Looking to buy Dillon press

[Fullmag]

Wanting to know which options are must haves for example the strong mount. Where are some of the Dillon dealers in central Indiana?

 

[VERT]

I don't know about must have but I like my strong mount. I would say a good bench is a necessity.

My local shop, Bite the Bullet, in Seymour is a stocking dealer.

 

[partyboy6686]

Bobcat Steel is a Dillon Dealer in Shelbyville. He is currently opening a store full of reloading supplies. I was there a week ago and his shelves where full of powder, primers, and bullets.

 

[trophyhunter]

Wanting to know which options are must haves for example the strong mount. Where are some of the Dillon dealers in central Indiana?

The mount and roller handle are nice especially if you're wanting to stand and really get after it to crank out the most production in the least amount of time, if you want to sit on a stool and just take your time your better off omitting both of those.

The very first thing I would add to any Dillion press is a skylight kit from inline fabrication, it's an amazing upgrade I wouldn't load without one.

 

[Fullmag]

The roller handle is more for cranking out rounds then, good to know. The strongmount is going to put the press up higher quite on the bench and is designed for standing rather than sitting is also something else to consider.

The 550B is what what is I was thinking about.

 

[billybob44]

The 550B is what what is I was thinking about.

I have had a 550 for around 25 years and would not trade it for any other progressive press.

No, it is not as fast as a 650, but it gets the job done for me.

If you load several calibers, the 550 is A LOT more of a savings over the 650-Check the prices of the die blocks, and conversion kits--there is quite a bit of difference in cost...Bill.

 

[17 squirrel]

I have had a 550 for around 25 years and would not trade it for any other progressive press.

No, it is not as fast as a 650, but it gets the job done for me.

If you load several calibers, the 550 is A LOT more of a savings over the 650-Check the prices of the die blocks, and conversion kits--there is quite a bit of difference in cost...Bill.

I am a Dillon man myself, and I grew right along with Dillon. I run a 450, 550 and a 650.
The 550 is a awesome machine that will easily keep you in tons of ammo.
I have strongmounts, plastic roller handles, bullet trays and the big loaded ammo bins on all my machines. And in handgun cartridge's I use Dillons dies.
There pistol dies are as easy to clean and remove shavings as removing a snap R pin and the insides fall out. Clean and slide it back togeather and reinstall the clip, no readjustment needed.

If you load enough, the roller handle will keep you from getting blisters and or callus's in you palm. I use it weither I sit or stand.

 

[trophyhunter]

I have had a 550 for around 25 years and would not trade it for any other progressive press.

No, it is not as fast as a 650, but it gets the job done for me.

If you load several calibers, the 550 is A LOT more of a savings over the 650-Check the prices of the die blocks, and conversion kits--there is quite a bit of difference in cost...Bill.

Ditto, I also load on a 550 and wouldn't trade it for anything the end cost of the press and caliber change out's are where I have always thought the best value were in anything Dillon offers.

I can load enough ammo on my 550 in under a weeks time to last all year, and that keeps everyone in the family supplied.

OP if you want to come over for a coffee or cup of tea and sit down and see what a Dillon 550 can do you're welcome anytime.

 

[noylj]

The strong mounts I have seen have been best on benches that are more at table height and the reloader loads standing up. For me, using my friends 650s, the strong mounts put the press too high while I sit on a stool and normal bench height and places the case collator too high for anyone under about 6'.
Personally, why not order the press, see how you like it, and then think about any changes you want to make. Remember, you have your own needs and wants and it is best to not just buy thing to buy things.
I have loaded thousands of rounds with presses with ball handles and they were no more comfortable or uncomfortable to me than the roller handle and I wouldn't spend money on something unless it had a clear and present benefit.
+1 on a strong bench, mounted to the wall and free of vibration.

 

[17 squirrel]

Ditto, I also load on a 550 and wouldn't trade it for anything the end cost of the press and caliber change out's are where I have always thought the best value were in anything Dillon offers.

I can load enough ammo on my 550 in under a weeks time to last all year, and that keeps everyone in the family supplied.

Absolutely, don't get talked into buying a larger 5 station machine if you don't need it.

 

[17 squirrel]

The strong mounts I have seen have been best on benches that are more at table height and the reloader loads standing up. For me, using my friends 650s, the strong mounts put the press too high while I sit on a stool and normal bench height and places the case collator too high for anyone under about 6'.
Personally, why not order the press, see how you like it, and then think about any changes you want to make. Remember, you have your own needs and wants and it is best to not just buy thing to buy things.
I have loaded thousands of rounds with presses with ball handles and they were no more comfortable or uncomfortable to me than the roller handle and I wouldn't spend money on something unless it had a clear and present benefit.
+1 on a strong bench, mounted to the wall and free of vibration.

Psssssst. Tell your friend to get a taller stool...

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Love my mount for my 550 and have a roller handle.

I stand on surgeon's gel pads.

HTH

 

[Gluemanz28]

I have never used a 550 but I can't imagine loading on anything but a 650. I have the case feeder, Roller handle, strong mount and tool kit.

I use a stool that I purchased from Harbor Freight for about $30. It is a nice height to sit at and I can also stand to load.
The case feeder is a must if you are wanting to get the 600 per hour.

If you have an abundance of time you don't need much more than what comes with it. My time is limited and I want to get the most from time spent so I have spent money on things to speed me up without sacrificing quality.

I added the bullet feeder from Mr Bullet and the XL650 will wear you out, with Mrs glue filling primer tubes with the Vibra-Prime, loading the case feeder, filling the bullet hopper, filling completed bullet tray and inspecting the primer height.

We can do 2,000 in less than two hours.

 

[17 squirrel]

The roller handle is more for cranking out rounds then, good to know. The strongmount is going to put the press up higher quite on the bench and is designed for standing rather than sitting is also something else to consider.

The 550B is what what is I was thinking about.

The roller handle allows you to just grab the handle and the handle spins on bearings that are inside of the handle. The handle does not spin in your palm and cause angry skin.
The ball handle you grab and it spins in your palm and with repetitive motion you can get angry skin in you palm and depending on how you grasp the ball handle between you fingers. Up to blisters in your palm or between your fingers if when pushing the handle up and down if you allow the steel shaft to rub between your fingers.
The roller handle is a welcome addition..

 

[red_zr24x4]

2- 550's here. Great machines. Standard handles, no strong mounts.

 

[romack991]

Personally, why not order the press, see how you like it, and then think about any changes you want to make. Remember, you have your own needs and wants and it is best to not just buy thing to buy things.
I have loaded thousands of rounds with presses with ball handles and they were no more comfortable or uncomfortable to me than the roller handle and I wouldn't spend money on something unless it had a clear and present benefit.
+1 on a strong bench, mounted to the wall and free of vibration.

This is good advice.
Do you already have the bench the press will be mounted to? If not, just make the bench the right height and a strong mount is not needed.
The ball handle gets the job done but if you want to crank out a couple thousand rounds, the roller makes it a lot nicer. I prefer the Inline Fab over Dillon. It was easier on my elbow. If I was loading 5k or less per year, I wouldn't worry about it.
I don't think anything is a must have, just depends on your personal preference. I would recommend the spare parts kit if you have to ammo for a certain event and are a procrastinator.

Edit : Dedicated shell plates for each of your calibers would probably be close to a must have. I also wouldn't want to run a press without a case feeder, uniquetek micrometer (if switching between measurements), & a spent primer catch tube.

 

[chezuki]

This thread needs Dillon porn...

Strong Mount
Budget Reloader case feeder
Bullet tray
Inline Fabrication LED kit
Inline Fabrication Ergo handle
Lava Lamp mod

 

[17 squirrel]

Do you get any shadows from using the lava lamp.. If it works I can steal my kids..

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I skiped on the strong mount as it would place the press too high for sitting. I have not tried a roller handle, don't really see the need personally. I use Lee dies, as I already had them. My only pet peve with the 550, is the spent primer chute. I riged mine easily though.

 

[billybob44]

My only pet peve with the 550, is the spent primer chute.
^^^

If you decap before you tumble clean, then this problem goes away--YES--an extra step, but then you have NO primer "Crunchies" in your 550. My RockChucher is more forgiving of the primer trash than my 550 is....Works for me...Bill.