How to Start Reloading with the Dillon Precision XL 750
A practical guide to getting started with the Dillon XL 750 progressive press – dies, case cleaning, lubrication, priming, powder charging and useful upgrades.
This article is a guide for anyone buying a Dillon XL 750 press. It answers the basic questions and helps you choose the related products you will need.
The Dillon XL 750 is the most popular choice – in its class it has no competition in terms of quality for the price, and it is used by hobby and professional shooters alike. On this press you can load 500–1,000 rounds per hour.
Dies
To use this press you will need a set of dies. The press comes with only one die – the one that expands the case mouth and drops the powder from the automatic powder measure.
You can choose a die set from Dillon
Dillon Carbide Pistol 3-Die Set 9mm
or from Lee Precision.
Sizing die
Let us explain the basic differences between these two manufacturers, starting with the first die – the sizing die, which also knocks out the spent primers.
The Lee Precision die sizes the case to a straight shape, whereas the Dillon die sizes it to a "Coca-Cola bottle" shape, i.e. the case is narrower in the middle. Dillon does this so that the case lasts more reloads. A possible weak point is the decapping pin. Dillon uses a thicker, tougher decapping pin on which only the pin tips are replaced.
Spare pins are available here: Dillon spare pistol decapping pins (10 pcs)
The Lee die has a one-piece pin, but it is considerably more brittle and breaks much sooner. Spare pin: Lee decapping pin
Pin problems can occur when a small stone stays inside the case, or with cases that have a narrower flash hole – most often S&B NONTOX. A Lee pin will break for sure, because the flash hole is smaller than the pin diameter. The Dillon pin is strong enough to widen the hole and punch through.
Seating die
Setting the bullet seating depth and the overall cartridge length is more complicated with Dillon, because you have to loosen the lock nut and move the whole die, which makes it harder to hit the exact length you want.
Lee has a simple adjustment screw on the top of the die.
Crimp / sizing die
Dillon has only a crimp die, which is adjusted simply by screwing it into the press to the required depth.
Lee combines the crimp – again adjustable with the screw on top, just like the seating die – with a final sizing of the loaded round. This is very useful, for example, when loading lead bullets, which are 0.01" larger in diameter. Without this final sizing the round may simply not be sized correctly and may not chamber.
Cleaning the cases
Before use, you need to clean your cases. There are many ways to do it, and we offer several types of tumblers. At the moment the most effective is the rotary tumbler.
Cleaning solution for the rotary tumbler: FA Ultrasonic Brass Cleaning Solution – usually diluted 1:40.
This tumbler cleans with a solution of cleaner and water plus stainless steel pins, which gets the whole case perfectly clean, inside and out.
Other options are ultrasonic cleaners, which also use a brass cleaning solution, but they clean smaller batches and not as thoroughly as a rotary tumbler.
There are also vibratory tumblers, which use corn cob or walnut media together with a polish. They work abrasively and clean only the outside of the case.
Why clean cases at all? Simply because cases picked up from the ground and fed straight into the press would very soon damage the dies and the press itself. It is also not wise to mix powder with dirt inside the case.
Lubricating the cases
Even though the dies above are carbide, so in theory you do not need to lubricate the cases, anyone who has reloaded will tell you that you should – if only because the press runs about 70% easier and is not under as much strain as it would be without lube.
We recommend any spray lube from the link above. Simply lay the cases on the table with the side facing you (so you do not spray oil into the case!) and spray the lube. Let it dry and evaporate for 10–15 minutes before use.
Priming
To fill the press with primers, pour them onto this tray,
then shake it and the primers will all turn the same way up. Flip the primers over, fill them into a pickup tube and then pour them into the primer feed tube of the press.
One tube holds about 100 primers, so we recommend buying a set of 4 extra tubes Dillon 4-pack Primer Pickup Tubes (small) for more comfortable, uninterrupted work. It is easier to prepare the primers first and then just pour them in than to stop after every 100 rounds and refill.
Powder charging
The Dillon XL 750 has an automatic powder measure. It works on the volumetric principle, which means you first need to have a scale ready.
A very reliable and accurate scale for this purpose is the Frankford Arsenal DS-750 Digital Scale
The powder measure has a screw that increases or decreases the volume of powder dropped; you check the charge on the scale. Once it is set, you no longer need the scale. For more precise adjustment you can add the Armanov Clickable Dillon Precision Powder adjuster
At this point you should have everything you need to reload. Now let us look at the accessories and upgrades for this press that make the work easier.
Handle
The press comes with a round ball handle. From personal experience, after about 500 rounds you may start getting blisters, and it is not comfortable. That is why we offer two straight roller handles on bearings:
Dillon Precision Aluminum Roller Handle
Dillon Precision Aluminum Roller Handle
Armanov Ball Bearing Roller Handle
Armanov Ball Bearing Roller Handle 650 / 750
Spent primers
Spent primers are collected in a cup on the press. The problem is that now and then a primer flies off and you end up with them all over the floor.
The solution is a primer chute:
Armanov Primer Chute
Press lighting
If, for example, you are not sure about the powder charge and want to check the powder visually, you need to light up the inside of the press. For that we have lighting for the XL650 and XL750 presses.
LED lighting for the press
Armanov LED Dillon 650/750/1050/1100 lighting system
Powder check
For a quick check of the powder charge you can use this accessory
Dillon 650/1050 Powder Check System
Dillon 650/750/1050 Powder Check System
Checking the loaded round
How do you check a loaded round? You can use case gauges for the specific calibre.
Currently the best seller is the Armanov box that checks 100 rounds at once, which you can then flip straight into your ammo box:
Armanov Case Gauge box 100 rnd
Checking velocity
You can check the velocity of your finished load with a chronograph
Caldwell Ballistic Chronograph BT 2.0
Or, if you want extremely precise data, you can use a radar chronograph such as the Garmin Xero C2.
