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The Dillon 650 performance evaluation

The following thread will show the performance of a Dillon 650 progressive reloading press, using Lake City 05 Long Range brass, H4896 powder, Hornady 168gr A max bullets and CCI BR-2 primers. I will load approximately 1000 cartridges to try and get a statistically significant look at the machine.

The following is just what I see. My opinion will be formed by the result. I will attempt to include enough details for you to form your own opinion.

I purchased the 650 because I wanted the best (for someone that only loads about 5000 cartridges per year). I was torn between single stage presses and a progressive one because of the steps that are required to load good cartridges. The steps are:
1. Lube
2. Decap and size
3. Trim to length
4. clean
5. install primer
6. measure and dispense powder
7. install and seat bullet to proper length
8. crimp
9. inspect

The progressive press does not allow for the trimming and cleaning steps in the required order, but it still speeds up the operation.

I performed steps 1, 2, removed the cartridge from the press, completed steps 3,4 backed out the sizing die and skipped steps 1, 2, 3, 4 the second time around.

I then completed the remaining steps.

I will show every step, including machine setup, backed up with video as well as fixed photos. Please refrain from commenting until I have completed all the steps. This process may take a while, but bear with me. I do have another life.

What step was selling the 650 to Joe?

The first stage involves adjusting the decapping/sizing die to achieve the proper size as well as of course decapping. I used a Dillon die for the 0.308. It would not reduce the case back to spec so I had to send it back to Dillon for them to modify it. The die came back 0.025" shorter and successfully sized the case.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1214284267.jpg

The Precision MIC was used to verify the case at its maximum dimension, the mininum chamber size of 2.630". Its going into a semi auto M14 so full size resizing is recommended.

The decapping and resizing did not go smoothly. The case feeder jammed quite often, the pipe guiding the carriages jammed up, the plastic guide fell out, often. About 1 out of every 30 to 40. Pictures of the jams will follow: They are typical.
The most frequent was the plastic guide falling out, causing the shells to hang up. THe feed also mis fed and presented at least one shell upside down.

If I was loading brass that was that dirty/filthy I sure as hell wouldn't post pictures of it ...let alone complain when the occasional primer seated wrong!

Quote:

posted by snowman

The following thread will show the performance of a Dillon 650 progressive reloading press, using Lake City 05 Long Range brass, H4896 powder, Hornady 168gr A max bullets and CCI BR-2 primers. I will load approximately 1000 cartridges to try and get a statistically significant look at the machine

What kind of powder is H4896?

Quote:

the pipe guiding the carriages jammed up,

Carriages?

You have no business with a reloading machine. Sell it to Joe as agreed.

John

Stephen King may be interested in this.
Jim

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo_Gearhead (Post 4020307)

If I was loading brass that was that dirty/filthy I sure as hell wouldn't post pictures of it ...let alone complain when the occasional primer seated wrong!

My thoughts exactly.

You post all kinds of unsupported crap. You make all kinds of BS claims. You don't live up to your agreements.

WTF is wrong with you!?!?!?!?!?!

Man up and sell this press to Joeska as you fully agreed to.

Anything else is just snowedman BS lies.

Stop lying.

This is shaping up more like a "Snowman performance evaluation". Stop before you hurt yourself. Honor your commitment to Joe.

even if he does cave-in and sell it to Joe, he's still a liar because he only did it when forced/shamed. Not before, and not as originally agreed.

This is the SLOWEST Darwin Awards thread I've ever seen...

Step 10. Sack up and sell machine to Joe as promised.

Step 11. Turn Backhoe off. When the hole is too deep to get out of, quit digging.

My observations:

The ONLY two things Pelicanites can agree on are:

1. We love our furry friends, and actually forget all the crap that goes on
to help or consloe each other when one of them gets hurt, passes away,
or becomes the newest member of the family.

2. This machine was promised to be sold to Joe a long time ago, and,
you look worse every day you don't honor that promise.

I only have one thing to say.

FOCUS.

As in the camera lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by m21sniper (Post 4021580)

I only have one thing to say.

FOCUS.

As in the camera lens.

Watch yourself... that might be defamation! :p

hodgens H4895 or 4896? those dillon presses rock! i think you need to tumble your brass first.

i missed that first thread. joe got a smokin deal...

That is priceless. No WONDER the primers fell out! DOH!