Dillon Essentials Package

PKJ

PKJ

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Realizing it is probably a really bad time to get into reloading with supply shortages and long lead times, what's the consensus on the Dillon 550c Essentials Package? I'm looking to start out on 9mm but eventually add 380, 300 blackout, 5.56 and 6.5 grendel. I know I would need case prep stuff but is the essentials package a good start at a little over $900?

This "Essentials" Package includes:

RL550C Reloading Machine
550 Conversion Kit, 9mm
Carbide 9mm Three Die Set
D-Terminator Digital Scale
Lyman 50th Edition Reloading manual
Digital Calipers
Primer Flip tray
9mm Case Gage
1" Bench Wrench
Mounting Hardware Kit
Dillon Case Preparation Guide
 
That looks like a great start.
I would get some extra primer tubes for small pistol primers-
 
If you want to save a few dollars, go to another brand for dies, electronic scale, and calipers.
I bought the spare parts kit. Dillon will replace anything you break, but it’s nice to be able to get up and running right away and then have the new spare arrive a few days later. Of course the only think I’ve broken, as far as I recall, is the eject wire.
 
I’ve got a 550B and have been really satisfied with it.

Get a light kit.
https://shop.kmssquared.com/shop/ols/products/ufo550kit

If you think you will ever want a case feeder, and will be doing rifle rounds, you might think about the 750. There is no option for rifle cases with the 550 case feeder.
 
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You can’t go wrong with a Dillon, period. But I too would suggest spending a little more & get the 750.


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Just curious, is the ability to upgrade to the bullet feeder, powder check system, etc the biggest difference between the 550 and 750 or is also built heavier?
 
simonp67 said:
You can’t go wrong with a Dillon, period. But I too would suggest spending a little more & get the 750.


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Click to expand...

If I didn't already have the 550, I would get the 750. If I were to get one now, I wonder how long it would take me to stop trying to manually index it.
 
550 has four stations, where the 750 has 5. The 5th station can be used with a powder check die, or bullet feeder setup.

The 550 has manual indexing, the 750 has auto indexing.

The 550 case feeder only does handgun calibers, while the 750 case feeder will do rifle or handgun calibers.
 
Awesome, thanks for the info! I'll probably head the 750 route then given only $150 price difference on the package. Now to order and wait 8 - 12 weeks... but it may take that long to find small pistol primers :confused:
 
I started in a progressive press and would do it again in a heart beat. Id go 750 route. The machines are backed up on order for a while, but Dillon by FAR has the best customer support.
 
Yup, I decided to switch to a Dillon xl750. It’s bad timing for sure. Their website shows a back order of 8-12 weeks. I haven’t ordered anything yet.
I have 2 rcbs presses. 1 is dedicated to depriming/resizing. 1 with a piggyback for reloading. They work fine, but caliber conversion sucks and is time consuming.
 
I spent way too much money making the move to progressive. Started with a gifted rcbs jr3 single stage. Found a good deal on a Lyman turret. Then wanted to go Ricky Bobby fast on a Cal Naughton Jr budget and bought a Lee loadmaster from lucky13 when he was in Lexington. After a couple years of tinkering to get through 1k rounds decided to drink the blue Koolaid and got a 650xl from butter. The Dillon is awesome. I can easily knock out hundreds of rounds an hour with the slowest process filling primer tubes. Butter has a solution for that too but I don’t want to spend the cash.
 
Metalliman27055 said:
I spent way too much money making the move to progressive. Started with a gifted rcbs jr3 single stage. Found a good deal on a Lyman turret. Then wanted to go Ricky Bobby fast on a Cal Naughton Jr budget and bought a Lee loadmaster from lucky13 when he was in Lexington. After a couple years of tinkering to get through 1k rounds decided to drink the blue Koolaid and got a 650xl from butter. The Dillon is awesome. I can easily knock out hundreds of rounds an hour with the slowest process filling primer tubes. Butter has a solution for that too but I don’t want to spend the cash.
Click to expand...
You’ll never load primers by hand again....
 
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