Need Help in Reloading!!
- Thread starter raytorm08
- Start date
That would depend on how many calibres you intend to reload for and whether or not you intend to run a case feeder.
If you are reloading a moderate volume of several calibres, you are better served by the 550, as it is simpler and less expensive to change calibres. Auto index doesn't make much difference unless you have a case feeder. I can get a cyclic rate of around 400 rounds/hour with my 550 without a case feeder.
Where the 650 really shines is if you wants LOTS of ammo and you don't plan on changing calibre often. You need the case feeder to really take advantage of this press. The downside is that it costs more and is more complex to change calibres.
When it comes to reloading equipment, there is nearly always a tradeoff between flexibility and rate of production.
Some items you will need for a Dillon progressive press:
-Reloading manual
-Calipers
-Powder scale
-Bullet puller
-Primer flip tray
-Calibre change kit for each calibre (shellplate, locator buttons, and powder funnel/case mouth expander)
-Toolheads and powder dies - You don't want to have to set up your dies every time you load a different calibre
-Case trimmer for bottleneck cases (I use the Lee setup with a drill)
-Case lube for bottleneck cases
-Strong Mount
I started recently. I would suggest you do what I did and pick up a kit like the rcbs rockchucker or even a lee kit. It has almost everything you need and will get you going. You can learn what works and what doesnt. From there you can get into the more expensive and more complicated setups.
I recently started myself. Buy what you can afford and borrow the rest to start. I haven't picked up a reloading book yet but plan to this weekend. So far I've just looked in the local gun store owners book and asked advice online. You will love the Dillion RL550B. I bought one a few weeks ago and its really easy to use and does a bang up job. You will need a scale, calipers, bullet puller for pistol reloading. If you can, borrow a few different ones from friends and family and find one that you like. They are expensive enough that you'll want to get the right one for you the first time. Canadian tire has good digital caliper for under $50. Good luck.
What types of ammunition are you reloading? If you are doing pistol ammunition, I think you will definitely want a progressive. I would think it would be rather time-consuming and monotonous to load pistol ammo with a single stage press.
If all you are loading is rifle ammo, a turret or single stage press will serve you well. The need to trim cases after sizing really eats into the progressive's speed advantage and you probably wouldn't be loading rifle ammo in as large quantities as you would for pistols.
Also, keep in mind that you can operate a progressive one case at a time, like a turret press, while you get used to operating it.
I use my Dillon 550 for both rifle and pistol loading. I think it is the best choice if you are going to own a single press for all applications.
If all you are loading is rifle ammo, a turret or single stage press will serve you well. The need to trim cases after sizing really eats into the progressive's speed advantage and you probably wouldn't be loading rifle ammo in as large quantities as you would for pistols.
Also, keep in mind that you can operate a progressive one case at a time, like a turret press, while you get used to operating it.
I use my Dillon 550 for both rifle and pistol loading. I think it is the best choice if you are going to own a single press for all applications.
Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll be reloading 9mm and .40 s&w...I shoot production division at the moment but i'll be shooting in Standard Division as soon as i get my new pistol hopefully sometime next week. now for my next question, Should i buy direct from Dillon or should i buy it locally? Will i save a few bucks if i buy it direct?
