Get me reloading on a budget - Help Please

Ok guys, if I was to get a progressive. Which would cost less?

Hornady LNL or Dillon xl650
Both with just the dies etc to do .45 acp?

Also if you own either one, where did you purchase. Im a working family man who is usually short on time, so I will be limited to how long I can spend reloading.
Makes sense to go progressive to me, or possibly one step down to a dillon 550
 
Henry Nierychlo said:
Buy a Hornady LNL from me.
Better value.
Regards, Henry
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ok, here is what I have put together so far. Anybody want to chime in on what else I am missing, things I don't need or some things that would be nice to have?

PS- Is everyone this excited to start reloading. Can't wait!

Te9KImn.jpg
 
buy once cry once, if i could buy the dillion 650 when i started i would, i learned to reload on my lee classic progressive press and for 169 ish (depending where u buy more or less) and it is awesome. however with the dillion it will be harder to keep track of everything if your not use to it, (did primers feed, powder throw, double charge etc,) because you dont know the basics it will be easy to get off track, forget something, and possible harm to you or others, which will discourage you. start simple, i would actually recommend the lee progressive. also get a quality powder scale.

also your missing a reloading manual in your list above, also i liked the dillion xl650 better than the hornady,and something like a single stage or the lee progressive is great for load testing so you don't always have to mess with the powder once you got it perfect. just my .02
 
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Lee Classic Cast 4-hole turret Kit, Lee Dies plus Factory Crimp Die, MTM Casegard DS-750 Mini Digital Reloading Scale, Casing Tumbler, RCBS Universal Priming Tool. You can't beat the price of Lee Classic Cast Kit which can be used as single stage with indexing rod removed. All you have to choose now is Powder, Primer and Bullet/Slug. Depending on what type of load you need, Bullseye is popular with pistols. Not sure with powder for rifles since I have not done it yet. There are lots of readings available online regarding handloading/reloading. Google is your bestfriend finding these information. The basic rule when reloading: Start with slightly lower than manufacturer recommended powder charge for specific bullet weight. Check your charge visually before seating the bullet. Measure the Overall Length and drop into your chamber for fitting before doing the final crimp. Record every charge data and work your way up to your liking. When firing the handload for the first time specifically in pistols without magazine safety, load a round, remove magazine, and fire. This precaution will help in case an overcharge is present by re-directing excess pressure downward to the magazine well preventing a major blow-up and injury. These are just my personal opinion and does not guarantee safety. Do at your own risk. Ask other reloaders for their opinion. Read reloading books for recommendations. And the most important thing: "FOCUS" in what you are doing. Multitasking is a NO-NO, you are exposing yourself and people around you to possible injury. Safe re-loading!
 
What Barry said is very true. Lee dies are your best value. But reading before doing is priceless. The more you learn before you load, the better the results & the safer the ammo too. You wouldn't want to look like a fool at the shooting range, next to your fellow handgunners, or worst get injured. Education/ reading is time well spent.
Equipment: you will need is a press (single or progressive) a good solid bench in a room you can be undisturbed in, a case trimmer to keep case all the same lenght, case lube kit, a priming tool c/w primer pocket cleaner(large & small) a scale (good electronic or a beam <avoir du poids> scale), scale check weights are a good idea too, a powder throw(Lee is inexpensive & realy accurate) & a powder funnel, a caliper for measuring, a few loading trays & a few ammo boxes.
Patience will serve you well & give you excellent results.
Good luck.
Moosifer1
 
ambishooter said:
Lee Classic Cast 4-hole turret Kit, Lee Dies plus Factory Crimp Die, MTM Casegard DS-750 Mini Digital Reloading Scale, Casing Tumbler, RCBS Universal Priming Tool. You can't beat the price of Lee Classic Cast Kit which can be used as single stage with indexing rod removed. All you have to choose now is Powder, Primer and Bullet/Slug. Depending on what type of load you need, Bullseye is popular with pistols. Not sure with powder for rifles since I have not done it yet. There are lots of readings available online regarding handloading/reloading. Google is your bestfriend finding these information. The basic rule when reloading: Start with slightly lower than manufacturer recommended powder charge for specific bullet weight. Check your charge visually before seating the bullet. Measure the Overall Length and drop into your chamber for fitting before doing the final crimp. Record every charge data and work your way up to your liking. When firing the handload for the first time specifically in pistols without magazine safety, load a round, remove magazine, and fire. This precaution will help in case an overcharge is present by re-directing excess pressure downward to the magazine well preventing a major blow-up and injury. These are just my personal opinion and does not guarantee safety. Do at your own risk. Ask other reloaders for their opinion. Read reloading books for recommendations. And the most important thing: "FOCUS" in what you are doing. Multitasking is a NO-NO, you are exposing yourself and people around you to possible injury. Safe re-loading!
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^^^in a nutshell^^^ good advise to to bottom
 
Wow, all I can say is Wow!

