistol calibers! Save your money and buy a 650 fully loaded. I have both, the 550 is for load developement and small runs while the 650 is for large batches. If I get a good bonus than will add a Super 1050 to the stable this year.

I agree with this comment.

If you're thinking about a casefeeder and a bullet feeder, either get a 650 to go with your 550, or sell the 550 (resale value is very good with Dillon presses) and get a 650. You won't be disappointed.

[ar15barrels]

As already mentioned, get a 650.
Auto Index.
Native casefeed design.
Powder check is even more valuable with a bullet feeder.

[scarry scarney]

upgrading to 650 or 1050 not an option

I was asking about the case feeder for the 550. I would love to upgrade to a 650, or better yet a 1050, but I don't think that is a viable option.

1) I already have a LOT of pistol calibers set up for the 550. (5.7, 30 mauser, 32acp, 7.62 nagant, 32S&W Long, 380acp, 38S&W, 38 Spl, 9mm, 357 Mag, 357 Sig, 40 S&W, 41 Mag, 44 Spl, 44 Mag, 44 AMP, 45 Colt, 45 acp, 45 GAP, 45 Win Mag to name a few). I won't even meantion all the rifle calibers!

When I got into the "blue Koolaid" the Dillon 450 was the new kid on the block. The 650 or 1050 weren't even around.

To upgrade for all the pistol calibers would cost me a fortune, just in tool holders! I know you guys out there would be more than happy to purchase the "old stuff", pennies on the dollar in order to support my upgrade.

2) I just picked up a second 550 (christmas gift). Just trying to figure out if I want to set it up for large primers, and one for small primers. Or do I set one up with the case feeder, and one with case feeder (for all my high volume pistol cartridges).

So, the initial question: Any one out there have a case feeder on their 550? If so, what are your opinions on it?

Thanks

[Fjold]

I have a 450 B and it seems to have handled the many tens of thousands of 223 and 308 rifle rounds just fine over the last 20+ years. Why can't the 550 handle rifle rounds? (I have a 550 also but haven't set it up yet)

[TonyM]

2) I just picked up a second 550 (christmas gift). Just trying to figure out if I want to set it up for large primers, and one for small primers. Or do I set one up with the case feeder, and one with case feeder (for all my high volume pistol cartridges).

So, the initial question: Any one out there have a case feeder on their 550? If so, what are your opinions on it?

Thanks

Seriously,

If you want high volume, replace the second 550 and get a 650. The casefeeder on the 550 is an afterthought and doesn't work as well as a 650, and the auto indexing of the 650 makes it much, much faster.

[ar15barrels]

2) I just picked up a second 550 (christmas gift). Just trying to figure out if I want to set it up for large primers, and one for small primers. Or do I set one up with the case feeder, and one with case feeder (for all my high volume pistol cartridges).

You did not mention that you were heavily entrenched in 550 tooling.
Setup one of the 550's for small primers and one for large primers.
When I got started, I only had a single 550.
When I got the 2nd, I split the small and large setups between the two presses.

When you can afford it, get a 650 for the truly high-volume needs.
Keep the 550's for everything else.

I took this to the extreme...
I load for about 40 cartridges.
I now have a 450, three 550's, two 650's and two 1050's
The 1050's are great for dedicating to one cartridge, but I would not recommend changing one over very often.
The 650 is almost as easy to change-over as the 550.

[scarry scarney]

Well, my bench setup is getting a little crowded.

Dillon 550 for the "volume" stuff (now have two, one for small primer, one for big, or one for rifle, one for pistol, that's why I'm asking about the case feeder and bullet feeder).

RCBS Rockchucker for bullet swaging, making custom brass, removing mil crimp, depriming, and other special needs.

Hollywood Senior Turrent for the "Big Boys" (50 BMG & 510 DTC EDM)

Mec 600 for Slugs & buck shot.

The other bench is set up for bullet casting, RCBS furnace for the 20:1, and a Lee furnace for pure lead.

Star Lube for sizing and lubing.

I would love to have a 650 or 1050, but..., when I do the math to upgrade one of the Dillons to a 650 = $794. (489 for the press, 6 tool heads @20.95 each, 6 shell plates @ 30.05). So, even if I sold one 550 and 6 tool heads, and six shell plates for the going rate, the price differance is about $200, and I still would need to buy the case feeder.

When I put it that way, it almost sounds doable. Just don't let the wife know I might have to think about it.......

[ar15barrels]

I would love to have a 650 or 1050, but..., when I do the math to upgrade one of the Dillons to a 650 = $794. (489 for the press, 6 tool heads @20.95 each, 6 shell plates @ 30.05). So, even if I sold one 550 and 6 tool heads, and six shell plates for the going rate, the price differance is about $200, and I still would need to buy the case feeder.

When I put it that way, it almost sounds doable. Just don't let the wife know I might have to think about it.......

Thank goodness that Dillon hold's it's value so well.