reloading questions

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mpjustin

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is the dillon 550 press a good one to start with for reloading 45acp? I am new and don't know much about reloading. could I also do 9mm with it as well? and how hard is it to learn and get started, or should I not buy one yet?

Thanks in advance.
 
mpjustin said:
is the dillon 550 press a good one to start with for reloading 45acp? I am new and don't know much about reloading. could I also do 9mm with it as well? and how hard is it to learn and get started, or should I not buy one yet?

Thanks in advance.
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Yes, I believe the Dillon 550 is a good press. I load both .45 ACP and 9mm. I am well pleased with both the quality and ease of operation.
 
I started loading pistols on a single stage RCBS, then I got a Dillon 550. The Dillon 550 is a great press. I use it for 9mm, .40Cal and .223
You will be very happy with it.
 
Start with a copy of The ABC's of Reloading. A progressive isn't the best place to start though. The set up is more involved/complicated than a single stage press and you really should have an idea of what is happening. However, you can download the manual from Dillon's site for free and read it before you buy. It's a .PDF.
Add the W's. .dillonprecision.com/#/manuals.html
 
mpjustin said:
is the dillon 550 press a good one to start with for reloading 45acp? I am new and don't know much about reloading. could I also do 9mm with it as well? and how hard is it to learn and get started, or should I not buy one yet?
Click to expand...

As far as I'm concerened they are THE machine to go with. I load various pistol / rifle and it is fantastic. Their warranty / customer sevice can't be beat! Get one ASAP. If you plan on reloading rifle I'd get an RCBS Chargemaster as well then you have a great set up!


blacksmithden said:
I don't mean to hijack the thread...but....how much does it cost to switch calibers on a Dillon 550, without the cost of dies???
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~$50 for the conversion kit (some calibers use the same plates like .45 & .308 win)

Then you can get a complete toolhead / powder dispenser for another ~$90 plus dies. I have 5 sitting on my bench in different cals waiting to be switched out. Their new style dies are AMAZING as well. Once your dies are set in the toolheads then changing calibers takes <10mins and you do not have to adjust any dies / powder dispensers again (providing you're using the same load).

Regards,
 
sunray said:
Start with a copy of The ABC's of Reloading. A progressive isn't the best place to start though. The set up is more involved/complicated than a single stage press and you really should have an idea of what is happening. However, you can download the manual from Dillon's site for free and read it before you buy. It's a .PDF.
Add the W's. .dillonprecision.com/#/manuals.html
Click to expand...

That is also my advice, get an inexpensive single stage press (Lee Challenger or Classic Cast comes to mind) and learn the steps one at a time. For pistol loads I also suggest a bulky powder such as TrailBoss, it is much easier to see if you have double charged a case.

Load a thousand or two and then get a progressive. Single stage presses are always useful if you just want to try out small batches of loads or different bullets. You won't need to mess with your progressive setup.

Also, regardless of what dies you get, pick up a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die. It is used as the 4th die and crimps and sizes the loaded round making sure it fits in the chamber.

As for presses, there are options other than Dillon. The Hornady Lock n Load progressive is a great press, and the Lee Loadmaster is also very good, especially when you are loading pistol calibers. The Loadmaster is also a real bargain at less than $250 including dies and "quasi" case feeder.

See the comparison here: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127691&highlight=dillon+lee+hornady

First post and follow the links in the post.
 
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The reason why the Dillon 550b press is an excellent press to start with, is because the press is a manual index...Set up is easy...And once you start reloading, the manual indexing is just like a single stage press... Two presses for the price of one...I`ve been going to gun shows for decades, and rarely do I see a Dillon for sale...But I see lots of Lee, Hornady and RCBS press`s for sale.....
Dillon`s hold their value...You can reload up to 160 different calibers....Fantastic service....I`ve never had anything break on my 550b...I have been to gun stores that sell Lee and Hornady, but in the back of the store, they reload on a Dillon to sell ammo to their customers.....Up to you....After 20+ years of a Dillon, I`m very happy....
 
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