I've reloaded for over 50 years. I've had various single stages and progressives as well as loading both metallic rifle and pistol and shotgun shells. I've owned most of the RCBS single stages, several Hollywood senior single stage and Turret presses. I've also had several different dillons from 450's through 1050's and had a Star progressive that did .45acp and .38spec. I still own/use the first RCBS A2 I ever bought and I have a Dillon 550 with spares heads to load 45ACP, 45 Colt, 44 Spec/mag, 38/357, 30 carbine, 223, 7.62, 9mm, and 10mm/40cal. Most rifle rounds I prefer to do on my single stage A2 incl 308,30-06, 300Sav, 300 Win, 338, 375, 45-70, 222, and 223 currently.

I'm never in too big a hurry when reloading and found the RL1050 and RL650 would go faster than I wanted. I also found that when an occasional small primer pocket 45acp case got in the mix it would hang everything up badly.
My favorite is the 550. Easy to clear problems as soon as they occur and easy to see everything. Manually indexed. It will go as fast as you want it to but it won't get ahead of you because it doesn't auto index. If you need more speed you can add a case feeder but I prefer to work without one. You will get lots of people who will push the Lee presses. Personally I never liked them but to each his own. Dillon has a lifetime guarrantee and in the rare case you have a problem they are a phone call away with help. Also anything breaks, bends or goes bad and it's in the mail at no charge immediately. They can help with answers to your reloading questions. I would look for spare die blocks and conversions on Ebay as they can be easily found and are usually cheaper if used than anything new, allowing you to stretch your funds out. There are also lots of aftermarket upgrades for the 550 like the roller bearing conversion for the manual advance and adjustable knobs for the powder measures that are beneficial.

Major tips; First buy lots of primer feed tubes so that as you are going you just insert the tube and keep going rather than stopping to fill the one tube that came with the machine. The low powder indicator is a waste of time and money.....use your eyes. Second, always tumble clean or vibrate clean your brass until you could eat off of it. That saves the carbide ring on your dies and makes the press work smoother. The pull on the press handle generates a lot of force and presses can cause a bench top to raise or warp. I use a 1/4 steel plate under my bench top that is drilled for the press holes and extends back under the bench top 6" to prevent any of that. Works great. Good luck

 

I've been using a Dillon 450 since I think 1983. The 550 will serve you well. It's hard to shoo much pistol without a progressive.

 

I have a pair of 550's, one for large primer ad one for small.

 

So do I. We've had one for many years and it pre-dates most other brand progressive presses as well as the higher end Dillon's. My Uncle was given one so he in turn gave it to me.

The 550 is not a true progressive but it is efficient, but I do agree that the utmost attention be used as it is or can be too easy to double charge a load. If anything goes wrong stop and double check everything, but there have been many blown barrels/cylinders and or bulged barrels long before Mike Dillon started producing reloading machines.

I too have several tool heads set up with dies, mostly Dillon dies where applicable, but other brands also. A couple of powder measures. I've found that for the most part reloading dies and associated items on eBay to be priced a bit more then available from Dillon or other sources, but some deals can be found on eBay too.

I'm not a fan of Hornady dies, but the old "M" scale is the only one I will use. I bought a Dillon scale (Ohaus) sold my Hornady scales, and ended up buying two real nice, one NOS Hornady "M" scales as the Dillon was junk imo. Hornady hasn't made that "M" scale in years. The Redding scale looks like a good one though. Midway's electronic scale is nice too but I prefer the balance scale.

I thought about upgrading to a true progressive and I watched all the makers videos from Dillon, RCBS, youtube etc., and decided I'm fine with my 550s.

Not a LEE fan but they do make some handy tools.

I also had a Lyman Spar T turret that I just upgraded to a Redding T-7. The Redding is top shelf imo.

 

I have a 550 and a Square Deal. The 550 is more versatile.
In addition to the Major Tips flintsghost mentioned, I suggest you get a separate tool head/powder measure set-up for each caliber. It makes things a little more costly up front but it saves you a ton of time.

 

I plan to do just that. I want to swap heads out between caliber setups rather than readjusting everything every time.

 

Thank you Flintsghost for the very informative response. I will take your advice to heart and purchase as you have recommended. It sounds like everyone is happy with the RL550 and it's budget-friendly. I'm certain I will have a lot more questions as time goes on.

