From: bluemoon!jamaass@gator.rn.com (Jeffrey A. Maass)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Dillon 650 review
Date: 3 Oct 92 13:21:59 GMT
Organization: Blue Moon BBS ((614) 868-998[024])

Sproul@sproul.sproul.com (Mark Sproul) writes:

# 
# [MODERATOR: Nice review, Mark, thanks for posting!]
# 
# *********************************************
# *              DILLON XL-650 REVIEW         *
# *********************************************
# 
# I have my new Dillon XL-650 up and running, here are my comments.
# 
# 
# Operation:
# 
# Starting with empty brass dumped into the hopper.
# 
# First the hopper is large and tall. I am 6'4" and can just see 
# into the top of the hopper.  A rotating plastic disk set at about 
# a 45 degree angle catches the empty cases and rotates it to the 
# top where it drops into a funnel.  There are four different disks, 
# one each for small rifle, large rifle, small pistol, and large 
# pistol.  You only get one with the unit but can order additional 
# ones for other calibers.  The brass drops down a clear plastic 
# tube about 18" long, when the tube fills up, a switch in the 
# bottom of the funnel assembly turns off the motor.  As the ram 
# is raised, the bottom case is feed through a drop mechanism 

How often does the motor run (every time a case is extracted, or
when the tube is empty?).

# 
# On the next stroke, the case is raised up to the sizer, de-priming 
# die in station 1.  A plastic cup attached to the bottom of the shell 
# plate catches the spent primers and does a better job than the system 
# on the 550. As the ram is brought to the bottom of the stroke, at the 
# very last portion, the shell plate indexes one station clockwise. 
# The primer is placed at the bottom of station 2.  Dillon admitted 
# to one goof in an addendum to their documentation that if you don't 
# have brass in the unit, the new primers are continually feed and 
# end up on the floor.  They are working on this and will send out 
# a fix to all customers as soon as it is ready.

A conversation with Dillon Wednesday confirms that the solution is
designed, and delivery is expected in 2 months. The part is
being produced by a outsource.

# 
# Station #3 is used for the powder check system option.  I ordered 
# this option, but all of the pieces were not ready and they said it 
# would be shipped latter.  The explanation of the system is that it 

Dillon says that the powdercheck unit will be shipping in about 
4 weeks. Again, it's being produced by an outside vender who
hasn't kept his schedule committments.

# 
# A couple of people have asked if I was going to sell my old 550. The
# answer is no, I have 3 550s and will still be using them.
# 
# I am VERY pleased with the unit and would recommend it to anyone doing 
# a lot of reloading.  The total price with the case feeder option and
# powder check option is around $550.
# 
# 
# -------------------------------------
# Mark Sproul - KB2ICI
# 

Based on your review, the information in The Blue Press, and some
early magazine articles, I ordered my XL 650. Delivery time is
estimated to be 4 weeks, recently down from 8 weeks. Powdercheck
option will be shipping around the same time as I expect my press..

I'm going to keep my (single) RL-550B, too....


Jeff Maass                   Amateur Radio: K8ND (@ W8CQK)
Powell OH (NW of Columbus)         Netmail: jamaass@bluemoon.uucp