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johnd5412
03-29-2022, 10:06 PM
Hello,

I have an RCBS pro 2000 already and load 10 calibers. Talk me out of buying a 750 press as an upgrade please.

v/r
John

dverna
03-29-2022, 10:10 PM
How many rounds of each caliber per year.

johnd5412
03-29-2022, 10:13 PM
Recently, less than 5,000 for all calibers...but my future has many thousands of rounds assuming the gov't doesn't try to take my guns.

nhyrum
03-29-2022, 10:52 PM
Honestly, if your budget allows, and the cartridges you want to load will physically fit, get it. I don't think you necessarily need to load a high volume to have a progressive make sense. Similar to the whole "you don't save money hand loading, you just save on cost per round" a progressive allows you to spend less time at the bench and more time on the range. Now yes, for some, me included, reloading is therapeutic in ways. I still have my single stage and have some cartridges I load on my 650 I put more effort and care into, including more brass prep. So if I want to crank out ammo, I use the 650, if I need a bunch of match grade pistol ammo, I use the 650. The single stage I use for match grade big stuff

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iflyskyhigh
03-29-2022, 10:52 PM
It’s an opinion, but the 650 is a better press. Just a little more work to change primer from S to L and vise versus, but it’s a better primming system. I have a 650 and 550 for reference. 650 priming system is better. Talk you out of a 750 to look for used 650.

StuBach
03-30-2022, 12:43 AM
Love my 650. Grew up on my Dads 550 so I went one step up when it was my turn. Clocked myself without brass feeder at about 300 rds an hour which as earlier mentioned means I can crank out more faster which means less time loading and more time for other things like shooting.

Can’t speak to the 750 cause haven’t given it a second thought. Do keep in mind the price of caliber conversions though. I have quick change kits for all my calibers which is nice but price of everything keeps going up. A full set (dies, conversion, quick change) comes to $400 as of the beginning of March 2022. If you have dies that drops a fair amount but still about $280 plus shipper per caliber extra investment.

I will say I do like the powder checker. Very cool feature. Case feeder is in my future eventually as well.

I have read of concerns about the Dillon powder system not being consistent. I dial mine in to ten charges added up is less than .1gr difference meaning overall charges average less than .01gr variance per charge. Close enough for my shooting.

dverna
03-30-2022, 11:02 AM
The reason for my question was to make you think.

Look at the cost of conversions of a 750 vs a 550. Look at the time needed to do a conversion. Some of that "wasted time" doing a conversion can be mitigated by running say 600 rounds at a time.

I have had all the Dillon machines and after downsizing I am down to a 1050 and 550. The 550 is used for .40 and .45 ACP as I do not load more than 1000 a year of those calibers. I load .38's and 9mm in the 1050 and typically 1000-2000 rounds at a time. I sold the 650 (like the 750) years ago as it did not "fit" my needs.

5000 rounds a year with 10 calibers does not seem like a good fit for a 750, unless you shoot one or two calibers a lot more than the others. Changing primer set ups is a PITA for me, but not for others. I use dedicated tool heads with dies and powder measures set up...what are you planning?

Watch some YouTube videos on caliber changes to get a feel for the time and complexity of conversions.

From what you have shared, I think a 550 is a better way to go. When you get to shooting a lot more rounds, typically that will be in one or two calibers, and then the 750 or even a 1050 might make sense. Loading 5000 rounds a year at 300 rounds/hr is 17 hrs of handle cranking. Cost of 10 conversions and tool heads (without the powder measures) is $1500+ on the 750 and $1000+ on the 550. The 750 with case feeder and extra caliber plate is $1100, the 550 is $550. Bringing total system cost to over $2600 for the 750 and under $1600 for the 550.

Factoring in time wasted doing caliber change overs, I doubt you will save more than 8 hours a year loading 5000 rounds on the 750 vs the 550. Is that worth $1000 to you?

