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is the Dillon 550 worth the $?

turban
I've used my Rock Chucker for years and am think about going progressive (reloading, NOT politics!). Loading single stage for my two sons and myself is eatin' lotsa time. It looks like getting "properly" set up for .45 and 10MM will cost around $600. I'm conflicted ...

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thx.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • bama55
    turban,

    Welcome!

    If you shoot/load a lot, the Dillon is worth it in time saved over a single stage press. I was lucky on mine, bought it used, with 4 sets of dies, for $150.00.

    Woodstock.gif
    "Don't send flowers when I die. Send money now so I can buy more guns and ammo."
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  • turban
    Thx, Bama. $150??? Will you adopt me??
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  • gap1916
    Buy used. bama got a good deal. you can also. Keep your eyes open at gun shows and even the local want ads. [8D]

    Greg
    Former
    USMC
    ANGLICO
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  • Pinhead
    turban, If I was going to load for pistol cartridges I would give serious consideration to the Square Deal. I have both and while I like them both, the Square Deal is easier for me as it is specifically designed to load the shorter cartridges. I can load with it as fast as the 550 and the Square Deal is about $50.00 less than the RL 550. They are both worth the money as far as I am concerned. You can't loose.
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  • turban
    Thx, Pinhead. I thought about and researched the SD. Almost everyone I talked to advised against it. It does sound like once one adds in the accessories, the price difference (SD savings) is not that great.
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  • mazo kid
    Cruise the different auction sites; as mentioned above you can find some used presses at reduced prices and some will have accessories included. I got my 550 used and it came with powder measure, a couple of caliber conversions, several die sets, extra parts, etc. for $75 less than the price a new press. Lifetime no hassle warranty , too. Emery

    "Well done is better than well said"
    Ben Franklin
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  • kuhlewulf
    Great loader from a great company. We own three presses and the Dillon RL550 is the the fastest and funnest to use. The Dillon no BS warranty is also top notch. If its broke they don't even want to know why, they just want to replace it. Of course it doesn't hurt that I live 15 minutes from the factory. That warranty goes for anything you buy used also. If you load in volume its worth it.

    James
    royalthaiarmy.gifrtaflag.jpg
    Do your troops train with live cobras? ROYAL THAI ARMY DOES!
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  • Throckmorton
    the 550 gives better visibility and handroom,and uses standard dies.Not all dies are created eqaual,I much prefer the Lee factory crimp die to the dillon on my 45colt loads,,,,nicer roll on the crimp.
    dont look for a lot of used dilons on the market,they don't come up as often as LEe and someothers...should tell ya something.Shipping a press won in an auction adds to the overall price.
    You can very easily do without the roller handle...I got one and it was not that big a deal.The strong mounts are not necessary if you make your bench a bit taller.I view them as a gimmick...my 550 don't wiggle on my heavy,tall bench.
    great thing about either press is the ability to run one round thru at a time while setting it up and geting used to it.
    an alternative would be to buy two more presses and form an assembly line.Belive it or no it's not Dads' responsibility to do ALL the loading. :)

    Throckmortons' the alias,cas is the game.
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  • bama55
    turban,

    Nah on the adoption, the wife wouldn't let me.[:D]

    Yep on the $150. 550B complete, with 4 die sets (all Dillon).[:D][:D]

    Woodstock.gif
    "Don't send flowers when I die. Send money now so I can buy more guns and ammo."
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  • mpolans
    I'll second the idea of Square Deal B if all you're loading is handgun stuff. Because it auto-indexes, once it's set up, the SQB can be much faster than the 550. That said, my dad owns one of each and they're both great presses. Dillon just puts out a great product and their No B.S. Warranty is excellent. They even replaced a press for a guy who had his press shot up during an attempted armed robbery (press took a couple shotgun hits). It's been a rare occasion when our Dillon presses have choked, but when they have, they've sent new parts promptly and without a hassle. We once broke a handle while loading at over double the speed Dillon rated the press for and got a new handle, no problem (incidentally, that handle was since been redesigned to be made stronger; no problems with the new one.)
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  • gunnut505
    Either the 550 or the AT500 "fully set up" for 10mm & 45ACP will cost you far less than $600. Even if you got the AT in 45, and then added stuff to make it a 550, and then added stuff to load 10mm; it shouldn't cost over $450.
    Go to www.dillonprecision.com and ask questions, browse the stuff, get on the mailing list, read about all the people that have and use their equipment; then get whichever your heart desires!
    I'd avoid the SDB only because you need Dillon dies, which are pretty expensive.

    If you know it all; you must have been listening.<br>WEAR EAR PROTECTION!
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