Questions???????????

[RPBrown]

Looking to get into reloading due to the rising cost of ammo and have the following questions (I'm sure there will be more later)

1) Looking at either Lee or Dillon. First choice is Dillon 550. Need pros and cons for each
2) As I look into supplies I find that after buying brass, primers, bullets, and powder the price to load is not much cheaper than to buy factory. I know as I save Brass the price will go down but at what quantity does it start paying for itself?
3) Best place to get equipment and supplies?

Your help as always is appreciated.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I've had a lot of presses over the years, from a very heavy Herders turret press to Dillons (SQB, 550 & 650). Since Dillon is the only progressive press I've owned, I cannot give you a comparison. I can say I am very happy with the Dillons and probably will buy another 650 to replace my 550.

It's also difficult to calculate a break-even point in reloading, when you factor in the cost of the initial equipment investment. However, the cost of new brass is a major factor. I now buy all my used brass from Dave Hughes (the guy I posted about earlier) who sells .45 ACP for something like $78/2,000 delivered. The brass is tumbled and in good shape. He's a good guy and he sells a good product. (I also buy .38 Super from Dave.) Before learning of Dave, I quit buying new brass and simply bought Winchester White Box or S&B whenever I needed brass. As you said, it would have saved little to buy new brass and all components. Used 45 ACP brass lasts about 100 years! You'll lose it before you wear it out.

I buy directly from Dillon, but some people have said good things about Brian Enos' website. I buy Montana Gold bullets through SRVA here on the board and the best prices on powder and primers I have seen have been at the larger gun shows in Houston. I would seriously consider Amy's hard cast bullets if I were you. We've had some very good reports here in TexasCHLforum.

Although I've been reloading for almost 40 years, I've had my equipment in the house (a/k/a air conditioned room!) only since we moved into our current home in 1999. Prior to that, my procedure was to reload a year's worth of ammo during the cooler winter months to avoid working in the garage during the summer. (Remember, in the Texas Gulf Coast, we have February and Summer.) So, if you are in that situation, you're picking a good time to get started so you can build up the inventory before Spring.

I hope this helps.

Chas.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Oops, I overstated Dave price on .45 ACP. It should be $78/2,000 not 1,000. I've corrected the original post.

Chas.

[Crossfire]

RP - if you are just starting out, it's best to start with a single stage press, for lots of reasons.

A good place to start looking is Cabela's in Fort Worth. Go on the weekend, look for Marty in Reloading. He is an NRA certified Reloading Instructor, been doing it for more than 30 years, and he knows his stuff. All the various presses are set up so that you can try them out and see what you like. Marty will give you good, honest advice and won't try to sell you stuff you don't need.

Once you get past the initial investment, reloading does pay off.

[Mike1951]

I second llwatson on starting out with a good single stage press.

There is too much going on with a progressive for a beginner to comprehend and oversee. With a single stage, you're doing a single process at a time. You're dealing with one set of adjustments at a time.

Even with a 550, I still prefer to do rifle calibers on the single stage, especially if you're weighing powder charges and trying to assemble precise reloads. So you will always have the need for a good single stage. And unless you need to churn out large volumes of ammo, that may be all you ever need.

Your setup costs for each caliber will be much less if you go with a single stage. I started out 40 years ago with a Lee Loader, but my first bench mounted press was a RCBS Jr., now discontinued. If I were starting out now, I think I would buy a RCBS Rockchucker. I would stay away from anyone's cheaper presses.

Look carefully at any prepackaged kits, as they may have items you don't need. You may also want a different scale or powder measure than what is included.

Don't try to get too fancy. Decide on a press, scale, and powder measure. Then you will need a set of dies and a shellholder for each caliber you wish to reload. You will need loading blocks to hold the cases as you proceed step by step. These are cheap. You will need loading manuals. First should be the Lyman, then as you can afford them add the manuals provided by the bullet and powder makers. Get in the habit of cross checking every load, as recommendations vary. Until you can buy the additional manuals, you can find most of the information on the bullet and powder makers websites. But definitely buy the Lyman manual as it is a good 'how to' book.