BTW, even when I had 5 progressives on the bench, I never loaded rifle cartridges on a progressive as I do not shoot enough rifle rounds to justify it, plus I am anal about rifle loads. I do plan on loading 5.56 on a progressive for blasting ammunition.

Now, one advantage of the 750 and 1050 presses is the ability to add a powder check die. I have one for each tool head on the 1050 for 9mm and .38. I get bored cranking out 7-800 rounds an hour so looking into each case to check powder drops is not a good way for me to load. It works for me because I use one load and do not need to fiddle with it much. It would be a PITA if you like to produce different loads, and will add considerable change over time if you only purchase one PC die and try to use it on 10 calibers.

johnd5412
03-30-2022, 04:42 PM
The reason for my question was to make you think.

Look at the cost of conversions of a 750 vs a 550. Look at the time needed to do a conversion. Some of that "wasted time" doing a conversion can be mitigated by running say 600 rounds at a time.

I have had all the Dillon machines and after downsizing I am down to a 1050 and 550. The 550 is used for .40 and .45 ACP as I do not load more than 1000 a year of those calibers. I load .38's and 9mm in the 1050 and typically 1000-2000 rounds at a time. I sold the 650 (like the 750) years ago as it did not "fit" my needs.

5000 rounds a year with 10 calibers does not seem like a good fit for a 750, unless you shoot one or two calibers a lot more than the others. Changing primer set ups is a PITA for me, but not for others. I use dedicated tool heads with dies and powder measures set up...what are you planning?

Watch some YouTube videos on caliber changes to get a feel for the time and complexity of conversions.

From what you have shared, I think a 550 is a better way to go. When you get to shooting a lot more rounds, typically that will be in one or two calibers, and then the 750 or even a 1050 might make sense. Loading 5000 rounds a year at 300 rounds/hr is 17 hrs of handle cranking. Cost of 10 conversions and tool heads (without the powder measures) is $1500+ on the 750 and $1000+ on the 550. The 750 with case feeder and extra caliber plate is $1100, the 550 is $550. Bringing total system cost to over $2600 for the 750 and under $1600 for the 550.

Factoring in time wasted doing caliber change overs, I doubt you will save more than 8 hours a year loading 5000 rounds on the 750 vs the 550. Is that worth $1000 to you?

BTW, even when I had 5 progressives on the bench, I never loaded rifle cartridges on a progressive as I do not shoot enough rifle rounds to justify it, plus I am anal about rifle loads. I do plan on loading 5.56 on a progressive for blasting ammunition.

Now, one advantage of the 750 and 1050 presses is the ability to add a powder check die. I have one for each tool head on the 1050 for 9mm and .38. I get bored cranking out 7-800 rounds an hour so looking into each case to check powder drops is not a good way for me to load. It works for me because I use one load and do not need to fiddle with it much. It would be a PITA if you like to produce different loads, and will add considerable change over time if you only purchase one PC die and try to use it on 10 calibers.

Don, very fantastic response and I appreciate the time you put into it. I shoot the absolute dog poo out of my S&W 686 (easy to find the brass in a wheel gun) so the vast majority of my reloads are on that pistol and mostly 38 special to keep costs down. I have an AK47 that like you on the .223 I want to mass produce and shoot extreme volumes...your input has given me pause so I will consider that approach. So far, no one seems to be talking me out of a Dillon or any other press upgrade. I feared that might happen, lol! Cheers.

Hossfly
03-30-2022, 05:01 PM
I found a used 650 on eBay and got it the last few seconds of bidding, only problem was the guy wouldn’t ship it so had to drive to Houston to pick it up. But was pleasantly surprised when he threw in 5 extra tool heads and boxes of .223 , .308 , 9mm brass and extra powder measure Lyman vibrating tumbler. You never know what you will get. Have 2 650 now 1 for small and 1 for large primers. I load in spurts so they sit a lot but when you need them it’s sure handy to just start loading and not worry about primer sizes, and yes you will need powder check dies.

