Dillon 550 or 650??

[justaguy]

I'm stuck between the two. I have searched the net far and wide, I have talked with John Walton at Gunstop. If I get the 650 I'm going to get the case feed. Just wondering what you will all have to say. Looking at .45, .357, and a rifle when I get it. I'm pretty set on the Dillon name because of the warranty and customer service. They have been around for years and have done well. I'm looking to buy once and cry once.

[Vlad]

If I did it all over again, I would have bought the 650 right off the bat. For a nominal increase in cost, the productivity and ability to use the case feed would be worth it.

[Stradawhovious]

I have the 550, and love it. I'm comfortably able to crank out about 7-800 rounds of .45 an hour without a casefeed. Either way you go, consider getting the strongmount. It brings the whole press to a comfortable working level while sitting at a table height bench.

my .02

[DeanC]

Aren't there limitations on rifle cartridges with the 550?

[justaguy]

The strong mount and roller handle are pretty much have to haves.

[justaguy]

Aren't there limitations on rifle cartridges with the 550?

Of the 2 the 550 has more rifle options. I haven't found a caliber that the 650 wouldn't do that I would buy. For that matter I haven't seen a caliber it wont do, but thats what everyone says.

[westhope]

The 650 has one more station than the 550. I find that I use all the stations in my 650. Powder check station, seperate bullet seating and crimping stations.

Plan on purchasing a case feed if you buy either. I bought my 650 without one. After loading without the casefeed once, I bought the casefeed. It just does not make sense to have a machine capable of loading that fast without a casefeed.

I know a lot of guys that love their 550's. I just think the 650 is more than worth the extra money. Never regret buying the 650 versus the 550. I would regret not being able to have a powder check station to verify over or under charges. Not enough stations in a 550.

My only thing I don't like about the 650 or 550 is the time it takes to change the primer set-up (large to small or small to large). The best would be to have 2 - 650's; one large primer, one small primer. Changing the tool head that contains the dies in the 650 is a 2 minute job. Changing primer sizes is an hour or so job.

[cobb]

I have the 550 and am very happy with it. My brother did a lot of research and comparison between the 550 and 650, he bought the 550. The reason behind his decision was that the 650 was suppose to take longer and more touchy to set up compared th the 550. When you get the 650 set up and tuned, it is great and you can really turn out the ammo. But if you plan to use it for several different cartridges, the 550 is suppose to be easier and faster to set up, so then maybe the 550 might be a better choice.

This is my brothers thought and reasoning for choosing the 550 over the 650. Is it valid, don't know, but I am sure someone here will show me the error our thoughts.

[Rem700]

No experience with the 550
Case feed is available for either after having one I wouldnt be without.
Caliber conversion from what has been said in other post is almost twice the price for the 650 as the 550.
Primer feed is kinda a pain to change out on the 650 but is simplified by having 2-650s one set up for small primer and the other for large primer
Best option is find someone willing to let you load on theres for an hour or so and let you get a feel for the differences.
Extras
Case feed- yes
Roller handle -yes
Strong mount -depends on how your bench height is set up
Bullet tray- depends on your set up. I prefer a box of bullets sitting on the bench reach in and grab a handful vs grab a handful and put them on the bullet tray one less step and one less expense. YMMV

[JoeH]

If cost isn't part of the equation, why not get the 650?

I love my 550 but have no experience with the 650 and therefore cannot compare the two.

[justaguy]

If cost isn't part of the equation, why not get the 650?

I love my 550 but have no experience with the 650 and therefore cannot compare the two.

Cost is a factor, but the price difference isn't too far apart, and I would rather buy once cry once. I also dont plan on shooting more than 2 handgun (.45 and .357) and maybe 2 rifle.

2 650's isn't an option or needed for me.

[Rem700]

+1 on what Westhope said about the tool head on the 650 for powder check dies and seperate bullet seating and crimp stations.
On the case feed there are feed plates for small pistol, large pistol, rifle cases, one comes with the case feed I just used the large pistol one and it worked for both 357 and 45 so I saw no need to buy the extra plate and switch back and forth again YMMV.

[JoeH]

It appears as though the casefeeder for the 550 is pistol only. The casefeeder for the 650 can feed pistol or rifle.

[DeanC]

It appears as though the casefeeder for the 550 is pistol only. The casefeeder for the 650 can feed pistol or rifle.

I thought there was something like that.

[goalie]

I got the 550 and love it. Then again, I am not one to try and load ammo I as fast as I possibly can. I CAN reload 9mm or .223 with my 550 much faster than I ever WOULD......

That said, if speed is your thing, I have only heard good things about the 650. I just don't need or want a case-feeder on my progressive press.

Other than .223, I do my rifle reloading on the Rock Chucker anyhow.