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Posted: 9/6/2009 6:52:39 AM EDT
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Ammos is just too scarce.
I'm thinking of getting a reloading machine from Dillion Precision. (Probably the 650 model.) Any thoughts would be appreciated. (I should have gotten into reloading long ago but ammo was available and inexpensive until Obama came into power.) I'll be starting from scratch. Is that still a good machine? Any current opinions of progressive machines would be appreciated. Thanks for any info. http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23803/catid/1/XL_650 |
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If you think ammo is hard to find, try finding powder, primers, and bullets..... let alone the components you want. I've got backorders on primers, etc. But I have to start reloading. Enough is enough. I was late in getting into this so I know I have to wait for stuff. My fault. |
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I've heard nothing but good about Dillon reloading equipment, so that would be a good purchase, if you're serious out volume reloading.
You sound like you've never reloaded before, if thats true, I would suggest starting with a single stage kit, and then once you're comfortable with the process, go to the Dillon. You definelty need a good scale and some measuring tools that should be in a beginner kit. There are pleanty of jobs that you need a single stage press for, even with a progressive around, so it wouldn't be a wasted purchase by any means. There is a lot of things happening at once on a progressive press, and you could easily mess up a few rounds, and screw up a rifle or a pistol with a mistake. Looking at the pile of equipment, scales, dies, trimmers, measuring tools, etc., in my reloading room I'm not sure its cheaper! Definetly more accurate ammo than the factory puts out though. |
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What calibers are you going to reload? If you figure you can save $0.20 per round to reload, you can payback a progressive set up with all you need in 6,000 rounds.
Right now I'm getting .223 loaded for $0.19 per round. Let me find that cost to produce link for you... |
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Thanks Rob, I'm mainly going to do .44 Special (along with other pistol loads to start out with) but .44 Special is my main caliber to start with.
I've seen guys reload before but I am a beginner, no doubt about that. I want the progressive machine though. Is it that difficult to learn how to use? Thanks for any info. |
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What calibers are you going to reload? If you figure you can save $0.20 per round to reload, you can payback a progressive set up with all you need in 6,000 rounds. Right now I'm getting .223 loaded for $0.19 per round. Let me find that cost to produce link for you... Thanks Mark. I'm going to reload pistol cartridges to start with. The .44 Special will be my favorite but I'll do other more common calibers also. You know, .45acp, .38 Special, .40S&W and 9mm. Thanks for the info! I appreciate it. (BTW, I have backorders on primers and bullets, etc.) |
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http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp I accidentally posted this in the other thread... but like I sait there too... I don't think you need to start on a single stage. Get a 550 and load slow and easy until you find your load. You can load ONE case at a time on a progressive. |
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The issue that came up with the 650 is that it auto advances the brass to the next station. I could not live with this.
These blue machines can be finicky. It's nice that on the 550 you can manually fix any issues without emptying out the machine and starting over. The thing with a manual index is that you have to watch that you don't double charge a pistol round when you get a stoppage. Rifle rounds are impossible to double due to the case volume.. you'll spill powder everywhere and it will be obvious. Pistol on the other hand can be double charged if you make a mental mistake. I try to hang a light near the machine and visually check EVERY round before I put a bullet on top of the powder. The 550b is great for .223 and pistol reloading all on one machine. |
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Oh, the 550 can handle .223? Didn't know that. That will just about cover it. Hmmm.....going to have to think about that model real seriously.
In fact Mark, that might be the one I go with. Thanks for the info. ETA: Is this the machine you'd recommend? Any options you feel I need would be appreciated. http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23594/catid/1/RL_550B |
Not trying to do a plug for this guy, but there is a bunch of informative reading about the Dillon machines over here. I can't provide any first-hand knowledge about the Dillon presses yet, but maybe someday... 
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RobRat has the right idea. Take baby steps at first. You may think you have all your ducks in a row, and crank out a few hundred, only to find out that there was a mistake along the way. These folks see this played out here with other reloaders. Then there is all that rework to do.
Having said that, the Dillon progressive rigs are hard to beat. 
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Oh, the 550 can handle .223? Didn't know that. That will just about cover it. Hmmm.....going to have to think about that model real seriously. In fact Mark, that might be the one I go with. Thanks for the info. ETA: Is this the machine you'd recommend? Any options you feel I need would be appreciated. http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23594/catid/1/RL_550B I would get the 550 model if I were you. The 550 model can handle .223 with ease. The 650 is going to be more expensive to purchase additional toolheads and caliber conversions. The 550 has more readily available caliber conversions you can buy. Also, as mentioned, the 550 is manually indexing so it is easier to operate. |
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yeah, I was going to start to reload also. I would also be a beginner.