GWS
03-31-2022, 01:25 AM
Don, very fantastic response and I appreciate the time you put into it. I shoot the absolute dog poo out of my S&W 686 (easy to find the brass in a wheel gun) so the vast majority of my reloads are on that pistol and mostly 38 special to keep costs down. I have an AK47 that like you on the .223 I want to mass produce and shoot extreme volumes...your input has given me pause so I will consider that approach. So far, no one seems to be talking me out of a Dillon or any other press upgrade. I feared that might happen, lol! Cheers.

Dillon 550? My response to that is where's the upgrade? 5 stations to 4 stations?

Now ADDING another progressive would make more sense to me. :) I use a Pro 2000 too.....and since I slowed down (soon to retire, I hope) I added a seven station Pro Chucker 7 and a Lee APP. Then added a $500 3d printer, which allowed me to build 3 electric bullet feeder/collators and 2 electric case feeder/collators for about $75 each, with help from a Cast Boolits Subforum on the subject. And having a blast doing it. I don't care which brand progressive you want to .......ah....add.... you can't have too many. ;)

So what does a 3d printer do for me on a case feeder-less progressive like the Pro 2000? Well this video shows a printed case feeder I printed and now use, that works quite well.


https://youtu.be/FsWdsDeQ68s

Have since slowed that down just a little when my speed control came in.....:) I blame jmorris for getting me interested in 3d printers.....I thank him every day, he just doesn't hear me. For that matter, he was the inspiration for my home-made feeder below. So how do I feed them to the shell plate? Well, I built a "semi-auto" feeder years before discovered 3d printers and made the collator pictured above .... any feeder for the Pro 2000 required using an "articulated" shuttle to get around the lack of having a straight shot to the plate, because of the strip primer feeder, but it works.

https://youtu.be/IGj-L8l0mn4

I do have one little problem.......my 8' bench is more than a little cluttered now with great reloading tools.

I dedicate my Pro 2000 to pistol, my Pro Chucker to rifle, my Lee APP for case and bullet prep, all with electric feeders, and my 2 singles relegated to odd or small jobs and load development. Hmmm, maybe there's a way to feed them too. Maybe if I get to actually retire soon, and have more time, I'll find out.

David2011
03-31-2022, 03:55 AM
I can only comment on the predecessors. I have both a 550 and a 650. For both I have complete small and large primer setups. When so equipped, primer changes aren’t a major event. Still, I considered selling my 550 and getting another 650 to have one each for large and small primers. When I added up the cost of caliber conversions for the 650 for everything I loaded on the 550, even factoring in selling the 550 conversions, it would have cost around $600 above the cost of the press and a reasonable allowance for the old caliber conversions. Just food for thought.

Dragonheart
04-04-2022, 08:16 AM
A Dillon 450, 2-550's bumped up with the add-ons and now for a number of years running 2-650's. There has already been a lot said, but take a little advice from a 74 year old who started hand loadind at age 15. All this advice about saving money on what you love is BS. If you can afford it, buy the best you can and enjoy it! When you get to the end of the road that is what your good memories will be made of.

I don't think I am alone when I say I personally think the Dillon 750 was a big step backwards. The 550's are an excellent press, but the priming system was the weak link.

The 650 was a progressive designed from the ground up and it just works! Having the extra station allows for a powder check or a bullet feeder add on and either is a real plus. I personally would rather have a used, but loved 650 than a new 750, but if the 750 is what you can get, go with it.

johnd5412
04-05-2022, 07:01 PM
A Dillon 450, 2-550's bumped up with the add-ons and now for a number of years running 2-650's. There has already been a lot said, but take a little advice from a 74 year old who started hand loadind at age 15. All this advice about saving money on what you love is BS. If you can afford it, buy the best you can and enjoy it! When you get to the end of the road that is what your good memories will be made of.

I don't think I am alone when I say I personally think the Dillon 750 was a big step backwards. The 550's are an excellent press, but the priming system was the weak link.

The 650 was a progressive designed from the ground up and it just works! Having the extra station allows for a powder check or a bullet feeder add on and either is a real plus. I personally would rather have a used, but loved 650 than a new 750, but if the 750 is what you can get, go with it.

Copy all that my good friend. I'll keep my eye out for a 650 on the used market...I'm still slamming away on my RCBS pro 2000 but dang that case feeder option would be great. Unfortunately, I did a mock buy for CCI primers and the basket came up to $750....***. Glad I have 15K small pistol primers but shooting on the 45-70 is going to get expensive! I appreciate your input and comments and many more wonderful years of reloading to come your way!

M-Tecs
04-05-2022, 07:11 PM
I cannot comment of the 750 since I have never used one. I started progressives with a Dillion 450. Then I purchased a pair of 550's shortly before the 650 was introduced. I was never happy with the manual advance of the 450/550 class machines. They went down the road for a 650. Later I picked up a second than a third 650. I really like them. Currently I have three 650's, two 1050's and a RL1000. I have no plans on ever getting rid of any of them.

derek45
04-05-2022, 09:48 PM
I have an XL650.

I LOVE IT

It's a wonderful, reliable machine that makes very high quality ammo.

the casefeeder, and powder check system make it a no brainer.

https://i.imgur.com/Halg0Tc.gif

jessdigs
04-06-2022, 04:23 PM
I have the 750 with case feeder and bullet feeder. I leave it set up for 9mm and sometimes switch to 223. I use my 550 way way more. Load .38, 357 SIG, 357 mag, .40, .45 on the 550. Rock chucker for bigger than 223 rifle rounds. 750 is great. It's fast, especially with a bullet feeder. If you have the money to spend, sure.... Get one. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220406/02058f6d0e3605a7f4f04c74af5f305f.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

Kevin Rohrer
04-08-2022, 09:51 PM
I used a 550 for 30-years and only stopped using it when it started malfunctioning. I upgraded to a 750, added the case-feeder, then a Mr. Bulletfeeder. I now reload 18-rounds of .45acp a minute, 10k a year, and ended up w/ Tendonitis. If I could find a motor drive that was not outrageously expensive, I would add it, also. The 750 is very good, but caliber changes are slow.

298793

Texas Gun
04-09-2022, 08:03 AM
I have acquired a 550B with a case feed it is nice but expensive to buy the conversion kits they call them bur a far better press then the LNL hornady in my opinion
With that said I would a 5 station 650 that I’m with everybody else on the 750s I don’t like them or the square deal

Taterhead
04-09-2022, 05:35 PM
For those recommending a 550, a quick reminder that the OP already has a 5 station progressive. I would consider it, at best, to be a lateral move if I replaced my Pro 2000 auto-index with a 550. Likely I would see it as a downgrade.

Would lose:

reliability of priming and ease of changeover
Speed and simplicity of caliber changeovers
Lower cost of conversions
Auto-index
Cast iron

Would gain

A press that is still in production so warranty parts would theoretically be around longer

That being said, a case-fed 750 is very appealing to me for a cartridge or two that is run at higher volume.

Taterhead
04-09-2022, 06:28 PM
Delete. Duplicate

johnd5412
04-20-2022, 07:40 PM
Thank you all for your feedback, I just dropped the hammer on an XL750 and plan to mass reload 38 special and 7.62x39. Looking forward to trying out the Dillon.

StuBach
04-20-2022, 11:11 PM
Congratulations, what’s the backorder timeline looking like?

johnd5412
04-20-2022, 11:26 PM
I didn't order any dies so keep that in mind but press, case feeder, large rifle and pistol plate, tool heads, 2x conversion caliber kits, all in stock.

StuBach
04-20-2022, 11:46 PM
That’s awesome!!

I ordered some 9mm dies, conversion and quick change for my 650 a while back and it was all at my door in less than a week despite dies being listed as 4-6wk BO.

derek45
04-21-2022, 08:01 AM
I didn't order any dies....

Your LEE, Hornady, Redding, etc dies will probably work.

