Getting Into It...

CTS

CTS

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Well I have decided that I should start to reload 9mm rounds after being at the range a few times and realizing...this is going to get expensive fast.

I have zero experience in reloading and have a few questions.

I have done a bit of research in the last few days and have decided that i will probably go with a dillon progressive press. My question is what is the difference between the 550 and the 650? From what I can see it is that you have to manually turn the table, as where the 650 turns with every pull. Is this correct?

To me it seems that having to turn the table by hand defeats the purpose of it being a progressive press. With that said is it worth getting the 650 over the 550 for the extra money?

At the moment i only plan on reloading 9mm but i'm sure that will all change over time.

Thanks very much for the help, this noob appreciates it.

CTS
 
Start with a copy of The ABC's of Reloading.
"...have to manually turn..." The 650 feeds the brass mechanically too. You pay more for that.
 
dont start to big as a newb get the 550 you will be more then happy with the results from it. the 650 is more complex and takes far bit of time to get it up and running . caliber changes on the 550 are fast compared to the 650 . you can always sell the 550 when your ready to move up and recover most of your costs . but just my 2 cents
 
The 650 adds a case feeder and a fifth station. This allows you to use a powder check die if you choose.

If you can afford the 650, you will probably never begrudge the money spent on it.
 
The 650 with a case feeder = place a bullet and crank the handle.
With a 550, you need to manually index the shellplate, let go the handle and put a case then place a bullet and crank the handle. You can always buy the casefeeder for the 550.
 
The other consideration is the volume of reloading you'll be doing, and the time you have to reload. In my case, every minute I'm at the loading bench is a minute I'm not free to shoot.

In your case, with a single caliber, if your volume is small, you might be just as well served with a SDB.
 
Start with a copy of The ABC's of Reloading
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Thanks very much, i will be getting this book. I see that it is highly recommended.

you can always sell the 550 when your ready to move up
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Good idea, i never really thought of that. I guess it would not last to long in the EE's.


If you can afford the 650, you will probably never begrudge the money spent on it.
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What is the price difference for the 550 to the 650? I'm so torn... i really want the one that automatically indexes the shellplate.

You can always buy the casefeeder for the 550.
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When i did a search for dillon, a thread came up about the 550 not feeding the cases very well. Also does the 650 have the extra spot for the case feeder? Would I have to get rid of something on the 550 to make the case feeder fit?

In your case, with a single caliber, if your volume is small, you might be just as well served with a SDB.
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The SDB is for handguns only, correct? At the moment the only guns I have worth reloading for are the 9mm and 7mm mag, 30-06. I can see myself getting into more rifle cartridges later on and maybe a .45 cal also.

I just went to the Hornady website and with there LNL press they are giving away 1000 bullets, man i hate making decisions.

Sorry for all the questions, i just want to make sure I dont miss anything when making this purchase.

Thanks again
 
A suggestion would be to get a single stage press and load up a thousand that way so you get the feel of reloading one step at a time and get a good idea of what you are looking at. You will probably find that loading rifle cartridges on a single stage will give you better control of your loads.

A progressive is great but the learning curve is different because everything happens at the same time.

That said, if you are looking for a good yet inexpensive press to load pistol calibers, don't discount the Lee LoadMaster.

See acrashb's great UNBIASED comparison of the 3 progressive loaders.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127691&highlight=dillon+lee+hornady+comparison
 
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^ thanks very much for the link to that review. looks very good. I just looked at the Hornady LNL on youtube and it looks really nice. Oh well have to read and decide.

What is an estimated cost to starting up with one of these preses, including bullets, primers, powder, etc. Does $1000 sound right?
 
Getting started with a Dillon 550:

Reloading press without any option: $600 (roller handle is highly recommended +60)
9mm dies: $90
Balance: $80
Tumbler: $80
Ammo boxes: $10 each

Supplies:
1000 primers: $30
1000 bullets: $140
Powder 2lbs: $44


So yeah, roughly $1000 getting started excluding taxes. Maybe I forgot something, let me know.
 
Getting started with a Lee Loadmaster = $300 shipped from the US including their so called case feeder and dies.

Or a bit more purchased in Canada.
 
SandRoad said:
Getting started with a Lee Loadmaster = $300 shipped from the US including their so called case feeder and dies.

Or a bit more purchased in Canada.
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Thanks very much. I know i started this thread off stating a Dillon. But after reading reviews, and watching videos on youtube i am thinking that i will go with the Hornady LNL. I really want the auto indexing feature.

I just have to find a place to buy it in Canada Or I was thinking that I might just wait till the summer time and see if the dollar gets better and take a trip to Grand Forks. They are $399 at Cabelas.
 
I got the LNL AP and it seems great (have yet to set it up though, damn apartment living)

If you are going to get a new one make sure you get one with the EZject system instead of the wire (all new hornady shell plates have a groove in the bottom for the ezject system)

I am trying to track down the EZject conversion (29.99 us) so that I will not have any problems using my redding carbide crimp die (no carbide in the crimp die but would like to use the full set, you all know what i mean, just dont want people thinking crimp dies have a carbide ring in them) in station 5 (on the ones with the wire there is a clearance issue (with any crimp die but hornadys), solved by the Ezject).
 
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CTS said:
Thanks very much. I know i started this thread off stating a Dillon. But after reading reviews, and watching videos on youtube i am thinking that i will go with the Hornady LNL. I really want the auto indexing feature.

I just have to find a place to buy it in Canada Or I was thinking that I might just wait till the summer time and see if the dollar gets better and take a trip to Grand Forks. They are $399 at Cabelas.
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I was just pointing out the LoadMaster as an inexpensive alternative to others reading this thread. What do I have? LoadMaster and a LNL on the way.
 
SandRoad said:
I was just pointing out the LoadMaster as an inexpensive alternative to others reading this thread. What do I have? LoadMaster and a LNL on the way.
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Cool I got the rockchucker supream kit and the LNL then ordered dies (just got them) and now am going to build a bench for in my pantry (gotta love apartment living) and order some powder and primers.

Oh and just got a digital caliper as well. Gotta be able to measure cases ect.

If someone gets the EZject system do a review!
 
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