As related in a different thread, I recently upgraded to a Dillon 550B from a single stage press. When I did, I purchased everything needed to load 45 acp, 9mm and 380. Problems started with the 9mm and are now cascading to the 45 setup. Problem is that this thing eats materials faster than I can buy them.
In the past, I would buy a pound of powder about twice a year to maybe 4 times a year at best. Since I've purchased the Dillon, I've bought 3 pounds in the last week. Same with bullets. A box of 500 9mm fmj would easily last until between 1500s but I just went through one in two days.
Since getting the Dillon 550, I've loaded over 500 rounds of 9mm and 350 in 45 acp in less than a week. I can now load 45 faster than I can shoot it at the range. I timed the last batch of 100 and it took 11 minutes to do it. That's working nice and slow, visually checking the powder level with each round.
We've fired 400 of those 9mm rounds in the last two days. Every one was flawless. This thing works so well, it's going to eat me out of house and home. This does not bode well for the future. If nothing else, my mailman will now hate me because I need to mail order bullets. Either that or I need to take a hand cart to the 1500 to haul enough supplies out to last a couple of months.
On a serious note, I love this thing. I'm glad I spent a couple of years on a single stage press, but this has got to be the best gun money I've ever spent. I still need to get parts to do 223 and 7.62x39 to increase the financial abuse but it will be worth it.
In the past, I would buy a pound of powder about twice a year to maybe 4 times a year at best. Since I've purchased the Dillon, I've bought 3 pounds in the last week. Same with bullets. A box of 500 9mm fmj would easily last until between 1500s but I just went through one in two days.
Since getting the Dillon 550, I've loaded over 500 rounds of 9mm and 350 in 45 acp in less than a week. I can now load 45 faster than I can shoot it at the range. I timed the last batch of 100 and it took 11 minutes to do it. That's working nice and slow, visually checking the powder level with each round.
We've fired 400 of those 9mm rounds in the last two days. Every one was flawless. This thing works so well, it's going to eat me out of house and home. This does not bode well for the future. If nothing else, my mailman will now hate me because I need to mail order bullets. Either that or I need to take a hand cart to the 1500 to haul enough supplies out to last a couple of months.
On a serious note, I love this thing. I'm glad I spent a couple of years on a single stage press, but this has got to be the best gun money I've ever spent. I still need to get parts to do 223 and 7.62x39 to increase the financial abuse but it will be worth it.
