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I was wondering about the Dillon reloading equipment. How dose it work, worth the price, and so on and so forth. I have been looking into some of these and I like there sizing die with the auto trimmer. Also I do 99% of reloading for rifles and it looks like they spc. in pistols. Is that true? Disabled Vet(non-combat) - US Army NRA LIFE MEMBER Hunter, trapper, machinest, gamer, angler, and all around do it your selfer. Build my own CNC router from scratch. I installed the hight wrong. My hight moves but the rails blocks 3/4 of the hight..... | ||
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JK, I'm assuming that you meant to type "DILLON" equipment? The Dillon stuff is excellent quality. I've been a big fan since I bought my press in 1981. It's a 450, which is the granddaddy of the present 550 press. They are well worth the money. The press takes a little while to set up, compared to a single stage press, but once you do, you can really run some ammo through it! It's not true that they specialize in pistols. You may just be looking at the die sets that Dillon sells? True they don't make very many rifle caliber dies, but anyone's standard die sets will work in the Dillon 550/650 presses. The dies they do make are first rate. I have 4 or 5 sets of their pistol dies. They are excellent. I don't have their rifle dies, but I would expect the same level of quality from them as well. Their "Lifetime, no BS warranty" is time tested and written in stone. The only products that aren't "lifetime" warranty are their electronic scales and brass polishers. Since 1981, I've only ever had to exchange 1 shellplate, and just recently, my original Dillon beam scale. Both times I was exchanged without a blink of an eye and no problems. I still have my original brass tumbler I bought from them when they first came out with the "smaller" sized one. It's been going strong for like 12 years or better. I still use my 28 year old 450 press, and I also use 2 other RCBS single stage presses. You simply can't have too many presses! Yeah, I'm a BIG FAN of Dillon products! Si tantum EGO eram dimidium ut bonus ut EGO memor | |||
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Thanks for the corrections! Thanks for helping me out with your experiences. I had a few issues with RCBS over the last year and they too took care of the issues with out any problems or BS. I corrected my spelling in the title from Dylan to Dillon. Disabled Vet(non-combat) - US Army NRA LIFE MEMBER Hunter, trapper, machinest, gamer, angler, and all around do it your selfer. Build my own CNC router from scratch. I installed the hight wrong. My hight moves but the rails blocks 3/4 of the hight..... | |||
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James Everything Slowpoke has to say X4. I have 4 Dillon presses set up, they get used nearly everyday. I don't load too much small bore stuff, but I just finished loading 2500 223s last week, this is one press I keep set up in small primer, mostly on 223. I keep one press set up for 45 acp--sometimes load some 308 on it. Another press is set up for 45 Colt. One press is set up to load nothing but large rifle on. I use this for my wildcat big bores up to the 50s and the 500s. Dillon can do anything, and with the tool heads once your dies are set up, just slide the entire assembly out, another in, and you are set to go as long as the shell plate is the same! Simple as that. Warranty? It is 110% even if you screw something up!!!!! Which I have done before! All mine are 550s. Can't go wrong with Dillon. Michael http://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/default.html The New Word is "Non-Conventional", add "Conventional" to the Endangered Species List! Live Outside The Box of "Conventional Wisdom" I do Not Own Any Part of Any Bullet Company, I am not in the Employ Of Any Bullet Company. I do not represent, own stock, nor do I receive any proceeds, or monies from ANY BULLET COMPANY. I am not in the bullet business, and have no Bullets to sell to you, nor anyone else. | |||
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I have two Dillon presses....one with a case feeder.....both are excellent presses. One has a set of .223 carbide dies.....another fine tool! I also have a Dillon balance beam scale (Ohaus) and it too is a fine product. When it comes to Dillon i'm  /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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the press don't work cause vandals took the handle ________________________ "Every country has the government it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre | |||
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Oh damn man, your lucky thats all they did! Disabled Vet(non-combat) - US Army NRA LIFE MEMBER Hunter, trapper, machinest, gamer, angler, and all around do it your selfer. Build my own CNC router from scratch. I installed the hight wrong. My hight moves but the rails blocks 3/4 of the hight..... | |||
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I've had a 450 since before the 550 was available. I upgraded it to a 550. I bought a 1050 when they first came out. Have not needed another press. The primer feeding/seating components of the 550 are not spectacular. Have replaced them several times ... but 10 years per pass isn't bad. The 1050 is used for calibers that use small primers. Is not an easy press to caliber change and primer change is even worse. BUT ... when it's clean, it runs ammo at an AMAZING rate. The 1050 and Super 1050 are NOT covered by Dillon's "No BS" lifetime warrantee. They are considered commercial reloaders. But ... I've probably loaded a half million rounds of 9mm, Super, 40 S&W, and .223 on that press and it has never had a significant problem. (It fed an IPSC habit when I was younger, and feeds and a registered M16.) The Dillon .223 carbide dies are great. Dillon's standard die sets are nicely done and work well. The 1050's ability to swage primer pockets is wonderful. The two large Dillon tumblers have earned their keep. Personally, I would guess that the 650 is a good compromise between the 550 and 1050. I still use the old Rock Chucker and a Corbin for all larger rifle ammo that will be used hunting ... and I weigh every charge. Mike -------------- DRSS, Womper's Club, NRA Life Member/Charter Member NRA Golden Eagles ... Knifemaker, http://www.mstarling.com | |||
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Nothing wrong with a Dillon. I happen to have a Hornady, but I had a 550 for many years. Excellent customer service, too. Hack | |||
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Dose anyone use or have used the size and trimming die? Disabled Vet(non-combat) - US Army NRA LIFE MEMBER Hunter, trapper, machinest, gamer, angler, and all around do it your selfer. Build my own CNC router from scratch. I installed the hight wrong. My hight moves but the rails blocks 3/4 of the hight..... | |||
