buying my first reloader - quick question

Thanks for that mrspeel. I hope I don't come across as sounding like I don't agree with your focus on the one press. I was simply curious about the situation.
 
No issues at all. I was happy to answer your question. We all have our opinions and experiences and nobody is right or wrong. Happy reloading.
 
BCRider said:
I've noticed that Dillon presses don't come up for sale all that often. And when they do they typically hold their price well. So I don't see much disadvantage price wise to buying new.

I agree with the others that are saying that the 550b isn't a difficult press to learn on. The manual indexing means that it can't pull any mistakes or problems out of reach like an auto indexing press does. And nothing says you MUST use it in a progressive manner. It can work as a turret style or even a one round at a time through the operations or any other combo just fine.

Mr Mike, Mrspeel and LouF. Do you have ONLY the 550b? Or do you have another press off to the side for small jobs or other things that you can use to avoid a full change over on the Dillon? I ask because I've really found having a SS off to the side has been a valuable asset. And that's why I've been suggesting it. Not as a learning step, as an ongoing handy second press for quick or small jobs.
Click to expand...
I only have the 550.With all my rifle handloads I do them non-progressive.Prepare my brass by tumbling,then resizing/primer removal,cleaning primer pockets and checking for length and trimming if need be.Then priming (back on the Dillon) and put 10 on a block and powder goes in each weight measured individually , bullet seat and crimp if need be depending on cartridge.Pistol is mass production once everything is triple checked and then constant checking for powder weight and col with the Dillon cartridge gauge.
 
Get good first the speed will come natural. Single stage all the way for beginners. Develop a procedure post it at your bench and stick to it.
 
I have 7 presses. I've had others. Among the ones I've used/tried are the Hornady Single Stage, Rockchuker, Lee Challenger, Lee Classic Cast, Lee Classic Cast Turret, Lee Shotgun Press, Lee Loadmasters, Big Boss, Forester Coax, and the last one a Dillon 650.

If I started again... I'd get the Coax as the best press I've used. Period. And then get a Dillon 650 which is darn close. I'd love a 1050 but I digress... I have also kept my Lee Classic Cast (NOT Breech Lock as its too short) because I load .338 Lapua and the Coax is too short. Also, there are some things you need an "O" shaped press for. One example is the Lee Trim Dies which I really like for my small batch calibres that you don't bulk load.

I'll also add I've kept my Lee Turret as I use it for 6.8 SPC and a couple others as I like it and it's all are just fun to use.
 
If you are not to concerned with the price, I'd look at the RCBS Cabelas "supreme Deluxe" kit, it has the Chargemaster and the case prep unit in it. It may seem high at the 950.00 level, but it is a good price for what is in it, You will spend more than that to get the same stuff separately.
As to doing the stuff separately, I'd buy a Coax, saves on the shellholders, the die holders such as the locknload ones and etc, not req'd with the Coax. I'd grab the 21st Century Lee square tray, hand priming tool, get two, one for lg primers, one for small. And probably the RCBS case prep center, and a Forster trimmer with a long bed and the full collet set. Then a Forster datum dial kit. A chargemaster and a Harrel's thrower and a 1010 scale. Looks like a lot of loot to do it that way---but it will be one time purchases other than maybe the Chargemaster and case prep center as they are electronic gizmos.
 
So after reading everything i could find and watching video after video and reading the forums and talking to anyone i even remotely knew reloaded i came to a decision today and pulled the trigger on it.

i went with the Hornady Lock'n Load beginner set.
my rational for going with this cheaper set up is this - i know nothing of reloading, i dont know what is good and what is bad because i dont even know what anything is suppose to do or how it does it. with that in mind i finally came to the conclusion that before i buy a Forester Co-Ax or a Dillion 550B that i should probably start with a basic set and actually LEARN how to reload and make my mistakes and pay my dues on the stool at the counter where my press will be mounted.

my plan is to use this set up for a year and then evaluate and go from there, if im still enjoying it and want to move up ill then purchase a Foster Co-Ax and a then if i want to branch out to reloading my pistol ammo ill get the Dillion.

besides the Hornady starter kit and a couple extra pieces i picked up while i was there i ordered some brass and bullets and a set of the dies i need (since non where in stock). i figure once i get this all set up ill then pick up phase 2 that that will be a cleaning system for cleaning and prepping the brass. but ill deal with that once i get all of phase 1 up and going. so far i have a Hornady ultrasonic cleaner coming from my dad (his contribution) and ill pick up a Hornady trimmer system and im thinking of getting one of the Frankford Arsenal kits that has the stainless steel pins for a medium.

again, thanks for all the input and im sure ill be on here mooching for knowledge once i get everything set up and getting ready to pull that handle for the first time!

IMG-20150320-00039_zps0vtc2icy.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom