Time to upgrade to a Dillon help me go shopping.

[Lurch]

How much do you shoot in a week? What press/presses where you previously using?

It varies but a couple times a year I shoot up to 10k rounds on a weekend.

I'm currently using a Lee turret press which is getting old and slow.

[Slugjunkie]

As a 650 owner and regular user, I’d suggest a few extra primer fill tubes (large and small) since you will be using both large and small primers. Loading goes a bit smoother when you don’t have to stop. Load up 5 or 6 tubes and get to it. Not sure how much time you are willing to spend on caliber changes, but having a small priming system and a large priming sytem will make the change over a little easier. A dedicated tool head for each caliber, each with it’s own powder measure, dies, and stand if one so desires. Depending on the dies you use you might want to consider the “smaller/thinner” Dillon die lock rings. You can still use standard mfgr’s die lock rings, but things can get a little tight with respect to space on the tool head with an open end or adjustable wrench head in there. Definitely get the spare parts kit. They have a great warranty, but a warranty is not going to get you that part you just lost/broke when you need it. Having then on hand is far easier and convenient. Malke sure you have a primer flip tray too. You’ll need case feeder plates (small pistol and large rifle). Probably most important is some place you can leave the press mounted to that is stable and doesn’t move and bounce around. Would suggest dedicated caliber change kits too. Use carbide dies for the 9mm. There are a few different levers/arms you can get. Go with the one it comes with. Use it for a bit and them make a call on whether to get the “optional” ones. Get an extra bin or two for the completed rounds. As Stdge73 mentioned, get a super swage 600 for the mil-brass. The audible alarm for the primer system is handy, easy to get your groove on and all of a sudden you didn’t pay enough attention just dropped powder into a case with no primer. Lights in the press would be nice and make it easier to see what’s going on under there.

[Irving]

Agree with a lot of the above, and I only have a 550 set up for two different pistol calibers. Someone makes a light that drops into the open hole in the last die station that is pretty nice. I used an LED strip off another project and wired it up for free and it works the same. If you use CCI or Winchester primers where they are not stored sideways in the container, then I think you can save money on a primer flipper, as I've found that you can just flip the entire case over two times and it is faster than a flipper. If the primers come stacked sideways like Remington, then the flipper is worth it. It doesn't cost a lot either way.

[buffalobo]

Woo hoo, way to bump 2 1/2 year old thread.

Maybe Lurch will let us know what route he took.

If you're unarmed, you are a victim

[Irving]

Jeeze, I remember this thread, but didn't think it was that long ago.

[O2HeN2]

Changing primer sizes on the 650 is a PITA. Much easier on a 550. I only mention this because you say you'll be loading 9mm (small primers) and 308 (large).

If you do large batches and only have to swap primer setups every once in awhile this might not be much of an issue. I got SO tired of struggling with the change I ended up buying a second 650. Changing primer setups was THAT painful.

If you're going to swap back and forth a lot, I'd give the 550 a hard look-at. To this day I occassionaly regret my change from the 550 to the 650.

O2

Ps. Ah, necro-post. Oh well, I'll leave this here for future reference...

[Great-Kazoo]

Changing primer sizes on the 650 is a PITA. Much easier on a 550. I only mention this because you say you'll be loading 9mm (small primers) and 308 (large).

If you do large batches and only have to swap primer setups every once in awhile this might not be much of an issue. I got SO tired of struggling with the change I ended up buying a second 650. Changing primer setups was THAT painful.

If you're going to swap back and forth a lot, I'd give the 550 a hard look-at. To this day I occassionaly regret my change from the 550 to the 650.

O2

Ps. Ah, necro-post. Oh well, I'll leav this here for future reference...

What??? It's a minor task, if that, to do a primer change on the 650. Of course using that to justify another press is a valid argument .

[mattiooo]

One thing I learned a little too late, but still in time to save me lots of money, is that the caliber conversion kits share a lot of parts. The manual lets you know which parts are in the caliber conversion kit.

For example: in looking at adding a new caliber, I found that I had the buttons and the shell plate already in other calibers, and just needed to order a powder funnel.

[Lurch]

Well shortly after posting this 2+ years ago I picked up a lightly used 650 with case feeder, 3 caliber conversions with dies and a strong mount for $750. The guy was getting rid of it because it reloaded too fast which made him spend too much time with the wife.

[vossman]

I can see that.