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After having an RL550 for almost 15years if I had to buy another progressive press a dillon is the only one I'd consider. Their service is second to none, just after having gotten my pres used I called them to ask some questions and to ask for instructions and they simply sent the instruction manual via FedEx. Then after reviewing I discovered that some things on the powder measure didn't quite match the pictures and realized I needed some primer tube tips So I called them again with credit card in hand and after explaining what I found and mentioning that the press was second hand they NEVER asked for my credit card information, when I asked them they refused and once again they overnighted not only primer tube tips but a set of primer tubes AND a complete powder measure, because they had "improved" the powder measure for safety and wanted me to use the new style. Dillon sets the standard for customer service. And they set the bar rather high... And by their past service they definatly earned my time to type this. AD If I provoke you into thinking then I've done my good deed for the day! Those who manage to provoke themselves into other activities have only themselves to blame. *We Band of 45-70er's* 35 year Life Member of the NRA NRA Life Member since 1984 | |||
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I have had my Dillon 550 for about 5-6 years I guess. I have never used it at it's full potential as far as speed goes. Often I just use it as a single stage press. I have dealt with customer service a couple of times due to operator error, and always a very pleasant experience. There are a couple of very good videos on you tube about using the Dillon press. WS | |||
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Dillon raised the bar for customer service! I have 550 for 23 years or so. Anytime I have had an issue they immediately dealt with it. I have never seen anything that I would consider a trade "up" unless it was a 650 or 1050. If you want to research perceived value, look on ebay for their stuff. I have been wanting to buy a primer pocket swager and they usually go for about what you would buy a new one for, sometimes higher! | |||
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Here's a little story about Dillon's customer service. I was hanging a new light fixture above my loading bench when the step ladder shifted, I went on my butt and the fixture fell on top of my Dillon 550 and broker the plastic powder resevoir (of course it was filled at the time). I called Dillon for a replacement part and their customer service guy asked how that part failed since according to him they never break. I told him what happened and he chuckled and sent one out free of charge. Can't beat service like that. Tom Z NRA Life Member | |||
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I'm another BLue Koolaid drinker. I have two 550B & have also loaded on the Hornady LNL. The 550B will ahndle just about any reloading need. It 's simple, reliable & if you do break anything for any reason, a call gets you new parts. The only reason I would change is to go to a 650 for the auto indexing. Still, I can easily load 400rds an hour on the 550B. They also make the best digital scale on the market IMO. It doesn't have the no BS warranty, but they will replace it after the 1yr for 1/2 if it dumps. I've tried others & the DIllon is the easiest to zero & holds zero throughout the loading session. LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT! | |||
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Winchester 69, If mr Kain's avatar is a self-portrait, I'd say your Bob Dylan song lyric metaphor might be lost on him due to age. Mike Dillon's Square Deal B is a straight-walled pistol press only, using Dillon Precision proprietary dies. Certainly not as famous as their RL550B, which could justly be called infamous as the Cadillac of progressive presses.
That's a special die made for use with their Rapid Trim 1200B Case Trimmer attachment. | |||
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How's this: Look out kid They keep it all hid Better jump down a manhole Light yourself a candle Don't wear sandals Try to avoid the scandals Don't wanna be a bum You better chew gum The pump don't work 'Cause the vandals took the handles Any help, James? Subterranean Homesick Blues circa 1965. I was in my early 20's. ________________________ "Every country has the government it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre | |||
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Yes age would be true, I am 27 and love to pick at the brains of the people with the info to share! 
Have you used it? How dose it work? It seems like it wold make life so much easier. Disabled Vet(non-combat) - US Army NRA LIFE MEMBER Hunter, trapper, machinest, gamer, angler, and all around do it your selfer. Build my own CNC router from scratch. I installed the hight wrong. My hight moves but the rails blocks 3/4 of the hight..... | |||
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I have a Dillon beam scale and love it. Red C. Everything I say is fully substantiated by my own opinion. | |||
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A out of spec Dillon shell plate gave me a problem when setting up a FLRS die for 223. Always adjust you die for a bottle neck type case by using a cartridge gage, L.E. Wilson or better yet a RCBS Precision Mic.  | |||
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I used to have several other brands of reloading equipment . I now only have Two Dillon and RCBS . The RCBS I use for a particular prepping operation and that's it . The Dillon's do 98% of all my reloading now . I used to do it all on the 550 until a couple of years back I received a XL 650 as a gift , So now it does my pistol stuff only . I highly recommend Dillon products . I bought my 550 in 1988-1990 and have been using it ever since , before that I used a RCBS Rockchucker and near everyone Else's at one time or another . You just CAN'T go wrong with them . I use RCBS Redding Dillon Forester Dies as any of them work just dandy . I'm glad I had the foresight to purchase multiple tool heads as well as Powder measures shell plate caliber conversion units When I did . Prices were Extremely reasonable back then as to now . 27 calibers can set your wallet on fire !!!!!!!!!.   | |||
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I have used Dillon equiptment for over 20 years. I feel like it is excellent,and they stand behind what they sell | |||
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I have not used a RapidTrim. In lieu of any other first hand experience, give Dillon a call in Arizona. The folks who answer the phone know their products inside and out. | |||
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It is mounted on top of a special die. That special die is unique to each cartridge and the number available form Dillon is somewhat limited. The case is sized in that die and the motor trims the case at the same time. You can look at their PDF on their web page. It may be easier but it is kind of pricey unless you restrict it to a few high volume cartridges. | |||
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