Dillon RL550 VS. XL650

[SchooBaka]

I've been planning on getting an RL550 with my stimulus check.
I've been reading alot on the 650 lately and am starting to think the extra $110 might be worth it.
Besides the automatic indexing and the case feeder, are there more advantages to the 650?
The 650 seems to have more stations, will I need to buy more dies for each caliber?
Thanks

[BamBam-31]

You can put a powder sensor in the extra station on the 650.

[grywlfbg]

No, works w/ a standard 3-die set. As bambam stated you can put a powder check sensor in the extra station but I find that with the auto-indexing the odds of a double charge are almost zero (and it makes loading a lot faster).

I bought a 650 as my first press and although it's a little overwhelming at first I'm glad I did it.

[jandmtv]

get the 650, you will not regret it!

[skale240]

i say you buy my rl550 so i can buy myself the 650

No, seriously though, get the 650 like these guys are saying. I know I wish I did!

[CWM4A1]

Without the powder check, there are chances you may have a squib if you didn't ram the handle all the way up (got distracted or something).

Get a 650, I own one and can't belive I put up with that POS LEE PRO1000 for such a long time!

[eguns-com]

I am the heretic here. I use both the 550 and 650 but use the 550 more. I don't have powder checks on my 650. I just pay attention to what I am doing on both presses and have never had a squib or double charge.

I like the manual indexing as it allows ME to decide if I am ready to move to the next station instead of it happening by itself. For experimenting I use the 550 (and for low volume items). It is slightly easier to set up.

I use the 650 to pump rounds out of my proven loads. Here the auto indexing helps you for speed. Also, if going for real speed, use the powder check.

The powder check is a nice item to have but if you pay attention and visually check each case you won't have double charges or squib loads. You will not get maximum speed though when doing it that way, but most people are not trying to get 1000 rds an hour (500-700 will do )

Chad

[ar15barrels]

Besides the automatic indexing and the case feeder, are there more advantages to the 650?

The combination of auto indexing AND a powder check station makes a quantum leap in safety.
With a 550, it's entirely possible to double charge a case and not notice.
With a properly setup 650, this is not possible.

Also, a 650 can load rifle cartirdges via the casefeeder.
If you were to get the 550 with a casefeeder, you would only be able to use it for pistol cartridges.

While the difference in price between the two machines is $110, the casefeeder for the 550 is $30 more than for a 650.
That narrows the gap between the two presses even more.

Get the 650.

[SchooBaka]

Thanks for the replies all.
I've been think'n on this all day.
I've been using a square deal b for about a year now, and it's worked well for loading my 45's.
I looked at both machines on Dillon's sight, and I'm under the impression that the case feeder is on extra option for the 650.
Volume really isn't that much of a priority right now, plus I've been able to weed out some bad shells by hand feeding them, so I can see that as a drawback to the case feeder.
As far as the auto indexing goes, I have to agree with Eguns on being able to decide if I'm ready for the next step; I've gotten fouled up a couple times with the sdb before due to auto indexing. It's also very possible to get a double charge with auto indexing if the machine binds up for one reason or another; though the powder check system would eliminate this. I've had it happen, but noticed it as I'm very focused when loading.

I've loaded some rounds with my buddies 550 and the manual indexing seems to work fine for me.

I'm lean'n towards the 550.
With the 650, I have the capability to add the powder check, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the case feeder is also a separate option? Those things will cost more money and for what, the ability to not have to pay as much attention to what you are doing? Pump out more rounds per hour?

Don't get me wrong here. I appreciate all the advice I can get.
Chad, being a retailer for both presses, and steering me to the cheaper press;
Eguns can expect an order from me very soon; whether is be the 550 or 650.

Nice setup there AR15barrels! Does the dillon case trimmer work well for you? I've got an old rockchucker that I might dedicate as a case trimmer when I can afford to buy one of those.

Once again, thanks to all who replied.

[American_pride]

Whoa Whoa whoa. If your leaning towards the 550 maybe we can work something out so I can get a 650..........

[ar15barrels]

With the 650, I have the capability to add the powder check, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the case feeder is also a separate option? Those things will cost more money and for what, the ability to not have to pay as much attention to what you are doing? Pump out more rounds per hour?

Does the dillon case trimmer work well for you? I've got an old rockchucker that I might dedicate as a case trimmer when I can afford to buy one of those.

The casefeeder is an extra cost on both machines.

