I have the 650 and have used it for many tens of thousands of rounds. No real problems. Things do wear out. I have some upgrades. I love it!
Used Dillon Press
Okay guys I am disappointed... I was looking at a used Dillon XL650 on Facebook and had several conversations with the owner. The press looked like new in the pictures. Seems he bought the press new about 5 years ago with a ton of extras and only used it sparingly. It had the case feeder, low primer and powder sensors, roller handle, two sets of dies which I did not need, a wet tumbler. Hornady case prep station, reloading manuals and a pile of other related equipment. He wanted $900 firm. It seems his interests had changed, and he needed the space. It was just marked as sold... Crap! If I were not 3 hours away I would have already been to pick it up.
I priced a similarly equipped XL750 and just the press without any of the peripherals was over $1400. So, my question is was that as good a deal as I think it was? I know the 750 replaced the 650 and is stronger, but would that have mattered if my primary use would be 9mm and 45acp? So tell me, how bad did I mess up? Thanks! Danny
I priced a similarly equipped XL750 and just the press without any of the peripherals was over $1400. So, my question is was that as good a deal as I think it was? I know the 750 replaced the 650 and is stronger, but would that have mattered if my primary use would be 9mm and 45acp? So tell me, how bad did I mess up? Thanks! Danny
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A lot of the time ‘new and improved’ is just an engineer justifying his job. It ain’t broke but here’s another way to do the same thing. I can’t imagine that the overcomplicated telephone dial priming 650 gizmo was less expensive than the linear primer that they went back to in the 750. Why you never buy the new model ford, chevy etc. Give them a couple years to work out the bugs.
I guess there's no point in rubbing salt on the skid marks in your palms... 
Less ponder and more pounce next time, but definitely do your due diligence.
Less ponder and more pounce next time, but definitely do your due diligence.
Like nearly everything new you should tune and service before using. Buy all your wants, too. Bullet feeder, plates, droppers handles trays, powder cops, etc. Price all that against the RL1100 similarly fits and check you real price difference. Don’t forget to account for swageing costs.
Then load and shoot
Then load and shoot
I dislike China, but they are (Frankford arsenal) supposed to be bringing out a progressive press to rival Dillon. I’ll stay blue.
Kitler, IIRC.Just curious, is the cat named Zorro?
Funny, I'll forget your name, but I very rarely forget your pet's name.
I run 2 550s and a 650. Will support Dillon over other offerings if for no other reason than Mike Dillon put progressive reloading within reach of the ordinary guy wanting a quality machine to produce a quantity of ammo. Volume shooters owe the company a lot and, their customer service is top notch. All the other folks have been chasing Dillon for years.
Thank you @MartyJK for the Ultimate Reloader video. Great video that explains the differences in 650/750. I have watched him many time on YouTube but never saw that episode. I do like the priming system of the 750 over the complexity of the 650, but will see what comes along. I hate to say this, but I don't need a progressive press, (don't tell the wife) but have had a lifelong lust for tools... Thanks again everyone! Danny
I have a 650 and a 750, the 750 primer system didn't work any better for me but the one nice thing is it doesn't spit out primers that aren't seated.
The only thing I've been scared about if its a scam. I'm a suspicious person about everything. I definitely don't want to just give some scammer $700. I have bought stuff, but was able to go look at it because it was no more than 50 miles away. So, I made a rule foor myself if its to far away I don't buy it.Let me put it this way Danny, I’m not a $650 fan boy and I would have jumped on it.
Sans the new models offered a year or two ago, I own every press that Dillon has ever made except for the 650 and 50 BMG.
In spite of many fan boys preaching the 650 kool aid, it just never appealed to me when I already had multiple 1050’s.
But that deal would make it worth while.
If you can find a Dillon get it. I have a Dillon 650xl that decades old. I can assure you that the Dillon NO BS warranty is a real deal. When I've had a problem, a phone call resolved it with parts on the way. I called once and they asked for the serial number, I gave it and they responded "that's old" and proceeded to send me several new parts all on their dime. I wore out Lee, wore out a Hornady Progressive, I'll stick with Dillon.