MKII: Yeah, exactly my thoughts. A progressive is a must for pistol reloading.

 

Another question: Is it worth purchasing the Deluxe quick change assembly or just go with the powder die and tool head for each caliber?

 

Again, it all depends on how much money you want to spend. I use multiple tool heads and a single powder dispenser, but I reload mostly handgun rounds, and most use the same powder (Titegroup). It's not hard to move the dispenser, but it's a pain to change powders. I suggest different dispensers for different powders, but if you've got the money, put a different dispenser on each toolhead. I use a Dillon 650 because I like separate seat and crimp dies as well as a powder check die - the five stations in the 650 toolhead make that possible. If you go with a 550, I suggest using a combo seat/crimp die so you still use the powder check die. Most double charges or no charges arise from manual advance, and the 550 has had its share. The auto advance helps a lot, and you don't have to go any faster than you want to.

Buck

 

Thank you Buck. I do have the money to do it, but what you are saying makes a lot of sense.

 

Best 2 starter true progressives are the LNL and 650. the 550 requires manual advance but is cheaper and more versatile than 650 and fully acessorized LNL. I've used the 550 for more than 40 years and I have used 2 LNLs for more than 2 years. Dillon is a great company, but I prefer the LNL for a number of reasons which include a far superior powder measure design and placement and its spring case retention system. The LNL vs 550/650 and the 550 vs 650 arguments will never end and each side has valid pluses and minuses. Each of us must decide for ourselves given our needs and preferences. For good discussions of these presses I suggest you check out the Brian Enos Forum.

Incidentally when working up handgun loads or when I'm in no particular hurry, my go to tools are Harrell's single press and RCBS bench primer tool for sizing and primer seating and Harrell's "progressive" press and its pistol size powder measure to complete the process using separate seating and crimping dies.

 

Well the optimum is a 550 for each size primer or even each caliber if funds allow.

 

My vote is for the Dillon 650. I've used a lot of different presses over the last 40 years and the 650 is by far my favorite. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat if I needed a new press.

- - Buckspen

 

LOL, yeah most of the points made on the various press options in this thread I have read before. I'm not a real high volume shooter so my mind says just go with the 550 and save a few hundred. On the other hand it sure would be nice to crank out a few hundred rounds quickly by just swapping in a different setup. I already own a bunch of Hornady reloading gear so looking at the LNL made sense. I have not had a single problem with the dies so far, knock on wood.

I'm not patient enough to use a balance scale. I use Hornady electronic scale and periodically verify the dispensing with a second scale.

I am leaning towards the the Dillon RL550. I think I will get the powder check because I can become distracted at times.

 

BTW, thank you for all the input everyone. It is helpful.

 

When I started reloading in the 80's i used an RCBS basic loader, I added and Dillion RL 450B and it works very well- still. I did purchase separate heads for each caliber. ( handguns) I use the old RCBS for rifle loads, since I don't shoot nearly as many. Take your time, read the manuals twice before using and purchase some of the reloading books.

Have a great day.

Craig

 

Buy and worship the superb Dillon 550C press. You cannot go wrong....

 

My personal favorite is the RCBS Pro Chucker 7, yeah, 7 die stations to fill as you see fit. The RCBS Pro Chucker 5 has 5 stations if you feel you don't need 7 and is just as good, everything you would expect from RCBS.

Dillon and Hornady are good too, I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the three brands, it's just what you like and get used to. There are many ways to set one up, (not sure about the Dillons-never had one due to some of them using Dillon dies only) station 1 is simple, size, deprime, and prime. Station 2 I use a LEE powder through expanding die and a LEE Auto-Disc Pro measure to charge the case with powder. Station 3, a Hornady Powder-Cop. Station 4 bullet seating. Station 5, a LEE Factory Crimp die and eject the loaded cartridge into a bin.

In my opinion no one manufacturer makes everything the best, some come close though. I have no problem mixing what I think are better products on another manufacturer's press. I find the LEE Factory Crimp die indispensable and their Auto Disc Pro powder measure probably the best on the market for throwing small charges for pistol, (the RCBS Little Dandy does a fine job too, but costs a lot more once you add in the cost of the drums bought individually) and I wouldn't be without a Hornady Powder Cop loading with a progressive either).