Advise for a Newbie on reloading equipment

TheTexan

TheTexan

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I am thinking about getting into reloading. I don’t have the clue where to start. I have been told that Dillon presses was the way to go, but they seem a little pricy to me. I will be loading less that 1,000 rounds (total) a month in the following calibers:
9mm
40 S&W
38 SP
357

I am looking for recommendations on what to purchase for what I call the price performer (best bang for the buck).

Thanks
 
TheTexan said:
I am thinking about getting into reloading. I don’t have the clue where to start. I have been told that Dillon presses was the way to go, but they seem a little pricy to me. I will be loading less that 1,000 rounds (total) a month in the following calibers:
Click to expand...

10,000 rounds a year is considered decent output, so don't go for the cheapest junk unless you have lots of extra time and patience to frig with them and keep them running. (AVOID PLASTIC parts.) You won't have to do that with a Dillon - another option is Hornady.

Search on the Hornady Lock and Load; there's a lot of posts here from some that are very impressed by it.
 
I just bought the LNL AP but haven't set it up yet. It looked like the best option. I hope to set it up over xmas and will find out just how much I like it.
 
I have a Dillon Square Deal B in 38/357, 9mm & 45acp.
I have had it for a number of years & really like it.

Without getting into a name issue, I got rid of a press setup that had plastic parts. Never again.

I am not saying that Dillon is the only good one but I like it. Note that the Square deal B only does pistol ammo.

Make sure that you get at least one good, current reloading manual.
 
I just did 400 9mm this morning on a Hornady LNL. Did 300 last night on it.
I used to hate reloading before getting the LNL.
I wish I didn't waste the money I did on the other presses I still have, and had.
 
Have a look at the RCBS Beginner's Kit. Gives you everything you need less dies, shell holder and components. Runs around $500. The Kit comes with a Speer manual, but buy a Lyman book too. Not that there's anything wrong with the Speer book. The Lyman book is just more versatile.
Loading speed with a single stage press comes with technique and practice.
The .38 and .357 can use the same dies and shell holder. You'll need separate dies and shell holder for the 9mm and .40 S&W.
 
Wrath of the Expensive Presses

OK, I'll risk the wrath of the "plastic haters" and suggest that Mr. 1,000 rounds check out Lee anyway - they have a number of presses that are quite heavy duty without being heavy duty on the wallet, such as the Classic Turret Press (vg for pistol ammo). I reload about 500-600 rounds a month using the Challenger and handpress and have no complaints whatsoever. In fact, if not for Lee I wouldn't have gotten into reloading at all...

Non-hotlink (remove the space before leeprecision)

www. leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1197847496.763=/html/catalog/turretpress.html#ClassicTurretPress
 
At the risk of high jacking this thread I'm in the same boat and was about to start my own thread. I always buy quality and don't mind spending the extra buck as I hate upgrading my stuff. From what I hear a Dillon is the way to go for pistol ammo and the occassional rifle round .223 and 7.62 X 39. Do they come as a kit or do I need to buy the press and all the other stuff (which I haven't got a clue what else I need).

Like the Texan I shoot a lot of handgun ammo - .45's especially.

I know the sky is the limit, but what would a good set up cost? Would $1500 do it for a complete setup (scales etc.)? Who is the best distributor that won't hose me down?

I've read a few threads on CGN and hear about getting a few good reloading guides - any in particular?

If I take my time and read the manuals and go slowly I don't think I should have a problem (or is getting started on your own a long drawn out process). Thanks and hope I haven't offended anyone by jumping in with my own questions.
 
Buy a Dillon

My RL550 has cranked out countless thousands of rounds since the very early 1980's.
All the big boys in reloading have decent warranties, but Dillon had the NO BS warranty when the RL550 came out. Their production rate is terrific.
You only have to buy it once.
I calculated that it would take me two years of reloading to pay back the value invested vs buying factory. After years of single stage loading, the Dillon was a godsend.
Dillon Precision Products. The best on the market. I know, I own one.
 
hatman1793 said:
The best on the market. I know, I own one.
Click to expand...

Until you've owned more than dillon, you don't know.

Having said that, you might be right for your needs - but you don't know unless you've used or at least played with the others. Even then, presses have relative strengths that make them better suited for some needs and less suited for others - so a blanket "it's the best" begs the question "for what specific usage". You need a more nuanced evaluation.
 
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I have a lee pro 1000 I have loaded 45 acp for two years 20000, I bought one in 40 and 44 mag too, I have three lee presses on my bench and it cost less then 1 dillon, 45acp loaded 20000 40 s&W 5000 and 44mag 2000 they are all going strong they do need to be cleaned out once and while and are a bit moody sometimes but I don't think I will switch to a dillon any time soon. I use a rcbs single for my rifle loads
 
dillon...

resale:)

Unless you are a genius you will have questions, adjustment issues.
the dillon 1 800 # open saturdays too. max wait time for me, 3 min. ;)

Any problems you have they will send replacement parts in the mail free.
even if it is operator error.
average arrival time 2 weeks.

With the dollar you will pay less that we did:p

I would buy from the factory.

If you go dillon ask for us advice on what accessories are needed or not.
I would buy the roller handle for doing 1K/ month.
I would not waste $ on the low primer buzzer again.
 
acrashb said:
do yourself a favour and read the thread I referenced earlier.
Click to expand...

I did and read the write you did - awesome and very useful. Loved the video too - even the wife got a kick out of it even though she wasn't sure what she was looking at :) What does a set up like that go for and where's the best place to buy?
 
Hi

If you load 12,000 rounds a year that's going to run you around 20 cents a round. In a three year period you will put $7,200 into ammo. The price of a press is a *very* small chunk of what you are going to spend.

Presses last a long time. You are unlikely to wear one out. What may happen is that you will decide you need a better one. It's far cheaper to go for a good one and keep it, than to trade up every year.

The only question to me is weather you want a 550 or a 650. I love my 650. It just keeps on running.

Yes, I also have bought a number of other presses from Hornaday, Lee, and RCBS. Some of them were better than others, but the Dillon is the one that I now use the most.

Bob
 
mittycat99 said:
I did and read the write you did - awesome and very useful. Loved the video too - even the wife got a kick out of it even though she wasn't sure what she was looking at :) What does a set up like that go for and where's the best place to buy?
Click to expand...

Glad you liked it.

Cabellas and Lock, Stock and Barrel often have good prices. As for cost, less than Dillon and more than Lee :) - depends on your options. The bullet feeder is from bulletfeeder .com
 
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