Few Questions Before I Order
Quote from Reloader on November 6, 2016, 10:46 pmHi all,
I'm getting ready to order a XL650 and have a few questions about some the press. I've been casting about online for information about the press and I've got a few questions about some of the things I've learned. I hope someone can answer these questions for me.It sounds like power spillage is a bit of an issue with these presses. It would appear that the shell plate indexing has a bit of snap to it causing powder to be tossed from shell cases. I've seen a number of instances where users have replaced the stock ball and spring with aftermarket parts that appear to correct this issue. Is this pretty common knowledge? Do the modifications resolve this problem?
I've also found several videos that show a replacement cam follower being used on the case feed ram. The rationale for replacing the stock cam follower is that the replacement part uses a roller bearing to roll on the surface of the case feed ram, making the action smoother and alleviating the need to use grease on the case feed ram. If anyone is using this roller bearing cam follower and can speak to this, I'd appreciate hearing your experience.
My plan is to order the XL650, and add the powder check, strong mount, and roller handle. I will probably order the Dillon dies as well as my RCBS dies seat and crimp at the same time and I'd like to separate that operation. I've got metric and standard Bondhus allen wrences so don't plan on buying those. I have 7/16" and 1" wrenches as well but wonder if the thinner bench wrench that Dillon sales makes it easier to work on the press than a standard thickness wrench.
Anyway, any configuration tips any of you care to pass along to a person getting ready to order are appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Mike
Hi all,
I'm getting ready to order a XL650 and have a few questions about some the press. I've been casting about online for information about the press and I've got a few questions about some of the things I've learned. I hope someone can answer these questions for me.
It sounds like power spillage is a bit of an issue with these presses. It would appear that the shell plate indexing has a bit of snap to it causing powder to be tossed from shell cases. I've seen a number of instances where users have replaced the stock ball and spring with aftermarket parts that appear to correct this issue. Is this pretty common knowledge? Do the modifications resolve this problem?
I've also found several videos that show a replacement cam follower being used on the case feed ram. The rationale for replacing the stock cam follower is that the replacement part uses a roller bearing to roll on the surface of the case feed ram, making the action smoother and alleviating the need to use grease on the case feed ram. If anyone is using this roller bearing cam follower and can speak to this, I'd appreciate hearing your experience.
My plan is to order the XL650, and add the powder check, strong mount, and roller handle. I will probably order the Dillon dies as well as my RCBS dies seat and crimp at the same time and I'd like to separate that operation. I've got metric and standard Bondhus allen wrences so don't plan on buying those. I have 7/16" and 1" wrenches as well but wonder if the thinner bench wrench that Dillon sales makes it easier to work on the press than a standard thickness wrench.
Anyway, any configuration tips any of you care to pass along to a person getting ready to order are appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Mike
Quote from Reloader on November 10, 2016, 10:26 pmI've set up the roller bearing to reduce the powder spill and it works. The bearing for the cam follower is be to me, but it looks good as the cam follower does travel crooked. Dillon has already sent me replacement parts for that.
I would recommend the following:
Spare parts kit. No down time (weekend); Dillon will replace anything you use.
Tool tray. Attaches to 650 and comes with wrench. You'll use the tools (especially the ball end) every time you change calibers. I labeled all the hex head with size.
Extra tool heads and powder measure dies. If you're doing a lot of different calibers.
Buy a 9/16 1/4" drive deep socket. Use a bench grinder and trim away enough material from the tip so you can change the primer plunger easier.There is also a web site that sells Dillon specific parts to make the machine perform better or help with small problems (new and used primer falling on floor etc.). http://www.uniquetek.com
There's a bunch of other stuff that can be done depending on what you're reloading. Rifle vs. pistol etc.
Hope this helps
Dean
I've set up the roller bearing to reduce the powder spill and it works. The bearing for the cam follower is be to me, but it looks good as the cam follower does travel crooked. Dillon has already sent me replacement parts for that.
I would recommend the following:
Spare parts kit. No down time (weekend); Dillon will replace anything you use.
Tool tray. Attaches to 650 and comes with wrench. You'll use the tools (especially the ball end) every time you change calibers. I labeled all the hex head with size.
Extra tool heads and powder measure dies. If you're doing a lot of different calibers.
Buy a 9/16 1/4" drive deep socket. Use a bench grinder and trim away enough material from the tip so you can change the primer plunger easier.
