Newbie looking to get in to reloading multiple calibers efficiently.

[Sveinn84]

I'm wanting to do 9mm, 308, and 30-06 and will likely have other calibers to do as well

Looking at various progressive presses and am leaning towards a dillon.

What do you guys suggest to get going?

 

[Davizx2]

I’m also looking into reloading. So far I’m leaning towards the Dillon square deal B. It’s reasonably priced, enough that if you wanted to you could get a square deal b press for a 9mm /.45 and any other caliber that press comes in and not have to worry about setting up for another caliber

 

[smithynorth]

If you are new to reloading and wish to start out on a progressive, I would seriously consider the 550B. I used to own the 550B and “upgraded” to the 650. I miss advancing manually as opposed to the auto advance on the 650. The manual advancing is much more amenable to learning about load development and is great for both rifle and pistol reloading.

 

[Sveinn84]

If you are new to reloading and wish to start out on a progressive, I would seriously consider the 550B. I used to own the 550B and “upgraded” to the 650. I miss advancing manually as opposed to the auto advance on the 650. The manual advancing is much more amenable to learning about load development and is great for both rifle and pistol reloading.

This is the kind of advice I was hoping for. Thank you!

 

[MuthaFunk]

If you're new to reloading the Dillon 550 is a great press. Not only is the auto advance not there to confuse the process it's also much easier to adapt to different cals. When I got mine I was a new reloader as well. You can use it like turret press for the rifle rounds if you wish or go full progressive.

As for the different cals, it's so liberating being a reloader as you will no longer care if a nice firearm you want isn't in 308, 223, or 9mm. You'll just reload for it anyway. Over the years I've expanded my calibers to over 10! I never outgrew the 550. It was my first press and it expanded with me.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I agree with the 550 and own the 650 but use a Forester for all rifle but don't shoot rifle as often so went with the 650 and all is good

 

[fingers284]

If you are new to reloading and wish to start out on a progressive, I would seriously consider the 550B. I used to own the 550B and “upgraded” to the 650. I miss advancing manually as opposed to the auto advance on the 650. The manual advancing is much more amenable to learning about load development and is great for both rifle and pistol reloading.

The 650 is the "best of both worlds" and can be used as a full progressive or just a rotary press (that the 550 really is) with a 10 second "one piece" removal that can be re-installed just as quickly. One of The biggest advantage's of the 650 over the 550 is the five hole tool head that I consider essential for loading pistol in the progressive mode...allows for "each round" powder checker to be installed.

 

[dead meat]

I have a 650 Dillon, great machine. I also have a single stage that i use for most loads if only doing 100 or fewer rounds, i also want a little more control on powder weight than you get with a powder measure with target loads. The Dillon shines when you want to crank out 500 or more rounds fast. Agree with fingers284 about the advantages of the 650 over the 550. Lots of good choices if only the credit card can keep up.

 

[horseman2]

^^^^^^^^^^

You published my thoughts before I hit the send . . .

reloading multiple calibers efficiently

Strikes me as an oxymoron!

From the Fox . . . but use a Forester for all rifle

The volume a 650 would allow for pistol is a good choice but a single stage for rifle where accuracy is a criteria makes more sense IMO.

 

[old303]

Probably the 650 for "one press does it all", but consider a Square Deal for cranking out the pistol rounds in volume and a single-stage for doing precision rifle rounds. Needs a bit more bench space though.