In the fall of 2014 I decided to start reloading. I had been following various forum threads on the topic and decided that jumping right in and buying a Dillon 650 was the way to go so I put in an order straight to Dillon for what was pretty much a fully loaded setup in 9mm. When it arrived I set it up on my bench, stood back and looked at it. Impressive...well, let's park if for now but I'm sure I'll get on with things in earnest soon. On went the cover and I didn't look under it for a few months.
Summer of 2015 and I really need to get back to this reloading thing. I mean, I dropped what I considered to be a fair sum of money on this magnificent tool and its just sitting there idle. I started watching reloading videos and started talking to people. That particular summer I was getting more interested in some rifle calibers and a couple people had told me this: the 650 is a great press for pistol calibers but you'll probably want to load rifle on a single stage. That, and the idea of getting a single stage to learn the ropes prompted me to go out and buy an RCBS Rock Chucker.
I did learn the ropes of reloading that summer on the Rock Chucker and I've cranked out hundreds of rounds since. Probably thousands but honestly I haven't thought about it all that hard. All the time though, while working in or passing by that room, I'd see this blue monolith and wonder: why did I buy that thing?
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019...
2020 and lots of time at home on my hands. All of a sudden I decide that I really want to have a S&W in 38 Special. An older one, and one that is a dedicated 38 Special, not a 357 Mag. And I'm going to reload for it right out of the gate. And I'm going to use the Dillon 650 if it's serviceable. So, while waiting for the gun that I found to arrive I assembled the remaining pieces like the caliber conversion kit, dies and components. While switching/installing everything I was relieved to see that it really looked no different than when I set it up over 5 years ago. 5 years! I know, embarrassing. Anyway, I cranked out 100 rounds of ammo last weekend and I have to say I don't know why I waited so long. What an amazing tool! It takes a little getting used to but wow is it awesome when you get it dialled in and get into a rhythm. 45 Colt is next on the menu. Anyway, Big Blue finally doing what it was made to do:
Summer of 2015 and I really need to get back to this reloading thing. I mean, I dropped what I considered to be a fair sum of money on this magnificent tool and its just sitting there idle. I started watching reloading videos and started talking to people. That particular summer I was getting more interested in some rifle calibers and a couple people had told me this: the 650 is a great press for pistol calibers but you'll probably want to load rifle on a single stage. That, and the idea of getting a single stage to learn the ropes prompted me to go out and buy an RCBS Rock Chucker.
I did learn the ropes of reloading that summer on the Rock Chucker and I've cranked out hundreds of rounds since. Probably thousands but honestly I haven't thought about it all that hard. All the time though, while working in or passing by that room, I'd see this blue monolith and wonder: why did I buy that thing?
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019...
2020 and lots of time at home on my hands. All of a sudden I decide that I really want to have a S&W in 38 Special. An older one, and one that is a dedicated 38 Special, not a 357 Mag. And I'm going to reload for it right out of the gate. And I'm going to use the Dillon 650 if it's serviceable. So, while waiting for the gun that I found to arrive I assembled the remaining pieces like the caliber conversion kit, dies and components. While switching/installing everything I was relieved to see that it really looked no different than when I set it up over 5 years ago. 5 years! I know, embarrassing. Anyway, I cranked out 100 rounds of ammo last weekend and I have to say I don't know why I waited so long. What an amazing tool! It takes a little getting used to but wow is it awesome when you get it dialled in and get into a rhythm. 45 Colt is next on the menu. Anyway, Big Blue finally doing what it was made to do:
