dillion RL450?

[model 12 toby]

How much is a used one worth? Can I use the dies I already have?

 

[Chuck G]

We dont know, you did not say what dies you already have? But i assume they are standard 7/8 x14 thread which is pretty much standard and they will work. Price i would say $350.00 range depends what comes with it. Good luck

 

[model 12 toby]

Ill offer 200.

 

[joed49]

I wouldn't go above $200 for a 450. It can be upgraded but costs almost as much as a 550 to convert.

I suppose it would be a cheap way to get into a progressive press.

 

[msnations]

Finding a 450 that hasn't been modified or beat to death is a tough task, and there are some of us who really like them because they are a much stronger setup than the 550....

-Mark

 

[Steve Blair]

...and there are some of us who really like them because they are a much stronger setup than the 550....

-Mark

+1 Mine is a serial number in the low 4000's and still going strong at over ½ million .45, .44 Special, .38 Special, .38 Super and .223 rounds. I purchased it sometime in the early eighties.

 

[model 12 toby]

Is this a single stage or progressive press? How much is kit to make it progressive?

 

[Steve Blair]

Is this a single stage or progressive press? How much is kit to make it progressive?

It is a progressive with a solid frame into which dies are directly screwed. There are four die stations.

 

[joed49]

A few years ago someone offered me a 450 for $200. I looked at what it would cost to convert it and it was about as much as a new 550. For the life of me I can't remember what else was different besides the solid head. Priming system and powder system come to mind but I don't remember anymore.

 

[msnations]

The only difference between the 450 and 550 is the tool head - I just went downstairs and looked to be sure. For loading multiple calibers of pistol a 550 definitely beats out a 450 for ease of caliber conversion. IMO the 450 only has the advantage for precision reloading of medium-large rifle cartridges that require greater sizing force, consistent headspace and seated bullet OAL. If I'm using a powder that doesn't meter well I drop a funnel die in place of the dillon powder measure.

-Mark

 

[model 12 toby]

Good deal. I load mostly 7mm rem mag, 243, and 22-250 and 223.

 

[Rustystud]

I paid $181.00 for my RL450 in 1982. Dillon upgraded the primer system and powder measure for free. I bought a 550 frame in 1987. I still have the 450 frame under my loading bench. I have two 550s and two 1050s. If I were to do it all over again I would have bought two 650s. The 650s are substantially heavier in design. I know of several shooters who use the Hornady LNL because it is more rigid than the 550. I have over 50 tool heads set up for the 550s and 6 tool heads set up for the 1050s. I have several of John Whiddens' floating tool heads. His CNC toolheads are solid and not cast like Dillons tool heads. I have worn out several Dillon powder measures and several primer systems. Dillon has replaced them without question or charge. I will give Dillon credit their no BS warranty is great.
Nat Lambeth

 

[KevinThomas]

I paid about $360 for mine at about that same time period . . . and about a month or so after that they started selling factory direct for about $180. Still a great press, and it does have some advantages over the 550. Not as fast to change over, for sure, but still a great press. Didn't really bother me that much when they went factory direct and came out for half what I paid for the first one, just irked me a little. Still, it couldn't have upset me too badly; I promptly bought another one. One was permanently set up for 45 ACP and the other got used for everything else.

I've added some 550s, and even a 1050 over the years, but I still have the original 450, and it's still in service.