about to pull the trigger on a dillon

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  • shocker998md

    Ultimate Member
    May 29, 2009
    1,357
    Snow Hill MD
    alright guys, im really thinking about taking the plunge. Ive been saving my brass for the last year, so I have a good amount of 223 and 9mm to start with. After seeing the ammo craze at work, and the price increase in the last two weeks im ready to take the plunge.

    So im looking at the dillon RL550B, I figure buy once and cry once. Now they have one with and without a caliber conversion kit. What is that all about?

    I figure with 3 guys at work that have this machine, youtube, and the abc's of reloading I should be fine. Id like to start with 9mm and 223, and then work up some good shooting loads for 243 and 30-06 for my deer/varmint rifle and then if I can mess with it 300 WSM so I can afford to shoot the darn thing.

    So starting would be 9mm and 223.

    So If I bought this, aside from dies what else do I need to get to start with? I also know I will need case prep stuff.
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23594/catid/1/RL_550B

    And incase you didnt know, dillon give a 10% off for active duty military:party29:
     
    Last edited by a moderator:

    mdvctry

    Follow Me @DukesDefense
    Nov 10, 2011
    271
    Order it setup with the caliber your going to start reloading with ( I would recommend starting with the 9mm to learn the machine) and then buy a caliber conversion kit for the 223. The caliber conversion kit has all the basic parts needed (minus dies) to load a different caliber. Click here for a Dillon Precision FAQ For a good description of what is included in the conversion kits and what is not, click here for Brian Enos' website description which is better than the Dillon website. However, if you call Dillon, they will walk you through exactly what you need.

    A couple things you should consider getting with the basic machine are:
    - Spare parts kit. Even though Dillon has a lifetime guarantee, having spare parts on hand is, well handy. Then you won't have any down time waiting for warranty replacement parts.
    - Extra primer pick up tubes
    - Case Gauges

    The strong mount and rolling handle are great, but not critical.

    The low powder alarm sensor is probably not needed. I don't know of anyone that actually uses it
     

    DaemonAssassin

    Why should we Free BSD?
    Jun 14, 2012
    23,970
    Political refugee in WV
    alright guys, im really thinking about taking the plunge. Ive been saving my brass for the last year, so I have a good amount of 223 and 9mm to start with. After seeing the ammo craze at work, and the price increase in the last two weeks im ready to take the plunge.

    So im looking at the dillon RL550B, I figure buy once and cry once. Now they have one with and without a caliber conversion kit. What is that all about?

    I figure with 3 guys at work that have this machine, youtube, and the abc's of reloading I should be fine. Id like to start with 9mm and 223, and then work up some good shooting loads for 243 and 30-06 for my deer/varmint rifle and then if I can mess with it 300 WSM so I can afford to shoot the darn thing.

    So starting would be 9mm and 223.

    So If I bought this, aside from dies what else do I need to get to start with? I also know I will need case prep stuff.
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23594/catid/1/RL_550B

    And incase you didnt know, dillon give a 10% off for active duty military:party29:

    I will be including links for things below. The RL550B is a fantastic choice, I own one myself. If you want to do deer/varmint with an 06 bolt, I can point you in a good direction in regards to a bullet my dad and I use in our 06's.

    Order it setup with the caliber your going to start reloading with ( I would recommend starting with the 9mm to learn the machine) and then buy a caliber conversion kit for the 223. The caliber conversion kit has all the basic parts needed (minus dies) to load a different caliber. Click here for a Dillon Precision FAQ For a good description of what is included in the conversion kits and what is not, click here for Brian Enos' website description which is better than the Dillon website. However, if you call Dillon, they will walk you through exactly what you need.

    Read this first.
    It is an article/writeup about a comparison between Dillon vs Lee vs Hornady. -Credit to R81 for posting this in another thread.
    http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

    A couple things you should consider getting with the basic machine are:
    - Spare parts kit. Even though Dillon has a lifetime guarantee, having spare parts on hand is, well handy. Then you won't have any down time waiting for warranty replacement parts.
    - Extra primer pick up tubes
    - Case Gauges

    The strong mount and rolling handle are great, but not critical.

    The low powder alarm sensor is probably not needed. I don't know of anyone that actually uses it

    Start with the 9mm to learn the machine, before progressing to rifle cases. In addition, you can run the Dillon like a single stage press should you wish to do so, in order to learn each stage of the operation on the Dillon.

    The low powder alarm sensor is generally not needed, IMO it is one more thing that will cause problems/distraction. The 550 will come with a low primer alarm, and it is a freaking godsend when you are in the groove making ammo like no tomorrow.

