Hmmmm, that's a thinker..... Would I buy a 650 today???Luv the lever wrote: ↑Fri Sep 15, 2023 3:00 pmI was thinking about the Dillon 550, it has primers on demand, hand indexes but comes in at about $600. I can hand index mine seeing this is the only issue I have as of now. The 750 is the update to the 650 and chimes in around $730. It has the same issues and costs of running as the 550 but the ability to crank out some ammo, should I need to.
I have to admit that I've only dealt with Lee once and the support has so far been overwhelmingly pleasant but it sounds like I'm in for more and more. This press was $300, affordable. Just wondering if the extra money is worth it.
Would you still buy that 650 today?
Thanks
Well, first, I don't believe Dillon even makes it anymore, so that's out. Shooting and loading considerably less now than what I used to shoot, I probably really wouldn't have the need for one like that. I simply don't shoot as much as I used to, and also can't really afford to do that anymore. But IF I did shoot a lot like I used to, and could afford to, I'd probably go for the 650 again or a 750.
If it were strictly for handgun rounds, and maybe only for two or three different calibers, I'd likely go for the Square Deal B that's been recommended. They were always pretty reliable & bulletproof for my buddies that used them. If I wanted to load small quantities of rifle rounds, I personally would buy a turret press like the Lee Classic Turret Press to supplement the Dillon SDB, or do like I do now, and single stage my rifle rounds. A turret press or single stage press are both nice ways to maintain quality control for smallish quantities of ammo. Since I normally shoot way less rifle rounds than handgun rounds, this works FOR ME. May not do it for you.
If I planned on shooting a lot of .223/5.56 stuff these days, and had no 650 press, I'd probably go with a 550, I guess, and start pricing caliber conversions for that press.That press can definitely crank out some rounds, rifle and handgun. It's a slightly slower press than the 650, but I feel they're a simpler press to set up and live with. Sometimes, slower is faster.
Be honest with yourself about how many rounds you currently do shoot, have time to shoot, have the time to load for, the calibers you plan to or do shoot, & have the $$$ to shoot (and how much of these things you'll have in the future; that can change......). That will determine what will work best for you. Are you a 3-gun competitor with needs for mass quantities of ammo? A Doomsday Prepper that gets the warm fuzzies having tons of loaded rounds for "just in case"? Evaluate and assess how much time & money you'll have for reloading and shooting, then buy what will work for YOU. I guess I'd say if you will shoot a lot, get a press that can make ya lotsa bullets for that. If smaller quantities are called for, get a suitable press for that.
