I received my RL 550B Dillon progressive press via FedEx Home Delivery. It took several hours to assemble it and get everything setup. Besides the self induced frustration of setup (Watch the video before putting the press together!) it went together well.
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The press looks well built, is sturdy, and very blue. Don’t mistake the pictures as it is really that color blue. No matter how great you think you are at assembling things… This machine will kill your ego. Before you even tighten your first nut you have to watch the 1985 Dillon Precision VHS Tape. I don’t know if it really was made in 1985, but it really had a VHS tape. The printed instructions might be older and even worse than the video. It actually took a combination of the video, black & white photo instructions, and an engineering degree to get it assembled. The machine is fantastic after you get it assembled. The DP people need to get together with the IKEA folks for a set of assembly instructions. Or, just maybe I have grown used to hole A goes into hole A, B to B, C to C, etc.
After watching the tape, engineering for dummies, and physics 101 the press is together is pumping out some serious rounds. I loaded almost 200 rounds in about 2.5 hours. Now I just wish I couldn’t shoot 200 rounds and hour. Tomorrow I might make a little trip back to the FOP range to test fire a few of the rounds to test my reloading skills.
After I clean up my new Dillon RL 550B work station I will try and take a few pictures to share.
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Today I order a Dillon Precision 550. For those that don’t know – the Dillon 550 is a progressive reloading press. Dillon has been the premier manufacturer of progressive ammo reloading presses for years. Several of our members reload and I have not. When I set out I knew that I would need everything to get started. So where does a novice reloader turn? That was easy part!
After weeks of reading, talking, and weighing the options I landed on a third party retailer and guru of reloading, Brian Enos. If you check around on the internet you will find great reviews of Brian’s. I spoke with Brain this afternoon and agree with the reviews. If you want to know about anything Dillon call him, 1-877-219-5598.
So why Dillion as opposed with any of the others. That is also simple. The warranty, market saturation, reputation, and customer service. With so many moving parts something is bound to break right? Everyone talks about how the 550 wont break. I don’t buy into that as I can break anything. So when making an investment I go with something that “wont break” and if it does has a “No BS Warranty”.
Since I didn’t have most of the reloading gear I order one of the “EZ-Buy Packages“. Though there isn’t a discount for ordering the package the simplicity and ease is worth it. The prices with Brian are the same as MSRP and the shipping is free. Since the shipping is free it is cheaper than MSRP. There are a few online retailers around that offer similar packages but none seem to be as complete Brian’s. Plus their prices are marked up from MSRP.
I expect the reloading press the end of this week or the begining of next. I am sure to post more about the 550b as I have lots of build up for it.
What do you think of your reloading press?