CourtenayBoy, I think you are getting some poor advice.

first off, think of what YOU do for a living, and then think of what your advice would be if someone with no experience asked about your job!
Want to be a Surgeon? Easy, grab a sharp knife, some needs and fine dental floss! Start cutting!
Want to be an Air Traffic Controller? Easy, just pick up a mic, and start telling aircraft where to fly.
After you kill a few hundred people, you may sit back and rethink your whole plan.

when I started reloading for 357mag, I started single press, and used to load 300 in a sitting.

it is obvious to me, that because you are asking, you are not ready for a progressive setup. You need to learn the basics.

Lee Loader? Sure, I have 25 of them.

single stage? Great, I have 3 of them.

Casting is a whole 'nuther world.

things like the LEE factory crimp die can totally ruin your day if used improperly, and you won't know why.

You WILL be able to sell your used press/dies/etc for near what you paid for them then upgrade as you progress.

but if you were starting off in the trucking industry, would you buy a 600hp Pete, and load up an 80,000SuperB before you even got your license?

regarding your list:
you have no bullets, no bullet mould, no lube, no loading blocks, no dipper, no loading manual etc....

first things first

get three or four reloading manuals, then get Lyman 3 and lyman 4 cast bullet manuals.
Then READ them
get the supplies you will REALLY need after understanding what you need.
get a simple Lee setup Cpress/dies etc.

make a few thousand rounds, and learn to make them perfect.

THEN upgrade, and sell off your old stuff for near what you paid for it.

I'm not trying to be a Ahole here, but this is exactly what was told me when I started off.... and it was good advice back then.

have fun, be safe!
 
Too late. Ordered the hornady LnL today. I have the abc's of reloading and Nosler 5th edition. I don't mess around when I want to do something, I do it right, out of the gate. Why would I mess with a single stage when time is limited and I would rather spend more time with the kids and at the range than at the bench. It isn't rocket science and there is a wealth of knowledge on the net as well as local guys willing to show a guy the ropes.
I am happy with my decision and I appreciate that your opinion differs from mine
 
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fingers284 said:
A question for someone who owns a LNL, do they seat the primer on the ram up-stroke stroke (like the Lee Loadmaster) or is it like the 650 that seats primers on the ram down-stroke.
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The Hornady Lock-N-Load AP press seats primers on the ram down-stroke (handle up/back).
 
nanuk said:
Wow, all I can say is Wow!

CourtenayBoy, I think you are getting some poor advice.

first off, think of what YOU do for a living, and then think of what your advice would be if someone with no experience asked about your job!
Want to be a Surgeon? Easy, grab a sharp knife, some needs and fine dental floss! Start cutting!
Want to be an Air Traffic Controller? Easy, just pick up a mic, and start telling aircraft where to fly.
After you kill a few hundred people, you may sit back and rethink your whole plan.

when I started reloading for 357mag, I started single press, and used to load 300 in a sitting.

it is obvious to me, that because you are asking, you are not ready for a progressive setup. You need to learn the basics.

Lee Loader? Sure, I have 25 of them.

single stage? Great, I have 3 of them.

Casting is a whole 'nuther world.

things like the LEE factory crimp die can totally ruin your day if used improperly, and you won't know why.

You WILL be able to sell your used press/dies/etc for near what you paid for them then upgrade as you progress.

but if you were starting off in the trucking industry, would you buy a 600hp Pete, and load up an 80,000SuperB before you even got your license?

regarding your list:
you have no bullets, no bullet mould, no lube, no loading blocks, no dipper, no loading manual etc....

first things first

get three or four reloading manuals, then get Lyman 3 and lyman 4 cast bullet manuals.
Then READ them
get the supplies you will REALLY need after understanding what you need.
get a simple Lee setup Cpress/dies etc.

make a few thousand rounds, and learn to make them perfect.

THEN upgrade, and sell off your old stuff for near what you paid for it.

I'm not trying to be a Ahole here, but this is exactly what was told me when I started off.... and it was good advice back then.

have fun, be safe!
Click to expand...

