Get me reloading on a budget - Help Please

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CourtenayBoy

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So I want to get into reloading and casting my own bullets. I am thinking of purchasing a progressive press. Probably a Dillon 650 but I could be swayed.

I have budgeted about $1000 to get me up and running. I would like to know opinions on this as well as what else I need to purchase that doesn't come with the press. I mainly want to reload .45 acp and 7.62 x 39

I will probably at some point want to do some 7mm rem mag but that is down the road.

I am BRAND NEW to this and I must say my head is spinning a bit.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Mike
 
Start slowly. Go buy a Lee Hand Loader kit - they can't be too much. For under $75.00- $100,00 you will be up and loading. They come with instructions too. I have loaded thousands of shells with them. I have presses and dies now but I still occasionally still use my Lee Loaders. I used to load cast bullets with them too.

Loading is a lot of fun and very rewarding. Good luck.
 
you can always run a progressive in a single stage fashion, so i always smirk when people say start with a single stage. that being said, you will very likely find a use for a single stage at some point, so it's not money wasted/lost.

as boring as it can be, read various books (abc's of reloading, other manuals) and threads for more info. youtube has lots of info as well.

powder scale, caliper. i'm having a brain fart right now and can't think of anything else.
 
It depend on how much you shoot

45 ACP= Progressive
7.62 x 39 Do you have Brass cases that are reloadable ? Single stage press to start then switch to progressive

7mm = Single stage

Rifle brass you will have to trim to length

CourtenayBoy said:
So I want to get into reloading and casting my own bullets. I am thinking of purchasing a progressive press. Probably a Dillon 650 but I could be swayed.

I have budgeted about $1000 to get me up and running. I would like to know opinions on this as well as what else I need to purchase that doesn't come with the press. I mainly want to reload .45 acp and 7.62 x 39

I will probably at some point want to do some 7mm rem mag but that is down the road.

I am BRAND NEW to this and I must say my head is spinning a bit.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Mike
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First and foremost-BUY SOME RELOADING MANUALS. Second- READ THEM. I'm not saying this to be a douche, but you need to do this in order to safely reload ammunition. Also,I would learn the basics of reloading before getting into more complex things like casting.
 
Barry F said:
First and foremost-BUY SOME RELOADING MANUALS. Second- READ THEM. I'm not saying this to be a douche, but you need to do this in order to safely reload ammunition. Also,I would learn the basics of reloading before getting into more complex things like casting.
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Casting is fairly basic from what I read and watch online. I have a reloading manual, I just don't fully understand all the components and what is necessary and what isn't. I mainly want to feed my .45

Does this mean I can just buy a set of .45 dies (any brand) and they will just fit any press? I am the type of guy that learns much better doing, than plain reading. I will train myself completely and thouroughly once I have a setup.

My main problem is not knowing what else to purchase to go along with the dillon 650
 
I would recommend learning on a single stage press. Move on to the progressive once you understand what is actually happening at each stage. It is always good to have a single stage to fall back on, especially if you end up adding a step to a particular caliber (like a factory crimp die, which not only crimps but will eliminate a bulge in the case which can be common on 45 acp). Once you have a better understanding of what is happening in each stage it will be a lot easier to set up your progressive. They are very finicky, and if you dont know or understand what you are doing it could create a very dangerous situation. This is my just my advice. I hope this helps.
Fighter pilots don't start off in an F-18..
 
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Correct, casting isn't all that complex. There are things you learn over time to speed things up or do better/ efficient, not rocket science.
 
Spawn-Inc said:
Correct, casting isn't all that complex. There are things you learn over time to speed things up or do better/ efficient, not rocket science.
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There is a lot more to casting than just heating up some lead and pouring it into moulds. Making proper alloys for the specific purpose you are loading for and getting the mould to fill sometimes can be a royal pain in the ass. I have been casting for a long time, and am still learning new things. As I stated before, I would start off learning the basics, and then move start to figure out the other stuff.
 