    ****************************************************************************************************************************************

    Introduction.

    What is in this post is not a final and all encompassing list of items you will need to start loading with a Dillon 550, but it will give you a good start. I have listed a lot of the items as to if they are required for the operation of the press or if you can live without those items. Over time, you will find tools and other items that will help you and you use then with regularity, yet also find that some tools and items you just never use. That is completely normal, due to everybody not having the same requirements, when reloading.

    I had the chance to do a video with engineerbrian and chevellenut for their 2A Guys and Gear YouTube channel. We did a video about loading with a Dillon 550 running in progressive mode. We made 50 rounds of 308 match with it and the stages of the press are briefly explained in the beginning of the video, before we started to reload. You are also able to see the press in actual operation by somebody that has no experience with a Dillon 550, and he learned how to operate it with no issues. If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe to their channel.



    ************************************************** ************************************************** ***********************************

    Required items

    You will need to get 3 things for each caliber you choose to load with. You will need a Caliber Conversion Kit, a Quick Change Kit, and dies.

    Caliber conversion kit (it includes the shellplate)
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23598/catid/2/RL_550B_Caliber_Conversion_Kit

    Quick change kit (includes the powder measure, toolhead, and toolhead stand)
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23602/catid/2/RL_550B_Deluxe_Quick_Change_Assembly

    Dies (get carbide dies if you can)
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/co...bide_Rifle_Dies__Individual___Three_Die_Sets_

    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/co...4/Dillon_Carbide_Pistol_Dies__Three_Die_Sets_

    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/24494/catid/4/Dillon_Rifle_Dies__Three_Die_Sets_

    ************************************************** ************************************************** ***********************************

    Accessories

    Pickup tubes - Recommended
    Large
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23516/catid/3/Dillon_4_Large_pick_up_tubes

    Small
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23517/catid/3/Dillon_4_Small_pick_up_tubes

    Scale - Required item for starting out

    Balance beam package deal (Balance Beam Scale, Dial Caliper, Primer Flip Tray, one Original Bench Wrench, one New-Style 1" Bench Wrench, 8 oz. bottle of Case Lube, a pair of clear Safety Glasses, machine cover and a Lyman Reloading Handbook). Thanks to Pinecone.
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/co...lon_RL_550B__Balance_Beam_Scale__Package_Deal

    Strong mount - Optional
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23596/catid/3/Dillon_RL550_XL650_Strong_Mount

    Roller handle - Optional
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23994/catid/3/Dillon_Roller_Handle__Aluminum_

    Extra bins - Highly recommended

    They sit on the side of the 550B to catch freshly made rounds or for holding parts/items on your bench, I have 6 extras that I picked up.
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/co...Dillon_AkroBins__quot_RL_550_XL_650_quot__Bin

    Hand held bullet puller - Required if you are just starting out
    Thanks to antco for reminding me to put it in.

    At MidwayUSA
    http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby=1&itemsperpage=20&newcategorydimensionid=12791

    At Dillon and replacement collets
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23998/catid/3/Berry__039_s__Kinetic_Bullet_Puller
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25902/catid/3/Berrys_Bullet_Puller_Four_Collet_Set

    ************************************************** ************************************************** ***********************************

    Manuals and contact information

    Owners manuals that will help you assemble the RL550B and also calibrate the dies.
    RL550B manual, May 2007.
    http://www.dillonhelp.com/manuals/english/Dillon-RL550B-Manual-May-2007.pdf

    Dies manual, May 2007 (included with every set of dies that have the Dillon name on them)
    http://www.dillonhelp.com/manuals/english/Dillon-Die-Instructions-May-2007.pdf

    Dillon Precision contact information, including hours.
    Toll Free 800-762-3845 or 480-948-8009
    Fax 480-998-2786
    7am-6pm MST, M-F, 8am-3pm Sat.

    ************************************************** ************************************************** ***********************************

    Books

    A side note on books, if you are planning on loading a specific manufacturer's bullets use that manufacturers loading book. e.g. If you are loading a 168 grain Sierra MatchKing (SMK) you will get better load data (more accurate) from the Sierra book on that specific bullet, than you would from The ABCs of Reloading. If you get the Balance Beam package from Dillon, it will include Lyman's 49th Edition Reloading book. Also, you can never have too many books on reloading.

