Dillon 650

[RoverDave]

I bought a Dillon 650 with case feeder last week and finally got the last of my loading components today - 4000 FMJ bullets from Midway. I ran the press for the first time tonight and I LOVE THIS PRESS! It's as slick as everyone says it is. And here's the unexpected surprise - operating this press is just like a slot machine. You pull the handle and you hear a metalic clunk as a loaded round falls out the chute on the back, and the cases jingle around in the case feeder overhead just like change pouring out of the slot machine. And it's even better than a slot machine becase every pull of the lever is a winner - one more loaded round that saves you money!

I'm pretty happy with all of the extras that I bought with it: the strong mount, the bullet tray, the roller handle and the powder check die. I think all of them were worth the money. I'm using the RCBS dies that I already had and they work great in the press.

Now if I can get a little decent weather (-15 tonight again) I'll be able to go try these loads!

[stickfam]

RoverDave,

You have really piqued my interest. How much to set up one of these Dillon 650's for my 9mm Vector? I have a Lee Turret press and can only put out about 150 rnds per hour :( . If you wouldnt mind sharing the startup cost for one of these presses, I would really appreciate it. Also if you would include all what you would consider "necessary" accessories it would help me out. Would also like to reload for my .45 acp Stemple that's currently in Form 4 land. I would like a one pull one round set up.

Thanks,

Stickfam

[RoverDave]

I paid $585 for the press and the case feeder. That's about 8% below retail. If you already have a set of dies, that's all you need to get started. For safety sake, I also got the powder check die, which was about $55. It ensures you don't have a case with no powder or a double load.

After that, the rest is optional but can add speed or comfort to your loading. I got the strong mount ($27), bullet tray ($27) and t-handle.

[amphibian]

I have the 650 also and love it. Only thing I've noticed is that the dillon sizer die does not seem to size the cases at the bottom of the case. Yes I have my die set to as far down as it can go. I personally have never had a problem with any of my loads in any of my guns. The only time I noticed this is when I tried to run some of my loads in my friends MP5 that has a tight chamber. It jammed up on the rounds and he had to disassemble the thing to get the rounds out by using a long punch and hammer from the muzzle. Another reason I'd rather have an Uzi - they eat anything.
I had an old RCBS 9mm die set and used the decapping/sizer die from that set and all is well. It is just not flared as much as the dillon die is so sometimes cases don't go in and I have to push them a little but that is all do to me going fast and the case sometimes not being lined up properly.
I posted about this on subguns and others have run into the same problem.