Dillon XL 650 Tool Head and Die Set up

Reloading with the Dillon XL650 is a great experience IF you have the machine set up correctly. I try to show the steps I take to set up the machine from start to finish. I have the tool head off the machine to show what I am talking about, and then show it in place on the machine to show how it fits. Hope this helps those who are interested in the Dillon set-up.

[@HughBedingfield-j7x]

Nice video for the experienced XL 650 reloader, also great for the beginner. Thank you for your knowledge, advice and instruction.

[@stevenfuller1697]

Just wanna say i purchased my Dillon XL650 a few years ago. Watched papabravo's videos before purchasing my reloader. Everything from setup the machine,step by step running of the machine,to changing to different calibers. He made it super simple for me to jump right into reloading. Never had any issues with any of my reloads. He's the best.

[@216PapaBravo]

Thanks Steven! It's great to hear that someone got some good info out of my videos! I strive to create the most informative vids on reloading. Thanks again for your comments!

[@nnobakht]

By far, the best instructional videos on the web for Dillon 650 reloaders!! I've watched a lot of them and I do appreciate all of them but you are in a different class. Thank you so much, PapaBravo!! Just subscribed to your channel. Will follow them religiously!! Cheers

[@216PapaBravo]

357 Mag Guy 2015 Thank You!

[@tacticaljimnm7303]

Thanks for all your vids, my reload room is almost done and will house a 650.. your vids will definitely help with the setup. I am stepping up from a rockchucker to the big league...............

[@216PapaBravo]

You will enjoy loading on the 650. Take your time to setup and smooth sailing! Thanks for the comment!

[@brendanbedini5595]

Great video. Just what I was looking for to go thru the basic function and set up. Great job.

[@216PapaBravo]

Thank You Brendan for the kind words! I tried to focus on making the best possible reloads with the XL650. Pleas check out my other vids on the 650.

[@wowodan6635]

Thanks. This nicely complements the Instructional Video that comes with the Dillon XL650.

[@216PapaBravo]

Thanks for the positive comment Dan. Have fun reloading, this machine is the best!

[@kk5fe]

Great video! Better than what Dillon puts out. I just bought a 650 and this helped a lot with the setup. I'm using my RCBS dies for now but will likely change over to Dillon soon. Thanks for doing this one and your others!

[@216PapaBravo]

+kk5fe Thanks for the comment and kind words! Enjoy the 650, I know you will get the setup, be sure to watch your components...especially the powder. Your hopper should always be at least half full all of the time. This makes for more consistent loads (even though the powder drop is usually very good). Have fun!!

[@TomColontonio]

Awesome video!!! I am About to start reloading and this was very informative!!! Thanks

[@pazzescogringo]

Thank you for your excellent videos!

[@prebaned]

Love you videos Keep making them can not get enough 650

[@216PapaBravo]

Thanks for the comment!

[@bigal7561]

Nice. I'm in the final part of setting my 650XL. I need to buy sets of Dillon dies for all the cal's I'll be doing.

[@216PapaBravo]

Thanks Big Al...have fun with your new setup! You should be able to reload all of your ammo needs with the XL650. Be sure you have some case gauges to check your completed ammo, use them on your initial setup to make sure that the loader is sizing the cases correctly. Good Luck!

[@HammeringHank100]

Great video. Could you show how to setup the powder die for a pistol. Thanks, Hank

[@216PapaBravo]

That will be the next reloading video I do. Thanks for the comment.

[@ericmcconnaughey2201]

I’ve been told you need to resize the cases before trimming, so why is the de-prime/resize the first station on the progressive?

[@Ronaldg333]

Thank you

[@chriscoates3394]

This is the best video I’ve seen i’m new to this I bought the 650 XL I am going to do 6.5 Creedmore witch Dillion doesn’t have so I bought hornady it only has 3 dies do you have a video on 2 die sets

[@216PapaBravo]

No I do not have a video covering 2 die sets on the Dillon 650. My questions for you...1) are you only loading for the 6.5CM? 2) Are you using a bolt rifle or semi? Are the Hornady dies full length die sets or neck sizer? I have loaded 6.5CM on my single stage press for my brother-in-law (small batch, less than 100) and found them easy to load (although I have a RCBS die set). If you are only seating the bullet to the correct depth and NOT crimping the case mouth around the bullet, 2 die sets should work fine. Put the sizer die in station 1 and the seater/crimp die in station 4. You will need a powder measure funnel in the correct size (Funnel model 'K') for the powder measure to work properly. Then follow all of the normal setup procedures being sure to check COL (cartridge overall length) after the bullet is inserted. Also check the case length (they can't be longer than 1.920 (better in SAMMI mins at 1.910). Let me know what you have and I'll get back to you. Thanks for the question!

