I drank the blue Kool-aid.

I've been using a Dillon 550B. Mostly, I reload for handgun, and I need a progressive press to keep up with it. I shoot the crap out of my guns, and it takes a LOT of .45 ACP & .357 magnum to keep them fed and happy. I prefer a single stage process to a progressive one for rifle loading - well - mostly. But I can use the 550B for that more easily than I could use something like a Forster Co-ax for a progressive.

The primary reasons I got into a Dillon in the first place, was that they came so highly recommended, and because rlds45s found me a good deal on a Dillon AT550. The AT550 is Dillon's version of a turret press. What it is, is a 550B w/o the powder drop, shell ejection stuff, or primer feed. It also comes with a universal shell plate made to load one cartridge at a time.

Fast path to making it fully progressive is to simply get a caliber conversion, and put in a single caliber shell plate with the four positions on it. Now, you're working on four at a time. Bought the powder drop with the AT500, and a couple weeks later added the shell ejection kit and the primer feed. Now it's a full 550B progressive and I've got about $275 into it.

What I like about it:

-> It's blue.
-> While taking my time and being careful (which I'm sure we all are) - I can do about 400-500 rounds/hour.
-> Easy to find parts for (caliber conversions, tool heads, etc)
-> Well supported - impossibly great warrenty and service department
-> It's fun to watch
-> It's manual indexing so it can work well as a single stage for rifle loads

What I don't like about it:

<- While fast to change calibers, not so much for primer sizes.
<- Seems whenever I swap out primer sizes, I live with a high rate of crushed primers for the first few hundred rounds. Probably me - haven't figured out the best way to tune it I suppose.
<- The 550B only has four tool positions in the tool heads. No room for a powder checker while loading handgun ammo
<- It's manual indexing so it's slower (& a bit less safe) for pistol loads

This post has been edited by Janitor: May 24th 2006 6:27 AM

Dillon. 650. Nothing else comes close....(except maybe a 1050!!)


Mike

I have 2 550bs,1 for .223 and the other for .45,I started out with a lee pro1000 and then I got a great deal on the 550s,what a difference!

I've been using a Lyman "T" Mag since '82. There were no Dillons then I believe. RCBS didn't have a turret or progressive press then either. I've been using it for 24 years without a hitch................Mike

I have two of them. One is a Dillion 550B and the other is a RCBS Ammomaster.

All of my reloading gear is stacked away in the garage, but I used to use an RCBS Rockchucker. I've often thought that if I were to return to reloading, it would be with a Dillon 550, or even a Square Deal. One or two calibers would be enough for me.

Don't laugh but all I've got right now is a Lee Challenger Press. Been thinking of upgrading to a Dillon 550B or 650 sometime soon.

Just got a 550B a few months back. Walked into Dillon and walked out with it. Set up for 10mm.
I have single stages in Forster, RCBS, Lee and a 4 station C&H press all set up with various projects.

O-R-A-N-G-E!

Lyman, that is!

Used to reload a hell of a lot, but the older I get, 24/7 ain't enuff hours, so I buy a whole hell of a lot of mil-surp and blam away when I gets the chance.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

"A pint of sweat saves a gallon of blood."
---Geo. S. Patton, Gen.---

Why in the hell would anyone laugh man? At least you're reloading.

Nothing to laugh at. We all start somewhere. Hell, I started out with an RCBS Rockchucker 15 years ago, and was still using it the last time I moved and boxed everything up.