Finally went Blue

[Jekemi]

I have been reloading for five years now. I started out with a simple Lee single-stage reloading press. I bought a Lee classic turret press, which I still use and like very much. After a while I graduated to a progressive press. I tried the Lee Loadmaster but was so frustrated by the amount of tweaking and fiddling I had to do that I sold it and bought a Hornady AP. It was definitely better than the Lee but still required quite a bit of continuous adjusting. Also I didn't like the fact that changing calibers was such a pain. You couldn't swap out a die holder like you could on the Lee. I looked into the RCBS Auto Progressive but wasn't impressed, especially for the money. So I saved up a few bucks, sold the Hornady, and bought a Dillon 650 XL. I couldn't be happier. The thing is massive and very well built. The amazing thing is that it worked perfectly right out of the box. I followed the directions and had it set up in a couple of hours (after some bench remodeling). The priming system is crisp and foolproof. The powder measure works smoothly and accurately with some very simple initial adjusting. The case feeder is a joy to use. I built my own automatic case feeder last year and hooked it up to the Dillon clear plastic case tube. The case feeding mechanism is a thing of beauty. This one feature was worth the price of the press. Now I'm ordering some additional tool heads and conversion kits to handle the various caliber's I reload. Why didn't I do this a few years ago?

[blackveltbowhunter]

Thats a setup!!

[Jekemi]

It's been a couple of weeks since I started using the Dillon XL 650. I've been reloading 40 S&W and 9mm. I don't own any Dillon dies but the RCBS, Hornady, and Lee Dies work great. The other day I swapped out the Dillon powder measure and put a Lee disk powder measure on it to see if it would work. Amazingly, it works great. You have to lower the die pretty deep in the tool head but it flared the case and accurately charged the case. Next I'll try my Hornady case activated powder measure. I was never real impressed with how the Hornady powder measure worked but I'll try it out on the Dillon. Next up; reloading 7.62x39 with my lead cast bullets with gas checks. Stay tuned.

[Sportfury]

I like it. My dad bought the Hornady, but has not set up his reloading room. When he gets back from Mexico he should have it set up. I would like to hear more on your set up as you go along.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I have an old Dillon 450 with some 550 upgrades on it. Love the thing. Still will always have an RCBS Rock Chucker mounted on the bench next to it though.
 
-Steve

[Heredoggydoggy]

I've had an old RCBS JR. press for 40 years.  (pre-Rockchucker  ) Never used anything else.  Almost bought a Dillon years ago when I shot a lot of 9mm.  Building a house put a stop to that, though.... 

[starbailey]

I love my Dillon! 380 auto, 9mm, 38 spcl, 357, 40 s&w, 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 auto, 22 hornet, 223. Yep, I love my Dillon.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Dillons are the BEST!  Friend of mine has a 500 series and a 600 series.  He likes the 500 series better....  People that have the new Hornady presses like them.  Avoid the RCBS progressives.  I hear bad things about them....

[scoyoc5]

nice looking setup 

[Jekemi]

Three weeks into reloading with the Dillon 650XL. The honeymoon still hasn't worn off. I purchased a set of aftermarket knobs and larger set screws, which allow me to adjust the powder charge without using a wrench. This kit also eliminates the need to use Allen wrenches just about everywhere on the Dillon. The kit included a nice roller-bearing for the shell plate. I've got three conversion kits now, 9mm, .40 S&W, and 7.62.39. I did get a set of new Dillon 9mm dies but I think I like the RCBS ones better.

I continue to use the Lee Auto disk powder measure on the Dillon press. They work great. I will likely buy another Dillon powder measure, it's so well built, but they are pretty expensive and I have the Lee powder measures hanging around so I'll continue to use them. I cranked out 200 9mm rounds so fast I was amazed.

 I'm almost finished setting up my home-made automatic case feeder. Figuring out how to mount it to the included Dillon case feeder mounting tube took some doing. My case feeder uses the bottom of a 5 gallon plastic bucket. I made my own case sorter disks (upside down cases drop to the bottom, right-side up cases fall down the drop tube) out of 1/4 inch thick plexi-glass. You can buy the disks and use a router to make the case sized inserts. They disks fit exactly in the bottom of the plastic bucket. I use a DPDT toggle switch, which is attached to the motor (6 RPM) and a micro switch in the funnel. Just like the commercial models, when the tube fills up the motor shuts off.

So far I've just loaded cast lead bullets. I have used an RCBS bullet feed die for 9mm and .40 S&W. It's the only one that works with cast lead bullets without modifying the die. I have a plastic tube that fits right into the die, which holds about 50 or 60 bullets. Seems to work OK.  I recently cast some 7.62x39 bullets, lubed and resized them, and loaded them up. Haven't shot them but they look real nice. Next conversion kit will be for .45 ACP. I'll continue to reload my .270 on my Lee classic turret press.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Obviously a new reloader--the bench looks too neat!   

[Jekemi]

I straightened things up just for the picture to make it look nice.  Since this picture I've mounted the old Forster Case trimmer I got for free. I had to buy some new pilots and a set screw but parts are widely available. It works very well. I still use my Lee universal chuck attached to an old drill motor with a foot pedal. This allows me to keep my hands free, which is real handy. Next picture will include the home-made automatic Case feeder mounted to the Dillon case feed steel mounting bar. I got a bunch of old Herters dies, various calibers. Most of the dies needed new de-capping pins and some seating stems. They are readily available from CH 4D online at reasonable costs. I like to use Lee die rings. I reloaded some 9mm rounds using the old Herters dies with the new de-capping pin and seating stem. It did a great job. Not sure what I'll do with 8 sets of new Herters dies, given that most of the caliber's I don't own guns for. Always willing to trade I guess. Those old Herters dies are tough as nails.