Dillon 650 Conversion Guidance- 45 ACP to 30-06 & 308

[Mountain]

Last year I grabbed a 650 at a really nice price from an estate sale. It was fully set up for 45 ACP and included the electric case feeder. With some clean up and a few adjustments, I'm cranking out 45 ACP Bullseye and coated cast loads. I'd like to set up for 308 and 30-06 loads to feed my milsurps and AR-308. After buying the 30-06 conversion kit and quick change kit, clearly there are other things I'm going to need. I knew it didn't come with dies but could use some advice for the other bits and pieces. Here goes-

• Dies - I have plenty of 30-06 and 308 sizing and seating dies, so I didn't order dies with the conversion kit. I don't see on the website where Dillon actually ID's the parts they send in the conversion kit. I'll post a pic in a minute.
• Is the smaller diameter metal cylindrical part the powder drop funnel that fits in the powder die on the quick change kit? Insert that into the powder die below the new powder drop and good to go, other than adjusting powder drop height and the actuating arm?
• Caliber conversion kit came with a medium casefeed body bushing. Is that the right size for 308 and 30-06? Did the conversion kit come with other parts necessary for the powder drop stage?
• Can I assume that the priming system for the 45 ACP large pistol primers will work for the large rifle primers?
• The shell carrier plates are the same? I think No. 1 for both 45 ACP and 308. No changes to that?
• For the case feeder, I know I need a large rifle casefeeder plate. Anything else?
• My 45 ACP set up has a powder check stage. That's a very good idea with the potential for double charges when loading the small amounts of Bullseye into 45 ACP. Is a powder check a good idea for 308 and 30-06 as well? I know practically impossible to double charge rifle cases like these, but I think it would be helpful to know if I get a light charge etc.

Any other advice much appreciated- I don't know what I don't know.

 

[Mountain]

Here's the pic-

 

[peterk123]

I can't help. I just like seeing shooting related posts.

 

[walter62]

Last year I grabbed a 650 at a really nice price from an estate sale. It was fully set up for 45 ACP and included the electric case feeder. With some clean up and a few adjustments, I'm cranking out 45 ACP Bullseye and coated cast loads. I'd like to set up for 308 and 30-06 loads to feed my milsurps and AR-308. After buying the 30-06 conversion kit and quick change kit, clearly there are other things I'm going to need. I knew it didn't come with dies but could use some advice for the other bits and pieces. Here goes-

• Dies - I have plenty of 30-06 and 308 sizing and seating dies, so I didn't order dies with the conversion kit. I don't see on the website where Dillon actually ID's the parts they send in the conversion kit. I'll post a pic in a minute.

they post the conversion contents on the conversion kit page. the contents are always the same, just caliber/family specific.

Do you have the 650 manual (on website)?

So yea, pick a die set

• Is the smaller diameter metal cylindrical part the powder drop funnel that fits in the powder die on the quick change kit? Insert that into the powder die below the new powder drop and good to go, other than adjusting powder drop height and the actuating arm?

Correct

• Caliber conversion kit came with a medium casefeed body bushing. Is that the right size for 308 and 30-06? Did the conversion kit come with other parts necessary for the powder drop stage?

it's the right size for whatever the caliber it was designed for.
In the machine manual, there should be a chart that contains all the parts for all the conversion kits. Yes, it's the same. Kit 21094

• Can I assume that the priming system for the 45 ACP large pistol primers will work for the large rifle primers?

yes

• The shell carrier plates are the same? I think No. 1 for both 45 ACP and 308. No changes to that?

no

• For the case feeder, I know I need a large rifle casefeeder plate. Anything else?

dont think so

• My 45 ACP set up has a powder check stage. That's a very good idea with the potential for double charges when loading the small amounts of Bullseye into 45 ACP. Is a powder check a good idea for 308 and 30-06 as well? I know practically impossible to double charge rifle cases like these, but I think it would be helpful to know if I get a light charge etc.

Any other advice much appreciated- I don't know what I don't know.

 

[Mountain]

they post the conversion contents on the conversion kit page. the contents are always the same, just caliber/family specific.

Do you have the 650 manual (on website)?

So yea, pick a die set

Correct

it's the right size for whatever the caliber it was designed for.
In the machine manual, there should be a chart that contains all the parts for all the conversion kits. Yes, it's the same. Kit 21094

yes

no

dont think so

Thank you- very helpful!

I'll get the machine manual, seems like I need that.

 

[walter62]

You'll have to reverse the big black plastic wedge that is the case pusher cam.
(See manual).

Yea, the manual is a necessity

 

[EddieZoom]

Thank you- very helpful!

I'll get the machine manual, seems like I need that.

Manuals

Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders

www.dillonprecision.com

 

[Mountain]

I can't help. I just like seeing shooting related posts.

Shocking, right? Actually it was good of you to give the thread a bump. Unfortunately, serious shooting related threads are often buried under the incessant parade of depravity and/or tinfoil.

Big thank you to @walter62 and @EddieZoom for your helpful posts. I've downloaded the manual and ordered the additional components I need to run 30-06. I went ahead and ordered a Dillon sizing die because I'd like to try their carbide expander. I prefer to not get case lube inside the case mouth but in some cases an expander will drag if you don't.

 

[Fixxah]

Not a dillon fanboy but cass ceeders can be finicky. It took some tweeking for my Hornady feeder to run without hiccups. I have not .ade any ammo for many years. I have more than a lifetimes worth of ammo for a few people should the need arise.

 

[Mountain]

Not a dillon fanboy but cass ceeders can be finicky. It took some tweeking for my Hornady feeder to run without hiccups. I have not .ade any ammo for many years. I have more than a lifetimes worth of ammo for a few people should the need arise.

I imagine the length of 30-06 cases could be a little more tricky for the case feeder, but so far I have run hundreds of rounds of 45 ACP with only one hiccup from the feeder- and that was my fault. I missed a smaller caliber case that had nested in a 45. I have little patience for 'automation' that requires constant tweaks, but thankfully the Dillon feeder has thus far been extremely productive.

 

[Fixxah]

I imagine the length of 30-06 cases could be a little more tricky for the case feeder, but so far I have run hundreds of rounds of 45 ACP with only one hiccup from the feeder- and that was my fault. I missed a smaller caliber case that had nested in a 45. I have little patience for 'automation' that requires constant tweaks, but thankfully the Dillon feeder has thus far been extremely productive.

The rifle plate has really wide slots. They may require a different diameter drop tube and the case pushing piece that slides it into the ahell plate, I forget, but other than that work fine. Pretty cool how they run actually.

 

[mac1911]

Shocking, right? Actually it was good of you to give the thread a bump. Unfortunately, serious shooting related threads are often buried under the incessant parade of depravity and/or tinfoil.

Big thank you to @walter62 and @EddieZoom for your helpful posts. I've downloaded the manual and ordered the additional components I need to run 30-06. I went ahead and ordered a Dillon sizing die because I'd like to try their carbide expander. I prefer to not get case lube inside the case mouth but in some cases an expander will drag if you don't.

Ok challenge accepted….
You know you cant load accurate rifle rounds on a progressive ..right.

 

[Mountain]

Ok challenge accepted….
You know you cant load accurate rifle rounds on a progressive ..right.

I won't be loading vintage sniper rounds but for a 7" 10-ring at 200?