rcbs turret or dillon

scooterman27006 · #1 05-15-2005, 05:26 AM

i have been thinking about a turret press of some sort only because i can leave my dies set and not have to mess so much when changing calibers- i have no plans for a progressive press and all my dies are rcbs also - i had been looking at the rcbs turret and its pretty cheap and if i get an extra turret to change out then i wont ever have to take the dies out again but -- i keep reading about the dillon presses and they look nice and was just wondering what you all thought - no interest in progressive and i prime by hand and measure powder with a scale on each cartridge so all i really do with the press is resize and push the bullets - how many use the dillon stuff and my dies should fit if i decide on the dillon press right

Rocky Raab · #2 05-15-2005, 10:29 AM

The Dillon AT-500 is a sort of hybrid between a turret and a progressive.

The shellholder plate has four holes, but they're all different - to accomodate many different cartridges with common head diameters. You put a case in the correct one and then rotate it under each die in turn. You load each case completely, one at a time. Pretty slick.

And, if you desire, it can be upgraded to the 550 or 650 models later on.

But get one fast. Dillon is going to discontinue it soon due to lack of demand. But the forever, no bull warranty will still be there.

Ken14 · #3 05-15-2005, 11:52 AM

I really like the Dillion..wished Id have not waited so long to get one. Both have outstanding customer service. Choice is yours.

IchWarrior · #4 05-15-2005, 01:51 PM

The AT-500 is going to be cancelled?

I love my 550B... its unbeatable for .357 Magnum reloading. .223 is nice as well... hard to feed an AR when your trigger happy as me

scooterman27006 · #5 05-15-2005, 08:30 PM

since i only load 5 sometimes 6 different calibers plus the price of a turret for rcbs is cheaper - i can get the turret press with a extra turret with 6 more holes to swap out with for 180.00
and thats shipping included - i am looking real hard at it - i wont have to take out and put back in anymore plus if i start reloading for pistols then i will have a reason to buy a dillon also lol - pretty smart thinking hu fellas lmao - anyone have one of the rcbs turrets and do they work pretty good as far as lining up and all - they look good and i believe this will be my best choice since i weigh each charge and all and like to hand prime - i dont think i would be using the dillon to near its potential and that would be a waste but i would like to hear what all the experienced ones say - thanks for the input fellas

Catfish · #6 05-15-2005, 08:59 PM

Scooterman,
If the turrit press were free and I had to pay full price for a Dillon I would be loading on a Dillon. I`ve been loading on a 550 Dillon since the 1980`s and am convinced that it is the best press on the market for me. I have well over $ 1,000 invested in mine as I load for so many different cal`s., and I due cut expences by useing 1 cartridge conversion kit for all round of the same head size and buy powder funnels as need and swap them into different rounds also. With ball powder the Dillon powder measure will through powder charges within 1/2 of 1/10 of a gn. from now on. I`ve loaded alot of ammo that shot under 1/2 MOA and a fair amount that went under 1/4 MOA when conditions were right and the gun would do it.
I would recomand the AT 500 if you have alot more time than you need to reload, and the RL 500 if your pushed for reloading time. The first year I owned one I loaded over 1,200 rounds of rifle ammo and over 12,000 rounds of handgun ammo, and I didn`t live in my reloading room.
I might also add that if you load alot of cast bullets that the Dillon die are worth the extra money they cost as you can clean the bullet lube from them in abt. 1 min. without takeing them out of the press. If you don`t load alot of cast bullets they are probibly not worth the extra money, but the press is a real bargin if you load alot of ammo and wnat consistant loads.

Rocky Raab · #7 05-16-2005, 09:46 AM

Ich, it hasn't been announced. But I have it from an inside source that the AT-500 won't be in the July catalog.

If anybody wants one, order it now.

highthrill · #8 05-29-2005, 08:02 PM

The D 550 is great. Rocky is right on with this one.
sc

IchWarrior · #9 05-29-2005, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rocky Raab
Ich, it hasn't been announced. But I have it from an inside source that the AT-500 won't be in the July catalog.

If anybody wants one, order it now.

Hmm, well I never gave the 500 much thought, I need to move upwards for some pistol reloading....

Well I dont need to, but it sure would be fun to reload when all you gotta do is pull the handle