I've gone Blue!

[laylandad]

That's right. After a few years of loading on a Rock Chucker, I've finally decided to go with Big Blue. I'm getting a RL550B. It should allow me to load at a higher rate and still maintain some control over every step.

Anyone have and advice or pointers?

 

[crash0ride]

Real men use red :lol:

 

[CMBTshooter]

Dillon presses are great. I load all of my ammo on an XL 650 and it does really well. Read the manual, there are a lot of moving parts on Dillon machines that might need adjustment from the factory.

The downside of Dillons in my opinion are the powder measures. They're accurate, but if a lot of static builds up they can leak a few grains onto the shellplate. Just wipe it off with a dryer sheet before you use it and you will be good to go. You'll be very happy with your new machine.

 

[wayno945]

I use my rockchucker for rifle ammo and my 550 for pistol. I like weighing powder charges individually for my rifle cartridges. I noticed a variance of about .2 grains in powder charges when I first started using my 550B, this was with a flake powder (700-x). With some powders, there can be "bridging" over the charge bar causing those variances. I would advise you to keep that rockchucker press, maybe set it up with a universal depriming die so you can do all your case prep before you run it through your dillon. Also, I've found that if I'm not doing a large volume of rounds, it is faster to use the single stage than mess with the setup on my 550 (i.e. toolhead changes, powder dispenser changes, primer size changeover). Just my two cents... I think you're really going to love that 550!

 

[FOTIS]

Real men use red :lol:

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[truck driver]

I have 4 Dillon presses and have 3 of the four mounted and in use,450 converted to a 550,550B, and 2 Square Deal Bs. I load nothing but pistol cartridges on them and all my rifle rounds get loaded on the RCBS.
I like my Dillons a lot but don't need to load rifle rounds that fast. My powder measures also have the powder settler on them so there is no bridging.

 

[DrMike]

I've never owned a Dillon, though it was my intention to buy one when I first began reloading. They are not as common here in the far north, though I do see them occasionally--usually used at an estate sale. I've heard nothing but positive comments on them, so I wouldn't hesitate to own one. Just never had the need to this point.

 

[C.Smith]

I love my 550B but I will not give up my RCBS for rifles. Load mostly pistol on the Dillon with the exception of 5.56 I use a combo of both. As stated above I like to weigh out each charge with my rifle.

Corey

 

[laylandad]

Thanks for the advice guys. I plan to keep the RC for my rifle loading. The 550B will be primarily for pistol and .223/5.56 loading.

 

[JD338]

Congratulations on the Dillon

JD338

 

[sask boy]

Yes I have graduated to a Forester for resizing and my Rock Chucker for seating 8).
I can't say enough good things about that Forester :mrgreen:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[HTDUCK]

I've got a Square Deal B that I have loaded over 250k rounds of pistol ammo on in the last 25 years.
I have had to call Dillon twice in that time for replacement parts. Always something to do with the primer feed mechanism.
Our LGS is a Dillon dealer ( and I bought the press from them) and they have just given me replacement parts for it on a couple of occaisions as well.
Were I to do it over again I'd get a 550 to load pistol and rifle ammo on.
I'd probably only use it with fine ball powders for the .223 and the .308 though.

As for now, I'll keep using my rock chucker for rifle ammo.

 

[Wincheringen]

I wouldn't even shoot my handguns if it weren't for Dillon. My two SDBs really crank out ammo.

I was debating on the XL650 and ended up going with the Hornady LNLAP. What a mistake. Every little thing on the Hornady needs constant adjusting, lubing, and cleaning and the hundreds of times I've adjusted the dogs and I still can't get the shell plate to index correctly.

 

[truck driver]

The primer feed problems with the Square Deal B is caused from over thightening of the primer tube cap where the low primer alarm goes on this crushes the plastic tip.

 

[laylandad]

Here is my setup. Pretty basic for now. I plan to add the roller handle in the future.

I must say, I'm impressed at the speed. I loaded more in a hour that ever before.

 

[C.Smith]

The roller handle rocks. Well worth the money in my opinion.

Corey

 

[truck driver]

Here is my setup. Pretty basic for now. I plan to add the roller handle in the future.

I must say, I'm impressed at the speed. I loaded more in a hour that ever before.

Looking good the roller handles are nice but get in my way as I reach around my press. I like to keep things as simple as posible.

 

[DrMike]

That is a skookum setup. Congratulations on a fine piece of gear.