There is also a web site that sells Dillon specific parts to make the machine perform better or help with small problems (new and used primer falling on floor etc.). http://www.uniquetek.com
There's a bunch of other stuff that can be done depending on what you're reloading. Rifle vs. pistol etc.
Hope this helps
Dean
Quote from Reloader on January 2, 2017, 3:55 amI have a new dillon xl 650. Loaded about 1000rds on it this far, I don't have any of these issues.
I have a new dillon xl 650. Loaded about 1000rds on it this far, I don't have any of these issues.
Quote from Reloader on January 5, 2017, 8:57 pmSame here. Have a month old 650 with 1300 rnds with no problems other than stubborn crimped in primers on mil spec 556 that are a bear to punch out sometimes. Will temporarily lock up the press. I bought a 650 twenty years ago to load 38super only for competition. I had lots of problems with that press, mostly with the priming system. I never pulled maintenance on it and that contributed to problems. The biggest issue I see with a 650 after 20 years of ownership and now on my second machine is if you don't get a primer seated and then advance the shell plate, powder leaks out of the primer hole and gets all over everything in the priming system, under the shell plate, etc. Makes and big mess and causes lots of problems. Keep cans of compressed air or an air compressor handy along with a small paint brush or large art brush to sweep the powder out of the press and then blow the rest out with air. Pull maintenance every 3000 rnds per the manual. Watch the videos. They have made subtle changes to the 650 in the last 20 years and it appears to work much better.
Same here. Have a month old 650 with 1300 rnds with no problems other than stubborn crimped in primers on mil spec 556 that are a bear to punch out sometimes. Will temporarily lock up the press. I bought a 650 twenty years ago to load 38super only for competition. I had lots of problems with that press, mostly with the priming system. I never pulled maintenance on it and that contributed to problems. The biggest issue I see with a 650 after 20 years of ownership and now on my second machine is if you don't get a primer seated and then advance the shell plate, powder leaks out of the primer hole and gets all over everything in the priming system, under the shell plate, etc. Makes and big mess and causes lots of problems. Keep cans of compressed air or an air compressor handy along with a small paint brush or large art brush to sweep the powder out of the press and then blow the rest out with air. Pull maintenance every 3000 rnds per the manual. Watch the videos. They have made subtle changes to the 650 in the last 20 years and it appears to work much better.
Quote from Reloader on January 6, 2017, 10:04 pmI love my 650. I have owned it for about a year (upgraded from the 550, I wanted the powder check and love the auto indexing. I did purchase a few after market upgrades for mine. The light that fits in the center of the tool head is a must, I purchased the little bottle that replaces the ramp that catches the new primers that are not used for some reason. I do not like picking up live primers off the floor, I did do the mod where I replaced the spring and the ball on under the shell plate. It helped with 9mm cases spilling powder. I get some jerking of the press because I wet tumble my brass, I do not like all the dust from tumbler so some times the brass gets stuck on the powder funnel. Its not a big problem.
Best advice I can give you is bite the bullet and but the case feeder with your press, I did not and wish I had. I also later purchased the powder alarm, before I saw any value in it I had to unload around 50 223 rounds when I noticed I was out of powder.
I have had my share of problems but they have always been my fault, the people at Dillon have always help me when I called (when they get off the phone with me I am sure they are rolling on the floor laughing).
Extra tool heads are a good idea that way you can get it set and not have to readjust the dies when you change calibers.
Have fun with you new Dillon, it will be a friend for life.
I love my 650. I have owned it for about a year (upgraded from the 550, I wanted the powder check and love the auto indexing. I did purchase a few after market upgrades for mine. The light that fits in the center of the tool head is a must, I purchased the little bottle that replaces the ramp that catches the new primers that are not used for some reason. I do not like picking up live primers off the floor, I did do the mod where I replaced the spring and the ball on under the shell plate. It helped with 9mm cases spilling powder. I get some jerking of the press because I wet tumble my brass, I do not like all the dust from tumbler so some times the brass gets stuck on the powder funnel. Its not a big problem.
Best advice I can give you is bite the bullet and but the case feeder with your press, I did not and wish I had. I also later purchased the powder alarm, before I saw any value in it I had to unload around 50 223 rounds when I noticed I was out of powder.
I have had my share of problems but they have always been my fault, the people at Dillon have always help me when I called (when they get off the phone with me I am sure they are rolling on the floor laughing).
Extra tool heads are a good idea that way you can get it set and not have to readjust the dies when you change calibers.
Have fun with you new Dillon, it will be a friend for life.