Dillon RL-550B Progressive Reloader Review
Cool Tools is a very interesting blog for gadget lovers that I have been reading for years. They have posted a review of the Dillon Precision RL-550B Progressive Reloading Press …
They tell me that a guy can reload 500 rounds an hour with this machine. I have only done about 350 per hour but never broke out into a sweat! The fascinating thing about this reloading press is that once you get started, you drop a loaded round with every pull of the handle. Not 5 pulls and two die changes for every round as before.
[ Many thanks to Michael for emailing me the link. ]
I founded TFB in 2007 and over 10 years worked tirelessly, with the help of my team, to build it up into the largest gun blog online. I retired as Editor in Chief in 2017. During my decade at TFB I was fortunate to work with the most amazing talented writers and genuinely good people!
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I have been reloading for about 6 months and picked the Dillon RL550B as my first press after doing allot of research. I load 223. 45ACP and 300RUM. the cost savings are significant for me because I shoot allot. I go through about 1500 or 2000 rounds of 223 slightly less for 45ACP and about 700 rounds of 300RUM. the cost savings are great with 300RUM from about 4 bucks a shot to about a buck a shot. I only use premium components for reloading 300 and my loads outperform any premium factory ammo that I have used. The cost is significantly lower because I have about 1000 rounds of empty 300RUM brass. The cost savings are also very good for 45ACP and are about 40% savings for 223 if you have your own empty brass. I have Dillon, RCBS and Redding dies. The 300Rum dies are competition "S" type dies and are superior by a long shot in my non equal apples to oranges comparison. I did add a factory crimp die to the 300RUM set. Switching between calibes is easy and quick because I have a tool head for each calibber with the dies allset up the way I like them so switching calibers is as easy as pulkling 2 pins, swithching tool head and changing the primer feeder if going from large to small or vice-versa. The dillon is extremely well built and I am sure that other press' are great also but when you do your due diligence you will find that most recomendations for your first, last and only press will be the Dillon RL550B.
I've had mine for over ten years. Love it. I also have an old Rock Chucker that I've had for umtpy-ump years. I use them for different purposes. I keep four setups for the Dillon for regular use, and keep parts to run other ammunition. Fabulous machine. Never misses a lick. Recommend the roller handle.