[Houston1944]

A third vote for starting with a single stage, Rockchucker being my first choice to those that ask. You may decide later that you want a progressive but you will always have a need for the single stage press. The single stage allows you to learn each step of the reloading cycle in detail from the beginning, something that I feel is very important.
I load most of my pistol calibers on a XL650 but all of the rifle and large caliber handgun loads are produced on the Rockchucker.

[DustinB]

Or you could get a turret press and turn the auto-index off. I use mine like a single stage, I just manually turn the die plate to the next die. Much easier than trying to adjust the dies every time you go to another step. The die plates also allow you to have them setup for multiple calibers.

[KinnyLee]

Or you could get a turret press and turn the auto-index off. I use mine like a single stage, I just manually turn the die plate to the next die. Much easier than trying to adjust the dies every time you go to another step. The die plates also allow you to have them setup for multiple calibers.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who did that.

[40FIVER]

I saw a reloading machine once and now I want one. That's how green I am. I will only want to load handgun ammo, and I don't think I'll want to do it one round at a time. The ability to produce 500 rounds in an evening is appealing to me, so I would think I would go to a progressive pretty quickly. Can the 550B used to make one round at a time until I'm comfortable with my abilities? I guess what I'm saying is that it seems goofy to me to buy a "one at a time" machine when I want one that will mass produce. Would I be making a major mistake starting out with a progressive?

I would love to come to the reloading class, but I'm about 400 miles away.

40FIVER

[KinnyLee]

I saw a reloading machine once and now I want one. That's how green I am. I will only want to load handgun ammo, and I don't think I'll want to do it one round at a time. The ability to produce 500 rounds in an evening is appealing to me, so I would think I would go to a progressive pretty quickly. Can the 550B used to make one round at a time until I'm comfortable with my abilities? I guess what I'm saying is that it seems goofy to me to buy a "one at a time" machine when I want one that will mass produce. Would I be making a major mistake starting out with a progressive?

I would love to come to the reloading class, but I'm about 400 miles away.

40FIVER

Once your progress is set up correctly, you shouldn't be able to mess up. Other than that be careful when you operate the machine. If it doesn't feel right, stop immediately and check the press over.

[RPBrown]

Thanks for the replies. I have put in my request to Mrs. Santa for a Dillon 550 or 650 for Christmas (we'll see). If not then I will just have to get it myself. I think I will use as a single stage for a while though.

[cxm]

Dillon makes a press (IIRC a 440) that is single stage, but can be upgraded to a 550b later on.

This seems to be a good compromise to me...

I have tried a few Lee items and have always found them disappointing (anyone want a free Lee powder measure... just pay postage?) .. the stuff worked it just didn't work well or very fast... to me it was money wasted as I had to replace it right off.

I find Redding to be the top qulaity for single stage equipment...is is a bit more than others... Lyman and RCBS work well too (though I don't like the RCBS powder measure very well) but I won't buy Lee again... it was just a waste of money to me.

For progressive equipmetn Dillon is the top... works great and service/support from Dillon is excellent.

FWIW

Chuck

Thanks for the replies. I have put in my request to Mrs. Santa for a Dillon 550 or 650 for Christmas (we'll see). If not then I will just have to get it myself. I think I will use as a single stage for a while though.

[gregthehand]

Looking to get into reloading due to the rising cost of ammo and have the following questions (I'm sure there will be more later)

1) Looking at either Lee or Dillon. First choice is Dillon 550. Need pros and cons for each
2) As I look into supplies I find that after buying brass, primers, bullets, and powder the price to load is not much cheaper than to buy factory. I know as I save Brass the price will go down but at what quantity does it start paying for itself?
3) Best place to get equipment and supplies?

Your help as always is appreciated.

1) Dillon. Better all the way around. Caliber changes are faster, and the product is just all around designed better. Also there customer service is top notch.
2) After a thousands of rounds it will pay for itself. Most of the stuff you buy (especially with Dillon) will never wear out.
3) Dillon stuff can be had from Dillon or independant vendors, I get all my other supplies from http://www.midwayusa..com

[Jeremae]

cxm

Which powder measure?

I LIKE Lee equipment... but would love a Dillon 650b.

[Mike1951]

If you go Dillon progressive, you will require their powder measure.

If you decide single stage, Redding 3BR is one of the best powder measures.