I'm looking at the Dillon 550B in the latest catalogue.....

[Dusty Miller]

AND, if I read it right I've got to pony up $39 for a caliber conversion kit for EACH caliber I want to reload?!  So if I want to reload for 5 calibers its an additional $200?!!  A low powder sensor costs $37.95 so with shipping this thing is going to cost me about $600?  AND I wanna buy another FA 45 colt to the tune of $1600.  I'd better get a lot of overtime at the old can plant this year!!

[Yukon Gold]

The only thing you have to pony out is for the conversion kit.  The rest, you can use with each set of dies, if you want to take the time to switch them out.

That being said, with each caliber, you will also need to buy a "die holder" to hold all the dies (I know that is not the correct name, but I am having a brain fade at the moment).  Otherwise, you will have to remove all the dies, and reset new ones.  Those run about $15 each.

Concerning the powder measure, low powder alarm etc.  That you only need to buy one and switch as needed.

Personally, I do not have a low powder indicator, since I can visually check as I go, I just don't see the need for one.

However, a low primer alarm has been very useful, and I would recommend it.

You can buy a powder measure for each setup, but that runs about $79 each.  I personally have 3.  Two for the loads I do all the time, .45LC for cowboy action, and the other is for my .45ACP.

The last measure I use for the rest of my reloading.

In the end, you can spend $200 per caliber for the measure, conversion kit, the dies, etc.  Sounds like a lot, but if you reload a lot, the savings on time makes it worth while.

[Questor]

It looks like a question of priorities. Getting into handloading costs a lot more than $600 if you're really going to shoot a lot and be a dedicated hobbyist.  As you can see, just a press can cost you that much if you really want to go first class. This is one of the earmarks of a true hobby.  Nobody's holding a gun to your head making you buy any of this stuff, so you just need to decide what you really want.

What happens next? Will you waffle about the $600 per year that you'll be spending on components if you're shooting regularly?  If you're not using components at that rate, you probably don't need the progressive press in the first place.

Sorry about the harsh words, but you've got to wake up, look at yourself in the mirror, search your soul, and then make the only sensible decision: that you need all the reloading stuff and the FA, but you don't need it all at once.

[Dusty Miller]

Thanks Questor, I needed that!! (NOT!)

[Vern Humphrey]

Thanks Questor, I needed that!! (NOT!)

You don't need a hard time from us -- you need more overtime to buy the reloading equipment, guns, and components you need.

But then you run into O'Brien's law -- when you have the money to do what you want, you don't have the time.  And when you have the time, you don't have the money.

[Questor]

Dusty Miller:

I'm just trying to be helpful by attempting to focus on the real problem. I'm not sure what the real problem is.

Are you a reloader that feels anguish over the cost of a desired equipment upgrade, or are you contemplating getting into reloading and feel anguish over the cost of the equipment?  If it's the latter, I'm afraid you're in for some rude shocks about the cost of the other equipment you'll need.

You're right, the comment about needing to decide to get  both was not called for. Sorry.

[Catfish]

Dusty,
   I`ve been loading on a 550 Dillon since the late 1970`s, if I rember right. I have well over $1,500 invested in mine, but I reload for more different wildcat rounds than most people will have rifles in their life time. I started on a single stage press in the mid 60`s but found that I could load ammo that was just as accurate, if not more accurate, than I could on a single stage press.
   You can use the same cartridge conversion for any rounds with the same case head diameter. ie. .246, 257, .30-06, .35 Whelen ect. You will have to get a different powder funnel for the the different cals. though. With rounds like the .222, .223 and .222 mag. you can even use the same powder funnel. There are often different rounds in the that you can use the same powder funnel on as it is a function of cal. and case lenth. I use my .30-30 powder funnel to load 7.62 x 39 ammo.
   As with any powder measure, Dillon works best with ball powders so I use almost 100% ball powders. I do load some short extruded powders in large case with good luck.
    If you get a 550 Dillon you`ll never regret it.

[Dusty Miller]

OK, I've had a Rock Chucker for about ten years and now handload for 5 different handgun cartridges one of which is the 45 ACP.  Sometime I can't get to the range because of my work schedule and sometimes I can't get to the range because there's no ammo ready to go.  So, I gotta make a move here.  I've got no problem with the first $350 for the press and I'm hoping that I can limp along for awhile with just the press and whatever comes with it, then add some more stuff as I go along.  What I want to avoid is having to do a complete die setup everytime I change cartridges.  If the die plates are all that's needed than I can't imagine it costing $39 per caliber.  However, in the catalogue on page 13 in the upper left hand corner I see "Caliber Conversion Kits" listed at $38.95 per caliber and that's what makes me think this project is going to cost me an arm and a leg.  Then there's the Low Powder Sensor at $38.  I've already decided that for the time being I can get by without the Roller Handle, Strong Mount, and Aluminum Bullet Tray.  Those would be add-ons at some later date.

[7x57mm]

I have a buddy who lives parttime in Mesa, Ariz. He owns two Dillon 550s and he told me the other day he might be getting rid of them for whatever reasons. If you are interested, let me know and I'll get in touch with Marty and see if he was serious, or has already gotten rid of them and what all they include. Tom Purdom

[Dusty Miller]

7X57, I sent you a PM on this matter.  Thanks.

[warf73]

If I was going to buy a RL550B again it would be off of EBay again. I got a killer deal on mine (came with over $120 in extras that I didn’t want or need i.e. 2 conversions and die sets, thats what I sold them for on EBay) it was like new. I really think it was new had 0 wear marks on it.

But here are a few auctions going on right now if you are interested. I hope this helps with the easy of getting into your Dillon.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71120&item=7140005864&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71120&item=7140724857&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71120&item=7140268064&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71120&item=7140797841&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71120&item=7141291117&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71120&item=7140221183&rd=1

Warf

[myronman3]

i would suggest buying one secondhand, also.  with dillons warrenty, you just can not lose (unless you pay more than you could get it for new).   i was looking at a 550b, too, and after jonesing for a deal, got tired and just broke down and bought one new.  the next day, i found an awsome deal on a 650 and bought it.  now i have two bolted to my bench.  

 the 650 is so nice,  but way more expensive for conversion kits.  my brother only reloads for 10mm,  so he is taking the 650 from me for what i have into it.   i am keeping the 550 because of the lower cost of conversion kits, and the number of calibers i load for.  

  i wouldnt bother with the low powder sensor.  like others said, it is right in front of you.  the low primer sensor comes with the 550b, so dont worry about that.   as far as the toolheads,  you really only need one to start with.  you can order more later on.   that's what i did/ am doing.  slowly adding as  i go.   besides, when someone asks what you want for a birthday or other, hand them a list of possibles and a dillon book.    it will add up over time.   my advise is not to try to do it all at once.

[myronman3]

:oops:

[Flash]

Dusty, the caliber conversions depend on what parent case the caliber is made from. The shell plate and buttons will be all the same for 06, 243, 22-250, 308 and so on. You will need separate powder funnels for those cartridges and can use your own dies. I have a conversion kit for 32-20 and load 25-20 with it too so there is an example of cross use for one kit.