Barry F said:
First and foremost-BUY SOME RELOADING MANUALS. Second- READ THEM. I'm not saying this to be a douche, but you need to do this in order to safely reload ammunition. Also,I would learn the basics of reloading before getting into more complex things like casting.
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:agree:

Given the current price of 7.62x39, I can't see you saving any money reloading that. Try running your costs through here http://www.filedropper.com/reloadingcosts4 to get an idea of cost-effectiveness.

BTW, I agree with Muskyhunter1 WRT the Lee Loader; it's the most cost-effective way out there. Slow but cheap. Ditto BarryF's comments on a SS press,
 
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Barry F said:
There is a lot more to casting than just heating up some lead and pouring it into moulds. Making proper alloys for the specific purpose you are loading for and getting the mould to fill sometimes can be a royal pain in the ass. I have been casting for a long time, and am still learning new things. As I stated before, I would start off learning the basics, and then move start to figure out the other stuff.
Click to expand...

yes, there are different alloys, but it's all just simple math. that being said i would put casting/smelting in it's own hobby, not related to reloading.
 
I know you are thinking about loading thousands, but that is not the way to start. Loading is a separate hobby, and there are many parts of it to master. Start with a small number of brass, say fifty for your 45, and load them ad directed in the manual. I agree with those who say start on a single stage. When your skills have evolved to the point that you are no longer ruining brass, or getting it stuck in dies, and you have a load you are happy with, and a comfortable routine, then start thinking about a progressive. Until you achieve this you are not ready. Best of luck. Always be very sure of the powder you are using. ( this is the big safety tip).
 
I have a Dillon 650 and, mostly, I like it. If you want one, you should get one. Buy it as your first press, if you wish - in which case, sooner or later you should also buy a single stage press to round things out. Or buy a single stage press first and buy a 650 (or other good progressive) second. Whichever you prefer.

If your budget to get started is $1000 then that rules out a Dillon 650 setup. There are many things other than your press that will eat up a good portion of your startup budget
 
I have been reloading 9mm and 45 acp for about threee years now and I bought a Lee Pro 1000. Before everyone flames for promoting one of the cheapest and most problematic progressivers out there, you must have a solid understanding of what is happening and how each station works! I enjoyed it so much I bought a second Pro 1000 for .45 acp and now run two because they wee so cheap!! The bottom line is understanding whats involved and the press is only one of many pieces required to reload. Good luck, do your research and don't be in a rush, reloading is nearly as rewarding as shooting itself!
 
There must be a good reason that the Lee Progressive press (loadmaster) has an additional explosion shield available.

I second the start with a single stage or even a turret press. At most start with a turret. It is a bit faster than single, can be run as a single, and gets you used to knowing what happens in each stage. Much of reloading is the feel as the case is decapped, capped, sized, etc. For example, if you are not aware of how much force it takes to decap a case it is very easy for you to break the decapping pin. I have broken a couple now and it has all been in learning the 'feel' of the work. Reloading is very satisfying and enjoyable. It is not rocket science but can become dangerous VERY fast. There is a fair bit to learn. Your best idea is to get some books and read them first of all. I do recommend The ABC's of Reloading as it goes through much more background and theory of the process. Data manuals from then on are your best friends as is your own load data log.

Welcome to the spare pocket money draining fraternity. It is cheaper than buying factory ammo but you will find yourself becoming addicted to loads and various bits and pieces. I want to start casting bullets since it will save me loads of cash in buying factory bullets. I am wary because I know it will be another aspect of reloading that will draw away all my free time. :rofl:
 
IMHO I recommend a progressive press right off the bat. If you get a single stage and you find out you enjoy this side of the hobby and want to upgrade later on that's more money you need to spend. Get a Dillon XL650 or the Hornady LNL if you're planning high volume and be done with it. These two presses hold their value very well and have a great service/warranty. (Go blue!!) And just like everyone mentioned, take your time and educate yourself as much as possible. Youtube, books, forums and etc are all helpful.
 
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