Some of the older LEE dies lack enough threads, so you have to put a Dillon lock nut under the toolhead.

johnd5412
04-22-2022, 05:40 PM
I'm banking on it, i mostly have RCBS and lyman dies

gkainz
04-22-2022, 07:46 PM
I bought 2 750s last year and use the dies I already had. Lee, RCBS, Lyman and Hornady all work ok for me. I had to put the rings under the shell plate with a few of them.

johnd5412
04-25-2022, 11:10 PM
I didn't realize the tool head was that thick...thanks for the tip.

johnd5412
04-30-2022, 02:21 PM
I got the XL750 a few days back. I nearly bought the 1100 but when I saw a die changeover video and witnessed about a 30 minute changeover I quickly left that idea. With the new press, I loaded 800 rounds of 38 special then switched to 7.62x39 and loaded about 1000 rounds of that. With the case feeder and stand this machine is fantastic. Its easy to use, not too difficult to changeover (I think the Pro 2000 beats it there) but overall I'm on the Dillon wagon. I now understand why it has a strong support base and happy to join it. Cheers everyone!

M-Tecs
04-30-2022, 02:38 PM
I bought 2 750s last year and use the dies I already had. Lee, RCBS, Lyman and Hornady all work ok for me. I had to put the rings under the shell plate with a few of them.

What "rings under the shell plate" are you referring to?

Finster101
04-30-2022, 03:26 PM
What "rings under the shell plate" are you referring to?

The die lock rings. Some other manufacturers dies are too short to get your adjustment with the lock ring on top, so putting it on under the tool head and tightening from the bottom solves the problem.

M-Tecs
04-30-2022, 04:21 PM
The die lock rings. Some other manufacturers dies are too short to get your adjustment with the lock ring on top, so putting it on under the tool head and tightening from the bottom solves the problem.

Thanks. Shell plate verse the tool head had me wondering. In the past several people incorrectly installed the upgrade thrust bearing kits under the shell plate.

I do the same with the die locking rings when required.

gkainz
05-01-2022, 10:54 PM
Oops - sorry … no idea why I said “shell plate” when I meant “tool head”.
I’m going to blame it on Siri. :)

GWS
05-02-2022, 01:27 AM
........... I now understand why it has a strong support base and happy to join it. Cheers everyone!

So is there something of additional advantage, besides having a good case collator? Very curious what you, a Pro-2000 user, have discovered.

johnd5412
05-02-2022, 11:00 PM
So is there something of additional advantage, besides having a good case collator? Very curious what you, a Pro-2000 user, have discovered.

Both are great presses and each has its advantages. I really like how easy it is to change primers on the Pro 2000, the Dillon just takes a little more time. I also like the APS strips on the pro 2000 though it could be quirky but so can the Dillon. But the case feeder on the dillon is what I've been missing and I think it has a slightly more accurate powder measure by comparison. I can't use the RCBS lube die on the dillon, which is a bummer cause now I have to spray down cases though that it isn't that big of a deal. However, I do like the powder drop under my eye with the Dillon versus on the far side of the plate with the Pro 2000. I also feel like the Dillon has a smoother automation on the shell plate advancement (less powder spill) compared to the pro 2000. If I could Frankenstein the two presses we would have something special.

GWS
05-02-2022, 11:46 PM
Thanks for the reply....very interesting. I really like the improved smoothness of the Pro Chucker 7......I wonder if the Dillon 750 also improved, since the 650's were just as rough as the Pro 2000, and both presses had "fixes" to smooth them out....

I agree the case feeder is very well done. Thank goodness I've been able to add both case and bullet feeders (admittedly homemade and 3d printed), but they seem to work just as well as my brother's factory ones for his 650....so I'm very satisfied with mine as he is his.

I do wish RCBS had updated on the APS technology, as it is better than most people realized and super safe. The "quirky" parts wasn't very hard to fix.

I think both green and blue are great systems....neither are perfect, but great nevertheless. Enjoy the hobby!

And btw, I never used the lubricator dies.....now I'm curiouser and curiouser! ;) And why can't you use them on the 750? Having 7 stations on my newest press, I may just have to try one out......and see what the options are.