    The following books are recommended to have on hand.
    Sierra 5th Edition
    Hornady 9th Edition
    Speer 14th Edition
    Berger 1st Edition
    Nosler "Reloading Guide #7" Reloading Manual
    You can also get the "One Caliber, One Book" reloading books that are caliber specific and include data on specific bullets and powder. You can find them at MidwayUSA, Cabela's, Natchez, Amazon, and other places reloading manuals are sold.

    You can get the books from MidwayUSA for less than you would at Cabela's or other places.

    Books at MidwayUSA
    http://www.midwayusa.com/find?newcategorydimensionid=13924

    One book one caliber, reloading books at Cabela's.
    http://www.cabelas.com/product/Load...ading+manual&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

    ************************************************** ************************************************** ***********************************

    Ammo Boxes

    @ Cabela's

    100 round boxes
    http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104635080

    http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104635080

    50 round boxes
    http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104635080

    http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104635080

    http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104635080

    http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104635080

    20 round boxes
    http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104635080

    http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104635080

    .223 Rem boxes at MidwayUSA
    http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby=1&itemsperpage=20&newcategorydimensionid=11544

    9mm boxes at MidwayUSA
    http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby=1&itemsperpage=20&newcategorydimensionid=11820

    ************************************************** ************************************************** ***********************************

    Tumblers and cleaning media

    There are many places that sell tumblers and cleaning media, you just have to find the ones that work for you. I am including links to retailers websites for the tumbler category, not directly to specific tumblers, so you can find the one that works best for you.

    Harbor Freight does not have many that I could find, so I have included a dirct link to the tumbler.
    http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/tumblers-vibrators/5-lb-metal-vibrator-tumbler-67617.html

    MidwayUSA
    http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby=1&itemsperpage=24&newcategorydimensionid=16211

    Cabela's
    http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/brow...BC;BRprd731769&WTz_st=GuidedNav&WTz_stype=GNU

    Amazon
    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...words=case+tumbler&sprefix=case+,sporting,178

    Dillon
    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/8/catid/8

    Tumbler Media

    You can get it from reloading retailers for a decent price or you can save some money by going to a pet store. I am going to list links to pet stores.

    Walnut media

    Petco
    http://www.petco.com/product/102881/Zilla-Ground-English-Walnut-Shells-Reptile-Bedding.aspx

    Petsmart
    http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752164

    Amazon
    http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-11442-Ground-English-5-Quart/dp/B001OVGPH6

    Corn cob media

    Grainger
    http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/RAYTECH-Corn-Cob-Media-5UKA3

    Amazon
    http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Corn-Media-7-Pound/dp/B001ABQT9O

    ************************************************** ************************************************** ***********************************
    Best of luck and welcome to your new hobby, err, I mean addiction.

    Miscellaneous notes and revision information.

    I ran out of space for the editing additions, so I will list them here.

    1.0 - Original post
    1.1 - Fix typos
    1.2 - Add bullet puller links
    1.3 - Added links to owners manuals
    1.4 - Added Dillon contact info
    1.5 - Added more books, added tumblers and tumbler media
    1.6 - Added a link to a comparison article
    1.7 - Breaks, bolding, and minor housekeeping
    1.8 - Added Introduction and embedded a Youtube video
     
    Last edited:

    DaemonAssassin

    Why should we Free BSD?
    Jun 14, 2012
    23,970
    Political refugee in WV
    ^^^ This!^^^

    I'm not going to quote the post. No need to.

    DA's post is spot on.

    Next time somebody asks what all they should get when buying a 550B, I'm just going to link directly to that post. I'm not going to retype/refind all of those links ever again. :lol2:

    Thanks for the vote of confidence on my post.
     

    antco

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 28, 2010
    7,044
    Calvert, MD
    DA's post has made this thread sticky worthy, IMO. Excellent post!

    I will echo the sentiments of others by saying to start with 9mm to really get the machine broken in, your routines figured out and to get a feel for everything that's happening. I have a Dillon 650 and with just 9mm there is a lot to watch for. When things go wrong they go wrong fast.

    I have the low/high charge sensor setup on my 650. It measures the height of each powder charge on the third station of the machine. I still make a visual look into the charged case on the fourth station before setting the bullet on the case. I suggest you do the same. I do not know if that charge measuring device is available for the 550. Do get and use the lower primer alarm! You can not see your primer level and will run out faster than you realize once you get steaming along in production.

    The only thing I have not seen mentioned but should be a requirement is an inertia hammer. You will need to take apart completed ammo to correct mistakes as well as sample your production. http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS...ading+hammer&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products
     

    DaemonAssassin

    Why should we Free BSD?
    Jun 14, 2012
    23,970
    Political refugee in WV
    DA's post has made this thread sticky worthy, IMO. Excellent post!

