Pulling the Trigger on a Dillon RL 550B but....Update 10/10/12 Post #36

[chozenfew805]

I'm looking to getting into reloading .223/45acp/9mm but wanted to see the process first hand(brass prep to a completely finished round). I've done a moderate amount of research and the 550B is definitely the route I'm looking to take for my first press.

If there's any one local to Ventura County who has a Dillon RL 550B who wouldn't mind opening their door to show me the ropes I would really appreciate it.

[Colt562]

What a coincidence, I just placed an order with Brian enos. I should get it tomorrow or Wednesday. Any way I posted a topic about this a couple days ago, you might want to check that out.

[LexLuther]

If you are just starting, strongly consider the 650, that powder check is good for a newbie, that's the route I went. Also if you don't feel you need it later, you can use that station for a bullet feeder.

[Colt562]

forgot to mention that i ordered the 550 with spare parts kit, as it should be upgrade

[MIAMIbaseballer]

I would do more than "moderate amount of research." Hopefully you can go and see one in action. I'd highly recommend that you look at the 650 as well for the powder check and auto indexing reasons. There's only a small price difference. Anything in blue you'll love. Good luck.

[Horton Fenty]

Look around online for Dillon's assembly and operation videos for the 650 or 550. There's also quite a bit of youtube videos on both units.

http://ultimatereloader.com/ has a bunch.

[chozenfew805]

I would do more than "moderate amount of research." Hopefully you can go and see one in action. I'd highly recommend that you look at the 650 as well for the powder check and auto indexing reasons. There's only a small price difference. Anything in blue you'll love. Good luck.

I've been researching(purchased Lyman 49th and ABC's of Reloading), youtube, and various other sites for the last year. I only used that specific verbage because there's always more to learn especially when you haven't even physically done any reloading

Look around online for Dillon's assembly and operation videos for the 650 or 550. There's also quite a bit of youtube videos on both units.
http://ultimatereloader.com/ has a bunch.

Thanks for the link, that should save me $20 for some powder instead of buying the DVD!

[chozenfew805]

What a coincidence, I just placed an order with Brian enos. I should get it tomorrow or Wednesday. Any way I posted a topic about this a couple days ago, you might want to check that out.

I could've swore I subscribed to your thread, but anyways I am now!

[chozenfew805]

Bought the little things 1st instead!

So instead of buying the Dillon RL 550B I purchased the other tools needed to get started Mixed emotions on this decision but in due time

Still in search of a local "Reloading Mentor"!

[ExtremeX]

For .223 what have you picked for brass prep?

It’s a lot more involved than pistol ammo, but once you understand the process you see its simple, just time consuming...

One of the best things I’ve purchased for brass prep is… another press. I went with a single stage just for decapp / resizing. You may also need it for swaging if you are dealing with crimped brass unless you opt for a dedicated bench tool or just cutting them out. Swaging is my preferred method tho.

Don’t forget calipers, case trimmer, chamfer / deburr tool and all those other goodies…

[Buddhabelly]

Still in search of a local "Reloading Mentor"!

Haha... If you happen to travel to the SF Bay Area, I would be happy to open my door and walk you through the process.

[wc12]

I thought I was gonna go for a dillon when I first started and decided to go for lee press to get my feet wet on reloading. I still haven't bought the dillon because it's more expensive and I figured, I could get another toy instead and use my lee turret for my moderate amount of reloading.

[CSACANNONEER]

OP,

Shoot me a PM with the town you live in. Maybe we can work something out. I will strongly encourage you to get a single stage press to compliment your new blue toy.

If you are just starting, strongly consider the 650, that powder check is good for a newbie, that's the route I went. Also if you don't feel you need it later, you can use that station for a bullet feeder.

I got a 650 years after I got my 550. I have since traded off the 650 but, I won't get rid of my 550. The 550 is a far more versatile machine. There are many more cartridges that can be loaded on a 550 and, the conversion kits are cheaper too.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

I started out using both a 550 & a 1050. CSACANNONEER is spot on. If you load multiple calibers, the 550 is the way to go.

[Colt562]

I don't know much about 550's mainly because I just received mine today, but I know this is one thing that will stay with me forever. I don't ever plan to get rid of it.