Powder measure comparison of accuracy? Depends on the powder. Depends on the model. The new 3rd generation Uniflow is pretty accurate as they changed cylinders. The large cavities were less accurate than the small ones. But Dillon accuracy also had its powders that measured less accurate.....enough so that some Dillon users bought Uniflow conversions. So depends on what powder you use.

Big Wes
05-03-2022, 09:06 AM
I picked up a lightly used 650 a couple years ago. I ended up buying an extra priming set up for small primers, so now I have one of each small & large. changing out systems doesn't take but a few minutes.

johnd5412
05-03-2022, 05:23 PM
I picked up a lightly used 650 a couple years ago. I ended up buying an extra priming set up for small primers, so now I have one of each small & large. changing out systems doesn't take but a few minutes.

Yes its just as easy if not quicker on the 750; the pro 2000 has something special in this regard by comparison....just super quick but you had to manually replace the powder measure so you lost time there during a conversion.

johnd5412
05-03-2022, 05:26 PM
Thanks for the reply....very interesting. I really like the improved smoothness of the Pro Chucker 7......I wonder if the Dillon 750 also improved, since the 650's were just as rough as the Pro 2000, and both presses had "fixes" to smooth them out....

I agree the case feeder is very well done. Thank goodness I've been able to add both case and bullet feeders (admittedly homemade and 3d printed), but they seem to work just as well as my brother's factory ones for his 650....so I'm very satisfied with mine as he is his.

I do wish RCBS had updated on the APS technology, as it is better than most people realized and super safe. The "quirky" parts wasn't very hard to fix.

I think both green and blue are great systems....neither are perfect, but great nevertheless. Enjoy the hobby!

And btw, I never used the lubricator dies.....now I'm curiouser and curiouser! ;) And why can't you use them on the 750? Having 7 stations on my newest press, I may just have to try one out......and see what the options are.

Powder measure comparison of accuracy? Depends on the powder. Depends on the model. The new 3rd generation Uniflow is pretty accurate as they changed cylinders. The large cavities were less accurate than the small ones. But Dillon accuracy also had its powders that measured less accurate.....enough so that some Dillon users bought Uniflow conversions. So depends on what powder you use.

I suppose I could move the powder measure from station 2 to station 3 to allow the RCBS lube die in station 1 for decap and lube. Station 2 could be primer seat and sizing. then get powder, then powder measure check (I use one but not necessary) so I could just seat bullets in station 4. I take that back if this works then you should be able to use a lube die.

Drew P
05-06-2022, 01:27 AM
I can only comment on the predecessors. I have both a 550 and a 650. For both I have complete small and large primer setups. When so equipped, primer changes aren’t a major event. Still, I considered selling my 550 and getting another 650 to have one each for large and small primers. When I added up the cost of caliber conversions for the 650 for everything I loaded on the 550, even factoring in selling the 550 conversions, it would have cost around $600 above the cost of the press and a reasonable allowance for the old caliber conversions. Just food for thought.

I once bought a 550 and sold it, only to buy it again later. The 550 is not a progressive, it’s a press all unto its own, imo. Not a comparison. It’s worth having for it’s unique scope of use.

David2011
05-10-2022, 11:36 PM
I once bought a 550 and sold it, only to buy it again later. The 550 is not a progressive, it’s a press all unto its own, imo. Not a comparison. It’s worth having for it’s unique scope of use.

My 550 is certainly a progressive. It doesn’t have auto advance but it does four separate operations simultaneously and produces a loaded round with every stroke of the handle. I’ve heard of people using it like a turret press but never understood why.

Kevin Rohrer
05-20-2022, 07:15 AM
The 550 is a semi-progressive press in that the operator must manually cycle it to reload. Not that it matters.

quasi
05-24-2022, 05:36 PM
Keep the pro-2000, I have a super 1050 but still use my pro 2000 a lot and if times get hard again the 1050 goes first. Your pro-2000 is payed for and so are the caliber conversions.

