dillon press

[armike]

I have a dillon 550 reloading press available to me with a lifetime worth of manuals and supplies to go with it. does anybody have any opinions of this press.

 

[69Roadrunner]

Great press for high volume reloading. Mine started out life as a 450 model in 1984 and has been upgraded each time Dillon offered upgrades. My primary use has been pistol rounds and .223 for AR-15 rifles. However, I use the powder measure for my bolt action reloads - .223 and 7mm-08 - despite the fact that I size and seat using a single stage press. The measure is incredibly accurate and throws a consistent charge.

 

[Rustystud]

I bought a 450 Dillon in 1981, Dillon upgraded it free of charge to be a 450B. After a million or more rounds I upgraded it to a 550 frame. I have two 550s and two 1000s would not have another progressive press in my shop. I have worn out several powder measures,primer assemblies and several sets of dies. I have used Star, Camdex, and Ammo Load machines and always come back to the Dillon. Until I went to carbide dies I went through a set of 223 dies almost every year. That is a lot of prarrie dogs in the book. Dillon has replaces them with their life time warranty with no questions asked. Dillon makes a quality machine and stands behind their product. The Dillon loaders are like a 1911, model 700, and a model 870, there are a number of aftermarket accessories out their that really make them rock. Floating dies, floating shell holders, better powder measures, Primer tube turrents, and bullet feeders etc.

You can't go wrong with Dillon products.

Rustystud

 

[SooStan]

The 550 is capable of some very good ammo. I believe that US palma ammo was loaded on 2 550's in the past. I two step my ammo using a 550 when I want an exact powder charge and using stick powders. Size and prime first, then charge and re-run thru seating the bullets. Ball powders meter pretty good and can be used as the machine was designed. The 550 works very well for handgun ammo. I have loaded maybe 60000+ rds when I shot IPSC for several years. Their warranty is second to none. Great people to deal with.

 

[Hoser]

They area as good as it gets for progressive machines.

I have three 1050s and a 550 on my bench.

 

[Mudcat]

A 650,gonna add another soon) and three 550s on my bench.....nuff said!