Reloading Press

[Jason]

I'm currently using a RCBS Rock Chucker and im looking at upgrading, two presses that im looking at are the
Dillon 550 and the Forster Co/Ax. Does anyone have either of these presses? and if so tell me how you like them,
also open to suggestions on other presses. thanks.

[AWS]

By upgrading do you mean loading more precision ammo or increasing speed? 

The Rockchucker you have is near topline for loading accurate ammo, posibly slightly better is the CO-AX.  The CO-AX shines as it is very convienent because you don't need to change shell holders or screw in and adjust dies. 

The Dillion will increase speed if you uprade the 550 to a 550B progressive otherwise it is an O press with multible position and a removeable shell head, no better ammo than the RCBS.  I use the same system in a Lee Cast Classic Turret Press at a third the price.  I keep a Lyman Crusher II on the bench for major case forming.

[carpsniperg2]

Dillion is sweet, my bud runs a lot of there stuff. I love there magazines they send out to

If It aint green it does not touch my bench That goes for dies and presses

[iusmc2002]

Are you planning on cranking out a lot of rounds?  If you're only loading for for hunting-type ammo, do you need to spend that much for a Blue paint job?  If you're shooting 3-gun type stuff, then the Dillon line would be great.  Lotsa rounds in little time

[Biggerhammer]

Are you planning on cranking out a lot of rounds?  If you're only loading for for hunting-type ammo, do you need to spend that much for a Blue paint job?  If you're shooting 3-gun type stuff, then the Dillon line would be great.  Lotsa rounds in little time

The Dillon 550 is a incredably accurate progressive, I had a arguement with a friend one time. My position was that my single stage 6.5-284 match loads would be more accurate than any match loads ran on his progressive. My friend said they would be just as accurate loaded on his 550. So I loaded up 50 on a single stage and he loaded up 50 on a progressive. We randomly selected 10 each from the single stage loads and ten each from the 550 progressive loads.

We then hit the 600 yard range with my McMillan Tactical 6.5-284, each of us shooting four groups each. (2) 5 shot groups with the 550 progressive loads and (2) 5 shot groups with the single stage loads. Over the average of the groups neither were noticeably better than the other and none of the groups were over 2 1/2" inches. The dillon progressive is a well built dependable, accurate reloader.

[iusmc2002]

Are you planning on cranking out a lot of rounds?  If you're only loading for for hunting-type ammo, do you need to spend that much for a Blue paint job?  If you're shooting 3-gun type stuff, then the Dillon line would be great.  Lotsa rounds in little time

The Dillon 550 is a incredably accurate progressive, I had a arguement with a friend one time. My position was that my single stage 6.5-284 match loads would be more accurate than any match loads ran on his progressive. My friend said they would be just as accurate loaded on his 550. So I loaded up 50 on a single stage and he loaded up 50 on a progressive. We randomly selected 10 each from the single stage loads and ten each from the 550 progressive loads.

We then hit the 600 yard range with my McMillan Tactical 6.5-284, each of us shooting four groups each. (2) 5 shot groups with the 550 progressive loads and (2) 5 shot groups with the single stage loads. Over the average of the groups neither were noticeably better than the other and none of the groups were over 2 1/2" inches. The dillon progressive is a well built dependable, accurate reloader.

Just so we're clear, I wasn't arguing that Dillon or any progressive won't make accurate ammo.  I was alluding to the quantity of ammo he needs/uses in relation to the cost of the Blue stuff.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I use both!   Well, my Dillon is an old 450 with some 550 upgrades, (I just don't have the removable tool head).

While the Dillon is quite capable running bottle neck cases, I do use the green machine Rock Chucker that is also more than 25 years old for rifle cartridges. I load my competition pistol ammo on the Dillon. I am quite proud of the amount of accurate rounds that it produces in short time. 

The Dillon progressives have a little less leverage than the RCBS for resizing/necking down belted magnum rifle cartridges. So, if you do go with a blue press, keep the green one for those specialty jobs. I also use the RCBS to pull bullets with a collet puller. The semi-progressive Dillon would not be the best tool for such.

The 550 is not a fully progressive press. (you need the 650 for that next step)

From the Dillon Precision web site.

"The RL550B is able to load rifle as well as pistol cartridges The RL550B uses standard 7/8 by 14 thread per inch dies, as long as they deprime in the size die Manually indexed shellplate Manually fed cases and bullets Capable of loading 400 to 600 rounds per hour Lifetime "No-B.S." Warranty "

XL650
"Mechanically indexed shellplate Mechanically inserted cases, manually fed bullets. Casefeed tube to automatically insert cases. Capable of loading 500 to 800 rounds per hour Lifetime "No-B.S." Warranty "

-Steve

[Jason]

My Rock Chucker was a hand me down and it was worn out when I got it, so I'm looking for something newer, not really looking to mass produce, but I like the convenience of the Co-Ax for changing dies in no time at all and still produce precision loads. The reason I mentioned the Dillon 550 is my uncle has one and he would sell it to me for a decent price because he does not reload anymore other than that I would not spend that kind of cash on a press.

[Jason]

And I'm no expert reloader by any means and I'm still learning, my RC had a hair line crack that was welded and the linkage has a lot of slop.

[Jim the Plumber]

If you are able to get the Dillon for a good price, definitely get the Dillon. I've loaded 10's of thousands of rounds on my Dillon presses.
Everything from 9mm to 338 Lapua and ~3000 match rounds a year for my 6.5x47Lapua 'tactical' rifle. Most have been loaded on 550's I've had about 15 of them) and loaded 5.56 and 9mm on a 650 until I bought  a 1050. The 650 went down the road.
The below 3 shots were loaded on my 550, then fired at night under lights to test impact change with the Gemtec on.