Decided on the 550, and saw a deal somewhere that will give you everything to start; tumblers, scales, all of the misc stuff that is not considered in the initial outlay. I believe that the kit was about $1K. Where I live, Ammo is very expensive compared to what most of CONUS gets theirs for. This is because of HAZMAT fees, which only a handfull of distributors qualify, and the freight must be flown in. Also, it is very humid where I live. Rust never sleeps. Guns, cars, electronic toys, .... I think that the only thing that is not affected is gold! I am afraid that when I am not using my reloader, it will also rust. Quoted:
If you think ammo is hard to find, try finding powder, primers, and bullets..... let alone the components you want. This is true. Quoted:
I've heard nothing but good about Dillon reloading equipment, so that would be a good purchase, if you're serious out volume reloading...... Looking at the pile of equipment, scales, dies, trimmers, measuring tools, etc., in my reloading room I'm not sure its cheaper!..... I don't intend on manufacturing by the gross, just enough for recreational use, possible investment, and/or SHTF. My prime directive is for defense (and fun) Given the above, I can buy several cases of various types for the cost of the kit alone, not to mention the cost and hassle of securing the bullets, primers, etc for each. Right now - for me - it's more economical ($$$ and time - learning curve) for me to pass on the 550, and all of the experiences that will be gained from it. I hope that I don't regret it. |
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Ammos is just too scarce. I'm thinking of getting a reloading machine from Dillion Precision. (Probably the 650 model.) Any thoughts would be appreciated. (I should have gotten into reloading long ago but ammo was available and inexpensive until Obama came into power.) I'll be starting from scratch. Is that still a good machine? Any current opinions of progressive machines would be appreciated. Thanks for any info. http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23803/catid/1/XL_650 IMHO...........a beginner should NOT START on a progressive machine. They should LEARN on a single stage. Aloha, Mark PS...........get a reloading mentor. |
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Ammos is just too scarce. I'm thinking of getting a reloading machine from Dillion Precision. (Probably the 650 model.) Any thoughts would be appreciated. (I should have gotten into reloading long ago but ammo was available and inexpensive until Obama came into power.) I'll be starting from scratch. Is that still a good machine? Any current opinions of progressive machines would be appreciated. Thanks for any info. http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23803/catid/1/XL_650 IMHO...........a beginner should NOT START on a progressive machine. They should LEARN on a single stage. Aloha, Mark PS...........get a reloading mentor. This is good advice.....however I started reloading about 3 years ago....I bought a Lee Loadmaster, yes alot of people hate them, and it was not an easy press to learn on....however, I have never (Knocking on wood) had a kaboom or squib load or any other major F-up. If you are half way competant (and yes every one thinks THEY are) and can read you will be fine with a progressive....I did do alot of reading prior to taking the reloading plunge and it paid off....go buy some books and search the net while you are waiting for yer back ordered components. P.S. I am still using the same press and have loaded 10's of thousands of rounds from .380 all the way up to .308. |
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The issue that came up with the 650 is that it auto advances the brass to the next station. I could not live with this. These blue machines can be finicky. It's nice that on the 550 you can manually fix any issues without emptying out the machine and starting over. The thing with a manual index is that you have to watch that you don't double charge a pistol round when you get a stoppage. Rifle rounds are impossible to double due to the case volume.. you'll spill powder everywhere and it will be obvious. Pistol on the other hand can be double charged if you make a mental mistake. I try to hang a light near the machine and visually check EVERY round before I put a bullet on top of the powder. The 550b is great for .223 and pistol reloading all on one machine. Sorry, can't let that go by. I do not have any problems with my Dillon progressives. So mine are not finicky. OP, go here for a Dillon 550 / 650 comparison Brian Enos. |
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The issue that came up with the 650 is that it auto advances the brass to the next station. I could not live with this. These blue machines can be finicky. It's nice that on the 550 you can manually fix any issues without emptying out the machine and starting over. The thing with a manual index is that you have to watch that you don't double charge a pistol round when you get a stoppage. Rifle rounds are impossible to double due to the case volume.. you'll spill powder everywhere and it will be obvious. Pistol on the other hand can be double charged if you make a mental mistake. I try to hang a light near the machine and visually check EVERY round before I put a bullet on top of the powder. The 550b is great for .223 and pistol reloading all on one machine. Sorry, can't let that go by. I do not have any problems with my Dillon progressives. So mine are not finicky. OP, go here for a Dillon 550 / 650 comparison Brian Enos. I spent many hours reviewing Brian's site. Thanks for the info. I'll be buying one of his kits. |
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The issue that came up with the 650 is that it auto advances the brass to the next station. I could not live with this. These blue machines can be finicky. It's nice that on the 550 you can manually fix any issues without emptying out the machine and starting over. The thing with a manual index is that you have to watch that you don't double charge a pistol round when you get a stoppage. Rifle rounds are impossible to double due to the case volume.. you'll spill powder everywhere and it will be obvious. Pistol on the other hand can be double charged if you make a mental mistake. I try to hang a light near the machine and visually check EVERY round before I put a bullet on top of the powder. The 550b is great for .223 and pistol reloading all on one machine. Sorry, can't let that go by. I do not have any problems with my Dillon progressives. So mine are not finicky. OP, go here for a Dillon 550 / 650 comparison Brian Enos. I spent many hours reviewing Brian's site. Thanks for the info. I'll be buying one of his kits. So which press did you decide to get? |
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A new reloader should start with a manual advance progressive so each step can be learned, and controlled. That means a Dillon 550 or RCBS Pro 2000.
