Dillon Precision has made blue progressive presses for decades, and these two models are the ones most new Dillon buyers end up choosing between. They look similar on a web page, but they feel very different on the bench. This guide walks through the real differences in plain language, so you can match the press to your habits instead of to a forum argument.
One note up front: this is an equipment comparison. It doesn't cover load data, and it never will. Whatever press you choose, your charges and components come from a current published manual, used exactly as written.
The short version
| Feature | RL 550C | XL 750 |
|---|---|---|
| Indexing | Manual (you rotate the shell plate) | Automatic (indexes with each stroke) |
| Die stations | 4 | 5 |
| Case feeder | No factory Dillon feeder; third-party options exist | Optional Dillon add-on |
| Caliber range | Very wide; Dillon publishes a long caliber list | Wide, but narrower than the 550C |
| Caliber change cost | Lower | Higher |
| Learning curve | Gentler, easier to run one round at a time | Steeper, more moving parts to tune |
| Best for | Variety, rifle work, careful pace | High volume of a few cartridges |
Dillon updates its caliber lists and options from time to time, so confirm the current list for any cartridge you care about before you order.
Manual vs auto indexing: the biggest difference
On the RL 550C, you move the shell plate to the next station yourself after each stroke. That sounds like a downside, and for raw speed it is. But it also means nothing advances until you decide it should. Many owners like that. You can stop, look, and run a single case through every station if you want to treat the press almost like a turret.
The XL 750 indexes automatically. Every full stroke advances the shell plate one position. That's a big part of why it can run faster, but it also means problems compound faster. If a primer doesn't seat or a case tips, the next stroke has already moved everything along. You need to watch every station, every stroke.
Neither approach is safer on its own. Safety comes from your attention, a consistent rhythm and a way to check powder in every case. The question is which pace suits you.
Four stations vs five
The extra station on the XL 750 matters more than it sounds. A typical progressive sequence uses stations for sizing and decapping, case mouth expanding with powder drop, bullet seating, and crimping. That fills four stations.
A fifth station gives you room for a powder check die or a separate seating and crimping arrangement without giving anything up. Plenty of 550C owners do fine with four by combining steps or checking powder visually. But if you know you want an electronic or mechanical powder check in the toolhead, the XL 750's fifth station makes that easier to plan.
Caliber changes and long-term cost
This is where the 550C really earns its reputation. Its caliber conversions are relatively simple and affordable, and its caliber list is long, including many rifle cartridges. If you load six or eight different cartridges a year, the 550C usually costs less to keep set up for all of them.
The XL 750 uses caliber conversion kits plus toolheads, and if you add a case feeder, you may also need case feed parts for each cartridge size. That adds up. It's not a problem if you load two or three pistol cartridges in volume. It is something to budget for if you're a "little bit of everything" reloader.
Either way, many owners keep a complete toolhead set up for each cartridge, dies locked in place. That turns a caliber change into a few minutes of work. A labeled stand or rack for those toolheads keeps the bench tidy. You'll find third-party toolhead stands and racks on Amazon; just confirm the fit for your exact press before buying.
Case feeding and throughput
Dillon offers an optional case feeder for the XL 750. With a case feeder, you place a bullet and pull the handle. Without one, you place a case and a bullet every stroke. That's the main reason the XL 750 is the choice for people loading big piles of 9mm or similar for practice and competition.
Dillon doesn't sell its own case feeder for the RL 550C, so most owners place each case by hand. Third-party feeders, such as Double Alpha Academy's 550 Mini Case Feeder, do exist if you want to add one later. For many reloaders, hand placement is fine, and it keeps every case in your hand and in your eyes before it goes into the press.
Ask yourself honestly how many rounds you load in a typical session. If it's a few hundred rounds of several different cartridges, the 550C's pace is rarely the bottleneck. If you load thousands of one cartridge every month, the XL 750's auto-indexing and case feeder start to matter a lot.
Rifle reloading on each press
Both presses can load rifle cartridges, but the 550C is the more common choice for people who mix rifle and pistol. Its manual indexing gives you time to watch powder go into larger bottleneck cases, and its caliber list includes many rifle cartridges.
The XL 750 handles many popular small and medium rifle cartridges well, and plenty of 3-gun shooters run .223 Remington on one. Just check the current caliber list for anything long or unusual. And remember that bottleneck rifle brass usually needs lubing, trimming and other case prep that doesn't happen on the press, whatever press you choose. Our progressive press buying guide covers that workflow in more detail.
Bench space, mounting and height
Both presses need a stiff, well-anchored bench. A progressive press puts a lot of leverage on the bench edge, and a bench that flexes makes priming feel inconsistent. Bolt it down firmly, ideally through a thick top.
Height matters too. Many owners raise their progressive presses on a strong mount so they can see into the cases and reach the handle comfortably. The XL 750 with a case feeder is tall, so check your shelf and ceiling clearance if you have overhead storage. Our guide to press mounting systems explains the options.
Good light helps a lot, especially for seeing powder levels. A simple press-mounted LED light is one of the most useful cheap upgrades on either machine.
Warranty, support and resale
Dillon's "No-B.S." warranty is a big part of why people buy blue. Dillon describes it as covering the press for its life, regardless of who owns it, and the company is known for sending replacement parts. Read the current warranty terms on Dillon's site, since policies can change, but both presses fall under the same company support.
Dillon presses also hold their value well on the used market. That's useful if you start on one model and later want to switch. If you do shop used, our used equipment guide covers what to inspect.
Keep in mind that Dillon sells mainly direct and through dealers, so you may not find the presses themselves on general retail sites. Accessories like mounts, lights and bins are easier to find.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the RL 550C if…
- You load many different cartridges, especially rifle.
- You want the option to run one case at a time while you learn.
- You want lower-cost caliber changes.
- Your sessions are a few hundred rounds, not thousands.
Choose the XL 750 if…
- You load a large volume of one to three cartridges.
- You want auto-indexing and an optional case feeder.
- You want a fifth station for a powder check.
- You're comfortable watching several stations at once every stroke.
If you're brand new to reloading, many experienced reloaders suggest learning the basics on a single-stage or turret press first, even if you plan to buy a progressive later. The single-stage press often stays on the bench for case prep and small jobs anyway.
Frequently asked questions
Is the XL 750 too complicated for a beginner?
It's not impossible, but there's more to learn and watch. Many reloaders start on a single-stage or turret press and move to a progressive once they understand each step. If you start on an XL 750, run it slowly at first and check every round.
Can I add a case feeder to the RL 550C?
Not from Dillon. Third-party feeders made for the 550, such as Double Alpha Academy's Mini Case Feeder, are available. If automatic case feeding is central to your plans, the XL 750 with Dillon's own feeder is the more straightforward route.
Do Dillon presses use standard dies?
Both presses accept standard 7/8-14 threaded dies from most major makers. Dillon also makes its own dies designed for progressive use. Check your powder measure and powder-through expander setup for your specific press.
Should I add a powder check?
Many progressive owners do, because a missing or double charge is the most serious error on any press. The XL 750's fifth station makes a powder check easier to fit. On a 550C, a careful visual check of every case, with good lighting, is the minimum.
Where do I get the right load data?
From a current published reloading manual or the component maker's own published data, used exactly as written. This site doesn't provide load data of any kind.
Editorial note: This comparison is based on manufacturer information, retailer listings and published references. We haven't tested these presses hands-on for this article. Specs, caliber lists, warranty terms and prices change, so confirm details with Dillon before buying. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through links on this page.
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