@rgadams040, I agree. A new press from a reputable dealer, fine. But a used press? I need to see it firsthand. Thanks! DannyThe only thing I've been scared about if its a scam. I'm a suspicious person about everything. I definitely don't want to just give some scammer $700. I have bought stuff, but was able to go look at it because it was no more than 50 miles away. So, I made a rule foor myself if its to far away I don't buy it.
I watched the nice comparison video referenced above. Thanks. I have used my 650XL for over 20 years and am still thrilled with it. I have added some upgrades offered by some ingenious after-market entrepreneurs that, interestingly, Dillon has used in the 750 now. I have no interest in upgrading and, if I wanted another Dillon progressive, I would stick with the 650XL. I have had no real issues with function or safety using the primer system of the 650XL. Dillon customer service, to restate what has been said above, is the best ever. Many times I have called with questions and/or problems and I have always gotten more than what I expected with help. None better than Dillon!
Thank you @whig. I am not ruling out any press from the 550 and up. The 750 would be my first choice, but waiting to see what comes up in the used market. I’m not in a hurry! Danny
My 650 is over 20-years old. My understanding is that the 750 uses a updated primer feed system but other than that, are the same.
If it came down to having just one Dillon machine, I'd vote for the 550. We run a 650 for .45acp and 9mm, and a dedicated 550 (with a Hornady powder measure) for .223/5.56. Our second 550 is the do all machine taking care of our needs for stuff like the .32 H&R, 10mm, .44mag.,.38 super, and .45AR to name a few. The 650 has served us well for high volume 9mm and .45 but, if push came to shove, and we had to downsize to one machine we could live with just a 550.
OP, I'm going to swim slightly against the current here, but if you're intending to load only 9mm and 45acp (that is, straight walled pistol cartridges) you might consider the budget move of using a Dillon Square Deal B.
True, the dies it uses are proprietary to it, but they are carbide, and inexpensive for a complete toolhead set up for whatever caliber and bullet shape you wish.
I have been loading all my .357mag, 9mm, 44mag, and 45acp on a SDB since 1986 and its never faltered. When parts show wear (usually nylon guides and shellplate springs) I contact Dillon and new parts show up at no charge.
I have bigger Dillon presses for rifle cartridges, but I've never felt a need to discontinue my use of the SDB for handgun rounds.
It's the simplest, most reliable progressive press I've ever used.
Your money, your choice.......but you can't go wrong with Dillon gear!
True, the dies it uses are proprietary to it, but they are carbide, and inexpensive for a complete toolhead set up for whatever caliber and bullet shape you wish.
I have been loading all my .357mag, 9mm, 44mag, and 45acp on a SDB since 1986 and its never faltered. When parts show wear (usually nylon guides and shellplate springs) I contact Dillon and new parts show up at no charge.
I have bigger Dillon presses for rifle cartridges, but I've never felt a need to discontinue my use of the SDB for handgun rounds.
It's the simplest, most reliable progressive press I've ever used.
Your money, your choice.......but you can't go wrong with Dillon gear!
@2tonic, thanks for your response. I did consider the Square Deal B, but the proprietary dies turned me off. I have dies for everything I load and all my pistol dies are carbide. I would not rule out a SDB if the right deal came along. I load for 9mm, 45acp, 357 and 44magnum in pistol and 223/556 and 22-250 in rifle. I looked at used Square Deal B presses, but the sellers want almost the cost of a new one. But I have seen the same thing on 550, 650 and 750 presses. I will just wait for the right deal to come along. I appreciate the input! Danny
Keep looking, stuff pops up all the time used. A friend just got a lightly used SDB for 350, with a scale and tumbler.
I had an SDB I really liked for .40. sold it to help fund the 750.
I had an SDB I really liked for .40. sold it to help fund the 750.
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