advice on reloading gear, just starting out...

R

ruger22

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BC, sunshine coast
I plan to buy a handgun and get into IPSC.
I have a couple of rifles, 204 ruger and 3006.
Shooting and reloading will be just for fun, not competitive.
I may shoot 1000 to 2000 rounds a year.
I am thinking of a dillon 550B.

What gear do I need? Just the basics, quality stuff.
 
Don't forget a powder scale, next to the reloader most important thing to have. Also a set of dial calipers to measure case lenghts and overall cartridge lengths would be a must, especially for the rifle ammo. Eventually you likely will have to get a case trimmer for your rife brass. You will need case lube for your rifle brass also. Maybe the first thing you should get, is a good reloading book such as the Speer Reloading Manual. It will suggest the equipment you need as well as tell you how to get started. Of course it will also have lots of reloading data. Good luck and have fun.
 
R. Pennock said:
Don't forget a powder scale, next to the reloader most important thing to have. Also a set of dial calipers to measure case lenghts and overall cartridge lengths would be a must, especially for the rifle ammo. Eventually you likely will have to get a case trimmer for your rife brass. You will need case lube for your rifle brass also. Maybe the first thing you should get, is a good reloading book such as the Speer Reloading Manual. It will suggest the equipment you need as well as tell you how to get started. Of course it will also have lots of reloading data. Good luck and have fun.
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Bingo. And have fun!:)
 
Reloading is the most fun part of shooting. I start off with Lee, it work well but not great. Had my friend weight several charges of universal and made a few dipper. work for me. Now I got a scale and can play with little increase or decrease of charge and different primer/powder combinations. Can spend a whole day sitting infront of my reloading brench.

Trigun
 
Can't go wrong with the Dillon gear if your pockets are deep enough.

Get Carbide dies so you don't have to lube your cases, auto-powder measure & dispencer, tumbler, case trimmer for your rifle rounds, good scales, bullet hammer, primer pocket cleaner and lots of differant loading manuals. The Lee second edition reloading book is about the most comprehensive book around, but every power maker gives out free manuals. If you have a friend with a Dillon press, ask them show you how to get started.

If your getting into IPSC, reloading won't be just for fun, it' will be a neccesity and it won't be 1,000 to 2,000 per year. More like 10,000 to 20,000++ round per year
 
Go RCBS beginners kit, after 20 years of use they still honour their warranty on parts. Go Carbide Dies for pistol, you won't regret it. If you buy anything from Lee, it should only be their Factory crimp dies. Fine adjustment with Lee Dies are done with an 18" pipe wrench. When starting reloading, it is best to go with a single stage press first and make your initial mistakes on a piece of kit that is very forgiving.
 
Garand said:
Go RCBS beginners kit, after 20 years of use they still honour their warranty on parts. Go Carbide Dies for pistol, you won't regret it. If you buy anything from Lee, it should only be their Factory crimp dies. Fine adjustment with Lee Dies are done with an 18" pipe wrench. When starting reloading, it is best to go with a single stage press first and make your initial mistakes on a piece of kit that is very forgiving.
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I disagree. Lee dies are finger adjustable and you may have to use a standard wrench(not a pipe wrench) if you install them to tight. Adding a drop of oil to the threads before you installing them will eliminate this problem. The Lee carbide dies are excellent, make sure you get the four die set with the factory resizing dies.

Forget the single stage press if you plan on any high volume shooting(IPSC) because it takes for ever to even load one box. My Lee Turret press will take about one hour for 100 rounds & the my Dillion 550 will make over 500 rounds per hour. With a single stage press your lucky if you can do a box of 20 in an hour.
 
dillon 550b as a first and only press.

Compared to most guys I see at my club I must be a bit of a minimalist.

At a recreational shooting level is where I am at. No plans for any thing more.
Please offer any opinions on the following:

dillon 550 B is more $ up front but will have excellent resale value
is fine at a recreational shooting level for rifle ie 204, 3006 etc
/INDENT]has the same learning curve as any other loader
​
comes with excellent manual, video, and customer service​
 
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