Been out of predator trapping for awhile now and just been running mink traps on the road with my little boy. I'm wanting to get a couple dozen footholds and start predator trapping again. I did use the mb550s but I'm interested in the duke 550 and 650. Wondering what y'all think about them, are they worth the money? Also wondering about their pan tension out of the box.

I bought some Duke 550's and like them. Pan tension is good for where I trap and they do the job. When I reach in the 550 milk crate on my Sidex Side I don't even look anymore as both the MB and Duke do the job for me. If I buy more 550's I will buy Duke as I can get more traps for the $$$$.

Ive been looking at the Duke 650’s. Bigger kill area

I’ve got the duke 550 and 450s…. I only used the 450s this year and boy was I impressed!!! Excellent lock up and holding power!! Out of the box I did have to adjust pan tension from 5-6lbs to 3lbs and level the pan out… super happy with the 450s and how they bed really nice

I run 550 for land traps and 650 for water traps. Both are awesome!!!!! Pan tension has had to have a little adjustment for me on the 550. I had a lot of traps right out of the box that were 8lb. I normally run 2-3 for my land traps to help catch the gray fox. I didn’t have to bend the dog or anything. Just a simple file on the dog fixes them right up. I have sold everything else and only run Duke 550 & 650. (And my DLS for exposed cat sets.)

I have some 650's that I setup as wolverine traps, I haven't hooked into a gulo yet so I can't say if they'll handle that or not, but in terms of setting and bedding they're a great trap, and I've test fired a few that I have out and none have frozen down yet

I like my duke 650s. Thinking about getting some 850s.

I like Duke 550s, especially for the money. However, I had to level the pans on every one of the last dozen I bought. I caught a coyote today and it bent the part where the dog attaches. Easy fix to bend it back, but I can’t remember ever having to do that with my MBs. Maybe just coincidence, but my next dozen will be MBs. I do like the Duke 650s too, but they’re just too big for most of what I do.

The 550s are really good coyote and bobcat traps. I adjust the pan tension down to about 2-3 lbs. they bed great and hold great. I like the 650s for dryland otter sets. Offsets are required here and they come up high enough to hold otter. The MB 550s are great too, but the only difference is the pan.

I use the 550's and love them, They are just as good as the MBs and a lot cheaper. I'm hard on my traps and they are really holding up good.

I like them.Great traps

Never tried the 550s or 650s but I did order a dozen of the new 450s to try. I've caught two coyotes in them so far. They're built like a tank and cheaper than the MB 450. They've impressed me so far.

replace chain and the duke 550 and 650 are hands down the best value of rtg predator traps.

I run all duke 550's. Haven't lost an animal out of them yet. No bent parts, minimal adjustment. I run them just 2- coiled. They bed really nice. I do replace the chain though. Might not be necessary, but that's just me. I also make all sterling type swivels go go in the chain. Again, probably not necessary, but it's what I like to do.

Just a personal thing but I despise supporting China.
It’s not easy sorting things out but when it is obvious I look in a different direction.

I think all Duke traps are manufactured in South Korea.

650 are good for cats and yotes I run 2 coil if they get weak will reinstall the other coils I like the 6.5 jaws

I think the DP is made in China. I know that is not what we are talking about in this thread

My Duke 550/650 are stamped made in China.

I like them. For the price they can’t be beat.

Midway had the 650’s on sale last year along with another 15-20% off code I had made them around $175 even with tax. Free shipping included. I bought the 4 dozen they had in stock at the time.

Mb 650’s all they way. Get use to getting the pan set under the locked jaw and don’t ever look back.

My Duke 450s are stamped Made in China but isn't MTP outsourcing parts too? I doubt there's much difference between them other than the chain and swivels being heavier on the MBs.

Only thing these 650’s have not held was a wolf last year! I did change out the chain and swivels, added JC Conner’s rod swivels and shock springs.

wws

Nice catches

Truth