NEED RE-LOADING ADVICE, PLEASE.

[ScubaSigGuy]

I have the bullets, primers, and plenty of 9mm and .45 shell casings, but now I need some help…

My plan was to purchase a Dillon XL 650 and get started. I usually don’t have a problem getting into something once I have done my research. I have since spoken to an individual who is very knowledgeable about reloading (who is smiling as he reads this, because he knows who he is)and he may have changed my mind. He suggested that I buy a singlestage re-loader like the Forester Co-Ax to start out with so that I can learn the basics first. After looking at the forester I really like the way it works and is made. My quandary is that while I think I could use the SS press long term for rifle ammo, I am not sure that it will fit my needs in regard to quantity for 9mm and .45 rounds. Since I don’t shoot rifles very often I am not sure if it makes since for me to start out with the SS design when I can add that later. Basically, I am pretty detail oriented and I don’t think I will have a problem picking up the reloading process. I generally shoot once a week in the range of about 2-300 9mm and 250 .45 rounds. I don’t have a lot of free time so being able to load enough rounds for a month or two of shooting in one reloading session is definitely appealing to me. Tell me what you think.

[stroo]

A single stage is great for learning how to do things, but you are not going to turn out great quantities of ammo on a SS without a lot of time. Having said that and if you are going to do some rifle, buy a single stage and put out a three or four session of ammo (200-500 rounds) on it to get the feel for reloading. Then fire up your Dillon.

I personally would go with a Lee SS for this purpose simply because it is cheaper and as far as I can tell works as well as any other SS.

[longtooth]

I still have a SS RCBS loader. I load all that at least 5 people in the family can shoot.
.45, .38sp, .357, 9mm .380.
.308, 300 WSM, 25-06, 30-30.

I confess that I do not spend any time in front of the TV.
I weigh every round of rifle ammo.
Pistol ammo runs about 8 to 9K a yr. Just finished 5K .45s.
A Single statge loader is very adaquate for a stater. YOu will make fewer mistakes & pull fewer bullets.

My .02cents & many think it worth about half that.
LT

[BobCat]

You will never get rid of your single stage press, even after you get a progressive. You will find uses for it.

But you can run a progressive like a single stage if you like - just run one round at a time through each step, and don't put another case in until the round you are working on is finished. That way you still get to see and understand each step, without having to worry about more than one thing happening on each stroke of the lever, just like a single stage.

The choice is yours, and whichever decision you make will be the correct one. Either branch in the road is valid, and both take you to the same place eventually.

Regards,
Andrew

[mcub]

If the cost is not a problem, for a hand gun go progressive.

[Venus Pax]

I am also very new at this. I went with the single stage b/c that is what I learned on. It was also kinder to my budget.

However, it sounds like you could benefit from a progressive. My advice would be to make use of a friend/relative's single stage until you have the basics down well. Then, move to a progressive for your handgun ammo.

If you think you would still use the SS for your rifle ammo (I gather that from your post), I recommend the Lee Anniversary kit. I purchased it at my dad's recommendation. So far, I'm not disappointed, nor am I broke because of it.

You will find a wealth of information here. Longtooth has helped me more than he knows. MoJo has done this so long he could probably reload in his sleep. There are many others here that know their stuff; just ask. They're quite generous with the information they've gathered over the years.

[MoJo]

A single stage press for a beginner is the best way to go IMHO. The progressive presses turn out a larger volume in the same time but, the chance for an error is greater. Get the single stage and when you are comfortable with the process then move up to the progressive.

[mactex]

Single stage v. progressive is sort of like automating an imperfect process. I made lots of small mistakes when starting up on my single stage. I could have made the same mistakes a lot faster and in more quantity with a progessive press.

If you get a progressive, be sure that it has the option to work as a single stage press while you learn the ropes. That way you have the best of both worlds.

Start small and then grow grasshopper.

[age_ranger]

It truly wouldn't hurt to go with even a 3 die auto indexing turret press to begin with. Thay're very inexpensive and it gets you started slowly to learn how to set it up and what to watch for. I use a 4 die turret and like it alot. I usually reload about 150ish rounds per hour.

You could always hand feed all the stuff on a progressive and go slow at first too, right?

[Thane]

I like the suggestion of a single-stage press to start with. I've since upgraded to a turret press (and have been drooling over progressives), but my first press was/is a Lee single-stage press. Very inexpensive, and a good learning tool.

I say get both a cheap single-stage and a good progressive. Start on the single-stage, and when you're familiar with what's going on, complete with the proper habits (checking each round, properly setting dies, etc), go to the progressive.

Like others, I still load rifle ammunition slowly, often on the single-stage. Pistol ammo is loaded on the turret.

[nuparadigm]

Start with the single-stage. As Bob Cat said, you'll always find other uses for it if you ever go progressive.

[mactex]

You could always hand feed all the stuff on a progressive and go slow at first too, right?

In my opinion, there is too much going on each time you pull the handle for a beginner. Instead of focusing on one specific step, you would have to keep up with three or four at the same time and it's really easy to forget something in the early stages of learning. Repetition of a single step is what helps people learn and with a single stage setup you can really focus on learning one step at a time. YMMV.

[tomneal]

I started with a dillon 650 with a case feeder.

If you are going to reload for a semi auto hand gun, it is the only way to go.

It takes a bit to get the machine set up but once you do,
each pull of the handle is another round.
Every 100 rounds, you must add primers.
That makes a good stopping point to check powder & brass.

As I pull the handle, I check for powder and add a bullet.


Most folks with a single stage don't have a separate crimp die.

Your millage may vary but after 50K+ rounds, I am glad I started the way I did.

[BobCat]

Just want to clarify that with a Dillon, if you are not using a case feeder, you can put one case in the press and load one, and only one, round at a time. You will wind up with one loaded round at the end of the cycle, and no partially loaded rounds in the press.

For instance, if your dies are 1) resize-deprime, 2) bell-powder charge, 3) bullet seat, and 4) crimp - you can just put one case in station one and run it through all four stations without ever putting in another case. You get to see each step and verify each step is working right. Once you see and are comfortable with the process, you can "go progressive" by putting in a new case each time you advance the shelholder.

It sounds like I'm pushing a progressive press and I'm not. I started with an RCBS Rockchucker and I still use it, and think anyone starting out would be well served by starting with a single stage press. But if you load pistol ammunition, you will eventually want a progressive, and need to know you can start with a progressive and use it like a single stage until you are comfortable with the entire process.

Sorry to be so long-winded. Have fun!

Regards,
Andrew