Goal - reload 41 mag, 45 acp, 357/38 special, 30 carbine
I already own dies for each (mostly redding &rcbs)
Load in lots of 100 - 200 each time.

I have posted questions on whether to choose the lee turret with auto index, or a Dillon 550b or similar progressive on this board, and have searched for old threads on the topic. I almost pulled the trigger on a used 550b, but now am concerned about cost of switching between calibers. I know I can get the press for about $270 new, how much will it cost me to switch between calibers?

Does anyone know of much lower prices on Dillon equipment?

I suggest you call Dillon and request a catalog. Their toll free number is 1-800-223-4570. I have owned a Dillon 550Bfor several years and the only regret I have is that I didn't own it sooner. But do give them a call, it will be worth your time. Hope this helped.

I have placed catalog request, just not sure if it will expalin it in enough detail, or if its the kind of catalog you need to know what you want before looking.

I'm ordering an RCBS Pro 2000 progressive ffor the very reasons you've stated( extra cost on Dillon caliber conversions) Asked around on several boards and no one knocked the 2000).
Dillon was also very well liked but cost was mentioned several times

penrod72
It is a very well detailed catalog, don't happen to have one handy or I could have quoted you a few prices. When you get the catalog there will be a toll free number that you can call with all your questions. They helped me a lot before I ordered my press and since then whenever I had a problem. They are a great company to deal with and treat you the same whether you are just starting to reload or have been doing it for decades. Give them a try..I am sure you will be pleased...

I love my 550B. The only problem I've had with it is feeding CCI small primers. Dillon says to use anything but a small CCI primer. Caliber conversion kits are 32.95. Extra Tool heads are 12.95. The biggest pain is changing between small and large primers. Once you are setup, then mass production is great. I've loaded 100rnds 45acp in about 8min. It's also large enough to load for my 30-378. I sometimes have a problem with big extruded powders, but others say they get good consistensy. For top end loads, I always measure each charge. I set the powder measure just a little light, then dump onto my scale and trikle up. It still goes pretty fast having all your stations setup, you can load one round at a time and not worry about getting a double charge, because your not doing a whole tray at the same time. For ball powder, I just set it and go. I love my Dillon and would recomend it to anyone.

Hmmm
If cost of conversions is a concern this might not be the way to go. For me, the biggest reason I bought my 550b was convenience and volume reloading of pistol calibers (500 rounds at one sitting). Fo 100 rounds at a time it might be more economical to go with something like a turret press...assuming you don't value your time like I do.
As stated the caliber conversions are around $32, and you'll need a tool head for around $12. But if you really want to have a fast convenient press you'll need to shell out about another $80 for a powder measure assembly. You can certainly switch powder measures from tool head to tool head. But that's about a 10-15 minute hassle especially if you have to adjust the charge settings each time. If you don't currently have a separate crimp die you'll need to buy one of those. Lee's are pretty good and only run around $10.
I will say I love my 550b and you cannot go wrong with anything from big blue. They have an absolute no BS gurantee and will take care of you like no other company.
If you had to do a complete calber changeover including primer feed change (small to large or vice versa), switch powder measures, and tool head swap it would take me about half an hour. Swapping calibers for me with a complete tool head change and primer feed swap is at most a 10 minute deal. If you only need to swap tool heads and not primer feeds its less than a 5 minute deal.

I have a Dillon 550b and a Square Deal B. I bought the Square Deal when I only did pistol, and later bought the 550b. I wish I had bought the 550 to start with.

To add to what every one else has said, Dillon has a great warranty policy. They have a lifetime replacement policy, and they mean it. They have even sent me, free of charge, parts which I have lost.

I also have a Square Deal D and a 550b and would not be without them. But I still do the majority of my serious hunting loads on a single stage Rockchucker. Dillon is not made from old lawn chairs and is engineered for the long haul, that's why they can offer the no Bullshit guarantee. Great stuff Dillon is!!!

I have never played with the RCBS progressive, but I'm willing to believe it's a nice machine.

I have a RL550B and like it a lot. If you break something, Dillon sends it to you free, today. If you have a technical question about your Dillon after hours or on Sunday, you can post it on AR or shooters.com and get an instant reply. There are that many of these machines out there.

Stay away from the Lee progressive. I have never heard anything good about them. I have other Lee stuff and like it. What I have heard about the Lee is that the auto indexing does work, but the priming system does not. One fellow I know is reasonably happy with his Lee, having bought it for almost nothing, used, from someone who was ready to leave it at the curb. This fellow runs cases through once to resize (priming system cannot be made to work), primes with a hand tool, and then feeds primed cases to charge with powder, seat bullets, and all. This fellow is a little eccentric and enjoys fixing things instead of replacing them. He isn't poor, but he enjoys pinching pennies until they squeal.

H. C.

[ 01-03-2003, 04:35: Message edited by: HenryC470 ]

Penrod,

I own both a Dillon Square Deal B and a RL550B. I load all pistol on the SDB except for the bottle-necked 357 Sig. I like them both but the SDB is a bit faster cause it's auto-index whereas the RL550 is manual-index. I've had no breakage or set-up problems ever, so can't comment on their customer service. I did have one experience with them. I wanted to order the dies for the 357 Sig from their website. I could have but also needed a shellplate. It wasn't listed so I used their toll-free number. Believe me when I say you don't just talk to an order taker. You talk to someone who knows every inch of every one of their machines. They're pro-active. They want to know how their equipment is performing in day-to-day use. I was impressed. I now know that their 'no BS' warranty isn't just another line of BS like so many other companys.

You might want to reconsider only loading 100-to 200 rounds. Once you've got the machine set up for whatever caliber, spend 1 hour and load 500 to 600 rounds. Dillon progressives are fast! I'd recommend that you jump on that used RL550. It doesn't matter how many owners it had. BTW, nobody discounts Dillon products. You pay the same dealing directly with them or through any of their dealers. Good luck.

My Dillon 550B cost a bit more than the others, as does the caliber conversion kits and stuff, but it is worth every penny. I also use their dies and they are just as good as their presses.

I sold an RCBS Piggyback last month. Just recieved my Dillon RL 550B last Friday. I've loaded 200 rounds of 44 mag with it and am quite happy. The RCBS just nice but was picky if not set up right. I'm glad I switched. I am going to pick up a few tool heads for it. But like Kentucky Nimrod said to make it a really quick change you need extra powder measures.
Give them a call you won't be sorry.

Just a positive note. I have had both a RCBS Piggy-Back and a older Ammo-Master that is fully progressive. The Piggy-Back is more tempermental than the Ammo-Master but works fine once it is set-up right. With the Ammo-master I can throw 400 plus rounds an hour. They have a excellent customer service program and replace parts, no questions asked. If I could justify the bucks I would probally go with a Dillion XL 650 with a case feeder.