The main reason for a casefeeder is to increase the number of rounds per hour you can load.

If you are thinking of using a dillon trimmer on a single stage press, don't even bother getting one.
A Girard would be better for you.
The Dillon trimmer makes the most sense when installed in a progressive press with a casefeeder.
If you are going to load on a 550, run all the cases through it once to size and decap them.
Then tumble clean.
Then run them through the Girard and they will be ready to load.

If you were to run a Dillon trimmer on a single stage press, you are looking at having to decap the cases as a separate operation.
That could be done while loading on the progressive press though as there's no need for a sizing die in station one if you use a Dillon trimmer.
With a single stage press, you have to both insert and remove each case from the press for each operation.

Part of the speed of a progressive pres comes from the fact that you only insrert a case but don't have to remove it as it falls into the loaded cartridge bin at the end.

One more reason I will give you for getting a 650 NOW is that you are going to become well invested in tooling for the 550.
This makes it even more expensive later when you finally decide you want the 650.
You will (mark my words) come to the realization later that you should have gotten the 650 to start.
If the casefeeder does not interest you right now, don't buy it.
If you don't want the auto index feature right now, disable it. (just remove 2 screws and a cam from the side of the press)

I load for 35+ cartridges.
I have tooling for 550's for at least 25 of them.
I have since tooled up 650's for the most popular 6 or 8 of them.
I have a 450, three 550's, two 650's and two 1050's so you can trust me when I talk about Dillon presses.

Get the 650.
You'll thank me later.

[mike100]

I learned on a 650 and really can't think of any good reasons to buy a lesser model if you are starting with no parts and accessories. The resale on the xl650 is going to be real high so I don't think you will be risking a lot of money.

[jandmtv]

Thanks for the replies all.
I've been think'n on this all day.
I've been using a square deal b for about a year now, and it's worked well for loading my 45's.
I looked at both machines on Dillon's sight, and I'm under the impression that the case feeder is on extra option for the 650.
Volume really isn't that much of a priority right now, plus I've been able to weed out some bad shells by hand feeding them, so I can see that as a drawback to the case feeder.
As far as the auto indexing goes, I have to agree with Eguns on being able to decide if I'm ready for the next step; I've gotten fouled up a couple times with the sdb before due to auto indexing. It's also very possible to get a double charge with auto indexing if the machine binds up for one reason or another; though the powder check system would eliminate this. I've had it happen, but noticed it as I'm very focused when loading.

I've loaded some rounds with my buddies 550 and the manual indexing seems to work fine for me.

I'm lean'n towards the 550.
With the 650, I have the capability to add the powder check, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the case feeder is also a separate option? Those things will cost more money and for what, the ability to not have to pay as much attention to what you are doing? Pump out more rounds per hour?

Don't get me wrong here. I appreciate all the advice I can get.
Chad, being a retailer for both presses, and steering me to the cheaper press;
Eguns can expect an order from me very soon; whether is be the 550 or 650.

Nice setup there AR15barrels! Does the dillon case trimmer work well for you? I've got an old rockchucker that I might dedicate as a case trimmer when I can afford to buy one of those.

Once again, thanks to all who replied.

If you can not see the benefit of the 650 over the 550, then I think you should get a single stage, or turret press at best.

[capitol]

I didnt know you can trim the cases on a 650 with a Dillon trimmer. Does it trim to length and chamfer the case? Which stage does this happen on?

[ar15barrels]

I didnt know you can trim the cases on a 650 with a Dillon trimmer. Does it trim to length and chamfer the case? Which stage does this happen on?

You can't do it while loading.
You setup a separate toolhead for processing cases.
It sizes and trims to length.
It does not chamfer or deburr.

I have found that chamfering and deburring is not really necessary as it cuts a perfectly square case mouth.
Any external burr that's there gets folded straight up when the case is withdrawn from the trim die.
I "double bump" the case and the folded up burr gets trimmed right off.
Whatever may be left dissappears during tumbling to remove the case lube.
I load only boattail bullets so internal deburring has not been necessary either.

If you were loading match quality ammo, it would perhaps behoove you to chamfer and deburr the case mouths.
I'm only loading blasting ammo for 3gun so the bullet quality is the limiting factor for me, not the case prep.

I pickup range brass so every time I load it, it gets fully processed including sizing, trimming and primer pockets get swaged as part of my automated loading process.