New to Dillon, need advice
Quote from Reloader on July 10, 2014, 3:31 amI'm currently a single stage guy with all the dies and equipment I need. I'm wanting to step up to a xl650 so I can produce in greater volume. I am very unfamiliar with Dillon, and I don't personally know anyone who is. My question is, will I be able to use the collection of hornady, rcbs, and lee dies that I currently use in my rock chucked? Or will I have to buy new. I'm sure this is stated somewhere, I just didn't see it.
I'm currently a single stage guy with all the dies and equipment I need. I'm wanting to step up to a xl650 so I can produce in greater volume. I am very unfamiliar with Dillon, and I don't personally know anyone who is. My question is, will I be able to use the collection of hornady, rcbs, and lee dies that I currently use in my rock chucked? Or will I have to buy new. I'm sure this is stated somewhere, I just didn't see it.
Quote from Reloader on July 10, 2014, 10:57 amThere are lots of good videos on youtube to help with setup and using xl650. The 550 videos can be helpful when moving from single stage loaders to a progressive.
There are lots of good videos on youtube to help with setup and using xl650. The 550 videos can be helpful when moving from single stage loaders to a progressive.
Quote from Reloader on July 10, 2014, 2:57 pmChopperwallace,
All of your dies will work on the 650, but you'll also need to get conversion kits for each caliber you load. I switched a couple years ago from a single stage to the 650 and have found that my single stage is still usable as a bullet puller. I eventually went to Dillon dies as well, for no other reason than I wanted to fully convert. Another thing you may want to look at is all the upgrades available on ebay for the 650 as well as a Mr. Bullet feeder. This will definitely add to the cost, but if your goal is more production, the bullet feeder is fantastic. I recommend snowshooze for the deluxe kit on ebay. The 650 is the centerpiece of my "man cave", and if I ever get more pistol powder, it will empty out the loads of cleaned, sorted, empty brass that I have accumulated, now approaching 50,000 rounds. I enjoy reloading and I don't even mind the brass prep, it keeps me out of trouble and my wife loves the fact that she ALWAYS has ammo to shoot.
Get the 650, and you'll be thanking yourself for years to come.
Chopperwallace,
All of your dies will work on the 650, but you'll also need to get conversion kits for each caliber you load. I switched a couple years ago from a single stage to the 650 and have found that my single stage is still usable as a bullet puller. I eventually went to Dillon dies as well, for no other reason than I wanted to fully convert. Another thing you may want to look at is all the upgrades available on ebay for the 650 as well as a Mr. Bullet feeder. This will definitely add to the cost, but if your goal is more production, the bullet feeder is fantastic. I recommend snowshooze for the deluxe kit on ebay. The 650 is the centerpiece of my "man cave", and if I ever get more pistol powder, it will empty out the loads of cleaned, sorted, empty brass that I have accumulated, now approaching 50,000 rounds. I enjoy reloading and I don't even mind the brass prep, it keeps me out of trouble and my wife loves the fact that she ALWAYS has ammo to shoot.
Get the 650, and you'll be thanking yourself for years to come.
Quote from Reloader on July 12, 2014, 4:45 pmChopper, I am also new to Dillon and just received my 650 a while back. I can say this to you... I called Dillon and ordered by phone. I asked the sales person about that issue because I already had a 9mm 4 die set from Lee. He explained that the Lee die sets were the only ones that were an issue for the Dillon press because it seems they produce their die sets a little shorter (Less threading) than the industry standards. That means having to really tighten down the dies to get them to work properly on the 650. To not waste any time and with safety in mind, I went ahead and ordered the Dillon 9mm die set. As far as the other manufacturers, the sales rep said they work fine with the 650.
Hope that helps a little.
Kemo2007
Chopper, I am also new to Dillon and just received my 650 a while back. I can say this to you... I called Dillon and ordered by phone. I asked the sales person about that issue because I already had a 9mm 4 die set from Lee. He explained that the Lee die sets were the only ones that were an issue for the Dillon press because it seems they produce their die sets a little shorter (Less threading) than the industry standards. That means having to really tighten down the dies to get them to work properly on the 650. To not waste any time and with safety in mind, I went ahead and ordered the Dillon 9mm die set. As far as the other manufacturers, the sales rep said they work fine with the 650.
Hope that helps a little.
Kemo2007
Quote from Reloader on July 15, 2014, 6:11 pmI`ve been a Dillon dealer for thirty years, and your last correspondent is right. Lee dies have shorter threads. Use the Dillon steel 1" lockrings.
I`ve been a Dillon dealer for thirty years, and your last correspondent is right. Lee dies have shorter threads. Use the Dillon steel 1" lockrings.
Quote from Reloader on July 19, 2014, 2:57 amAs much as it might seem tempting to purchase the equipment on eBay, I still prefer to deal directly with the guys at Dillon. That way, they know what I'm looking for (even if I'm not sure), and will make sure I get the right part. Nothing more frustrating than having spent a bunch of money on eBay for something that is misrepresented, even if it wasn't intentional.
I was surprised at some of the prices being asked, not because they were high, but because they were low, and that also raises my suspicions.
As with any purchase on eBay, caveat emptor, and I've gotten some really great bargains on eBay, but also had a few "lemons".
AFAIK, Dillon will still cover the parts under the "No B.S. Warranty", but I'd rather know that my parts were in factory working condition instead of getting them from someone sight unseen....just my opinion, you might get a great deal, and if you do, I'll be glad for you.
I've got both a Square Deal and an XL650 and both of them are super performers.
As much as it might seem tempting to purchase the equipment on eBay, I still prefer to deal directly with the guys at Dillon. That way, they know what I'm looking for (even if I'm not sure), and will make sure I get the right part. Nothing more frustrating than having spent a bunch of money on eBay for something that is misrepresented, even if it wasn't intentional.
I was surprised at some of the prices being asked, not because they were high, but because they were low, and that also raises my suspicions.
As with any purchase on eBay, caveat emptor, and I've gotten some really great bargains on eBay, but also had a few "lemons".
AFAIK, Dillon will still cover the parts under the "No B.S. Warranty", but I'd rather know that my parts were in factory working condition instead of getting them from someone sight unseen....just my opinion, you might get a great deal, and if you do, I'll be glad for you.
I've got both a Square Deal and an XL650 and both of them are super performers.
Quote from Reloader on November 10, 2014, 5:49 amI have Lee dies set up for 9mm, 40, 45 acp and .223. Take the lock ring off, remove the rubber o-ring, and flip the lock ring over. Plenty of thread to secure the dies.
I have Lee dies set up for 9mm, 40, 45 acp and .223. Take the lock ring off, remove the rubber o-ring, and flip the lock ring over. Plenty of thread to secure the dies.