Dillon RL550 owners - ?

[Twangbanger]

How many rounds do you reload, and, does your left thumb / hand / etc. get sore from turning that index wheel repeatedly?


I don't want to pay the money and find there's an irritating ergonomic issue I could have avoided by paying a little more...thanks for your help!

 

[OneBadV8]

I reloaded about 5K rnds this past year and usually do at least 500 at a time. My thumb never gets sore indexing the press. It moves quite easily.

Have you ever tried loading on one? If you're close by I'd let you come give my 550 a test drive if you wanted.

 

[JDubb]

My left hand is perfectly fine from running the press! Nice set-up for the money and very good guarantee!

 

[rvb]

My left hand sometimes gets cramped/tired from holding and placing the bullets, mainly the smaller ones (9mm, .224), but not at all from turning the shell plate. I've done 20k+ per year at times, sometimes a couple k per day, at a rate of ~10 minutes per 100. Now that I'm shooting less and have a more permanant setup, I load smaller batches more frequently vs marathon sessions and I don't notice it at all.

The shell plate turns very easily.

-rvb

 

[riverman67]

I usually load 200-500 at at a time and I don't have any thumb issues.
I will say that the auto indexing feature of the 650 along with the case feeder would speed things up

 

[straight-shooter]

Thumb is good to go here on my 550B.

 

[mospeada]

If you're susceptible to repetitive stress injuries, I'd say stay away. Otherwise, unless you chain yourself to the machine for 4+ hours at a time, I'd say you'd be OK.

I load 500-1000 at a time. After 1k, I'm ready for a break and a beer.

 

[ZbornacSVT]

Good to go here. I will offer mine up for testing, too if you are ever over near Shelbyville.

 

[bman1962]

I can't wait to see if my thumb gets sore. I'm going to be buying a 550 this spring and am very excited to get going. I think I watched a video on utube of setting up this machine and when tightening the center down u make sure it turns easily when done. Sound right?

 

[LLDJR]

On a side note, we loaded 700 rounds of .45 SWC in 90 minutes Monday using the 650XL

 

[blue edge]

No thumb problems at all, but I do like my 650s better

 

[blainepoe]

I only load 1-200 in a setting so no probs here. If you are going to regret not getting the 650, it's because it loads twice as fast. I don't load enough to justify one (3-5k per year), but I also think how nice it would be to load twice as much in the same time...

Honestly, if you are new to progressives or reloading and won't be loading a ton, the 550 is the way to go. If you are going to do fewer calibers in high numbers and have a solid reloading background, the 650 is probably your best bet.

 

[Twangbanger]

Thanks for the response, everyone...very helpful board here!

 

[senork]

I normally reload about 200 at a time, without any problems.

 

[j706]

How many rounds do you reload, and, does your left thumb / hand / etc. get sore from turning that index wheel repeatedly?


I don't want to pay the money and find there's an irritating ergonomic issue I could have avoided by paying a little more...thanks for your help!

As a Dillon 550 and 650 longtime owner I am inclined to recommend the newer Hornady LNL AP. My priming systems have always been a PITA on my Dillons along with the powder measure's being cheezy. My biggest gripe is the play (Vertical) in the die holders and the press itself. Even though the play is only a few thousands it still irritates me because it gives me inconsistent seating depths and inconsistent crimps.

Some day I hope to sell my 550, 650 and buy a Super 1050. IMO that is one bad azz press system!

 

[LLDJR]

As a Dillon 550 and 650 longtime owner I am inclined to recommend the newer Hornady LNL AP. My priming systems have always been a PITA on my Dillons along with the powder measure's being cheezy. My biggest gripe is the play (Vertical) in the die holders and the press itself. Even though the play is only a few thousands it still irritates me because it gives me inconsistent seating depths and inconsistent crimps.

Some day I hope to sell my 550, 650 and buy a Super 1050. IMO that is one bad azz press system!

I noticed the play in the tool head, like you say, probably .003-.005" , I have a couple of ideas on how to take the play out, but all in all, I assembled the 650 and starting making rounds immediately with zero issues, but it has only cycled @ 1500 rounds so far

 

[kwatters]

On a side note, we loaded 700 rounds of .45 SWC in 90 minutes Monday using the 650XL

ThreadJacker!

 

[kwatters]

To the OP, hope to find out real soon.
Ordered my 550 New Years eve, should be here any moment!

 

[LLDJR]

ThreadJacker!

This is a new subliminal thought & purchase re-direction technique I learned,, 650xl,,, I thought I would 650xl try it out and see 650xl how it works.

 

[kwatters]

This is a new subliminal thought & purchase re-direction technique I learned,, 650xl,,, I thought I would 650xl try it out and see 650xl how it works.

lol, I was close to buying a 650, suddenly I feel the urge to get one again...