Economical handgun reloading setup

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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I was considering buying the extra pieces for my dad's Dillon XL650 so I could reload 9mm, but it will cost over $300 for everything which is completely ridiculous (dies, caliber conversion kit, shell plate, and quick change kit). So I am looking to get my own economical reloading setup for handgun.

Keeping in mind that I only have one handgun at the present time, and don't plan on owning more than 3 handguns (4 at the absolute most). I am also not too concerned with speed of loading as I don't shoot an EXCESSIVELY high volume of cartridges every week, so a single stage press would be fine.

I know some people have problems with the linkage breaking on the cheaper Lee presses. Would that even be a concern if the press was solely for handgun reloading? Or would you recommend something heavy duty like a Lee Classic Cast? I don't mind spending a little more for great quality, but I am on a budget.

Thanks!
 
Loading pistol ammo on a single stage is akin to jerking off with a cheese grater. :jerkit: Fun to do, but it's going to hurt like hell :runaway:

If you put $300 into loading one caliber on the 650 it will pay you back in a few thousand rounds - 3-4 hours as opposed to 50-60 hours on a single stage, giving you lots of spare time to yank your cord.:D
 
I have the Lee Classic Turret Press in 40 S&W. All in I paid $250 from Higginsons. I can do 100 rds in 55 mins at a relaxed pace.

Works for me :)

Craig
 
Go turret press for about $250 or get a Progressive LoadMaster with dies, plates and everything you need for about $350 from Higginsons. I got a turret press to reload 9MM and I am happy tho I do want to get a progressive later to speed it up.
 
You can probly pick up a used Lee 1000 all set to go for around $125.00. Ive got a couple of them for the different cals I load and so long you keep them clean and work at a steady pace once you start reloading it`ll keep you supplied with all the ammo you can shoot!
 
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being pistol, the MINIMUM i'd go with would be the turret press- if you plan on EVER getting a revolver, go for at least a 4 hole- ie the loadmaster- you need the extra hole for the factory crimp die- that thing alone is really worth the money-if you're going to go auto, a 3 hole like the 1000 will do, provided you do the priming elsewhere or are prepared to deal with the well-documented priming problems associated with the 1000- the loadmaster has no suchproblems as it's a different design, even though it LOOKS the same
 
I think you'd be better off buying the parts for the Dillon... you can probably save a few $ by getting Lee dies (I like them) and looking for the other parts on the exchange forum...

Single stage is ok for rifle rounds... but for pistol, progressive is pretty much a must! (And Dillon is a nice way to go about it) Beside, it gives you an excuse to visit your dad :)
 
Why go single stage or turret when you can pick up a Square Deal B and load quickly and accurately, 3 to 4 hundred rounds an hour at a relaxed pace.
 
Lee has 4 hole turrets available for all their turret presses now, so you can get a turret press and run the factory crimp die if needed. Caliber conversion will run you $30-$40 for dies/shell holder and another $20 or so for a spare turret which isn't required, but will let you change calibers very quickly. At the $250 Craig67 paid for his, your $100 less than the parts for the Dillon as you have priced them. The Dillon however will be a lot faster.
 
The conversion comes with a shellplate... depending on what your dad has on his press you should be OK with a toolhead, powder die, conversion and dies....

But why load 100 rounds an hour on the turret when you can load 500/hour on the 650... the payback on the $200 for the stuff for the dillon vs my time is about 500 rounds... (for me, less then a weekend of shooting) I don't sit down to load less then 1000 rounds...
 
I loaded about 1500 rounds of 38 special on a single stage press .
Don't go there , anyones time is worth more than that .
I really like my Lee pro1000 press but they do require alot of tinkering to get them to work right when new .
In your case I'd tell you to get the parts for the Dillon .
 
I would have to agree with getting a Lee 4 hole turret press. I own one and it is fast and very well priced compared to others. The Lee die kits with the factory crimp are great. I would find a single stage to be painfully slow after using my turret press.
 
If you have used your Dad's Dillon 650, and then buy some Lee stuff and try it , you will be massively disapointed. You will be going from the penthouse to the outhouse. Put the money into the Dillon 650 stuff, if you need to save some use LEE dies and powder measure.
 
I think you guys have talked me into just buying the stuff for my dad's machine LOL

I will have to contact Dillon and see if they will ship via USPS, as I will never again use UPS or Fedex .... lol

One thing I noticed about one of my dad's Dillon dies, not sure if it's common... the insert for his .40cal powder die has some slight surface rust/pitting. There's a bit of speckling on the outside of the insert, and a small patch of rust on the inside of it. It was like this when it was bought brand new. Is this common with Dillion? What would you guys recommend I do to fix that? Use some sort of polish?
 
Powder will attack the powder die itself.... It really has no bearing on it... the die is chromed a little flitz should clean it up really quick... If it's really bad I can get it replaced...
 
Bear,

Thank you for the tip. I'll give it a try. It's really not that bad, I just wanted to make sure polishing it wouldn't have any ill effect.
 
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