Thoughts on Dillon Equipments

[dieseltwitch]

Im getting into reloading and want to buy both a brass press and a shot shell press. I have an "in" with a dealer for Dillon's press's (kind of dating a gun shop owners daughter) and he said he would give me the press's at cost. My question is, is the gear any good?

 

[MudRunner2005]

Dillon is one of the best their is. However, starting out, don't buy a progressive press. Buy a single-stage setup first to get into it and learn the basics.

 

[Firearrow]

I own and use a single stage RCBS. My cousin own a Dillon 650 progressive, and has it set up mostly for pistol, but just started doing 5.56. If you are loading for precision, single stage. The 650 is close, but not as consistent as a single stage. Hope that helps.

 

[MTBULLET]

excellent equipment

 

[Shortmagman]

I bought a Dillon Square Deal sometime in the mid 1980's and after loading hundreds of round and over 20 years of use somethings broke or did not work as it should. I boxed it up and sent it back to Dillon. A few weeks later I receive what looked like a new press. For loading large qualities of ammo you can not do better than a Dillon Press. For long range shooting it is certainly better to single load, but I know people that shoot across the course(200 -600yards) using an AR-15 in 223 that load them with a Dillon 550 press and they do not feel that the are at a disadvantage.

 

[lamiglas]

Learning on a single stage is a good idea. However I use a 550b for everything. I use it as a single stage for my edges etc

 

[Zep]

You would be wading into he deep end of the pool starting out with equipment like that. Unless her father is going to help you out I would pass for now. Start with a MEC Jr. for shotgun and a good single stage for metallic. And if you stick with this girl in a few years you might be ready for the Dillon, maybe. I know two shooters that gave up on Dillion, they have their place but you best know what you are doing and already understand reloading. Just my opinion but I like to keep things real simple.

Of note I have reloaded over 100,000 shot shells on the same MEC Jr. and I have never once got a bad shell. I used to shoot 4 rounds of skeet weekly and then later 6 rounds of trap so a MEC Jr will get the job done, about 3-4 boxes an hour without rushing.

As for metallic, that is another subject entirely. And handgun is entirely different that long range rifle putting them in the same hole. Long range rifle to me is a major challenge and I have good mentors and I am always reading.

 

[lloydsmale]

its top shelf stuff. Ive been using there product for over 20 years. NOBODY stands behind there products any better. But I have to agree with the others here a progessive is more for an experience loader. A beginner should start out of a single stage press and as to shotgun loading unless you shoot 300 rounds a week your going to be well served by a mec at a fraction of the price of a progressive dillon shotgun loader.

 

[acloco]

IMHO, start with a single stage. You will always need a single stage on your reloading bench anyway. IMHO - Rock Chucker or Forster CoAx (once you have a CoAx, anything else is inferior).

Dillon - Customer service, IF needed, is none better. They set the pace.....period.

I started with a used 550B 7 years ago. Bought a 450 (father to the 550B - non removeable die plate) for $100 5 years ago (upgraded the auto primer feed and auto powder, but kept the solid head press), and, two weeks ago, bought another 550B.

The 450 only loads 223 AI - that is the rifle round I shoot the most.

One 550 is set up for small primer and the other is set up for large primers.

If you can buy one for cost, don't turn it down, but load a couple thousand rounds on a single stage first....there is a learning curve.

...and...don't forget....learning about reloading is never ending.

 

[azsugarbear]

Dillon makes great equipment - and their guaranty is second to none. Go with their basic, single stage press to begin with. If you like it, marry the girl and ask for a progressive as a wedding gift.

 

[Zep]

I just want to add to my above post I know Dillon progressives are very popular with the guys and gals that shoot competitive handgun. If that were my game I am sure I would have a Dillon. When you need "a lot" of brass loaded on a weekly basis you are going to need a serious progressive press.

Now I was out hunting woodchucks today and I don't even have to clean my gun because I didn't see one. No need for a progressive here.

 

[Oresti]

I started reloading with a Dillion SDB. After I bolted it to my newly built bench, I was knocking out .45 rounds within 15 minutes. Later on I bought a 550b when I started loading 9mm and .357. Awesome equipment.

I really don't think reloading is so complicated that you have to start on a single-stage press.

 

[Rbreb13]

Agreed. For metallic cartridge reloading a good single stage to start out. Learn the basics and move up from there. I started out with an old Rockchucker. After using it what seemed like forever I got a Dillon 550B. The progressive is great for cranking out rounds but I still use the old Rockchucker for most of my rifle cartridges. The precision is just better with a single stage.

 

[Sully2]

I use a Rockchucker for all my metallic reloading but did use a 550B Dillon for my 38-357; 45acp and 44 mag reloading. Once I had a stockpile that will see me THRU the next world war...I really didnt need it.

I still have my single stage MEC loaders down in the room but for shot shetts my fav was a ( then Pacific)...(Noe a Hornady) 366 loader. 600 rounds an hours was nothing to accomplish and I drank coffee and smoked cigarettes ( behind me on another desktop) so I took "breaks" to do them ( Dont smoke anymore)

The higher end higher speed progressives are terrific for their purpose...but for the MOST accurate loading of either....get a good single stage.