Because a single stage press can always be used, there is nothing wrong with starting with one. but there is nothing that is more complicated on a progressive vs single stage. there is no need to watch any other stage, other then the powder drop. once you know how much powder should be in the case, that's all you really need to look at. as well you can always run 1 case at a time, then when you feel more comfortable run in it in a progressive manner.

reloading (basic practice rounds, or moderately accurate ammunition) is not rockect science, or any of the jobs you listed above.
 
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Because a single stage press can always be used, there is nothing wrong with starting with one.
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So far so good. SS presses are indeed very useful and the probability that you'll keep the SS on your bench, even after acquiring a progressive, is very high.

Spawn-Inc said:
,,, but there is nothing that is more complicated on a progressive vs single stage. there is no need to watch any other stage, other then the powder drop. once you know how much powder should be in the case, that's all you really need to look at. as well you can always run 1 case at a time, then when you feel more comfortable run in it in a progressive manner.
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1000's of posts on CGN requesting assistance would tend to refute this argument. People do have accidents doing this like with primer tubes blowing up and producing squibs or doubles can cause grief at the range. These things need attention.

reloading (basic practice rounds, or moderately accurate ammunition) is not rockect science, or any of the jobs you listed above.
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Also true but while not rocket science its not monkey work either. The only benefit from having your head up your ass is that your eyes and ears will be protected from your work.

"One out of 3 ain't bad" ;).
 
HKMark23 said:
1000's of posts on CGN requesting assistance would tend to refute this argument. People do have accidents doing this like with primer tubes blowing up and producing squibs or doubles can cause grief at the range. These things need attention.
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all the stuff you mention above is people being careless, or lacking the so called "common" sense. as i said, there is nothing wrong with starting out on a single stage, but to make it seem like it's going from driving a bicycle with training wheels to driving a fully loaded double trailer 18 wheeler is just silly, and wrong. take your time and learn how things work, having a mechanical background helps a bunch too. i'm not trying to be mean to "nova_scotian_guy" but with very little research it's easy to see that SS media is to be used in a thumbler style cleaner and not a vibratory.

HKMark23 said:
Also true but while not rocket science its not monkey work either. The only benefit from having your head up your ass is that your eyes and ears will be protected from your work.

"One out of 3 ain't bad" ;).
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and i can check for polyps too :)
 
Best advice, get LNL from Henry. Can also use a progressive as a single stage during learning period; a single stage will never be a progressive.
The LNL comes with 150 free XTP bullets for $20 shipping that is worth an easy $150 if you use those bullets.
Henry Nierychlo said:
Buy a Hornady LNL from me.
Better value.
Regards, Henry
Click to expand...


Watching NHL games make hockey look pretty easy. Full speed slap shots looks easy.

Just for starters make sure you have a good supply of correct lead, safe place to smelt, storage for lead contaminated equipment. OK, casting is a lot easier than hockey. Still suggest at least start with a case of 500 berrys plated to get the feel of loading with consistent bullets, then switch to cast.

Firearm combined with trial and error is an explosive mix.
CourtenayBoy said:
Casting is fairly basic from what I read and watch online. I have a reloading manual, I just don't fully understand all the components and what is necessary and what isn't. I mainly want to feed my .45
...
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According to you it isn't rocket science and you have wealth of local knowledge so why waste time posting question on CGN.
CourtenayBoy said:
Too late. Ordered the hornady LnL today. I have the abc's of reloading and Nosler 5th edition. I don't mess around when I want to do something, I do it right, out of the gate. Why would I mess with a single stage when time is limited and I would rather spend more time with the kids and at the range than at the bench. It isn't rocket science and there is a wealth of knowledge on the net as well as local guys willing to show a guy the ropes.
I am happy with my decision and I appreciate that your opinion differs from mine
Click to expand...
 
CourtenayBoy I would love for you to follow up when you are up and running. Being a person who is in your situation of starting and being drawn to the LNL. I think I will go with a basic set and start slow to get a feel for everything. Curious to see if you feel in over your head starting with a progressive or if it worked out for you with few set backs.
 
Chrmdome said:
CourtenayBoy I would love for you to follow up when you are up and running. Being a person who is in your situation of starting and being drawn to the LNL. I think I will go with a basic set and start slow to get a feel for everything. Curious to see if you feel in over your head starting with a progressive or if it worked out for you with few set backs.
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Yes, please post about your experience. Reloading is in my future too, just putting it off for a bit while I work my way through some cheap Norinco 45acp I stocked up on.
 
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