Here in Canada there is a 6 month wait for super 1050 caliber conversions, top plates, … and the price is stunning.

Taterhead
05-24-2022, 10:01 PM
Yes its just as easy if not quicker on the 750; the pro 2000 has something special in this regard by comparison....just super quick but you had to manually replace the powder measure so you lost time there during a conversion.

If using the same size powder rotor the measure stays in place in the fixed 3rd station. Or if changing measures it is a single thumb screw out then in.

Of course it takes a few seconds to turn the powder die up or down and to adjust the micrometer for the given case and powder charge. In that regard a Dillon with a dedicated powder die and measure on each toolhead saves time but adds a lot of cost.

That's a thoughtful feature of the Pro 2000 in that the cost of conversions are inexpensive given that you'll at most only need 2 powder measures.

jessdigs
01-22-2023, 08:34 PM
I bought the 750 after having the 550 and a rock chucker for a few years.
Set it up with a case feeder and printed bullet feeder and it's almost too easy. I had to get the DAA short powder bar to use the bullet feeder and powder check together, but it cracks out bullets like crazy. I can't talk you out of it because I couldn't talk myself out of it.
I have about 10 caliber conversions for the 550 with 7 of them being quick change. I only did 9mm and .223 for the 750. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230123/98ddad09f38301fc6c85523c3c14c9d6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230123/1414e961a258c1e129caa4b47d474eb5.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

Crash_Corrigan
01-29-2023, 06:15 PM
I run 3 square deals, a 550 w/case feeder, a xl 650, a Rockchucker, a lyman turret, a Lee classic turret and a Lee challenger for decapping cases. The 550 always had problems with primers. Inline has an excellent fix with a roller type of priming arm that has totally fixed the problem. I love the xl 650 w/case feeder. I run 41 mag, .44 special and 45 colt on the square deals. The Lee classic does my 30-36 and 6.5 x 55 sweeds. The 550 is the most versatile but lacking the extra station for a powder checker I would opt for the xl 650 even though it costs more and the conversion kits are expensive. I have no experience with the 750.
The powder checker die are a very serious safeguard against` under or over charging a case. I momentarily powerful brain fart can end up costing you or your loved one an eye or a mangled hand or worse. That to me is worth a couple thousand dollars.
This is a fun but dangerous hobby so buy the best equipment you can afford.

fragman
01-30-2023, 12:30 AM
I have a Dillon 650 with the case feeder. I personally don't find that a caliber change takes an excessive amount of time, maybe 5 minutes and another couple of minutes if you need to change primer size (though I did splurge for a second complete primer assembly so that makes it less of an exercise). I also prefer that 'telephone dial' primer feed.

I will say that the conversion kits are pretty pricey, but Dillon stuff does seem to be 'buy once, cry once'.

For me, even though I don't shoot 30k rounds a year, best thing is the fact that if I need 100 rounds of 9mm and its 100+ degrees in the garage, I can make them in literally a few minutes, safely, with a powder check and not 'rushing'.

Finster101
01-30-2023, 08:16 PM
Fragman, all very good points.

Rockindaddy
03-15-2023, 10:39 PM
I load 45-70's on a Dillon Super 1050. This great press feeds 2 Gatling guns! One a new Colt 5-barrel 1877 Bulldog and the other a 10 barrel 1878 Model. I often shoot my Gatling loads in my 86' Winchesters, a Remington Keen, and several 1874 Sharps with great accuracy. Am reading all the pro and cons of the Dillon 650 and 750's. Don't like changing calibers. Easier to buy another press. Might just look for an experienced 650 !

460S&W
03-22-2023, 09:13 AM
I have the new 750 and absolutely love it. I also have the 550 which is also solid. I don’t have any issues on the 750 with priming or caliber conversions.

GunsandCoffee
06-24-2023, 02:16 PM
Good call on the Dillon purchase.

My opinion of course, but my view is that Dillon is superior in every important way to other progressive presses.