    I will echo the sentiments of others by saying to start with 9mm to really get the machine broken in, your routines figured out and to get a feel for everything that's happening. I have a Dillon 650 and with just 9mm there is a lot to watch for. When things go wrong they go wrong fast.

    I have the low/high charge sensor setup on my 650. It measures the height of each powder charge on the third station of the machine. I still make a visual look into the charged case on the fourth station before setting the bullet on the case. I suggest you do the same. I do not know if that charge measuring device is available for the 550. Do get and use the lower primer alarm! You can not see your primer level and will run out faster than you realize once you get steaming along in production.

    The only thing I have not seen mentioned but should be a requirement is an inertia hammer. You will need to take apart completed ammo to correct mistakes as well as sample your production. http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS...ading+hammer&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

    When I got my 550, IIRC it came with one. Thanks for the reminder. I'll add it to the list of links.

    BTW, how do we get it made as a sticky?
     

    DaemonAssassin

    Why should we Free BSD?
    Jun 14, 2012
    23,970
    Political refugee in WV
    Thanks guys, DA you broke that stuff down barney style. Thanks alot!

    When I order it and im ready to get into 06 Ill shoot you a PM.

    Anytime buddy, glad I could help you out. FWIW, you are making a good call on the Dillon. At any point in time you have an issue during the setup process, call Dillon. They walked me through some of the steps on setting up my 550, over the phone on a Saturday afternoon. I'm not sure what user manual version you will get with your 550, but the one that helped me out a lot was on the Dillon site, and I'll add it to my original post and this one to make life a tad easier for you.

    Dillon RL550B Owners Manual, May 2007
    http://www.dillonhelp.com/manuals/english/Dillon-RL550B-Manual-May-2007.pdf

    Dillon die instructions, May 2007 (instructions are included in every die set)
    http://www.dillonhelp.com/manuals/english/Dillon-Die-Instructions-May-2007.pdf
     

    mdvctry

    Follow Me @DukesDefense
    Nov 10, 2011
    271
    DA, Your answer (post) has to be one of the all time best posts on any reloading forum. Thank you for taking the time! And Thank you to the mods for making this a sticky! You guys rock.
     

    SMPress

    Active Member
    Apr 24, 2009
    411
    Charles County
    I have a 550 I am looking to sell, just dont have the room to run it any longer. It is boxed up in my storage unit. If interested, shoot me a note. I have just been too lazy to list it, been in a box for about 10 months now... I can provide a list of what I have.
     

    Kimerazor

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 14, 2011
    1,323
    "FEE state"
    Great posts. I load in lots of 100 so my primers run out when my box is full. Primer alarm is a must.


    NRA Life Member
    SAF Life Member
    GRRN Supporter
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    Love my Dillon also. Great advice above.

    I went with a 650 with case feeder MANY years ago.

    A LOT of loads on it when I shot IPSC seriously.
     

    eddy8888

    Active Member
    Jan 28, 2013
    187
    La Plata, Maryland
    Well I talked myself into a Dillon 550-B. Of course they are back ordered. So I will buy piece meal stuff until it gets in by then I will have what I need for 40 S&W and 223.
    The other calibers can wait.
    Dealer I talked to had several people wanting them but they didnt put down any money.
    I did. Money talks and BS walks.
     

    DaemonAssassin

    Why should we Free BSD?
    Jun 14, 2012
    23,970
    Political refugee in WV
    Well I talked myself into a Dillon 550-B. Of course they are back ordered. So I will buy piece meal stuff until it gets in by then I will have what I need for 40 S&W and 223.
    The other calibers can wait.
    Dealer I talked to had several people wanting them but they didnt put down any money.
    I did. Money talks and BS walks.

    As of right now, you are looking at a 8-10 week backorder timeframe before you order can/will be fulfilled. You can find a lot of the brass, powder, primers, and boolits if you look around. Natchez has some 40 bullets, or you can look into cast lead bullets too. Primers might be hard to find during the current climate, but they can be found. Powder on the other hand might be a tad difficult to find, but if you look long and hard, you can find it.

    As for brass, scrounge every piece of brass you can, no matter the caliber. As you go through the brass you will find a lot of the caliber you want and a few of calibers you don't own. I have a bucket of brass that has calibers I don't own anything for, and due to the small quantities of those pieces of brass, I've started to give it away to members on here that do use it for reloading. If you come across any brass for 308, 45ACP, 357Mag, or 38Spl, please let me know. I'll even pay for shipping.
     

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