First Time Reloader
Quote from Reloader on June 5, 2011, 5:15 pmI am interested in getting into reloading. Recommendation on which unit to buy - Cowboy Action Shooter - 45 long colt for pistol and rifle.
People have recommended 550B and XL650.
Advantage of one over the other.
I am interested in getting into reloading. Recommendation on which unit to buy - Cowboy Action Shooter - 45 long colt for pistol and rifle.
People have recommended 550B and XL650.
Advantage of one over the other.
Quote from Reloader on June 7, 2011, 3:18 pmThe 550B is a four station loader, brass is manually fed in, and the shellplate is manually indexed. THe 650 is a five station loader, comes with a case feed tube, the shellplate indexes mechanically when the handle is cycled. The 650 allows you to add an optional powder check sensor to monitor the volume of powder in each individual case, as well as an optional electric case feeder to keep the case feed tube filled. The 550B is a somewhat more versatile loader, as it is capable of loading a wider variety of rifle calibers than the 650. The 650 is a bit faster, especially with the optional case feeder added. The 650, due to the more automated design, is more expensive to change calibers on than the 550B. The quality of ammunition between them is identical.
It depends on the volume of output you desire, and level of automation you prefer, as to which loader best meets your needs.
The 550B is a four station loader, brass is manually fed in, and the shellplate is manually indexed. THe 650 is a five station loader, comes with a case feed tube, the shellplate indexes mechanically when the handle is cycled. The 650 allows you to add an optional powder check sensor to monitor the volume of powder in each individual case, as well as an optional electric case feeder to keep the case feed tube filled. The 550B is a somewhat more versatile loader, as it is capable of loading a wider variety of rifle calibers than the 650. The 650 is a bit faster, especially with the optional case feeder added. The 650, due to the more automated design, is more expensive to change calibers on than the 550B. The quality of ammunition between them is identical.
It depends on the volume of output you desire, and level of automation you prefer, as to which loader best meets your needs.
Quote from Reloader on June 12, 2011, 9:49 pmGo with the 550b. Its much less complex than the 650 and will will provide you many many years of sucessful reloads.
Go with the 550b. Its much less complex than the 650 and will will provide you many many years of sucessful reloads.
Quote from Reloader on June 15, 2011, 2:13 amI received some good advice from a fellow CAS shooter -QUIT BUYING AMMO AND GET A DILLON! Ok, so he used other words too but the advice was on the money. I picked up the RL550 and never looked back. I load .38 and .44 for main match, .30-30, .44, .45-70 for long range on the same machine in the same night. I wish I had made the leap 20 years ago. The 650 is a great machine but maybe not beginner material. I don't save a dime -but now I shoot A LOT!!! See you on a range sometime. Good shooting to ya.
I received some good advice from a fellow CAS shooter -QUIT BUYING AMMO AND GET A DILLON! Ok, so he used other words too but the advice was on the money. I picked up the RL550 and never looked back. I load .38 and .44 for main match, .30-30, .44, .45-70 for long range on the same machine in the same night. I wish I had made the leap 20 years ago. The 650 is a great machine but maybe not beginner material. I don't save a dime -but now I shoot A LOT!!! See you on a range sometime. Good shooting to ya.
Quote from Reloader on June 25, 2011, 4:29 pmOthers will reply who know more, but in my mind the 650 is for people who need ~1000 rounds of one caliber in a single reloading session. The 550 is for people who need the flexibility of 200 of one caliber and 300 of another in a single session.
The 650 has more stations and can do more in the press (such as power trim), but the 550 is far more agile.
This is detailed much better on BrianEnos.Com if you care to read.
Others will reply who know more, but in my mind the 650 is for people who need ~1000 rounds of one caliber in a single reloading session. The 550 is for people who need the flexibility of 200 of one caliber and 300 of another in a single session.
The 650 has more stations and can do more in the press (such as power trim), but the 550 is far more agile.
This is detailed much better on BrianEnos.Com if you care to read.