[@chriscoates3394]

@@216PapaBravo thanks for responding no im going to do 6.5, 223, 9mm, 308 and set them up like you did it on your video. my 6.5 is hornady 6.5 dies they 546289 die set i do think they are full length. im confused about the crimp for ar plate forms to bolt action how will i know if its right my 6.5 has a clip that holds 5 do i need to worry about a crimp

[@216PapaBravo]

@@chriscoates3394 Thanks for the additional questions AND answers. For the bolt action rifles, as long as the bullets fit snugly in the case mouth (by that I mean that you cannot fit them in by hand), you should be OK just seating the bullet. I would strongly suggest that for the .223 and .308 (if they are both semi-autos) that you look into RCBS (or other manufactures) Small base sizer dies. These dies resize the cases to minimum SAMMI specs, which is better for semi's. Even the Dillon dies do not resize to these minimum specs, but I would still buy the Dillon sets for the bullet seat and crimp stations. I would also highly recommend case gauges AND learn how to use them properly...NO CASE HEADS AT ALL ABOVE THE TOP OF THE CASE Gauge or the round will not seat properly in your firearm. I hope this helps, it's a lot to take in and you might watch other videos (including mine) about the whole reloading process (newer are more current). Good luck and feel free to ask questions, I don't mind at all!

[@jamesrobinson5672]

Out of all the Dillon 650 videos I have watched, yours are hands down, the best. Reloading to s.a.a.m.i. spec's is a safe way to reload. Do you have the hornady c.o.l. bullet comparator. I want to purchase one to load 223 for my ar15, after doing some research, setting the bullet travel to the rifling is supposed to increase accuracy.

[@216PapaBravo]

I and my son-in-law are basically plinkers...I do not reload for real long range accuracy. But that aside, I do get real good results with the Dillon Press. To answer your question I do NOT use a comparator. My process is good, but not to what I would call 'Match" specs. I have learned though that using "AR' or "Small Base" brass sizing dies are much better for use in AR style rifles. I've had way fewer problems when using these type dies. When it cools off here in NorCal (it's 111 today, yuk!) I'll be able to make a video showing my new process from start to finish for .223/5.56 brass reloading. Thanks again for your kind words!

[@Db.user_handle]

Why you choose Dillon dies? Because they're smooth as butter. I've never used a better set of dies.

[@Wingman77tws]

why is there a separate adjustment on the bullet seat die? do you have to adjust both independently?

[@216PapaBravo]

The second adjustment on top of the die is generally for different bullet types, such as pointed or round nose. The bullet seater die is for the gross adjustment (up or down) to set the bullet depth. The bullet insert inside the die accepts different styles of bullet types. Most brands of die sets have this feature. Thanks for the question.

[@Kurogane_666]

im sorry if this has been asked im looking at the 650 and have the pacesetter dies and the quick trims, would you suggest I use all 4 or is that a no go?

[@216PapaBravo]

In my humble opinion, I would just break down and buy the complete Dillon setup, both the die set and the conversion set for each caliber. You'll be ahead of the game and everything fits and works! You can use your existing setup for resizing and special loads. Thanks for the question! Good Luck!

[@Hugh_Hunt]

How often do you find that your powder charge varies after 100 rounds? And, do you cut you brass before each reload to ensure your dies will function flawlessly?

[@216PapaBravo]

It really depends on the powder, if ball or flake powder most times it is less than .01 grain. On stick powder (IMR types) I have found up to .1 grain. For most of my applications these are acceptable. As far as the brass goes I do check and or trim ALL of my rifle cases every time to be consistent. Thanks for the questions.

[@Hugh_Hunt]

Thanks for the reply, I had seen elsewhere on the internet that powder charges can vary because of a variance in pressure due to less powder in the tube. Not sure how accurate that comment is, but something to keep in mind.

[@216PapaBravo]

Quirkification I always try to keep the powder hopper over half full. This is one thing I have learned over the years. Keep it full and the charges stay the same.

[@johnb1448]

May be an idea turning the progressive machine into a manual machine. Example put only one die into the tool head and do a few casses then take that one out and move onto powder die, set them aside and put the other die for the bullet into the tool head and so forth. Why I mentioned this is to show how a progressive machine isn't so hard when so many operations are going on at once. Just a thought, so many people get turned off by progressive machine cause so much is happening all at once, but in reality its really not a hard concept to understand.

[@216PapaBravo]

Thanks for the comment. I'm in the process of making a new vid on the machine. I'll look into trying to 'slow' down the machine! Thanks again!

[@fightingbear8537]

What is the cost for a caliber change using Dillon dies?

[@216PapaBravo]

Here is the breakdown. The Dillon Die sets are $66 to $224 (more expensive is carbide rifle sets), you need a caliber conversion kit for each caliber at $78, and you should have a die block (holds the die set) for $30. So each caliber change is about $174 give or take. You'll also want to get extra powder die for each die block at $20 each. All of these are available through Dillon, who has exceptional customer service...give them a call! Thanks for the question!

[@redline870]

Holy crap that intro music almost made me turn off this video

[@klimatbluffen23]

Crap music

[@jimserafin3080]

Well intentioned but not well produced. Too hectic and jerky.