An auto advance loader moves everything along with each handle pull, whether you're ready, or not, and you might not be ready while sorting out a problem. I really believe you should start on a single stage press. It's not as slow as your perception. In the future you'll most likely want to load small quantities of ammunition for a firearm but won't want to buy a die plate, shell holder plate, and the other stuff to convert the progressive press for loading 100 or 200 cartridges once every blue moon. Loading 50 rounds at one sitting is a good diversion. |
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The issue that came up with the 650 is that it auto advances the brass to the next station. I could not live with this. These blue machines can be finicky. It's nice that on the 550 you can manually fix any issues without emptying out the machine and starting over. The thing with a manual index is that you have to watch that you don't double charge a pistol round when you get a stoppage. Rifle rounds are impossible to double due to the case volume.. you'll spill powder everywhere and it will be obvious. Pistol on the other hand can be double charged if you make a mental mistake. I try to hang a light near the machine and visually check EVERY round before I put a bullet on top of the powder. The 550b is great for .223 and pistol reloading all on one machine. Sorry, can't let that go by. I do not have any problems with my Dillon progressives. So mine are not finicky. OP, go here for a Dillon 550 / 650 comparison Brian Enos. I spent many hours reviewing Brian's site. Thanks for the info. I'll be buying one of his kits. So which press did you decide to get? I'm going to go with this Dillon "EZ Package". http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.ez.550nrtop.html I'll be starting with .44 Special and .40S&W calibers. Can you link me to a site where I can buy an 8lb. quantity of powder you think is good for those pistol calibers. Thanks for any info. |
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Sorry, can't let that go by. I do not have any problems with my Dillon progressives. So mine are not finicky. My 550 has had issues. I wouldn't trade it for anything else out there FOR SURE! But the early primer warning system rotted and failed. The primer system flips primers in the cup and stuff like that. Those are the things that jam up the machine and make the manual indexing nice. I prefer the least amount of gizmos possible on my machine. +1 on Aero's suggestion of single loading through the stages. And load in small lots until you get your ammo dialed in just right. You don't want to have to pull 100 rounds apart after you discover a problem. Also, don't get hung up on the number of rounds per hour you crank out. Stick to quality over speed of production. No one cares out fast you made the round that blew your pistol to bits.
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But the early primer warning system rotted and failed. The primer system flips primers in the cup and stuff like that. Those are the things that jam up the machine and make the manual indexing nice. I prefer the least amount of gizmos possible on my machine.
You would've been a perfect candidate for the RCBS machine. Simpler,"least amount of gizmos" and no primer flips. Not to mention that you could have bought the manual version, got an extra station over the 550 in the process, and had an upgrade kit available to make it auto progressive if and when you got the itch to do it. Try making a 550 into a 650 for $102.00. 
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You would've been a perfect candidate for the RCBS machine. Simpler,"least amount of gizmos" and no primer flips. Not to mention that you could have bought the manual version, got an extra station over the 550 in the process, and had an upgrade kit available to make it auto progressive if and when you got the itch to do it. Try making a 550 into a 650 for $102.00. I'm not familiar with the RCBS machine. But I haven't needed more than the 4 stations on 550. My rifle process is already split between 2 toolheads anyway with resizing being done separately. My next reloading purchase will be a sinclair hand priming tool.
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You would've been a perfect candidate for the RCBS machine. Simpler,"least amount of gizmos" and no primer flips. Not to mention that you could have bought the manual version, got an extra station over the 550 in the process, and had an upgrade kit available to make it auto progressive if and when you got the itch to do it. Try making a 550 into a 650 for $102.00. I'm not familiar with the RCBS machine. But I haven't needed more than the 4 stations on 550. My rifle process is already split between 2 toolheads anyway with resizing being done separately. My next reloading purchase will be a sinclair hand priming tool.
I hear ya. Not trying to bleach blue guys...just letting a new reloader know that all good options aren't blue. AeroE is perfectly happy with his RCBS 2000 manual advance, 5 position press, and I with the same press, but with the auto advance kit added. I say all options on the table...The Green Side |
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